High School
August 25
Ridge High School Freshman Orientation
September 11
Senior Parent Presentation: Post-Secondary Planning
7:00pm-8:30pm - Ridge High School PAC
Presentation and Q&A on College/Career Planning with the RHS Counseling Department. Resources for navigating and planning post-secondary options include 4 year schools, 2 year schools, trade/industry schools and training, career pathways, military service or education, or gap years.
September 21
Special Services Workshop: Navigating the Medicaid Maze
7:00pm-8:00pm - Virtual
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/oyt-pjoh-ijs
Or dial: (US) +1 252-524-2250 PIN: 174 647 085#
The presentation will include: different types of Medicaid that are available in New Jersey, whether parents apply for SSI when their son/daughter is 18, if it is allowable to have both private health insurance and also have Medicaid, how to continue the parent's employer's private health insurance before the young adult with IDD turns 26 and the Medicaid managed care system and the Personal Preference Program (PPP).
September 26
Navigating Resources for Student Success
7:00pm-8:30pm - Ridge High Cafeteria
Join us to learn how to navigate the Genesis student/parent portal, with technical support available. Staff will help parents with logging in and viewing student information in Genesis. Included will also be information about how to navigate the district website to learn about various other supports and resources that are available to help students and families. A recorded presentation will be posted online for families who cannot attend in person.
September 28
Ridge High School Back to School Night - Grades 9 and 12
7:00pm-9:00pm
October 5
Ridge High School Back to School Night - Grades 10 and 11
7:00pm-9:00pm
October 12
7:00pm-9:00pm - Ridge High School Main Gym
Students and parents are welcome to join us for our college fair hosted at Ridge High School for a chance to meet with over 100 college and university admissions representatives. Colleges from across the country will be represented.
October 17
Intervention and Support Services RHS
Video Recording, PPT Presentation
7:00pm-8:00pm - Ridge High School PAC Lecture Hall
Presenters: Stephanie Orr, Supervisor of Special Education & Dr. Russell Lazovick, Principal of Ridge High School
This presentation will explain the support services available through the intervention and referral programs at Ridge High School.
October 25
Special Services Workshop: Work-Based Learning
7:00pm-8:00pm - Ridge High School Media Center
Presenters: Joe Flynn and Ben Donaghy
We will discuss soft skills, quality work-based learning characteristics, opportunities for students in WBL to build skills in various areas, data collection and job sites.
October 31
Special Services Lunch & Learn - Introduction to the Ridge Child Study Team
12:00pm - Virtual
They will be presenting information on the transition to high school, supports, programs, resources at the high school level, standardized testing, and postsecondary planning.
November 14
Special Services Workshop: Guardianship
7:00pm-8:00pm - Ridge High School Media Center
Presenter: Stanley Layton (Deputy Surrogate)
Stan Layton graduated from New York Law School in 1983; worked in private practice until 1995 at which point he accepted the position of Deputy Surrogate in Somerset County where he has remained.
The presentation is going to be a review of the court process to obtain guardianship of an adult individual, with a focus on parents with students who have recently turned, or will soon turn, 18. We will also cover what happens after a guardianship is granted.
November 29
Junior Parent Presentation: Post-Secondary Planning
7:00pm-8:30pm - Ridge High School PAC
This information will help guide families through the post-secondary planning process during junior year. Topics cover how to plan for college admissions during junior year, as well as additional post-secondary pathways that students may pursue.
December 6
Financial Aid Information Night
7:00pm-8:00pm - Virtual
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83532019180?pwd=YsrbuUbhq1hUgmJLmnFQ3bw7642Qrk.1
Meeting ID: 835 3201 9180
Passcode: college
Financial Aid Night provides an overview of the financial aid process, grants, scholarships, and loans including how to apply for federal and state financial aid. Electronic copies of materials will be posted to the counseling website.
December 7
Special Services Workshop: Support Coordination
7:00pm-8:00pm - Ridge High School Media Center
Presenter: Melissa Soules, the owner of All Heart and Soul
Melissa has worked in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 30 years. This session will cover the DDD application process to include Medicaid eligibility. It will touch on the NJCAT, choosing a support coordinator, and the role of the support coordinator. Lastly, it will review services available under DDD and help families begin to understand the possibilities for the adult services world.
January 4
Sophomore Parent Presentation: Post-Secondary Planning
7:00pm-8:30pm - Ridge High School PAC
All families of current sophomores are encouraged to join us and learn about planning for post-high school pathways, and relevant topics for sophomore year, including navigating Naviance, exploring career options, and planning for standardized testing (SAT/ACT/PSAT). Join the counselors for a Q&A following the presentation.
January 25
Screenagers: The Next Chapter - Documentary Screening & Panel Presentation
6:30pm - Ridge High School PAC
Filmmaker and physician Delaney Ruston uses a personal lens and professional eye to help us all flip the script on stress, anxiety, and depression. We follow Delaney as she finds herself at a loss on how to help her own teens as they struggle with their emotional wellbeing. Ruston sets out to understand these challenges in our current screen-filled society, and how we as parents and schools empower teens to overcome mental health challenges and build emotional agility, communication savvy, and stress resilience.
January 30
Special Services Lunch & Learn - Encouraging Your Middle or High School Child to Self Advocate
12:00pm - Virtual
Video Recording, PPT Presentation
Being a self advocate is a challenging skill for middle and high school students. Come and learn what you can do as a parent to support your child as they learn how to advocate for themself. A panel of staff will be there to answer any questions including a Teacher, Child Study Team Member (CST), Student Assistance Counselor (SAC), and School Counselor.
March 6
Special Services: Transition Fair
6:00pm-8:00pm - Ridge High School Gym
This will be an opportunity for service providers, agencies, and organizations to highlight the services they offer for teens and young adults with disabilities. This event will be free and open to anyone including students, parents, clinicians, case managers and others looking to explore transition options for their student(s). Attendees are guaranteed a wealth of information and knowledge about post-high school options for young adults with disabilities.
April 4
Transitioning to College with an IEP/504
7:00pm-8:30pm, Ridge High School PAC
An overview of the process for high school students with IEPs and 504 plans as they transition to college.
April 10
Screenagers Under the Influence - Documentary Screening and Q&A
Doors open at 6:00pm - Movie begins at 6:30pm, Ridge High School Performing Arts Center
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston as she picks up her camera once more to examine the impact of our digital age on teens' decision-making in relation to substances such as vaping, drugs, and alcohol. Exploring the latest research and learning more about the personal experiences of teens and families, the film highlights the changing landscape of the substances themselves, offering solutions for how we can best empower teens as they face decisions about what they will and will not be influenced by. Hosted by: Members of the Somerset County Municipal Alliances, the Bernards Township Health Department, Community in Crisis and the Governors Council on Substance Use Disorder.