Guidance Department Promotes a Variety of College and Career Events

Campus Connections:

On November 24, 2009, the Riverhead High School Guidance Department welcomed back 2009 alumni.  These returning students enjoyed breakfast with the guidance staff and current RHS seniors in the cafeteria while sharing their personal stories about the transitions from high school to college.  Cafeteria tables were  decorated and designated for each school represented, including Penn State, Coastal Carolina, SUNY Oneonta, Hofstra, St. Joseph’s, SUNY Stony Brook, New York Institute of Technology, University of Connecticut and University of Delaware. 

RHS Alumni presented to over 60 members of the senior class. Afterward a panel of alumni engaged in a discussion with 40 current RHS seniors in the auditorium. The students were afforded the opportunity to ask questions about college and life after graduation from RHS.

NCAA / Financial Aid Night at RHS:

On December 8th at 6:00 pm, The RHS Guidance Department hosted an informational evening for parents and students concerning the NCAA clearing house and rules of recruitment.  Mr. Tom Boyle, Varsity Lacrosse coach from Dowling College was on hand to answer questions and help students and parents better understand the NCAA Maze of rules and regulations.

A second presentation—concerning financial aid—was given at 7:00 pm by Ms. Nancy Brewer, the Director of Financial Aid for Suffolk Community College.  Ms. Brewer offered an insightful and practical workshop regarding college costs and financial aid.  She also discussed the new rules and regulations recently enacted by congress.

On Site College Application Day:

On December 9th, Riverhead High School hosted its first On-Site College Application Day for seniors.  The event ran from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in the Gymnasium.  Nine local private colleges attended including: St. John’s University, LIU/CW Post, NY Institute of Technology, Adelphi University, Mercy College, St. Joseph’s College, Dowling College, Briarcliff College and Five Towns College.  For this special event, all of the schools listed waived application fees. 

The event succeeded in producing a savings of over $10,000 in college application fees for the students of Riverhead High School.  More than 125 members of the senior class to advantage of this opportunity and 227 college applications were processed that day. 

Because of the benefits to the students and the community, the event was a resounding success, and the Guidance Department predicts that this may become an annual event. 

Mentoring Breakfast:

Working with a dynamic group of educators, members of the community, and the Business Advisory Board, RHS has designed a career study program that utilizes professionals to both stimulate classroom learning and expose students to professionals in a broad range of career area. The Business Advisory Board also helps students prepare for job interviews, network and take steps to successfully enter the workforce. Each year, community members participate in a Mentoring Breakfast. Students are teamed with professionals in their area of career interest, who, over breakfast, share information about their chosen profession with the students.

Field Trips:

Forty-one RHS students took the meteorology class during the first half of the year. They learned to make their own forecasts using the same computer models and information professionals use. The elective started three years ago and has been growing in popularity.

“My goal is to have students leave my class knowing the fundamentals of why certain weather situations may or may not occur,” said teacher Scott Smith, who has an undergraduate degree in meteorology and worked in that area. “To bring the experience to life, we visit the WCBS studios in Manhattan. Some of my students go on to major in jobs related to meteorology--often in the area of aviation.”

Work Place and Classroom Visits:

Members of the community from various careers are also enlisted to visit a class relevant to their job (e.g., a police detective might visit the Forensics class, a judge or lawyer will visit a US History class, a local poet will visit a literature class, etc.). The professional will participate in the learning goals of that class and share information about what it is like to work in his or her particular field. Students can also "shadow" personnel in the workplace, participate in a workstudy program, or get an internship.

GINA FLORENTINO-JAMES hosted several speakers in her U.S. History and Government classes: her father, Attorney- at-Law Gregory Florentino, Malaika Makembe, a law studentfrom Touro Law School, and The Honorable William Rebolini, a Supreme Court Justice. They helped bring her U.S. history class alive by discussing civil rights issues in general, focused on “search and seizure”, due process, what makes something “reasonable” in legal jargon, and “in loco parentis”. They also talked directly to students about legal questions.

“My guest speakers made the information the students had learned REAL,” notes Ms. Florentio-James.

Judge Rebolini explained the difference between civil and criminal law. He explained how judges in his position are elected by the people for 14-year terms, and that judges aren’t supposed to be political. He also expounded upon some of the material the students learned in class, such as eminent domain and the concept “that no one is above the law”. Judge Rebolini encouraged the students to reach high. “You can become a judge. I am one of the most regular guys around. I take out the garbage on Tuesday nights just like everyone else.”

Ms. Florentino-James also invited Mr. Robert (Bubby) Brown to speak to her English classes. Mr. Brown, a local poet and resident of Riverhead, discussed his life, occupation, and poetry in generalwith the students in Ms. Florentino-James’ English classes at RHS. Mr. Brown also read some of his own poetry to the class and encouraged them to believe in themselves and to find mentors. Senior Hattie McPherson, who like Mr. Brown strives to be a poet, stated, “Mr. Brown is one of the mentors in my life. He has inspired me and encouraged me with my own writing.”

Local partnerships do much more than just provide job insights. These partnerships help students connect school-based and work-based learning. The students begin to see the relevancy of what they are studying in the real world of work.

College Awareness Week at the Middle School:

College Awareness Week was a pilot program coordinated by the RMS Guidance Department to help 8th graders understand the importance of academic achievement in preparation for college. During the week of January 4-8 students participated in college trivia contests and lessons to promote “College Knowledge”. Students wrote sample essays in English, learned about budgeting for college in math, studied college history in social studies and prepared special music and college banners in music and art for the “Pep Rally” that occurred at the end of the week. Special videos about colleges were also available. In addition, teachers were encouraged to find 10-15 minutes during the week to discuss the college they attended and what the process was like, what they majored in, why they went to that campus. On the day of the Pep Rally teachers, administrators and staff wore something representing the college they attended.

“This was really a great event for our 8th graders. It made them focus on what it takes to go to college,” stated RMS Guidance Counselor Judy Arnone.

Career Opportunities Via BOCES Classes:

BOCES classes offer our students an opportunity to train in specific career areas. This year, several of our students excelled in competitions. Dasara Strange placed 2nd in a national Skills USA Champions at Work competition in the “Food and Beverage Service” area. This is a multi-million dollar event with more than 5,400 contestants in 91 separate events. Tyler Shea and Patryk Jakubiuk placed 2nd in the GNYADA regional competition in Automotive Technology. BOCES students also lend a hand in teaching classes. A BOCES cooking student from RHS visited Janice Szczesny's Home and Careers Food Preparation classes to lead a demonstration in healthy cooking.