Orientation Night at WHRHS for Green Brook 8th Grade Students and Parents!April 14th at 7:00 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity to ask questions and to go for a tour of the high school! The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character- – that is the goal of true education. – – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 
Grade 8 Parents, at this point you have received a letter from Ms. Angelastro, Director of Guidance at WHRHS. Enclosed in that letter is a course confirmation form. Any concerns you may have with regard to courses assigned should be discussed with your child’s high school counselor (assigned in accordance with an alphabetical list provided in the mailing). If you have concerns regarding assigned recommendations for academic courses, you may address them with department supervisors from MAY 1st to MAY 15th. Supervisor contact information was also provided in the mailing. As always, if you have any questions on our end, please feel free to contact me. 
Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School Application due date for vocational programs: April 15th. For all other programs, please refer to VOTECH website: www.scvths.org 
Grade 7
Dear Grade 7 Students and Parents/Guardians:
As we face the end of this school year, you may want to think about your choices for high school. Your Grade 8 year will be here before you know it! Please view the Watchung Hills Regional High School website frequently to become familiar with course offerings and extra-curricular activities. If you are interested in any program at the Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School, please mark the school’s website as well: www.scvths.org .
If you are considering a private or denominational high school, please be sure to contact the school of choice and schedule a visit. Arrangements for these visits (during the school year) as well as all paperwork associated with this process is your responsibility. I do not conduct trips to these sites nor do I make initial contacts.
Once you have visited the school, the administration will request a copy of your middle school transcript. This includes report cards and NJASK scores from your 6th and 7th grade years, your grade 8 report card from the first quarter, your attendance record over this period of time, and any disciplinary records (suspension letters) present in your permanent record file since 6th grade. In order to process this information, I need a Transcript Request Form from the high school with parent signatures. These documents are usually requested by Thanksgiving. Please provide these requests no later than the end of December. After December extra time is needed to accommodate tasks other than orientation with Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS). Additionally, late applications to an out of district school are best made with a confirmation of receipt (as in a return receipt). In these cases, we will have to charge a fee of $10.00 (check made payable to Green Brook Township Board of Education) to cover the cost of the return receipt mailing per application. We have been sending out many late requests, and the cost of covering these late applications is burdening the district.
Although most of our students will attend Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS), there are other district options. Those listed below are the Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School and The Academy for Health and Medical Sciences.
Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School (SCVTHS) offers a number of programs:
- The Academy for Health and Medical Sciences is a rigorous academic program that combines 4 years of high school with 2 years of college. The graduate, therefore, receives a high school diploma with an associate’s degree in general science. Students who apply to this program must be academically strong and focused on careers in the health sciences. Typically, students should maintain honor roll standing and should perform well (90’s and above) in both science and math. Interviews are arranged on an individual basis. Parents are encouraged to contact the academy to arrange for the application process: www.scvths.org or call: 908-526-8900 ext. 7243. Orientation dates, testing dates, and open house are set for January. Please view the SCVTHS website for details.
- The School for Law and Public Safety is a program designed for the student who is focused on a career in law enforcement. Upon completion of this program, students receive a high school diploma and 15 transferrable credits to a two or four year institution. Interested students should contact SCVTHS guidance office: 908-526-8900 ext. 7243.
The above programs are available only on a full-time basis on the SCVTHS campus. 
The following programs have been offered as split-time programs in coordination with Watchung Hills Regional High School; however, given higher state credit requirements for graduation, the split-time offering has become a problem. Interested students must carefully consider credit requirements and the possibility of making up credits over the summer at their own expense before choosing the split-time option.
Performing Arts: The Performing Arts program offered by SCVTHS is considered an honors program. Students who apply must not only demonstrate talent in the performing arts (singing, acting, dance) but also exhibit strong academic skills. Applicants must audition for a place in any of the three programs: Dance, Musical Theater, or Acting. Performing Arts Day is typically scheduled for early January, and parents are required to attend with their child. The following link provides all information necessary to sign up for this important day for the 2015 event:
Performing Arts Announcement: Student Application; Performing Arts Day: Publicity Release; Performing Arts day: Acting RegistrationPlease look to the SCVTHS website for details.
SCVTHS also offers programs normally associated with a traditional vocational/technical education:Technology Industries: CISCO Networking Academy, Commercial Art and Design, PrintingLandscape and Horticultural TechnologyConstruction Industry: Carpentry, Building Trades, Electrical Construction, Plumbing, WeldingHealth Occupations: basic foundation education in nursing assistance, first aid, and CPR trainingService Industries: Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Dining Room ManagementTransportation Industries: Auto Body, Automotive Technology, Diesel Technology, Small Engines Any student interested in offerings from SCVTHS should go online to explore options: www.scvths.org. Applications for the various programs are also available on the SCVTHS website. If your child should decide to apply, please know that I must receive your child’s application in order to process the transcript. Requests are best made no later than early February. Programs at SCVTHS fill quickly. Please call if you have any questions or concerns. 
This is an exciting year for your child, and I wish for you, all, the very best! Please do not hesitate to call me with any concerns or questions: 732-968-1051 ext. 2050 or e-mail: akessler@gbtps.org.