Monthly Newsletter
February 2024
School Counselors:
Phillip Cohen | Last names A-C | Phillip_Cohen@hcpss.org
Dana Meledick | Instructional Team Leader | Last names D-H | Dana_Meledick@hcpss.org
Erin O'Connor Rudman | Last names Me-Sb | Erin_Oconnor_Rudman@hcpss.org
Melissa Cheadle | Last names Ho-Md | Melissa_Cheadle@hcpss.org
Kelly Warner | Last names Sc-Z | Kelly_Warner@hcpss.org
Student Services Staff:
John Henderson | College and Career Readiness Counselor (CCR) | John_Henderson@hcpss.org
Kevin Lee | PPW | Kevin_Lee@hcpss.org
Amanda Ganoe I School Social Worker I Amanda_Ganoe@hcpss.org
Katrina Montgomery | Data Clerk | Katrina_Montgomery@hcpss.org
Jennifer Nelson | Registrar | Jennifer_Nelson@hcpss.org
Mike O'Shaughnessy | School Psychologist | Moshaughnessy@hcpss.org
Allison Sultan | Registrar | Allison_Sultan@hcpss.org
Anne Handy | Student Services Secretary | AHandy@hcpss.org
Mark Sturdivant I Black Student Achievement Program Liaison I Mark_Sturdivant@hcpss.org
Jessie Moore I Alternative Education I Jessie Moore@hcpss.org
Justin Riggin I Alternative Education I Justin_Riggin@hcpss.org
Important Dates
Course Registration for the 2024-2025 School Year
Information by Grade Level
🎓 Seniors
- For students that have last minute questions before submitting their applications, remember to visit the senior folder for FAQ. The FAQ provides specific information about your school AND general information about the application process. Congratulations and good luck to all our seniors applying to college.
- FAFSA 2024-2025 Changes: Visit studentaid.gov for the most up to date information. Check out this article for the most significant changes to the FAFSA. Additionally, there are several webinars and upcoming information sessions linked here. We highly recommend attending multiple sessions to gain a greater understanding of the process.
- Mid-Year Reports: All Howard County Public Schools will send mid-year reports to all colleges for which students have requested a transcript. This will be done in February and will include 1st Quarter, 2nd Quarter, and mid-term exam grades.
Juniors
Counselors will meet with every student individually from January 23rd to February 14th to discuss course selections for the 2024-2025 school year. Students should use their HCPSS credentials and check HERE for their appointment date and time. Students should write their appointment down and add it to the calendar they use as a reminder. They will be receiving a pass the day before their appointment. If they are out sick and/or unavailable for their scheduled time, they should contact their counselor as soon as possible to reschedule. All students will need to meet with their counselor. Please visit the HCPSS Course Registration website for additional information.
Upcoming lessons will include information on the World of Work requirement for graduation and Post-Secondary Planning.
Sophomores
Freshman
National School Counseling Week
Professional school counselors collaborate with administrators, teachers, staff, families and the community to ensure all students have the opportunity to design a rigorous and relevant academic and career program. Professional school counselors design and implement a comprehensive school counseling program that includes educational and career planning activities for all students designed to assist students in reaching academic, career and personal/social goals.
Possible Reasons to Contact Your Child’s School Counselor
- Academic skills support
- Schedule changes
- Career preparation
- Post-secondary planning and college application process
- School transition/adjustment concerns
- Coping, problem-solving, decision-making concerns
- Organizational, study and test-taking skills
- Peer relationships and conflict resolution
- Divorce, separation and family changes
- Experiencing loss, death and grief
- Substance abuse awareness
- School-based and community resources information or referrals
- Suicide intervention and prevention
- Bullying intervention and prevention
SAT and ACT Test Dates and Information
College and Career Readiness Information:
January 22 CCR Student and Family Weekly
Upcoming Events:
Visit the postsecondary Google calendar for more information and links to register.
January 22 7pm *UM Extension Presents Paying for College and Trade School
January 24 7pm March2Future- Howard Community College
January 24 7pm *College Aid Pro Presents FAFSA Made Simple
January 24 7pm *Sallie Mae: Cómo completar la FAFSA Presentado en español
January 24 8pm *Coalition App Presents Completing the FAFSA
January 27 10am *UM Extension Presents: Virtual FAFSA Workshop Information and guided completion session
*These programs are not sponsored or endorsed by HCPSS.
March2Future Howard Community College: Join HCPSS and HCC virtually on Wednesday, January 24th at 7pm, for an overview of the programs and opportunities offered at Howard Community College. HCC representatives will share information on the academic and career pathways available to students and then provide information on the many supports and opportunities available including Ambiciones, Howard Pride, StarTalk, Silas Craft, the Honors Program, Project Access and more. The evening will close with a student panel. Register here for the event.
Class of 2024 Financial Aid and FAFSA Information: HCPSS has created a resources document to direct families to the most helpful and reliable information regarding Financial Aid. Currently, there are nine webinars posted from various organizations to help support this process. Our advice is to view MULTIPLE webinars to collect different perspectives on the vast information out there.
HCPSS Scholarship Document is updated daily. Visit frequently for national and local scholarships.
Class of 2025 and Beyond:
HS Course Registration: Check out our Google site for information related to course registration for the 2024-2025 school year. We have webinars, videos, documents, timelines and more!
CareerOne Stop Website: Sponsored by The US Department of Labor, this website is a comprehensive site on career exploration, training and jobs. The site offers guidance on levels of training/education/certifications, salary and workforce forecasts, as well as scholarships and job search support via resume building, interviewing, and job bank sites.
Summer Planning: Although it is only January, it is time to start thinking about how to spend your summer. We live in a community that offers opportunities for camps, employment, education, and volunteering. Check out our Enrichment, Internship, Employment document for opportunities. As advised in a Scoir article, “Don't worry so much about how these activities will look on a college application, and focus instead on what you ACTUALLY like to do.” Students are encouraged to explore a diverse range of activities to foster career awareness and preparation. Exposure to different experiences will not only help them discover their passions, but also develop essential skills for future success. Here are some articles that provide practical advice for how to spend your summer.
How to Make the Most of Your Summer and (Maybe) Build a Self-Directed Project
How to Spend Your High School Summer
School Supplies
Moving?
If your family is planning to move it is important that you update your address with the Student Services Office. Please contact Ms. Sultan, Registrar, for more information about what is needed to keep your file accurate.
Tutoring Opportunities
Atholton's Beyond School Hours (BSH) After-School Academic Support Program
There are support sessions available for the four main content areas in the media center from 3:00-5:00 PM.
· Students with IEPS: Homework club every Tuesday and Thursday
· Math Support: Every Tuesday and Thursday
· English, social studies and science are only on Thursday.
For more information, please contact Imani Hinson (Imani_Hinson@hcpss.org) or Emily DeFilippo (Emily_DeFilippo@hcpss.org)
Online Homework Assistance – Howard County Library
http://hclibrary.org/new-a-main/get-homework-help/
In addition to receiving guidance from HCLS staff, students (K-12) and college-age adults can connect with free tutors for assistance with math, reading, science, social studies, English/language arts, and writing. Both English and Spanish speaking tutors are available seven days a week from 2 pm until 11:55 pm.
HCEA Tutor List
As service to the community, the Howard County Education Association maintains a list of educators willing to tutor. If you are interested in hiring an HCPSS teacher to provide tutoring, please pick up a list of these tutors from the AHS Student Services office.
Canvas Observer Directions
Building Healthy Relationships
Building healthy relationships for high school students is crucial for their personal development and well-being. Here are some specific aspects to focus on when it comes to fostering healthy relationships among teens.
Peer Pressure Awareness: It is important for students to be aware of peer pressure and make decisions based on their values. Encourage them to stand up for what they believe in and make choices that align with their principles.
Communication Skills: Emphasize effective communication, including active listening, expressing thoughts and feelings clearly, and resolving conflicts peacefully. Good communication is the foundation of healthy relationships.
Boundaries: Help students understand the importance of setting and respecting boundaries in their relationships. This includes both physical and emotional boundaries.
Healthy Dating Habits: If discussing romantic relationships, educate students about healthy dating habits, consent, and the importance of mutual respect. Encourage open conversations about relationships and empower them to make informed choices.
Digital Etiquette: Address the role of technology and social media in relationships. Teach students about responsible digital citizenship, online safety, and the potential impact of their online actions on relationships.
Empathy and Understanding: Foster empathy by helping students understand the perspectives of their peers. Encourage them to be supportive and understanding, especially during challenging times.
Conflict Resolution: Students with conflict resolution skills to navigate disagreements and challenges in a constructive manner. Teach them how to find compromise and seek solutions that benefit all parties involved.
Self-Esteem and Self-Worth: Promote a positive self-image and self-worth. Help students understand the importance of valuing themselves and choosing relationships that contribute positively to their lives.
Healthy Friendships: Discuss the qualities of healthy friendships, emphasizing trust, loyalty, and mutual support. Encourage students to surround themselves with friends who uplift and inspire them.
Time Management: Help students balance their academic, extracurricular, and social lives. Managing time effectively contributes to healthier relationships by reducing stress and creating a more balanced lifestyle.
Respect for Diversity: Emphasize the importance of respecting and celebrating diversity. Encourage students to appreciate differences in culture, background, and beliefs, fostering an inclusive and accepting environment.