Counselor Assignments

9th Grade 10th Grade

Denise Talotta A-D A-DanJennifer Saxton E -Fina Dav-EDarcy Hoberman Fink-Kim F-KhokMichael Stone Kl-OK Khor-MieJennifer Ferentz Ol-Sh Mik-

SheaStephen Jochum Si-Z Shel-Z

Thomas Buono Supervisor

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

Confidentiality

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

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

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

Schoolwires

• Teachers post assignments, study guides and reviews on Schoolwires

• Use Schoolwires as a supplement with the daily planner

• Check Schoolwires daily for updates

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

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

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

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NORTHERN HIGHLANDSREGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

All students must complete 125 credits for graduation

I. English4 credit years of core English courses – 20 credits

II. World History/Cultures1 credit year – 5 credits

III. U.S. History2 credit years – 10 credits

IV. Mathematics3 credit years – 15 Credits

V. Science3 credit years – 15 creditsRequired Course Sequence:Physics [grade 9]; Chemistry [grade 10]; Biology [grade 11]

VI. World Languages2 credit years – 10 credits

VII. Physical Education/Health/Driver Ed1 credit year for each year of enrollment – 5 credits per year

VIII. Contemporary Business Technology and FreshmanRhetoric courses (required of all ninth graders)

One semester each – 2.5 credits each – total of 5 credits

REQUIREMENTS(Continued))

Visual & Performing Arts and Career Education & Consumer,Family, and Life Skills

10 credits – A minimum of 5 credits in each area is a requirement

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

Levels offered at NHRHS

• Intermediate

• College Preparatory (CP)

• Honors (Hon)• SUPA/Dual Enrollment (Hon)

• Advanced Placement (AP)

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

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?

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

• Final Grade

• Yearly GPA

• Honors & Recognitions

• Credits earned

• Cumulative GPA

• Attendance

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

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

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

What Subjects?

• English Literature• Math Level 1• Math Level 2• US History• World History• Biology• Chemistry• Physics• World languages

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/

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

Clubs and ActivitiesSTUDENT GOVERNMENT Student Council CLASS ORGANIZATIONS Freshman ClassSophomore ClassJunior ClassSenior ClassOTHER CLUBS AND ACTIVITIESAmerican Red CrossArt/Photography/CeramicsChristian ClubDebateDECAEnvironmental AwarenessFed ChallengeFrench ClubFuture Architects & EngineeringHighlands HeroesItalian ClubJewish Culture ClubLatin ClubMock TrialModel U.N.Multicultural Awareness ClubNational Honor SocietyQuiz Bowl           RoboticsS.A.D.D School StoreScience ClubScience LeagueSpanish ClubStock Market ClubTransition Project   

ATHLETICS          BaseballBoys BasketballBowlingCheerleading (Fall)Cheerleading (Winter)Cross Country FencingField HockeyFootball GolfIce HockeyLacrosseSoccerSoftballSwimmingTennisSpring Track Winter TrackVolleyballWrestlingPUBLICATIONSHighland Fling (School Newspaper)Freshman Literary/Art MagazineLoch and Quay (Literary Magazine )Thistle (Yearbook)

MUSIC AND THEATRENH Theater Company (Fall Drama Production)Freshmen Theatre ProductionImprovisational TheatreGuitar ClubJazz EnsembleMarching Band / Color GuardMusical ProductionHighlands Voices

3:15pm Rule

• Athletic coaches allow students to go for extra help immediately after school

• Practice doesn’t start until 3:15pm!!!

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

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

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

Parent Tips

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

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

QUESTIONS???

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)