1. Welcome to Sophomore Parent Night 2017

2. Breakout Groups Auditorium A- B Lynna Williams
Auditorium C- DR Jo-Ann Gregorowicz
Room Du – J Jennifer Keaney
Room K- Mi Sarah Meunier/ Sam Pindara
Library Mo- Ro Steve Kennedy
Room Ri-Z Jennifer Hagopian

3. The Role of the Guidance Department

4. Social/ Emotional Counseling Academic Advising
Provide short term counseling
Assist with referrals
Collaborate with outside professionals
Hospital re-entry
Academic Advising
Monitor academic performance
Course selection
Graduation requirements
Collaborate Parents, teachers administration
IEP mtgs
Student Support Team meetings
College and Career Planning
Complete college admissions planning
Research alternatives
Explore career options

5. Freshman Year Sophomore Year Junior Year Senior Year
Developmental Guidance Model
Freshman Year
Transitioning to High School
Getting to know Guidance
Getting Involved in activities
Exploring Interests
Goal Setting and Reflection
Sophomore Year
Focus on future academic goals
Exploring careers
Career Interest Inventory
Planning for Junior and Senior Year
Junior Year
Begin Post High School Planning
Research colleges and discuss admissions requirements
Senior Year
How to apply to college and research alternatives to colleges
Alumni Panel

6. Pressures of High School
High school years are increasingly more stressful and challenging than in previous years
Higher expectations for academics, social pressures, extra curricular activities
Social media – helpful/ harmful
Pressures to succeed can impact a teenagers mental health
Pressures of High School

7. Social/Emotional Supports
Provide immediate crisis counseling
Collaborate with parents (and teachers if necessary)
Consult with School Social Worker
Susan Hooper, LICSW – regular ed
Harlan Kroff and Deborah Lanigan - spec ed
Make referrals and work with outside agencies
Interface – new referral service to Reading residents
Help students transition back from lengthy absences

8. How to help your sophomore
Encourage child to…..
Challenge themselves while maintaining a balanced schedule
Further explore interests, quality vs quantity
Self advocate and take responsibility
Explore Naviance
Research Summer Opportunities
How to help your sophomore

9. Graduation Requirements
English semesters
Math semesters
Science semesters
History semesters
Foreign Language semesters
Fine Art semesters
Business and Technology 2 semesters
Wellness semesters
Advisory semesters
Intro to Health semester
Jr. Health semester
90 Credits
MCAS

10. Transcript

11. Sophomore Year

12. Keep graduation and college admissions requirements in mind when selecting courses for junior and senior year
Think about a two year plan
Counselors will meet with students to talk about options
Take the advice of the teachers
Choose a challenging yet balanced schedule
Students are required to enroll in a minimum of 24 credits a year
Course Selection

13. Encourage student to speak directly to teacher and attend after school help with teachers
Contact teacher to discuss concerns
Contact guidance counselor after talking with teacher
Academic Issues

14. Standardized Tests PSAT: Sophomore and Junior Year
SAT: Spring Junior Year and Fall Senior Year
SAT II: End of freshman and sophomore year for high level science students, end of junior and beginning of senior year for all other subjects.
ACT: Spring Junior Year and/or Fall Senior Year
SAT Prep Options
Standardized Tests

15. Naviance
Assists students and parents in helping make decisions about colleges and careers.
Naviance is a Web-based program designed for students and parents.
Provides admission statistics from RMHS students
Counselors can update students and parents about up-coming meetings, news, events, and other Web resources for college and career information.
Explore career profiles by different methods of sorting such as by career clusters, by interest, by personality type
Provides you with career information such as education requirements, specific job responsibilities, average salaries, and jobs within each career field.
Allows you to take a personality test and career interest profiler to help you find a career that matches your interests.

16. What Next? Junior Year October: PSAT’s, sign up in guidance office
October: College Fair
February: Junior Dev Guidance classes, Junior Parent Night
February – May: Individual Guidance meetings
March, May June: SAT’s and ACT’s
Summer: College visits, draft essay, start applications

17. What Next? Senior Year September: Senior Parent Night
October/November: Retake SAT’s/ACT’s
October-February: applications deadlines
December: Financial Aid Night and receive early application decisions
Spring: regular admission decisions
June: Graduation!

18. Stay Connected Guidance Website: www.reading.k12.ma.us/guidance
RMHS calendar on main high school website
Monthly guidance newsletters
Stay Connected