Guidance Counseling Department » Get the Help You Need

Get the Help You Need

 
We're in the process of improving and updating all of the Guidance webpages.  If the information you are looking for isn't available at the moment, please check back soon.  

Academics

ACADEMICS:
 
  Having difficulty with academics in your classes, contact your teachers using the following link:
  https://hhs.hackettstown.org/apps/staff/
 
  Additionally, if you need tutoring please refer to the information below. 
 
Academic Tutoring Program
Starting Monday, September 30, 2019 the Library will be open everyday after school for tutoring purposes and library use from 2:45 to 3:45 pm (except on days of Faculty Meetings the library will be closed).  The After School Tutoring Schedule is as follows:
 
Monday:  SCIENCE with Mrs. Sterling
Tuesday:  SOCIAL STUDIES with Mr. Farrand/Ms. Gorski
Wednesday:  MATH with Ms. Palahnuk
Thursday:  ENGLISH with Ms. Matlack
Friday:  MATH with Mrs. Donovan-Rauh
 
Please note, the above schedule may change due to teacher availability.  Students are advised to check the notice posted on the library door on a daily basis to confirm the tutoring schedule has not changed.
 
Hackettstown High School has partnered with students from Centenary College to provide tutoring during the day.  A schedule is forthcoming.

Attendance

ATTENDANCE:
 
Call the Attendance Office to report or inquire about absences at (908) 852-8150 Ext. 222.  

In order for the school to fulfill its responsibility for providing a thorough and efficient education, the complete cooperation of parents/guardians and students is required to maintain a high level of school attendance.  The frequent absence of students from school disrupts the continuity of the instructional process and limits the ability of students to complete the prescribed curriculum requirements successfully.
 
Failure to comply with the district attendance policy will result in both loss of credit and a failure in any course.

The following details how the attendance policy is applied to classes of varying duration:

1.25 Credit Courses. Students are permitted 4 unexcused absences and will lose credit for the class on the 5th unexcused absence.

2.5 Credit Courses. Students are permitted 8 unexcused absences and will lose credit for the class on the 9th unexcused absence.

3.75 Credit Courses. Students are permitted 11 unexcused absences and will lose credit for the class on the 12th unexcused absence.

5 Credit Courses. Students are permitted 15 unexcused absences and will lose credit for the class on the 16th unexcused absence.

Discipline

 
Discipline issues are handled by our Assistant Principals:
 
Mrs. Lena Wasylyk, Assistant Principal                     
lwasylyk@hackettstown.org                                                                                    
908-852-8150 Ext. 228                                                 
 
Mrs. Lauren Thomas, Assistant Principal
lthomas@hackettstown.org
908-852-8150 Ext. 228                                

Student IDs

 
All issues related to student ID cards should be addressed in room A-4. 

Lockers

 
All issues related to lockers should be addressed in room A-4.

Nurse

 
Mrs. Allison Millian
amillian@hackettstown.org
(908) 852-8150 X 244

Athletics

Athletics can be a fun and important part of the High School experience. The Hackettstown Athletic web-pages have all the information and forms that you'll need:
 
 
The NJSIAA is the governing organization for all New Jersey Athletic programs.  
 
 
All High Schools, athletic teams and student athletes in NJ must comply with NJSIAA requirements in order to participate in sports. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Hackettstown Athletic Office.
 
Please note that the following is a summary of current NJSIAA requirements. Those requirements are subject to change. All eligibility determinations will be based off of current requirements and not necessarily what is published below.
 
  • First time freshmen are automatically eligible for fall and winter sports.
  • Sophomores, juniors and seniors must earn 30 credits from the previous year to be eligible for fall and winter sports
  • Freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors are eligible for spring sports if they are passing 6 courses in the fall term of that school year.
  • Seniors taking fewer than 6 courses in their fall semester will be eligible for spring sports only if they are on-track to meet graduation requirements.
 

Clubs & Activities

Clubs and activities can be a fun and important part of the High School experience.  The Hackettstown Clubs and Activities web-pages have all the information that you'll need:
 
Hackettstown Clubs and Activities.
 
 

Child Study Team

 
All students who have an IEP or assigned a Case Manager.  Inquires relating to your child's IEP, services, or special education classes should be directed to your Case Manager. 
 
Case Managers:
 
Dr. Rao  (908) 852-8150 X 261
Mrs. Stanley (908) 852-8150 X 264
Mrs. Vazquez (908) 852-8554 X233
  

Guidance Counselor Meetings

Students may request a meeting with their guidance counselor at any time by completing a Counselor Appointment / Request form which is available in guidance.  Counselors will then call students down for a meeting, usually within 24 hours, depending on how busy the office is at the time.
 
Students in immediate need of seeing a counselor should approach Mrs. Willson, the Guidance Secretary, and let her know that they have an issue that cannot wait.  
 
Students interested in requesting a schedule change must have a completed and signed schedule change form submitted to guidance before a meeting will be held.  Please be aware of scheduling deadlines.  A drop/add form can be found to the right.
 

Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying

 
The board of education believes that a safe and civil environment in school is necessary for students to learn and achieve high academic standards. Since students learn by example, school administrators, faculty, staff, and volunteers are required to demonstrate appropriate behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate harassment, intimidation or bullying. Harassment, intimidation or bullying, like other disruptive or violent behaviors, is conduct that disrupts both a student's ability to learn and a school's ability to educate its students in a safe environment. Therefore, the school district will not tolerate acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying.
 
Follow this link to learn more about HIB or to report a HIB.
 

Substance Abuse Issues

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Have You Been Dislocated From Your Home?

There are times when students or families experience hardships that force them out of their home.  A fire, eviction, bankruptcy or domestic violence are examples of situations where you may be eligible for extra assistance. 
 
Please reach out to your school building counselor or administration.  Students may be entitled to free meals and may be allowed to continue to attend Hackettstown Public Schools even if they're not technically living in Hackettstown anymore.
 
If you have additional questions after speaking with your school then please call Mr. Guy Jorstad, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, at (908) 852-8150 x233 or email him at gjorstad@hackettstown.org. 
 
 

Are You A Family or Individual In Need of Assistance Outside of School?

Project Self-Sufficiency provides Health Up / Sussex-Warren Central Intake.  Do you need Home Visitation Services?  Do you need connected to other forms of services such as: basic needs assistance, counseling, employment training, housing, hunger relief, mental health, Veteran's services and more?  Please see the flyer to the right for more information and phone numbers.

Are you a High School Dropout Who Needs Help With What To Do Next?

If you're a Sussex, Northern Warren or Western Morris County resident age 16 to 25 who left high school without earning your diploma, you may still need help moving on to your next step.  New Jersey Youth Corps of Sussex County can offer you training, work experience, and a chance to serve your community -- with transportation, child care (if you need it), and a weekly stipend all included!   See the flyers (pages 1 & 2) to the right for more information and numbers to call.
 
Fall open houses are now also available.  See the flyer to the right for the dates.

Helpful Hints for Navigating HHS

 

School Phone:  908-852-8150

School Fax:  908-852-6214

All emails end in @hackettstown.org

 

Main Office:  Ext.  #222

 

Lockers

All forms

Working papers

Student drop off & pick up

Lost & Found

General Inquiries

Attendance Office:  Ext. #222

 

Call to report all absences

Hand in excuse notes

Questions regarding attendance letters

Inquires about total number of absences

 

Note: student should email teachers directly for missed assignments due to absences

School Nurse:  Ext. #244

 

Illness/Injuries

Doctor’s notes if excused from PE

Medication (Rx and OTC)

Concussion protocol

Immunization Inquiries

Vice Principals:  Ext. #228

 

Student ID’s

Discipline

Dress Code

Parking Permits

Summer Assignments

Guidance Office:  Ext. #230

 

Counseling services

New student registration

College & career planning

Schedules

Transcripts

504 plans

HIB

Athletic Office:  Ext. #253

 

Athletics teams & events

Physicals & impact testing

Athletic eligibility

Physical education and driver’s education

Weight room

Driver’s test cards

Teachers:   Use staff directory on phone prompt or see website for individual extensions

 

Grades

Homework & assignments

Tutoring/Office hours

Email directly for homework when absent

Child Study Team:  All students who have an IEP are assigned a case manager. Inquiries related to your child’s IEP, services, or special education classes should be directed to your case manager

 

 Case Managers:

Dr. Rao ext. #261

Mrs. Stanley ext. #264

Ms. Vazquez 852-8554 ext. #233

Ms. Cherneski 852-8550 ext. #233

 

Tutoring Services:

 

Free tutoring in the library afterschool with certified teachers- schedule will be posted online.

Peer tutoring through honor societies also available- contact   the guidance office
 

Class Activities:

 

For grade level field trips and fundraisers each grade has class advisors and a website on the “Clubs” tab

Freshman- Mr. Robinson ext. 881 and Mr. Vellucci ext. 847  Sophomores- Mrs. Campiglia ext. 862 and Miss Klie ext. 821
Juniors- Mrs. DeMartini ext. 859 and Miss Kucinski ext. 823  Seniors-  Miss O'Rear ext. 833  
Student Handbook 2019-20