Maloney’s Steps For Success!
 Erin Putnam-Director-ext. 120
Erin.putnam@meriden.k12.ct.us
 Sherry McLaughlin ext. 137
Sherry.mclaughlin@meriden.k12.ct.us
 Alicia Lambert ext. 124
Alicia.lambert@meriden.k12.ct.us
 Maria Sullivan ext. 125
Maria.sullivan@meriden.k12.ct.us
 Louella Spinelli ext. 126
Louella.spinelli@meriden.k12.ct.us
 Sherry Laprise ext. 182
Sherry.laprise5@meriden.k12.ct.us
 We counsel students on social/personal issues,
academic issues, and planning for their future
after high school
 We meet individually, in small groups and in the
classroom with students in grades 9-12
 We consult with parents, teachers, &
administrators
 Students are divided alphabetically by grade and
assigned a counselor
Counseling Students
 Freshman meetings: large and small group
 Individual counseling: specific concerns about
schedule/classes, social issues*
 Monitoring grades: conference with teachers,
teams, administrators and parents
 Resources: extra help from teachers, National
Honor Society students/peer tutors, Upward
bound tutors
 Understanding high school credits
 Requirements for Graduation 2014: 23.25
 Student must pass 17 core requirements
 6.25 additional credits must be earned
from elective classes and community
service
*Program Summary handout
Course Selection Process
 Course selection: January
 Teacher recommendations
 Student grades
 Students sign up for required and elective courses
 Electives allow students to explore different interests *
 Students are always encouraged to take a full academic
course load
 Changes in course schedules can be made up until July
1st
Academic and Accelerated
Courses
 Accelerated: College preparatory
courses requiring exceptional ability
and motivation
 Academic: College and other postsecondary educational preparatory
courses
 Plan on at least 3 years of foreign
language.
 Math requirement for CSU
Advanced Placement
 Advanced Placement (A.P.) courses are
offered to prepare students to take A.P.
exams at the end of the school year. If a
student scores a 3 or better (out of 5)
they can be considered by some colleges
for COLLEGE CREDIT.
 Each college has different score
expectations: a student is not guaranteed
college credit just by taking the exam.
Check college requirements.
A.P.Exams
 A.P. classes are more rigorous than
Honors courses because of the
potential to earn college credit after
taking the A.P. exam. *Student enrolled in
AP course must take exam
 Honors and A.P. courses both highly
strengthen a student’s transcript.
Post Secondary Planning
 4 year College/University
 Technical/Vocational Schools
 Apprenticeships
 2 year Community Colleges
What Are Colleges Looking For?
 Strong transcript-challenging academic
classes throughout all four years
 Transcript is the most important document
viewed by admissions officers
 Other considerations for admission are
SAT/ACT scores, college essay, teacher
recommendations and extra curricular
activities
TESTING
 CAPT (Connecticut Academic Performance
Test) is a state requirement
 PSAT Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test
 SAT Reasoning required for admission into
most 4 year colleges and universities
www.collegeboard.com
 ACT
www.actstudent.org
 SAT subject tests: Who, When, Why?
SAT PREP
 MHS offers a ½ credit SAT prep classes
in the spring for juniors and in the fall
for Seniors (if enough interest)
 Online prep questions and tests at
www.collegeboard.com
 Books for purchase or borrow at library
Preparing for College
 Never too early to begin talking about
college
 Come to College Planning Night on
11/30/10 at 6pm!
 Visiting college campuses is very important
 Peruse the internet and take virtual
campus tours
 Talk to other parents and their children
who have attended college
 www.careercruising.com (See handout)
Community Service Hours
 20 hours required for graduation=.25
credit
 Must be done in the community at a nonprofit organization
 10 hours can be completed through school
based activities
 All 20 hours can be done in the community
 Scholarships*
Examples of Community
Service Sites
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Meriden Humane Society
Meriden Public Library
American Cancer Society
Salvation Army
Thrift Stores
American Red Cross
Hospital/Nursing homes
United Way
Relay for Life
See handout
Examples of School C.S.
 Key Club activities
 Student Council activities
Breakfast with Santa
 Must fill out community service form
and have it signed by supervisor of
service.
 Return to School Counselor
Thank You!
 Thank you for wanting to be involved
as parents -we encourage you to
stay involved and call your student’s
school counselor with questions or
concerns.