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CHECK OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOL COUNSELING OFFICE!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will our counselor meet with my child?
A: Anytime! Students usually stop by during their free periods but are welcome anytime! Each student has guaranteed time with their counselor at least once a year but it is common that we will connect with your child many times throughout the year. Please see this webpage for more information on our Guaranteed Time With Your Counselor Each Year program.
Q: Where can my child go if they need help with a class?
A: Students can always see their teachers before/after school for extra help, but there is also the:
Math Center - staffed with math teachers that are able to help students with their assignments (students can be scheduled for this in place of a study hall or can get a pass to go during their study hall from their counselor, teacher, or study hall teacher)
Writing Center – staffed with English teachers and trained peer tutors that help with editing papers and other writing assignments (students can get a pass to go during their study hall from their counselor, teacher, or study hall teacher)
Guided Study/Support Center – structured study hall staffed with a certified teacher that can help with organization, work completion, and literacy (students can be scheduled here in place of a study hall)
Critical Skills – structured study hall staffed by freshmen teachers that can help with work completion, organization and communicating with teachers
Peer Tutors - upperclassmen that work with freshmen during their study hall period or after school (to make this connection, please contact your child’s counselor)
World Language Honors Society Tutoring - after school tutoring for all world languages
Most importantly, if a student is struggling in a class, let us know so we can help!
Q: How can I email my teacher?
A: Teachers email addresses are their lastnamefirstinitial@newtown.k12.ct.us. You can also find them on the teacher directory or through the portal.
Q: How can I find out my child’s grades in a class?
A: The portal is an electronic teacher’s handbook. You can see grades on assignments, comments from teachers, your child’s schedule, and their attendance. For help with this, please contact Nicole Kullgren at kullgrenn@newtown.k12.ct.us.
Q: Where can I find information about what’s going on at NHS?
A: Follow Newtown High School on Facebook or Twitter! This is a great way to find out the most up to date news and information at NHS. There is a link to both on the left hand side of the NHS website.
Q: How many classes does my child need to carry?
A: Freshmen must carry a minimum of 6 classes per semester and a maximum of 7 classes per semester. If a student wants to drop from 7 classes to 6 classes, they can do so within the first 5 weeks of school without any penalty.
Q: Can my child add classes to their schedule?
A: A student can only add a class in the first 5 days of their semester. If they want to add a class to their second semester, they have until the first 5 days of semester 2 to do so.
Q: Can my child drop a class from their schedule?
A: If students are carrying 7 classes, they can drop down to 6 classes.
If they do this within the first 5 weeks of the semester, they can drop without any penalty (will not appear on transcript).
After the first 5 weeks, a grade of WP (withdraw pass) or WF (withdraw fail) will be posted on the report card and on the permanent transcript. Students with WP or WF on their report card are ineligible for the honor roll during the semester in which they drop a course. No credit will be earned for the course. The dropped course does not factor into the students’ GPA.
A course counting as a 6th class cannot be dropped until the start of the second semester (after the midterm exam) at which point the student must pick up another class to count as their 6th class. However, this class must be added within the first 5 days of Semester 2.
Q: How does my child earn credit?
A: Students earn credit by completing, passing (grade of 65 or higher), and attending class. For a half year course they earn .5 credit, for a full year course they earn 1 credit.
Our attendance policy:
For a half year course, if a student misses 11 classes - they lose credit.
For a full year course, if a student misses 21 classes - they lose credit.
*Students must be called out otherwise they will be marked as cut. If they are out sick, you should call the nurse at 203-426-7649. For other absences, call the attendance office at 203-426-7656.
* Both excused and unexcused absences count towards the attendance policy.
Q: What is Naviance?
A: Naviance is an online program used to:
Facilitate communication with students and parents
Store your child’s Student Success Plan (SSP/an electronic portfolio)
Offer learning style and career inventories
Assist in building resumes
Conduct searches for colleges, scholarships, enrichment programs, and other college visit information
Store community service hours
AND MORE!
There are links on the Naviance homepage which lead you to other important sites your child will utilize throughout their 4 years at Newtown HS. Naviance can be accessed through the NHS web page. Freshmen will be setting up their accounts during their Counselor Workshop classes. In order for you to log into your child's account and utilize Naviance you must set up your own account. Please have your son/daughter update your email address when they create their own Naviance account – an email will be sent to you to allow you to activate your own account.
Q: Is there anything my child can do about their heavy backpack?
A: Students should check with their teachers to see which books they can leave at home.
Q: What are the requirements for graduation?
A: Students must earn a minimum of 25 credits. We have included a copy of the graduation requirements to this packet. For more information on specific requirements, please see page 8 of the Program of Studies. The Program of Studies can be found here: https://sites.google.com/newtown.k12.ct.us/school-counseling-office/program-of-studies.
Q: How do the lunch waves work?
A: We have three lunch waves. The day of the rotation, and the class that the student has on that day, will determine which lunch wave the student will go to. The lunch wave schedule can be picked up in the School Counseling office.
Q: What do I do if my student wants to change the level of a class?
A: There is much time and consideration put into making teacher recommendations to ensure that students are placed in the appropriate level. After school begins, if you feel that your student is not in the appropriate level, the student should speak to the teacher of the class first. If the teacher and department chair are in agreement, they will notify the school counselor that a change should be made.
Q: What is Counselor Workshop?
A: Counselor Workshop is a class taught by a school counselor. Every student at NHS has Counselor Workshop but the information is tailored to the student’s specific grade. The class covers topics in 9th grade such as:
NHS Resources
Introduction to Naviance, SSP’s & Goal Setting
Introduction to Pupil Services
Records & Requirements
Career Cluster Finder
Learning Style Inventory/Study Skills
Making Positive Choices
Time Management
Transition to 10th Grade
Q: How can my child get involved at Newtown High School?
A: There are SO many ways to get involved at Newtown High School! Our club list is on our website, under “QuickLinks” There is a club for everyone – including Art Club, Best Buddies, Environmental Club, Paintball Club, Student Government, Gaming Club and more. If a club is not listed, and you have a group of students who are interested in starting a new one, you can do that too! Please reach out to the club advisor for more information on each specific club.
If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!
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