1. Freshman Parent Program 2015
Radnor High School Counselors:
Jeri Banta, JJ Lemon, Sarah Mechura,
Jeannie Semar, Amy Wess
Agenda
Counselor role & transitioning to high school
Academic review and support services
Standardized tests and testing calendar
Naviance overview and registration
Course selection process

2. School Counselors Jeannie Semar (A – Cl) Jeannie.Semar@rtsd.org
x 3527
Jeri Banta(Co - Gi)
x 3526
Amy Wess (Go -La)
x 3537
JJ Lemon (Le – Pl)
x 3524
Sarah Mechura (Po – Z)
x 3523

3. The Role of the School Counselor
Academic Advising
Social and Emotional Support
Parent Resource
College and Career Planning

4. The Role of the School Counselor- grades 9 and 10
Freshman Year:
Transition to high school
Small group meetings with counselor
Guidance Lessons (Health classes)
Academic Planning and PSAT overview
Introduction to Naviance
Do What You Are- personality assessment
Sophomore Year:
Guidance Lessons
Career Interest Profiler (Holland)
Course selection and goal setting
Testing Overview

5. The Role of the Counselor- grades 11 and 12
JuniorYear:
Junior College Planning Evening Program
Post-Secondary Planning Family Meeting
SeniorYear:
College Application Evening Program
Post-Secondary Planning (ongoing)

6. Student Support Staff Ms. Stephanie Querze 610.293.0855 Ext. 3522
Counselor Assistant
Mrs. Leonor Gelpi-Perez
Ext. 3529
Ms. Christine Hofmann
Ext. 3823
School Social Worker
Ms. Dorothy Lowery
Ext. 3530
School Psychologist
Dr. Richa Kleiman
Ext. 6122
Mrs. Amy Wildey
Ext. 3309

7. Academic Review Home Access Center Schoology
Parent access coming this winter

10. Grading Scale
Found on Page 12 of Program of Studies

11. Academic Supports Academic Success Center Room 115 or Room 230
Math Center Room 203
Open all 8 periods for students to drop in
Writing Center Library
Open all 8 periods
By appointment only – sign up sheet on Writing Center door
After School Peer Tutoring Library Writing Center
Monday-Thursday 2:30 to 3:30
TEXT course, level, date desired

12. HS Hope Student Assistance Program
Students who are struggling with any of the following:
Behavior
Attendance
Health
Academics
Mental Health
Drug and Alcohol
Members include school counselors, administrators, school psychologists, school nurse, and outside resources
See your school counselor for more information

13. What are the college entrance exams?
PSAT (new test format October 2015)
SAT (new test format March 2016)
ACT
SAT Subject Test- 20 different tests/5 content areas
English History Math Science World Languages
AP- not part of the admissions requirements

14. When should these exams be taken?
Freshman year
OCTOBER - PSAT
JUNE- SAT Subject
Sophomore year
Junior year
OCTOBER- PSAT
SEPTEMBER - JUNE – ACT, SAT, and/or SAT Subject
Senior year
SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER – ACT, SAT, and/or SAT Subject

15. Frequently Asked Questions
Can students with a learning disability who receive accommodations in school qualify for testing accommodations?
PSAT, SAT, AP
ACT
Is preparation necessary?
Refer to PSAT report- My Quickstart
Free online practice
Prep services & resource materials available for purchase
KHAN Academy does a nice job explaining changes

16. What is it?
Naviance is a secure web-based college and career planning tool.
Each student will create an account in the spring of freshman year.

17. NAVIANCE features Resume builder Career Interest Profiler
Explore careers
Personality assessment- “Do What You Are”
Summer enrichment opportunities

18. NAVIANCE for the college research and application process
College search
Radnor specific application statistics
Register for college visits at RHS
Request transcripts (9-12)
Research scholarship opportunities

19. Course Selection Process
After mid-terms teachers will enter core course recommendations into the scheduler
(2 week window)
Any questions about course recommendations should be directed to the current subject area teacher

20. 2015-2016 Program of Studies will be available on rtsd.org

21. Elective Choices Course Selection Timeline
Students should review the Program of Studies, talk with teachers, parents, counselors, and classmates to help select 3 electives and 3 back-up choices.
Students will be responsible for uploading these choices into HAC in mid-February
Be mindful of prerequisites and graduation requirements. Prerequisites and graduation requirements are both listed in the Program of Studies.

22. Counselor Meetings Course Selection Timeline
Every student will meet with their counselor during a two week window at the end of February to review all courses selected. Counselors will be out of their offices those two weeks. We will review with students the following criteria:
Total number of credits
Leveling of classes
Elective choices
Overall balance of selections

23. Course Changes Course Selection Timeline
After the window for students closes, all course changes are processed by the students’ counselor.
Core courses changes require an override form.
English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and World Language
Elective changes do not require an override form.
Students can make changes to their schedule anytime on or before June 26th. After this date, no requests will be honored.

24. What your child should be doing now
Course Selection Timeline
What your child should be doing now
Reviewing the Program of Studies and thinking about what courses they want for next year.
Consult individually with teachers regarding course recommendations for next year.
Seek out your Guidance Counselor with any questions.
Prepare for mid-term exams January 21st through January 23rd .

25. Questions?