HANOVER PARK HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE NEWSLETTER

• Fall 2008 • Written/compiled by Barbara Ford

WELCOME TO THE 2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR AT HPHS

Welcome, freshmen!  Welcome back, sophomores, juniors, and seniors!  All of us in the Counseling Office hope that you enjoyed your summer and are ready for a productive school year.  We want to remind all students that we are here to assist you in dealing with social, emotional, educational, and vocational (career) concerns throughout your high school years. Remember that your counselor is available for you to visit whenever necessary.

Your counselor’s name is listed on your schedule.  Students are assigned to counselors alphabetically as listed below:

    Mr. Bradley          K – P(9th), L-P(10th)  A, L-O(11th-12th)
    Mr. Rendine         A-C (9th-10th), B-Ce(11th& 12th) & Students with special needs
    Mrs. Ford            D-J(9th), D-K(10th), Ch-K(11th &12th) & Students with special needs
    Mrs. Mitchell        Q-Z(9th & 10th), P-Z(11th-12th) & Student Assistance Counselor

The Counseling Department phone number is (973) 887-8137. Parents are encouraged to contact their child's counselor when the need arises.

MEET WITH YOUR COUNSELOR

Your counselor is trained to help you with a wide variety of concerns you may have while at Hanover Park High School.  Your counselor can help you:

  • Figure out how to solve or cope with personal or academic problems.
  • Choose courses that are appropriate for your academic abilities and future goals.
  • Learn more about career options and the kind of training that may be required.
  • Explore your own values to help you make good decisions.

FOSTERING ACADEMIC SUCCESS:   TIPS FOR PARENTS
If your child is experiencing any difficulty in his/her classes, your early intervention is essential.  Your child’s teachers are the best resource to help your child get (or stay) on track.

1.  Encourage your child to attend extra help sessions with the teacher as soon as new or complicated material is introduced.  Tell them not to wait for the difficulty to “snowball.”

2.  Contact your child’s teachers directly as soon as either of the following “red flags” appears:

  •  Progress reports indicating a student is not succeeding at an acceptable rate.
  •  Report card grades of D+ or lower.
  • Report card grades of D+ or lower.

       
3.  Contact your child’s counselor if you do not receive report cards or progress reports within two weeks of the dates indicated in the district’s “Reporting to Parents Timetable” found in the District Information Handbook.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS: TIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

A variety of factors contribute to a student’s academic success.   Many websites provide detailed information and strategies for developing stronger academic skills. Visit the following site for links to a wealth of information and advice:

                                                     http://www.uni.edu/walsh/linda7.html

ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY

The Hanover Park Regional High School District must adhere to the NJSIAA (New Jersey State Inter-scholastic Athletic Association) rules that state the following:

10th, 11th, and 12th grade students who plan to participate in fall and winter sports (during the 1st and 2nd marking periods) must have accumulated a minimum of 27.5 credits from the 2007-2008 school year. 
    
Any student (grades 9-11) who plans to be involved in 2008 spring sports (during the 3rd & 4th marking periods) must have passed 13.75 credits from the previous two marking periods (September-January, 2008-09) in order to be eligible.  (Seniors must be meeting the district’s graduation requirements and be passing all courses in which they are enrolled.)

NCAA ELIGIBILITY


Athletes who plan on playing a sport in college must complete the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Student Release form in September of their senior year.  These forms can be filed online at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.

 

COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES TO VISIT HP

During the school year (September through December), representatives from various colleges and universities will visit HP to present information about their schools.

In addition to distributing applications and catalogs to interested students, the reps are available to answer students’ questions about their institutions.  It is an ideal time to learn more, make contact, and demonstrate your interest in specific schools. 

To find out when specific schools’ reps will be visiting students should listen to the AM announcements, check the visitation schedule posted on the bulletin board in our office, or visit our school’s website at www.hanoverpark.org.  Any student wishing to attend a session must obtain a pass at least one day prior to the college rep’s visit.

JUNIORS: TAKE THE PSAT ON 10/18/08

The PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test), given once a year, is important for juniors thinking about attending college.  The test is designed to measure verbal reasoning, critical reading, writing, and math problem- solving skills.  Taking the PSAT is a great way for students to practice for the SAT test.  It is also used to identify National Merit Schol­ars. 
Students interested in taking the PSAT in October should register in the Guidance Office.

Registration Dates:  September 18th thru October 3

Cost:  $22.00 cash or check payable to Hanover Park High School

Test Date:  October 18, 2008 at 7:45 a.m.

Test Site:  Hanover Park High School

More Information:  www.collegeboard.com
See your guidance counselor if you have any questions about taking the PSAT test.
                     

THE COLLEGE ADMISSION PROCESS

It’s time for seniors to start completing and sending in some of their college applications.  Some deadlines are as early as November 1st (Early Decision or Early Action). 

Tips for submitting your college applications:

  • DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!!! 
    -It can take up to TWO WEEKS to process your application/request for transcript.              Plan accordingly.
  • Be aware of the impression your email address might make.  You might want to create a “professional” email account for college and job applications
  • PROOFREAD EVERYTHING!
  • If you use the Common Application, make sure you complete any supplements required by individual schools.

           Tips for online applications:

  • Print out the full application directions so you can “check-off” tasks as you complete them.
  • Compose your personal statement in a word-processing document, then save it as a text file, copy it, and paste it into the appropriate boxes online.
  • Print out your completed application, or an application summary and proofread it before clicking the SUBMIT button.  Make sure none of your information was omitted. Save the printed copy for your files.
  • Don’t forget to click “SUBMIT.”  Your application won’t be sent until you do!
  • Print out your receipt and keep it! You will have a record of your application ID number and a complete summary of your application.
  • Look for an email confirmation that your application has been received.  Print out and file the application acknowledgement.  Call the Office of Admissions if you do not receive confirmation within 48 hours of your submission.
  • See your counselor the day after you click “SUBMIT” to request to have your transcript and letters of recommendation sent.  Colleges do not notify schools that students have applied; you must do so.

Two Useful Websites:

www.collegeboard.com-This site, sponsored by the makers of the SAT test, provides testing information, practice and online registration, a college search feature, a career interest inventory, and links to college websites.

www.commonapp.org -This site enables students to apply online to any of the more than 300 colleges and universities that accept the Common Application.

 

Text Box: 2008-2009 IMPORTANT DATES SAT Test Date Registration Deadline Oct. 4, 2008 Sept. 9, 2008 Nov. 1, 2008 Sept. 26, 2008 Dec. 6, 2008 Nov. 5, 2008 Jan. 24, 2009 Dec. 26, 2008 March 14, 2009 Feb. 10, 2009 May 2, 2009 March 31, 2009 June 6, 2009 May 5, 2009 PSAT TEST DATE: October 18, 2008 (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) NOTE: You must register to take the SAT by visiting www.collegeboard.com or by mailing in the form included in the Registration Bulletin (available in the Guidance Office). AMERICAN COLLEGE TEST (ACT) (Off Campus- For dates and locations, see your counselor or visit www.actstudent.org) HIGH SCHOOL PROFICIENCY ASSESSMENT (HSPA) Sept. 29, Oct. 2, 3, 2008 (Senior retakes) March 4, 5, 6, 2009 (All juniors)