WELCOME!!
DEAR STUDENT:
The counselors at Princeton High School welcome you to the new school year.
As a guide to services offered to you by the Guidance/Counseling Office, we have designed this brochure for you and your parents.
To make this new experience in your educational life a rewarding and stimulating one, the information in this booklet will make you and your family familiar with the activities and services provided.
We encourage you to take advantage of these services to make your high school years productive and enjoyable.
WHAT IS A SCHOOL COUNSELOR?
Your counselor is someone who is trained to help you realize your fullest potential as a human being.
Your counselor can help you:
understand yourself
assess your strengths and limitations
develop positive attitudes
discover your talents and abilities
choose suitable courses
handle personal problems
make appropriate decisions
plan your education
select a career/job
HOW DO YOU GET TO SEE YOUR COUNSELOR?
You can make an appointment with a guidance secretary in the guidance office. Your appointment will usually be arranged promptly. In the case of an emergency, your counselor will see you immediately. There will always be an open door.
Remember your counselor is here to help you. Get to know your counselor. The counseling office is open from 7:50 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Your counselor can help you make the BEST choices for YOU – to develop your full potential as an individual.
GET TO KNOW YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR!!
COUNSELING SERVICES
INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING:
Your counselor can assist you with:
-trouble with your grades
-deciding on courses that suit your needs and abilities
-helping you understand yourself
-discussing your needs and feelings
-exploring alternatives
-making choices
-personal problems
-supplying information
-determining interests
-investigating careers, vocations
-jobs, colleges, schools
GROUP COUNSELING:
Throughout the year you may be part of a group to discuss academic problems and testing results, receive information or for other purposes as needed.
TEACHER/STUDENT CONFERENCES:
Your counselor can arrange a conference with your teacher to resolve a problem. Often a short conference can be a great help.
PARENT CONFERENCES:
Your parents can arrange a conference with your counselor by merely calling the office and speaking to the secretary to determine a convenient time.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES:
Conferences may be requested by your parents, your teachers, your counselor or you. Your counselor will make the arrangements.
STUDENT/PARENT CONFERENCES:
Sometimes meetings with the student, parent and counselor can be helpful. Your counselor will arrange such a conference.
HELPING YOU SUCCEED
ORIENTATION:
Programs are sponsored by the guidance office to assist you in becoming comfortable in you new surroundings and to help make you familiar with courses, testing and other services. Meetings are also sponsored for parents.
If you experience an adjustment problem, see your counselor.
SCHEDULING:
Your counselor will meet with you each year to help you select courses that will meet graduation requirements, your abilities and future goals.
IDEAS CENTER:
The IDEAS Center provides tutoring assistance. Currently, tutors assist students in a wide range of subjects, including English, algebra, algebra II, geometry, pre-calc, chemistry, biology, Spanish and SAT Prep. Our primary mission is to offer Princeton High School students academic support as a bridge to success both academically and socially. Ask your counselor for details.
ABSENTEE ASSIGNMENTS:
It is important to keep up with your schoolwork. If you are absent more than three days, you can call the Guidance Office to make arrangements to receive homework assignments. We will contact your teachers to return assignments and materials to the office for someone to pick up after 3 p.m. It is a good idea to share phone numbers with one or two students in each class so you can contact someone for homework assignments if you are absent for only one day.
HOME INSTRUCTION:
In the event of an extended absence (at least 10 days) because of illness, it may be necessary for you to receive instruction at home. If this is necessary, call the Guidance Office and your counselor will make the arrangements. A doctor’s note is required for homebound
REFERRALS:
If you are experiencing exceptional difficulties in some areas of your life, your counselor may suggest a referral to an outside agency or to the Child Study Team.
EVALUATION
HSPA-GRADE 11
The High School Proficiency Assessment will be administered in the 11th grade. It measures your proficiency in reading, mathematics and writing. You must attain a passing level as determined by the NJ State Department of Education in order to graduate. A satisfactory score on this test is a graduation requirement.
PSAT – GRADE 10 OR 11 – Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test
The PSAT test is a practice test for the SAT’s that is generally taken by sophomores or juniors in October. Juniors also take this exam to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Scores on the PSAT are not sent to colleges.
SAT I – SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TEST
This test is usually taken by juniors and seniors planning to attend college. It measures verbal and math skills. The SAT I is required by most colleges for admission and is given at various times during the year.
ACT – AMERICAN COLLEGE TEST
This is another test used by most colleges in lieu of the SAT. It measures four areas: English, reading, mathematics and science.
SAT II
Achievement tests are given for specific subject areas such as mathematics, science, language and history. They should be taken at the end of the year as a student completes the course he/she feels most competent in.
PLANNING YOUR FUTURE
COURSE SELECTION
Your counselor will help you select courses which will satisfy your abilities and needs, meet your goals as well as specific graduation requirements.
CAREER/COLLEGE COUNSELING
The Guidance Office operates a Career Resource Center in the Guidance Office where research can be conducted on many careers and colleges by using a variety of resource materials such as printed materials, college tapes, speakers and other sources.
VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
Some students are interested in attending vocational school to learn a practical skill. If interested, your counselor can give you information.
POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
It is never too early to start thinking about what you will do after high school. Your counselor has information about two and four year colleges, technical schools, and the military. Your counselor can help you select appropriate colleges, give you information about scholarships and financial aid, and assist in processing your college application.
OTHER SERVICES/PROGRAMS
PEER GROUP PROGRAM
Thirty-eight senior leaders attend a daily training class where they learn to facilitate small group discussions for the freshmen. The groups run on Wednesday afternoons. The topics for discussion relate to current teen issues and concerns such as time management, making friends, intimate relationships, etc. The purpose is to provide the freshmen with a smooth transition into the high school.
BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER PROGRAM
This program matches freshmen and seniors on a one to one basis in a mentoring design. For this program, fourteen senior leaders attend a daily training class to prepare for working with the Little Brothers or Sisters. Freshmen are invited to participate in this program after the first marking period. It is a voluntary program geared toward providing support on an individual basis.
STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
This program is a broad brush counseling program which provides referral, intervention, individual counseling and group counseling for students. There is a strong focus on substance abuse issues of students and their families and it is staffed by a certified substance awareness coordinator.
THE LEARNING IN THE COMMUNITY PROGRAM(LINC)
This program serves as an umbrella to all aspects of service learning, career exploration, and many experiential programs in the high school. Students participate in the mandatory program during their sophomore year, but have the option to return in the future as a mini-coordinator or in an internship or work co-op placement. Ranging from local sites such as hospitals, soup kitchens, animal shelters and senior centers to activities such as teaching, acting, painting and building. Over forty programs will be successfully run by high school teachers, community organizations and Princeton Seniors that are alumni to the program.
TRANSCRIPTS
Your counselor will prepare your transcript and send it to the colleges of your choice. An unofficial copy may be obtained upon request.
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
The Guidance Office receives scholarship information periodically. In December, the Guidance Office sponsors a financial aid workshop in the evening for parents and students. Frequent publications listing scholarship information are available in the Guidance Office, announced in the daily bulletin and available on our web site.
SUMMER SCHOOL
Your counselor will assist you in registering for summer school. Forms are available in the Guidance Office.
GED – GRADUATE EQUIVALENCY DIPLOMA
Contact Mercer County Community College at (609)586-4800 ext. 6685 or 6636.
WORKING PAPERS
Any student under the age of 18 is required to obtain working papers in order to hold a job. You may obtain this form from the Main Office.
COLLEGE REPS/CAREER SPEAKERS
Representatives from colleges, industry and vocations are hosted by the Guidance Office. Students are given an opportunity to meet with these individuals to receive important information by obtaining a pass from their guidance counselor one day prior to the scheduled event. These events are posted in the Guidance Office, the daily bulletin and the web site.
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