ACADEMIC SUPPORT
SKILLS SUPPORT
First contact the teacher, then the Department
Supervisor, then a Unit Assistant Principal or
Guidance Counselor.
AVID (Advancement Via Individual
Determination) is a small learning community for
10th to 12th grades. It targets students in the
academic middle who want to go to college, but
are falling short of their potential. AVID students
strive to take Honors or AP classes, as well as
the AVID elective, which teaches organization,
study skills and critical thinking. Applications are
due by the end of March of freshman year.
Admission requires a letter of interest to Bette
Bland (AVID Site Coordinator), an interview and
a review of student performance. Contact:
George Burroughs, MHS Annex X 4121)).
Website: www.avidonline.org or
www.montclair.k12.nj.us
Free computer use: Montclair’s Public Library
allows all library cardholders (available to all
Montclair residents) free computer use during
library hours. Students without library cards may
use a computer in the Young Adult room if a
Supervisor is present. MHS’s Media Center in
the library is open after school Tuesday thru
Friday until 5:00 pm and is available to all
students.
Free computers: TEAM (Technology,
Education, Access, Mentoring) of the United Way
provides a Computer Learning Center program
where low-income students become proficient in
basic computer skills and then receive a
refurbished computer for home use. Contact
www.montclairteam.org or 973-746-4235
(Sharon Troxler, Director).
Services and support for learning differences:
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
obliges public schools to provide
accommodations to students with disabilities
(including attention deficit disorders) even if they
do not qualify for special services under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Teachers and 504 coordinators/ counselors work
with parents to develop specific classroom
accommodations. Contact: Jeff Gannon (X
2752)
Tutoring
National Honor Society student tutors. Parents
should give detailed information (subject, interest,
grade level, gender) and preferences. Name and
number of two or three matching students will be
provided. If a tutor does not work out, parents
should call back for new references. All
Guidance counselors and SACs also have a list
of available tutors. Contact Jeff Gannon (X2752)
World Language Honor Societies student
tutors. Parents should contact the teacher who
will contact the Society Advisor and give a tutor
name.
Writers’ Room (Annex, Room 617) is open
Wednesday thru Friday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm or
after school by appointment (x 4149). Students
may also use e-mail for help with school or
college essays (Joanmarie Kalter at
jmkalter@gmail.com or Denise Patrick
@dpdeux@gmail.com) or drop essays off at the
box in the main office of the Annex.
IMANI (Improving Montclair Achievement
Network Initiative) operates The College
Advocacy Center. The Center is open days and
evenings and has some weekend hours. IMANI
also runs study groups and SAT preparation
classes. IMANI provides year-round
supplementary academic services for minority
students. The organization’s goal is to eliminate
the performance gap and raise achievement
levels for all MHS students. Contact JoAnne
McCullough (973-509-2822 or
cac73@comcast.net).
IDEA is based on well-defined criteria including
statistical discrepancy between aptitude and
achievement. Students exhibiting one of the 13
specific statutory conditions qualify for services.
Child Study Team members work collaboratively
with students, parents, teachers, support staff
and administrators to develop and implement an
Individual Education Plan (IEP) for each student.
Contact MHS Child Study Team (973-509-4100 x
4075). Supervisor: Dr. Keith Breiman,
kbreiman@montclair.k12.nj.us
ACADEMIC ENHANCEMENTS
Project Lead the Way: A national program
where students take a standardized preengineering curriculum with the option to earn
college credit from the Rochester Institute of
Technology. Courses include Introduction to
Engineering and Design HH, Digital Electronics
HH and Principles of Engineering HH. Future
offerings: Computer Integrated Manufacturing HH
and Engineering Design and Development.
Contacts: Ed Lebida, Project Director
elebida@montclair.k12.nj.us; Michael Barouch,
Instructor, mbarouch@montclair.k12.nj.us
Senior Option: Seniors may spend the last six
weeks of their senior year in a volunteer pursuit
(career interest or community service). Look for
applications after mid-term exams. Contact: Ed
Lebida, Program Director,
elebida@montclair.k12.nj.us
Gateway Program: Seniors may take college
business courses at Essex County College. Both
high school and college credit are earned.
Applications are available in the spring. Contact:
Ed Lebida, Program Director,
elebida@montclair.k12.nj.us
Early College Entrance Programs: A number of
colleges offer specialized programs for students
who complete high school early, based on SATs
or ACTs and grades. In addition, many colleges
will permit students to take individual classes.
Unofficial list of colleges at
www.ravendays.org/jailfree.html.
Montclair State University: High achieving
juniors and seniors may apply to Hi-Jump at MSU
with a transcript and guidance counselor
recommendation. AP test may be required.
Upon acceptance, students become visiting
students and may enroll in university courses.
Contact: Hi-Jump/Gifted Program (973-655-4104)
or Ed Lebida (elebida@montclair.k12.nj.us).
EMOTIONAL HEALTH
Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) prepares
students with practical skills to become
productive, self-fulfilled, achievement-oriented
adults and community leaders. The program is
designed to counter the social ills of high
unemployment, school dropout, and teen
pregnancy. Teens gain valuable skills and
resources necessary for academic success and
long-term employability through a rich multimedia
curriculum. The program is organized around six
building blocks for positive youth outcomes:
Character Education, Leadership Development,
Effective Communications, Healthy Living, and
Career Planning and Work Readiness. See:
www.urbantech.org/yla_home.cfm
Health and Wellness Guide presents a
comprehensive list of local resources for
assessment, intervention, and referral of
physical, emotional and social health issues.
See link on MHS homepage.
Sports and Clubs: links for athletics and clubs
are found on the MHS Home Page Contact Pat
Conk (pconk@montclair.k12.nj.us) or John
Porcelli (jporcelli@montclair.k12.nj.us).
POST HIGH SCHOOL PLANNING
College: work with Guidance and Transition Counselors.
Programs Outside Liberal Arts Bachelors Programs: work with Guidance Counselors. For specialized
study programs (e.g., auto mechanics, visual & performing arts, etc.). Also contact teachers or
Department Chairs for additional help regarding specific programs, referrals, etc. Visual/Performing Arts
(973-509-4100 x 4150); ROTC (973-509-4100 x 5081) jfake@montclair.k12.nj.us);
VoTech: post high school vocational and technical programs are offered at various technical schools in the
area. The Bloomfield Tech & Technical Careers Center School Sites of the Essex County Vocational &
Technical School offers programs at night (nightschool@essextech.org).
Scholarships: contact Guidance Counselors. Sign up for Guidance e-blasts under Google sign up on
MHS Guidance homepage (http://www.montclair.k12.nj.us/schools/mhs/page.cfm?pid=67) .
Student
Academic Resources
Teachers
Unit Staff
Department Head
Guidance
Career Exploration
Unit Guidance
College Transition Counselors
Coaches
Advisors
Time Line
9th Grade
Spring
Select 10th - 12th grade courses to meet requirements for
post high school goals
10th Grade
Fall
Take PSAT
Attend college fair
Investigate colleges, majors, careers
11th Grade
Fall
Winter
Spring
Spring /
Summer
12th Grade
Fall
Winter
Spring
Take PSAT
Attend presentations by visiting college representatives
Junior Conference with Guidance counselor
Identify & ask teachers to write letters to Guidance
Identify & ask teachers for recommendations to colleges
Take SAT or ACT;
If needed take SAT II subject tests & AP Tests
Assemble Guidance Reference Sheet / Activity listing
Visit Colleges
Narrow list of colleges
Investigate scholarships & financial aid
Take SAT or ACT
Identify & ask teachers for recommendations
Update Guidance Reference / Activity information
Senior meeting with Guidance
Complete applications & file
Complete applications for scholarships & financial aid
If needed take SAT II Subject tests & AP Tests
Tutoring
Extra Programs
Intervention
Community Programs
Course Planning
Academic Enhancements
Emotional Well Being
Unit SAC
Guidance
Nurse
Coaches
Advisors
Counseling
Intervention
Community Programs
College Admission
Identify potential major / career
Alternative post high school planning
Work-study programs
Asst Principal
Secretary
Secretary
Guidance
Guidance
Guidance
SAC
Team IV
Team I
Team II
Team III
9th Grade Academy
973 509 4004
Sue Gunn-Bolin
Marge Astorino
Chanda Fields
Lauren Csuka
A-D
973 509 4001
Shirlene Powell-Sanders
Penny Witt
Patricia Phillips
Tracie Morrison
Mark Walters
Richard Bartell
Keshia Golding
E - Mona
973 509 4002
Ted Lawrence
Elsa Napolitano
Valerie Glasgow
Michael Goetz
Janice Kirn
Nedra Clark
Jaime Kohl
Mond - Z
973 509 4003
Ed Lebida
Thelma Jenkins
Mary Abell
June Fenchel
Raissa Maynard
Shirley Sharples
Andrew Evangelista
Fran Bonczkowski(Acting)
Communication Policy:
1)
Contact the teacher using method announced at back to school night (department voice mail,
school email, personal email or message at office)
2)
If no response within 48 hours call department supervisor
3)
If still no response, or unsatisfactory response contact appropriate assistant principal
Join email distribution lists for important announcements:
1)
Go to Guidance page on the website
http://www.montclair.k12.nj.us/schools/mhs/page.cfm?pid=67
2)
At bottom of page select link for relevant class & follow on screen instructions.