COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

Phone: 978-897-8891
Fax: 978-897-6089

Counselors are available Monday through Friday during the school day. If you need to meet outside of regular hours, please contact us.

Nicole Fernald, M.Ed., C.A.G.S. (she/her)
Certified School Guidance Counselor
Caseload: Last names K-Z
Email: nfernald@maynard.k12.ma.us
Phone: 978-897-8891 x3209
Office: B109

Dana MacPhee, M.A., C.A.G.S. (she/her)
Certified School Guidance Counselor
Certified School Adjustment Counselor
Caseload: Specific students, last names A-Z
Email: dmacphee@maynard.k12.ma.us
Phone: 978-897-8891 x3105
Office: A203

Amy Petroskey, M.Ed., Ed.S. (she/her)
Certified School Guidance Counselor
(On leave March-August 2025)
Caseload: Last names A-J
Email: apetroskey@maynard.k12.ma.us
Phone: 978-897-8891 x3210
Office: B110

Julia Cho, Ed.M. (she/her)
Long Term Substitute School Counselor
Caseload: Last names A-J
Email: jcho@maynard.k12.ma.us
Phone: 978-897-8891 x3210
Office: B110

Alexandra Cox, M.Ed. (she/her)
Certified School Adjustment Counselor
Email: acox@maynard.k12.ma.us
Phone: 978-897-8891 x3219
Office: B119

Counseling Department Newsletters

Other Counseling Pages

Important Information

Program of Studies - This document includes MHS graduation requirements.
2023-24 edition
2024-25 edition

Supplemental Low-Income Data Collection Form - Although all students receive free lunch, low-income families can complete a special form to qualify for fee waivers or reductions for the bus, activities and athletics, class dues, standardized tests, and college applications. If you think you may qualify, please complete this form.
English
Español
Português

Work Permits - Work permit applications are available in the main office. Completed applications can be turned in at the main office for official work permits.

Bus Information - At this point in the school year, families must go here in order to sign up for a bus pass. Bus passes are free for students who qualify through the supplemental data form above.

Official Transcripts for Alumni - Official transcripts can be requested at the main office, by calling 978-897-8891, or by emailing Gail Lucas at glucas@maynard.k12.ma.us.

SCHOOL COUNSELING

IN-SCHOOL EVENTS

Advanced Placement (AP) Testing

AP testing will take place May 5-May 16, 2025. Please check out this schedule to see when your test is scheduled to take place.

Some things to remember:

  • No matter when a test ends, you are not allowed to leave the exam until the exam is over and you are dismissed. Plan to be at school for the entire duration of the exam.

  • Afternoon tests will not end until after the school day is over (approx. 3:15pm or later), you are not allowed to leave the exam until the exam is over and you are dismissed

  • Some of the exams are scheduled on 1/2 days

    • Morning exams will not be done until after dismissal (approx. 11:45am)

    • Afternoon exams will take place after school from 11:45-3:15 or later

    • You are not allowed to leave the exam until the exam is over and you are dismissed

  • Please make arrangements with your coach/team if you will miss or be late to a practice or game; plan any prom preparations May 9th for after the exam is finished. You will not be allowed to leave the exam early

  • All of the tests will be using your school-issued computer for part or all of the exam-make sure it is in good working order and fully charged on the day of the exam

  • Please bring something to write with

  • For tests allowing calculators please bring your own calculator

Please see your AP teacher or School Counselor with any questions.

Junior Post-Secondary Planning

Counselors presented in junior history classrooms March 5-7th on the post-secondary planning process. All materials shared are posted below (in the Post-Secondary Planning section of the site), in the Class of 2026 Google Classroom, and in a School Counseling Newsletter.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Creating a Compelling College Application this Summer - May 21

The Maynard Public Library is hosting a free Zoom presentation to help high school juniors and their parents understand how to use the upcoming summer productively to create a compelling college application.

The presentation, led by Ron Feuchs and Jackie Tepper, partners at Stand Out For College, LLC., will cover the college application process including current admissions trends, writing the personal statement essay and supplemental essays, teacher recommendations, application strategies, and standardized test scores,

When: Wednesday, May 21, 7-8pm
Registration is available here.

NEACAC College Fairs

The New England Association of College Admission Counselors will hold college fairs throughout New England during the month of May. The closest fairs will be held in the following locations:

For more information about the NEACAC fairs in general, please check out their website.

bryt Parents Supporting Parents Conversations

bryt Parents Supporting Parents Conversations offer a safe environment for parents of children dealing with mental health challenges to support one another.

The Middle/High School Parents conversations are scheduled for the third Tuesday of the month, from 7-8pm. The last date of the year is May 20th. Use this link to join.

The BIPOC Parents conversations are scheduled for the 4th Tuesday of the month from 7-8pm. The last date of the year is May 27. Use this link to join.

Free Parent Workshop Series

The Concord Center's Parent Workshop Series is an ongoing opportunity for parents to receive guidance and education around mental health challenges and treatment options for their children and adolescents. These workshops are offered virtually on select Wednesdays from 12-1pm, and are free of charge.

  • May 21: Intro to MATCH

  • July 16: Collaborative Problem Solving

​Registration for these events can be found here.

POST-SECONDARY PLANNING

Class of 2025: As you apply to scholarships, please make sure you are completing the transcript release form if you need us to submit a transcript.

Final transcripts will be sent to the college/program that you indicated on the Class of 2025 Post-Secondary Plan Survey. These will be sent after graduation.

Class of 2026: Here are the slides counselors shared when we came into history classrooms in March. The slides contain active links to the resources we discussed. A sample spreadsheet for compiling information can be found here - please make a copy and edit it to fit your needs.

Here are the slides we shared with parents in our Parent Post-Secondary Planning night event on March 4, 2025. Here is a link to the recorded event. We mention the chat in this recording and we have updated the slides and this website to include all of the links shared in the chat.

Please schedule a time to meet with you counselor. Families are welcome! To schedule a time, email Ms. Cho (covering for Mrs. Petroskey's leave) and Ms. MacPhee, and self-schedule with Ms. Fernald.

College Scorecard

During the college search, college websites are important sources of information. However, they are selling themselves to students and families, the consumers. The College Scorecard is a Department of Education website that compiles data about the true cost of attending, college retention and graduation rates, and student outcome information.

FINANCIAL AID

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which all colleges require for financial aid (and sometimes merit aid, as well) is available.

Step 1: create your FSA ID (username and password) here. You should complete this at least one week ahead of starting the FAFSA.
Step 2: complete the FAFSA here.

MEFA has created a handy checklist for what you need and the steps to complete the FAFSA.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts also provides resources for supporting families completing the FAFSA. Additional resources are available here and here is a list of events and one-on-one support for completing the FAFSA.

Mass State Financial Aid Programs

Other resources available to help students afford a college degree include:

MEFA Financial Aid Webinars

Financial Aid 101

MEFA's Financial Aid 101 Webinar provides information and clarity on the entire college financial aid application process. Learn about financial aid applications and types of financial aid, the factors that determine your aid eligibility, how colleges determine the amount of aid to offer, and the details of financial aid offers. Recorded webinars of this program are available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Haitian Creole, French, and Chinese. These can all be found here.

Scholarships

It's never too early to think about applying for scholarships. The counselors have created this document with tips and links for where to find information. Bentley University has also compiled this informative list.

All scholarships that counselors hear about are posted in Google Classroom, so be sure to check there often.

STUDENTS WITH 504s OR IEPs

The process to receive accommodations at college is not the same as in high school. Students need to disclose their disability and request accommodations through the office of disability services (sometimes also called accessibility services). For more information about the transition to college with a disability, check out these resources.

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

Mental Health/Crisis Hotlines

  • Advocates 24/7 Mobile Crisis Line: 800-540-5806

  • MA Behavioral Health Help Line: 833-773-2445

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

  • Crisis Text Line: Text ACT to 741741

  • theTrevorProject.org 1-866-488-7386

  • Trans Lifeline 1-877-565-8860

Community and Mental Health Resources (Webpage)

Mental Health Resources List (Google Doc)