Thoughts from the Director of Guidance I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Welcome Class of

2028

1

The Year of the Revised SAT

2

PSAT/NMSQT

Information

2

College Testing

Information: Dates,

Registration Deadlines

3

Know Your Resources 4

Important Dates 4

Connecting with Your

Child’s Counselor

5

Social and Emotional Learning

5

Academic Department Contact Directory

6

Guidance Newsletter

Plainview-Old Bethpage

Central School District

106 Washington Ave

Plainview, NY 11803

(516) 434-3000

Welcome Class of 2028! The website Great Schools offers useful tips for helping students (and families) adjust to a

new school year. These strategies can help with the anxiety that some kindergarteners feel,

but may also be useful for older children who may be anxious about going back to school in

September.

A few weeks before school starts, move bedtime back to an earlier time. Establish

school-day schedules for homework, TV, bath and bedtime.

Put a positive spin on going back to school. Talk about the fun things your child will

learn, the old friends they’ll see, and the new fiends they’ll make.

If your child is anxious about starting the next grade, reassure him/her that other

children have those feelings too.

Arrange play dates with friends from school to re-establish connections that may have

been dropped for the summer, or to create new ones.

As I considered how I wanted to open our first newsletter of the 2015-2016 school year, I thought about what questions parents have asked me the most throughout my 27 years in education. By far, parents have wondered about the “secret to success”. How do we motivate our children to succeed academically? In my opinion, a key factor in student success (which can be defined in many ways) boils down to two factors: resiliency and grit. Resiliency (bouncing back from adversity) and grit (persevering through challenges) are critical attributes not only for academic success, but in social and emotional health as well. University of Pennsylvania psychologist Angela Duckworth writes, “It is resilience, not IQ, that is the best predictor of success.” I encourage you to read more about resiliency and grit. The website, Edutopia, contains excellent articles about these subjects. As always, I encourage you to work closely with the support staff that is available districtwide. Our counselors, social workers and school psychologists are excellent resources. If you’re not sure who to call, please contact me at any time. Send me an email at llynn@pobschools.org, or call me at 434-3150. This newsletter contains information that will help parents and students begin the new academic year in a well-informed and well-prepared manner. Please make a note of the dates and deadlines that apply to your family. Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year!

Parent/Guardians of

children in

grades K-8:

Before you go

shopping,

remember to check

your child’s school

website

for grade level

Supply Lists!

AUGUST 2015

“If children are

given the chance

to believe they’re

worth something-

if they truly

believe that-they

will insist upon

it.”

Maya Angelou

PSAT/NMSQT INFORMATION

The Year Of The Revised SAT

Starting in March 2016, students will take the newly revised SAT. This change significantly impacts the junior class as they will be the first cohort of students who will take this newly designed exam. The PSAT (practice SAT) that will be given in October will also reflect this redesign. See below for details about the PSAT. The Class of 2017 needs to be are of these changes. Students may opt to take the SAT earlier than usual in order to take the “older” version of the SAT while it is still available. The registration deadlines and test dates for the 2015-2016 school year are listed on the next page of this newsletter. Please plan accordingly! We will continue to update you on these changes as well as how to prepare for these exams. Keep an eye out for invitations to presentations by our partners in SAT Prep, Princeton Review and Method Test Prep.

What is the PSAT/NMSQT?

The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is a

practice version of the SAT’s taken by juniors, and sometimes, by sophomores. By taking

the test, juniors may qualify to enter competitions for prestigious awards and scholarships.

It is a two-hour and twenty minute test that measures critical reading skills, math problem

solving and writing skills. This year, the PSAT will be given on Wednesday, October 14,

2015. All juniors are strongly encouraged to take this exam. Juniors will be able to

take this exam at no cost.

Should sophomores take the PSAT?

When considering whether or not to take the PSAT as a sophomore, remember that

sophomore scores do not count as a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship

Program. The purpose of taking the PSAT in the sophomore year is to give students an

extra opportunity to practice test. This year’s PSAT will be the first opportunity to see the

what the newly revised SAT will look like. The cost to take this exam is $15.

How to register for the PSAT:

Registration begins on September 14th in the Guidance Office.

Students MUST sign up for the PSAT no later than October 2nd!

Sophomores must bring a check (payable to “POBCSD” ) for $15.00

How do students receive their scores?

Detailed score reports are received in the Guidance office in December and are mailed

home. These score reports are excellent resources to help students begin their

preparation for the SAT exams that are typically taken in the spring of junior year.

P A G E 2

PLAN AHEAD—TEST DATES

2015-2016 COLLEGE TESTING DATES

PSAT/SAT/SAT SUBJECT TESTING SCHEDULE CEEB CODE: 334532

POBJFKHS TESTING CENTER CODE: 33764 TEST DATE TEST(S) REGISTRATION LATE REGISTRATION DEADLINE DEADLINE** October 3, 2015* SAT and Subject Tests September 3, 2015 September 22, 2015 October 14, 2015* PSAT October 2, 2015 N/A November 7, 2015 SAT and Subject Tests October 9, 2015 October 27, 2015 December 5, 2015 SAT and Subject Tests November 5, 2014 November 23, 2015 January 23, 2016 SAT and Subject Tests December 28, 2015 January 12, 2016 March 5, 2015 SAT February 5, 2016 February 23, 2016 May 7, 2016* SAT and Subject Tests April 8, 2016 April 26, 2016 June 4, 2016* SAT and Subject Tests May 5, 2016 May 25, 2016

You must register for the SAT and Subject tests online at www.collegeboard.org

ACT TESTING SCHEDULE POBJFKHS ACT TEST CENTER: 216650

TEST DATE REGISTRATION LATE REGISTRATION DEADLINE DEADLINE** September 12, 2015 August 7, 2015 August 21, 2015 October 24, 2015 September 18, 2015 October 2, 2015 December 12, 2015 November 6, 2015 November 20, 2015 April 9, 2016 March 4, 2016 March 18, 2016 June 11, 2016* May 6, 2016 May 20, 2016

You must register for the ACT online at www.actstudent.org

*Tests Administered at POBJKHS **There is an additional fee for late registration

Contact Guidance for information on SAT Prep courses offered through SCOPE, Method Test Prep and Princeton Review

Questions about College Testing? Contact Ms. Lynn, Director of Guidance and Testing Coordinator

P A G E 3

FYI: We will be hosting several presentations about the revised SAT.

MORE INFO TO FOLLOW!!

P A G E 4

Important Dates

ELEMENTARY

SCHOOL

9/10: KC Back to School Night

9/11: Pasadena Family Picnic

9/16: Old Bethpage, Pasadena, Parkway, Stratford Rd Back to School Night

9/18: Parkway Welcome Back Family Night

10/2: Old Bethpage Fall Festival

10/16: KC Fall Festival

MIDDLE SCHOOL

9/9: MS Fall Sports begin

9/17: MMS/POBMS One-to-One Device Info. Meeting

9/17: MMS/POBMS Gr. 5/6 Back to School Night

9/18: MMS Gr. 5 BBQ

9/18: POBMS Pep Rally and Back to School Picnic

9/24: MMS/POBMS Gr. 7/8 Back to School Night

9/29: MMS Club Fair

10/16: MMS Pride Pep Rally

10/21: Progress Reports Posted

HIGH SCHOOL

9/10: Welcome Freshman Day

9/10: Teen Driving

Meeting

9/11: Welcome Senior Day

9/16: Gr. 12 Guidance Meeting

9/25: HS Club Fair

9/28: Teen Driving Meeting

9/30: Back to School Night

10/1: Gr. 9 Guidance Meeting

10/2: Pep Rally

10/3: Homecoming

10/3: SAT @ POBJFK

10/14: PSAT @ POBJFK

10/21: Progress Reports Posted

As the school year is set to begin, it is a good time to review the available

resources available to students and parents. For questions that are

specific to academic classes, content and student’s progress, parents are

encouraged to speak with their child’s classroom teacher. Contact

information is available on the website. Parents should never hesitate to

contact the supervisor of the academic department with additional

questions or concerns. A listing of administrative contact numbers is

located on Page 6 of this newsletter.

When parents are concerned about their child’s behavior, or worried that

their child is feeling stressed or anxious, parents should reach out to the

district’s psychologists, social workers or school counselors. Check out

each school’s website for these contact numbers.

Nassau Counselors’

Association

Fall College Expo

Sunday, September 20, 2015

12:00 pm—3:00 pm

Clark Athletic Center

SUNY College at

Old Westbury

Long Island National

College Fair

Sunday, October 4, 2015

11:00 am-3:00 pm

Health, Sports and Education Center, Grant Campus

Suffolk Community College

Know Your Resources

10/28: ESL Parent Tea for all parents @ JFKHS, 7:00 pm

Connecting with Your Child’s School Counselor

P A G E 5

Students in grades 5-12 are assigned to a school counselor who will work with them throughout their

time in that building. At the middle schools, counselors work with students in one grade. At the high

school, each counselor works with students in grades 9-12; each grade is split among eight counselors.

Understand the expertise and responsibilities of your child’s school counselor. Professional

counselors function as a facilitator between parents, teachers and the student in matters concerning

the student’s goals, abilities and any areas needing improvement.

Meet or contact your child’s counselor at least three times per school year. By communicating with

one another at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year, parents and counselors can have a

definite impact on a child’s success.

Discuss your child’s challenges and concerns with the counselor. As a parent, you know your child

best. It is important to encourage your child’s expression of needs, hopes and frustrations.

Learn about your child’s school and social connections from the school counselor. When you need

information or assistance, your child’s counselor can help you: get in touch with the appropriate

school officials, learn about school policies on behavior, attendance, and dress, and review the

calendar of important dates.

Work with the school counselor to identify resources and find solutions to problems. If your child is

having problems at school, it is important to work with your child’s counselor to find solutions.

Source: ASCA (American School Counselor Association)

Our emotions and relationships affect how and what we learn. Emotions can enable us to generate an active interest in learning. Alternatively, unmanaged stress and poor regulation of impulses can interfere with attention and memory. CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning) identified five core skill areas that are integral to social and emotional competency. They are:

Self-awareness - Children should be able to recognize their own emotions, describe their interests and values and have a well-grounded sense of self-confidence.

Ability to regulate emotions - They should be able to manage stress, control impulses and persevere in overcoming obstacles.

Social awareness - Children should demonstrate empathy and recognize and appreciate individual and group differences.

Good relationship skills - Children should be able to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships while resisting inappropriate social pressures.

Responsible decision-making - In making decisions, they consider ethical standard, safety concerns, appropriate social norms, and respect for others.

Source: CASEL.org

If you haven’t already done so, sign up for the Parent Portal!

The portal connects parents to student data online, anytime!

Social and Emotional Learning

Plainview-Old Bethpage

Central School District

106 Washington Ave

Plainview, NY 11803

(516) 434-3000

Newsletter Editor:

Laurie B. Lynn, Director of Guidance

llynn@pobschools.org

(516) 434-3150

Board of Education

Mr. Gary Bettan, President

Mrs. Debbie Bernstein, Vice President

Mrs. Jodi Campagna, Trustee

Mr. Seth Greenberg, Trustee

Mrs. Ginger Lieberman, Trustee

Mrs. Lauren Sackstein, Trustee

Mrs. Emily Schulman, Trustee

Administration

Dr. Lorna R. Lewis, Superintendent of Schools

Ms. Jill M. Gierasch, Assistant Superintendent for

Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Vincent Mulieri, Assistant Superintendent for

Human Resources

Mr. Richard Cunningham, Assistant Superintendent for

Business

Academic Department Contact Directory

Art and Digital Technology Music

Mr. Ben D. Wiley, Director, 434-3173 Mr. Joshua Golbert, Director, 434-3045

Business Physical Education, Health and Athletics

Ms. Sharon Lasher, Coordinator, 434-3134 Mr. Joseph Braico, Director, 434-3100

ELA Literacy Coordinator Science, Research and Technology

Ms. Eileen Annino, Coordinator, 434-3254 Mrs. Joyce Barry, Chairperson, 434-3191

English Social Studies

Mr. Jeffrey Yagaloff, Chairperson, 434-3185 Ms. Maria Carnesi, Chairperson, 434-3203

ESL (English as a Second Language) Special Education

Mrs. Rochelle Verstaendig, Coordinator, 434-3315 Ms. Ellie Becker, Director, 434-3020

Ms. Meredythe Alliegro, Ass’t Director, Gr. Pre-K-4, 434-3020

Family and Consumer Science Ms. Brooke Schnittman, Assistant Director, Gr. 5-8, 434-3020

Mr. Thomas Schwartz, Coordinator, 434-3267 Ms. Dolores Binstock, Assistant Director, Gr. 9-12, 434-3020

Guidance World Languages

Ms. Laurie B. Lynn, Director, 434-3150 TBA

Mathematics

Mr. Christian Bowen, Chairperson, 434-3197

P A G E 6