September 15, 2010

Dear Bolton High Seniors and Parents/Guardians:

As the school year unfolds and the post-secondary planning process evolves with it, we would like to provide you with information to help you navigate through that process. It’s especially important to pay attention to this letter because changes are in store that should streamline procedures and increase your access to information you will need.

As for graduation requirements, enclosed you will find your academic transcript (given out at Open House Evening/mailed home) that depicts final grades and credits awarded for your first three years at BHS. We ask that you take time to review this transcript for accuracy and to make sure that you are scheduled in courses this school year that will satisfy the requirements that may remain unfulfilled at this time. Should you notice something incorrect, you need to contact your counselor immediately.

Please Use the Naviance Database

We encourage you to make full use of Naviance, an online database and reference tool that offers a wealth of information specific to BHS students as well as post secondary options. Students have been given their own passwords to log into their accounts. Naviance can be accessed through the www.boltonpublicschools.com web site, on the High School page.

Parents have access as well and should have their own passwords. If you don’t have your password, please contact the Guidance Department secretary . In order to receive a password, you will need to provide an email address. It is our intent to communicate regularly via email.

·  Autobiographical Sketch. Seniors should complete on Naviance their Autobiographical Sketch, which is found in the About Me tab, then - View All Surveys. This needs to be completed and saved as soon as possible if you haven’t done so already. This information will be helpful when counselors write the school’s letter of recommendation.

·  Parent Input Form. Likewise, parents/guardians are encouraged to complete the Parent Input Form also found in Naviance. Much like the student Autobiographical Sketch, the information parents provide on this form may be extremely helpful to counselors when writing a supportive recommendation.

·  Teacher Recommendations. Students who will need teacher recommendations for college applications are asked to contact their teachers via Naviance and ask for a recommendation (followed by a personal, face to face request of the teacher). The Naviance “request for teacher recommendation” becomes visible once a student has moved one of their colleges into the Colleges I’m Applying To list.

·  Scholarship and college open house information. Announcements are being made weekly regarding college scholarships and open house information. We will be updating this information regularly on the Counseling Center page of our website. Please check this site frequently.

Other Forms, Events and Deadlines to Remember

·  College Application Checklist. Students who have submitted on-line applications to colleges must inform their counselors when they have exercised this option by completing the College Applications Checklist form and handing it in to the Guidance Department. Online applications are the preferred method for applying. After submitting an online application and handing in the College Applications Checklist, the Guidance Department will then complete the remaining portion of the application ( mail/e-mail the official academic transcript, teacher and counselor recommendations, student resume and school profile).

·  SAT/ACT Scores. Students have the option to have included on their transcript their SAT/ACT test scores by checking this box on the College Applications Checklist that they will be handing in to Guidance. Although we will include SAT/ACT scores on your transcript if you request it, each student is responsible for contacting The College Board/ACT to have official scores released to the colleges who want to receive it directly from The College Board.

·  NCAA Clearinghouse Form. If you plan to participate in a sport at an NCAA Division I or II college, you must complete a preliminary NCAA Clearinghouse form. This can be accessed through Quick Links on the Counseling Center page of the website.

·  Audition Dates and Portfolio Requirements. Make certain to check with schools regarding audition dates or portfolio requirements if you have an interest in a specific field of study that would require either. Again, you are encouraged to contact your counselor if you have questions or concerns about this.

·  Financial Aid Workshop, December 13th, 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the LMC at BHS. Carolyn Karno, an expert consultant in the financial aid process, will lead this workshop. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), required by all colleges in the financial aid process, is available on-line (preferred option). The earliest date that it can be submitted is January 1, 2011.

·  CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE. Some colleges and universities may require completion of the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE. The PROFILE application process will be an exclusively through the College Board, www.collegeboard.com. Click on the CSS/PROFILE link under “Pay for College.” There is a $5 registration fee, and the reporting fee will be $18 for each college or scholarship program. The College Board will begin accepting 2010-11 PROFILE registrations on October 1st. Make certain that it is absolutely required by the school(s) to which your child will be applying in order to be eligible for financial aid. In most instances, the FAFSA (federal government form referred to earlier) is all that is needed.

In the student’s best interest, the suggested deadline for submitting college applications to the Bolton High School Guidance Office is November 15th.
All applications submitted by this date will be processed and mailed by mid-December. All applications submitted after December 1st will be handled in the order that they have been received. It should be emphasized that there are several advantages for students in the admissions process when submitting applications to colleges early in the process.

Finally, please contact us with any questions you may have about the information in this letter. Otherwise, we will keep you apprised of important dates and events as the year progresses, and we look forward to continue working with you and your family during this very important year in your life.

Sincerely,

Deb Huntington Eileen Melody

Deb Huntington and Eileen Melody

BHS Guidance Counselors