MHS School Counseling Newsletter

The 2023-2024 school year has been off to a great start! We have been so happy to get back into the swing of the school year. Here are some things our department has been working on since we've been back:

- We went into the 9th grade freshmen rotation classrooms at the end of last month to introduce ourselves and do a 'Welcome to MHS' lesson about the differences between middle and high school

- We administered the PSAT on 10/18 to juniors and some sophomores

- We went into the 12th grade Senior Project classrooms to talk to students about their post-secondary plans

- We have continued to meet with the seniors individually regarding their post-secondary plans

Last month we went into the Senior Project Classrooms to talk to students about the college application process and what to expect this fall while getting those applications done. If any students have not yet spoken to their school counselor about their plan for next year, please set up a meeting with us! You can sign up on our appointment sheets outside of our offices or send us an email to schedule something.

Brag Sheet for Counselor Recommendation - please fill this out in as much detail as possible so that your school counselor has all of the information to write a great letter of recommendation!

Caregiver Brag Sheet - a questionnaire for parents to fill out in case they want to provide us with some additional background information that would be helpful for us to know for the letter of recommendation, optional but appreciated!

Transcript Release Form - in order to send any students' transcript to a college or scholarship program, we must legally receive permission to do. If under 18, a parent must also electronically sign

MEFA is offering a handful of different webinars related all aspects of the financial aid process throughout the fall. Here are some in particular to consider attending:

Financial Aid 101 - will provide information and clarity on the entire college financial aid application process, offered many times throughout the fall, for dates and times see event dates here

Ask an Expert All Your CSS Profile Questions - Q&A webinar about the CSS profile with expert financial aid administrator Mike Goodwin, Assistant Director of Student Financial Services at Williams College Wed. Oct. 25th from 6:30-7:30pm, register here

Some recent and helpful blog posts about financial aid:

What You Need to Complete Your Financial Aid Applications

Reporting Income on Financial Aid Applications

Defining Assets on Financial Aid Applications

The FAFSA is delayed this year and will become available in December. A specific date has not been released yet, but we will reach out to students and families once we hear of one. In the meantime, you can create your FSA ID (username and password) which is needed in order to access the FAFSA. The FSA ID can be created here. Your social security number is required in order to create your FSA ID. Both the student and parent will need to have their own separate FSA ID. MEFA has a helpful website with information on the FAFSA Simplification Updates & Resources.

Similar to college applications, the timing of scholarships becoming available is cyclical. Scholarships typically pick up during the second semester, but there are some larger scholarships that students can apply for in the fall. Whenever we learn of a scholarship available to students, we will post it on the Class of 2024 Google classroom. Every year in February, the local Maynard Scholarship Application will open up and we will come into the senior English classes to talk to students about the importance of applying.

In the meantime, please check out this Scholarship Resource List which has information about scholarship search engines and where to get started on your own.

Visits from college admissions representatives are happening every week! These are open to junior and seniors. These visits are done by the admissions representatives who typically read applications for our high school, so please attend! Sign up sheets are available a week in advance for the colleges that are visiting. Please continue to listen to the announcements and check out the Class of 2024 and 2025 Google classroom to see which colleges have scheduled visits.

In order to attend a visit, students need to sign up in the career center at least 2 days in advance. Students must alert their teacher that they will miss class and they are responsible for any missing work.

We administered the PSAT for the 11th grade and the 10th grade students who opted in on Wed. 10/18. Scores will become available sometime in November and will receive an email from the College Board Directly letting them know when the scores are available. At that point, students can then use their scores to decide if they will take the actual SAT when the time comes and what they need to focus on if they are going to be taking that test.

We will be in touch with students when scores are available. When students access their score report on their College Board account, they will be able to connect the account with Khan Academy for a completely personalized study guide based on each individual students' scores.

**Attention all AP students!** We are collecting AP test fees in the main office. Test fees can be paid by check made out to Maynard High School or cash for $98/exam. If students are eligible for free or reduced lunch, the fee is $15/exam. Please let your student's school counselor know if you have any questions or if the fee will pose a financial hardship. AP test fees are due by Nov. 1st. Students must take the AP exam for the classes they are enrolled in.

Although all students can get one free breakfast and one free lunch at school, we still encourage any family who may qualify for free or reduced lunch to fill out the free/reduced lunch application. Qualifying for free/reduced lunch can also qualify students for:

- Fee waivers for college applications

- Standardized testing (SAT and/or) ACT fee waivers

- Fee waivers for the bus

- Fee waivers for the athletics/student activities fee

Please go to https://www.schoollunchapp.com/ to apply

St Stephen Lutheran Church is having a free clothing giveaway open to the public on Saturday, November 4th, from 10 am to Noon. The full flyer is attached.

This drive will have gently used items for women, men, and children at no cost, including coats and jackets. Bring a bag and fill it with clothing for you or your children or a deserving friend.

The Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) connects individuals and families to the full range of treatment services for mental health and substance use offered in Massachusetts, including outpatient, urgent, and immediate crisis care. Call for real-time support, initial clinical assessment, ad connection to the right evaluation and treatment. The BHHL is staffed by trained clinicians and certified peer specialists to support every caller's needs.

The BHHL is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by phone call and text at 833-733-2445, and online chat at masshelpline.com

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network is offering ongoing support zoom groups for various groups of parents. See the attached flyer for additional information.

NAMI Basics is a free virtual course for parents and family caregivers of children and adolescents with emotional or behavioral issues. The course starts on Oct. 17th

- NAMI Basics provides critical strategies for taking care of your child and learning the ropes of recovery

- Participants will learn more communications tips, how to problem-solve, and the skills to help them cope with the emotional impact of caring for their child

For additional information and registration information, see the attached flyer

Emerson Health Community Benefits Webinar is offering a free zoom event, "You Can Help Save a Life"

This event will help you learn how to recognize the warnings signs of suicide, and what to do. Learn three simple steps to save a life:

- Recognize the warning signs o fsuicide

- Know how to offer hope

- Know how to get help and save a life

This virtual event will be held on Nov. 8th from 7-9pm. To register, visit emersonhealth.org/QPR

Nicole Fernald nfernald@maynard.k12.ma.us (978) 897-8891 ext. 3209

Dana MacPhee dmacphee@maynard.k12.ma.us (978) 897-8891 ext. 3105

Amy Petroskey apetroskey@maynard.k12.ma.us (978) 897-8891 ext. 3210

Please also visit our MHS School Counseling website!