Please feel free to reach out to any of the Partnership Team with questions and suggestions.
Shannon Marimón, ReadyCT: shannon.marimon@readyct.org
Kate Haydon, NAF: khaydon@naf.org
Nicole Diorio, Junior Achievement: ndiorio@jaconn.org
Ariel Robinson, Goodwin Collegiate Prep – ConnCAP: arobinson@goodwin.edu
Dr. Christina Irizarry, UConn ConnCAP: christina.irizarry@uconn.edu
Lisa Minn, UConn ConnCAP: lisa.minn@uconn.edu
Mariane Ibrahim, UConn ConnCAP, mariane.ibrahim@uconn.edu
Amy Molinaro, Career Beginnings: amolinaro@hartfordconsortium.org
Michelle Szynkowicz, HPS: michelle.szynkowicz@hartfordschools.org
Adjovi Simpini, Blue Hills Civic Association: simpinia@bluehillscivic.org
Jodian Daley, Blue Hills Civic Association: daleyj@bluehillscivic.org
Brittany Rodriguez, Hartford Youth Scholars: brodriguez@hartfordyouthscholars.org
Kim Flint, Center for Latino Progress: kimberly_flint@ctprf.org
Other connections that support our College & Career Readiness goals include:
- The Hartford Promise: a scholarship program that is offered to all eligible Hartford students who maintain certain requirements.
- Khan Academy: students practice at their own pace, first filling in gaps in their understanding and then accelerating their learning to prepare them for the SAT.
- The College Board: an organization that connects students to college success.
- All In! Coalition: an organization working to drive post-secondary success in Hartford students. See below for more information about an initiative we are partnering on.
- ReadyCT: By connecting the classroom to the business world, students can learn in dynamic ways that position them for success.
Explore our College and Career Resources Padlet below.
Click or use the QR Code below to explore our College and Career Resources Padlet for information you need, including:
- Graduation Requirements
- College Applications Support
- Essay Writing
- College Fairs
Use the grey scroll bar at the bottom to see more content to the right.
The Department of CCR will be holding a series of district-wide college and career events for students (and their families) in grades 7-12 throughout the academic year. Please mark your calendars for the following dates. Event flyers with more details closer to the day of each event will be made available.
- High School College & Career Fair (11th and 12th grade)
- Date: April 20, 2022 All day (Virtual)
- Transition to High School Week (8th grade only)
- Date: Week of May 31, 2022
- Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Virtual)
- College Fair (8/9/10 grade)
- Date: June 3, 2022
- Time: TBD
Back to College and Career Readiness Homepage
- Career Awareness Week – Part I (8th Grade Only)
- During the week of December 6th, 2021 our 8th-grade students participated in Career Awareness Week (formerly career fair) led by the Office of School Choice, Office of College and Career, and Junior Achievement. The Career Awareness Week highlighted careers based on the pathway/themes at the comprehensive and magnet schools.
- To access recordings of each program, follow the links below:
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, ENGINEERING & ALLIED HEALTH
JOURNALISM & MEDIA and INSURANCE & FINANCE
COMPUTER SCIENCE, LEADERSHIP & PUBLIC SERVICE
ART, DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY AND SPORTS MEDICINE
- To access recordings of each program, follow the links below:
- During the week of December 6th, 2021 our 8th-grade students participated in Career Awareness Week (formerly career fair) led by the Office of School Choice, Office of College and Career, and Junior Achievement. The Career Awareness Week highlighted careers based on the pathway/themes at the comprehensive and magnet schools.
School Couselors
| Last Name | First Name | School | Grade Levels | Caseload | Email @hartfordschools.org |
| Vacant | .10 Montessori Magnet at Fisher | 6-8 | 6-8 | ||
| Bruno | Anthoniel | .50 Belizzi/ .50 ESM Hooker | 6-8 | 6-8 | Anthoniel.Bruno@ |
| Chavarria | Mario | .50 Burr/.50 Betances STEM CCR Specialist | 6-8 | 6-8 | Mario.Chavarria |
| Vacant | .50 Webster/ .50 Global | 6-8 | 6-8 | ||
| Eells | Alyssa | Achievement First STEM | 6-8 | 6-8 | EellA001@ |
| Ballestas-Cuevas | Liliana | Assistant Director of College & Career Readiness Student Support and Success Centers |
6-12 | 6-12 | cuevl001@hartfordschools.org |
| Giuliano | Sarah | Breakthrough South | 6-8 | 6-8 | Sara.Giuliano@ |
| Levin | Jenny | Bulkeley | 9-12 | 11-12 | jennie.levin@ |
| Long | Colman | Bulkeley | 9-12 | Freshmen Academy, 10 | LongC002@ |
| Mosby | Janae | Bulkeley | 9-12 | 10-12 | Janae.Mosby@ |
| Coles | Constance | Bulkeley CCR Specialist | 9-12 | N/A | colec001@ |
| Lewis | Shari | Burr | 6-8 | 6-8 | slewis@ |
| Lowman | Fina | Capital Prep | 6-12 | 6-12 | lowmf001@ |
| Gorss | James | Classical | 9-12 | 9 & 11 | GorsJ001@ |
| Montero | Kenneth | Classical | 9-12 | 10 & 12 | kenneth.montero@ |
| Vega | Heather | Classical | 6-8 | 6-8 | HVega@ |
| Felder-McEntire | Dr. Chaka | Executive Director of Post-Secondary Success and Alternative Programming | 6-12 | feldc002@ | |
| Gralia | Samantha | Great Path (GPA) | 9-12 | 10&12 | grals001@ |
| Ronzello | Liza | Great Path (GPA) | 9-12 | 9&11 | RonzL001@ |
| Clermont | Carol | HMTCA | 6-8 | 6-8 (A-L) | ClaiC001@ |
| Cruz-Reis | Claudia | HMTCA | 9-12 | 9-12 (Mi -Z) | CruzC001@ |
| Heim | Lauren | HMTCA | 6-8 | 6-8 (M-Z) | Lauren.Martin@ |
| Tamburro | Sonia | HMTCA | 9-12 | 9-12 (A-Me) | STamburro@ |
| Hernandez | Camilla | HOPE Academies/ New Visions | 9-12 | 9-12 | hernc003@ |
| Airo | Jacqueline | HPHS | 9-12 | A-L (10-12) | Jairo@ |
| Insel | Ethan | HPHS | 9-12 | 9R, 11 | InseE001@ |
| Sebastian | Madeline | HPHS | 9-12 | Freshmen Academy | SebaM002@ |
| Vacant | HPHS | 9-12 | M-Z (10-12) | ||
| Crittenden | Andrea | HPHS CCR Specialist | 9-12 | N/A | CRITA001 |
| Copeland | Kevin | Kennelly | 6-8 | 6-8 | copek001@ |
| Field | Mark | Kinsella High | 9-12 | 9-12 | mark.field@ |
| Corcoran | Kara | Kinsella Middle | 6-8 | 6-8 | CorcK001@ |
| Smagin | Jennifer | McDonough | 6-8 | 6-8 | SmagJ001@ |
| Senteio | Charlene | Milner | 6-8 | 6-8 | SentC001@ |
| Risby | April | MLK | 6-8 | 6-8 | April.Risby |
| Rodriguez | Nicole | Office of Academics- Transition Counselor Specialist | 6-12 | 6-12 | rodrn003@ |
| Vacant | Office of Academics | 6-12 | 6-12 | ||
| Bennett | Kim | Pathways | 9-12 | A-L (9-12) | CapoK001@ |
| Chamberland | Christine | Pathways | 9-12 | M-Z (9-12) | ChamC003@ |
| Campbell | Daniel | SMSA | 9-12 | M-Z | daniel.campbell@ |
| Dionne | Christine | SMSA | 9-12 | A-L | dionc001@ |
| Vacant | SMSA | 6-8 | 6-8 | ||
| Doffek | Beth | University High | 9-12 | L-Z (9-12) | DoffB001@ |
| Radigan | Noel | University High | 9-12 | A-K (9-12) | radin001@ |
| Bass | Bryan | Weaver | 9-12 | 10, 11, 12th- A-L | Bryan.Bass@ |
| Spar | Jessica | Weaver | 9-12 | 10-12 (M-Z) | Jessica.Spar@ |
| Ziskind | Rebecca | Weaver | 9-12 | Freshmen Academy | Rebecca.Ziskind@ |
Naviance
Naviance is a web-based Student Success Plan portfolio and college and career readiness platform available to all 6th -12th grade students. Naviance provides many resources all in one place, including, but not limited to:
Career and Personality Interest Inventories
Students can take assessments and discover potential careers and majors that match skills and interests.
Career Exploration
Job descriptions, education/training, knowledge, skills, expected salaries for thousands of careers, as well as related majors are available within Naviance career searches. Students can save their favorite careers.
Resume Builder
Students can track their activities, personal awards, accomplishments, experiences, and skills, and export in resume form.
College & Major Search Options
Students can search for colleges using specifications (location, size, major, GPA, athletics, etc.). Links to college websites and information about admissions requirements and deadlines are also available. Students can save favorite colleges.
eDocs
Students can manage their college application deadlines, link to their Common Application accounts, update college acceptance status, and request letters of recommendation through Naviance Student accounts. School staff can upload and send required college application materials electronically through eDocs.
Goal Setting
Students can set short and long-term goals in SMART goal format and track progress over time.
Scholarship Search
Students can search for local and national scholarships.
Student Success Planning
SSP tasks can be assigned, completed, stored, and tracked using Naviance. At HPS we have created district required SSP tasks for students in grades 6-12 to complete, all assigned in Naviance.
HIGH SCHOOL
| Suggested
Timeline |
9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| Sept-Nov | A – Four Year Planning Survey-Class of 2024
|
A – Four Year Planning Survey-Class of 2023 | A – Four Year Planning Survey-Class of 2022 | A – Four Year Planning Survey-Class of 2021 |
| Sept-Nov | A/SE/C – 9th Gr SMART Goal | A/SE/C – 10th Gr SMART Goal | A/SE/C – 11th Gr SMART Goal | A/SE/C – 12th Gr SMART Goal |
| Dec-Mar | SE – Strengths Explorer | SE – Do What You Are Personality Inventory | C – Update the list “Colleges I’m thinking about” | C – Update the list “Colleges I’m applying to” |
| Dec-Mar | C – Intro to Post-Secondary Survey | C – College Super Match | A- Game Plan Survey | SE -Update & Upload Resume |
| April-May | SE – Intro to Resumes Survey | SE – Develop & Upload Resume | SE – Update & Upload Resume | A – Graduation Survey Class of 2021 |
| April-May | A- Preparing for 10th Grade Survey | A- Preparing for 11th Grade Survey | A- Preparing for 12th Grade Survey | A- Preparing for Transition to Postsecondary Survey |
MIDDLE SCHOOL
| Suggested
Timeline |
6 | 7 | 8 |
| Sept-Nov | A/SE/C – 6th Gr SMART Goal ‘20-21 | A/SE/C – 7th Gr SMART Goal ‘20-21 | A/SE/C – 8th Gr SMART Goal‘20-21 |
| Sept-Nov | C – Intro to Post-Secondary Survey | C – Career Key | C – Career Cluster Finder |
| Dec-Mar | A – Naviance Curriculum
Theme: Success Skills Lesson: Academic Challenges |
A – Naviance Curriculum
Theme: Success Skills Lesson: My Definition of Success |
SE – Naviance Curriculum
Theme: Success Skills Lesson: Decision Making |
| Dec-Mar | SE – Naviance Curriculum
Theme: Self Discovery Lesson: Self Confidence |
SE – Naviance Curriculum
Theme: Support Network Lesson: Team Work |
A – Naviance Curriculum
Theme: Success Skills Lesson: Time Management |
| April -May | SE – Naviance Curriculum
Theme: Success Skills Lesson: Taking Responsibility |
SE – Naviance Curriculum
Theme: Self Discovery Lesson: Exploring My Options |
SE – Naviance Curriculum
Theme: Success Skills Lesson: My High School Preview |
| April -May | C – Hartford Promise Presentation & Survey | C – Hartford Promise Presentation & Survey | C – Hartford Promise Presentation & Survey |
Staff Members:
The Department of College & Career Readiness is made up of the Executive Director of Post-Secondary Success & Alternative Programming and two district lead school counselors. Together the team works to support the School Counselors and College Career Specialists in each of the Hartford Public Schools.
| Dr. Chaka Felder-McEntire | Executive Director of Post-Secondary Success and Alternative Programming | Chaka.Felder-McEntire@hartfordschools.org | |
| Nicole Rodriguez, D.Div, MAC | Transition Counselor | rodrn003@hartfordschools.org | (860)785-6151 |
| Aneela Shah | Transition Counselor Specialist | KAZMA001@hartfordschools.org | 860-695-8887 |
Click here to learn more about
PowerSchool/Parent Portal
The CCR Department is dedicated to ensuring all Hartford Public School students have equitable access to high-quality post-secondary opportunities that will prepare them for the dynamic world of work and life beyond high school! It is our mission to inspire ALL students to create their own path towards success in and beyond school.
In relation to the District’s Model for Excellence, the College & Career Readiness Department Goals are to:
- Increase graduation rates
- Decrease Chronic Absenteeism
- Increase student perceptions of feeling safe & valued
Postsecondary Readiness Initiatives currently underway include:
- All students in grades 6-12 have access to Naviance as an electronic Student Success Plan and a college & career readiness tool.
- Increasing the PSAT, free of charge, to all Sophomores and Juniors during the school day
- Increasing the SAT, free of charge, to all Juniors during the school day
- Increasing opportunities for students to take college courses while in high school
- Increasing college and career exploration for all students through college visits, career fairs, internships, and other meaningful experiences
College & Career Resources
College Search Resources
- CommonApp First-Time Student Sign-Up
- Naviance College Search Tool
Use the college search tool to build your college list. - College Search – BigFuture
Compare colleges
Information coming soon!
Essay Writing Prompts
Below is the full set of Common App essay prompts for 2021-2022.
- Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
- The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
- Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
- Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
- Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
- Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
- Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
Use the arrow key button in bottom left corner to turn to page 2 to see brochure in Spanish.
Use el botón de la flecha en la esquina inferior izquierda para pasar a la página 2 y ver el folleto en español.
Explore this presentation for our Rising Freshmen about preparing for High School.
Use the arrow key button in bottom left corner to turn to page 2 to see brochure in Spanish.
Use el botón de la flecha en la esquina inferior izquierda para pasar a la página 2 y ver el folleto en español.
8th Grade Presentation FINAL (1)
Information coming soon!
Information coming soon!
Information coming soon!
Information coming soon!
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The 2022-23 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is now open for applications. Students who plan to attend college between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023 should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible. To assist students and parents in the process, the Department’s Federal Student Aid (FSA) office has been sharing tips @FAFSA, including “7 Things You Need Before Filling Out the FAFSA Form” and “8 Steps to Completing the FAFSA Form.”
FSA continues to take steps to make it easier to complete and submit the FAFSA form. For example:
- Students’ prior drug convictions, as well as registration status with Selective Service, no longer affect their federal student aid eligibility
- FAFSA.gov is even easier to navigate to get help and information, with an entirely new look and feel; and in most states, applicants only see the questions on the FAFSA form that pertain to them
Students and parents may complete the FAFSA form online at FAFSA.gov and through the myStudentAid mobile application.
Information coming soon.
