Getting Ready for 2020-21 Together
High School Counseling Newsletter (quarter 1)
WELCOME BACK!
I am beginning this newsletter in the hopes that I can help you understand where I am, as your counselor during social distancing, and where I hope we can meet.
There are no adjectives I can use to describe to you how difficult and how unnatural this “distance learning” is for me, as much as I assume it is for you. I became a counselor for many reasons, but mostly because I enjoy the interactions with students.
Distance learning has presented many challenges for you and your family. The process of logging in to a device to access information teachers need to equip you with (as well as the information I need you to have access to) and then submitting your work via a similar process has been challenging for a lot of students. I can only hope you will attempt to continue to access and complete your work the best way you can. Try to celebrate the small victories. Try to minimize the struggles.
I want you to know that I have been, and will continue, doing the absolute best I can to provide you with information you’ll need to get through this year for all high school grade levels (whether it be in person or virtually). Every school day is a challenge for me, much as it is for you. So let’s continue to tackle this challenge together. And remember: this is temporary. Keep communicating with your teachers and myself and keep up with your learning. I’m here via email, Google Hangouts, phone call and/or Google chat.
Stressed? Anxious? Feeling Disconnected? Check out all of our COVID-19 resources: Community and Parent resources, Coping Strategies, Emotional Regulation and Self Care, etc. https://classroom.google.com/u/0/w/NjQ3MDEyNTQ2ODda/t/all
Quarter 1 ends: November 6th
Taking an AP Exam in the spring 2021?
-REGISTRATION-
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 3rd, 8am
WHERE: This is an online event.
Registration for AP Exams opened 8/1/20. The deadline to register is 10/1/20. You will need to log into your College Board account to register. Please make an appointment with me before the deadline if you need help with this.
Registration: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/register-for-ap-exams
Dates and fees: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/exam-dates-and-fees
Payment: Mrs. Sanborn will be collecting exam fees up until November 1st (deadline).
Register with NJSHS:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1CkNqxCyyZNCJKVECE0LCDSb1iMK1ErJqEsNHg_1SEYc/edit
Virtual College Fairs- Juniors and Seniors!
USNH College Fair: 4-7 pm on September 15
https://www.usnh.edu/virtual-college-fair
NACAC VIRTUAL COLLEGE FAIRS (click on this link for more details)
Sunday September 13, 12pm - 8pm
Monday October 12, 1pm - 9pm
Sunday October 18, 12pm - 8pm
Sunday November 8, 2pm - 10pm
COALITION COLLEGE FAIRS (click on this link for more details)
September 16-17, 6pm - 10pm
October 21-22, 7pm - 10pm
November 4-5, 7pm - 10pm
Seniors
NHHEAF: Financial Aid Night- 9/23/20
6:00-7:30
More information to follow as the date nears. In the past, it has been in the HS library, but due to COVID-19, NNHEAF and NJSHS will be taking CDC safety precautions.
Senior Presentations: I'll be in all senior English classes the week of Sept. 15th to review what lies ahead for senior year and post-grad plans.
SAT- 10/14/20
As of this moment, SATs will be taken in school. As we get closer to the test date, information about the test day will be communicated with all seniors and families. Students will be taking the essay portion as required by the NH Dept. of Education.
SAT checklist (ignore pg. 1)
SAT Student Guide to Practice and Scores
Other Important Things to Think About:
College Applications- DUE DATES!
Are you applying for Early Decision (ED)?: Typically Nov. 1st
Early Action (EA)?: Typically mid- December
College Essay- https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/college-essay
Scholarships- Fastweb-- https://www.fastweb.com, NHHEAF--https://www.nhheaf.org/scholarships.asp, College Board--https://blog.collegeboard.org/college-board-opportunity-scholarships
Juniors
PSAT- 10/14/20
As of this moment, SATs will be taken in school. As we get closer to the test date, information about the test day will be communicated with all seniors and families.
PSAT prep: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/practice
What About Campus Visits this year? And Why?
- A lot of colleges are doing virtual tours this year due to COVID-19. (Take a peek at UNH's: https://www.unh.edu/virtualtour/). Go to the school's website you're interested in to view their virtual tour. Need help with this? Please email me to set up an appointment.
- Get a 1st hand view: 'walk' around the quad, 'sit' in on a class, 'visit' the dorms.
- Questions answered: what are the class sizes?, what activities, clubs, sports are there?, & how about the caf?.
- Valuable info: student newspaper, what's the admissions process like, what's the day-to-day like...
- Listen to your gut.
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges/campus-visit-guide/why-visit-colleges
Technical Schools do Campus Tours as well!
https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/vocational-trade-school/new-hampshire/
Why Community Service?
- Learn new skills
- Build your resume/profile
- Giving your time & making a difference
- Showing responsibility
- Earning credits?
And where can you do this?
https://blog.collegevine.com/best-places-for-high-schoolers-to-do-community-service/
Sophomores
**Make sure that you can sign into your College Board account before test day**
PSAT- 10/14/20
As of this moment, SATs will be taken in school. As we get closer to the test date, information about the test day will be communicated with all seniors and families.
PSAT prep: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/practice
If you’re still navigating your way through the high school experience as many sophomores are, now is a great time to seek out new opportunities. You’re still busy, but you’ve got a little bit more time then you’ll have later when you’re more focused on the ACT/SAT, college applications, or graduation.
Due to COVID-19, your opportunities are a little limited at the current, but when the 'dust clears', try out extracurricular activities you’ve always been curious about or take a new leadership position in a club or playing a sport, or working part-time or volunteering.
Helpful To-Dos:
- Meet with me, your counselor to see what electives may match with your interests, skills and learning style.
- Talk to your teachers immediately when you begin to notice you're struggling; don't wait!
- Talk to upperclassmen about their process and the decisions they made that were successful or things they would have dome differently.
Freshmen
https://www.wgu.edu/heyteach/article/advice-for-high-school-freshmen-from-departing-seniors1808.html
Having a tough time seeing your schedule? Having a tough time reviewing your grades and/or assignments?
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ixNY4T-k5o8x2ZoxP6CvHO-5xyI1JzkDfZilDYVvt2c/edit?usp=sharing
Not sure you're in the correct level course? Getting lost in the school? Having a tough time connecting and making friends? I'm available virtually (Google Hangout, Google Chat, email. phone call) and in person when following CDC safety guidelines. I'm here.
SST
SST Return to School Parent FAQ-
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ci_7IZCOlHwvB7L4dUwM1xcCtCBBeZDMevOU8-YcDGE/edit?ts=5f4d1af8
Transportation- if you'd like to drive yourself, please reach to Sharon Wilson (swilson@sau16.org or #775-8461) at SST. You'll need a parking pass.
Interested in SST? A representative from SST will be presenting to all sophomores in the spring. Date and method of presentation to be determined.
ADD/DROP
As well as to Ms. Eberl, our Middle School Counselor who helped with ADD/DROP during our appointments the first few weeks in August. Thank you to all that signed up for an appointment; we were able to solidify your school schedule for the year.
That being said, there will not be an ADD/DROP the first few days of school as there has been in the past. If you still have a concern with your schedule, please fill out a Scheduling Ticket (https://forms.gle/ktumJZa6roDdZ4hc6) or email Ms. B with your concern.
NHS School Counselor
Ms. B (grades 9-12)
Ph: 603-292-7968
Fax: 603-659-1287
Need to book an appointment? Mrs. Dedopoulos is here to help you with that (dedopoulosl@newmarket.k12.nh.us). She's our new Admin. Assistant in the Counseling Dept.; come down to hi and introduce yourself.
Website: https://www.newmarket.k12.nh.us/
Location: 213 South Main Street, Newmarket, NH, USA
Phone: 603-659-3271