1. The Freshman Year Freshman Parent Night November 19 th 2015

2. Presented by the NORTHERN VALLEY DEMAREST GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT Mr. Matthew Spatz, Director of Guidance Mr. Michael O’Malley Mrs. Jennifer Ferraro Ms. Tracey Salerno Mrs. Laura Schwartzapfel Mrs. Colleen Spafford Mr. Howard Tiell Ms. Deborah Bajakian, Student Assistance Counselor

3. Northern Valley Mission Statement We at Northern Valley Regional High School District, provide an environment in which each student seeks answers to questions, challenges assumptions and develops self-worth. Our high schools encourage individual academic excellence, aesthetic appreciation and moral integrity. Recognition of academic and culture diversity promotes mutual respect and acceptance. We provide a framework for the immediate and future concerns of our students. Such provisions require a constantly critical reevaluation of curriculum and course design to keep abreast of global research and new techniques within our respective disciplines. We promote students respect for learning and their desire to acquire knowledge through traditional as well as appropriate technological means. Education requires a shared commitment. Therefore, the responsibility of the community is to support and complement the schools' philosophy and goals. This joint commitment of students, professional staff, Board of Education and community forms the basis for a challenging and effective program.

4. Professional School Counseling Program Aligned to NJ State Standards Guided by best practices in Professional Associations and Organizations –American School Counseling Association (ASCA) –National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC) –NJ School Counseling Association (NJSCA) –NJ Association of College Admissions Counselors –CollegeBoard

5. Comprehensive Program Three Student Domains: Academic Development College & Career Development Personal & Social Development Two Modes of Service Three Student Domains: Programs, Curriculum & Prevention Response and Crisis Interventions

6. Personal / Social Development Research supports link between social-emotional well being and student success –Support and reinforce life skills for student well being –Help students seek balance –Raise self-awareness, including helping students identify stress and develop coping skills –Host Social Emotional Learning Programs

7. Character Education Shared Core Values –Respect –Integrity –Citizenship –Responsibility Reflected in academic programs Reinforced through co-curricular/athletic opportunities Demonstrated in district practices and policies, including integrity policy Ethical Literacy – Institute for Global Ethics

8. It’s a Transitional Year

9. Everything counts! Homework Classwork Projects Class Participation Extra-Curricular Activities Athletics

10. GET INVOLVED! GET INVOLVED! Make the most of your High School experience! Social development Extra curricular clubs and organizations Athletics Volunteer work/summer programs www.bergenvolunteers.org for volunteerism opportunities in Bergen County

11. PARENTS MAY NOTICE: A POSSIBLE SHIFT IN Responsibilities Boundaries Level of Communication POSSIBLE CHANGES IN Priorities Friends and Relationships Physical Appearance Attitudes and Moods

12. What you do matters Stay involved Adapt your parenting Set limits Foster independence Explain your decision Steinberg, Laurence – “7 Rules for Parents” Time Magazine. May 10, 2004 PARENTS OF TEENAGERS

13. COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY! COMMUNICATION

14. ROLE OF SCHOOL COUNSELOR Works with students and families from 9 th through 12 th grade. Meets several times a year to discuss current progress and develop future plans (four-year plan). Schedules courses in accordance with interests, requirements and future plans. Assists in completing and interpreting learning style and career inventories.

15. ROLE OF SCHOOL COUNSELOR Assists college search and application process. Acts as intermediary with teachers and administration. Assists students and families to resolve issues. Provides help in referrals to IRST, CST SAC and outside professionals. Continued

16. WHAT TO DO WHEN EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES Encourage your child to: See counselor for assistance Attend extra help sessions Visit lunchtime Math & Writing Centers (Math: Room H205 and Writing: Room B122) National Honor Society Tutoring (G221 during lunch B & D days) Conference with teacher

17. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Understand IRST Child Study Team 504 Committee Visit our SAC (Student Assistance Counselor) Student Assistance Coordinator provides support to students on issues impacting their social and emotional well-being.

18. IMPORTANT DATES Mid Marking Period: October 6th, December 9th, March 2nd, May 16 th End Marking Period: November 4th, January 20th, April 6 th, June 21 st Mid Term exams: January 21 st and 22 nd Final Exams: June 22 nd and 23 rd SAT Subject Test- Biology: May 7 th & June 4 th College Admissions Panel: May 4 th at NVD

19. SCHEDULING CONFERENCES & THE COURSE SELECTION PROCESS: Teachers will share recommendation with student in late January. Students & parents discuss recommendations and course selections. Scheduling conferences begin in early February. February 10 th 2016: Program of Studies Night Review elective course offerings. Process concludes & no changes can be made after March 24 th

20. State of New Jersey GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Take and pass a minimum of 24 credits including: English (4 years) World Cultures (1 yr) ; US History (2 yrs) Science (3 years) Mathematics (3 years) World Language (1 year) Two Courses in The Related Arts (Visual & Performing Arts and 21 st Century Life & Careers) Personal Financial Literacy

21. State of New Jersey GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Continued Physical Education / Health ( Driver Ed.) for each year of enrollment. Participate in the PARCC Assessment, successfully passing one section of English Language Arts and one section of Math. Take New Jersey Biology Competency Test (NJBCT) Test. NOTE: Please see online Program of Studies for more information

22. The High School Transcript: All courses will be included in the calculation of the GPA. Each Marking period is 20% of the final grade; the mid- term and final exams are worth 10% each toward the calculation of the final grade. Final letter grades are placed on the transcript in each course along with credits received in each course. Starting with class of 2017, students will not be ranked.

23. Grade 9 Grade Credits 15-16 Demarest High School Algebra 1 A 1.00 Biology 1 A- 1.33 Computer Input & Applications A 1.00 English 1 B+ 1.00 Innovation & Invention 1 A 1.00 Physical Education 1 A 1.00 Spanish 2 B+ 1.00 World Civilization/Culture B+ 1.00 Year Earned Credits: 8.330 Year Earned Credits: 0.000 Grade 10 Grade Credits Year Earned Credits: 0.000 Grade 11 Grade CreditsGrade 12 Grade Credits Courses in Progress Mid Year Avg Grade Scale A+ 98-100 C+ 78-79 W Withdrew Pass A 92-97 C 72-77 U Withdrew Fail A- 90-91 C- 70-71 X Medical Excuse B+ 88-89 D 60-69 P Passing B 82-87 F below 60 AU Audit B- 80-81 I Incomplete T Administrative Withdrawal Honors and AP grades are weighted in computing GPA. GPA calculation includes marks from grade levels 9-12. Public High School (Grades 9 - 12) Accredited By: Middle State Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools New Jersey Department of Education TRANSCRIPT Northern Valley Regional High School District 150 Knickerbocker Rd. Demarest, NJ 07627 (201) 768-3200 Student Name: Doe, JaneID# 20197000 110 Anywhere Drive, Demarest, NJ 07627 Grade: 10 Gender: F Birth Date: 7/01/1995 Phone: 201 555-1212 Total Earned Credits: 8.330 State ID#: 7857852000 Entry Date: 9/1/2009 Graduation Date: 6/2019

24. IMPORTANT ONLINE RESOURCES NVNET Haiku Powerschool Collegeboard Big Future First Class Naviance

25. http://powerschool.nvnet.org/public/ Input usernames and passwords to access program. Parent and student can regularly review grades and prior assignments/assessments. View posted academic information as an opportunity to have conversation with your son or daughter regarding progress. POWERSCHOOL

26. WHAT IS IT? Web-based resource that supports course, career, and college planning Specific to our school Linked with Naviance Succeed, a service that we use in the counseling office http://connection.naviance.com/nvrdemarest

27. Strengths Explorer Identifies strongest and emerging talents, such as Confidence, Dependability, or Future Thinker, providing insight, feedback and action items. The Career Interest Profiler Career assessment for students based on Holland's interest codes. Identifies traits that connect to careers and provides links for career research.

28. HOW IS IT ACCESSED? Family Connection is on the Web: –http://connection.naviance.com/SCHOOLNAME Parent accounts Student accounts

29. HOW DO YOU REGISTER? Each parent and student receives a code –Use code to create a personal account –Codes are random & alphanumeric for security reasons –Codes can be used only once On your first visit, enter the code in the New User box, then follow on-screen instructions On subsequent visits, sign in using the Returning User box

30. QUESTION & ANSWER