Student Services

July 1, 2024 
Dear Seniors & Parents/Guardians:

Your senior year will go very quickly! Here are several important topics to consider NOW:  

E-MAIL/TEAMS: I will use e-mail and Teams as the two main forms to send all information regarding: scholarships, job opportunities, college visits, military…etc. In addition, when asked for your e-mail account by colleges or when registering for SATs/ACTs, it is encouraged that you use your school e-mail address so you may access responses both at home and at school. You should be checking your email daily. I will also work on making a database of your personal email addresses too since many of you are more accessible this way, and when you graduate your school email will be deleted. 

XELLO:   The Xello program can assist you with finishing your resumes that we continued to work on in the spring. Regarding your Xello account, you still have access to it over the summer: https://login.xello.world/ Your username is WVA- and then your nine-digit school ID # that you use to login into eSchool and your password is your birthdate (i.e. – 07012004). Another option for logging into Xello is going to the Student Services link https://www.wvalley.org/domain/68 and clicking on “CLASSLINK LAUNCHPAD” and following the prompts to login into your Xello account. If you have trouble logging into Xello to complete your resumes, please email me or message me in Teams and I will help you.  

WNY COLLEGE CONSORTIUM FALL 2024: Approximately 20 colleges from the Western New York Consortium Common Recruitment Committee will visit West Valley on Wednesday, October 9th at 8:00 AM. 

COLLEGE VISITS: Please search individual college websites, take virtual college tours, and email admissions counselors and financial aid advisors to learn about their process for campus tours. Prepare questions you would like to ask, such as:  housing, majors, technology, college size, campus security, religious affiliation, and extracurricular activities…etc.

OPEN HOUSES:  Be on the lookout for open houses through the New York State Private Colleges and University’s website: http://www.nycolleges.org   For all open houses and applying to SUNY (State University of New York) – including University Centers and Doctoral Degree Institutions, University Colleges, Technology Colleges, and Community Colleges) colleges on-line use the following website: http://www.suny.edu/.  

COLLEGE EARLY ACTION / EARLY DECISION: Anyone interested in “Early Action” / “Early Decision” needs to contact me by September 9th to begin applying. http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/applications/early       

MILITARY ACADEMIES / NCAA:  If you are interested in one of the U.S. military academies, then you need to contact me immediately. Any students interested in playing sports for a Division I. II or III institution must be registered with the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse as soon as possible. To register, access http://www.ncaa.org/. You must be certified before practicing, competing, and/or receiving any athletic scholarships at a Division I or II institution.  

POST HIGH SCHOOL PLANS:   Please contact me the second week of school if you have concerns regarding meeting all graduation requirements. In September, we will discuss your plans for after graduation, whether it is college, military, or employment.  

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS: Do not apply to any community colleges (two-year schools for an associate degree) unless you check the colleges’ websites. Most New York Community Colleges do not have application fees, but double check the SUNY schools’ website. If you use the SUNY application on-line for community colleges, you will be billed for the application fee. Many private colleges waive application fees if you apply on-line through the colleges’ websites. Another option for applying to multiple colleges is the Common App: https://www.commonapp.org. If you choose to apply on-line to any colleges on your own, please email Mrs. Dana Westfall (dwestfall2@wvalley.org) or me immediately, so we can email/mail your transcripts and recommendation letters. 

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: The college process is incredibly involved and will demand a lot of your time; please realize that you must take an active role in the entire process. You must assume the responsibility for acknowledging deadlines, establishing lists of colleges to investigate, contacting schools, obtaining necessary forms, and teacher recommendations (maximum of three letters) as required. Be selective when choosing someone to write you a letter, because they can let you read it or send it directly to the Guidance Office to be mailed, or certain colleges will ask them to email it directly. Please email your resume to the people writing your letters so they can be more specific with their recommendation. 

SATs/ACTs: If you have not registered for August, you need to sign up immediately if you wish to take the test this summer! The first SAT test will be offered on August 24th, and the regular deadline for this test is August 9th. Register on-line at http://www.sat.org/register (you will need a credit card for payment – you also need to upload a picture of yourself http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/photo-requirements), make sure you print a copy of the last page (this is your admissions ticket for the day of the test). If you have taken the PSATs or SATs prior and forgot your username and password, you may need to reset them. The first ACT test will be offered on September 14th, and the regular deadline for this test is August 9th.To apply on-line for the ACT, access this link: http://www.actstudent.org The ACT also requires you to upload a picture of yourself (http://www.actstudent.org/regist/add-photo.html). Other test dates for SATs and ACTs will be published in the West Valley Newsletter and on the “Student Services Webpage.” If you qualify, or think you qualify for a fee-waiver for either test/or both, email me immediately over the summer to register. Lastly, if you have approved test modifications through the College Board, please email me before applying. 

FINANCIAL AID NIGHT: Our “Annual Financial Aid Night” is scheduled for Monday, November 4th from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Shannon Rinow (Project Coordinator – FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid Completion) from Jamestown Community College will present and provide information regarding the 2025-2026 FAFSA Application. 

STUDENT SERVICES WEBPAGE: The “Student Services Webpage” https://www.wvalley.org/domain/68  will be an important communication tool for you this year. This letter will be online as well. 

To ensure that correct procedures are understood and followed, please email me at mlabrake@wvalley.org or call me at 716-942-3100 extension 4148 with any questions. Thank you.  

Sincerely, 

Matthew L. LaBrake
K-12 School Counselor 

Wednesday, 10/9/2024 - 8:00 AM -8:45 AM in the AUD

The WNY Consortium Common Recruitment Committee is excited to visit and meet with our students this fall. The WNY Consortium is comprised of 20 colleges and universities across the Western New York region. This is a free event and will target grades 10-12.

Deadline to register is Friday, October 11, 2024. Cost is $18 to Mr. LaBrake or Mrs. Westfall in the Main Office.

On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, our school will administer the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) for 10^th and 11^th graders. The cost per student is $18.00, and checks are to be made payable to WEST VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL. The deadline to sign up and pay for the test is Friday, October 11, 2024 in the Guidance Office or with Mrs. Westfall in the Main Office. Even if your child is not considering college at this time, he or she should take this test. Just taking it can encourage a student to start thinking seriously about life after high school, goals, and the education necessary to achieve those goals.

1. It measures the reading, math, and writing skills needed for college (and for success in most jobs and careers in today’s world). After the test, a score report will show the students' results in each of the sections. It will also target areas that need improvement before re-taking/taking the PSAT/SAT standardized tests. 
2. This test gives students a chance to see how their skills compare with those of other students who will apply to college.
3. For 11th graders only, it is the first step in entering the National Merit Scholarship Corporation competitions for scholarships and recognition.
4. The Student Search Service gives PSAT/NMSQT test takers the option to voluntarily place their names and addresses in a pool of college-bound students interested in receiving admission and financial aid information from certified colleges, universities, and scholarship agencies.
5. Lastly, it provides practice for the SAT exams, which most juniors take for the first time in the spring.

Please encourage your son or daughter to sign up for the PSAT/NMSQT.

The time to start thinking about further education beyond high school is now!

The 26th Annual Financial Aid Night  is Monday, November 4, 2024, from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM in the AUD. A representative from Jamestown Community College's Financial Aid Office will provide information for 11^th and 12^th graders and their parents/guardians on the financial aid process including completion of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) forms, grants, scholarships, and various student and parent loans.

Financial aid is money that comes in many forms. It generally consists of a combination of grants (actual cash that you do not have to pay back), scholarships (actual cash awarded for academic achievement), and loans (must be paid back). These types of aid come from a variety of sources: the college itself, individual states, private donors, and the Federal Government (by far the largest source of aid). Once you’ve filled out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa colleges will extend to you the types of aid for which you are eligible.

September 1, 2024

Dear Parents/Guardians,

West Valley Central School will be administering the ASVAB assessment instrument, which is part of the ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP), to any interested students in grades 10 - 12 on Monday, February 10, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM.  Please have your son/daughter sign up in the Guidance Office with Mr. LaBrake by Friday, November 17th. This test is an invaluable tool to help your child with his/her future educational and career plans.

The ASVAB CEP will help your students:

• To learn more about themselves and the world of work
• Explore occupations in line with their interests and skills
• Develop an effective strategy to realize their career and education goals

One of the scores on the ASVAB is the military services’ entrance score, which may be used by your child to explore career options in the military. Your child’s name and ASVAB CEP Scores will be released to the military unless you choose not to have their name released. Even if your child’s name is released to the military, by no means is your child obligated to the military service.

The ASVAB CEP’s website www.asvabprogram.com offers great information regarding the program and includes a brief video summary explaining the process and benefits of the program. Please call me with additional questions, 716-942-3100, extension 4148. Thank you.

If you would rather not have your child’s test scores released to the military, please contact the Guidance Office.

Sincerely,

Matthew LaBrake
School Counselor

ASVAB Review - 12/18/2024
Time: TBD
Location: TBD

On January 28, 2025 the 10^th graders will be going to the Ellicottville CTE Center from 8:30 AM - 11:15 AM (with the junior BOCES AM runs).

All 8th grade students will be attending the Career & Technical Educational Center at Ellicottville BOCES.

Arrival time is 8:45 a.m. and departure back to West Valley is at 10:50 a.m.  

Please sign the acknowledgement slip for your son/daughter and return to the Guidance Office. Any questions please call Mr. LaBrake at 942-3100, extension 4148. Thank you.