HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELING OFFICE Newsletter
December 2013
Dear Parents/Guardians:
As we enter into the second marking period we hope that your student has had a successful start to the school year If
your student is experiencing difficulty in any of their classes, there are several ways they can receive additional
academic support. The “Homework Hotline” program is held after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:153:15 in the Media Center. There is a late bus available for students who attend. Students wishing to attend can sign up
in the Media Center. Many teachers also offer extra help sessions one or two days a week after school. This should be
arranged with the individual teacher. We will also have student tutors available through the National Honor Society.
Students can see their counselor to arrange for a tutor during their Advisory period.
With the availability of Parent Portal, you can now review your student’s progress daily. If you have not already
registered for Parent Portal, please visit the district website, www.burltwpsch.org. go to the link under the green
section of the webpage, “Power School Parent Portal, and follow the prompts.
This year the High School Counseling Department has greatly expanded our use of Naviance, an online college and
career planning tool. Our seniors are completing most of their college applications online through Naviance or the
Common Application. Seniors should also be checking their Family Connection page regularly for messages and
additional scholarship listings. For students in grades 9, 10, and 11, there are many activities that students can
complete in the Family Connection section of Naviance that will help them get a better idea of which careers and/or
colleges might be a good fit for them There are also a number of links to websites that may be of interest to both
students and parents. The counselors meet with the students each year and have them complete some of these
activities but there are many others that students can complete on their own. Information on how parents can access
the Family Connection section of Naviance was mailed out to all families during the first marking period. If
you need assistance accessing Naviance, please contact Mrs. Laura Pini at 387-1713 ext. 1044.
Seniors who are considering attending BCC are encouraged to participate in the BCC “Spring Ahead” program.
Students who apply online by December 20th will have the opportunity to take the BCC placement test on
Wednesday, January 8th. Seniors should regularly be checking the Scholarship Bulletin in Naviance for new
scholarship opportunities- new scholarships are added several times a week.
The college financial aid process can be very challenging, especially for families going through the process for the
first time. With this in mind, on Tuesday, January 14th at 7:00 pm we will be sponsoring a workshop on how to
complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Mr. John Iacovelli, Dean of Enrollment
Management at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, will be our presenter. Mr. Iacovelli was formerly the
Senior Director of Client Services and Marketing at the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
and brings a wealth of knowledge on the college financial aid process. Completion of the FAFSA is required to
become eligible for all financial aid distributed by the federal and state government. This workshop is a must
for senior parents and students; juniors and their parents are also encouraged to attend. Please note that the New
Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) has recently notified us of for-profit companies
offering to complete the FAFSA for students and families for a fee. The Free Application should be just that -freeand attendance at this workshop should allow you to successfully navigate the FAFSA. BTHS and Burlington City
take turns hosting our regional FAFSA workshop- please note that this year the FAFSA workshop is being held in
the Burlington City High School cafeteria.
Students who took the PSAT in October will receive their test results in mid-December. Students will receive
their test book along with their test results. You should also be aware that students who have taken the PSAT have
access to a personalized college and career planning tool called, “My College Quick Start”- details about this can be
found on the student test report. If your son or daughter is considering taking the SAT this spring, we will be offering
an SAT Prep course beginning in January. This course will prepare students for the March 8th SAT which will be
offered at BTHS. There is a link to the SAT Prep course application on the Guidance section of the High School
website.
Finally, for our 9th and 10th grade parents, you are invited to attend a workshop with myself and Mrs. Roman on
Tuesday, January 8th at 7:00 pm in the High School Media Center. The objective of this workshop is to help you get
an early start on the college and career planning process. Register with Mrs. Pini at lpini@burltwpsch.org.
All the best for a peaceful holiday season!
Sincerely,
James S. Mills - District Director of Pupil Personnel Services - jmills@burltwpsch.org
609-387-1713 – Dial 5 for the Counseling Office
COUNSELOR CONTACT INFORMATION
GRADE 9 A - Z
GRADES 10-12
GRADES 10-12
GRADES 10-12
GRADES 10-12
A - Ek
El - La
Le - Rh
Ri - Z
Mrs. Heidi Roman
Mrs. Cindy Marzilli
Mr. Troy Scott
Mrs. Lara Webb
Mrs. Linda Porter
609-387-3774
609-387-1713
609-387-1713
609-387-1713
609-387-1713
Ext. 2002 - hroman@burltwpsch.org
Ext. 1005 - cmarzilli@burltwpsch.org
Ext. 1045 - tscott@burltwpsch.org
Ext. 1055 - lwebb@burltwpsch.org
Ext. 1006 - lporter@burltwpsch.org
Dates of Importance
December 7
SAT and SAT Subject test date at BTHS
December 20
BCC applications and transcript must be received by BCC by this date in order to take the BCC
Placement test on January 8th.
December 27
Regular registration deadline for the January 25th SAT
Dec.23-Jan. 1
Winter Recess
January 1
Earliest date to begin completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the
2014-15 school year. Students and parents can apply for a pin number before January 1 at
www.fafsa.ed.gov. All seniors planning on attending any type of post-secondary institution
should complete the FAFSA
January 8
BCC Placement Test. Students taking the Placement Test on this date will have the opportunity to
be scheduled for their courses at BCC in April. Any senior considering attending BCC in September 2014
should participate in the test. Contact your student’s counselor with any questions.
January 10
Regular registration deadline for the February 8th ACT
January 14
FAFSA workshop. This year the regional work will be
held in the Burlington City HS cafeteria. Registration begins at 6:30 pm and the program begins
promptly at 7:00. Mr. John Iacovelli from Stockton College will be our presenter.
January 17
SAT Prep course begins at BTHS. The course includes 25 hours of instruction and two full length practice
tests and will prepare students for the March 8th Sat at BTHS
January 28, 29, 30 Final Exams for Quarter 2 and Semester 1 courses
January 30
2nd marking period ends
February 7
Regular registration deadline for the March 8th SAT held at BTHS