Guidance Department

The following tips will help you to be engaged with your classwork on remote learning days whether you are a hybrid student or fully remote student.

1. Create a routine where you go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.

2. Set a daily alarm to wake up at least 30 minutes before your first period class.

3. Designate a study space that is quiet, free of distractions and comfortable for learning. Sit at a table with a comfortable chair.
*It is NOT good practice to sit on your bed when engaging in remote learning.

4. Minimize distractions by keeping social media and gaming systems out of sight.

5. Have your tools accessible such as; chromebook, notebooks, textbooks, pens, paper, calculator, etc.

6. Open Smartpass and keep the tab open for the entire school day. Guidance is using
the Smartpass program to call students to the Guidance Office.

7. Check your HC Gmail for any new emails from counselors and teachers.
*It is a good habit to check your Gmail throughout the school day.

8. Access your Google Classroom

Follow your schedule as if you are physically in school. Start with your period 1 class. You are to complete and submit your Period 1 assignment before the end of the class. Your submitted assignment acts as your attendance for the class period. Then move to your period 2 through period 8 classes and remember to submit your assigned work before the end of each period.

9. Do some quick stretches in between “switching classes”.

10. Be an active learner; take notes, participate in class discussions, communicate with your friends and classmates and ask questions.

If you have questions, email your teacher, counselor, and/or an administrator.

Dear Seniors and Parents/Guardians,

The Guidance Department is very excited to welcome you back to school for your senior year. Senior Information Night is scheduled for Thursday, September 24th and will take place in-person and virtually. The presentation will discuss the college application process in detail.

In-person Presentation (Only Cohort A & B students with one parent)
Cohort A will begin at 6:30 pm
Cohort B will begin at 7:45 pm

Virtual Presentation
Cohort C & D will receive an email with a video link of the presentation on September 25th.

At this time, all seniors should have submitted their college essay to the Guidance Classroom. In addition, all seniors should have updated their resume in Naviance Student. For seniors who have not submitted their College Counseling Questionnaire, please complete the form and submit it as soon as possible. Your counselor would like to prepare an individualized college plan for you based on your responses.

There are many opportunities to connect with colleges and universities. Holy Cross has set up Virtual College Rep Visits. You can view the schedule rep visits on your Naviance homepage, under “What’s New”. In addition, students and parents can attend NACAC Virtual College Fairs www.virtualcollegefairs.org. You are encouraged to visit ahead of time to review the list of participating colleges (See attached Quick Start Guide). Also, all colleges and universities are interacting with students through their own virtual college tours and chats. Visit the website of the colleges you are interested in and set up an appointment with a College Admissions Representative.

Seniors have viewed the Smartpass program video in homeroom this week. The Guidance Department is using the Smartpass program to schedule student appointments. All students both Hybrid and All-Remote must log in to Smartpass each morning and keep the tab open for the duration of the school day.

There are testing opportunities for both the SAT www.collegeboard.org and ACT www.act.org register now to secure your seat.

CUNY Update: The City University of New York (CUNY) has decided to temporarily suspend the use of standardized tests for undergraduate admissions. Students applying to the University for Fall 2021 will not be required to submit SAT or ACT test scores as part of their application, nor shall any submitted scores be considered in evaluating their applications (University Executive Director of Admissions & Recruitment).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your counselor at extension 571.

Sincerely,
Holy Cross Guidance Department

Attachments:
nacacvirtualfairsquickstartguidestudents.pdf