• BHS School Counselors handle issues such as but not limited to:

    • Individual counseling and advisement including; resolving conflicts, specific student concerns (grades, peer pressure, academic support etc.)
    • Obtaining access to the Realtime student portal
    • Scheduling
    • Post-secondary planning
    • Navigating Naviance to assist with college planning
    • Coordinating meeting with parent, teacher and student to address issues/concerns in class
    • Referrals — providing referrals to appropriate professionals in the schools and in the outside community

    Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS)

    The Boonton High School I&RS Team consists of an interdisciplinary group of professional educators created to provide strategies for helping “at risk” students. Students are referred to the I & RS Team for various reasons including, but not limited to: academics, behavior, medical, and/or social issues. The I & RS Team meets regularly to monitor student progress and develop strategies to help students be more successful in school.

    Once a student is referred, the I and RS Team will review the referral and gather data (grades, discipline records, attendance information, etc.) from the appropriate people involved with the student. The Team will then develop strategies with the student and/or his/her parents that will assist the student in being more successful in school. The I & RS Team will continue to monitor the student’s progress throughout the school year and change strategies, as necessary.  After several strategies and attempts are deemed ineffective for a period of time, the I & RS Team may refer the student to the Child Study Team to determine if further evaluation is necessary.

    What is the purpose of I&RS? 

    • Identify learning, behavior and health difficulties of students
    • Collect thorough information on the identified learning, behavior and health difficulties
    • Develop and implement action plans which provide for appropriate school or community interventions or referrals to school and community resources, based on the collected data and desired outcomes for the identified learning, behavior and health difficulties
    • Provide support, guidance, and professional development to school staff who identify learning, behavior and health difficulties
    • Provide support, guidance, and professional development to school staff who participate in each building's system for planning and providing intervention and referral services
    • Actively involve parents or guardians in the development and implementation of intervention and referral services action plan.

    How does an IEP differ from a 504 Plan?

    504 Plan is for students who have a disability, have a record of a disability, and/or are treated as having a disability but do not qualify for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

    It is important to realize that eligibility under Section 504 is not automatic for students who do not qualify for special education services under IDEA. Before deciding whether a student is eligible for this type of plan, the child must be assessed. Medical documentation is required, and the school team must agree that the child has a substantial and pervasive impairment, and that it substantially limits his/her ability in a major life area, (ie. learning) in order to be eligible for reasonable accommodations under this federal law.

    The purpose of a 504 Plan is to level the playing field and allow a child to get the accommodations needed to access the curriculum at the same level as his or her peers.                                                                                                                                                                                          

    ATTENDANCE POLICY

     Minimum​ ​Requirements​ ​and​ ​Loss​ ​of​ ​Credit

    Students who are absent from class more than 16 days in a full-year course, 8 days in a semester course, or 4 days in a marking period course will not have completed the requirements for the course of study and therefore, will not receive credit for their courses, NC (No Credit) will appear on the report card and transcript.

    Seniors only will be afforded the privilege of “seat time” as assistance in keeping them on track to graduate on time with their class. Seat time will be made up on Fridays and be provided one time per class. If a senior is awarded credit back in a class and repeats losing credit in that same class, seat time in that class will not be awarded again and credit will be lost in that class, therefore not being eligible to graduate on time with their class. Upon completion of seat time and required work, credit will be restored at a grade no higher than a 70.

    Any senior who loses credit due to unexcused absences will lose privileges including but not limited to their parking lot permit, senior trip, prom, and graduation.

    Letter​ ​of​ ​Notification

    • Letters of notification will be posted in RealTime for parents/guardians alerting them of the danger of non-compliance with the attendance requirements should this concern arise at some point during the school year.
    • Warnings will be posted for parents/guardians before the loss of credit occurs.
    • Only Loss of Credit Letters will be mailed to the student’s home address.

    Absenteeism

    If your child is going to be absent on any given day, the parent/guardian must call the attendance line to notify the school of the reason your child will be absent. Please leave a detailed message. If you do not call your child out for the day, you will receive an automated call from the school alerting you that your child is absent.

    A parent/guardian phone call to the school does not count as an excused absence. Please refer to the following bulleted items as examples of excused absences.

    Pupils who are absent from school must submit a note to the attendance office upon their return explaining the reasons for their absence. Notes must be received within seven (7) school days after the absence or notes will not be accepted.. Some of these reasons may cause the absence to be excused and some may not be excused. Examples of excused absences are:

    • NJ State Driver’s Test (verified by documentation).
    • Illnesses verified by doctor’s note.
    • Verified mandated court appearances.
    • Death in the immediate family (verified by parents(s) or legal guardian(s) note).
    • Religious holidays as prescribed by the State Department of Education (verified by parent(s) or legal guardian(s) note).
    • Take your child to work day.
    • Approved field trips and school sanctioned programs.
    • School nurse’s excuse from class or school.
    • Junior and Senior college visitations/job interviews – not to exceed three in a given year (verified by documentation from the college).

    EXTRA-CURRICULAR​ ​PARTICIPATION

    • Students who leave school without having attended 4 instructional hours will be charged with 1 day’s absence and will not​ ​be​ ​permitted​ ​to​ ​participate​ ​in​ ​extra-curricular​ ​activities​ ​on​ ​this​ ​day.
    • Students who arrive late to school and do not attend 4 instructional hours will not be permitted to participate in extra-curricular​ ​activities​ ​on​ ​this​ ​day.

    PARTIAL​ ​DAILY​ ​ATTENDANCE

    For the purpose of this policy, it is important to understand that tardies to school and early dismissals may also affect a pupil’s credit status. If a pupil misses fifteen minutes or more of a class due to an unexcused tardy or early dismissal, this will count as a full unexcused absence in the class(s)

    ​ ​Tardies

    • Pupils entering school late (after the 7:35 a.m. bell rings) must report directly to the main office to obtain a late pass. Tardy pupils will not be admitted to class if they have not reported to the main office first.
    • Every five unexcused tardies to class reflecting less than fifteen minutes will also constitute a full unexcused absence in the class.
    • Every 5th late (5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, and so on) to school or to class will result in a 3 hour central detention. No exceptions for athletes or after school activities.
    • Anything beyond 15 lates to school or class, students will be assigned a 3 hour central detention and/or Saturday detention for each lateness and will no longer be eligible for any extra-curricular privileges including athletics.

    Early​ ​dismissal

    • Once students are on school grounds, they are not permitted to leave.
    • Any student, who needs to leave school prior to dismissal, MUST have written permission from their parent/ guardian. Without this written permission, the student CANNOT leave school grounds. This written document will be followed up with a confirmation phone call.

    EARLY​ ​DISMISSAL​ ​REQUEST

    Students must report to the Attendance Office (Karen Bonanni) before school with the request for an early dismissal. The request must be written in ink, have your telephone number on it, and be signed by your parent/guardian. A follow-up parent phone call will follow. Students WILL​ ​NOT​ ​be permitted to leave school grounds without the signed parent note.

    Boonton High School does not offer an “Open Lunch”. Students are not permitted to leave school with a signed parent note for lunch. In this instance, the parent/guardian must come in, sign student out and return to sign them back in.

    Planning ahead for medical and dental appointments is encouraged. Driving tests and permits are valid reasons for an late arrival and early dismissal; however, accompanying someone would be an invalid reason. Parents are urged to accompany their children on these occasions. Documentation must be provided.

    Students may not leave the building or grounds at any time without Administrative permission. Students must sign out in the Attendance Office immediately prior to leaving school with an early dismissal. The parents or guardians of the student to be signed out prior to the end of the school day must present a letter naming the adult (non-student) person who is being authorized to sign the student out of school. The letter shall be verified by a high school support person. The person authorized to sign the student out shall provide proof of identity, i.e., a driver’s license.

    TRUANCY

    According to state law, students must be enrolled in and attending school on a daily basis. Students who are found to be truant could face court charges.

    VACATION

    Vacation days are considered unexcused absences that accumulate toward excessive absences. Students should not expect to receive their homework assignments prior to going on vacation. They will be responsible for making up all missed assignments upon their return to school.

     

    STANDARDIZED TESTING INFORMATION

     

    Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC): Graduation Requirement: Students must pass the PARCC assessments in order to graduate. Students are tested by grade-level English and Math academic content.

     

    Separate from the PARCC, standardized tests are an important part of the college admissions process and are used by colleges and universities to predict your ability to be successful in their collegiate environment.

                                                                                                                                

    PSAT/NMSQT: The Practice SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a standardized test administered to freshman, sophomores and juniors. The PSAT/NMSQT provide preparation for the SAT and is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship, which is available to all students who meet the eligibility criteria determined yearly by the College Board.

    SAT: The SAT is a standardized test, which measures the critical thinking skills students need for academic success in college. Students typically take the SAT once in the spring of Junior Year and once in the fall of senior year. Registration is completed online at www.collegeboard.org                                           

    SAT Subject Tests or SAT II: The SAT Subject Tests measure achievement in more than 20 content areas. Subject tests are required by select colleges and universities and are used as a predictor of achievement in a particular area.

    ACT: The ACT Assessment is a standardized, curriculum-based test designed to measure college readiness and academic achievement in English, Mathematics, Reading and Science. Students typically take the ACT once in the spring of Junior Year and once in the fall of senior year. Registration is completed online at www.actstudent.org

    SAT or ACT? Colleges and universities will accept either SAT scores or ACT scores. There is no need for all students to take both tests. Check the school’s website for details on which tests they accept.

    ASVAB(Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)- A multiple choice test that helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. It is used to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States Armed Forces by assessing which Army jobs a student is best suited to perform (Military Occupational Specialties).

     

    AP (Advanced Placement): These are exams given at the high school specifically for students taking AP/college level courses. AP exams are given once a year in May. These scores are primarily used for college placement, credit, or advanced standing. Check with each individual college regarding their policy.

     

    TOEFL (Test of English as a foreign language): The TOEFL, administered by the College Board, provides an alternative test for students who have been speaking English for less than 5 years. The test is used to evaluate the English Proficiency of these students. To register for the TOEFL go to www.ets.org.

     

    College Level Examination Program (CLEP): Another route to obtaining college credit (like the AP Exams). Not all colleges offer credit for this exam- check collegeboard.org to check which college awards credit for CLEP.

     

    Support for Students with Disabilities (SSD): Students who currently have an IEP or 504 Plan may be eligible for testing accommodations. Accommodations provided for a student in school does not mean it automatically applies to the PSAT, SAT and ACT. Accommodations for the PSAT and SAT are approved by College Board. Please refer to www.collegeboard.org for more information. Accommodations for the ACT are approved by Educational Testing Services (ETS). Please refer to www.ets.org for more information.

    SAT and ACT fee waivers: are available for economically disadvantaged students who are on free or reduced lunch. See your counselor if you want a waiver and receive free or reduced lunch. Students using a fee waiver for the SAT or ACT will also qualify for College Application Fee Waivers. See your counselor for more details.

    *Students using a fee waiver for the SAT or ACT will also qualify for College Application Fee Waivers.

     

    COLLEGE PLANNING:

     

    TYPES OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES:

     

    Two-Year Colleges- A junior college (usually private) or a community college (supported by the local county and the state- such as County College of Morris) usually accepts all high school graduates. Both types of colleges offer Associate degrees in the Arts, Sciences, and Applied Science. Two-Year Colleges aim to do the following: 1. Provide preparation for transfer to a 4- year college or university, 2. Provide general education to those not seeking a baccalaureate (bachelor) degree, 3. Provide specialized training for a career in specific fields.

     

    Nursing Schools- the following avenues can lead to preparation in nursing:  Junior and community colleges in conjunction with local hospitals offer 2-year nursing programs leading to an Associate of Science degree with Registered Nurse (RN) state certification  Some Hospitals offer 3 years of intensive training leading to state certification as a RN.  Colleges and Universities- offer a 4-year program of liberal arts and nursing training leading to a Bachelor of Sciences degree with RN state certification.

     

    Career Schools- generally private non-college professional schools that provide highly specialized training for specific careers such as: music, photography, dramatics, cosmetology, culinary arts, court reporting, etc. Career programs generally take 1-3 years and a certificate of completion is awarded at the end. Some career schools emphasize business with training in areas such as secretarial work, others offer technical programs such as air conditioning, heating and refrigeration, automotive repair, steam and diesel engine repair, electronics and computer technology.

     

    Four-Year Colleges and Universities (three categories): 1. General Baccalaureate Institutions- offer bachelor’s degrees in a wide variety of majors along with providing students with a broad foundation in the liberal arts.  2. Liberal Arts Colleges- Rather than emphasizing a specific course of study or professional training, these colleges aim to expose students to a wide breadth of courses in the humanities, physical, and social sciences. 3. Specialized Schools- Specialized education includes technological institutions, which train students in the sciences, mathematics, engineering, agriculture, and other mechanical fields. Art, drama, and fashion institutes also fall into this category. Unlike the general baccalaureate and liberal arts categories, specialized schools emphasize a specific career path and are best suited for students who are positive about what they want to study.

     

    Service Academies- four years of tuition-free college leading to a baccalaureate degree. Very selective process. Must serve in the military after.

     

    Financial Aid

     

    FAFSA Basics- Free Application for Federal Student Aid                                                                                                                       

    • All schools require the FAFSA for financial aid.
    • It is also used by many colleges, states, and scholarship programs to assess eligibility for their financial aid programs.
    • Applicants submit information about their income, assets, and household makeup, which is used to calculate federal financial aid eligibility.
    • Students will be able to file FAFSA beginning Oct. 1
    • Applicants will use prior-prior year tax information when reporting personal and family income

                                                                                

    • Information needed to complete the FAFSA- 2017 Federal Tax Return, 2016 W-2 Forms, FSA ID, Student Driver’s License (for State Aid purposes only), and Social Security Benefit Statement (for State Aid-not federal)

                                                   

    • Get FREE help at any point during the process from the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend, HESAA at www.hesaa.org or 609-584-4480, or the U.S. Department of Education at: www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov or 1-800-433-3243. You should NEVER have to pay for help!
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