High School

August 28

Ridge High School New Family Orientation

September 10

Senior Year Post-Secondary Planning Presentation

7:00-8:30pm Ridge High School PAC 

All senior parents and families are invited to join us for an informational evening presentation about planning for post-secondary pathways, including a Q&A session with our school counselors. This presentation includes important details for the fall college admissions application cycle. The presentation will be recorded for families who cannot attend the presentation live, and the recording will be posted on our website after the event. 

September 16

Special Education Workshop: My Student Just Turned 18. What Do I Need to Do?! 

7:00pm - Virtual via Zoom - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9911386893?pwd=fPy6AyKsyujOEEkbCcRcLdNGXv4SbR.1&omn=82411462880

Meeting ID: 991 138 6893, Passcode: thearc

This program will give an overview of what a family should do when their loved one turns 18. We will cover topics like, DDD, guardianship, transition, college programs etc...and then discuss how to navigate through each of these systems and many more. Lisa Ford is the Director of The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute. Lisa’s vision for the Family Institute has resulted in the program becoming the “Go To Place” for information for families caring for a loved one with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Lisa has made it her life’s work to help families find the necessary information needed to navigate through the system. 

September 25

Ridge High School Back to School Night

September 30 

Financial Aid Information Night 

7:00pm - 8:00pm Bernards High School PAC (Note: Not at Ridge) 

This event features a professional financial aid presenter from the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority of New Jersey (HESAA). 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. This event is co-sponsored by the Ridge HS and Bernards HS Counseling Departments. It is a long standing tradition that Ridge High School hosts the College Fair on our campus, and Bernards High School hosts the Financial Aid Night in their PAC. 

October 9

College Fair

7:00pm - 9:00pm Ridge High School Main Gymnasium 

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 visiting. Detailed information including a list of attending schools will be posted on our webpage closer to the date, on the College Visits & Workshops page. This event is co-sponsored by the Bernards HS and Ridge HS Counseling Departments. 

October 14

Special Education Workshop: Making the Future More Secure for Loved Ones 

7:00pm - Virtual via Zoom 

Gain more peace of mind regarding “What will happen when I’m gone?” by learning how to most effectively support your loved ones. Topics include: protecting government benefit eligibility, the basics of special needs trusts and ABLE accounts and writing a letter of intent. Information will be presented in a practical, plain-spoken manner and participation is encouraged. Content is also relevant for professionals seeking basic answers to financial topics impacting those they support. Participants are welcome to a resource kit and complimentary consultation.

November 18

Special Education Workshop: Guardianship 

7:00pm - Ridge High School Media Center

Presenter: Stan Layton 

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 since. 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 19

Junior Year Post-Secondary Planning Presentation 

7:00-8:30pm Ridge High School PAC 

All families of current juniors are encouraged to join us and learn about planning for post-high school pathways including learning the critical steps necessary for successful college admissions planning. Specific planning steps for juniors will be presented, in addition to a Q&A session with our school counselors. The presentation will be recorded for families who cannot attend the presentation live, and the recording will be posted on our website after the event. 

December 8

Special Education Workshop: Support Coordination 

7:00pm - Virtual via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/91444793722?pwd=qOJwkdZIDAbxIw8umlIGHygj5r9VYe.1 

Meeting ID: 914 4479 3722, Passcode: 821240

Presenter: Monique Lewis Hawkins, Director of Equal Opportunity Support Services 

January 21

Sophomore Year Post-Secondary Planning Presentation

7:00-8:30pm 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 Q&A following the presentation about what to expect in your junior and senior years, as well as current trends in college admissions & post-secondary planning. The presentation will be recorded for families who cannot attend the presentation live, and the recording will be posted on our website after the event. 

March 3

Special Education Transition Fair 

6:00-8:00pm, Ridge High School Old 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 8

Transitioning to College with an IEP/504 Plan 

7:00-8:30pm Ridge High School PAC 

Co-sponsored by the School Counseling and Child Study Team members, this presentation provides an overview of important college transition information for families of students with IEPs or 504 plans. The presentation will be recorded for families who cannot attend the presentation live, and the recording will be posted on our website after the event.