Skip to content
SCHOOL COUNSELING
IMPORTANT DATES
"Starting the Conversation: College and Your Mental Health" Webinar - Monday, March 21, 7-8pm
The annual College Panel program offered by NAMI Central Middlesex will be presented as a webinar again this year. If you have a family member in high school or college for whom mental health may be a concern, this will be a welcome informational evening. Our panelists include representatives from area colleges and a college student living with a mental health condition. It is prudent to understand privacy laws, what can be communicated by college administrations, and that colleges differ in supports. Students, parents/guardians, and school counselors are welcome to attend.
Registration is available here and further information can be found here. In deference to our safe space pledge for the event, there will not be a public recording of the event.
SERF College Fair - Saturday, March 19
The Annual SERF College Fair encourages and supports high school students from all backgrounds to explore education after graduation. High school students and their families are invited to join us for FREE seminars and workshops with experienced college counselors, and for live conversations with college admissions and gap year representatives.
There will be online workshops from March 13-18 and a live college fair on Saturday, March 19. More information can be found here.
NACAC Virtual College Fairs
NACAC is providing virtual college fair options for juniors this spring. Dates are below. Please register in advance for these events here.
Virtual College Fair - Sunday, April 3, 2022
1:00 p.m. –6:00 p.m.
Student Pathways Virtual College Fair (for students taking alternate paths including adult learners, gap-year students, and transfers) - Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Session 1: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Session 2: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Virtual College Fair - Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Session 1: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Session 2: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
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
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)
-Guide to paying for college
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 is now available! It is due by 2:05pm on Friday, April 8th. Any student pursuing a path after high school with a cost (college, certificate program, trade or training program, etc.) is eligible to apply for scholarship funds.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
MINDWISE 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.
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)