Calendar of School Counseling Department Events

  • Rockland Community College Free Application/Instant Decision Day

    Event will be held in the Guidance Conference Room from 10-2 pm.  Please bring a computer.  A representative will be here from the RCC Honors Program also.  There is a sign-up sheet at Ms. Maldonado's desk in the Guidance Office.

    Guidance
  • School Closed - Good Friday

    Guidance
  • School Closed - Spring Recess

    Guidance
  • School Closed - Passover

    Guidance
  • Orange County College Night at SUNY Orange in Middletown NY

    Guidance
  • Southern Westchester College Fair

    Event is being held at Westchester County Center in White Plains.

    Guidance
  • National Decision Day

    Guidance
  • Putnam-Northern Westchester College & Career Fair

    Event is being held at Northern Westchester BOCES at Yorktown Heights

    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
  • Elementary School Clap Out

    Guidance
  • School Closed - Juneteenth

    Guidance
  • Stomp Out Bullying (World Day of Bullying Prevention)

    Guidance
View Monthly Calendar

School Counseling Department Announcements

  • Rockland Community College Instant Decision Day - March 20, 2024

    A representative from RCC will be here on 3/20/24 for Instant Decision/Free Application Day, from 10 - 2 pm.   Also, a representative from the Honors Program will be here that day.  Applications are free.  Please come down to the Guidance Office Conference Room to apply.  Don't forget to bring your computer.  There is a sign-up sheet at Ms. Maldonado's desk in the Guidance Office.

     

     

    Guidance
  • Rockland Community College Honors Program Information Session - April 8, 2024

    Please click the link to see the flyer and QR Code.

    Guidance
  • JIMMY HAUBURGER Poster Contest

    Please click the link for information regarding the contest.

    Guidance
  • SUNY College Fair - Westchester Community College

    There will be a College Fair at SUNY Westchester Community College on March 20, 2024.  The fair will include admissions representatives from more than 40 SUNY campuses.   Students can register at suny.edu/fairs.

    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
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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 and PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAMS

 

Boston University Winter Visit Program  https://www.bu.edu/admissions/visit-us/events/

Marist College Precollege Program https://www.marist.edu/admission/summer-pre-college

University of Delaware Summer College Program  https://www.udel.edu/apply/undergraduate-admissions/precollege-programs/edge/

Cornell University Precollege Studies https://sce.cornell.edu/precollege/courses

University of Massachusetts Amherst Pre-College Programs https://www.umass.edu/uww/programs/pre-college/academic_programs

Landmark College High School Summer Program https://www.landmark.edu/summer

University of Chicago Pre-College Program https://summer.uchicago.edu/pre-college-students

Lower Hudson Valley Diamond Foundation presents HBCU College Tour 24  HBCU College Tour 2024 Brochure

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

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

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

University of South California Pre-college Summer Program https://precollege.usc.edu/

  

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Please click this link to view this year's scholarship offerings:  2024 Scholarship Bulletin

2024 Essay Contest
In Honor of Second Circuit Judge Rosemary S. Pooler
Sponsored by the Appellate Courts Committee of the New York County Lawyers Association https://justiceforall.ca2.uscourts.gov/essay_contest_2024.html

 Essay Contest - Justice For All New York County Lawyers Association Competition 2024 application

College Tuition Reimbursement Programs for Rockland County Firefighters and First Responders

 Rockland County EDGES Program

 Rockland County H E R R O Program

College Tuition Reimbursement Program for volunteer firefighters in New York State

https://fasny.com/resources/fasny-help-tuition-reimbursement-program/

 

 

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