Counselor Assignments

2. Counselor Assignments 9th Grade10th Grade Denise Talotta A-D A-Dan Jennifer Saxton E -Fina Dav-E Darcy Hoberman Fink-Kim F-Khok Michael Stone Kl-OK Khor-Mie Jennifer Ferentz Ol-Sh Mik-Shea Stephen Jochum Si-Z Shel-Z Thomas Buono Supervisor

3. Role of the Counselor • Counselors work with your child all four years of high school • Individual counseling: academic (progress reports, report cards, scheduling) • Emotional and social counseling • College guidance: Naviance • Career guidance: Holland Quiz and Strong Interest Inventory

4. Confidentiality Everything a student says to his/her counselor remains confidential EXCEPT if it involves risk of injury to themselves or others.

5. Student Handbook • Each family received a Student Handbook • Please review the handbook together • Available on Northern Highland’s Website (listed under documents/forms) http://www.northernhighlands.org

6. Attendance Policy • Regular attendance at school is essential to the total educational success and achievement of students. • Call the Attendance Office (201) 327-8700 x 260 on the morning of the student absence • A student returning from an absence must report to the Attendance Office and present a written note to the Attendance Clerk before the start of the school day. • Allowable Absences: 14 days/ full year course 7 days/ semester course • See pg. 5 of the Handbook for more details

7. Schoolwires • Teachers post assignments, study guides and reviews on Schoolwires • Use Schoolwires as a supplement with the daily planner • Check Schoolwires daily for updates

8. Keep Track of Grades • Genesis- Gradebook is open for approximately 10 days after progress reports are posted • Progress reports are available twice each semester. PR’s and report cards are only available on Genesis (no longer mailed home) • Genesis Passwords- emailed in August

9. Report Cards & Semester Structure Report cards posted on Genesis twice a year 1st Semester Begins: August 31 Progress Report #1- October 7 Progress Report #2- November 18 1st Semester ends: Friday, January 13 2nd Semester Begins: January 17 Progress Report #3- March 12 Progress Report #4- April 27 2nd Semester ends: Tuesday, June 19

10. What are available resources if my child is having difficulty in a class? • Students- meet with teachers for extra help (before/after school) • National Honor Society Tutor- fill out request form with guidance counselor • Parents can contact teacher directly

11. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NORTHERN HIGHLANDSREGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA All students must complete 125 credits for graduation I. English 4 credit years of core English courses – 20 credits II. World History/Cultures 1 credit year – 5 credits III. U.S. History 2 credit years – 10 credits IV. Mathematics 3 credit years – 15 Credits V. Science 3 credit years – 15 credits Required Course Sequence: Physics [grade 9]; Chemistry [grade 10]; Biology [grade 11] VI. World Languages 2 credit years – 10 credits VII. Physical Education/Health/Driver Ed 1 credit year for each year of enrollment – 5 credits per year VIII. Contemporary Business Technology and Freshman Rhetoric courses (required of all ninth graders) One semester each – 2.5 credits each – total of 5 credits

12. i. Visual & Performing Arts Minimum 5 credits -This requirement includes all art and music classes. The following English electives (5 credits each) apply: Acting I Actors’ Workshop Actors’ Workshop II Film Studies ii. Career Education & Consumer, Family, and Life Skills Minimum 5 credits – This requirement includes: all Business Education, Applied Technology, and Family & Consumer Sciences courses. The following English electives (5 credits each) apply: TV Production Broadcast Television Video Storytelling Advanced Film Production Journalism Creative Writing I, II, and III Mass Media X. Financial Literacy 5 credits- Beginning with the class of 2014, all graduates must meet the financial literacy course requirement. Please refer to page 8 for detailed information on meeting the financial literacy requirement REQUIREMENTS(Continued))Visual & Performing Arts and Career Education & Consumer,Family, and Life Skills10 credits – A minimum of 5 credits in each area is a requirement

13. Levels offered at NHRHS • Intermediate • College Preparatory (CP) • Honors (Hon) • SUPA/Dual Enrollment (Hon) • Advanced Placement (AP)

14. Course Curriculum • core courses- students should strive, where possible, to have a four-year sequence in each, especially if they are considering most, highly, or very competitive schools. • Students should consult with their counselors regarding course levels • Teacher recommendations are vital component in course selection

15. FAQs • How is course level determined? • Can students mix levels with in the same year? • Is it better to earn a “B” in honors or an “A” in CP? • Do all colleges accept AP scores for college credit?

16. NHRHS Transcript • Contains • all courses with final grades only and assigned credit • total credits earned • yearly and cumulative weight GPA • Yearly absences & number of times tardy • Honors & Recognitions • Available on line through Genesis Parent Module • http://parent.northernhighlands.org • updated at the end of each year

17. Final Grade Yearly GPA Honors & Recognitions Credits earned Cumulative GPA Attendance

18. PSAT • Is a practice SAT • Should take in fall of sophomore and junior year • Top scores in the state are recognized through the National Merit Scholarship Program • Colleges do not see results • www.collegeboard.com

19. College Entrance Exams • Most colleges require either an SAT or ACT as an entrance exam. • SAT and/or ACT are generally taken in the spring of the junior year • Many schools are becoming SAT/ACT optional – to view an updated list of schools log on to www.fairtest.org

20. SAT Subject Area Tests • One hour content based tests • Can be taken anytime after the completion of corresponding high school course. Always check with the subject area teacher • About 7% of colleges require two to three subject tests • taken in May or June of junior year or fall of senior year. Some sophomores may take a test or two in June of sophomore year. • www.collegeboard.com

21. What Subjects? • English Literature • Math Level 1 • Math Level 2 • US History • World History • Biology • Chemistry • Physics • World languages

22. State Testing • All high school students enrolled in any first year biology/life science course during the school year must participate in the end-of-course assessment regardless of year in high school. • The High School Proficiency Assessment is used to determine student achievement in reading, writing, and mathematics as specified in the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards. • First-time eleventh grade students who do not pass the HSPA in March of their junior year will have an opportunity to retest in October and March of their senior year. • http://www.state.nj.us/education/assessment/

23. Life Outside the Classroom • Clubs and Activities • listed on our website • Freshman Fair held in Sept. • Encourage your child to participate! • … but have Balance • 2-3 activities/ clubs

24. STUDENT GOVERNMENT Student Council  CLASS ORGANIZATIONS Freshman Class Sophomore Class Junior Class Senior Class OTHER CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES American Red Cross Art/Photography/Ceramics Christian Club Debate DECA Environmental Awareness Fed Challenge French Club Future Architects & Engineering Highlands Heroes Italian Club Jewish Culture Club Latin Club Mock Trial Model U.N. Multicultural Awareness Club National Honor Society Quiz Bowl            Robotics S.A.D.D School Store Science Club Science League Spanish Club Stock Market Club Transition Project   ATHLETICS Baseball Boys Basketball Bowling Cheerleading (Fall)Cheerleading (Winter) Cross Country Fencing Field Hockey Football Golf Ice Hockey Lacrosse Soccer Softball Swimming Tennis Spring Track Winter Track Volleyball Wrestling PUBLICATIONS Highland Fling (School Newspaper) Freshman Literary/Art Magazine Loch and Quay (Literary Magazine ) Thistle (Yearbook) MUSIC AND THEATRE NH Theater Company (Fall Drama Production) Freshmen Theatre Production Improvisational Theatre Guitar Club Jazz Ensemble Marching Band / Color Guard Musical Production Highlands Voices Clubs and Activities

25. 3:15pm Rule • Athletic coaches allow students to go for extra help immediately after school • Practice doesn’t start until 3:15pm!!!

26. BALANCE • Quality not quantity in terms of clubs and sports • “Be smart, do it with heart!” • Choose appropriately challenging courses • Be wary of what you hear – if you have a question, ask us

27. Stress/ Anxiety • Parents need to be the calming force for their child • Be aware if your child exhibits signs of stress • Anxiety arises from poor planning and misinformation • Importance of: • Time management • Enough sleep

28. Learning to be a Young Adult • Students should be proactive • Seeing the counselor • Talking to teachers • Seeking extra help • Reading the Curriculum Guide • Always be involved in their own education

29. Do: Listen to your child Allow your child to make mistakes Spend time having fun with your child Continue to help organize and structure their workload DON’T: View high school only as “pre-college” Overreact to your child’s ups and downs Let academics be the only barometer of your child’s success Parent Tips

30. NHRHS Guidance Website • www.northernhighlands.org >>Click on Guidance • A wealth of information about the department can be found here: • Contact Information • Student Services Bulletin • online monthly • Enrichment/ Summer Programs • Testing Information • Scholarships • Naviance

31. QUESTIONS???

32. Guidance Extravaganza:Elective Program Locations Your Teen’s World – Auditorium Naviance “Family Connection”- Main Caf. School & Community Resources- Room 140 Pursuing Athletics at the Collegiate Level- Cultural Arts Center (near back of main cafeteria)