Our children are our most important guests, who enter into our home,
ask for careful attention, stay for a while and then leave to follow their own way.
The Guidance and Counseling Department offers individual and group counseling for study skills, interpersonal relationships and
decision-making. Counselors also provide classroom lessons pertaining to learning styles, graduation requirements, and problem-solving.
Counselors provide assistance with parent workshops pertaining to adolescents and help coordinate Career /College Days and Volunteer Fairs.
***Attention Parents***
The Center for the Visual and Performing Arts at Suitland High School is a rigorous four-year arts program that offers artistically talented high school students from all over Prince George’s County educational opportunities designed to prepare them artistically for college, professional study, or career options in the arts. Each year, graduating students earn millions in scholarship awards and attend some of the most prestigious conservatories, colleges and universities in the country. Open House 11/19/09 & 12/7/09 For more information and an application, click here.
IB Open House at Laurel High School will be held November 17, 2009 at 7:00 PM in the Media Center. After an IB presentation, you can talk with teachers, students, and parents. For more information, email: patricia.bocock@pgcps.org
Has your child scored advance on either one of the MSA tests? If so, the John’s Hopkins University: Center for Talented Youth Talent Search is an opportunity that could help your child excel at an even greater level. The Talent Search allows high-performing students to take a test designed for older students. Students in grades 2-6 take the SCAT (School and College Ability Test) and students in 7& 8 have a choice of taking either the SAT or ACT. This above-grade-level testing can reveal more about the academic talents of students who are topping out on grade-level tests. For further information and to receive an application, please contact Ms. Hepburn in the guidance office at 301-572-0660.
It's never too soon to start thinking about college. In fact, early preparation is the key to success. The University System of Maryland has created Way2GoMaryland which offers the resources you need. Visit their website to learn more: http://www.way2gomaryland.org/.
Change of Address/Phone Number
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Please contact the guidance secretary at 301.572.0660 if you move. You must provide proof of residency to remain enrolled in a Prince George’s County Public School. It is very important that we keep addresses current. Also, please contact the guidance office if your home and/or work telephone number(s) change(s).
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Guidance Teas
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December 22, 2009 | February 9, 2010 | April 20, 2010
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Homework Requests
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If your child is out of school due to illness of 3 or more days, work can be requested from Ms. Swartz. Parents can call or email Ms. Swartz to request the missed work. Teachers have 48 hours (working days) from the time of the request to provide the requested work.
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Parent/Teacher Conferences
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Ms. Goodridge, Ms. Mathers, and Ms. Hepburn can arrange a conference with your child’s teachers. Call 301.572.0660 between 9:30 AM and 4:30 PM.
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Registration
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The registration process can take up to 2 hours. Please bring the required proof of residency documentation - click here for Prince George's County Public Schools Requiremements | en español . It is recommended you call or email Ms. Swartz before you come for more information.
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Science and Technology Testing
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The date for testing is December 5, with a snow date of December 12, 2009. Applications for 8th graders will be available September 29th. ALL applications must be completed and returned to the Guidance Office by October 15, 2009. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Mathers at 301-572-0660 or terry.mathers@pgcps.org.
Please visit the Department of Testing online at: /testing/index.aspx?id=54930.
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Service Hours
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Service-learning is a teaching method that combines meaningful service to the community with curriculum-based learning. Students improve their academic skills by applying what they learn in school to the real world; they then reflect on their experience to reinforce the link between their service and their learning. Prince George's County Public Schools students must engage in a minimum of 75 student service-learning (SSL) hours in order to successfully meet the service-learning graduation requirement.
To ensure that students are able to meet this requirement, service-learning has been infused into the science and social studies curricula for grades 5-10 for a total of 51 hours. Students must complete 24 independent hours of service learning.
Visit the Student Services site: /curriculum/ssl.aspx?id=16510. Forms can be downloaded or picked up in the Guidance Office. Completed forms are to be turned in to Ms. Swartz by the end of the quarter the service learning has been completed.
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Student Appointments
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Students should make appointments with the appropriate counselor in the morning before homeroom or at lunch.
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Transcript Requests
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Please allow 10 days notice for transcripts to be sent to private schools. In order to insure all documents are sent to the school at the same time, submit all documents to Guidance together. Also, please be sure to fill out the information on the student before giving it to Guidance. Include a stamped envelope for mailing.
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Withdrawal Process
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Please contact the Ms. Swartz at least 24 hours in advance so that your child can be withdrawn with the proper paperwork for you to enroll in his/her new school.
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Work Permits
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Students MUST be 14 years old in order to request a work permit. A work permit is not a job application. A work permit application can be obtained from Ms. Swartz or downloaded - click here. The application must be completed and signed by the student, parent, and the potential employer before the school can process the request. Please return the completed application to Ms. Swartz - your work permit will be ready for you to pick up the following day.
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