Top of Page
1545 East Copper Street
Tucson , AZ 85719
Name of Activity: Writing Faculty Letters of Recommendation
Description of Activity: Each year, the College Counselor does an inservice training for all faculty members highlighting the qualities of an excellent faculty letter of recommendation. Teachers have access to printed guidelines as well as ongoing feedback on their own letters from the College Counselor as requested. Seniors who need letters of recommendation from their teachers must complete a detailed request form in which they discuss major papers and projects they did in that teacher's class, and summarize their academic experiences.
Audience: High School Counselors, Teachers and Administrators
Contact Person: Lynn Ossowski, College Counselor
Phone 547-4457
Email: lossowski@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: Analysis of College Acceptances, Decisions and Scholarships
Description of Activity: Given Salpointe's commitment to the college-preparatory part nature of our school's mission, we have a full-time College Counselor who works with students and parents in all grades. The College Counselor provides school personnel with detailed analysis of the college admissions results for each graduating class. This includes a report of the number and type of applications submitted, the colleges and universities involved, and final acceptance and matriculation decisions. This internal report also highlights growth over the past five years and examines SAT and ACT scores along with a summary of merit and athletic scholarships earned. 98% of each graduating class goes directly to college. The Class of 2007 was admitted to 146 different colleges and universities in the United States and abroad. Each year at graduation, as students are walking across the stage to receive their diploma, we proudly announce which college they will attend.
Audience: High School Counselors, Teachers, Administrators and Staff
Contact Person: Lynn Ossowski, College Counselor
Phone 547-4457
Email: lossowski@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: Career Speakers
Description of Activity: Every teacher, counselor and administrator in the school is invited to attend numerous career sessions throughout the school year. Academic departments routinely invite guest speakers to their classrooms to share their area of expertise and their own career paths with students. For example, the Science Department organizes an annual Science Career Day and brings in professionals to speak to science students. Our freshman technology course has a strong career exploration component that brings in career speakers monthly.
Audience: High School Counselors, Teachers and Administrators
Contact Person: Mr. Jack Simons, Counselor
Phone: 547-4459
Email: jsimons@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: Professional College Admissions Affiliations
Description of Activity: Salpointe is an active member in good standing of several college admissions-related professional associations. These include the College Board, the National Association for College Admissions Counseling, the Rocky Mountain Association for College Admissions Counseling (RMACAC), the American School Counselors Association, the Arizona School Counselors Association, the Arizona High School / College Relations Council (AZHSCRC), and the Tucson Area Independent Counselors Group. Our Catholic affiliation is with the National Catholic Education Association. Salpointe counselors regularly attend and give presentations at conferences and workshops offered by these organizations at the local, state and national level. Mr. Simons and Mrs. Ossowski are regional representatives for the AZHSCRC, and Mrs. Ossowski sits on the Board of Directors for RMACAC.
Audience: High School Counselors, and Administrators
Contact Person: Lynn Ossowski, College Counselor
Phone: 547-4457
Email: lossowski@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: Dedicated Registrar and Secretary for Student Records
Description of Activity: Our full-time Registrar and full-time Counseling Department Secretary provide essential services to our students in the college admissions process. The school Registrar works in conjunction with the College Counselor to provide transcripts for the college application process, and works with the counselors, teachers and administrators to ensure that each student’s academic record is accurate and complete. Salpointe alumni who transfer from one college to another contact our Registrar for official high school transcripts. Our Counseling Department Secretary mails all school transcripts and counselor's letters of recommendation as certified documents so that they may be tracked for delivery.
Audience: High School Counselors, Teachers, Administrators and Staff
Contact Person: Mr. Michael Blicharz, Registrar
Phone: 547-5881
Email: mblicharz@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: Freshman House Transition Program
Description of Activity: Freshman House refers to a team of freshman teachers that meets twice a week with the Freshman Class Counselor to plan and coordinate a variety of activities to assist freshmen in their transition to high school life. Part of this transition includes a two-day orientation program offered prior to the beginning of the school year to familiarize incoming freshmen with each other and with Salpointe. Orientation activities are hosted by upper-class students from the Student Council and by the freshman teachers. During Freshman Orientation, parents are invited to dinner followed by an orientation meeting with counselors and administrators. The Freshman House Team also works to identify and assist students that appear to be struggling with the demands of high school. Teachers, students, and counselors together formulate an individualized action plan for improvement, with specific deadlines and follow-up. Other Freshman House activities foster community building, such as an incoming student dance for 8th graders in the spring, a fall Freshman Dance, a Show and Tell Mass, Freshman Days of Recollection retreats, and a freshmen-led community celebration of the birthday of Bishop Salpointe, our school’s namesake.
Audience: 8th and 9th Grade Students and Parents
Contact Person: Mr. Bill Calkins, Freshman House Counselor
Phone: 547-5907
Email: bcalkins@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: Learning Lab - Academic Support Facility
Description of Activity: Learning Lab is a resource for all students wanting extra help. It serves as a quiet place to work on homework, as well as a place where students can work together with classmates on assignments or in study groups for tests and projects. Peer tutors are available in the Learning Lab every period of the school day. The Learning Lab Coordinator provides assistance with time management, study and learning strategies, content-area tutoring, and assistive technology. Learning Lab staff advocate for students by offering one-on-one help while working in collaboration with class counselors, teachers and parents. All students are welcome! Learning Lab is open throughout the schoolday, during both lunches, and after school until 3:30 p.m.
Audience: High School Students
Contact Person: Ms. Jane Klein-Schiller, Learning Specialist
Phone: 547-4461
Email: jklein@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: College Planning for Freshmen Students
Description of Activity: College planning begins when incoming students are still in 8th grade and come to Salpointe to register for their freshmen courses. Counselors work in small groups with students and parents to choose courses in alignment with the student's college and career goals. Once on campus, freshmen meet with their counselor to establish a four-year academic plan. All freshmen receive a College Planning Guide for Freshmen that highlights the college admissions process. During the required freshmen Technology Course, students create their personal resume which they are expected to update each year in preparation for college applications and scholarships. Each October all freshmen take the PLAN, a pre-ACT test that gives practice in taking standardized tests, highlights areas of academic strength and weakness, and provides a detailed career exploration tool that students use to learn more about possible career directions. When the PLAN results are distributed to freshmen, they include an explanation of the testing and ideas for how to best utilize the results. Students are expected to be involved in the Salpointe community, do service learning in the greater Tucson community, and develop a well-rounded and balanced life. Our counselors are dedicated to helping students mature in their decision-making, values clarification, career exploration and interpersonal relationships. We achieve these goals by meeting with students individually, in small groups and in classroom settings. Our School Counseling Program serves all students, is proactive and prevention-based.
Audience: Freshmen
Contact Person: Mr. Bill Calkins, Freshman House Counselor
Phone: 547-5907
Email: bcalkins@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: College Planning for Parents of Freshmen
Description of Activity: Parents of freshmen receive several electronic newsletters on college admissions throughout the school year. In February, parents are invited to a workshop on College Planning for Freshman Parents during which counselors discuss the current trends in college admissions, along with a timeline for college and career exploration. Counselors discuss summer enrichment options and strategies for preparing well for college admissions.
Audience: Freshmen and their Parents
Contact Person: Lynn Ossowski, College Counselor
Phone: 547-4457
Email: lossowski@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: College Planning for Sophomore Students
Description of Activity: Sophomores meet in small groups and individually with their class counselor to develop yearly personal and academic goals, and to discuss their progress in school. Counselors work with students and parents to choose courses in alignment with the student's college and career goals. Sophomores take the PSAT test in the fall as practice, and receive the test results and test booklets back along with details on how to best interpret and utilize the results. In the spring, sophomores have the option of taking the AIMS test. Each sophomore is expected to update his/her resume at the end of the year. Our counselors are dedicated to helping students mature in their decision-making, values clarification, career exploration and interpersonal relationships. We achieve these goals by meeting with students individually, in small groups and in classroom settings. Our School Counseling Program serves all students, is proactive and prevention-based.
Audience: Sophomores and their parents.
Contact Person: Mr. Mike Urbanski, Associate Head of School for Student Services
Phone: 547-4455
Email: murbanski@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: College Planning for Parents of Sophomores
Description of Activity: Parents of sophomores receive several electronic newsletters on college admissions throughout the school year. In February, parents are invited to a workshop on College Planning for Sophomore Parents during which counselors discuss the current trends in college admissions, along with a timeline for college and career exploration. Counselors discuss summer enrichment options and strategies for preparing well for college admissions, including when and how to prepare for standardized testing such as the SAT and ACT. Special attention is paid to selecting appropriate challenging college preparatory coursework for the junior and senior years. Students are expected to be involved in the Salpointe community, do service learning in the greater Tucson community, and develop a well-rounded and balanced life.
Audience: Sophomores and their parents.
Contact Person: Mr. Mike Urbanski, Associate Head of School for Student Services
Phone: 547-4455
Email: murbanski@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: College Planning for Junior Students
Description of Activity: Counselors work with juniors in small group settings and in individual sessions to discuss the college admissions process. Special attention is paid to helping juniors select appropriate challenging college preparatory coursework for the senior year. Juniors receive our 80-page College Planning Guide in January and use this resource through the end of senior year. Topics covered in meetings and in the guide include graduation policies, timelines for admissions activities, factors influencing admissions, trends, preparing for and taking standardized tests, choosing a major, sample questions to ask college admissions representatives, creating an appropriate college list, types of postsecondary institutions, the college interview, financial aid, the organization of a university, essay writing and building a resume. There is also a section on options in the Armed Forces. Students learn about the pro's and con's of early action, early decision and regular decision applications. All juniors are expected to take both the SAT Reasoning Test and the ACT test between March and June of junior year. In the spring and fall, juniors have the option of taking the AIMS test. Beginning junior year, students can register for Advanced Placement courses if they meet the school's prerequisites. Scores of 3 or higher on the AP exam may provide students with college credit. Some juniors also take the CLEP exam in Spanish, which also results in college credit. A third avenue for earning college credit at Salpointe is through our dual enrollment affiliation with Seton Hill University, which awards college credit for five courses in our curriculum. Students are expected to be involved in the Salpointe community, do service learning in the greater Tucson community, and develop a well-rounded and balanced life.
Audience: Juniors
Contact Person: Lynn Ossowski, College Counselor
Phone: 547-4457
Email: lossowski@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: Countdown to College: College Planning for Parents of Juniors
Description of Activity: Parents of juniors receive quarterly electronic newsletters on college admissions. Junior parents attend a presentation on college admissions that parallels the one given to juniors during the school day. Topics include College Planning Guide, what parents can expect of Salpointe, statistics on college admissions from past years, college admissions timeline, testing, career exploration, using the Internet, visiting college campuses, and being a savvy consumer of promotional information. Particular emphasis is given to putting together a reasonable and appropriate list of colleges. Counselors discuss a wide range of post-secondary options and compare in-state with out-of-state applications.
Audience: Juniors and their parents.
Contact Person: Lynn Ossowski, College Counselor
Phone: 547-4457
Email: lossowski@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: College Planning for Seniors and Parents of Seniors
Description of Activity: Seniors meet with counselors in small groups to refine their understanding of the college admissions process, and the many details that must be addressed. Topics of particular importance are handling transcripts, meeting deadlines, finalizing the college list, seeking scholarships and financial aid, and writing college essays. Discussions about career directions take place during individual meetings with both the College Counselor and the senior counselor. Senior parents attend a presentation that revisits the topics covered junior year, but also focuses on the developmental growth of teens during the senior year. More discussion is given to parenting seniors and to the transition to college. Parents are encouraged to help their students refine life skills important to college success. Parents of seniors receive quarterly electronic newsletters on college admissions. Seniors can register for Advanced Placement courses if they meet the school's prerequisites. Scores of 3 or higher on the AP exam may provide students with college credit. Some seniors also take the CLEP exam in Spanish, which also results in college credit. A third avenue for earning college credit at Salpointe is through our dual enrollment affiliation with Seton Hill University, who awards college credit for five courses in our curriculum.
Audience: Seniors and Parents
Contact Person: Lynn Ossowski, College Counselor
Phone: 547-4457
Email: lossowski@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: Get Out of Town Workshops
Description of Activity: Seniors who intend to apply to a college or university out of state, and who will be asking for a letter of recommendation must attend a two-hour Get Out Of Town Workshop. Parents are most welcome and encouraged to attend as well. The workshops are held in late spring, and in early August. Attendees receive detailed and timely information about the college admissions process. Topics include: staying organized, communicating with colleges, setting up a timeline, transcripts, bragsheet and teacher letters of recommendation, presenting yourself well in the essay, and using the Common Application.
Audience: Seniors and Parents
Contact Person: Lynn Ossowski, College Counselor
Phone: 547-4457
Email: lossowski@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: College Representative Visits to Salpointe
Description of Activity: Each year, Salpointe schedules over 100 visits for college admissions officers from around the country as well as from Arizona. These admissions sessions are open to juniors and seniors. Military representatives provide information about the military academies, ROTC and enlistment options. Beginning in fall 2008, Salpointe will host a college fair open to high school students and their parents from all of the Catholic high schools in Tucson.
Audience: High School Students and Parents
Contact Person: Lynn Ossowski, College Counselor
Phone: 547-4457
Email: lossowski@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: College Campus Visitation Programs
Description of Activity: Salpointe organizes student trips to visit Arizona State University and sometimes Northern Arizona University. Students attend a visit day, tour the campus, meet with professors and students, and get a feel for the campus. These visits are done in the spring.
Audience: Juniors and Seniors
Contact Person: Lynn Ossowski, College Counselor
Phone: 547-4457
Email: lossowski@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: Salpointe Scholarship Bulletin
Description of Activity: Salpointe collects and publicizes scholarship opportunities from private organizations and agencies through its Salpointe Scholaship Bulletin. The Bulletin is updated regularly and is comprised of over 20 pages of scholarships. Each spring at our Honors Night program, we list the merit scholarships that our seniors have been awarded, along with the colleges to which they have been admitted. We also track the total dollar amount of merit scholarships awarded. For the Class of 2007, students earned an estimated $8.4 million in merit (not need-based) scholarships, over four years.
Audience: Juniors, Seniors and Parents
Contact Person: Lynn Ossowski, College Counselor
Phone: 547-4457
Email: lossowski@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: Counselor Letters of Recommendation and Advocacy in Admissions
Description of Activity: The College Counselor is responsible for writing the counselor’s letter of recommendation for seniors on behalf of the school. Each letter is individually crafted to reflect the student’s qualities and contributions to our community. Students prepare a lengthy bragsheet and resume for the counselor to use as support. The College Counselor acts as an advocate for each senior in the admissions process. She fosters relationships with college admissions personnel across the country, and serves as a liaison between the college and Salpointe.
Audience: Seniors
Contact Person: Lynn Ossowski, College Counselor
Phone: 547-4457
Email: lossowski@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: Summer Opportunities List
Description of Activity: Salpointe compiles and lists numerous summer enrichment programs in our Summer Opportunities Bulletin. Many of these enrichment programs are conducted by or affiliated with colleges and universities across the United States and abroad.
Audience: High School Students
Contact Person: Lynn Ossowski, College Counselor
Phone: 547-4457
Email: lossowski@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: College Essay Support
Description of Activity: English teachers and the College Counselor help seniors brainstorm ideas for their college essays, and lightly advise them on mechanics or the flow of ideas.
Audience: Seniors
Contact Person: Lynn Ossowski, College Counselor
Phone: 547-4457
Email: lossowski@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: Financial Aid and Scholarships
Description of Activity: Financial Aid Planning Night is open to students and parents in all grade levels. This evening session provides a detailed look at the need-based financial aid process, with the help of financial aid experts from outside the school and from the UA. Attendees learn about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as well as private sources of grants and scholarships. Extensive handouts are available. The Counseling Center publicizes and handles fee waivers for college applications and for standardized testing for any student who qualifies.
Audience: High School Students and Parents
Contact Person: Lynn Ossowski, College Counselor
Phone: 547-4457
Email: lossowski@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: Playing Athletics in College Night
Description of Activity: Each fall, the Athletics and Counseling Departments join together for an evening workshop for parents and students in all grade levels on playing athletics in college. Attendees receive our 30-page Salpointe College Athletics Handbook that includes timelines, sample letters to coaches, recruiting checklists, and NCAA information. Tips on asking the right questions during an official visit, and on making a game tape/DVD are also included in our guide. Panel presenters are the College Counselor, Director of Athletics, high school coaches, college coaches, and experienced parents who have been through the process before. Twenty-eight scholar-athletes signed on to continue playing their sport at the collegiate level from the Class of 2007.
Audience: High School Students and Parents
Contact Person: Mr. Phil Gruensfelder, Director of Athletics
Phone: 547-1958
Email: pgruensfelder@salpointe.org
Name of Activity: Accommodations for Standardized Testing
Description of Activity: Our School Psychologist coordinates services for students with special learning needs, with the help of our Learning Specialist. The School Psychologist also works with students and parents to submit appropriate requests for accommodations on the PSAT, SAT and ACT tests.
Audience: Juniors, Seniors and Parents
Contact Person: Mr. Bill Calkins, School Psychologist
Phone: 547-5907
Email: bcalkins@salpointe.org
|
