Calendar of School Counseling Department Events

  • Dominican University Free Application/Instant Decision Day

    Please see you School Counselor to sign up.  Meeting with be held in the Guidance Conference Room. Please bring laptop with you on sign-up day.

    Guidance
  • Saint Thomas Aquinas Free Application/Instant Decision Day

    Vincent Vazquez from STAC will be here from 10-2 in the School Counseling Office Conference Room for a free application and instant decision day. Please bring your laptop to apply.

    Guidance
  • Financial Aid Night and Mini-College Fair

    College Fair 6-7 pm

    Financial Aid Night begins at 7 pm.  Please see attached list of participating colleges and universities.

    Guidance
  • New Haven University Free Application/Instant Decision Day Day

    A representative from New Haven University will be here in the Guidance Office from 10 am - 1 pm.  If anyone is applying to New Haven University please see your Guidance Counselor.  Please bring you laptop.

    Guidance
  • Common Application Workshop - 10:30 in the library

    please remember to bring your laptop, school counselors will be available. 

    Guidance
  • School Counseling Office Conference Room

    Rockland Community College Instant Decision Day

    Please sign up in the School Counseling Office.  A representative from RCC will be here from 10 am -2 pm.  Application fee is waived.  Students need to arrive for their appointments with their laptop to apply.

    Guidance
  • BOCES COURSE FAIR AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AT 10:30

    Come learn all about the trades that BOCES offers. There will be a BOCES course fair during lunch at the high school for all students to learn about different options available to them through the local BOCES programs!

     

    Guidance
  • School Closed - Holiday Recess

    Guidance
  • School Closed - New Year's Day

    Guidance
  • 8th to 9th Grade Orientation

    Guidance
  • Junior Parent Night and College Fair

    College Fair 6-7 pm

    Junior Parent Night 7 pm

    Guidance
  • National School Counselors Week

    Guidance
  • School Closed - Mid-Winter Recess

    Guidance
  • School Closed - Good Friday

    Guidance
  • School Closed - Spring Recess

    Guidance
  • School Closed - Passover

    Guidance
  • National Decision Day

    Guidance
  • Sophomore Parent Night and College Fair

    College Fair from 6-7 pm

    Meeting begins at 7 pm

    Guidance
  • School Closed - Memorial Day

    Guidance
  • Senior Awards Night

    Guidance
View Monthly Calendar

School Counseling Department Announcements

  • Rockland BOCES Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) New Visions Program Open House

    Please see the attached link for an Open House for the New Visions Health Careers Program at Rockland BOCES.

    Guidance
  • Rockland Community College Upcoming Events

    RCC Happenings – November 2023 

    Register for RCC’s Fall Open House 
    November 9, 2023, 4 – 7pm  

    Join the Rockland Community College Admissions team on campus to learn about what the College has to offer! Tour the beautiful campus in Suffern, NY with current RCC students who will tell you why you should join the RCC community! You will also get the chance to meet with Financial Aid Representatives, Student Success, and Specialized Services. Our Academic Deans will be hosting breakout rooms to assure that we have the right academic program for you as well! 

    Open House is the perfect opportunity for learners of all ages to find out what RCC can offer them! 

    Can’t make the Open House? Check out RCC’s other academic and departmental information sessions! 

    Learn more and register today: sunyrockland.edu/sessions 

     

    Last Fall 2023 Food Enthusiast Program! 

    Rockland Community College’s Hospitality and Culinary Arts Center (located in Nyack, NY) has one more Food Enthusiast Program this fall!  Register now for “Festivus for the Rest of Us! with Chef Steve” on December 13, 2023: https://sunyrockland.edu/event/food-enthusiast-program-festivus/ 

    The Hospitality and Culinary Arts Center is also available to rent for special events. Contact Mark Davidoff at 845-825-1890 or mark.davidoff@sunyrockland.edu for more information. 

     

    Check out Rockland Community College’s Upcoming Workforce Development Programs! 

    Rockland Community College’s workforce programs offer a variety of options within high-demand fields. Career tracks for these programs have an average starting salary of $40,000 upon graduation. There are several programs starting in November and December at the Suffern and Haverstraw campuses and online.  

    Course offerings, costs, program length and locations vary based on the program – and many courses are starting in the coming weeks. There are scholarship and grant opportunities for those who qualify. 

    Visit the Workforce Development and Community Courses site to learn more and register. 

     

    Wintersession Registration is Open at Rockland Community College! 

    Winter is a great time to take classes at RCC! Earn up to four college credits in three weeks at an affordable price. You can lighten your spring course load, transfer the credits to your current college, retake a class you dropped, or finish your degree sooner. The College is offering one Wintersession: January 2 - 219. Online courses are being offered so students can build the schedule that best fits their lifestyle.  For more information, visit: sunyrockland.edu/winter



     

    Stephanie Dixon, Account Executive

    GMG Public Relations, Inc. | www.gmgpr.com

    53 Hudson Avenue, Suite 226, Nyack, NY 10960

    Rockland: 845-627-3000 | Westchester: 914-996-8100 

    NYS Certified WBE | CAGE/NCAGE Code 9DZH2

     
    Twitter Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube
    Guidance
  • SECURING WORKING PAPERS

    Securing Working Papers 

    • You may pick up the application in the school counseling office OR you can download the working paper application located under IMPORTANT FORMS, from the  school counseling  webpage.
    • ​Fill out Part 1 only and have your parent or guardian sign the form.
    • Next, You will need a copy of your physical. During the school year you can obtain a copy of your physical from  the nurse's office . Otherwise, contact your physician. 
    • Bring completed application to the school counseling office  during school hours.
    • PLEASE NOTE IF YOU ARE A NYACK RESIDENT, BUT ATTEND PRIVATE SCHOOL OR OUT OF STATE SCHOOL, PLEASE CALL 845-353-7120 FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.
    Guidance
  • College Board released Essay Prompts for the 2023 - 2024 school year.

     

    Below is the full set of essay prompts for 2023-2024.

    1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
    2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
    3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
    4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
    5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
    6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
    7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
    Guidance
  • NYS STEM Incentive Program for high school graduates in the top 10% of their class

    The NYS STEM Incentive Program provides a full SUNY tuition scholarship to the top 10 percent of students in each NYS high school if they pursue a STEM degree in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program and agree to live in NYS and work in a STEM field in NYS for five years after graduation.

    Eligibility

    An applicant must:

    • be a NYS resident and have resided in NYS for 12 continuous months prior to the beginning of the fall college term;
    • be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
    • be a high school senior/recent high school graduate who will be enrolled full time at a public or private college located in NYS, beginning in the fall term following his or her high school graduation;
    • be ranked in the top 10 percent of his/her high school graduating class at a NYS high school;
    • be matriculated in an approved undergraduate program leading to a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics at a public or private college located in NYS;
    • maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher;
    • execute a Service Contract agreeing to reside and work in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics in NYS for five years.  View the terms and conditions of the service contract.

     https://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid/nys-grants-scholarships-awards/nys-science-technology-engineering-and-mathematics-stem-incentive-program.html

     

    Guidance
  • Excelsior Scholarship for 2022

    The Excelsior Scholarship, in combination with other student financial aid programs, allows students to attend a SUNY or CUNY  college tuition-free.

     

     For the 2022-23 academic year, families who earned $125,000 or less are be eligible to apply. 

     If you would like to receive Excelsior Scholarship Application updates , submit your email address to be notified by email and/or opt-in for texting notifications by providing your mobile phone number. (This function available on their webpage.)

    For more information go to the website below.

    https://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid/nys-grants-scholarships-awards/the-excelsior-scholarship.html

    Guidance
View More Posts

Members of the High School's School Counseling Department

School Counseling Department Office: telephone (845) 353-7120 fax (845) 353-7119

Lorraine Longing -  Director of Guidance K-12,   845 353 7123 -  llonging@nyackschools.org

School Counselors:

Karina Arias                       845-353-7128         karias@nyackschools.org

Sean Cavanagh                845-353-7125          scavanagh@nyackschools.org

Maggie Gershonovitz    845-353-7130          mgershonovitz@nyackschools.org

Tara Heinemann             845-353-7133          theinemann@nyackschools.org

 Alissa Lynch                     845-353-7126         alynch@nyackschools.org

 

School Psychologist:

Dr. Renee Eschmann, 845-353-7182

School Social Worker:

Mimi Madan, 845-353-7131

Lucille Sanchez, Bilingual Social worker , 845 353 7198

Student Support Services and Prevention Counselor:

Dornzella Milligan, 845-353-7134

School Counseling Department Support Staff

JeanMarie Maldonado - Records Secretary (845) 353 7121 jmaldonado@nyackschools.org
Jean Gunn - Guidance Department Secretary  (845) 353-7122 jgunn@nyackschools.org

 

 2023 - 24 School Year :

Counselor 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade
Mrs. Gershonovitz A -De

A - E

A - B

AVID 

A - Co
Ms. Heinemann Di - La

F - Joh

AVID 

C - Fig

Col - Hope 

Mr. Cavanagh

Le - Q

AVID 

Jos - L

Fo - Me

Hu - Mars

AVID 

Mrs. Arias  R M - Pet Mi - O Mart - Q
Ms. Lynch S - Z Pi - Z P - Z R - Z

 

 

COLLEGE OPEN HOUSES

Columbia University Pre-College Program, Academic Year Weekend, Spring 2024, Application Deadline 12/5/23 https://precollege.sps.columbia.edu/

Carnegie Mellon University Pre-College Programs https://www.cmu.edu/pre-college/

 Westchester Community College Open House on 11/18/23 https://www.sunywcc.edu/admissions/admissions-information/openhouse/open-house-rsvp/

Pennsylvania College of Technology Open Houses on 11/5/23, 2/24/24, 4/7/24, 7/13/24 https://www.pct.edu/visit

United States Military Academy at West Point Admissions Events https://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/events

 Mount Saint Mary College Open Houses on 10/1/23, 10/22/23, 11/12/23 and 12/3/23 https://www.landmark.edu/admissions/visit

SUNY Morrisville Open Houses on 10/21/23 and 11/18/23 https://www.morrisville.edu/open-house

SUNY Delhi Open House on 10/21/23, 12/2/23 and 4/13/24 https://www.delhi.edu/admission/visit-delhi/open-house/index.php

Simmons University Open House on 10/21/23 and 11/18/23 https://www.simmons.edu/undergraduate/admission-and-financial-aid/visit-us/attend-open-house

 Fairleigh Dickinson University Open Houses on 10/22/23, 12/2/23 and 12/3/23 https://www.fdu.edu/admissions/visit-fdu/open-house/

 

 

 

 

 

Naviance Student

High School Students and Parents/Guardians- click here for Naviance: https://student.naviance.com/nyack

Click to access :   Instructions for Naviance Student for Parents

 

 

Scholarship Opportunities for Class of 2024

Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarship Opportunities https://www.dar.org/national-society/scholarships/general-info

New York School Transportation Education Scholarship (must be son/daughter of school transportation department personnel working in New York State) New York Association for Pupil Transportation Scholarship Application 2024

Happy Jack Fund Scholarship for seniors who have suffered the loss of a sibling https://www.happyjackfund.org/memorialscholarship

Rockland Business Women's Network Scholarship https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/91907-Rockland-Community-Foundation

Hudson Valley Magazine's Excellence in Nursing Scholarship Essay Contest  Hudson Valley Magazine Excellence in Nursing Scholarship Essay Contest

Rockland Community Foundation - Christine Cordey Salon Scholarship https://rocklandgives.org/fund/christine-cordey-salon-scholarship-and-community-fund/

Union Plus 2024 Scholarship - for students of union families https://www.unionplus.org/benefits/education/union-plus-scholarships

Apia Scholars 2024 Scholarship - https://apiascholars.org/scholarship/apia-scholarship/

Abbot and Fenner Scholarships - https://abbottandfenner.com/scholarships.php

The Hagan Scholarship-Helping students with financial need graduate college debt-free https://haganscholarships.org/application/

Organization for Asian American Advocacy Annual Student Awards Application  OCA Student Leadership Award,  OCA Opportunity-Based Awards

Sobo and Sobo 2024 Scholarship Contest https://sobolaw.com/scholarship/

The American Legion - Department of New York - High School Oratorical Scholarship Program 2023-2024 https://www.legion.org/oratorical/rules

 

 

 

DUAL ENROLLMENT CLASSES

Dual enrollment classes allow students to take college level courses, helping to prepare them for college and earn credit at a reduced rate while enrolled at Nyack HS. NHS offers college level courses in Art, Business, English, History, Math, Music, Science and World Languages. In addition, students who are enrolled in Project Lead the Way, have an opportunity to earn college credits from PLTW Affiliations. Students will take classes at Nyack HS and will be taught by a college approved Nyack HS teacher who follows the college course syllabus. These courses fulfill both high school and college credit requirements. Students must register with the appropriate college and successfully complete the course in order to receive the college credit, which may be transferable to other colleges and universities. In order to get college credit, students must request official transcripts from the affiliated college to be sent directly to the college the student is attending after graduation. Students who are enrolled in Rockland Community College Dual Enrollment Classes cannot take more than 11 RCC credits per semester.  

Please see our Dual Enrollment Options at the High School:  Dual Enrollment PLTW Flyer

Please note to enroll in Rockland Community College's High School Program you must use Online Registration (Paper Forms are no longer accepted)

 PLTW College Credit Flyer

The following are college level courses offered at Nyack High School

Art

  • Digital Photo

Business

  • Principles of Accounting l
  • Business Law
  • Personal Financial Management

English

  • College Writing l
  • College Writing II

Math

  • Pre-Calculus
  • Calculus
  • Statistics
  • College Algebra

Music

  • Music Theory

 

Project Lead the Way (PLW)

  • Introduction to Engineering Design
  • Principles of Engineering
  • Engineering Design & Development
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Principles of Biomedical Science
  • Human Body Systems
  • Medical Interventions
  • Biomedical Innovation

Science

  • Advanced Science Research
  • General Biology
  • Environmental Science
  • SUPA Forensics

 

Social Studies

  • United States History I
  • United States History II
  • Intro to Criminal Justice
  • Economics
  • Civil Rights Movements in America 1945-1975
  • General Psychology      

World Language

  • Basic Spanish for Heritage Speakers
  • Intermediate Spanish for Heritage Speakers
  • Elementary Spanish
  • Intermediate Spanish l
  • Elementary French
  • Intermediate French I

 

Freshmen college planning tips

  • Be sure to take challenging yet realistic courses and take an elective course that interests you.
  • Work hard in your courses to get the best grades possible; all your grades are important and your grades make up your transcript.
  • Work on developing good study habits. Do your homework every night. Study for tests and quizzes. 
  • Get involved! Join and fully participate in a few school clubs.
  • During the fall, visit mini college fairs on Mondays during lunch and begin to gather information about what you might like in a college. 
  • Take a career survey in the Naviance program.  Go to: https://student.naviance.com/nyack
  • Begin to explore colleges and careers using Naviance.
  • Draft a resume in Naviance and start recording all  your extra curricular activities, part time jobs, and community service hours.
  • Continue to volunteer! 
  • Get scholarships from colleges for your achievements in high school through RaiseMe.

Sophomore college planning tips

  • Continue to take challenging courses and develop a competitive transcript.
  • Consider taking a leadership role in an activity that you are involved in.
  • In the fall you will take the ACT PLAN which is standardized a test modeled after the ACT, a college entrance exam.
  • Start developing a resume on  Naviance.
  • Explore career options by completing a career inventory in Naviance.  Go to: https://student.naviance.com/nyack
  • Participate in leadership conferences such as HOBY. For more information go to www.hoby.org
  • Research summer leadership programs offered by the Nyack Rotary.
  • BOCES Programs begin Junior year. Talk to your counselor if you are interested in pursuing a vocational career to learn a trade.
  • Start researching colleges by completing a college search on Naviance. 
  • Attend Sophomore Parent Night in the Spring.

Junior College Planning Tips

  • Continue to develop a competitive transcript, by enrolling in AP and College Level courses given at the high school.
  • In October you will take the PSAT.  The PSAT is a " trial run" for the SAT which is a college entrance exam. Use your PSAT results to prepare for your SAT in the spring.
  • Attend Junior parent night in the winter.
  • During January, you will plan your senior year courses with your counselor.  Continue to challenge yourself with rigorous courses.
  • During second semester, you will be invited to a junior planning conference.  This meeting will help you to refine your college search and help you to prepare for the application procedures during senior year.
  • Sign up to take the SAT or ACT in the spring of your junior year. Create an account at collegeboard.org and ACT.org to register for exams. 
  • Visit college campuses.  During spring break , students and their families are encouraged to visit colleges that are of interest to you.  You should also attend Open Houses from those colleges.
  •  If you can't visit a college campus, take a virtual tour: https://www.youvisit.com/
  • Check the guidance bulletin board regularly for updates and information. 
  • Begin to think about which teachers will be writing your college recommendation letters.  You might want to ask them to write this letter before school ends in June. This will allow your teachers to plan accordingly. 
  • Continue to research college and career options in Naviance, go to: https://student.naviance.com/nyack

Summer between Junior and Senior Year

  • Fine tune your college choices with your parents and share them with your school counselor.
  • Begin to draft your college essay.
  • Organize your college application deadlines, establish a professional email address, and register for any SAT / ACT exams you still need to take. Create a Common Application account and begin the input information in it.

 

 

Senior college planning tips

  • Continue to take challenging courses and give your best academic effort.
  • Attend college fairs on Mondays and individual college meetings during school. 
  • Attend college open houses, tours, and consider an overnight visit to a school that you are applying to. If you can't visit a college campus, take a virtual tour https://www.youvisit.com/collegesearch/
  • Carefully review your senior transcript that is mailed home to you and your parents in August.
  • Make an appointment to see your counselor in September to finalize your college list. Your counselor will need to submit your school report section on your application. This includes your transcript, Nyack High  School profile, counselor recommendation letter and form.
  • Continue to update  your Naviance account. Keep your counselors and teachers updated on  your admissions status.  Go to:  https://student.naviance.com/nyack
  • Make sure you communicate with your counselor by submitting a Transcript Request Form
  • Complete a PERSONAL STATEMENT  
  • Complete the optional parent comment and observation form and return it to your guidance counselor:  Optional Parental Comments and Observations 
  • Attend the senior college planning evening and the financial aid event. These evenings are designed to assist you and your parents with the college application process.
  • Submit your SAT and / or ACT scores to colleges that you are applying to.  This is done online on the College Board and ACT websites at collegeboard.org and www.act.org
  • If you are applying to play sports at college: go to NCAA ( National Collegiate Athletic Association) to learn more: www.ncaa.org
  • Read the scholarship bulletins and apply for as many scholarships as you can.
  • Continue to work hard. Colleges require mid year grades and final transcripts.
  • For more information about financial aid: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
  •  Rockland Adult and Community Education - learn about continued education options at https://www.rocklandboces.org/

For more important information:

 https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

http://studentaid.ed.gov

www.hesc.ny.gov

http://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/resources

https://student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile

http://www.bestcolleges.com/features/best-financial-aid/

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2016-09-19/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-full-financial-need