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SCHOOL COUNSELING
IMPORTANT DATES
Preparing High School Students with Disabilities for College
The Banacos Academic Center at Westfield State University invites parents and students with disabilities to a free, virtual session on preparing 9th-12th grade students for college. These discussions will offer information about the way the accommodations process happens at the college level, as well as the types of accommodations available for students.
These sessions are applicable to students with physical, health, and learning disabilities. The information provided will be applicable to most, if not all colleges, not just Westfield State. Bring your questions with you!
Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 3:30pm
Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 6:30pm
You can register in advance for one of these sessions here.
MEFA College Financing Webinars
MEFA is offering webinars designed to help students and families understand the financial aid application process and how to finance college. These are relevant for families of current juniors and seniors. They are also holding webinars to support families in completing the FAFSA and the CSS Profile. See the dates and sign up for these webinars here.
MEFA After the College Acceptance Webinars
These MEFA webinars provide valuable guidance for high school seniors who have received their college acceptance letters and financial aid offers and are trying to make the college decision. See the dates and sign up for these webinars here.
MHS COUNSELING EVENTS AND INFORMATION
Signs of Suicide for 9th and 10th Graders and Parents
The school counselors went into 9th grade English classes and 10th grade health classes to teach the SOS Signs of Suicide Curriculum in late November and December. We also held a parent night in early December.
Our goals for this program include teaching students:
that depression is treatable so they are encouraged to seek help
how to identify serious depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend
to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend
who they can turn to at school for help, if they need it
Additional information for parents can be found on the MindWise Signs of Suicide website.
Senior Financial Aid and Scholarship Information
Financial aid priority deadlines are approaching and now is the time to get your FAFSA completed. MEFA offers plenty of financial aid resources and webinars to watch if you need help with this process. Here are some newer resources they have shared:
- Financial Aid Q&As and Additional Q&As
- How to Maximize Financial Aid
- Understanding your EFC (Estimated Family Contribution)
Additionally, please check out our Scholarship Resource List. This document has a ton of information about where to start when applying for scholarships.
The local Maynard scholarship application will be available in February. We will be going into senior classrooms at that time to share the application and additional important information.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
TRANSITIONING TO COLLEGE WITH A 504 PLAN OR IEP
Presented by the MHS Special Education and School Counseling Departments and MPS SEPAC
Barbara Ahern, director of disability services at Middlesex Community College, joined us to share information for families about the differences between high school and college disability services, how to apply for services, what post-secondary accommodations look like, as well as community-based resources in Massachusetts, and resources for transitioning to college.
TESTING
PSAT
PSAT scores are now available! Students can view their score through their College Board account. If students did not have a College Board account prior to taking the PSATs, they will need to create one using the email address they provided when they sat for the test in October. If you need any help accessing your PSAT scores, check out this video.
Students can use these scores to help them prep for the SAT. The College Board has partnered with Khan Academy to set up personalized study guides for each student using their PSAT scores. Check out this video to see how you can link your College Board and Khan Academy accounts.
Upcoming SAT TESTS
Register at www.collegeboard.org
-March 12
-May 7
-June 4
Please reach out to your counselor if you need a fee waiver.
Upcoming ACT TESTS
Register at www.actstudent.org
-February 12
-April 2
-June 11
-July 16
Please reach out to your counselor if you need a fee waiver.
RESOURCES
SUICIDE HOTLINES
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Crisis Text Line: Text ACT to 741741
theTrevorProject.org 1-866-488-7386
Trans Lifeline 1-877-565-8860
Advocates Local Mobile Crisis - (800) 540-5806
RESOURCES FOR SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT (including local support)