Some Dates to Keep in Mind…

·         December 9^th, 7:00 pm - Financial Aid Part 1 – (Make-up date for the first session that was snowed out.)

·         January 7^th, - Sophomore and Junior PSAT Information Sessions will be running on January 7th. Stay posted for further information. Passes will be available to print from the guidance website on December 19th. You will need to present this pass when coming to the PSAT meeting. In the meantime, be sure to go on the guidance web page and look for the PSAT Results Power Point for 2007.

·         January 15^th – Last day to sign up for the SAT Preparation Program at North Hunterdon.  More information can be found on the guidance web site.

·         February 4^th, 7:00 pm – Junior College Workshop Part 1 – All the ins and outs of the college process and what you need to do to get started.

·         February 12th, 7:00 pm – Junior College Workshop Part 2 – More information about the process including recommendations, the college essay and more!

Notes for Seniors…

·         Visiting Colleges – Please note that the form for visiting colleges is on the guidance website.  Your guidance counselor must have the signed form at least three days before your visit to the college.

·         College Applications – Many of you have already handed in your college applications.  Please be sure that all of the information is complete and is handed directly to your counselor.  Please remember to hand them in with 10 business days to spare before the winter break!

Notes for Juniors…

1. College Visits - Start to visit colleges that are of interest to you!  Be sure to print out the College Visitation Form and have it signed by your guidance counselor three days before your visit.
2. Signing Up for SAT’s - You may want to go onto www.collegeboard.com and start to sign up for the spring SAT.  You may also want to look into SAT Prep Programs which can be found on the guidance web page or in the guidance office.
3. Power Point for Juniors - Be sure to look at the Power Point Presentation for Juniors on the Guidance Web Page – it has some great ideas for things that you should be doing during your junior year.  There is also a Power Point for the PSAT Results that will help you to understand the results
4. PSAT Information Day on January 7^th throughout the day for Juniors and Sophmores -   Students will be asked to print out a Guidance Pass for the PSAT Information Program from the Guidance Web Page – and then follow the directions for attending the program.
5. TCCi – You should be accessing your TCCI program – You will want to start looking for colleges and other post high school options.   If you don’t remember your password or how to log in – please stop by the guidance office and we can give you the information you need. 

Notes for Sophomores and Freshman…

1. PSAT Information Day on January 7^th -Sophomores, should be sure to review their PSAT scores.  If you have any questions – be sure to talk with your counselor.  You will be invited to the January 7^th program to learn more about interpreting your results.
2. Scheduling in December and January - Plan which classes to take during high school.  Challenge yourself to take more difficult classes (as long as you can maintain good grades.)
3. Join - Join clubs and activities.  Take the lead when possible.
4. Connect - Keep in contact with teachers, counselors and activity advisors who you connect with.  They can write recommendations and serve as mentors later.
5. Plan for your future - Think about your future, start to plan what you want to do! Think about what you are good at
6. Take a Deep Breath -In the freshman health classes Dr. Borin taught a class called:

“3 Breaths 4 Peace 2 Day” – a class on relaxation skills. 

     In today’s world there are many things that contribute to our sense of peace or can disturb our sense of peace in the world.  In the classes we talked about what some of the stressors are around us.  We also identified how those stressors manifest themselves as stomachaches, headaches, overeating, etc. 

     We also talked about what simple things we can do to feel better, restore our balance and our sense of peace.  We talked about the simple tools of breathing at least 3 full breaths each day that can help us feel better.  Our breath, our awareness of what we are feeling, our imagination and affirmations can help us to change our energy to feel calm and at peace. 

     We practiced the tools of deep breathing, progressive relaxation, simple yoga stretches, visualization and affirmations that can help us invoke the feeling of calm and peace.  We also talked about how peace extends beyond ourselves to those around us – and helps to make the world a better place each time we take responsibility for our own feelings. 

     Relaxation Skills have many benefits these include:

• Helping with standardized tests, SAT tests, and other testing situations
• Preparing for competitions in band, sports and more
• Balancing the mind and body.
• Increasing flexibility and strength within the body and in life situations.
• The ability to feel calm in stressful situations like test-taking, mediation issues, etc.
• Learning techniques that help with focus, attention and relaxation.
• Breath awareness, calmness and self-control, less psychological and physical distress.
• Less aggressive behavior
• Increased self esteem
• Creativity mentally and physically.
• Teamwork and cooperative learning.
• Acceptance of personal limitations and learning to move beyond them.
• Understanding of emotions and emotional strength.
• Maintaining and building a healthy and flexible spine.
• Teaching respect, compassion, sharing and character education.
• Embracing and accepting personal differences.
• Laughing and having some fun!