Our School Counseling Team
The School Counseling staff includes a Supervisor of Pupil Personnel Services and School Counseling, eight full time counselors and one full time student assistance counselor. The School Counseling Department focuses on promoting and supporting growth in our students in academics, as well as mental and emotional wellness.
Supervisor of Pupil Personnel Services / School Counseling
Mr. Andrew Amendola - aamendola@clarkschools.org
Arthur L. Johnson High School 732-382-3259
Ms. Jennifer Sanchez - jsanchez@clarkschools.org
Ms. Molly Cusick - mcusick@clarkschools.org
Ms. Meghan Bradley - mbradley@clarkschools.org
Ms. Ellen Zamboni - ezamboni@clarkschools.org
Mr. Steve Kaelblein - SAC skaelblein@clarkschools.org
Carl H. Kumpf Middle School 732-381-4100
Mr. Steven Acosta - sacosta@clarkschools.org
Ms. Danielle Crincoli - dcrincoli@clarkschools.org
Valley Road School 732-388-7901
Ms. Sarah Badillo - sbadillo@clarkschools.org
Frank K. Hehnly School 732-381-8100
Mr. Joseph Sortino - jsortino@clarkschools.org
Support Staff
Ms. Roseanne Bowden- rbowden@clarkschools.org
Ms. Susan Smith - ssmith@clarkschools.org
Upcoming Events
Fairleigh Dickinson University will be hosting a Zoom visit on Wednesday, November 4th from 12-1. If interested please contact Sue Smith for the link.
Instant Decision Days:
Kean University - November 16th
Rider University - November 23rd
Fairleigh Dickinson University - November 23rd
Seton Hall University - November 24th
William Paterson University - December 4th
Montclair State University - December 8th
Stockton University - December 11th
New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) - December 14th
*The School Counseling Office has a list of Instant Decision Days. Seniors that are interested should contact their School Counselor or Sue Smith*
Help Resources
If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, please contact 911 or call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to be connected to a trained counselor at a suicide crisis center nearest you.
IMPORTANT LINKS
UCCTI Shared-Time Program
Application Process
The application for shared-time programs with the Union County Career & Technical Institute (UCCTI) for the 2021-2022 school year will be located here when available:
2021-2022 Program of Studies
SAT/ACT Information
At least one SAT or ACT should be taken before senior year. All colleges in the United States accept both tests. Make sure you are registering for an exam with an essay if your prospective school requires it. Test dates and registration information can be found at the below links.
List of Schools That Require the SAT With Essay.pdf
Scholarships/Financial Aid Information
Visit the ALJ Scholarship/Financial Aid site for monthly scholarship bulletins, external scholarship links, and financial aid resources.
Tutoring Program
ALJ Tutoring
Students in grades 9-12 are invited to work with members of the National Honor Society and the Science National Honor Society on Tuesdays (Room 4) and Thursdays (Room 214) throughout the school year. Students must sign up to attend before 7:50 a.m. on the day of tutoring.
Paid Tutoring
National Honor Society students are available to tutor students outside of school for a fee of $15/hr. Please utilize this link to request a tutor.
College Scholarship Tracker
Seniors who have applied to colleges may start hearing back within a few weeks. In an effort to keep information organized, a worksheet with some examples is below to keep track of scholarship offers from each school. Note that some awards may not come until the FAFSA information is processed.
Vocational/Trade Programs
Military Academies & Armed Forces
Military representatives visit ALJ throughout the school year. Students interested in pursuing a career in the armed forces or placement into an ROTC program or one of the Service Academies* should speak to his/her counselor to obtain relevant information.
*Students interested in applying to one or more of the Service Academies must discuss this with his/her counselor during junior year of high school. The process of applying is lengthy and detailed.
| Service Academies | Armed Forces | ROTC Programs |
| U.S. Air Force Academy | U.S. Air Force | Air Force ROTC |
| U.S. Coast Guard Academy | U.S. Army | Army ROTC |
| U.S. Merchant Marine Academy | U.S. Coast Guard | Navy ROTC |
| U.S. Military Academy (West Point) | U.S. Marines | |
| U.S. Naval Academy | U.S. Navy |