1. Central Bucks High School-West

2. Timeline of events and focus for each grade level Major changes to College Admission Testing (SAT) Supports provided to CBW students Academic; College and Career; Mental Health; D & A Resources provided for students and families

3. For Grades 10, 11, and 12

4. FOCUS ON:  Transition to High School  Getting Involved  Advisory and Career Plan  Academics  Community SOPHOMORE EVENTS  PSAT’s in October  Homecoming  Start something new – sports, clubs, volunteer, work, etc.  Begin resume of activities  Program Planning in Jan/Feb  Complete Career Plan in Spring

5. FOCUS ON:  Academics  Continued involvement in activities; leadership  Post-secondary planning  College Admission Testing  PSAT  SAT  ACT  AP JUNIOR EVENTS  PSAT (Nat’l Merit) in Oct.  College visits (at CBW) in Fall  Program Planning for Senior year in Jan/Feb  SAT’s/ACT’s from March – June  AP’s in May  Junior Prom in Spring  Visit college campuses in Spring

6. FOCUS ON:  Academics / Resume  College Applications  Finalize testing  Financial Aid  Graduation! SENIOR EVENTS  College applications due in Fall (as early as mid-Oct.)  Re-test SAT/ACT’s in Oct.  Financial Aid Night – Nov.  FAFSA due to colleges Feb – Mar  Re-visit college campuses  Senior Prom in spring  Finalize decisions and financial issues by May 1 st

8.  PSAT is in the “new” format.  Only offered on Wednesday, October 14 th, 2015 (per College Board). Online registration.  Open to 10 th and 11 th grades  Only 11 th graders may qualify for National Merit recognition.  The “Old” SAT will be offered in October, November, December, and January of this year.

9.  Scoring – back to 1600 Scale:  800 (Math)  800 (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing)  Subscales within each component  No points off for wrong answer. (No penalty for guessing).  “SAT Vocabulary” words are gone.  No more “prevaricator” or “sagacious.”  Must distinguish various meanings of words in context (like “synthesis”).

10.  Focuses on “math that matters most” – more Algebra-based, and every-day math applications.  One math section will not permit use of calculators.  Reading and Writing sections involve analyzing passages from Literature, Science and Social Studies.  Essay is optional; given at the end of the SAT.

11. ComponentTime Allotted Reading65 Minutes Writing and Language35 Minutes Math80 Minutes Essay (Optional)50 Minutes Total: 3 hours 3 hours and 50 minutes with essay

12. Things to consider for “New” Test:  Taking “new” PSAT gives sneak peak to new SAT  Students received a detailed score report in December, allowing about 2 ½ months to practice before the first new SAT in March.  Many free, online practice opportunities available for new test.  Students will have 3 opportunities to take the new SAT this Spring, as well as next fall.  The majority of the Class of 2017 will be taking the new test.

13. Things to consider if your student wants to take the “Old” Test:  How much SAT preparation have you done so far?  Have you had math through Algebra 2/Trig?  Do you feel comfortable and confident taking your SAT’s in November, December, and/or January, or would you feel rushed?  If you want to take the old test twice, then you don’t have much time between tests to remediate.

14. More considerations for students:  Do you want to prepare for TWO versions of the SAT, or just one?  Do you plan to ALSO take ACT’s? If so, then pick just one version of SAT’s to prepare for.  Colleges will most likely “superscore” old test and new test separately.  Look at YOUR OWN SCHEDULE and timeline, and decide what works best for you!

15.  ePrep: Free, online test prep for PSAT, SAT and ACT  Student must see Mrs. Graney in Library to set up account.  www.KhanAcademy.org  Partnered with College Board to provide individualized and comprehensive PSAT and SAT review.  www.Collegeboard.org  Information and Sample tests, problems, and resources.

16. At CB West

17.  House Team Structure  Counselor/Admin meet weekly to review academic progress of students  Review attendance patterns  Connect students with personal supports  Teachers; Private tutors; Peer Tutors  Connect students with online resources  Provide students with individualized study skills and strategies

18.  Peer tutoring provided through National Honors Society students  Students can contact their counselor or Ms. Graney in the Library to connect with a peer tutor

19.  Teachers are available after school for extra help (some teachers are also available during lunch or before school)  Encourage your child to connect with his or her teacher  Extra help may take the form of:  Clarifying misconceptions  Help with assignments / homework  Review of notes / re-teaching of content  Review of assessments

20.  A major focus in advisory this year is ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS:  10 th Grade: Orienting to High School; Learning the Basics  11 th : Refining Your Skills  12 th : Polishing Your Skills; Looking Ahead  Mrs. Kitty Semisch is available to work with individual students on organizational skills during advisory

21.  Student Assemblies  Advisory Lessons  Parent/Student Info Sessions  Individual family college planning sessions  Financial Aid Night  FAFSA Completion Night  Career Plan  Guidance Website  Naviance

22.  Powerful college and career search tool  Individualize searches, save favorites, make lists  Loaded with links, data, and resources

23.  Individual counseling  Referrals to community counselors  Referrals to community programs (Empower U; YMCA)  Crisis counseling  Groups (Bereavement; Stress Management; Goal Setting)  Transition planning (when returning from prolonged absence/illness)  Therapy Dog Pilot Program  Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Group (referral only)

24.  START Program  Referrals accepted by anyone  Typically for concerns about behavior, grades, attendance, or mental health  Team confidentially collects objective data from teachers, nurse, counselors, administrators, and security office  After collaboration with parents and student, team can offer: ▪ Free assessment through Bucks County Council ▪ Academic or school-based interventions ▪ Referrals for support with drug/alcohol/ mental health issues ▪ Community support groups  Process is completely voluntary and confidential

25.  CBW Student Fund – managed by Nurse  Assistance for food, clothing, and educational necessities  Assistance for school-related functions (testing, proms, fieldtrips) ▪ Contact counselor or nurse  Snowman Station  Class Councils and SGO – funds for students

26. Info is just a Click Away!

28.  Email blasts from counselors through Naviance  Email blasts from Administration through IC Messenger  West Times Online Newsletter

29.  CB West Principals  @CBWestHS  CBSD Twitter  @CBSDInfo  CBSD Facebook  Search Central Bucks School District  Or www.faceboook.com/cbschools