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Jr/Sr High School Counseling Office
Jr./Sr. Counseling Department
Welcome to the Counseling Office Page!
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Empowering Parents & Educators - Knowledge is Power!
By contributing to your child's academic, social, and emotional growth, you become a vital "piece" in his/her development.
What is a School Psychologist?
Talking to your Child about Coronavirus
Talking to your Children about Violence
Helping Children Transition Back to School
Basic Guide to Special Education
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Come here to do your college research, apply to college or sign up for testing!
Students can find more information in our Counseling Office. We have a College Research area which allows students to use computers to research colleges they are interested in. We also have a wide variety of college brochures/catalogs and information about joining a military service.
How to Deal with College Stress Article
This article is geared towards providing students with information about dealing with school stress. Even though it says "for medical and healthcare students" the information is applicable to any school students.
Independent Colleges and Universities
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We begin our scheduling process in January each year. At that time, you will need to think about your graduation pathway and what courses that you are required to take the next school year. You will find our Curriculum Guide below. This guide will tell you about graduation pathways, curriculum options and policies, as well as course descriptions and department pathways. It would be wise for you to review this FIRST.
After you review the curriculum guide, make notes of the courses you are interested in, talk to teachers and peers about the classes and be prepared to talk with your counselor. Mrs. Youngberg will be setting up individual meetings so please make sure you check your email.
Good luck, make wise and challenging choices, and stop down to our office with your device if you get stuck somewhere. We are always here to help!
Our Curriculum Guide (which is below) includes all our course offerings with descriptions and graduation requirements, etc.
You can use the Course Selection Sheet (in the Course Guide) to mark off which courses you are interested in taking next year.
If you have any questions, please contact our office or your student's counselor specifically.
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For Juniors: 10 tips for a productive college-bound summer
What to do to set the stage for a productive senior yearHigh school students often treat their junior year, and not their senior year, as the true culmination of their high school careers. Junior year is the last full year of grades that colleges see when students apply, and many high school students take on leadership positions in their extracurriculars during their junior year, and not their senior year. However, senior year is just as, if not more, important than junior year (and students should treat it as such). Here are 10 steps that your juniors should follow during the summer before their final high school hurrah to set the stage for a productive senior year.
Research colleges
Summer is a great time for students to start narrowing down the list of colleges to which they want to apply, and it’s also a great time for preliminary college visits (if time and budget permit). Choosing colleges now will save them time during the application cycle, and college visits will let them get a feel for the campus and get their questions answered directly by college admissions officers.
Brainstorm application essay topics
Most college applications ask a variant of the same topics. It is easy for students to start thinking about the topics they wish to write about, and maybe even compose a draft or two of various topics. This will not only serve as good practice for the application cycle, it will also give them a head start!
Consider their recommenders
Choosing teachers to write recommendations can be one of the most daunting tasks during the application process. By taking some time to think about whom they’d like to ask, students will be ahead of the pack.
Work on their résumé
Many schools require students to list out their activities, awards, employment and experiences either in résumé format or on the application, often with start and end dates, and specific duties or tasks they have accomplished. Having this information already on hand once the time comes can be very useful.
Aim for leadership positions
Staying involved in student organizations in a leadership capacity will lend some structure to a student’s senior year — and will look great on their applications, too!
Plan out their senior year academics
Taking interesting and challenging classes is the key to beating senioritis.
Take the SAT and ACT
If students haven’t taken the test by the end of their junior year, they should take them as soon as possible.
Beef up their reading list
Not only will it help keep their vocabulary up for their SAT and ACT, reading classics will prepare them for their college reading loads.
Figure out their finances
Students should become adept at budgeting, handling a bank account and (if applicable) managing a credit card — skills that will serve them well during college.
Talk to their parents
Students should take the time to talk to their parents about choosing a college, managing finances and preparing for life on their own. Parents have been there, and have valuable experiences to share!
PowerScore Anne Chaconas is the Director of Admissions Counseling for PowerScore Test PreparationPlanning for College as a High School Junior: Month-by-Month Guide
How to Start the College Process
The Best Scholarships for High School Juniors: Class of 2027
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By Due Date (Top= Due Soonest)
Click on the purple title of each scholarship to view the application or a sample of the application.
See Mrs. Youngberg if you have questions about the following. Many scholarships require your transcripts and if you get us your completed application a few days in advance of the due date, we can include your transcript with your scholarship applications and mail it for you.
Notifying Students of Opportunities
The Counseling Office sends notice of available scholarships to all seniors via their school email account. Students are strongly encouraged to check their email daily for various reasons in addition to scholarship opportunities.
Academic Transcript Needs
Any scholarship application which requires an academic transcript can be turned in to Mrs. Youngberg after completion. We will attach the transcript and mail all applications in at once. To ensure applications are mailed on time, please return them at least two days prior to the deadline.
We cannot hand out transcripts to students. Scholarship committees almost always want an official transcript with the school seal on it. These transcripts must be mailed directly from the school and must remain in a sealed envelope until the committee reviews applications.Pine Valley Community Sponsored Scholarships
Between April and June, we will have many scholarships that are sponsored by the Pine Valley Community. A handful of scholarships require student applications. These scholarships only go to Pine Valley graduates and we encourage anyone eligible to apply. Notices will be distributed to students as they become available.
Other scholarships are those that require Pine Valley Teachers and Administration to nominate or vote for the winners. These scholarship winners are chosen based on many different categories and criteria, from school spirit, to most involved, to a student who has worked to the best of their ability. -
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Please have the complete address available when requesting transcripts.
If you would like to speak to someone about this request, call (716) 988-3276, ext. 4050
We do NOT keep copies of diplomas, nor can we reproduce them.
If you need your transcript sent to an employer or an educational institution, we will send it directly to them with our school seal.
If you need a copy of your transcript for other general purposes, we can provide you with an unofficial copy.
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Requirements for Applicants:
Minors (under age 18) require employment certificates for most jobs. Minors must apply for an employment certificate or permit on the form prescribed by the Commissioner of Education. The Pine Valley Jr./Sr. High School Counseling Office will handle such applications.
The applicant must be present when returning the application because the Employment Certificate must be signed in the presence of the issuing official.
The applicant does not need to have a job, nor does the school need to know by whom the applicant is to be employed.
Directions to Complete the Application:
The following information is required in order to obtain the Employment Certificate:
- Part I: Parental Consent - Fill in all dotted lines. Be sure to have a parent or guardian sign.
- Part II: Evidence of Age - Bring a copy of your birth certificate or your state ID.
- Part III: Certificate of Physical Fitness - The student must have a physical examination from their doctor or school physician within 12 months of the application date. It is the responsibility of the child/parent to contact their physician to obtain this documentation. This documentation must clearly state the child is physically qualified for work. This documentation will be returned to the student.
Next Steps:
- Parts IV, V, VI are not required for most applicants. Please do not write in these sections.
- Once the application is complete, please return it to Mrs. Chase in the PVHS Counseling Office.
“The issuing school may revoke certificates and permits for appropriate causes. For example, a school may revoke a certificate or permit when employment interferes with required school attendance, or is affecting a minor’s progress in school. Also, certificates and permits can be revoked if school officials discover that issuance of the working papers was based on false information, or if employment is affecting the health and welfare of a minor in other ways. In such instances, after due notice, schools can revoke certificates and permits.”
The Laws Governing the Employment of Minors can be obtained upon request at the PV Counseling Office. You can also find more information about the employment of minors below.
If you would like to print the documents at home, click the link below. Otherwise, all documents can be obtained in the PV Counseling Office during regular school hours.
Please call Mrs. Youngberg, our High School Counseling Office Secretary, if you have any questions- 988-3276 ext. 4050.Employment Certification ApplicationThis CERTIFICATE application is for youth ages 14-17 interested in general employment.
Employment Permit ApplicationThis PERMIT application is for youth ages 12-15 interested in farm work or youth ages 11-18 interested in being a newspaper carrier.
General Information Regarding Employment of MinorsThis document outlines general information about the employment of minors and the application process at Pine Valley.
Physical Fitness CertificationThis form can be used as the physical fitness certification in place of a letter from the doctor.
Job Opportunities
Chautauqua Works - Summer Youth Employment Program
For students between the ages of 14 and 20 who qualify. See the attached flyer for more information.
