Counseling
Ray Searles Jr.
Titles:
Director of Guidance
Email:
Zorica Alcott
Titles:
Administrative Assistant
Email:
Phone Numbers:
Telephone: 973-334-8580
Fax: 973-334-3550
About Us
The goal of the MLHS Counseling Department is to collaborate with all stakeholders involved in ensuring the success of our students. We are advocates who provide students with academic, social/emotional, career, and post-secondary counseling. As counselors, we are available to discuss every aspect of a student's life, frequently offering assistance in goal-setting, in problem-solving, and with challenges that arise both in and out of school.
Staff
Alyssa DeTrolio
Titles:
Student Assistance Counselor, Anti-Bullying Specialist
Email:
Maria Lindsay
Titles:
Counselor, Anti-Bullying Specialist
Email:
Lauren Macko
Titles:
Counselor, Anti-Bullying Specialist
Email:
Cara Pelchat
Titles:
Counselor, Anti-Bullying Specialist
Email:
Gail Weinroth
Titles:
Counselor, Anti-Bullying Specialist
Email:
College & Career
- Forms & Presentations
- Laker RepVisits
- Scholarships & Pre-College Programs
- Standardized Testing
- Student Athlete
Forms & Presentations
COLLEGE FORMS & PRESENTATIONS
Junior College Kickoff
Senior College Application Checklist
Transcript Request Form
This form must be completed at least THREE WEEKS before your first college application/scholarship deadline. It should be emailed back to your counselor.
Release of Records
This "one time" pink form is signed by both student and parent and placed in the Guidance File. It authorizes Guidance to release transcript information to colleges/coaches.
1st Quarter Grade Request
Complete this form if you would like your 1st quarter grades sent to your colleges. MLHS does not send these grades out automatically since not all colleges require them. That said, students who are proud of their 1st quarter grades are encouraged to send them anyway.
FORMS FOR GRADUATES
Graduate Transcript Request
Students that have graduated Mountain Lakes High School should complete this form should they need their transcripts sent to an outside organization. All completed forms should be sent to Mrs. Zorica Alcott at zalcott@mlschools.org.
Laker RepVisits
Students
We are fortunate to have many amazing college admission counselors visit MLHS. These visits are a great way to learn more about the respective college or university and personally meet with a representative from the admission team.
In order that students do not miss any class instruction, the counseling department will be hosting college rep visits during the Lunch Block in the Media Center! Any student who would like to attend a college rep visit should sign up in Naviance at least 24 hours in advance. Log in to your Naviance account and click on the Colleges tab > College Visits.
2 Mini College Fairs
Over 100 colleges have registered for our upcoming College Fairs:
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October 24, 2024 at 12:50 PM - 1:45 PM
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March 3, 2025 at 12:50 PM - 1:45 PM
Admissions Reps
If you are a college admissions representative looking to schedule a visit to Mountain Lakes, we would love to host you! We use repvisits.com to schedule all appointments. Registration will open in August.
Scholarships & Pre-College Programs
SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH SITES
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Big Future - https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/bigfuture-scholarships#
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Bold - https://bold.org/applicants/
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Career One Stop - https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-scholarships.aspx
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Fastweb - https://www.fastweb.com/
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Going Merry - https://www.goingmerry.com/
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Scholar’s App - https://scholarsapp.com/
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Scholarship America - https://scholarshipamerica.org/
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Scholarships.com - https://www.scholarships.com/
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Scholarship Owl - https://scholarshipowl.com
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Scholly - https://myscholly.com/search/
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Student Scholarships - https://studentscholarships.org/
SUMMER & PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAMS
2024-2025 SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Standardized Testing
PSAT INFORMATION
2024-25 School Year: All Mountain Lakes High School students in grades 9, 10 and 11 will take the PSAT. The test will be administered in school on Friday, October 11, 2024.
Juniors can take the PSAT to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). Results also help juniors prep for the SAT and/or ACT during the spring of junior year. Learn more about the PSAT here.
SAT INFORMATION
2024-25 SAT Dates & Registration
In the 2024-2025 school year, the SAT will be offered during the school day to 12th graders at MLHS on Thursday, October 17, 2024 and again to 11th graders on Monday, March 3, 2025.
Free test prep resources:
Official SAT Practice Tests - College Board
SAT Practice Tests - Khan Academy
ACT INFORMATION
ACT Test Dates & Registration
In the 2024-25 school year, Mountain Lakes High School will offer the ACT to 12th graders on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 and to 11th graders on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Registration information will be sent to families. The ACT is offered on other dates throughout the year at many nearby high schools.
Free test prep resources:
ACT Practice Test
SENDING SCORES TO COLLEGES
TEST-OPTIONAL
Nearly three-quarters of all four-year institutions are test-optional or test-blind for Fall 2024 applicants. See the full list of Colleges & Universities with ACT/SAT-Optional Testing Policies for Fall 2025 Admissions at FairTest.org.
OTHER RESOURCES
- Which Colleges Superscore the ACT, by Princeton Review
- SAT vs ACT: Which Test is Right For You?, by Princeton Review
- ACT to SAT Conversion Table, by Princeton Review
Student Athlete
To register, student-athletes should visit www.eligibilitycenter.org.
Once a student applies online, please be sure to print a copy of the Release Form, which needs to be signed and given to the student’s School Counselor. This gives Mountain Lakes High School permission to release your transcript and test record to the Clearinghouse.
NCAA Eligibility Brochure, by NCAA
NCAA Guide for College Bound Student Athletes, by NCAA
An all-encompassing resource on athletic recruitment. Some of the topics discussed include the varying academic standards for Divisions I, II, and III athletics, information on scholarships, national letters of intent, recruiting calendars, and much more.
Student Assistance Counselor
Student Assistance Counselor: Alyssa DeTrolio
Mountain Lakes School District has established a comprehensive Student Assistance Program to help students. The Student Assistance Program provides education, prevention, early identification, referrals, and intervention as well as individual and group support. Our Student Assistance Counselor is here to help you and your child.
What is a Student Assistance Counselor?
A Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) assists students with any personal issue that negatively impacts their learning or emotional development. The SAC meets with students on an individual or small group basis to help them develop coping skills and solve problems.
Parents sometimes seek the assistance of the SAC for information, intervention and referral services. Faculty members often request the support of the SAC in order to identify individual students in need of help. The SAC may also provide training to staff on a wide range of issues that may impact student behavior and functioning in the classroom.
All conversations between students and the SAC are confidential. However, issues related to suicidal or homicidal intent or child abuse are not protected by the federal confidentiality laws.
Community Resources
Peer Mentorship
What is Peer Mentoring?
Each year we ask our Junior and Senior classes to volunteer as Peer Mentors for younger students in our district. Peer Mentoring is a structured and trusting relationship that brings young people together with caring individuals who offer guidance, support and encouragement aimed at developing the competence and character of the mentee.
Need mentoring? What to become a Peer Mentor? Speak to your counselor today!
Suggested Readings
Substance Use
Parents Who Host Lose the Most
Research shows the dangers of e-cigs
How Heroin, Cocaine, and Oxycodone affects one's appearance over time
Social Media
How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers
Learn the impact of social media on youth. Experts say kids are growing up with more anxiety and less self-esteem. - https://childmind.org
Teaching Kids to be Smart About Social Media
Learn the good and bad of social impact on kids. - http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/social-media-smarts.html
Online Tips for Teens An online cheat sheet with tips for how to manage your online presence. -http://cdn.netsmartz.org/tipsheets/tips_for_teens.pdf
Social Media Safety GuideA quick guide on how to manage social media. - http://cdn.netsmartz.org/tipsheets/SocialMediaSafety_teens.pdf
Tips to Prevent Teen Sexting 5 Tips about the dangers of teen sexting. - http://cdn.netsmartz.org/tipsheets/sexting_teens.pdf
A Parent's Guide to Snapchat - A huge resource for parents all about Snapchat. - http://www.connectsafely.org/wp-content/uploads/snapchat_parents_guide.pdf
A Parent's Guide to Instagram - A huge resource for parents all about Instagram. - http://www.connectsafely.org/wp-content/uploads/instagram_guide.pdf
Cyberbullying Unplugged - Cyberbullying is the use of technology to tease, humiliate, threaten and/or harass someone. Here's how to protect against it. - http://cdn.netsmartz.org/tipsheets/Cyberbullying_Unplugged_2014.pdf
Cyber balance Research and Tips- Finding and maintaining a healthy cyber balance is a challenge in a connected culture where virtually we can go anywhere, see anyone, and do anything at the touch of a screen. - http://ikeepsafe.org/cyberbalance/
Helpful Books for the Teen Years
General
Brainstorm- Dan Segal
Where You Go Is Not Who You Will Be- Frank Bruni
The Gift of Failure - Jessica Lahey
Get Out of My Life, but First Could You Drive Me and Cheryl to the Mall - Anthony Wolf
How to Talk So Teens Will Listen & How To Listen So Teens will Talk- Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
Yes, Your Teen is Crazy - Michael Bradley
Overachievers: The Secret Lives of Driven Kids - Alexandra Robbins
Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World - Jill Rigby
Raising Unselfish Children in a Selfish World - Jill Rigby
Raising Everyday Heroes - Elisa Medhus
The Price of Privilege - Madeline Levine
Drugs and Alcohol
Buzzed- Cynthia Kuhn, Scott Swartzweler, Wilkie Wilson
Beautiful Boy - David Sheff
Tweak - Nic Sheff
The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls
Relationships (friendships and dating)
Queen Bees and Wannabees - Rosalind Wiseman
Breathing Underwater- Alex Flinn
Hooking Up- Kathleen Bogle
George - Alex Gino
Raising Cain- Dan Kindlon
Odd Girl Out - Rachel Simmons
Useful Links
Drugs and Alcohol
Above the Influence - http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/
Addiction Center - http://www.addictioncenter.com/
Al-Anon/Alateen - http://www.abovetheinfluence.com
Centers for Substance Abuse Prevention - https://www.addictionresource.net/
Drug Dangers - http://www.drugdangers.com/
SAMHSA National Mental Health Information Center - http://www.samhsa.gov/
Why 21_Get the Truth About the Law - http://www.madd.org/underage-drinking/why21/
SMART Recovery - http://www.smartrecovery.org/
Students Against Destructive Decisions - http://www.sadd.org/
Partnership for Drug Free NJ - http://www.drugfreenj.org/
Strength and Hope for Friends and Families of Problem Drinkers - https://al-anon.org/
Support for Friends and Families of Drug Addicts - http://www.nar-anon.org/
Internet Safety, Social Media and Cyberbullying
Internet Safety 101 - https://internetsafety101.org/socialmedia
Digital Citizenship and Social Media Safety - https://smartsocial.com/
Digital Foot Print - https://www.internetsociety.org/tutorials/your-digital-footprint-matters/
Lots of great resources for parents, teachers and kids - http://www.cyberbullyhelp.com/
The U.S.’s leading research center on causes, solutions and statistics on cyberbullying - http://cyberbullying.us/
Mindfulness
5 Resilience Traits We Can All Learn from Nelson Mandela - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mequilibrium/nelson-mandela-legacy_b_4466636.html
Peer Mentorship
What is Peer Mentoring?
Each year we ask our Junior and Senior classes to volunteer as Peer Mentors for younger students in our district. Peer Mentoring is a structured and trusting relationship that brings young people together with caring individuals who offer guidance, support and encouragement aimed at developing the competence and character of the mentee.
Need mentoring? What to become a Peer Mentor? Speak to your counselor today!