Greetings from the Valley!
The energy on School Street, in the classrooms, dorms, the athletic fields, in the gym is palpable. Being back to normal is really amazing. You never really know how great things are until you lose them for a little while. I trust that the students feel and understand that very clearly.
At this time, you should have some (all?!) of your interview schedule set. If you have not yet already done so, please send your schedule ASAP to Julie Fredlund at jfred@vaftizo.com. Be sure to indicate which schools are in person vs. virtual. This information is especially important for boarding students as Julie and I will need to know if we need to arrange for quiet space for the interview or virtual tours. Additionally, please let Julie and Clayton know if your child will remain on campus during the week of October 17.
I have been meeting with your children covering many topics. Both individually and as a group, we have covered the interview process and communication between student and school. I have encouraged students who have strong interest in a particular program or sport to reach out to the director of the program or head coach and email with some basic information and when you will be interviewing. Let them know when you will be on campus and often, arrangements can be made through the admissions office to meet with these people. This can also happen virtually if your child will be interviewing this way. This is best coming from your child. It is possible that the coach or program head might want to speak with you and your child. They need to know your child is on the radar. It is, however, always best coming directly from the prospective student.
It will be important for us to debrief once the bulk of your interviews are complete. While I will, of course, do that with your children here, it may be helpful for us to sort through the feedback from your visits to get some final clarification as your final school list takes shape.
Lastly, you may notice a difference in my signature below. We have rebranded our office from the Placement Office to the Secondary School Counseling Office. If you are wondering why, please don’t hesitate to ask when we cross paths.
Enjoy this time with your child. Remember to behave yourself and let your child take the lead!
Regards,
Clayton Ketchum
Director of Secondary School Counseling
Admissions Office Visits to Rumsey
Beginning Monday, September 19, and continuing into late October, the Senior Class will welcome admission directors/officers from over 68 secondary schools. These are excellent opportunities for your children to connect with, and learn from admission professionals who are eager to recruit our Seniors. We also utilize these opportunities for their expertise and practice in working with our students. We have had visitors from the standard New England schools but we have also welcomed schools from the West Coast, South, and from Canada. It is true, there are many wonderful schools in the Northeast, but this holds true for other regions of the country and our friends to the North!
Interviews and School Visits
Be sure you have read Clayton’s Greeting above, especially the 2nd paragraph. We need 100% parent response to these requests and look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
Have you taken some time to read How to Make Your Secondary School Visit and Interview Successful. It contains valuable information for both you and your child. Mr. Ketchum will also review this information in his 4S Classes.
Parents’ Day Senior Parent Meeting!!
Please join Mr. Ketchum on Parents’ Day, October 15 at 12:30 p.m. in The MAX for a chance to share some insight and information about the secondary school application process ahead and address any questions that may be of interest and help to the group. If you have more specific questions regarding your child, please reach out to Julie Fredlund to set up an appointment to speak with Mr. Ketchum.
Thank You Notes are a Must (for both In Person or Virtual Interviews)!
Just a friendly reminder to be sure your child retains all names / business cards of interviewers and tour guides so handwritten thank you notes can be written in a timely manner with meaningful content! If your child needs a second look at their note(s), Julie or I would be happy to review them before sending. Rumsey notecards and postage stamps are available from Julie if your child needs them.
SSAT Standard Registration for VIIth Form Students - December 10, 2022
All VIIth Form students will be registered by our Placement Office for the December 10 test here at Rumsey. Please DO NOT REGISTER your child separately. If you wish for your child to NOT take the test, you will need to notify Julie by November 1 to avoid your child being registered. Your Student Spending Account will be billed once registered and you will receive an email from SSAT notifying you of the registration. Students taking the test should arrive at Magnoli Gymnasium by 8:45 a.m. to begin the testing process by 9:15 a.m. Testing should conclude by 12:45 p.m. Thank you Day Parents for remaining outside the building at pick up time. Students will have been given instruction as to what to bring, what not to bring, what not to wear, etc. Ask your child about the details. Important: Post testing, parents will see in their SSAT Account that a Testing Experience Statement needs Review (screenshot below). SSAT will not release your child’s scores until this is done so please be sure you take care of this quick but necessary task.
