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Spirit Week: Details on page 2
LaGuardia Arts
Weekly Bulletin
March 9 - 13, 2015
It’s Show Time
Dr. Mars, Principal
Open House for Prospective Families on
March 12; 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Beginning at 5:00 PM on March 12,
La! is hosting our annual Open House
for prospective students and their
families. Approximately 1000 students
were notified of their acceptance, and
our Open House is our opportunity
to highlight our studio and academic
offerings.
For many families, our Open House
is the one chance they can see and
experience La! before they choose
a school, and they must decide by
Friday, March 20.
There is a lot happening in the
building that day, and much like
a well choreographed piece, it is
very important that our timing and
positioning is perfect. Please verify
your call time, location, and dress
requirements with either your director
or teacher.
Student Ambassadors
Students who signed up as La!ambassadors for Open
House should receive an e-mail providing you with
instructions for the event from the COSA. Students
must report to the 5th Floor Dining Hall at 4:15 PM.
When they enter the building, each
family will receive an Open House
booklet that will provide the floor-byfloor schedule of activities, information
regarding our various studio and
academic programs, and information
about our school that will help them
make their decision.
Thank you, everyone, for your help
with making our Open House not only
an enjoyable but also an informative
experience for our future La!s.
March
Spirit Week
9
M
10
T
12
Th
Conference Schedule
Bus Evacuation Drill
LaGuardia Lecture Series welcomes Dr.
Gidon Eshel; 5:00 PM; Library
Open House for Prospective Students;
5:30 PM
Attendance Meeting; Period 5
Safety Meeting; Period 6
End of Marking Period 1
13
F
14
Sat
16
W
Special Bell Schedule (see left column)
— Professional Development Day
AP Exams; Final Day for Payments;
Payments accepted online before
12:00 PM
A&F Mini Grant Proposals Due to
Room 853
Deadalus Closes for Fall 2015 Course
Requests at 11:59 PM
March 13 Special Schedule
3
8:00 AM
8:41 AM
4
8:45 AM
9:26 AM
5
9:30 AM
10:11 AM
6
10:15 AM
10:56 AM
7
11:00 AM
11:41 AM
8
11:45 AM
12:26 PM
Lunch 5th Floor Dining Hall
12:26 PM
1:00 PM
Please see the Administrative Section for complete
information.
17
T
Choral Concert; Riverside Church;
7:30 PM
MP 1 Grades Due; 8:30 AM
SDF 1 Blackout (Day 1)
18
W
SDF 1 Blackout (Day 2)
Preview Assemblies
Senior Gallery Show Blackout
19
Th
Cap and Gown Measuring; All Seniors;
Lunch Periods; Mezzanine
SDF 1: Laughing Stock;
Little Flower Theater; 7:30 PM
Spring Blood Drive
TOC
Schedule
Newsworthy
1
9
M
Conference
Building Community
2
10
T
Regular
Administrative
3
11
W
Regular
Instructional
6
12
Th
Regular
College & Careers
7
13
F
Special
www.LaGuardiaHS.org
20
F
SDF 1: Laughing Stock;
Little Flower Theater; 7:30 PM
Senior Gallery Show #3 Opens;
4:30 PM
21
Sat
SDF 1: Laughing Stock;
Little Flower Theater; 7:30 PM
22
Sun
SDF 1: Laughing Stock;
Little Flower Theater; 5:00 PM
23
M
Conference Schedule
Teachers: Grade Corrections Due;
8:30 AM
Building Community
Spirit Week
Box Office
Monday is crazy hair day.
Come with a mohawk, come with dyed hair, or
come in a wig! The possibilities are endless.
Tickets available through our website or the school
store. Tickets are no longer available online 3 days
before the performance; then, tickets can only
be purchased in advance from the School Store.
Children under the age of 5 are not permitted.
Tuesday is cosplay day.
Dress up as a character from your favorite movie,
book, tv show, comic, or video game!
Lauging Stock
S pr i n g Dra ma Fe s tiva l #1
Wednesday is our first ever Color Combat.
Seniors are asked to dress in red, Juniors in
green, Sophomores in purple, and Freshmen in
yellow! Which grade will dominate the hallways?
March 19; 7:30 PM
March 20; 7:30 PM
March 21; 7:30 PM
March 22; 5:00 PM
Tickets: $15/Student; $25/Adult
Thursday is cross-major day.
Are you a tech major? Put on a tutu and dress
like a ballerina. Are you a music major? Cover
your clothes with paint splatters and look like an
art major. Whatever you do, don’t dress like your
major!
Respect For All Liaison: Mr. Brummell, located in the Deans Office
S w e e n y T odd; T he De mo n
Ba r b e r of Fle e t Stre e t
March 27; 7:30 PM
March 28; 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
March 29; 2:00 PM
Tickets: $15/student; $25/adult
Friday is Healthy Mind, Healthy Body day.
Celebrate this day by wearing the jersey of your
favorite sports team, as well as hearing from Mount
Sinai professionals on making healthy life choices.
The Committee of Students Against Injustice,
presents their first concert of songs, poetry
slams, art, dramatic pieces, film, and dance
on Tuesday, March 24, from 4:30 PM - 6:00
PM in the Library. Your attendance will support
using artistic expression to promote social
justice. All are welcome. Admission is free.
Seniors To Be Measured for Caps and Gowns
March 19; Lunch Periods; Mezzanine
This is the only day for students to be measured for
their caps and gowns, but do not worry; a range of
sizes of extra gowns are ordered, so students who
are not fitted are given gowns in the closest size
available. Everyone, whether or not you have paid
your Senior Dues yet, should be measured.
Take PlaNYC Survey to Have Your Voice Heard
Every four years, New York City creates a plan called
PlaNYC to help chart our course forward as a city.
This year, the City is asking New Yorkers to share
their ideas on how to make New York City a better
place to live. Students, parents, staff...New Yorkers,
are encouraged to take the survey, which will be
available from March 6 through April 22 and will be
offered in seven languages. http://www1.nyc.gov/
nyc-resources/planyc-survey.page
What We are Working On
• increasing the bandwidth for internet access
• looking for funding to replace and renovate
our sound and lighting system in the
performance spaces
• looking for funding to decrease class size in
Math
• looking for funding to increase medical
services offered at the school
• networking to increase student access
to scholarships to defray the cost of post
secondary education
La! Lecture Series: Dr. Gidon Eshel
Tuesday from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, the La! Lecture
Series: Bringing the World Home welcomes
distinguished Bard Research Professor Gidon Eshel
who will be speaking on the challenges of feeding 10
billion people on the planet. He is a dynamic speaker
and research scientist who have lectured all over
the planet on the personal responsibility of humans
in solving societal challenges especially feeding the
growing populations of the world. Students, Parents,
and Faculty are all invited.
We welcome input from the school community.
La! Rocks American Idol & The Voice
We are supporting La! Alums Qaasim Middleton
for making the Top 8 Guys on American Idol and
India Carney for joining Team Christina on The
Voice.
Boys Gymnastics Brings Home Championship
The Boys Varsity Gymnastics team set a new school
record scoring 139.6 points and securing its fourth
league championship victory. Captain Nicolas
Cimino, captain Jeremy Vera, Kevin Jiang,
Chris Lum, Ralph Vibar and others gave solid
performances as they brought home LaGuardia’s first
trophy and banner in nine years. Congratulations to
the Boys Gymnastics team and Coach Gibson. La! is
proud of all your efforts.
Late Winter/Spring Blood Drive
Our Blood Drive will take place on Friday March 20
from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. NYC Blood Banks are
at very low levels after this winter. Students and
faculty are asked to support this important drive
by signing up to give blood with volunteers in the
cafeteria during lunch periods or in the COSA Office,
Room 243.
2
Administrative
Programming Time Line
Activity
Time Line
Grade Level Academic Assembly (Juniors)
February 9
Advanced Placement (AP) Fair
February 11
Open Daedalus: Students begin entering requests for Fall 2015
February 20
Grade Level Academic Assembly (Freshmen and Sophomores)
February 23
Close Daedalus: Last Opportunity for Students To Enter Requests for Fall
2015 at 11:59 PM
March 17
Students Receive Copy of Their Requested Courses
April 28
Counselors Meet with Students
April 28, 29, 30,
May 1
Final Day to Request Changes
May 5
Students Receive Tentative Fall 2015 Schedule on Daedalus and PupilPath
June 26
Fall 2015 Programming— Deadline: March 17
Online Registration in Three Steps
1) Review your options. Visit LaProgram.org, and click on the subject links at the top of the page to
review course sequencing, descriptions, and acceptance criteria. When you are done, click on “Register
Now!”
2) Access Daedalus. Enter your user name and password. Review the E-mail/Web Site Use Agreement,
and click, “I Agree to the Terms of this User Agreement.”
3) Make requests. Under the School heading, click on “Indicate/View Your Preferences/Courses for
Next Term.” Select only the AP, elective, and honors classes for which you need to apply. If you would
like to take a fourth year of math or science or a world language class, you would need to select that in
Daedalus. If your selection is rejected because of not meeting acceptance criteria, you can still add your
name to a wait list of students whose work will be re-evaluated by the respective department.
AP Exams
AP Exam Registration
a.
Most students will
have registered for the AP
exams with their AP teacher
and class in the computer
lab on Daedalus during the
week of March 2. A few will
register during the week of
March 9.
b.
Student are asked to
print a copy of their receipt,
which shows all the exams
registered for and the
associated fees.
c. Students taking
multiple AP classes and
exams are told to register
for all their AP exams in
Daedalus at the same time.
AP Exam Payment
Please pay for AP exams
by the day after you
register.
a.
Students should bring
the printed receipt with
payment (cash, check or
money order) to the School
Store during a free period.
The fee for each AP exam
is $91. Checks and money
orders should be made out
to LaGuardia H.S.
b.
Parents of students
paying the full exam fee can
instead opt to pay for the
exams on-line with a credit
card by going to LaProgram.
org.
If you feel that you
cannot afford to pay for
any or all of your AP exam
fees, there is a very limited
amount of money available
from the Parents Association
to help defray the costs of
these exam fees. Students
should go to room 237 to
make a request for financial
assistance. Requests for
assistance must include a
copy of the most recent
1040 form and a letter
indicating financial hardship.
3
A&F Spring Mini-Grant Applications
Due March 16
A&F offers mini grants to La! students,
faculty and staff for a maximum of $500
per term, per project. Spring Mini-Grant
Applications are due March 16. For specific
information and the grant application,
please visit http://alumniandfriends.org/
content/uploads/Mini-Grant-applicationspring-2015.pdf
Cell Phones & BYOD Policy
Electronic devices can be used for
educational purposes in the classroom
with consent of the teacher.
Bus Evacuation Drill
La! will be conducting a bus evacuation
drill on Monday, March 9.
Administrative
2015 - 2016 School Calendar
Mayor De Blasio and Chancellor Fariña
Designate Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha Official School Holidays
3/4/2015
For the first time in the 2015-16 school year, all public schools will close on September 24 in observance of
Eid al-Adha. For summer school starting in summer 2016, schools will close in observance of Eid al-Fitr.
“We are committed to having a school calendar that reflects and honors the extraordinary diversity of our
students,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “Muslim students and their families who observe Eid alFitr and Eid al-Adha shouldn’t have to choose between an instructional day and their religious obligations.
This new addition will also enable a teachable moment in the classroom for our students to learn about
religious tolerance and the societal contributions of various cultures.”
School calendar 2015-2016
First Day of School.
Feb 2
Spring Term begins for high school students.
Early dismissal for non-District 75
kindergarten students only.
Feb 15-19
Midwinter Recess (schools closed)
Partial school time for pre-kindergarten
public school students.
Mar 2-3
First full day for non-District 75 kindergarten
students.
Mar 7-8
Partial school time for pre-kindergarten
public school students.
Mar 10-11
High School: Parent-Teacher Conferences*
Mar 16-17
Middle School: Parent-Teacher Conferences*
Sep 14-15
Rosh Hashanah (schools closed)
Mar 25
Good Friday (schools closed)
Sep 23
Yom Kippur (schools closed)
April 21
Pre-kindergarten Non-Attendance Day
Sep 24
Eid al-Adha (schools closed)
April 25-29
Spring Recess (schools closed)
Oct 12
Columbus Day Observed (schools closed)
May 30
Memorial Day (schools closed)
Oct 22
Pre-kindergarten Non-Attendance Day
Jun 8
June Clerical Half-Day for elementary and
middle school students.
Sept 9
Sept 10
Election Day. Students do not attend school.
Nov 3
Nov 4-5
Nov 9-10
Chancellor Conference Day for Staff
Development
Jun 9
Conferences*
District 75 School Programs: Parent-Teacher
Conferences*
Chancellor’s Conference Day for Staff
Development.
Students do not attend school.
Elementary School: Parent-Teacher
Conferences*
Jun 14
District 75 School Programs: Parent-Teacher
Conferences*
June Clerical Half-Day for elementary and
middle school students.
Regents Rating Day.
Nov 11
Veterans Day Observed (schools closed)
Nov 17-18
Middle School: Parent-Teacher Conferences*
Nov 19-20
High School: Parent-Teacher Conferences*
Nov 26-27
Thanksgiving Recess (schools closed)
Dec 3
Pre-kindergarten Non-Attendance Day
Dec 24-Jan1
Winter Recess (schools closed)
Jan 18
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (schools closed)
Jan 28
Pre-kindergarten Non-Attendance Day
Feb 1
Elementary School: Parent-Teacher
Jun 23
High School students do not attend school,
except those enrolled at D75 school
programs.
Jun 28
Last Day For All Students. Early Dismissal.
NoteS: _______________________
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Chancellor’s Conference Day for staff
development in all non-D75 high schools
only.
High School students do not attend school,
except those enrolled at D75 school
programs.
*Parent-teacher conference dates are citywide. However, schools may decide
to hold their conferences on alternative dates. Please check with your school
for specific schedules. For assessment dates and other calendars, please visit
schools.nyc.gov/calendar.
4
Administrative
Opportunity to Register for Spring STEM
Institute
Deadline: March 27
Event: April 7-9
March 13 Special Schedule
In order for the staff to have additional
professional development time, March 13 will
be a half-day for students. The Bell Schedule
is listed below:
The NYCDOE is offering a three-day Spring STEM
Institute for teacher-teams (2-3 educators) who are
interested in integrating STEM (Science, Technology
Education, Engineering, and Math) content into their
school’s curriculum in kindergarten through twelfth
grade. Teacher teams who participate in this institute
will have opportunities to learn strategies across the
core disciplines in order to help students become
critical thinkers who are college and career-ready.
The Spring STEM Institute will take place at
Stuyvesant High School from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
on April 7-9. For more information and to register
your teacher team, please visit the Spring Stem
Institute Registration page by March 27. Note
that teachers who participate will be paid at the per
session rate for a total of 15 hours upon completion
of this three-day institute. Teacher teams that are
interested should inform their Assistant Principal.
3
8:00 AM
8:41 AM
4
8:45 AM
9:26 AM
5
9:30 AM
10:11 AM
6
10:15 AM
10:56 AM
7
11:00 AM
11:41 AM
8
11:45 AM
12:26 PM
Lunch 5th Floor Dining Hall
12:26 PM
1:00 PM
Students
• To meet the instructional time requirement
for the day, all students are to report to the
respective Dining Hall during their assigned
lunch period. (The Library, Tutoring Center,
Offices, etc. will be closed to students
during this time.)
• In lieu of eating lunch during their “Lunch
Period”, students will participate in
presentations regarding Healthy Lifestyle/
Healthy Artist.
• Attendance will be taken in each Dining
Hall.
• Students may leave at 12:26 PM or elect to
have lunch in the 5th Floor Dining Hall
Teachers
• Teacher Time: 8:00 AM - 2:50 PM
• The Professional Development Committee
will finalize the format and topics at its
Monday meeting, and this information will
be written on the white board in the Main
Office.
• The Plenary Session will begin at 12:45 PM
in the 5th Floor Student Dining Hall.
5
Instructional
Perspectives: Mastery: The Game Changer
by Marge Scherer
Technology is often touted
as changing the equation for
learners. It provides the means
to learn anytime, anywhere, on
your own, and in collaboration
with peers and experts. Yet there
is something, according to our
authors in this issue, that could
be even more transformative,
whether technology-enhanced or
not, and it is a research-based
practice that has been around
a long time. It’s called mastery
learning.
Although the concept of mastery
is difficult to grasp—asking for a
definition of mastery is like asking
for a definition of truth or justice,
Tom Guskey says—the concept
of mastery learning is relatively
straightforward. Mastery is a
lifelong pursuit, not something to
check off as completed, whether
you are playing the violin or
studying mathematics. It involves
a deep inner desire to get better
and better at a skill or content
area—generally a goal you
have selected yourself. Mastery
learning is simpler—at least in
concept. It is an instructional
philosophy based on the idea of
setting clear objectives, providing
students with opportunities
for practice, checking for
understanding, reteaching in
different and new ways if needed,
and, finally, giving students more
than one chance to demonstrate
the attainment of the goal.
Eventually, according to
Benjamin Bloom, whose research
established the basis of mastery
learning practice, 95 percent of
your students can learn a subject
up to a high level of mastery.
That is, almost everyone can
master the original objective and
then embark on new learning.
As our research columnists Bryan
Goodwin and Kirsten Miller note,
mastery learning is a promising
teaching technique, similar to
tutoring, but with the potential
to be used with groups. Why
then is it not being more widely
implemented? And how could it
be practiced more extensively
and more successfully? That
is what this issue on “Getting
Students to Mastery” is all about.
Here are just a few points our
authors make:
Focus on true expertise. Despite
the claims of software solutions
that help educators track endless
small objectives, Grant Wiggins
tells us, you haven’t mastered a
subject if you only possess skills
in isolation and can produce
them on demand in response to
prompts. “The constant process
of bringing the parts back
together in complex performance
is what’s routinely missing from
many so-called mastery learning
programs.” Establishing high
standards—and not settling for
good enough—is vital. We owe
each student the facts about
where he or she fits in terms of
wider-world standards, Wiggins
writes.
Provide students with the time
and conditions they need.
Thomas Guskey and Eric
Anderman note that students
adopt mastery goals when
they are allowed to resubmit
assignments that need more
work, are not pressured by
constant talk of grades and
scores, and are encouraged to
make self-comparisons instead of
comparisons against others.
Think about it from the student’s
viewpoint. Claims of being
mastery-based have been
applied to routinized step-bystep learning that neglects the
engagement of the learner. As
Catlin Tucker says, “For students
to want to master something,
they must, first of all desire to
get better. They must also feel
that what they’re learning or
doing matters.”
Remember that attitude counts.
Even that renowned master
Michelangelo is reputed to have
said, “Ancora imparo,” or “ I am
still learning.” According to Carol
Ann Tomlinson, some college
students she knows have no
experience of the fire in the belly
that drives individuals to pursue
mastery: to do hard thinking, to
read, to debate ideas, to push
themselves toward excellence
in a real-world pursuit. This is
not really their fault, she notes.
Because they have had to spend
their last 12 years attaining the
6
necessary grades and test scores,
they have become accustomed
to thinking only about what they
need to do to jump the next
hurdle. Mastery implies attitudes
that characterize long-term
success—including the capacity to
delay gratification, a tolerance for
ambiguity, and a willingness to
think strategically, she writes.
Mastery learning presents a
dissemination challenge. It is not
a solution you can purchase or
a plan for what to do on Monday
morning. It is not something
that can be enforced by state
or federal edict, but rather it
is fostered through coaching
and careful experimentation by
thoughtful educators.
It also requires a lot of work,
both from the students and the
educators. But it is a true game
changer, the ultimate disruptive
technology. It places students
and learning first on the agenda.
It assumes that all students can
be masters at learning.
Educational Leadership, edited
December 2013 - January 2014.
Remember to record your College Acceptance Decisions in Naviance.
Click the pencil to the right of the Results column, next to “Unknown”.
Seniors, Families & Teachers: The Common
App is Seeking Your Feedback Regarding
Essay Prompts
In February 2013, The Common Application
introduced five new essay prompts with a
commitment to review their effectiveness on a
regular basis. With that goal, we invite you to share
your feedback through a brief survey. The survey
asks respondents to identify their role. The survey
will be open through Monday, March 9. Thank you
in advance for your insight. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/
Summer Program for Bioengineering Design
and Entrepreneurship at Columbia University
Deadline: March 13
Event: July 20 – August 28, 2015
Essay_Constituents
Class of 2016
Adding Test Scores to Naviance
If you wish to add your standardized test scores to
Naviance, go to About Me> test scores> edit. Having
your test scores in Naviance helps in personalizing
your experience.
Thinging of Applying to Colleges Across the
Pond?
UCAS is the organization that processes all full-time
applications to UK universities and colleges. It is there
to support you – as well as your son or daughter –
through every step of the application process. UCAS
sends all applicants a monthly newsletter, full of useful
information, reminders, advice and competitions.
But did you know you can get information from UCAS
too?
The Hk Maker Lab is an intense six-week summer
program to learn the foundations of design. Focusing
on addressing a biomedical problem, students work in
teams to prototype and test a biomedical device and
develop an associated business plan. The program
culminates in a pitch to leading executives from the
biomedical community. Winning projects might then
be incubated using the state-of-the-art facilities at
Harlem Biospace. Details about the program, photos
from last summer and application link can be found
by clicking here.
Class of 2016
Quick Financial Aid Information — CLICK HERE
College & Careers
Cooper Union STEM Program
Deadline: March 16
The Summer STEM Program is an intensive, sixweek experience that immerses students in handson engineering design and problem-solving, thereby
placing them on the right track for careers in
technological innovation. Students work closely with
Cooper Union faculty at the forefront of engineering
education. Projects range broadly and include
robotics, digital fabrication, computer programming
and app development, biomedical and genetic
engineering, improved urban infrastructure, and
even race car design. Faculty and teaching assistants
from the departments of civil, chemical, electrical,
You can sign up to monthly parent newsletters
quickly and simply online. They’re completely FREE
and contain timely information and advice about
your son or daughter’s journey to higher education
and what you can do to support them. For further
information about the UCAS process, take a look at
the advice for parents on www.ucas.com.
Time is running out to prepare for the
spring SAT, ACT, AP & Subject Test
Exams!
Revolution offers:
1. The best, professional tutors who provide the highest
caliber of instruction.
2. Excellent customer service and progress reporting
after every tutoring session.
3. Private tutoring starting at $49/hour for test prep or
academics!
4. 100% money back guarantee for the first month of
any tutoring program if you’re not satisfied.
If your student is looking for some extra help in a class or
preparing for the SAT or ACT, we strongly encourage you
to reach out to Revolution Prep at 877-REV-PREP to speak
to one of their Academic Advisors.
The Weekly Bulletin is a collection of
original material and collected/adapted
information intended to keep the
LaGuardia Community informed.
Revolution Prep also offers our parents free informational
webinars on the SAT/ACT, APs, SAT Subject Tests and
more. Register for upcoming Revolution Prep Webinars
here: https://www.revolutionprep.com/webinars/
Dr. Mars, Principal
Mr. Moore, Teacher
Mr. Sommers, AP
Dr. Stricklin-Witherspoon, AP
Ms. van Keulen, AP
7
College & Careers
Free Career Labs for Teens at
the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Events: March 13
Thinking about life beyond high
school? Explore careers in the arts,
hear from Museum professionals
and experts, and build your skills
in special workshops. This event is
free; reservations are encouraged.
For more information and to reserve
your spot, click here.
Apply to the goLEAD Institute
Deadline: March 13
Event: April 6 – April 10
Are your high school students
interested in becoming leaders while
also serving the community? If so,
have them apply for the goLEAD
Institute! The goLEAD Institute is a
youth leadership training program
for NYC public high school students
(grades 9-12) that engages them
in meaningful community service
and service-learning. goLEADers
participate in a series of leadershipskill building activities, preparing
them to plan and implement
the Youth Service Summit for
elementary school students as
their capstone community service
project. Service in Schools and
generationOn are partnering to host
the goLEAD Institute during Spring
Break, Monday, April 6-Friday, April
10. Click here.
The Joint Science and Technology
Institute Summer Program
This summer program is sponsored
by the U.S. Army Defense Threat
Reduction Agency. Students will
spend
two-weeks
conducting
research with scientists in Edgewood,
MD. This is an all-expense paid,
residential program. Deadline for
applications is March 15, 2015.
The purpose of the program is
to expose students to scientific
research through hands-on projects,
to enable students to work with realworld scientists, and to increase
students’ awareness of career
opportunities in related fields.
To be eligible, high school students
should be US citizens, age 16 by the
start of the program, and plan to be
enrolled in high school next year.
The program dates are July 18 –
July 31, 2015. All expenses are paid
for the students, including travel
to and from the program location
in Edgewood, MD.
All students
are encouraged to participate,
regardless of GPA. A diverse group
of students will be selected. https://
www.orau.org/center-for-scienceeducation/events/jsti/default.html.
GOALS
for
Girls
Summer
Intensive at Intrepid Sea, Air
and Space Museum
Application Deadline: March 16
Program: July 6 - August 14,
INTREPID MUSEUM’S GOT GOALS!
The GOALS (Greater Opportunities
Advancing Leadership and Science)
for Girls Summer Intensive is a
free, application-based summer
program for eighth and ninth grade
girls from New York City schools.
This s not your average summer
camp. Through dynamic hands-on
lessons, fieldtrips and workshops,
fifty accepted students will build
proficiency in the fields of science,
technology, engineering and math
(STEM). The six- week, Monday
through Friday program is located
at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space
Museum, Pier 86, W. 46th St. and
8
12th Ave., New York City. Click
here for our online applications and
additional information.
Apply Now to Attend DNA
Science Camp
Deadline: March 20
Event: April 6, 2015 – April 10, 2015
High school students interested
in molecular genetics and modern
biotechnology, who want to learn
more about DNA, should apply to
attend DNA Science Camp during
Spring Break at the Harlem DNA
Lab. DNA Science Camp provides
extensive lab experience with the
basic techniques of recombinant
DNA, including DNA restriction and
ligation, bacterial transformation
and plasmid isolation. Click here
for more information and to apply.
Summer Study Projects Program
at The Frick Collection
Deadline: March 31
The Frick Collection is pleased to
offer Summer Study Projects, a
four-week program for high school
juniors and seniors and college
underclassmen with an interest in
art and art history. Between July
7 and 31, participants will pursue
independent research and develop
talks on selected landscapes in
the Frick’s permanent collection,
all while learning about the inner
workings of one of New York’s most
cherished art institutions. This free
program is by application only; for
further information and to apply,
please click here.
LaGuardia Arts
February 24, 2015
Planning For College II
Dr. Mars, Principal
On February 24, the Guidance Department
presented Planning For College II: Understanding
the Process. The presentation was designed so that
audience members would understand key concepts
in the college admissions process. Attendees were
given a graphic organizer to provide structure
and key talking points. After the presentation,
evaluation forms were returned. This document
contains extended notes with working links, as well
as answer the most frequent topic-clusters.
Planning for College III: Making the First
Step
Thursday, March 5; 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM;
Concert Hall
College & Conservatory Fair
Monday, April 20; 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Planning for College IV:
A Director of
Admissions’ Perspective
Tuesday, April 28; 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM; Concert Hall
Exploring College Options -- Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Penn, Standford
Sunday, May 10; 7:30 PM
Concert Hall
La! is the NYC site, so registration is recommended: http://www.exploringcollegeoptions.org
Margaret Marte (ext. 5235)
mmarte3@schools.nyc.gov
Communication
Types of Degree Programs
AA: 2 year
BA: Bachelors of Arts: Typically 40% in selected
Arts
BFA: Bachelors of Fine Arts: Typically 60% of
courses in Fine Arts
• Open, Honest, Realistic Conversations
• Goals, Career Aspirations, Major Area of
Study
• School Choice
• Finance
• Social Media Profiles and Personal Email Addresses
• Parent & Student Daedalus and Naviance Accounts
• Frequently Check for Email
• Check Spam Folder
• Read Weekly Bulletin
• Monitor Deadlines
•
Parent and Student Daedalus:
Kas Wilson (ext. 3261)
kwilson@schools.nyc.gov
Double Major: 2 majors - 1 degree
Dual Degree Programs - accelerated ending in 2
degrees (e.g. bachelors and masters.
Colleges I’m Thinking About
Students should explore Naviance and begin to
develop their Colleges I’m Thinking About List. Aim
for about 30 schools that interest you for any number of reasons. Next meeting, we’ll talk about how
to develop your list further.
Parent and Student Naviance:
9
Testing
Test Free Schools
http://fairtest.org/university/optional
Without test scores, the other parts of your application must be stronger.
See Ms. Marte in the Guidance Suite regarding Fee
Waivers; must have Free & Reduced Lunch Application completed.
Take standardized test 1x this Spring.
Take 1x in Fall
SAT: “Reasoning based”
ACT: “Content based”
Test Free Schools -- other factors weigh more
SAT
https://sat.collegeboard.org/register
New SAT begins Spring 2016 -- Does not affect
Class of 2016.
New PSAT begins October 2015
Everything you wanted to know: https://sat.collegeboard.org/home
Test Date
Deadline
Cost
May 2
Apr 6
$52.50
Jun 6
May 8
$52.50
Students with Disabilities: Click Here
Using your PSAT scores for online information:
https://quickstart.collegeboard.org/posweb/login.
jsp
ACT
http://www.actstudent.org/regist/dates.html
Test Date
Deadline
(Late Fee Required)
April 18, 2015
March 13, 2015
March 14–27, 2015
June 13, 2015
May 8, 2015
May 9–22, 2015
Students with Disabilities: Click Here
Transcripts & GPA
Is the transcript shown on
Daedalus/PupilPath the
same exact transcript that
the colleges see? If so:
Daedalus currently shows the
attendance for science labs as
a failing grade, and is listed
under “failed courses”
No, colleges see the NYC DOE
transcript —the same one that is
given to students each semester
— that does not include science
labs. In addition, this transcript
only includes highest Regents
scores.
How is GPA determined?
Is it weighted or
unweighted? How do the
Art (concentration) classes
factor into the GPA? Is there a
cumulative GPA for freshmanJunior year?
Every semester, the cumulative
GPA is updated based on the
most recent grades. AP classes
are weighted at a 1.1, versus
a 1.0 for other classes. The
“weight” is shown in the GPA, not
in the actual grade the student
receives. All classes count
towards GPA except Gyms and
labs.
10
Studio classes affect a student’s
GPA; however, some colleges
remove the Arts credits and
recalculate a GPA based on just
academics.
La! always uses the weighted
GPA. In Deadalus, this is the
“overall average.” Daedalus
and Naivance may show slight
variations in the GPA, so the most
accurate GPA comes from the
DOE system, STARS.
Pre-College Process Questions
Guidance Counselors
When should students begin
applying to colleges?
Summer prior to senior year
is a good time to start forming
your list of schools and working
on your applications; however,
the fall of senior year is when
the majority of the application
process takes place and
applications are submitted.
Different schools have different
deadlines, and it is important to
keep in mind the different types
of admissions dates (EA, D,
rolling, etc.) E
Counselors Questions:
What do guidance counselors
do, and when do they do it?
When do students meet with
their counselors?
Guidance Counselors meet with
students in order to discuss
college options as well as the
student’s thoughts on schools,
programs, and possible majors.
In addition, Guidance Counselors
provide recommendation letters
and send the necessary school
documents needed for student’s
applications.
Common App opens August
1 every year, so students
may begin working on their
applications then.
Counselors are available by
appointment to meet with
students about college. Some
students may want to meet
during the second half of Junior
year, and students should also
meet with their counselors during
the beginning of their senior year
prior to applying to colleges.
My child is not prepared to
think about his/her future,
how do I help him/her?
Start the conversation at
home, explore current issues,
aspirations and discuss current
classes that the student may or
may not enjoy. Naviance is a
good resource to explore future
options. The Careers tab offers
the opportunity to search possible
areas of interest and possible
majors through the career
cluster option. There are also
personality and career interest
and aptitude assessments
available that might help to guide
the student towards a certain
career path.
Naviance
When does Naviance
become available? How
does Naviance work as
a connection between
LaGuardia and colleges?
Naviance is available at the
beginning of the student’s
Junior year, and uses the same
login/password information as
Daedalus. Parent accounts were
emailed to the email address
registered in Daedalus.
There are four main aspects of
Naviance:
1. For students to do research
and explore
2. For students to inform
their Guidance Counselor
throughout the application
process, especially which
schools a student is applying
to
3. To facilitate the Teacher
Recommendation process.
4. the Guidance Department
uses Naviance to send
application documents
electronically to colleges or to
identify colleges where school
documents need to be mailed.
In April and May, students
may set up appointments to
see their Guidance Counselor
for college counseling. Each
Guidance Counselor will send an
email about how to handle the
scheduling process.
Testing
Do sophomores in AP History
sign up to the Upcoming SAT
in March?
Sophomores should not take the
SAT this year. They will take it
Spring of their Junior year and
once again in their Senior year.
Sophomores may wish to sit for
the SAT Subject Test this June.
What are the details of the
LaGuardia SAT prep class?
How important are the SAT
Subject Tests (especially if
the student is not taking AP
courses.)
We use www.revolutionprep.
com. If you phone, they will give
financial aid for the test prep
classes only, not for the other
tutoring services they offer.
Where can we get information
on the SAT Subject Tests?
How do we sign up for subject
tests? When should students
take the subject SAT tests?
https://sat.collegeboard.org/
about-tests/sat-subject-tests
Generally, students take the
subject tests directly after
you have completed the
recommended class. If you are
interested in pursuing a specific
subject in college that is offered
as a subject test, it may be a
good opportunity to display your
interest and proficiency to the
admissions department. Some
colleges require or recommend
11
the subject tests and may
determine class placement in
college. Check with the individual
schools as to their specific
requirements. Many students,
depending on their college list,
will not take SAT Subject Tests.
General Questions
Is attending a college tour
considered an excused
absence for juniors/seniors?
(Because most tours are
offered M-F) during school
hours?
These absences are excused.
There is a LaGuardia Attendance
form that is signed by the
college, and the student must go
through the proper procedures
for absences upon return to
school.
Does a child with poor grades
and ADD, depression, and
anxiety, have any chance of
getting into college?
There are many different options
available for all students.
Researching and considering
factors such as distance from
home, academic rigor, support
network, counseling facilities
and other resources available at
different schools may help you to
explore all of the options.
How do we find LaGuardia
alumni at different colleges?
There is currently no tracking
system in place, but A&F is
working on maintaining a
database of this information.
Guidance Counselors may know
alum at different colleges.
Are parents invited to attend
the college fair?
Answer: Yes
In part 4: “hearing from
an admissions director’s
perspective” differ from what
admissions directors say at
college tour info sessions?
We have used the same speaker
for many years, and this is
a terrific presentation. The
presentation differs from a
college tour because you are
not getting the polished, PR
presentation; Mr. Strickler gives
a real ‘this is what is going on
behind the scenes with your
application’.