NHS School Counseling Department Philosophy/Mission Statement
The Needham High Counseling Department is committed to advocating for all students and to being an integral part of the NHS community. Counselors assist, guide, and direct students and families with academic planning, social/emotional issues, post-secondary planning, and many other areas relevant in a student's high school experience. Counselors help students develop a strong sense of self, a respect for others, and offer guidance in making good decisions and helping students achieve their aspirations.
NHS Counseling Core Values
Value all NHS students and families
Respect for human differences
Be knowledgeable and current in all aspects of Professional School Counseling
Be approachable and accessible to all students and families.
News to know
Last edited 3/15/24
In appreciation for our Counseling Department during National School Counselor Appreciation Week, February 5th-9th.
SENIORS:
Due to the delay in the FAFSA form, please check with the colleges you are considering to see if they have moved their deadlines to accommodate this delay.
Upcoming parent evenings:
The College Athlete - How to navigate the college recruitment process
Wednesday, March 20th, 6:30-8:00pm
Please register here for this event.
Join Kim Penney, founder of One-on-One College Consulting, as well as college coaches from DI & DII colleges athletic programs in a decision aimed at demystifying the college recruitment process.
JuniorFamilyFinancialAidNightWebinar
The Needham Counseling Department will be hosting a Junior Family Financial Aid Night Webinar on Thursday, March 21st, from 6:30 -7:45 PM via Zoom.
What You Need to Know about Financial Aid
This webinar is designed to introduce how college financial aid works and what you should be doing to prepare for the aid application process. You will learn about various types of financial aid, what application materials colleges need, and how your financial need is determined. This year, we are grateful to have experienced admissions and financial aid professionals from Bentley University who will share what you need to know about financial aid. We welcome all juniors and their families to participate. As we prepare for this upcoming event, the presenters would love to hear any questions you have about the financial aid process.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://needham-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/88417348628?pwd=UVJDcWlBM1l6a1ZqSHlrYlJmVkIxUT09
Webinar ID: 884 1734 8628
Passcode: 448541
The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) invites students, parents, and counselors to explore the college search process at the NACAC National College Fair in Boston held on Thursday, May 2, 2024 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and Friday, May 3, 2024 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. The fair will be held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.
Highlights of this year's fair include Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) focused areas, workshops covering topics such as college essays and financial aid, and access to the College Advising and Financial Aid Center.
Summer 2024 Programs:
Design Discovery Virtual is a 3-week program entirely online, geared to an international audience, held June 10–28, 2024. It explores design’s address of a series of complex contemporary issues within the built environment and is cross-disciplinary in its approach. This summer we will offer our virtual program in two optional schedules in order to better align with varied global time zones.
Design Discovery Youth is a 3-week program, offered this summer in a hybrid format, from June 10–28, 2024. This program is free to local Boston/Cambridge area residents, sophomores to seniors in high school who are admitted (space is limited). Crafted as an introduction to design within the built environment, this program invites students interested in learning about the material, processes and scales that design involves. This program focuses on supporting the translation of participants’ varied and valuable observations of the world into the visual and spatial language of design.
Regis College Summer Scholars Precollege Program, a precollege program designed specifically for rising juniors and seniors to get in-depth feel for the college experience and earn six college credits – while living on a college campus for three weeks. Throughout their stay, students will engage in a Student Success Workshop, which includes a variety of college prep and important life skills. Social programming will include excursions in and around Boston. The program will take place from July 7 – July 26.
All students will take ENG 105 – Reading, Thinking and Writing, and will be able to choose their second course from the following list:
· Introduction to Psychology
· Introduction to Sports Management
· Introduction to Criminal Justice
· Health Care Professions in the U.S.
Summer Scholars Virtual Information Session Registration – Feb 27, 7pm
Summer Scholars Virtual Information Session Registration – March 21, 7pm
Plugged In Band Program's spring session starts the week of February 25th and is open to any youth, teen, 20-something or adult. Plugged In is a unique, inclusive nonprofit music program where musicians of all levels and needs are welcome. Bands are grouped by age, skill level and musical interest.
Spring Session Dates
February 25, 2024 - June 13, 2024
Programs Offered
Rock Band Class
Media Scoring Class
Private Lessons
Ages
Youth, Teens, 20-Somethings & Adults
Plugged In Spring Session Facebook Post
Plugged In Spring Session Instagram Post
For students
Counseling Department
Parent/Guardian Presentations 2023-2024
GAP Year Night
Wednesday, January 10th, 7:00pm
Zoom presentation hosted by Wellesley High School.
Jane and Jason Sarouhan are the J2 behind J2Guides, a professional gap year consulting service that puts empowerment, expertise and affordability at the center of the gap year planning process. Jane and Jason have been leaders in experiential and gap year education for nearly 30 years. They are nationally accredited Gap Year Association Consultants and keynote speakers at the USA Gap Year Fairs. In this gap year presentation Jane and Jason will share their stories and expertise as they define and demystify the gap year, share effective gap year planning strategies, and answer your questions.
Postsecondary Planning Junior Parent Night via Zoom
Thursday, January 18th, 6:30-8:00PM
Zoom link will be provided prior to the event.
We hope all junior parents/guardians will be able to attend the Junior Parent Night. To officially kick off the postsecondary planning process, we will share information we presented to the students and welcome college admissions representatives from Brandeis University, Providence College and Bridgewater State University for advice/insight about the process, including a question and answer period.
Grade 8 Transition Night for Parents
Wednesday, February 7th, 6:30pm-8:00pm
NHS Auditorium
Post-Secondary planning for students with Learning Differences
Thursday, March 7th, 8:30AM-9:30AM
NHS Cafeteria Extension
The College Athlete - How to navigate the college recruitment process
Wednesday, March 20th, 6:30-8:00pm
Zoom link to be posted prior to the event
Join Kim Penney, founder of One-on-One College Consulting, as well as college coaches from DI & DII colleges athletic programs in a decision aimed at demystifying the college recruitment process.
Financial Aid Webinar
Thursday, March 21st, 6:30-8:00
Zoom link to be posted prior to the event.
What You Need to Know about Financial Aid
This webinar is designed to introduce how college financial aid works and what you should be doing to prepare for the aid application process. You will learn about various types of financial aid, what application materials colleges need, and how your financial need is determined. This year, we are grateful to have experienced admissions and financial aid professionals Donna Kendall, Associate Vice President of Enrollment & Dean of Undergraduate Admission & Lauren Sullivan, Director of Financial Assistance from Bentley University who will share what you need to know about financial aid. We welcome all juniors and their families to participate. As we prepare for this upcoming event, the presenters would love to hear any questions you have about the financial aid process. Please feel free to send your questions to I'Esha Thomas at i'esha_thomas@needham.k12.ma.us by Thursday, February 8th.
PTC Evening Conversation with the Dana Plunkett, Director of Counseling, 7-12
Thursday, November 16th, 6:30-7:30pm: Counseling Resources at NHS
Thursday, January 11th, 6:30-7:30pm: Course Selection Process
Thursday, March 7th, 6:30-7:30pm: Social Media - how parents can support their child's appropriate use.
(zoom link provided by PTC in advance of the evening)