The Guidance Connection
Home of the Lions
A Note from the Supervisor
With the holiday break arriving soon, make sure to practice self-care over the holiday. Take time for yourself and allow yourself to reset over the break.
- Give yourself permission to slow down
- Don't forget to breathe
- Get enough rest
- Take a walk/ go outside
- Unplug and spend time with family and friends
- Focus on making good memories
- Steal time for yourself and reflect on the past year
The Guidance Department staff looks forward to the new year and all that 2022 will bring. From all of us to all of you, Happy Holidays!
Look What's New!
The Lacey Township High School Guidance department is excited to announce the establishment of the new College and Career Center located in the Media Center. The goal of the College and Career Center is to provide all students with information and resources to help them plan their future after high school.
Students can use the College and Career Center as a resource to help them navigate the college planning and application process and explore various career opportunities. In addition, students can find out information on SAT and ACT testing, scholarships, financial aid, work opportunities, internships and volunteer opportunities. The Career Center will be equipped with computers that enable students to apply for colleges, scholarships, financial aid and jobs. Students are encouraged to research college and career information through their Naviance accounts and the Internet.
In general, students may access the Career Center during study halls or their lunch period. After school hours will also be available. Students must come with a pass from their teacher or their counselor. Food and drink are prohibited as well as cell phone use. The computers are reserved for college and career use only.
College and Career Center Resources:
Naviance/Family Connections access
College admission representative visits
Career exploration resources
College brochures and college planning resources
Scholarship opportunities and applications
Financial aid information and services
Internship, volunteer and Job opportunities
Military options
Community service programs
Summer programs
School to Work resources
SAT and ACT information, study guides and test prep resources
College essay mentoring
Watch for upcoming College and Career Center events!
MEET MRS. FARNKOPF, College and Career Counselor
Mrs. Stephanie Farnkopf joined the LTHS Guidance Department in December 2021 as the new Career and College Readiness Counselor. Stephanie’s educational background includes an Associate and Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management, a Master’s degree in Educational Counseling and a School Counseling K-12 certification for the state of NJ. While working in NYC, Stephanie was a Human Resources Coordinator, and then an Academic Advisor at NYU, which set her on a path into the field of education. Stephanie has since interned and worked for various colleges including Monmouth University, Georgian Court University, American University, Ocean County College and Brookdale Community College, focusing on the areas of career services, alumni relations, new student orientation, admissions, financial aid and counseling, and has also taught the First-Year Student Success Seminar at OCC. Amazing as these experiences were, Stephanie felt like she wanted to reach students earlier in their education and decided to go back to school for her School Counseling certification, which led her to her new role at LTHS. Stephanie is eager to create a vibrant Career and College Readiness Resource Center designed to support and guide students during their time at LTHS and into their bright futures. In her time off, she enjoys cooking, reading, binging on “old” tv sitcoms and being with her husband, son and fur baby (their dog, Colby).
senior experience
Congratulations Class of 2022 students and parents - you are almost half way there! Take time over the Christmas break to recharge and gear up for the final stretch. When school reopens in January, make sure to keep the following in mind:
1. Seniors who have applied to colleges, please keep in communication with your counselors. If you have been accepted into a college/university, notify your counselor and update that acceptance in Naviance.
2. Students who need assistance with college applications or students who are undecided and need resources for career or military planning, please contact your counselor or Mrs. Farnkopf.
3. ASVAB Testing is scheduled for January 4, 2022 and Accuplacer testing (OCC placement test) is scheduled for January 19, 2022. Either of these tests, if passed, will meet the state graduation testing requirement.
4. Scholarship materials will be available at the end of January. Keep an eye out for that email!!!!!
JUNIOR HAPPENINGS
SAT/ACT
Sign up to take the SAT and/or the ACT in the spring. SAT and ACT fee waivers are available to eligible students in the Guidance Office. To prepare for the SAT, you can access free, personalized SAT practice tools at khanacademy.org/SAT.
ASVAB
Be sure to check in with your counselor regarding whether or not you have met your graduation testing requirements. For those students who have not, please consider signing up for the ASVAB test on March 15, 2022.
--SOPHOMORE NEWS
PSAT Information
Sophomore students should have received their PSAT scores and test booklets on December 9th during the school's PSAT Presentations. Please make sure to log in/create an account and link your score to collegeboard.org using your access number on your score report. If you need help, please refer back to the PSAT 10 & 11 Presentation. This is a great resource to help you improve your scores, and practice for the SAT. The student should look to register for the SAT in the spring of their Junior year. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact your guidance counselor.
FRESHMAN FOCUS
PSAT 9 Returns
Freshman were provided their PSAT 9 scores and test booklets were returned to all freshman earlier this month. Any student who has not received their score sheet and test booklet should stop by the guidance office as soon as possible and see Miss Spinuzza. Be sure to check the last page of your score sheet to see which questions were correct and incorrect. This can be a great practice for the next PSAT test administration.
Students can add their scores to their College Board account with the access code provided on their score sheet. Counselors do not have access to student's College Board accounts. It is important to note your username and password so you can remember your login credentials. If you already have a College Board account, do not create a new account. This can cause login trouble in the future.
The Freshman PSAT Presentation was emailed to all 9th grade students. If you are having trouble finding this presentation or have any questions, please reach out to your counselor. We are here to help!
SPOTLIGHT ON LACEY COLLEGE ACADEMY
Spring registration continues for any student interested in taking a course next semester. Forms should be submitted as early as possible to secure seats in courses.
Winter break for any student taking any OCC classes is from December 23rd to January 24th. College classes resume at LTHS and at OCC on January 24th.
There is an OCC Academy information session tentatively scheduled for January 11th at 5:30 PM,.for any interested sophomore and their parents. Watch for more information during the week of January 3rd.
Accuplacer testing for any sophomore interested in becoming a part of cohort 6 of the OCC Academy will take place on January 19th. Sign up forms will be available on January 3rd.
Any student taking ENVI 241 or MATH 158 during the spring semester MUST make sure they have taken the Accuplacer. The classes are not score dependent, but students are required to take the test. Students can also go to the OCC testing center in Toms River, located on the bottom floor of the library building on the main campus. Testing is free to all LTHS students.
Please visit the new OCC center located in the LTHS library!
SAC'S CORNER
Mental Health Resolutions
If you plan to set New Year’s resolutions for 2022, don’t forget about your mental health! It’s easy to overlook this area of your life, even if it has the greatest opportunity for improvement.
Here are some tips to get you started:
Be specific with your mental health resolutions. Establish realistic, measurable goals that you can strive for-small steps every day.
Reserve one day each month to do nothing...absolutely nothing! These mental health days can revitalize your energy and bring clarity to your mind.
Establish a consistent sleep routine. Sleep allows you to process the day-consistent and thorough sleep repetition can do wonders for your mental health.
Reduce your daily screen time. Your mind is clouded daily by technology. Give your brain a break- read a book, play a game or go for a walk!
Compliment others! Positivity breeds more positivity. You’ll soon see this good energy come back to you.
It’s about PROGRESS not perfection!
Wherever life takes you in 2022, be proud of your progress! Instead of focusing on what you haven’t accomplished, think about all you have accomplished. Approach each task one step at a time, and trust those steps will add up. LTHS guidance, CST & SAC are all here to help you through your journey!
https://www.oakpsych.com/2020/11/13/mental-health-resolutions-for-2020/