Montfort SAT class

Dear Parents,

I finally received a phone call from a new representative at Revolution Prep, Marc, and he explained to me that my previous contact is presently on maternity leave. Now we are both ready to move forward - and right away! Marc proposed beginning the course as early as Friday, April 15th (the course usually begins with a full practice test). The time parameters would be 3pm-6pm on Fridays, and 9am-1pm on a Saturdays. Most Saturdays consists of a full practice test. I realize the Friday classes overlap with the drama rehearsal schedule, but we could not avoid this given the restrictions of our current facility.

The cost of the course is $499. The price includes two online booster courses in two subject tests (6 hours each).
All course content can be reviewed online (helpful if a class is missed, or if there is a need to clarify what was covered).

Here is the tentative schedule:
4/15 - Class 1
4/16 - Test 1
4/29-Class 2
4/30-Test 2
5/6-Class 3
5/7 - [open for anyone taking the SAT on this date]
5/13 - Class 4
5/14 - Test 3
5/20 - Class 5
5/21 - Test 4
5/27 - Class 6
5/28 - Test 5

6/4 - SAT tests!!!
So far, I received notice from the parents of 7 students in total - the minimal number required by the company to run the course at our school. The first thing I need to do, therefore, is to confirm our present reservations and to invite any others who may still want to join the group.

Please send me a quick RSVP if you would like your son or daughter to take the SAT course, as outlined tentatively above and in my previous emails. And please let me know about conflicts on specific days, so we can try to work around them. This could be your daughter's or son's chance to raise their scores 200 points or more, qualifying them for thousands more in college tuition!

Thank you for your patience.

John Pilsner

Engineering Expo 2011!

Coming to Westchester on April 4: The 2011 Engineering Expo!.


For High School and Middle School Students
- Win one of four Apple™ iPad© Giveaways! -

Learn about career opportunities in the engineering field and about career opportunities in fields from bridge and building design to the world of nanotechnology and biochemical.

Learn about college curriculum offerings, admission requirements and financial aid information. Discover displays of interactive exhibits focusing on engineering and higher learning opportunities to help you meet the challenges of today’s economic uncertainties.

Meet representatives from 40 of the region’s leading learning institutions including Rutgers, Cornell, Columbia, Penn State, Villanova, RPI, Manhattan College and SUNY.

White Plains High School
550 North Street
White Plains, NY 10605
FREE ADMISSION
Check their website for directions.

And you can follow them on Facebook.

Click on the images for a larger view:

College essay writing tips, free!

Dear Parents,

The College Essay, or Personal Statement, is the most challenging and perplexing aspect of the college application for high school students. What do I write about? What are the colleges looking for? But it is also that part of the application which is most in your control. A strong essay will make a difference.

Last year, we gave some attention to this subject and we will address it again soon. In the meanwhile, you can also learn more from the following free presentation, offered at Katonah Library:

College Application & Essay - Strategies for Success, Wednesday, October 6th, 7-8:30 p.m.

Join Dr. Gay Pepper, college counselor, & Mr. Bill Ford, Westchester teacher and tutor, in this workshop for college-bound students and their parents. Learn what strategies will work best for the common college application and the 8 steps to your own essay.


If at all possible, don't let these opportunities slip by!
Mr. Pilsner

PSAT

Dear Parents:

On Wednesday, October 13, we will be administering the PSAT exam here at Montfort. The exam will run from 9am – 12noon. Dismissal will be immediately following the conclusion of the exam. It is expected that all sophomores and juniors will sit for the test. The exam is optional for freshmen. Any freshmen wishing to take the exam must sign up with Mr. Pilsner by Friday, October 8. Students not scheduled to take the exam are off from school for the entire day.

More PSAT/scholarship info from Mr. Pilsner:

Dear Montfort Parents,

The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®)–a test which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.5 million entrants each year–and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.

Each year, about 50,000 PSAT test-takers are invited to compete for National Merit Scholarships. The first step in qualifying for this competition is attaining a high combined score on the PSAT.

As you'll note in the Student Entry Requirements, the competition is open to third-year students in high school. This of course refers to juniors, but on occasion a sophomore may be in his or her third year, having repeated a previous grade level.

Your son or daughter will be able to enter this competition just by registering for the PSAT in October and by answering four simple qualifying questions on the answer sheet.

We therefore offer our juniors a special word of encouragement: Study up for the PSAT in the coming two weeks and go for broke!

Cheers,
John Pilsner
______________________________

Click the link for more information on The National Merit Scholarship competition.

PSAT information from Mr. Pilsner:

Dear Montfort Parents,

As you know, the standardized aptitude tests called the SAT and the ACT are among the most significant criteria for college acceptances and scholarships. Though judgments about academic performance based on these tests are necessarily limited, they still have value. An institution like The Montfort Academy does not have a tradition and reputation dating back 50 years and more, and it is important that others evaluating our students have an indication of their educational level and academic accomplishments.

The time is fast approaching for the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, or PSAT. As a preparation for the SAT, it typically appeals to sophomores and juniors. But any student can take the PSAT. The test is low-stakes, taken for practice and for self-evaluation. The scores are stored in a secure data base (erased every few years), they do not go on your high school academic record, and a student's prospective colleges are not informed.

The PSAT measures: 1) Critical reading skills, 2) Math problem-solving skills, 3) Writing skills. Some of the most common reasons for taking the PSAT are:

To receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. You can then focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice.

To see how your performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college.

To enter the competition for National Merit Scholarships (I will describe this in a subsequent email).

To help prepare for the SAT. You can become familiar with the kinds of questions and the exact directions you will see on the SAT.

To receive information from colleges when you check "yes" to Student Search Service.

You can read more about the PSAT on the web site for the College Board:
Click here

This year, the PSAT will be administered at Montfort on Wednesday, October 13th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

In the spring, I put out the call for sign-ups and received 27 responses from parents. Yet I also realize that some who turned it down may have changed their mind. Therefore, I ordered several extra exams.

As last year, a fee of $15 is collected for exam scoring and handling. Please send in a check payable to The Montfort Academy by Friday, October 8th. Any student who did not sign up in the spring will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis.

A PSAT Practice Test!
Because we want our students to do their very best, we would also like to offer them the opportunity to take a free practice test here at Montfort on Friday, October 8th, from approximately 2:30 PM to 5:20 PM. Practice tests will reduce test anxiety and help students perform better on the “official” PSAT as well as the SAT. Those who wish to take the practice exam will meet in Room 3 at 2:30 (after the Divine Mercy) and can arranged to be picked up between 5:20 and 5:30 PM.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to drop me a telephone message or email. Thank you!

Yours sincerely,

John Pilsner
College Placement and Guidance

Military Academy information from Congressman Scott Murphy:

Dear Friend,

It is my honor to nominate high school students from Upstate New York for admission to our nation’s service academies. These academies develop leaders as they prepare to serve our country as military officers.

I will be hosting a Military Academy informational session this Saturday, October 2nd, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m at the Shenendehowa High School East Cafeteria, 970 Route 146 in Clifton Park.

This informational session will be a good chance for high school sophomores and juniors, interested in attending the military academies, and their parents, to meet with representatives from each school – West Point, Annapolis, as well as the Air Force and Merchant Marine Academies. Each year, I nominate a select group of students to be eligible for admission to these four service academies. While final admission decisions are made by the individual institutions, I have the honor of nominating outstanding young students for consideration by each academy.

Our nation’s men and women in uniform are the best in the world, and this session will be a chance for parents and high school students to talk with representatives from each of the service academies. If you would like to RSVP or receive more information about this event, you can call my office at (518) 581-8247. I hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

Scott Murphy
Member of Congress

Click here to go to Scott Murphy's website for more information