CLASS NOTES

Seniors

Posted October 2024

Class of 2025!!  Can you believe that you are a senior this year??  If we can guarantee one thing, it is that this year will fly by, so take some deep breaths, experience each day as it comes, and appreciate the opportunities you will have.  We're here to help you identify them and to help you navigate the complexities of senior year and planning for your future, whatever it may bring!

This year we will continue our in-person group guidance models, which were announced in your Guidance Class of 2025 Google Classroom. For those of you planning to attend college next year, we started the year off at a sprint, with early group guidance sessions scheduled for the weeks of 9/9 and 9/16 to get your college applications off on the right track. Early in the year, we reviewed transcripts, shared post-high school plans, and discussed important dates and deadlines.  We also walked you through the entire application process from start to finish so that you know how to get all of your documents to your colleges.  During the week of 10/15, we will provide you with an overview of the financial aid process.  We will also offer a number of application workshops, both during group guidance sessions and as stand-alone sessions (on 9/26, 10/25, 11/25, and 1/24) to provide you with application support as you need it. Remember, everyone moves through this process at their own pace, but don't let questions get in the way of progress.  We are here to help!   

Many of you have taken the SATs or ACTs already, and that's great.  If you haven't, just know that many colleges have decided to remain test-optional admissions this year.  It's a good idea to check with your individual colleges to see what their testing and scholarship requirements are before deciding whether or not to take a standardized test in the fall.  If you are looking to try to raise your score (or take it for the first time), you will need to register by the appropriate deadline.  Remember, it will be your responsibility to ensure that your test scores are sent to the colleges you will apply to, but we will tell you what you need to know to do that.

Potential D. I or D. II athletes, make sure that you have registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center to ensure that you are eligible for college athletics.  Also, keep your counselor informed of your plans so we can submit any documentation that may be necessary. 

If the military is in your future, make sure you meet with the military representatives who visit our school.  You want to make sure that you choose the branch of service that best fits your needs and abilities.  

​Thinking about a gap year?  Check out some of these resources.  Planning to get a job right out of high school?  That requires planning also. Check out our "Career" page for useful information regarding job applications, writing a resume, and searching for available jobs. Make an appointment with your counselor if you need help finding jobs that you are qualified to do.  

Juniors

Posted October 2024

Class of 2026 - this is an important year!! You have it in your power to make it a good one, and we are here to help you learn about the tools and opportunities you will need to be successful on that journey!!

This year we will continue with our combination of in-person and virtual group guidance model, so look for announcements in your Guidance Class of 2026 Google classroom for information about what was covered in each of those meetings. Our first virtual session of the year (during the week of 9/16) focused on a transcript review to ensure you are on track for graduation next year.  Juniors also reviewed the features of SchooLinks, our college and career planning platform, and completed a "Find Your Path" assessment to begin to frame post-secondary options.  In subsequent group guidance sessions, we will discuss PSAT scores and options for standardized testing.  We also helped you to do some self-reflection through a "Find Your Focus" assessment before we shift our focus to post-high school planning in the second half of the year. We will spend much of this year helping you to identify a plan for the future that combines your strengths, your interests, and your abilities.  Make sure that you take advantage of in-person and virtual opportunities to meet with college and military representatives for additional information about the options available to you. 

As a junior, your PSAT score can help you to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship, a prestigious merit award for the top 1% of scorers.  In our second group guidance session, we helped students access scores, and link to SAT test prep through the Khan Academy.  You can also begin to think about the ACT, which also offers free online test prep through the ACT Academy.  It is most common for juniors to begin their formal standardized testing in the spring, so there is no need to rush, especially with so much uncertainty surrounding testing.  If you have concerns about testing, please speak to your counselor.  We can provide information on test-taking strategies, managing testing anxiety, and also a list of schools that don't require any standardized tests as part of their admissions process.  

This year in group guidance we will also begin to formulate a post-high school game plan based on a self-inventory. Our third session focuses on the criteria we use to make decisions about post-high school plans.  Students will also complete a college scavenger hunt to begin researching colleges. By the end of the year, we will discuss types of college applications and provide you with a list of items to complete before senior year. 

The most important focus for this year will be your academic performance.  Don't wait until you feel overwhelmed or stressed to reach out for help.   Your counselor is here to help you manage your academic responsibilities with the other activities in your life. There is never shame in asking for help and learning new strategies to ensure your success. 

Make an appointment with your counselor if you have any questions (academic, college, or career-related, or for some mental health resources). We look forward to working with you this school year!  

Sophomores

Posted October 2024

With a year of high school under your belts, members of the class of 2027 may feel like experts!  Make sure that you continue to work on the skills we developed in group guidance last year, including stress relief, study skills, and goal setting.  Those are skills that will serve you well this year.  Freshmen year didn't turn out the way you hoped?  You have a fresh start this year to be the student that you are capable of being, and your counselor is here to help!  Make an appointment to discuss strategies for academic success, to help you monitor your progress, and help you identify extra help when you need it.  Also, spend some time reflecting on your freshman year.  Did you meet the goals that you set for yourself?  Did you maintain your friendships and become involved in meaningful activities?  Is there an issue with your emotional or mental well-being that should be discussed?  The beginning of the calendar year is a great time to set new goals (make sure they are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant/Realistic, and Timely).  

The focus this year in group guidance is on building upon the strengths you identified last year.  We will be discussing ways that your strengths can be used in the world by identifying various career and training options that highlight individual strengths.  Hopefully you make it a point to attend your group guidance sessions!  Please be sure to visit the Guidance Class of 2027 Google classroom to stay informed about our sophomore guidance program and complete any activities you may have missed.  In our first session (during the week of 10/21), we will review SchooLinks and discuss what colleges are looking for in an applicant.  Our next session (the week of 12/2) will focus on study skills, organization, and how to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant/Realistic, and Timely) goals for yourself. In our third session (during the week of 1/27) we ask sophomores to complete a "Would You Rather" assessment and learn about the World of Work as well as a career scavenger hunt to learn about some new careers that match their strengths and interests.  In our virtual May session, we discuss graduation requirements, and we wrap up the year with self-reflection and the opportunity to learn ways to effectively manage stress. 

This is a really great year of discovery for you as you conclude the first half of high school.  Let us help you learn how to use your strengths to develop positive plans for a productive future!

Freshmen

Posted October 2024

Welcome, class of 2028!!  We're excited to work with you over the next four years to help to achieve your personal, social, and academic goals.  

Our group guidance sessions will occur in person this year in the guidance office.  Keep an eye on announcements in your Guidance Class of 2028 Google classroom to learn more about the content we will be covering and the dates we met with you. In our first group session of the year, we introduced ourselves to you, talked about the role of professionals in the office, and learned about ways to make high school meaningful.  In our second meeting, during the week of November 18, we will make sure that everyone has access to the student portal and knows how to check grades so that we can set some academic SMART goals for the year.  We will also discuss some study skills and organizational habits that will help you to be successful, as well as how to rebound from setbacks.  Our third meeting focuses on an introduction to SchooLinks and a "Find Your Path" assessment to begin to consider post-high school life.  Finally, towards the end of the year, we ask first-year students to complete an end-of-the-year survey to see what they have learned about themselves and how they have grown.  Freshmen also complete an assessment to learn about their top skills. Throughout the year, we are available to help you set goals, improve your academics, and continue to build coping skills and resilience. Please make sure you meet with your counselor for any issues regarding academics, college and career planning, and/or mental health.  That's why we're here!

Parents

Posted October 2024

We offer a variety of evening meetings and question-and-answer sessions to address any questions or concerns you may have.  We are also available to meet with you virtually to address individual concerns you may have.  Please use this link to make an appointment with a counselor.

Our senior evening presentation was held on September 16 at 6:30. At this important meeting, we presented an overview of the college application process and discussed the role of our department in helping to ensure the process goes smoothly.  A virtual financial aid presentation will be held in October.  We can provide assistance in completing the FAFSA and the TAP, the two applications that will open the door to much of the financial aid your students will be eligible for as college students.  Our junior evening presentation, which provides an overview of the college process, will be held on January 21 at 6:30.  Information will be posted on this website for your review.  We invite all juniors and their parents to set up an individual college planning meeting with a counselor in the spring.  Please contact the guidance secretaries to set up that important appointment. 

Please know that we value the insight that you can provide for us, and see our partnership as one that is critical to the success of your children.  If we can be of any assistance, please let us know.