Senior Breakfast Provides Guidance

For Life After Graduation

By Susan Coney

In an effort to assist seniors and their parents with the postsecondary options available to them, the counseling department of Newtown High School hosted a breakfast and informational session, which was held on Monday, August 29, in the auditorium.

The event began with the breakfast and evolved into counselor presentations discussing the planning and responsibilities necessary if students were interested in pursuing college upon graduating from the high school.

Director of Guidance Neil Culhane along with several counselors and Career Center Coordinators Colleen Aiezza and Peg Ragaini were all available to present information and field questions from parents and students.

During the presentation, Mr Culhane stressed that students need to keep on top of where they are in regard where they need to be in their college search options. He emphasized the importance of to keeping to a time frame and adhering to important guidelines and made it clear that the entire guidance department was available to assist in the college search process.

Mr Culhane recommended that students apply to just those schools that they really would like to attend. He said the average student applies to between three and five schools. Other counselors added the importance of visiting prospective schools and having a back up or financially reachable school in mind.

Mr Culhane also recommended that students begin to give some thought to who they could ask to write recommendations for them. He stated that teacher recommendations carry the most weight because they are able to give a more true reflection of what type of student the candidate is. He emphasized that students ask only teachers who can really write a story about them as an individual, revealing their work ethic and passion. He said that students should begin to ask teachers for recommendations early because they are time-consuming to write and that the student should have at least two teacher recommendations.

At the informational session the students were told that they should begin working on their college essays and that English teachers would be working with the students to assist them in their endeavor. Mr Culhane pointed out the student essay provided the college with additional information about the prospective student and demonstrates their writing abilities. He emphasized that the student essay is an important portion of the application and should be done well.

The main message students and parents came away with at the informational breakfast was that Newtown High School has a staff that can and will assist them in their postgraduation goals and that students and parents should be vigilant about the college search process and make sure that they adhere to deadlines to avoid undue stress.

At the close of the session parents and students were given a comprehensive planning guide and additional materials to assist them in planning their search. The guidance department will be holding a financial aid night for parents and will be sending home quarterly guidance newsletters to keep families informed.