November 3, 2023
Greetings to All!
And just like that we are on the precipice of the first significant break of the school year. From what I have heard, Seniors soaked up the sights and sounds of the visitation week. The excitement for both kids and you all was notable. With over 50 schools visiting during 4S to deliver advice on myriad topics as well as showcasing their schools, it was hard not to get excited. It was with a great deal of awe that I listened to what these schools are offering—what an inspiring time to be going to school!
The group seems committed to rededicating itself toward creating wonderful opportunities for the next stage of education. Be sure that your Seniors have some down time over the Thanksgiving Recess. It has been a demanding term, and they will need to refresh and recharge their batteries both for the last two weeks of the term and seeing the application process through to completion.
If you are not one who usually follows instructions, you will need to do so in this case. Please carefully read the following six (6) pages. It is imperative we all work together in this process and reading these next pages will help toward that goal. At the end, there are several Parent Action Items needing your detailed attention.
I remain on campus and available for meetings to go through questions or impressions. I look forward to continuing to grow our partnerships in support of your children!
Best,
Clayton
Director of Secondary School Counseling
What we will be doing in 4S Class the weeks of November 6 and November 13:
Every student will need to be able to log on to their SSAT account, and where applicable, Gateway Account. They will send Recommendation requests to their math and English teachers. They will also send a request to Mr. Ketchum to fill out the Principal/Guidance Recommendation. In addition, several schools may require or have as an option for Any Teacher, Special Interest, or a Personal Recommendation. The goal is to have all Recommendation requests submitted before the Thanksgiving Recess! Over break, ask your Senior if they have accomplished this task. If they did not then please see Recommendation Instructions on the next page of this Newsletter. Additionally, students will review and brainstorm essay strategies.
Students will know that their English and math teachers are expecting the Recommendation requests to arrive in their email and though there is not a specific need to ask for Recommendations, a simple thank you to them is appropriate. They will also be told that if a school is asking for a Supplemental, Special Interest, Personal, or Third Teacher Recommendation, they (your child, not you) will need to ask that person before entering their information on the SAO or Gateway.
The faculty members who write Recommendations on behalf of your children are a seasoned and experienced group having written Recommendations for many years. They had a workshop just this morning to hear of any updates admissions offices may be looking for in their Recommendations.
Recommendation Instructions in the event you need them:
In the odd chance that your student did not submit all Recommendation requests prior to the Thanksgiving Recess, please pay attention to the information below.
Please be sure to use Rumsey faculty email addresses which can be found on the Rumsey Hall School Portal for entering Recommendation Requests. English and math teachers are expecting requests to arrive.
Note the designation for all Principal / Guidance / Counselor Recommendations:
Recommender’s Name: Clayton Ketchum BUT email to Julie at jfred@getcarddoctor.com
For additional recommendations (Personal, Special Interest, Third Teacher, etc.) your student should reach out to individuals personally before sending the request to that teacher or person. A Personal Recommendation can add some color to your child's file as they can speak to your child's personal qualities on a firsthand basis. A Special Interest Recommendation can add context to your child's particular talent, skill or interest in a specific area. This could be academic, artistic, athletic, service, camp, scouts, or religious related. Special Interest and Personal Recommendations certainly can be someone inside or outside of Rumsey. In any case, you will need to add that person’s name and email address to the request in SAO or Gateway.
Applying to Schools over the Winter Recess:
Per the Timetable for the Class of 2024:
Dec.14 – Jan. 2 While home for the Winter Recess, students and parents should complete and submit all parts of the SSAT Standard Application Online (SAO), Gateway to Prep Schools, and any other application methods.
Applications: SAO OR Gateway to Prep Schools