Central Bucks High School-West
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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
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Resources provided for students and families
For Grades 10, 11, and 12
FOCUS ON:
SOPHOMORE EVENTS
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Transition to High School
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PSAT’s in October
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Getting Involved
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Homecoming
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Start something new – sports,
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Advisory and Career Plan
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Academics
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Community
clubs, volunteer, work, etc.
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Begin resume of activities
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Program Planning in Jan/Feb
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Complete Career Plan in
Spring
FOCUS ON:
JUNIOR EVENTS
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Academics
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PSAT (Nat’l Merit) in Oct.
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Continued involvement in
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College visits (at CBW) in Fall
activities; leadership
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Program Planning for Senior
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Post-secondary planning
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College Admission Testing
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SAT’s/ACT’s from March – June
 PSAT
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AP’s in May
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Junior Prom in Spring
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Visit college campuses in Spring
 SAT
 ACT
 AP
year in Jan/Feb
FOCUS ON:
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Academics / Resume
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College Applications
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Finalize testing
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Financial Aid
Graduation!
SENIOR EVENTS
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College applications due in Fall
(as early as mid-Oct.)
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Re-test SAT/ACT’s in Oct.
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Financial Aid Night – Nov.
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FAFSA due to colleges Feb – Mar
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Re-visit college campuses
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Senior Prom in spring
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Finalize decisions and financial
issues by May 1st
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PSAT is in the “new” format.
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Only offered on Wednesday,
October 14th, 2015 (per College
Board). Online registration.
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Open to 10th and 11th grades
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Only 11th graders may qualify for
National Merit recognition.
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The “Old” SAT will be offered in
October, November, December,
and January of this year.
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Scoring – back to 1600 Scale:
 800 (Math)
 800 (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing)
 Subscales within each component
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No points off for wrong answer. (No penalty for
guessing).
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“SAT Vocabulary” words are gone.
 No more “prevaricator” or “sagacious.”
 Must distinguish various meanings of words in
context (like “synthesis”).
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Focuses on “math that matters most” – more
Algebra-based, and every-day math
applications.
 One math section will not permit use of calculators.
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Reading and Writing sections involve analyzing
passages from Literature, Science and Social
Studies.
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Essay is optional; given at the end of the SAT.
Component
Time Allotted
Reading
Writing and Language
Math
Essay (Optional)
65 Minutes
35 Minutes
80 Minutes
50 Minutes
Total:
3 hours
3 hours and 50 minutes with essay
Things to consider for “New” Test:
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Taking “new” PSAT gives sneak peak to new SAT
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Students received a detailed score report in December,
allowing about 2 ½ months to practice before the first new SAT
in March.
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Many free, online practice opportunities available for new test.
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Students will have 3 opportunities to take the new SAT this
Spring, as well as next fall.
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The majority of the Class of 2017 will be taking the new test.
Things to consider if your student wants to take the “Old” Test:
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How much SAT preparation have you done so far?
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Have you had math through Algebra 2/Trig?
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Do you feel comfortable and confident taking your SAT’s in
November, December, and/or January, or would you feel
rushed?
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If you want to take the old test twice, then you don’t have
much time between tests to remediate.
More considerations for students:
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Do you want to prepare for TWO versions of the SAT, or just
one?
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Do you plan to ALSO take ACT’s? If so, then pick just one
version of SAT’s to prepare for.
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Colleges will most likely “superscore” old test and new test
separately.
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Look at YOUR OWN SCHEDULE and timeline, and decide what
works best for you!
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ePrep: Free, online test prep for PSAT, SAT and ACT
 Student must see Mrs. Graney in Library to set up account.
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www.KhanAcademy.org
 Partnered with College Board to provide individualized
and comprehensive PSAT and SAT review.
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www.Collegeboard.org
 Information and Sample tests, problems, and resources.
At CB West
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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
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
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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:
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Clarifying misconceptions
Help with assignments / homework
Review of notes / re-teaching of content
Review of assessments
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A major focus in advisory this year is
ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS:
 10th Grade: Orienting to High School; Learning
the Basics
 11th: Refining Your Skills
 12th: Polishing Your Skills; Looking Ahead
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Mrs. Kitty Semisch is available to work with
individual students on organizational skills
during advisory
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Student Assemblies
Advisory Lessons
Parent/Student Info
Sessions
Individual family college
planning sessions
Financial Aid Night
FAFSA Completion Night
Career Plan
Guidance Website
Naviance
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Powerful college and career search tool
Individualize searches, save favorites, make lists
Loaded with links, data, and resources
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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)
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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:
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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
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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
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Snowman Station
Class Councils and SGO – funds for students
Info is just a Click Away!
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Email blasts from counselors through
Naviance
Email blasts from Administration through IC
Messenger
West Times Online Newsletter
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CB West Principals
 @CBWestHS
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CBSD Twitter
 @CBSDInfo
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CBSD Facebook
 Search Central Bucks School District
 Or www.faceboook.com/cbschools