Guidance department

The primary focus of the school counseling program is to promote and enhance student learning for all students through Academic Development, Personal/Social and College/Career Development counseling.

Academic Development Counseling

Academic Development Counseling Counselors will work in a collaborative approach to support the student learning process and promote academic achievement with consideration of student ability and learning style. Counselors will regularly monitor their students' courses and accumulation of credits to ensure that they are meeting the graduation requirements of Morristown High School and The NJ State Department of Education.

On-Going Academic Counseling

o Monitoring overall/specific academic progress
o Individualized goal-setting and academic planning
o Individual counseling sessions and meetings
o Consultation with teachers, Child Study Team, ELL/Bilingual Team,

Student Assistance Counselors, Student Support Counselor, Teen Pride and administration

o Attending I&RS, Core Team, Student Support Council, 504 and IEP meetings
o Facilitating parent/guardian-teacher communication
o Four Plan and Course Selection
o Facilitating support to students on home instruction

Program Planning

8th Grade

o 8th Grade Student Orientation
o Private School 8th Grade Student Orientation
o Transition and course selection
o Individual course selection meetings with students and parents/guardians
o Coordination of services with middle school staff including specific outreach to counselors and case managers

9th Grade

o Freshman Night
o Individual and Small Group Orientation
o Transition Program
o TCCI Naviance registration and training on using the program
o Bilingual Day
o County College Fair

10th Grade

o Sophomore Parent Night
o County College Fair
o Bilingual Day
o Standardized testing advisement including exposure to the PSAT
o Student encouragement to take SAT Subject tests where appropriate
o Student encouragement to take AP exams where appropriate

11th Grade

o Junior Night
o Bilingual Day
o County College Fair
o Mini College Fairs (September & November)
o National Hispanic College Fair
o Historically Black College Fair
o Financial Aid Night
o Individual and small group meetings with students
o Individual pre-college conference
o Standardized testing advisement including PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP
o Utilizing TCCI/Naviance with students
o College representatives available to meet with students in small groups
o Assembly to acclimate students to the college search
o Essay Writing Seminar and individual meetings
o Résumé Writing Seminar and individual meetings
o Interviewing Seminar and individual meetings
o Governor’s School and Boy’s State applications

12th Grade

o Senior Night to review plans for college admissions and post graduate studies
o Financial Aid Night
o Bilingual Day
o County College Fair
o Mini College Fairs (September & November)
o College Instant Decision Days at MHS
o College representatives available to meet with students in small groups
o Individual and small group meetings on the application process
o Individual conference to finalize post-secondary plans
o “Chat and Chew” sessions with former graduates
o Essay Writing Seminar and individual meetings
o Résumé Writing Seminar and individual meetings
o Interviewing Seminar and individual meetings
o Mock interview individual meetings
o Scholarship information available
o Utilizing TCCI/Naviance with students
o Senior Options

Personal/Social Counseling

Counselors will guide students in acquiring the attitudes, knowledge, and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect self and others. In support of their students, counselors will participate in I&RS, Core Team, Re-Entry and Student Support Council meetings.

Small Group Counseling

o Stress Management
o Coping Strategies
o Student/Counselor Relationship Building
o Peer Relationships including peer pressure
o Social Skills
o Communication Skills
o Problem-Solving Skills
o Decision Making Skills
o Conflict Resolution
o Transition into and out of MHS
o Coping with anxiety and stress
o Adolescent issues including substance abuse, anger management, body image, depression and bullying.
o Collaboration with Teen Pride program

Individual Counseling

o Coping with personal needs and how they affect performance
o Referrals to other supportive services
o Supporting transitions
o Individual adolescent issues including substance abuse, anger management, body image, depression and bullying.
o Collaboration with Teen Pride program

Crisis Intervention Counseling

o Individual
o Family
o School

Family Centered

o Conflict Resolution
o Stress Management
o Fostering Student Independence
o Referrals that foster a partnership between school, parents, and counseling professionals and community agencies.

College/Career Development Counseling

Counselors will assist students in acquiring the skills to explore individual post high school plans and make informed future decisions through college admissions counseling, vocational/technical counseling, employment and military career counseling. Counselors and the College and Career Counselor work in a collaborative approach to meet the needs of all students

College Planning Counseling

o Appropriate course selection
o TCCI/Naviance
o Mini College Fairs
o County College Fair
o College representative visits
o Historically Black College Fair
o National Hispanic College Fair
o Field Trips
o Freshman Night
o Sophomore College Night
o Junior College Night
o Senior Night
o Financial Aid Night
o Junior Student/Parent/Guardian Conferences - college selection
o College testing planning: PSAT, SAT Reasoning Test, SAT
Subject Test, AP Exams, ACT
o Scholarship assistance
o Assistance with college applications
o Essay Writing seminars and individual sessions
o Résumé Writing seminars and individual sessions
o Interviewing seminars and individual sessions
o Counselor college visits and networking
o Counselor professional development

Vocational/Technical Schools/Employment Counseling

o Appropriate Course Selection
o Interest Survey and Career Awareness Program
o Career School Fair
o Career focus groups
o Database of community resources (internships, shadowing, etc.)
o Field trips
o Résumé and interview seminars

Military Counseling

o Recruiter visits
o ASVAB – Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery

Professional Development

The Morristown High School Counselors, College and Career Counselor, Student Assistant Counselor (SAC) and School Social Worker are committed to continued professional development. Through this commitment, we seek to not only enrich ourselves as professionals, but seek information and contacts that offer us the opportunities to support our students in reaching their goals. Listed below are some of the ways in which counselors pursue opportunities to keep abreast of the latest trends in counseling and opportunities to network with other professionals in the field.

o College visits (tours and information sessions) and meetings with admission representatives
o Meeting with college admission representatives who visit MHS to meet with students
o Membership in local, state and national associations:
o NACAC - National Association for College Admission Counseling
o NJACAC - New Jersey Association for College Admission Counseling
o MCACAC - Morris County Association for College Admission Counseling
o NASW - National Association of Social Workers
o TLC -Traumatic Loss Coalition
o ASAP - Association for Student Assistance Professionals
o Attending professional seminars and conferences on relevant topics
o Attend training/courses to maintain professional certifications (i.e.: Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Professional Counselor)
o Outreach to and with community agencies
o Weekly team meetings
o Once a month professional development team meetings with the Child Study Team and guest speakers regarding relevant topics
o “Train the Trainer” sessions – counselors train each other based on their areas of expertise and professional development experiences