From the Desk of: Ms. Gibbons
Guidance Counselor
Grades 9 & 10 Student with last names: I-R
Grades 11 & 12 Students with last names: H-R
North Smithfield Junior Senior High School
School Year 2008 - 2009
SCHOOL YEAR 2008-2009
Welcome parents and students. Opening day is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, September 3rd. Hopefully, you all had an enjoyable summer and are ready to experience a successful new school year.
PARENTS: During the school year, if you have questions related to classroom issues, such as assignments, performance, grading, deficiencies, etc., you may contact the individual classroom teacher by phone (call the main office @ 766-2500 and leave a message via teacher voicemail) or by e-mail (via first letter of teacher's first name followed by last name @nsps.us...e.g. my email address is agibbons@nsps.us). If you have questions or issues relating to your child's IEP, please contact your child's resource service provider. Allow a day or two for individuals to return your call. If questions/issues remain after communicating with the individual(s) above, please contact me and I can direct you further. Questions or issues related to your child's 504 Plan should be directed to my office (766-2503).
PARENTS OF SENIORS: Please see the "COLLEGE
APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES" section below, which outlines the responsibilities of the senior students in the college application process. This information was presented to all juniors this past spring.
Regarding absences: Homework can be obtained via the homework hotline by calling the school (766-2500) and following the prompts on the automated system. A dial-by-name directory is available in the event that you do not know the teacher mailbox numbers (these are given to the students at the beginning of the school year by the individual teachers, as well as listed in the student handbook/agenda). If another student is responsible for obtaining your child's books/supplies, please make prior arrangements with that student, including providing that student with your child's locker number and combination. For extended absences, please refer to the student handbook and/or contact the guidance office.
STUDENTS: All students are met with individually at appropriate times during the school year; however, if questions/problems arise prior to that time, feel free set up an appointment to see me. **During the first two weeks of school, counselors will be busy making schedule adjustments, interviewing and registering new students, etc.; therefore, students wishing to see their couselor for routine visits are encouraged to make an appointment after that time.
Schedule changes: Please be aware that each schedule has been reviewed and EVERY EFFORT has been made to provide you with your requested choices, in order of preference. Due to class availability in relation to these choices, however, you may find that you have been scheduled for some elective classes which you did not request--this was only done when no other alternative was available.
Reminder: Students who wish to make schedule changes MUST complete a Schedule Readjustment Form (available through your homeroom teacher), which will then be forwarded to my office for review. Please do not stop by the office for this purpose--issues will be taken care of in order of priority, so please be patient. [Note: If you have an incomplete schedule, i.e. all periods are not assigned/filled, please see me at once.] Be specific as to your problem when filling out these forms so I can better evaluate your needs. Major schedule changes may require parent/guardian permission. Follow your original schedule until you are notified otherwise.
SENIORS: Fall SAT Registration is now available!! ALL STUDENTS PLANNING TO ATTEND COLLEGE SHOULD PLAN TO TAKE THE SAT'S THIS FALL--EVEN THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY TAKEN THE SAT'S THIS PAST SPRING (colleges like to see at least 2 sets of scores). Online registration is available at: www.collegeboard.com. Benefits of online registration are: Increased chance of being assigned to a preferred test center; receipt of admission ticket by e-mail; and availability of results online sooner than by mail. Remember to choose Student Search Service to take advantage of the opportunity to be recruited by colleges, universities, and scholarship programs, and REMEMBER TO HAVE YOUR SCORES SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR COLLEGES OF INTEREST. The registration dates as currently posted on collegeboard.com are as follows (**you must check/verify dates on collegeboard.com, as changes/corrections may be made after today):
SAT Date Registration Deadline Late Registration
October 4, 2008 September 9 September 16
November 1, 2008 September 26 October 16
December 6, 2008 November 5 November 18
January 24, 2009 December 26 January 6
March 14, 2009 February 10 February 24
May 2, 2009 March 31 April 9
June 6, 2009 May 5 May 15
The guidance office is open to seniors who wish to access the following information: Career information, interest inventories, college search programs, college catalogs, scholarship information, etc. Students are encouraged to use Myroad.com and waytogori.org, which contain much of the above and more...they are accessible from school, home, or any location which has internet access. It is most advisable for students to utilize the office during study periods and after school, if possible. I will meet with all seniors individually during the first few weeks of school to review graduation requirements. Seniors planning to attend college post-graduation should read the following carefully, as it contains important information regarding the application process:
COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES:
* Applications should be requested from colleges as early as possible. The guidance office will have some applications, but it is your responsibility to obtain applications from the colleges you are interested in. If you use the internet to complete any of your applications: (1) make sure to print a copy of the application prior to sending it; (2) print a copy of the screen which states the application was successfully submitted; and (3) inform your guidance counselor as soon as the application has been sent.
* College admission officers visit in the fall-- a list of these colleges and dates of visits will be sent to all senior homerooms, and lists for signups will be available in the guidance office. You should limit your visits to a reasonable number and you should only see representatives of colleges for which your class rank, GPA, and SAT scores make you a possible candidate for admission.
* Students are encouraged to visit colleges of interest and to take advantage of the colleges' after-school and weekend schedules for these visits; however, up to two excused visits to colleges are allowed while school is in session. You must see your counselor at least two days in advance to make arrangements for approval.
* If you are applying for early action or early decision, you need to inform your guidance counselor immediately. Use this option only if you are secure in your decision to attend a school, if accepted. This will not increase your opportunity for financial aid, in most cases. Both options have earlier due dates, which forces you to complete the process sooner. For either option, you will want to register for the October SAT, the deadline for which is early September (see late registration deadline also).
* Applications should be done carefully, as they are a reflection of 'you'. Use black or blue ink, or type it. Read the directions carefully and fill out all sections completely. Make a blank copy of all apllications (or request two) so you may do a 'sloppy copy' first.
* Most colleges require a recommendation from your guidance counselor. If you have not already received one, see me to obtain a student questionnaire--which you will complete and return to me, and a parent brag sheet--which you will have your parent complete and return to me. Applications will not be completed without these forms, as I will use them in writing my recommendation for you. (These student questionnaires are not sent to colleges.)
* Many colleges require additional recommendations from classroom teachers. When requesting letters of recommendation from your teachers, give them at least two to three weeks to complete them before they need to be turned in to guidance. (Remember to write thank-you notes to these teachers!) All letters of recommendation will be given to your counselor and not mailed individually. Complete the top section of the teacher recommendation form (available in the guidance office) prior to handing it to a teacher you are asking to write a letter for you.
* Prepare application essays carefully. Give these essays some thought and try to be original. DO NOT repeat information that is already on your transcript. Show the admissions committee something about yourself in your essay that they cannot glean from the information they already have. Make sure that at least one other person has proofread your essay before you submit it.
* You may also wish to develop your own 'Activities Sheet'. This is a personal record of your activities in and out of school that may not appear on your transcript, as well as your work experience. This sheet may be included in your applications.
* Students should turn in all completed applications to their guidance counselor AT LEAST TEN DAYS PRIOR TO CHRISTMAS VACATION. [For applications with due dates prior to christmas vacation, completed applications should be submitted to your guidance counselor AT LEAST TEN DAYS before the due date listed on the application.] Completed applications include letters of recommendation, essays, application fees, etc. Sign and date your application. Applications not properly completed or in poor appearance will be returned to the student. ALL APPLICATIONS MUST GO THROUGH THE GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT--DO NOT MAIL THE APPLICATION YOURSELF.
* Official school transcripts can only be sent directly from the high school to the college or scholarship committee. It cannot be physically given to you, your parents, or any third party. Unofficial copies are available to all students. Check your unofficial copy carefully and report any errors or omissions to your counselor.
* Sign up for the SAT Reasoning Test (and Subject Tests/SAT II's, if required by your colleges of interest) at www.collegeboard.com. Registration may be made by mail, phone, or e-mail. Online registration is recommended; however, mail-in packets are available in the guidance office. Pay attention to deadlines to avoid late fees. MOST COLLEGES REQUIRE SAT SCORES BE SENT TO THEM DIRECTLY FROM THE COLLEGE BOARD--IT IS THE STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THIS IS DONE. College Board will send a certain number at no charge if those colleges are listed by you during the registration process.
* Check scholarship postings in your homeroom on a regular basis. The list will also be posted outside of the guidance office. It is your responsibility to seek out scholarships and applications. See your counselor if you need help or have questions. SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS THAT ARE SUBMITTED VIA THE GUIDANCE OFFICE MUST BE COMPLETED AND TURNED IN TO YOUR COUNSELOR AT LEAST 10 DAYS PRIOR TO THE DUE DATE.
* The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be available in December. Applications cannot be sent in until after January 1st. A Financial Aid night will be held in December--parents and students are strongly encouraged to attend.
* Selected colleges may require the completion of a CSS profile. A list of schools requiring the profile and application information are available in the guidance office.
* Students planning on attending a Division I or II school and playing intercollegiate sports will be required to register with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Clearinghouse to determine their eligibility. Applications can be obtained from your guidance counselor.
GOOD LUCK AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU!
Sincerely,
Ms. Gibbons
