September 2024
Juniors & Parents
I hope the start of your Junior year has been smooth so far. This year is a particularly important one, as your grades from Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior years will all be on the transcript that colleges will see in September 2025. Junior year presents a great opportunity to boost your GPA and make significant strides in your academic journey.
There’s a lot on your plate this year! Many of you will be taking five Regents exams, and some will be taking AP tests for the first time. You’ll also be tackling the SAT and/or ACT, possibly enrolling in Driver’s Ed, and maybe participating in one or more sports. Time management is going to be crucial. If you need help organizing your schedule or managing your responsibilities, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
Guidance classes will begin in the second semester, where Mrs. Kiernan and I will focus on preparing you for the college application process next fall. In the meantime, I encourage you to continue using the college search and career inventory tools we explored during Sophomore Guidance. This fall is a great time to attend college Open Houses, if possible. Visiting schools in person can give you valuable insight into whether they’re the right fit for you. Before visiting, be sure to research each school—consider factors like size, cost, distance from home, and whether they offer your intended major.
During the first semester, I’ll be meeting with students individually, so don’t be surprised if you receive a pass in homeroom. As always, feel free to email me or stop by the Guidance office if you have any questions or want to meet sooner. If you see me in the hallway and mention you’d like to talk, please follow up with an email so we can set a time. Also, remember to check your school email daily for important updates.
Important Upcoming Dates:
-
Junior Class Retreat: Thursday, October 3rd. More details will be provided in Religion class.
-
PSAT: Wednesday, October 16th. Practice test information can be found [here]. Your PSAT score won’t be shared with colleges—it’s purely for your benefit to help you prepare for the SAT.
-
SAT & ACT Registration: Registration is now open for the SAT through June 2025. You can sign up here, and ACT registration can be found here.
-
Junior College Parent Meeting: Wednesday, October 30th. Click here for details.
Finally, make sure you’re reading the weekly email sent out every Sunday. It contains all the important information for the week ahead and beyond—don’t skip any details!
Stay on top of your assignments, review your notes daily, and stay engaged in class. You’re off to a great start, and even if things have been a bit shaky, there’s plenty of time to turn it around.
Looking forward to a productive year ahead!