Counseling Department Newsletter
2022 Fall Edition
Welcome Students and Parents/Guardians!
The Neshaminy High School Counseling staff offers a variety of support services. Dedicated counselors work with students, families and staff to assist in the academic planning, college and career development and personal/social growth for each student. Our goal is to provide assistance, encouragement and support for students as they develop and prepare for their future. The resources offered through this site will assist students and their parents in gathering information on topics such as colleges, careers, scholarships, financial aid, and academic assistance.
Counselors will meet with their students throughout the course of the year to review their grades and develop an academic and college/career plan. If at any point you or your child would like to meet with their counselor before such meeting occurs, please encourage your child to make an appointment or call the School Counseling Office to schedule a meeting.
Counselor Contacts
Counseling Office 215-809-6101 Transcript Office 215-809-6161/6162
Ms. Christina Savage (A-Brot) csavage@neshaminy.org
Mrs. Patience Burton (Brou-Del) pburton@neshaminy.org
Mrs. Jill Ortman (Dem-Gal) jortman@neshaminy.org
Mrs. Casey Rodgers (Gam-H) crodgers@neshaminy.org
Mr. Jeff McCaughey (I-Led) jmccaughey@neshaminy.org
Ms. Traci Hindle (Lee-Me) thindle@neshaminy.org
Mrs. Jennifer Coe (Mi-Perk) jcoe@neshaminy.org
Mr. Erik Styer (Perl-San) estyer@neshaminy.org
Ms. Catherine Bond (Sao-Thom) cbond@neshaminy.org
Mrs. Heather Krajcer (Thon-Z) hkrajcer@neshaminy.org
Upcoming Events & Announcements
September 29, 2022- College Fair
October 6, 2022- Back to School Night
October 15, 2022- PSAT
October 19, 2022- Financial Aid Night
Extra Academic Help
Before School help is offered Monday-Thursday from 6:45am-7:10am located in the Library/Media Center.
After School help is offered Monday-Thursday from 2:30pm-4:00pm located in the Library/Media Center.
Come with a question and a teacher will help you!
Activities & Clubs
Neshaminy High School offers an array of after-school clubs and activities. There is an after-school bus at both 4:15 pm and 5:15 pm to take students home from these activities. Please visit https://www.neshaminy.org/domain/2398 for our activities list and advisor contact information.
Getting involved helps students to meet new friends, increases connection to school, and assists in building an activity resume for college applications. We offer something for everyone!
College Fair
Neshaminy High School hosts a College Fair Night on Thursday, September 29th from 6:00pm to 8:00 pm in Gym 1. There will be between 56-65 colleges/ universities represented.
College Fair Tips & Advice:
1. Review the list of schools
2. Ask thoughtful questions
3. Take good notes
4. Leave time to explore new colleges
5. Collect contact information and thank college representatives
Back to School Night
Neshaminy High School’s Back to School Night is scheduled for Thursday, October 6th at 6:30pm, preceded by our Parent Open House at 5:30pm.
Parent Open House—5:30pm—6:30pm
Take a self-guided tour of NHS
Visit Gym 3 and Challenge Gym
Visit the Guidance Counselors in the HUB
Visit the Health Suite and meet the nurses
Shop at the NHS School Store
Meet the NHS Principals on Main Street
Back to School Night—6:30pm—8:37pm
Follow your child’s schedule 1st – 8th periods
College Financial Aid Night
The Neshaminy High School Counseling Department is hosting its annual College Financial Aid Night on Wednesday, October 19th at 6:30 pm in the High School Auditorium. The information is focused towards juniors and seniors and their parents, but all are welcome to attend.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Ortman in the Counseling Center:
(215)809-6101
Post Secondary Planning
Naviance
PSAT
This year the PSAT will be given on Saturday, October 15, 2022. This exam is only give once a year. 10th and 11th Grade students are especially encouraged to take this exam. Students must register online through Total Registration to take the PSAT. Flyers were handed out in English classes that include the website to register and this information is also available on the Counseling Center Canvas page. A copy of the flyer that was handed out is also included below. The deadline to register to take the PSAT is Friday, October 7th. Please contact the Counseling Center at 215-809-6101 with any questions.
If students are interested in preparing to take the PSAT, there are practice books available in the Guidance Office and students also have access to an online resource, Albert.io, to prepare as well. The flyer below also includes information about how students can access this free resource.
SAT
The SAT is a college admissions exam administered by the College Board to help aid colleges in the admissions decision process. The purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student's college readiness, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants.
SAT Prep:
Khan Academy is a great resource for student to access free help to prepare for the SAT. Khan can link with students' PSAT scores to give specific feedback on content areas that students should study. It also has 10 full length practice SAT tests to help students get used to the format and style of questions that will be on the SAT.
To explore: https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
ACT
AP Exams
Please see the attached AP Updates and AP National Testing Schedule for important AP information. All AP questions can be sent to Mrs. Rodgers at crodgers@neshaminy.org or 215-809-6101.
Seniors: Important Info!
Transcript Request
Attention Seniors: To request that a transcript be sent to a College or post-secondary institution,
these 2 online forms must be completed.
First, a parent or guardian must complete the parent permission release included below.
Second, the student must complete the transcript request form included below. Please retain your confirmation of submission after submitting the form. **A SEPARATE REQUEST FORM NEEDS TO BE SUBMITTED FOR EACH COLLEGE THAT IS BEING APPLIED TO**
Letters of Recommendation
If students will need a letter of recommendation for college applications, they should touch base with their teacher(s) in person.
- Keep in mind that several schools do not need a letter. So do NOT ask a teacher for a letter if you will not need it.
- For example: Schools such as Temple, University of Pitt, West Chester, Penn State, Bloomsburg, Shippensburg, Bucks County Community College DO NOT require letters of recommendation.
- Also, some schools only want 1 letter, so do not ask more teachers than you need.
Process for requesting a letter:
- Ask the teacher in person.
- Sign on to Naviance. Click on the “About Me” tab and fill out the Recommendation Data Sheet.
- Then once that is complete, click on the “Colleges” tab in Naviance.
- Once there, click on the “Letter of Recommendation” link
- From there, you type in the teacher’s name who is going to write you a letter and send them the official request.
Scholarship Opportunities
https://student.naviance.com/colleges/scholarships/national-and-local
Make sure to pay attention to deadlines and specific instructions for each scholarship as they do vary. Scholarships are updated on a weekly basis, so make sure you checking to see what has been added. There are no limits to the number of scholarships you can apply for.
Military
Community Resources
Parent Canvas Accounts
School Social Worker Corner
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month —a time to raise awareness. The National Alliance of Mental Illness(NAMI) uses this month to shift public perception, spread hope and share vital information to people affected by suicide. Their goal is ensuring that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help. https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Suicide-Prevention-Awareness-Month-(SPAM)
Please click the file below for helpful resources from our High School Social Worker Barb Furphy, MA, LMFT, HSV, NCC. Please reach out to Barb Furphy with any questions at bfurphy@neshaminy.org or 215-809-6662.
Virtual Calming Room
The Virtual Calming Room is a safe place for students and families to find strategies for managing emotions and feelings. Access our Virtual Calming Room by clicking the link below:
https://neshaminy.instructure.com/courses/31039/pages/virtual-calming-room