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 Lb-Z (K-Z for class of 2025 and beyond)
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
Caseload: Last names A-La (A-J for class of 2025 and beyond)
Email: apetroskey@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

Application for Free/Reduced Lunch - Although all students receive free lunch, it is helpful for families to apply for free lunch each year. Qualifying for free/reduced lunch allows 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 apply here.

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 - Families must go here in order to sign up for the bus for the 24-25 school year.

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

Welcoming New 9th Graders

Counselors started going into the freshman rotation blocks last week to introduce themselves to students, talk about their roles and how to get in touch, and to orient students to high school through graduation requirements and other important policies they should know and understand.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Service Academy Day - Sunday, Oct 13 (NEW DATE)

Congresswoman Katherine Clark is holding her second annual Service Academy Day.

  • When: Sunday, October 13, 11am-1pm

  • Where: Malden Senior Center

Any students interested in the possibility of seeking a congressional nomination to apply to the service academies should plan to attend.

For more information, click here.

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.

  • October 23: Reinforcement Strategies

  • December 4: Validation

  • January 22: Depression 101

  • March 5: Intro to SPACE

  • April 2: Coping Ahead for Summer

  • May 21: Intro to MATCH

  • July 16: Collaborative Problem Solving

​Registration for these events can be found here.

POST-SECONDARY PLANNING

Class of 2025: In late March, school counselors presented to families and students in the class of 2025. You can view the slides presented to families here and a recording of the full presentation is available here. Please also feel free to refer to the Postsecondary Planning Timeline and Resources page for more information, including SAT and ACT test dates.

As you begin to apply to colleges and scholarships, please make sure you are completing the transcript release form if you need us to submit a transcript.

In-Person College Planning Event with MEFA - Tuesday, Oct 8

Join this in-person workshop with MEFA’s Senior Director of College Planning, Education, and Training, Julie Shields-Rutyna, to learn about current trends in college admissions, building a college list, and about the different components of the application, such as transcripts, essays, and letters of recommendation. 

You will also learn about the college financial aid application process, the types of financial aid available, how colleges determine your financial aid eligibility, and financial aid offers.

Where: Marlborough Public Library, Grice Community Room
When: Tuesday, October 8, 6-7pm
RSVP: Register here.

NEACAC Fall College Fairs

The New England Association of College Admissions Counselors (NEACAC) is holding college fairs around Massachusetts and New England this fall.

  • Worcester State University - Sunday, 10/6, 11am-1pm

More details and other dates can be found here. This year, students are asked to register for the event ahead of time so they can quickly and easily get on mailing lists of the colleges they visit at the fair. Registration through StriveScan is available here.

A college fair visits during the school day will count as an excused absence for seniors if they bring back documentation showing they attended the fair.

College Admissions Visits to MHS

College admissions representatives are visiting the Career Center at MHS this fall. All visits are announced in the class of 2025 and class of 2026 Google Classrooms. A list of them can also be found here. (PLEASE NOTE: This list is subject to change, as colleges cancel or reschedule. The most up-to-date information will always be in Google Classroom)

In order to attend, students must sign up at least 2 days in advance in the career center (outside of Mrs. Petroskey and Ms. Fernald's offices) and alert their teacher. Students are responsible for any missing work.

These are great opportunities to ask questions, get more information, and to have some face-to-face time with someone who might be the person reading your application. Some schools also count interest as part of their application process and attending a visit like this will count.

If you have any questions, please see your school counselor and be sure to check Google Classroom regularly.

FINANCIAL AID

MEFA Financial Aid Webinars

The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority offers a variety of free webinars for students and families regarding financial aid. See the links below for more information and to register.

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) will be available in December 2024.

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

MEFA has created a checklist for what you need and the steps to complete the FAFSA. That document can be found here.

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)