SCHOOL 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

Olivia Hull, M.A. (she/her)
School Adjustment Counselor
Email: ohull@maynard.k12.ma.us
Phone: 978-897-8891 x1417
Office: A202

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.

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

Understanding Financial Aid & Paying for College

Counselors went into senior project classes to discuss different types of financial aid, show students how to calculate federal loan payments after college, and compare sample financial aid award letters. The full presentation can be found here.

2024-25 Scheduling

School counselors went into English classes to have 9th, 10th, and 11th graders choose electives for next year in early February. Students can see their course recommendations for core classes through Aspen and which electives they chose those days.

Counselors went to Fowler School on Wednesday, April 3 for current 8th graders to choose their electives for next year. Families can learn more about what we discussed in this newsletter. The portal will be open for 8th graders to make changes to their selections through Monday. Instructions can be found at the end of this presentation.

The 24-25 program of studies is available here.

OTHER EVENTS

The Concord Center Parent Workshop: Validation in Relationships - Wednesday, April 24

The Concord Center presents their free April Parent Workshop Series Event: Validation in Relationships! Validation is a skill that helps individuals and families reduce conflict, improve understanding and perspective taking, and improve relationships. Workshop participants will learn strategies for interpersonal and self validation. This event is free of charge and will take place via a virtual platform on Wednesday April 24th, 2024 from 12pm to 1pm. To register, please click here. Following registration, you will receive a link for the workshop. 

NACAC National College Fair Boston - May 2 + 3

NACAC's National College Fair is coming to Boston. Hundreds of colleges will have representatives available to talk to students about their offerings. The fair is happening:

Thursday, May 2, 2024 - 9am-12pm and 6-8pm
Friday, May 3, 2024 - 9am-12pm

For more information and to find the list of colleges planning to attend, please go here.

NEACAC Spring College Fairs

Every spring the New England Association for College Admission Counseling (NEACAC) holds college fairs at local colleges in the area. The closest fairs are:

-Sunday, May 5, 6-8pm @ Merrimack College, North Andover, MA
-Wednesday, May 29, 5:30-7:30pm @ Assumption College, Worcester, MA
-Thursday, May 30th, 9-11am and 12-1pm @ Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, MA

For the full listing and more details, please check out the NEACAC website.

POST-SECONDARY PLANNING

Seniors: please make sure you are completing the transcript release form if you need us to submit a transcript for a scholarship application.

Check the financial aid information below for support as you receive your packages.

On a waitlist? Here's some helpful information.

Juniors and Parents/caregivers of Juniors: 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.

MEFA Webinar: The College Planning Process for Undocumented Students - April 25

While undocumented students face many barriers to college, it is still possible for them to get a college education. This webinar, presented on Thursday, April 25 at 6:30pm, will address up-to-date immigration policies and eligible and ineligible statuses for federal student aid. Scholarship resources will also be shared, pointing you directly to both state and national organizations at the forefront of this highly discussed topic. Live transcription will be available. You can register for this webinar here.

Financial Aid

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

Step 1 is to create your FSA ID (username and password) here.
Step 2 is to 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.

MEFA Financial Aid Information

Personalized Help Completing, Updating, or Correcting your FAFSA - April 18

MEFA is hosting a virtual event on Thursday, April 18th at 6pm to help students and their families complete, update, and correct their FAFSAs. After a brief presentation, families will have the option to be paired with a financial aid professional for a private session to receive FAFSA assistance. Families may register here.

Articles about other financial aid-related issues:
-Considerations after receiving financial aid packages
-Financial Aid Calculator
-Questions and Answers about Financial Aid Appeals

FAFSA Day 2024 - April 30 + May 13

FAFSA Day is a non-profit, volunteer driven program providing free assistance to students and families seeking to complete the FAFSA.

The last two events this year will take place on Tuesday, April 30 and Monday, May 13 from 6-7:30pm. During these online sessions, financial aid professionals from colleges and organizations across Massachusetts will be ready and available to answer questions and walk you and your family through the application process.

For more information and to register, visit their website here.

uAspire Workshops

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education along with uAspire have partnered to provide free FAFSA support.

Financial Aid Offer Review: The Financial Aid Offer provides students and families with critical information to interpret their financial aid offers. In this workshop on Wednesday, April 24 from 5-6pm, uAspire advisors will share key details about the different types of financial aid, best practices for reviewing and comparing financial aid offers, and the essential next steps to take after determining how much each college will cost. Register for this webinar here.

Summer Steps: uAspire and DESE will hold a webinar on Tuesday, May 21 from 5-6pm about the timeline for high school students in the months before entering college. Topics will include understanding and paying the college bill, applying for outside scholarships or additional loans, and other financial aid steps. There will be an opportunity to ask questions. Please register online.

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.

TESTING

Testing information has been moved to the post-secondary planning website.

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)