Freshman Parent Program 2015
Radnor High School Counselors:
Jeri Banta, JJ Lemon, Sarah Mechura,
Jeannie Semar, Amy Wess
Agenda
•Counselor role & transitioning to high school
•Academic review and support services
•Standardized tests and testing calendar
•Naviance overview and registration
•Course selection process
School Counselors

Jeannie Semar (A – Cl)
◦ Jeannie.Semar@rtsd.org
◦ 610.293.0855 x 3527

Jeri Banta(Co - Gi)
◦ Jeri.Banta@rtsd.org
◦ 610.293.0855 x 3526

Amy Wess (Go -La)
◦ Amy.Wess@rtsd.org
◦ 610.293.0855 x 3537

JJ Lemon (Le – Pl)
◦ JJ.Lemon@rtsd.org
◦ 610.293.0855 x 3524

Sarah Mechura (Po – Z)
◦ Sarah.Mechura@rtsd.org
◦ 610.293.0855 x 3523
The Role of the School Counselor

Academic Advising

Social and Emotional Support

Parent Resource

College and Career Planning
The Role of the School Counselor- grades 9 and 10

Freshman Year:
◦ Transition to high school
 Small group meetings with counselor
◦ Guidance Lessons (Health classes)
 Academic Planning and PSAT overview
 Introduction to Naviance
 Do What You Are- personality assessment

Sophomore Year:
◦ Guidance Lessons
 Career Interest Profiler (Holland)
 Course selection and goal setting
 Testing Overview
The Role of the Counselor- grades 11 and 12

JuniorYear:
◦ Junior College Planning Evening Program
◦ Post-Secondary Planning Family Meeting

SeniorYear:
◦ College Application Evening Program
◦ Post-Secondary Planning (ongoing)
Student Support Staff

Ms. Stephanie Querze
610.293.0855 Ext. 3522
Counselor Assistant

Mrs. Leonor Gelpi-Perez
610.293.0855 Ext. 3529
Counselor Assistant

Ms. Christine Hofmann
610.293.0855 Ext. 3823
School Social Worker

Ms. Dorothy Lowery
610.293.0855 Ext. 3530
School Psychologist

Dr. Richa Kleiman
610.293.0855 Ext. 6122
School Psychologist

Mrs. Amy Wildey
610.293.0855 Ext. 3309
School Psychologist
Academic Review
• Home Access Center
• Schoology
• Parent access coming this winter
Grading Scale
Found on Page 12 of Program of Studies
Academic Supports

Academic Success Center
Room 115 or Room 230

Math Center
Room 203
◦ Open all 8 periods for students to drop in

Writing Center
Library
◦ Open all 8 periods
◦ By appointment only – sign up sheet on Writing Center door

After School Peer Tutoring
Library Writing Center
◦ Monday-Thursday 2:30 to 3:30
◦ TEXT 610-696-8788 course, level, date desired
HS Hope

Student Assistance Program

Students who are struggling with any of the following:
◦ Behavior
◦ Attendance
◦ Health
◦ Academics
◦ Mental Health
◦ Drug and Alcohol

Members include school counselors, administrators, school
psychologists, school nurse, and outside resources

See your school counselor for more information
What are the college entrance
exams?

PSAT (new test format October 2015)

SAT (new test format March 2016)

ACT

SAT Subject Test- 20 different tests/5 content areas
English

History
Math
Science
World Languages
AP- not part of the admissions requirements
When should these exams be
taken?

Freshman year
◦ OCTOBER - PSAT
◦ JUNE- SAT Subject

Sophomore year
◦ OCTOBER - PSAT
◦ JUNE- SAT Subject

Junior year
◦ OCTOBER- PSAT
◦ SEPTEMBER - JUNE – ACT, SAT, and/or SAT Subject

Senior year
◦ SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER – ACT, SAT, and/or SAT Subject
Frequently Asked Questions

Can students with a learning disability who receive
accommodations in school qualify for testing
accommodations?
◦ PSAT, SAT, AP
◦ ACT

Is preparation necessary?
◦ Refer to PSAT report- My Quickstart
◦ Free online practice
◦ Prep services & resource materials available for purchase
◦ KHAN Academy does a nice job explaining changes
What is it?
•Naviance
is a secure web-based college and
career planning tool.
•Each
student will create an account in the spring of
freshman year.
NAVIANCE features
•
Resume builder
•Career
Interest Profiler
•Explore
careers
•Personality
•Summer
assessment- “Do What You Are”
enrichment opportunities
NAVIANCE for the college research and
application process
College search
 Radnor specific application statistics
 Register for college visits at RHS
 Request transcripts (9-12)
 Research scholarship opportunities

Course Selection Process
After mid-terms teachers will enter core
course recommendations into the scheduler
(2 week window)


Any questions about course recommendations
should be directed to the current subject area
teacher
2015-2016 Program of Studies will be available on rtsd.org
Course Selection Timeline
Elective Choices
•
Students should review the Program of Studies, talk
with teachers, parents, counselors, and classmates to
help select 3 electives and 3 back-up choices.
•
Students will be responsible for uploading these
choices into HAC in mid-February
•
Be mindful of prerequisites and graduation
requirements. Prerequisites and graduation
requirements are both listed in the Program
of Studies.
Course Selection Timeline
Counselor Meetings
•
Every student will meet with their counselor during a
two week window at the end of February to review all
courses selected. Counselors will be out of their
offices those two weeks. We will review with students
the following criteria:
•
•
•
•
Total number of credits
Leveling of classes
Elective choices
Overall balance of selections
Course Selection Timeline
Course Changes
•
After the window for students closes, all course
changes are processed by the students’ counselor.
•
Core courses changes require an override form.
• English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and
World Language
•
Elective changes do not require an override form.
•
Students can make changes to their schedule
anytime on or before June 26th. After this date, no
requests will be honored.
Course Selection Timeline
What your child should be doing now
•
Reviewing the Program of Studies and thinking about
what courses they want for next year.
•
Consult individually with teachers regarding course
recommendations for next year.
•
Seek out your Guidance Counselor with any
questions.
•
Prepare for mid-term exams January 21st through
January 23rd .
Questions?