An Informational Newsletter for Londonderry High School Parents from the Guidance & Counseling Department August 2016 With summer coming to a close and school beginning, we have been busy gearing up for the new school year. Last year you heard the terms Perseverance, Ownership and Practice or POP! This is important to keep in mind as we work with your child as learners (notice not students). A learner is a person who is trying to gain knowledge or skill in something by studying, practicing or being taught. A student is a person who attends a school, college or university. We want your child to be an active learner. Facing challenges in the safe envi- ronment of the high school, gaining knowledge by lots of Perseverance, Ownership and Practice. We want them to POP! At our district retreat, I was reminded of a story about an elder Cherokee and his grandson. One evening the elder Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside all peo- ple. He said, “My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us. One is Fear. It carries anxiety, concern, uncertainty, hesitancy, indecision and inaction. The other is Faith. It brings calm, conviction, excitement and action.” The grandson thought about it for a mo- ment and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf wins?” The old grandfather replied, “The one you feed.” Let’s remember as we start the 2016-2017 school year to feed the wolf of Faith and let the wolf of Fear starve. Here’s to a successful year. Maureen O’Dea Director of School Counseling COUNSELOR ASSIGNMENTS MAIN NUMBER: 603.432.6941 GUIDANCE FAX: 603.425.1045 Maureen O’Dea Michael Conneally (COP-GAR) Linda Ryan (KO-MOO) Carolyn Ferguson-Wilson (SAO-Z) Director of School Counseling House 1 School Counselor House 3 School Counselor House 4 School Counselor [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] TEL 603.432.6941 x 2110 TEL 603.432.6941 x 2530 TEL 603.432.6941 x 2223 TEL 603.432.6941 x 2523 William Prince (A-COO) William Mitchell (GAS-KN) Valerie Nelson (MOP-SAN) Sara Bernard House 1 School Counselor House 2 School Counselor House 4 School Counselor Special Education Counselor [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] TEL 603.432.6941 x 2018 TEL 603.432.6941 x 2224 TEL 603.432.6941 x 2129 603.432.6941 x 2149 Stephanie Messina, M. Ed Joanne Rivet Beth Sheridan, PhD School Psychologist Special Education Counselor School Psychologist [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 603.432.6941 x 2111 603.432.6941 x 2824 603.432.6941 x 2012 Dates To Note & Upcoming Events SAT: Register at www.collegeboard.org/sat ACT: register at www.act.org TEST DATE REGISTRATION DEADLINE TEST DATE REGISTRATION DEADLINE October 1, 2016 September 1, 2016 September 10, 2016 August 5, 2016 November 5, 2016 October 7, 2016 October 22, 2016 September 16, 2016 December 3, 2016 November 3, 2016 December 10, 2016 November 4, 2016 January 21, 2017 December 21, 2016 February 11, 2017 January 13, 2017 March 11, 2017 February 10, 2017 April 8, 2017 March 3, 2017 May 6, 2017 April 7, 2017 June 10, 2017 May 5, 2017 June 3, 2017 May 9, 2017 Psat: October 19th for all 9th, 10th & 11th Graders will be taking the test in school. Seniors will work on your College applications or visit colleges. TEST DATES & NHIAA TOURNAMENT CONFLICTS: Be aware of the conflicts between the ACT/SAT testing dates and the State Sports Tournaments. Be sure to plan accordingly so you don’t miss the tests or the tourna- ments. Dates To Note & Upcoming Events Check your calendars as these colleges are visiting LHS in the Main Looking for the right Guidance Office at these dates and times. Interested in meeting with a College Admissions Counselor, sign up at the Main Guidance Office to college for you? ensure your spot. The Colleges are only staying 30 minutes, so be sure to sign up. October 5, 2016, we are hosting the 2nd annual College Fair at LHS from 6:30pm—8pm. COLLEGE DATE OF VISIT TIME University of Southern Maine September 13, 2016 9:15 AM Come and interact face to face with Lasell College September 13, 2016 10:30 AM a college representative and get American International College September 13, 2016 11:30 AM Hofstra University September 14, 2016 10:00 AM information about 60+ colleges that Ithaca College September 14, 2016 11:00 AM will be in attendance. A list of all Albertus Magna September 15, 2016 9:30 AM the colleges will be published as University of Maine at Augusta September 15, 2016 10:30 AM we get closer to the date, so be on Lyndon State September 15, 2016 11:00 AM the look out. Boston University September 15, 2016 11:30 AM Mount Holyoke College September 16, 2016 9:15 AM Wellesley College September 19, 2016 11:30 AM Come with all your questions and Dean College September 20, 2016 11:00 AM get the information you need to Geneseo College September 20, 2016 12:00 PM plan your future! Florida Southern College September 20, 2016 12:30 PM Salem State University September 20, 2016 1:00 PM Bentley University September 20, 2016 1:30 PM Sarah Lawrence College September 21, 2016 10:30 AM University of Chicago September 22, 2016 9:30 AM Temple University September 22, 2016 12:30 PM Wheaton College September 26, 2016 11:00 AM University of Maine @Farmington September 26, 2016 1:00 PM James Madison University September 27, 2016 10:30 PM Stonehill College September 27, 2016 11:30 AM Quinnipiac University September 28, 2016 11:00 AM Bryant University September 29, 2016 10:00 AM RPI September 29, 2016 12:00 PM American University September 30, 2016 10:00 AM Hartwick College October 3, 2016 11:30 AM George Mason University October 13, 2016 12:00 PM SNHU October 20, 2016 11:00 AM University of Hartford October 20, 2016 1:00 PM *More colleges are being scheduled. Check in at the Main Guidance Office for the up to date schedule. HELPING YOUR STUDENT ACHIEVE SUCCESS Improving Your Child’s Confidence We all want to raise children who have con- fidence and high self-esteem. However, sometimes we’re not sure how to help. Some simple ideas that really make a difference include: 1. Giving your children responsibility. It makes them feel mature and needed. 2. Identifying and encouraging your chil- dren’s talents. 3. Talking and listening to your chil- dren daily. It makes them feel valued. DEVELOPING GOOD HOMEWORK AND STUDY HABITS Create an environment that is conducive to doing homework starting at a young age. Children need a consistent work space in their bedroom or another part of the home that is quiet, without distractions, and promotes study. Schedule ample time for homework; build this time into choices about participation in after school activi- ties. Establish a household rule that the TV and other electronic distractions stay off during homework time. Supervise computer and Internet use. By high school, it's not uncommon for teachers to ask students to submit homework electronically and perform other tasks on a computer. If your child doesn't have access to a computer or the internet at home, work with teachers and school administration to develop appropriate accommodations. Be available to answer questions and offer assistance, but never do a child's homework for her. Take steps to help alleviate eye fatigue, neck fatigue and brain fatigue while studying. It may be helpful to close the books for a few minutes, stretch, and take a break periodically when it will not be too disrup- tive. If your child is struggling with a particular subject, speak with your child's teacher for recommendations on how you or another person can help your child at home or at school. If you have concerns about the assignments your child is receiving, talk with their teacher. If your child is having difficulty focusing on or completing homework, discuss this with your child's teach- er, school counselor, or health care provider. For general homework problems that cannot be worked out with the teacher, a tutor may be considered. Some children need help organizing their homework. Checklists, timers, and parental supervision can help overcome homework problems. Some children may need help remembering their assignments. Work with your child and their teacher to de- velop an appropriate way to keep track of their assignments – such as an assignment notebook. Establish a good sleep routine. Insufficient sleep is associated with lower academic achievement in middle school, high school and college, as well as higher rates of absenteeism and tardiness. The optimal amount of sleep for most adolescents (13-18 year of age) is in the range of 8-10 hours per night. © 2016 - American Academy of Pediatrics HELPING YOUR STUDENT ACHIEVE SUCCESS There’s No One Like You! Parents and caregivers play an incredibly important role in the lives of their children. No one has as great of an influence on the people your children become as you do. It is a pleasure, gift, and great responsibility. Remember that you are your children’s first and most important teacher now and for the rest of their lives. Your children want to be like you and most likely will. So, being a good role model is important. Often actions do speak louder than words. So, remember, your children are watching and learning from all that you do and say.