COUNSELOR'S CORNER
SEPTEMBER 2024
Audubon Jr-Sr High School Welcomes Two New Counselors!
Dear AHS Community,
We are thrilled to introduce ourselves as the new School Counselors at Audubon High School for Grades 7-9 and are excited to be part of such a vibrant and supportive school community.
We are passionate about helping students navigate their academic, social, and emotional growth. Our goal is to create a positive and inclusive environment where every student feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.
We will be available to support students with:
● Academic planning and goal setting
● Social and emotional development
● Conflict resolution and peer relationships
● Career exploration and future planning
● Personal and family challenges
We work closely with teachers, parents, and other staff members to ensure a coordinated approach to each student’s well-being. We look forward to meeting each of you and working together to make this school year a successful and rewarding one for all our students.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or to set up a meeting. Thank you for your support and partnership!
Mr. May
Mrs. DiMedio
Audubon Jr.-Sr. High School Counseling Department September initiatives kicked off with counselors meeting all seniors during their English classes to introduce the Audubon High School Application Checklist. This checklist guides students through essential steps in college applications, scholarships, and post-secondary planning. In addition, college representatives have started visiting the school, offering juniors and seniors a chance to explore their future options through one-on-one interactions.
All counselors have started individualized sessions with students, focusing on tailored academic and personal guidance. Upcoming events at Audubon include participation in New Jersey's Week of Respect (October 7-11), which aligns with National Bullying Prevention Month. Activities will highlight bullying prevention and promote a culture of kindness and inclusion. Later in October, the school will observe Red Ribbon Week (October 23-30), focusing on drug prevention awareness, with educational programs to further engage the school community.
LOOK WHO'S COMING...
Throughout each school year, we bring in professionals from a number of local and national colleges, universities, technical schools, and military branches to present to students about their program offerings and admissions. Additionally, we bring in experts from various career fields to provide our students with a snapshot of what their occupation is like, communicate the education & training required to attain employment within the field, and provide interested students with the opportunity to ask any questions that they have. These representatives and volunteers are gracious enough to speak to any and all interested students regardless of their grade level. This is a particularly important activity for our students to participate in as they progress down their path towards visiting colleges in Junior year and applying in fall of Senior year. Students must sign up in Naviance to attend!
Mon September 30, 2024 9:15 AM
Mon September 30, 2024 10:00 AM
Wed October 2, 2024 8:20 AM
Wed October 2, 2024 9:15 AM
Rizzieri Aveda School for Beauty and Wellness
Mon October 7, 2024 10:00 AM
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Tue October 8, 2024 8:20 AM
Fri October 11, 2024 9:15 AM
Tue October 15, 2024 8:20 AM
Tue October 22, 2024 8:20 AM
Tue October 22, 2024 10:50 AM
Fri October 25, 2024 9:15 AM
Tue October 29, 2024 8:20 AM
Wed October 30, 2024 8:20 AM
Thu October 31, 2024 8:20 AM
University of South Carolina Beaufort
Tue November 12, 2024 10:50 AM
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Fri November 15, 2024 9:15 AM
Tue November 19, 2024 8:20 AM
Fall Spirit Week
September 23rd- 27th
Fall Pep Rally, Location TBD
Friday, September 27th
Homecoming Dance, Aux Gym
Friday, September 27th, 7-10pm
Homecoming Football Game & Homecoming Court Ceremony
Saturday, September 28th, 11am
Powder Puff Game
Tuesday, November 12th, 3pm
(rain date 11/13)
Winter Ball, The Sapphire Grand (Auletto's)
Friday, December 6th, 7-10:30pm
- September 4 Senior breakfast
- September 13 1st senior Trip Payment due
- September 20 Last possible day to sign up for the senior trip.
- September 23-27 Fall Spirit Week
- September 27 Homecoming Dance, Auxiliary Gym 7-10PM
- October 2 Senior Sunrise 6:30 am
- October 18 2nd senior Trip Payment due ($575)
- November TBD Financial Aid Night (Auditorium) 6:30 PM
- November 12 Powder Puff Game 3PM (Rain Date November 15)
- December 6 Winter Ball, The Sapphire Grand @ Auletto’s 7-10:30 PM
- December 6 3rd senior Trip Payment due ($575)
- December/January TBD FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Aid) Filing Night
- January 6-17 Senior Trip t-shirt sale
- February 11 Senior Trip student meeting 2nd period (auditorium)
- February 12 Senior trip mandatory parent meeting 7:00 (auditorium)
- March 21 All students going on senior Trip must attend school this day. One last Senior Trip refresher meeting 1st period (auditorium)
- March 23 Luggage check in for Senior Trip 1:00 PM (auxiliary gym) Mandatory for Students going on Senior Trip
- March 24-28 Senior Trip to Walt Disney World/ Universal Studios
- April 9 Spring Food Drive
- April 14-17 Spring Spirit Week
- May 2 Junior-Senior Prom
- June 13 Senior Farewell 7:00 PM (auditorium)
- Senior Sunset/ Yearbook Signing 8:00
- Yearbook distribution
- June 18 Graduation 6:00 PM
- Project Graduation
Help is Down the Hall
Mrs. Kabo
Mental Health Assistance Counselor
Audubon Jr-Sr High School
856-547-7695 ext. 4144
Email: ekabo@audubonschools.org
Mrs. Kabo meets with students whose mental health is keeping them from succeeding in school and outside of school. The topics discussed with students include but are not limited to anxiety, stress, depression, self-esteem, anger management and grief/loss. Mrs. Kabo also presents classroom lessons covering numerous mental health topics in order to provide education and awareness.
The role of the mental health assistance counselor:
Teenagers are exposed to external and internal struggles which can impact student success. The Audubon School District aims to provide all students with the knowledge, attitudes and skills to cope with these obstacles and develop a healthy lifestyle. Providing mental health support and referral to services is an integral part of our district’s mission in promoting the well-being of each student. The district partners with a network of community services and agencies, creating a coordinated effort to promote a continuum of care and services for all students and families.
The Mental Health Assistance Counselor is a part of the student assistance program. The student assistance program is a comprehensive and integrated school/community program for prevention, intervention, support, and referral services for students at risk for substance abuse, addictive behaviors, and other mental health concerns.
The Mental Health Assistance Counselor meets with students whose mental health is keeping them from succeeding both in school and outside of school. The topics discussed with students include but are not limited to anxiety, stress, depression, self-esteem, anger management and grief/loss. The MHAC also presents classroom lessons covering numerous mental health topics in order to provide education to the student about mental health.
Providing mental health support and referrals to outside treatment services is also an integral part of our School Counseling Department’s mission in promoting a healthy lifestyle. The MHAC partners with a network of community services and agencies, creating a coordinated effort to promote a continuum of care and services for all students and their families.
Mrs. Kabo is available to ALL students. Students can request an appointment with Mrs. Kabo. Students are protected by federal law, which grants them confidentiality (excluding thoughts or attempts of suicide, physical/sexual abuse or neglect, or threats of physical/sexual abuse against another person). In addition to self-referral, teachers, administrators, parents and peers may refer a student to the MHAC when they are concerned about someone’s health and well-being.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
The Audubon School District partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of students, staff, and their family members. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service that can help you quickly find mental health or substance use treatment options matched to your needs regardless of circumstance. If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:
Call 888-515-0595 available 24/7/365 in any language.
Visit www.caresolace.com/bhp and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
In this guide, a family can find out more information on how to apply for food, income and employment assistance, as well as health care and much more. A caregiver can get information on support programs and services to assist them in caring for their loved ones. Individuals with disabilities and their families can get information on various services that include in-home supports, vocational rehabilitation, and education.
2ND FLOOR
"A safe space for Teens'
Download it today by choosing your mobile app store and receive 1:1 CONFIDENTIAL chat support, communicate directly with your peers on message boards, or find daily inspiration!
ACT & SAT INFORMATION
ACT
ACT is a nationally administered, standardized paper-and-pencil test that helps colleges evaluate candidates. Colleges accept ACT or SAT scores interchangeably, which means you have the opportunity to decide which test you would prefer.
- Register for the ACT Test - Dates & Deadlines
- Free ACT Test Prep
- ACT Fee Waiver Eligibility Requirements - For Free/Reduced Lunch students.
- ACT Requesting Accommodations - Students with disabilities may submit a request. Consent to Release Information to ACT - For parents to sign and return to their school counselor.
College Board SAT
College Board SAT Suite of Assessments shares information about the SAT, which is designed to assess a student's academic readiness for college. It provides a path to opportunities, financial support, and scholarships, in a way that's standardized, in an effort to provide equal opportunities for all students. Below is more information:SAT Dates and Deadlines
- SAT Practice Tests
- SAT - Most students take it for the first time during the winter or spring of junior year and possibly a second or third time during the fall of their senior year.
- SAT Fee Waiver - Free/Reduced Lunch students are eligible for SAT fee waivers. Using a SAT fee waiver serves as a springboard to qualify the student for college application fee waivers. See your counselor for more details.
- College Board Services for Students with Disabilities- Students with disabilities may submit a request. Consent Form for Accommodations Request
Test Optional
- FairTest Test Optional and Test Free List - List of colleges that do not require SAT or ACT for admissions purposes.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You must complete this form to apply for financial aid.
HESAA
The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority is the State of New Jersey's financial aid resource for state level grants and scholarships. Students will need to fill out an application for this after the FAFSA has been filed. The website also contains helpful financial aid information and guidance.
Rutgers presentation that covers: College Preparation, Application Tips, Financial Aid, and Rutgers–Camden.
"Going to College in New Jersey"
Helpful tips and data about college costs, programs of study and career paths, and key deadlines for college applications and financial aid can be found here.
One application accepted by almost 700 colleges. The Common Application is a not-for-profit organization that serves students and member institutions by providing an admission application - online and in print - that students may submit to any of the almost 700 colleges that accept it.
Big Future College Search
Search and get matched with colleges, explore career interests, and plan financially with this easy-to-use tool!
The National Association for College Admission Counseling
A Roadmap for College
This interactive site was designed by students for students and has a lot of relevant information about why to go, what to do, and how to pay for college.
The site also helps with the creation of a "roadmap" to college. A useful resource for students and families.
My Future
There’s more to college than mascots and dining halls. Here you'll find info on everything from choosing a four-year, two-year or trade school education to applying and paying for tuition. Click on Tools and Checklists for helpful tips on how to prepare for college from your freshmen year through your college visits and shopping for dorm supplies!
COLLEGE FAIRS
Burlington School Counselors Association's College Fair
The National Association for College Admission Counseling College Fairs
Philadelphia Architecture and Design College Fair
PACAC Delaware County Regional College Fair
State University of New York (SUNY) Spring College Fair
OPEN HOUSE EVENTS
New Jersey College Open Houses
Pennsylvania College Open Houses
Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New York and Virginia College Open Houses
VIRTUAL COLLEGE TOURS
Liberal Arts Virtual College Fairs
Northern Burlington County Regional High School Virtual College Fair
Princeton Review Virtual Campus Tours
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
RaiseMe
RaiseMe allows students to begin earning scholarship in their freshman year! They can build a profile that acts as their transcript/resume and continuing adding to it throughout the years. They can earn money for grades, outside of school and within school club, activities, and athletics, awards, standardized testing scores, and even college tours!
FastWeb
Fastweb can help you find your dream school and then help you pay for it. Free Scholarship and College Search Services provided.
Going Merry
"The Common App for Scholarships". A scholarship match tool that only requires you to fill out one application that you can send to several scholarship opportunities.
Your source for free scholarship information.
Peterson's scholarship search tool reaches super hero status with its ability to filter available scholarships by school type, ethnicity, gender, field of study, state of residence, award type, and more!
Audubon High School Application Checklist (2 & 4 year college)
- Create a balanced list of reach, match, and safety colleges. Utilize Naviance "Find Your Fit" to create this list
- BE PROACTIVE! OVER COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR!!!
- Create a Common App account (if applicable). Create accounts for schools that do not use Common App
- Match Common App to Naviance account and add colleges that do not accept the Common App to the “Colleges I’m applying to list.”
- Check to see if schools are test optional & if certain majors require testing.
- If needed, take other required or recommended tests (e.g., SAT Subject TestsTM, AP Exams, IB exams) & send admission-test scores. **Students must send SAT/ACT Scores directly to colleges**
- Make a note of the regular application deadline / early application deadline **Do not wait until the deadline**
- Complete your admissions essay
- Request recommendation letters from teachers in person and send requests on Naviance. You must complete both steps to streamline the recommendation process. Send thank-you notes to recommendation writers
- Submit application & contact your counselor
- Request high school transcript sent (after applications are submitted)
- Submit FAFSA® *Add each school you are applying to*
- Make a note of the priority financial aid deadline & the regular financial aid deadline
- Student athletes: Division 1 or 2. Register for the NCAA Clearinghouse and check requirements
- Submit college aid form & state aid form, if needed
- Confirm receipt of application materials
- Request midyear grade report sent, if needed *Contact Your Counselor*
- Once accepted notify the counseling office, review/accept any financial aid, pay deposit, take an admission test, if required.
Again: Please over communicate with your school counselor!!! We are here to help!!!
NCAA Registration for Juniors & Seniors
Student-athletes in the 11th grade who are hoping to play at the NCAA Division I or II levels in college must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. All student-athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center prior to making any official school visits or receiving a written offer of athletically related financial aid with “D-I” or “D-II” colleges. You can register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Senior athletes who have not already done so, should register immediately