RIH Guidance Update

National School Counseling Week is sponsored by the American School Counselor Association to highlight the impact School Counselors have on helping students achieve academic, personal and professional goals. School Counselors fulfill many roles including academic advisors, college/ career coaches, social-emotional support counselors, and student advocates. School Counselors apply their interpersonal and counseling skills to foster a relationship with each student. School Counselors are also continually invested in their own professional development in order to keep current with changing trends in the field of education, college and career planning, and student self-efficacy. School Counselors work as part of a larger team including faculty, staff, administration, families and community members to promote student success!

Please encourage your student to build their relationship with their assigned School Counselor. This relationship will be important in navigating the triumphs and tribulations of high school as well as the transition beyond Indian Hills and Ramapo in pursuit of future college and/or career endeavors. Students can schedule an appointment at any time by emailing their School Counselor. The RIH Guidance Administrative Assistants (IHHS: Mrs. Chamberlin and Mrs. Kesting and at RHS: Mrs. Ambrose and Mrs. Gaveglio) are also readily available to assist with general questions.

The RIH Guidance Department is fortunate to have a Student Assistance Counselors in the role to support students with social-emotional concerns, promoting student mentorship and encouraging discussion of wellness as well as mental health awareness. The SAC Counselors facilitate small group counseling, serves on the Intervention & Referral Services / Section 504 Committee, and Safety Committee. They also the RHS Anti-Bullying Specialist. The SAC Counselors are overseen by our innovative and enthusiastic Wellness Advocate and Supervisor, Mrs. Robinson.

​The 2025-2026 course recommendation process is now underway. Please know that RIH teachers have begun the process of making academic course recommendations in Genesis. All course recommendations be completed by Friday, February 7th. This will allow transparency in the recommendations when they become available to students and parents in Genesis on Monday, February 10th. The access window for scheduling requests for students and parents will be open from Monday, February 10th through the end of the school day on Friday, February 14th.

The Override form will be available through Genesis in the Parent Portal the week of February 10th -28th. An Override is only to be completed if the student and parent does not agree with the teacher's recommendation. Submission of an Override is not applicable to all students. Please know that submitting an Override does not guarantee placement in the course. It is strongly recommended that students speak to their classroom teacher and use the District Supervisor as a resource to understand curriculum requirements and level differences prior to submitting the Override. There will be a second, and final, Override window in May.

It is important that you and your students prepare for scheduling. Please take the time to review the RIH Program of Studies which includes course descriptions, prerequisites and graduation requirements. It is expected that students will be prepared for their 1:1 meeting with their School Counselor to discuss courses of interest.

Additional Resources:

RIH Art & 21st Century Life Skills Electives

Preliminary Scheduling Timeline, RIH Supervisor Contacts & Resource Links

RIH Block Scheduling Presentation

RIH Dual Enrollment Course Offerings

RIH Graduation Progression Chart

Block Scheduling will be in place for next year. This will affect the rotation of the courses but not the scheduling of courses.

Incoming Class of 2029 students and families will receive the same messaging the week of February 10th. Recommendations and course electives can only be entered for registered students. If a student has not registered for Ramapo or Indian Hills, then they will not be scheduled. Information on registration can be found here: Step-By-Step Instructions

The RIH Guidance Departments will be sending midyear grades now that the second marking period grades have posted. If you do not want your midyear grades sent, please complete the respective Google Form to indicate this choice:

IHHS Class of 2025 Withhold Midyear Grades

RHS Class of 2025 Withhold Midyear Grades

The deadline to complete this form is Friday, February 7th. This form has to be completed through the student email). Given the structure of Naviance, the midyear report will go to all colleges still pending (not withdrawn). Please know if a college calls the Office/ Counselor to send your grades, we are obligated to do as they request.

After all the hustle bustle to launch those applications, please keep Guidance (and those teachers who so kindly wrote letters of recommendation) updated!! Your School Counselor is here to support you whatever the response may be - we love to celebrate the successes and offer guidance when unexpected responses may be received!

Scholarship options are being updated in Naviance. Students can review this list by logging into Naviance, clicking on the College tab (center screen), navigating to the Scholarship & Money and then selecting Scholarship Search. This list will be updated as local scholarships are being sent to the Guidance Office on a regular basis. Students are strongly encouraged to review these scholarship options.

Independent websites to consider for scholarship opportunities include:

College Board: Big Future

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority: NJ Class

Fin Aid

Going Merry

Scholarships.Com

Spring Lake Day Camp in nearby Ringwood is looking to hire summer employees. RHS students and SLDC staff were able to connect in person at RHS on Friday, January 31st. IHHS students had the opportunity on Wednesday, February 5th. SLDC staff is seeking student employees for a number of different positions.

Why get a summer job? From a practical perspective, students will be able to earn a paycheck for savings, financial independence and a personal life-lesson on financial literacy. From a more holistic perspective, working builds character. The value of work is learning to understand one's strengths, work environment preferences and networking opportunities. Summer jobs are a great opportunity to build a resume with foundational life skills for future employment, college applications and self-confidence.

Are you curious about Gap Years? Ever wondered if taking a Gap Year could be right for you? More and more students are embracing the opportunity to step off the traditional academic path for experiences which increase confidence, independence, maturity and college readiness. Join Katherine Stievater, Founder of Gap Year Solutions, for a presentation and Q&A about the benefits of Gap time, and how to plan a transformational and purposeful Gap Year on any budget.

Date: Thursday, February 13th

Time: 7-8pm Zoom

Title: Discover Gap Years!

Speaker Bio: Katherine Stievater founded Gap Year Solutions to help students successfully transition to college. She works with students across the U.S. to structure internships, work, service, travel and other activities into a customized plan. Her approach creates trust and powerful mentoring relationships with students. Based in Boston, MA, Katherine has four children, three children who have taken Gap Years, is an Accredited Gap Year Consultant, and a Professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association. Katherine speaks and publishes regularly about the growing Gap Year movement.

Zoom Registration: https://us02web. zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yy 4I6ZniRZa1eeskesWcjQ