THSConnections

January2022 HAPPYNEWYEAR! NewBeginnings FROM THE DIRECTOR

THS Family, Welcome to 2022! It’s A New Year and New Beginnings to set goals, make plans, move forward as you reset for the second portion of the academic year. Hey Seniors! Scholarship Season is Here! Be sure to check the the “Scholarhips Tab” regularly. Whatever the plans, please know that the school counseling department is here to support you. Continue to reach out often.

Hope your holiday recess gave you an opportunity to reflect, relax and recharge. Get ready for a dynamic 2nd half of the year to soar to great heights. All things are possible with strong, positive efforts. Let’s continue to stay safe and well! #teaneckstrong

Remember to join the “Guidance Info” Google Classroom for your grade. Join codes:
Class of 2022 - fwzm5z2	Class of 2023 - ia3aqne	Class of 2024 - ydbc3eh	Class of 2025 - iu7nmza

"Reset, Reestablish, Reconnect"

DATES TO REMEMBER

Friday, January 7th
ACT Registration Deadline (February 12, 2022 Test Date)

Monday, January 17th District Closed-MLK Jr. Day

Important Links:
Teaneck Public Schools 2021 - 2022 District Calendar THS Counseling Website
Click HERE for a full list of scholarships

Thursday, January 27
Instant Decision Day (Seniors)

COLLEGE HELP?

YOU NEED TO DO THIS TODAY!

Student feedback has proven that procrastination with the college application process has resulted in much higher stress levels for both students and parents! Completing most of your college applications workload over the summer will result in a smoother start to your senior year...and a much happier household. This month please take a moment to……

1. Create a Common Application Account. This preparation is required for this step so you can create your account as early as you’d like. All you’ll need is some basic profile information--like your name, date of birth, address and phone number. And of course, you’ll need to provide a valid email address. Click here to create your account: Common App Login. If your college does not appear under the Common Application, go directly to their website and click admissions for their own online application. Here are the step-by-step directions on how to complete the Common App: How To Complete The Common Application.pdf
2. Begin drafting your college essay. JUST GET STARTED! Click here for some help: Essay Help Tips Here’s some more Essay Help! The basic premise is to focus on ONE idea. If you could sit down with an admissions representative, what is the ONE thing you would want them to know about you? Be genuine and limit your essay to 1 ½ to 2 pages MAXIMUM! Common Application Essay Prompts 2021- 2022. Here are some websites to give you some inspiration: • John Hopkins Essays That Work
3. Narrow down your school list in Naviance. The MOST important part of this entire process is applying to appropriate colleges! Summer was the ideal time to continue researching colleges, visiting colleges, and narrowing down your final list to include roughly 10 colleges. You want this process to be successful! A healthy guideline to follow consists of:
2 reach colleges	6 target colleges	2 likely colleges

4. Complete your “Junior Questionnaire” (About Me>>>My Surveys>>>Surveys Not Started) in Naviance, and, encourage your parent/guardian to complete the “Parent Questionnaire” (About Me>>>My Surveys>>>Surveys Not Started). The more information the counselor has, the better letter of recommendation he/she can write. If you need help with your Naviance login, please reach out to your counselor.
5. Start preparing your FAFSA: Financial Aid and think about how you plan to pay for college. Preparing for FAFSA Applications

REQUESTING LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Step 1: If you haven’t already done so, ask your teacher(s) if they will write a letter for you. Once they say “yes”....
Step 2: Login to your Naviance Account Step 3: Click on “Colleges”
Step 4: Click on “Letters of Recommendation”

Step 5: Click “Add Request” and complete the form.

● If you haven’t added any colleges to your active list, you will need to do so as soon as possible.

● When asked: “Select which colleges this request is for?” Select: “All current and future colleges” Please reach out to your counselor with any questions.

FINANCING YOUR FUTURE

How Financial Aid Works

For most students planning to attend college or career school, financial aid is essential. The U.S. Department of Education's office of Federal Student Aid provides more than $120 billion in financial aid to help pay for college or career school each year.

Before each year of college, apply for federal grants, work-study, and loans with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. Your college uses your FAFSA data to determine your federal aid eligibility. Many states and colleges use FAFSA data to award their own aid. After submission, you’ll receive your Student Aid Report.

It's never too early—or too late—to explore your options for college or career school. Go to https://studentaid.gov/ to learn more about key steps in preparing for college and resources that can help you along the way.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

It’s never too early to start thinking about how you are going to pay for college: In Naviance, go to Colleges...scroll to the bottom and click on “Scholarship List”...then change the Browse function by Category to “Search Engine.” This will give you a list of places to begin your search. Looking for scholarships is very labor intensive, but worth it. **DO NOT pay for scholarship information or provide your Social Security number.** Also, always review the Teaneck High School Counseling Website periodically for updated information.
Click HERE for a full list of scholarships

Scholarships

Ron Brown Scholarship

The Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship - 1/12/22 Scholarship Program
The Filene Music Scholarship Competition at Skidmore - 1/15/22 January 15, 2022 - Skidmore College Common Application deadline (apply here) The Coolidge - A Scholarship For America (Open to Juniors) - 1/19/22 The Coolidge - A Scholarship For America
20-21 The College Club of Northern NJ Education Grant - 1/20/22 Click Here to download and print the Application
Click Here to download and print the instructions

New Jersey Council for Exceptional Children - 1/20/22 New Jersey Council for Exceptional Children Scholarship Joseph Taub Scholar Athlete Awards - 1/24/22
Joseph Taub Scholar Athlete Award

KPMG Women's Leadership Scholarship - 2/1/22 KPMG Women's Leadership Summit

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY APPLICATION WAIVER FEE CODES: Curry College - APP Code CFW
Kean University - Go2Kean22i

Lincoln University - FREE App & FAFSA

NJIT - APP Code NJ22; Financial Aid FAFSA Code 002621 application checklist
Seton Hall University - APP Code XFW

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽ NACAC Virtual & In-Person College Fairs
January 30 - April 26, 2022

Students can register for free, additional information and times at www.nacacattend.org/fairs

FALL COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES REP VISITS RECAP

The THS Counseling Department welcomed several amazing colleges and universities to present to our students. Overall we hosted a total of 27 colleges/universities and 70 students who attended. Some of the presentations were In-Person Visits and some were Virtual Visits.

This FALL Season set our students (seniors and juniors) on the right path to the next chapter of their lives. Or should we say, the possibilities gave them a lot to think about.

ENJOY THE RECAP: School Counseling Rep Visits Recap

FROM THE F.O.R.U.M.

Remember the staff at the Teaneck High School FORUM is here to listen to parent and student’s concerns. If you would like to speak to someone at the FORUM please call: (201) 833-5136 or email: Nick Campestre at ncampestre@teaneckschools.org

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Seek professional help if needed. If feelings of sadness or anxiety don’t go away, talk to a doctor or mental health professional. The following resources can be used to access support:

For a life-threatening emergency, always dial 911
Bergen County’s Designated Psychiatric Emergency Screening Program 201-262-HELP/4357

2nd Floor Youth Helpline: 1-888-222-2228 (call or text)
2ND FLOOR is a confidential helpline for New Jersey’s youth that helps find solutions to problems they face at home, at school, or at play

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
para español 1-888-628-9454 Prevención del Suicidio Nacional)
Full list of resources available--can be found on the School Counseling page “Helpful Links”

MEET THE TEAM THS Counseling Department
Ms. Keshia Golding-Cooper, Director
	kcooper@teaneckschools.org
	
Counselors
	
Mr. Douglas Book
	dbook@teaneckschools.org
	
Ms. Beth Fleischer
	bfleischer@teaneckschools.org
	
Ms. Lillian Garcia
	lgarcia@teaneckschools.org
	
Ms. Kharisma Bettis
	kmitchell@teaneckschools.org
	
Mr. Kelvin Reese
	kreese@teaneckschools.org
	
Ms. Jennifer Taylor
	jtaylor@teaneckschools.org
	
Student Assistance Coordinator
Ms. Adrienne Williams- awilliams@teaneckschools.org
	
Support Staff
	
Ms. Kim Dockery
	kdockery@teaneckschools.org
	
Ms. Sheila Moore
	smoore@teaneckschools.org

Photo Credit: THS Student Ehsun Khan

Please check Skyward for you School Counselor

The F.O.R.U.M.

Nick Campestre, Coordinator, ncampestre@teaneckschools.org Victoria Alexander, Counselor, valexander@teaneckschools.org Yvonne Witter, Employment Counselor, ywitter@teaneckschools.org Giannil Hidalgo, Counselor, ghidalgo@teaneckschools.org Owen Barnes, Admin. Assistant, obarnes@teaneckschools.org Jason Juxon-Smith, Counselor, jjuxonsmith@teaneckscools.org
Links to appointment calendars are in College & Career Google Classroom.

Follow us on Social Media Facebook & Instagram @Teaneck School Counseling Subscribe to the THS Counselors YouTube Channel
Past Presentations are posted!

TPS FAMILY! HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR 2022

HONORING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. LEGACY JAN 17, 2022

THS Counseling Department Rep Visits -Fall 2021 Recap

College/University List

In Person	Virtual

Bloomfield College Cedar Crest College Dominican College (NY) FDU's Latino Promise
Georgian Court University Grinnell College
Kean University Pace University
Savannah College of Art & Design
Stockton University

Bryant University CUNY Hunter College (NY))
Emmanuel College High Point University Iona College (NY)
Johnson & Wales University Lincoln University Moravian University
New Jersey Institute of Technology Ramapo College of New Jersey Seton Hall University
Stony Brook University (PA) SUNY College at Oswego University of Buffalo
University of Maine at Fort Kent University of Rochester
University of Scranton (PA)