I M P R I N T
Words from LTHS Guidance & Counseling
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Through this newsletter, LTHS Guidance & Counseling Department will make an "imprint" on the Lacey community by reviewing events and pertinent counseling-related topics. Further, this regular communication will celebrate youth accomplishments, including the new UPstander award, which is featured each month.
In this edition, the following will be reviewed:
1. A Giving Season
2. UPstanders
3. Instant Decision Day Series
4. Partnerships with Ocean County College
5. Lacey College Academy Informational Session
6. Instagram!
7. Mental Health Spotlight: Self-Care
1. A Giving Season
During the holiday season, many are surrounded by loved ones and gifts. However, not all families are as fortunate—some have emotional struggles due to recent losses, or have jaded relationships with those with whom they formerly spent their holidays.
Many in the community have partnered with needy families to assist during their financial and emotional struggle during the holiday times. This was made possible, in part, due to partnerships and LTHS staff generosity. We especially thank Mrs. Stephanie Cook, LTHS counselor, who took leadership in this endeavor on behalf of the department.
The LTHS Guidance & Counseling Department wish to send their support and well-wishes to all this holiday season. Whether it’s a season of pure celebration—or if mixed with challenging emotions, we wish you wellness, meaningful reflection and peace.
2. UPstanders
UPstanders (noun):
A community-engaging anti-bullying program that facilitates celebration, family togetherness and local economy stimulation.
Beginning this school year, LTHS Guidance & Counseling Department launched a new program called UPstanders. UPstanders recognizes students on a monthly basis for contributing to a positive school climate, aligned with positive traits, detailed in the "LION'S PRIDE" acronym.
In November, we recognized INSPIRATIONAL students, and in December, those who are NURTURING! Students were nominated by LTHS staff. Each UPstander was rewarded a gift card to a local restaurant. Parents are strongly encouraged to take their whole family to this family dinner.
As our November & December UPstander partners, we are very thankful to CAFFREY'S and ANTHONY'S for their sponsorship of gift cards!
The spirit of this program is multi-pronged and seeks to achieve the following:
1. Encourage the facilitation of a positive school climate;
2. Celebrate our youth for being contributory to a healthy community;
3. Engage our local small businesses;
4. Promote family togetherness through a meal.
As research shows, it is often through a positive family environment that students increase their overall sense of belonging— and those with a strong sense of belonging have prosocial behaviors, helping to facilitate a positive school climate.
We appreciate the UPstander partnerships, our student’s positive behaviors and our nominating staff, and are pleased to announce November's and December's UPstanders:
November
FRESHMAN: Brooklynn Bell
SOPHOMORE: Julia VanZant
JUNIOR: Jack Hrabal
SENIOR: Matthew Coon
December
FRESHMAN: Ricardo Aguilar-Reyes
SOPHOMORE: Erik Stroin
JUNIOR: Autumn Mangan
SENIOR: Sydnie Glover
Congratulations to these young adults, their parents and their families! Enjoy a night at CAFFREY'S or ANTHONY'S celebrating this success! Click on the icons below to be directed to the sponsor's websites.
3. Instant Decision Day Series
Lacey Township High School has partnered with various institutions to provide instant results to our seniors applying to college. This series of Instant Decision Days included two school-day events with Stockton University, and one with Kean University, Montclair University, Ramapo College and Rider University.
These events have helped expose our seniors to the college interviewing process—which is one that helps to personify them, as an applicant, to their very influential college admissions officers. During these meetings, admissions officers reviewed their completed and submitted Common App, including their transcript and extracurricular involvement. These events have been very successful, and we are proud to announce that almost 30 students received at least one Instant Decision “yes!”
The Guidance & Counseling Department looks forward to continuing the Instant Decision Day Series in the Fall of 2023. A special thank you to our College & Career Counselor, Mrs. Farnkopf, for her coordination!
4. Partnerships with Ocean County College
Lacey Township High School is fortunate to have a strong partnership with Ocean County College, which includes free opportunities for student.
In the Spring of 2023, two free opportunities are occurring through this partnership.
Opportunity 1: Students who have completed Algebra 2 are eligible to take MATH-158. This will be available after school from 2:00-3:40, and is being taught by Mrs. Frisch. See attached flyer for more information! Please contact mrand@laceyschools.org should you be interested.
Opportunity 2: Select seniors will have the opportunity to take ENGL-151, an introductory English course, at $0 cost. This will be taught by Mrs. Soto during the LTHS school day. Many variables have been taken into consideration when selecting students, and these students/parents have been contacted.
5. Lacey College Academy Informational Session
After break, sophomores will have presentations in their History classes about the Lacey College Academy--which is a partnership that LTHS maintains with OCC. Through this program that begins junior year, eligible students receive their Associate's Degree from OCC prior to high school graduation at a discounted rate.
This is a future-changing opportunity, of which Lacey is very proud! We understand that parents will be interested in learning about this program as well. Therefore, we have scheduled a Lacey College Academy informational session on January 11, 2023, at 6 PM in the Lecture Hall. Interested sophomores and their parents are invited to attend.
See this document for key facts and benefits regarding the Lacey College Academy. Questions may be directed to Mrs. Peggi Rand, Coordinator (mrand@laceyschools.org) or Dr. Leah Purpuri, Supervisor of Guidance (lpurpuri@laceyschools.org).
7. Mental Health Spotlight: Self-Care
During the busy season of end-of-year holidays, it is very common for the hecticness of life to feel more important than self-care.
On behalf of the department, we encourage our students and families alike to rest, keep a gratitude journal, take walks outside during the daylight, and maintain physical nourishment through healthful eating and taking multivitamins regularly.
Taking care of oneself helps to operate from a place of wellness.