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

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

• Be on the lookout for an opportunity to highlight your plans for after high school! Student Services will be sending out more information to celebrate the stars we have at Atholton! ✰
• 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.

Counselors will be meeting with all juniors through English classes on April 4th and 5th. The lesson will include information on the World of Work requirement for graduation and Post-Secondary Planning.

The Junior Interview Clinic (World of Work) will be held on April 11th and April 12th. All HCPSS high schools host a World of Work event each year. Schools solicit local businesses and community members, and parents/guardians to interview students and provide feedback.

Preparation for World of Work begins in students’ English classes, where they are taught how to craft a resume. Students are given tips and templates to help them create a usable resume that serves as a foundation they can build on as they finish high school and head to college or career.

School counselors visit each class to help them prepare for the interview. Students are given tips on subjects from how to dress professionally to what to expect from the interview process. They practice sample interview questions in class to help them feel more confident during the interview.

There will be an assembly on April 3rd during RaiderTime. The focus will be accountability, decision making, and positive life planning.

Congratulations on making through your first semester in high school. Finish the year strong! We will be meeting with the class of 2027 in the upcoming months.

AHS Student Services presents.....

College Information Night for Juniors

Tuesday, April 9th, 2024 @ 6:30pm in the

Atholton High School Auditorium

The college search process is upon us. The night will begin with counselors presenting detailed information on the following topics:

• the AHS college application process
• securing letters of recommendation
• requesting transcripts for colleges
• college search tips
• important deadlines

The second part of the evening will be a panel discussion with local colleges and universities. They will discuss topics such as:

• the college application process
• school specific information
• college prep tips
• FAQs

We hope to see you there!!!!!

Howard County Public Schools is hosting a College Fair on April 11th from 6pm-8pm at Howard High School. The fair is being sponsored by PCACAC, Potomac Chesapeake Association for College Admissons Counselors. The event will bring over 80 college admission counselors to Howard High School. Additionally, there will be two college admission panels (one in English, one in Spanish) for parents to attend that will provide an overview of the college admission process and help families understand how to best support their child(ren). We ask students to register here for the event. We encourage students in grades 10-11 to attend this fair.

2024 Summer Programs Registration is open!

Synergy online enrollment requests for currently enrolled HCPSS students is open for Innovative Pathways Summer High School, STARTALK Chinese Language Summer Camp, and Summer Math Scholars programs.

Families can find up-to-date course information and enrollment directions on the Summer Programs web page (https://www.hcpss.org/summer-programs/). Direct questions to the individual program office.

HCPSS promotes the mental health and wellness of each of our students to develop their unique strengths, abilities, and characteristics towards success and well-being. Staff consider the variety of factors that impact a student’s functioning such as age, cultural background, social emotional skills, academic outcomes, and access to resources.

Learn more about the HCPSS Model for Mental Health Supports in Schools

SEEKING IMMEDIATE HELP

If you or someone you know is having suicidal or thoughts of self-harm, or has taken/ingested drugs or alcohol and is in danger of overdose:

• Call 911
• Call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Line
• Seek immediate help from a health care provider

BEHAVIORAL/MENTAL HEALTH

Parents/guardians, family members or friends who are concerned about a child/student’s safety, well-being or health should reach out to their school administrator and/or student support team.

BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH

CRISIS SUPPORTS & RESOURCES

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

HCPSS provides substance abuse prevention and intervention services for any students in need, and specifically around tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

SUBSTANCE ABUSE SUPPORTS & RESOURCES

TRAUMATIC EVENTS

HCPSS has student services teams in every school available to support the social-emotional wellbeing of children every school day. During times of increased stress caused by traumatic events occurring close to home or viewed on the news, there is an increase of required services. Our schools are equipped with the resources to support children during the school day, and we want to make sure parents and community members have resources to speak to children outside of school hours.

In addition to the Crisis Supports and Resources, parents/guardians and family members may find these resources helpful:

• Talking to Children About Traumatic Events
• NASP: Managing Strong Emotional Reactions to Traumatic Events
• NASP: Talking to Children About Violences
• Talking to Children About Sexual Abuse

HCPSS STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Psychological Services

School psychologists provide strategies and recommendations to assist with student interventions.

School Counseling

Counselors follow a set curriculum to help all students with their personal, social, and academic development.

School Culture and Climate

HCPSS has a strong commitment to teaching students, families, and staff about bullying prevention and providing students with a safe learning environment.

School Social Work

School social workers provide mental health services and facilitate connections between home, school, and community supports to promote students’ academic achievement.

March 18 Student and Family CCR Weekly

Spring Break is a great opportunity to research postsecondary options. Visit a college, research an apprenticeship, or apply for a summer job!

Some tips on visiting a college: Even if you haven’t made plans to visit, it is not too late! We have great colleges and universities in our area. Students should consider visiting all different sizes and settings to explore which is the best fit. We encourage students to take a tour of the campus and keep track of what they liked about the school using a comparison chart. Visit the admissions page of the college you want to visit, and sign up for a guided tour. Here are some links to suggestions to make the most out of your visit.

NACAC Visiting a College

Khan Academy Planning Your College Visit

Remember to check out our CCR documents that we update daily:

-Subscribe to our Google calendar for all postsecondary events

-Visit our scholarship document

-Visit our enrichment program document for internships, summer educational opportunities, volunteer experiences and employment opportunities.

Upcoming Events:

For more information and links to register, visit our postsecondary Google calendar.

March 19 10am, 6:30pm *NACAC College Fair in Montgomery County

4pm HCC/HCPSS Jump Start Collaborative Hour

6pm *Maryland Corps/Service Year Option Info Session

8pm *Coalition College Presents Creating a College List

March 20 3pm *Faces of Agriculture- USDA Speaker Series on Careers

7pm *JHU Presents Breaking Down the College Search

7pm HCPSS March2Future Presents: Athletics in College

March 23 8am Youth STEMposium

March 24 6pm Compass Education Presents The ACT

March 26 Southwest Information Session- Ground Transportation

March 27 7pm ACT- Roadmap to Success: Preparing Early For Your Best College Experience

April 11 4pm Dual Enrollment Registration Support Sessions

April 11 6pm HCPSS-PCACAC College Fair at Howard High

HCPSS March2Future Athletics in College: This presentation provides an overview of the student-athlete recruitment process. Topics of interest include NCAA initial eligibility, the recruitment timeline for high school prospects, and athletics scholarships and financial aid.

Register here: March 20th at 7pm

The Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation is excited to welcome you to join us virtually to learn more about the Maryland Corps/Service Year Option, a first-in-the-nation program that allows Marylanders to explore career pathways that allow their talents and purpose to come together in service to our state. These programs provide individuals 18 years of age and older with an invaluable opportunity to determine the best next steps in their work or educational journey through a year of paid, full-time service. Participants will earn at least $15 an hour, will receive help accessing wrap-around services, and will benefit from extensive professional development opportunities. Virtual Event is Tuesday, March 19th at 6pm. Register here.

The Youth STEMposium is an event that brings together young people, educators, industry professionals, and STEM experts to explore, showcase, and celebrate science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and careers. It is designed to inspire and engage middle and high school students considering STEM-related careers. There will be keynote speakers, panel discussions, workshops, demonstrations, and vendors from private sector and government agencies. Presentations and demonstrations will be provided on robotics and technologies in the healthcare field, drone education and flight competition, and aviation, including a flight simulator and Air Traffic Controllers from the FAA. Event is on March 23rd at Howard Community College and registration is required.

Southwest Airlines Virtual Information Session: Back by popular demand, Southwest Airlines is excited to host quarterly virtual conversations with Southwest Employees! These are designed for high school students to learn about possible career paths in the aviation industry. Our first virtual Job Chat will spotlight our entry-level opportunities in Ground Operations and Technical Operations. Hear from a Southwest Appearance Technician, Material Specialist, and Ramp Agent about some of the full-time jobs available immediately after high school. March 26th at 12pm and 6:45pm. Registration links are in the google calendar.

Mark your calendar!!! The HCPSS Office of Dual Enrollment and Howard Community College are excited to announce the JumpStart Dual Enrollment Course registration event on Thursday, April 11th from 4pm - 7:30pm on HCC’s campus. This event will provide students an opportunity for priority registration for HCC-based courses. Details can be found here. Please be sure that students take the following steps prior to attending the event: RSVP for the event to ensure adequate staffing. To learn more about JumpStart or to get support with the application process, please attend one of the information sessions offered by the Career Readiness Advisor at your high school, or attend an upcoming collaborative hour.

Save the Date: HCPSS and PCACAC are partnering to bring back an in-person college fair to HCPSS students. The event will take place at Howard High School on April 11th from 6pm-8pm. In addition to over 80 colleges, the event will offer a panel of college admissions counselors discussing current admission trends and best practices for applying. This will be offered in English and Spanish! Registration is requested and can be found here.

If you are experiencing barriers to accessing school supplies, please come down to Student Services.

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.

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.

Engaging in community service is not only a rewarding experience but also a great way to make a positive impact on the world around us. Here are some community service ideas for our high school students:

• Local Food Banks: Many local food banks are always in need of volunteers to sort and pack food, assist with distribution, or help with administrative tasks. Contact your nearest food bank to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
• Participate in environmental cleanup events organized by local organizations. These events usually involve picking up litter in parks, along riverbanks, or on beaches, contributing to a cleaner environment for everyone.
• Animal shelters often rely on volunteers to help care for animals, clean facilities, and assist with adoption events. Consider reaching out to your local animal shelter to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
• Tutoring Programs: Offer your time to tutor younger students in subjects you excel in. Many schools or community organizations run tutoring programs where high school students can volunteer to help younger students with their homework or academic skills.
• Senior Centers: Volunteer at senior centers by spending time with elderly residents, assisting with activities, or helping with meal services. Your presence and assistance can greatly brighten their day.
• Habitat for Humanity: Get involved with Habitat for Humanity and help build or repair homes for families in need. This hands-on opportunity allows students to learn valuable construction skills while making a difference in their community.
• Hospital Volunteer Programs: Many hospitals offer volunteer programs for high school students interested in healthcare or gaining experience in a medical setting. Duties may include assisting with patient services, delivering items to patients, or providing comfort to patients and their families.

Remember to check with each organization for any age requirements or necessary paperwork before volunteering. Engaging in community service not only benefits those in need but also provides valuable experiences and skills that can last a lifetime.

If you have any questions or need assistance finding volunteer opportunities, please don't hesitate to reach out to the school counseling office.