NHS Guidance Department Welcomed Parents For A Transitional Coffee Session

On December 21, the guidance department at Newtown High School held its third information session for parents of eighth graders. Approximately 40 people attended the 8 am meeting where Director of Guidance Neil Culhane, Assistant Principal Cathy Ostar, and Guidance Counselor Deidre Croce shared information and answered questions.

Mrs Ostar discussed the roles of assistant principals and how they interact with the students. The three assistant principals each are assigned a grade level plus one third of the freshman class. This year Mrs Ostar has juniors and her share of freshman.

The assistant principals move up with their grade. This lets members of the administration get to know the students better and in a format that is not a disciplinary function, which takes up much of their time.

“One of our main goals is to provide a safe educational environment for all students,” Mrs Ostar continued. “We have two security guards plus the teachers and the administrative team who work together.”

She discussed the opportunity students have to add electives to their schedule, as well as the excellent academic programs offered at NHS.

Mrs Ostar stressed the importance of communication between parents and staff. She encouraged parents to contact teachers and administrators. The best way is through email and she explained how the school district’s email addresses work. Teachers can be reached by typing their last name and first initial followed by @newtown.k12.ct.us.

“It’s a big change going to the high school,” Deidre Croce explained. “We want to see the students often. We want to get to know them and see how they are doing.”

She added that she will track down a student who does not make an appointment to see her.

Every staff member at the high school has an advisory group of about 15 to 20 students. It provides one more level where the staff can get to know the students. These interactions help avoid or resolve issues between students.

The high school newsletter is available online to keep parents apprised of events and changes happening at the school.

Mrs Croce talked about group sessions that are available for students. A school psychologist is available for the students and often runs group sessions. When a need is identified, a group session will be offered.

One year, there seemed to be many students affected by divorce. A group was offered that drew many participants. Another year, diabetes was an issue for a number of students. Group work helped them understand they were not alone. This year, the department hopes to offer a group for students dealing with Lyme disease, an increasingly large health issue in town.

National Honor Society members will be going into advisory sessions starting this year to offer exam-taking tips, a source of much stress for students.

“And remember, they still need you as much as when they were toddlers but in different ways,” Mr Culhane told the parents. “Help them to become mature and responsible on their own. They do need you.”

Parents asked many questions on many subjects, including the overcrowding issue, rotating schedules, lunch waves, SATs, budget issues, and limited choices of classes due to overcrowding.

Following the question and answer period, those who wished were taken on a tour of building.

Over the course the three informational sessions, approximately 100 parents attended.