School Counseling & Guidance
Mission Statement
The mission of the Guidance Department at Foxborough Regional Charter School is to provide a comprehensive, developmental program which addresses the academic, college/career, and personal/social needs of all students. In collaboration with school staff, parents/guardians, and the community, the school guidance program will facilitate access for every student to school services and supports to achieve the best possible academic outcomes, help students gain the knowledge and skills to achieve their post-secondary goals, and prepare them to be meaningful contributors to society.
Staff
Mr. David Elsner
High School Guidance Counselor
508-543-2508 x272
Ms. Phoenix Aiello
Middle School Guidance Counselor
508-543-2508 x273
Class Offerings
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
College Awareness Month
April is College Awareness Month at FRCS. Juniors will be interviewing staff during three “College Days”. 10th and 11th grade will be going to the National College Fair on Tuesday, April 8th in Boston. National Honor Society will be hosting “College Chat” sessions in the lower school library throughout the month. Morning announcements will have a college fun fact for the day. Student life leaders will offer tours of the 600 Bldg college bulletin boards for elementary and middle school classes. Get into the College Conversation with your students.
SAT
April 10th is the late registration deadline for the May 3rd SAT. The regular registration deadline for the June 7th SAT (given here at FRCS) is May 6th . Sign up early on www.collegeboard.com. Approximately 30 juniors and sophomores took advantage of our recent free SAT test given through The Princeton Review. Thanks to Mrs. Henderson and Mrs. Hanson for offering SAT preparation classes during April and May in academic enrichment. Preparation for SAT tests is important. See Mr. Elsner for more information.
Career Exploration
We have purchased the Kuder Career Planning System (www.kuder.com) for students in the upper school. All students will be given accounts and access to a career interest and aptitude tests, career exploration databases, and college major searches. These are lifetime accounts and students can save their personal career portfolios to review in high school, college, and beyond. These programs will be phased in to various grades and classes over the coming months.
SAT Test Preparation
Test dates for the spring SAT are fast approaching! The next SAT is May 3 (registration deadline April 1st). FRCS will be a test site for the June 7th test (registration deadline May 6th). Register early. Local test sites can fill up quickly.
All juniors are strongly encouraged to do some type of test preparation. FRCS will host a FREE SAT administration provided by the Princeton Review on Saturday, March 29th. Tests will be scored and participants will receive a detailed report. Juniors will review test taking strategies in advising class. All juniors will receive additional information in the mail.
AP Tests
Advanced Placement tests are scheduled between May 5 and May 16th. Advanced Placement classes are available for juniors and seniors. They are college level courses and students with qualifying scores on the AP tests receive college credit. Registration forms will be mailed home this week and handed out in AP classes. Each exam is $84. Forms and payment will be due to Mr. Elsner, in the Guidance Office, by March 21st.
College Fair Trip
All 10th and 11th grade students will be going to the National College Fair in Boston on Tuesday, April 8th. Students will miss 1st thru 5th period. Permission slips and medical form will be mailed home and due back to Mr. Elsner, in the Guidance Office, by March 28th.
College Information Night
College Information Night is Wednesday, Feb 6th, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Admissions representatives from Assumption College, Northeastern University, Johnson and Wales University, and UMass Dartmouth will be there to discuss college planning, applications, and admissions. Sophomore and Junior students and families are strongly encouraged to attend. Anyone is welcome. Contact Dave Elsner, High School Guidance/School Counselor, at ext 272 or email delsner@foxboroughrcs.org for more information.
SAT Testing
Late registration for the March 1st SAT ends Feb 7th. Regular registration for the May 3rd test ends April 1st . FRCS will be a testing location for the June 7th test. Regular registration for that test ends May 6th, but spots fill up quickly, so register now. Go to www.collegeboard.com to register online.
Freshmen Planning Meetings
Mr. Elsner will begin meeting with freshmen to review course planning through senior year, discuss possible career interests, and begin thinking about college. These meetings will take place during school starting in February and will continue throughout the spring.
Information for Seniors
Seniors! Get organized!!
Download your important College Documents Here!
College Application Deadline table
Student Recommendation Request form
For additional information contact Mr. Elsner at Delsner@foxboroughrcs.org
Guidance News
Please extend a warm welcome to Ms. Phoenix Aiello, our new middle school guidance counselor. Ms. Aiello will be primarily responsible for grades 6-8. Students and parents/guardians should contact Ms. Aiello early in the year regarding any academic or personal concerns. Ms. Aiello’s extension is 273.
The SAT will be given at FRCS on October 6, 2007. The next SAT test date is November 3, 2007 (FRCS is not a test site for this date). The regular registration deadline for the November test is October 2. Register on-line at www.collegeboard.com.
The PSAT will be given at FRCS during school on Oct 17th to all Sophomores and Juniors. A letter will be sent home soon explaining this test and how it relates to college admissions.
The next date for the ACT is Oct 27, 2007. The regular registration deadline has been extended to Wednesday, Sep 26th. Register on-line at www.actstudent.org.
Our Freshmen Guidance Night is Sep 26th in the auditorium from 7:30 to 8:30. Come get ahead on planning for high school academics and college. This will be an introduction to transcripts, course planning, high school expectations, academic goal setting, graduation requirements and starting to think about college.
Senior College Night is Oct 3rd in the auditorium from 7:30 to 8:30. Ideally, seniors should already have visited schools and have a good idea of the colleges and/or other programs to which they will be applying after graduation. The focus will be on senior timelines, college applications, managing senior stress, avoiding senioritis, and advice from recent alumni. Information will also be available on financial aid.
Academics
Students - Start the year off strong! Set up times to meet with teachers. Come see Mr. Elsner or Ms. Aiello to talk about study skills, note-taking, test anxiety, or any other question you have about being a student. Parents and guardians – contact teachers. Email is by far the easiest and best way to check-in with them about your student’s progress. Don’t wait until progress reports!!
Freshmen and Sophomores have begun Achievement Teams once per week. Students in 6th grade will be working on organizational skills. 7th graders will be focusing on study habits and skills. All students in grades 6-12 will also have academic enrichment periods this year. These periods are designed to provide students with time for extra help from teachers, to tutor fellow students or to work on enrichment projects or classes. Ask your son or daughter about these programs to start a conversation about how we are helping students learn to be better learners.
Guidance Advisory Council
It is important to have an advisory council for the guidance program. The new National Model for School Counseling specifically endorses this idea as best practice. Last year a small group was formed and was instrumental in coordinating a Career Day for 6th grade. If you are interested in discussing guidance related programs and activities related to student’s academic, social/personal, and career exploration needs, please call Mr. Elsner at x272 or email at delsner@foxboroughrcs.org.