Student Services Update
9/29/2022
Welcome to Student Services!
Thanks for reading the Student Services Update!
Questions about scheduling, the college process, scholarships, work permits, transcripts, or life in general? Please feel free to contact us or stop by the office. The Student Services Office is here to help! We look forward to seeing you soon!
Let us know what other information you would like to read here @ sneuenschwander@mtrsd.org
Parent and Caregiver Support
Support groups, guides, and other information for parents and caregivers who want additional support for themselves and their children.
Parental Stress Line: 1-800-632-8188
Parents and caregivers who are experiencing any kind of problems related to their children can call the Parental Stress Line for support. The Parental Stress Line is staffed by volunteer counselors who are sympathetic and nonjudgmental. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Parental Stress Line is a project of Parents Helping Parents of Massachusetts.
Aspen
Aspen is our information portal which allows students and caregivers to view grades, progress reports, and report cards. Here at MTRS, we distribute report cards and progress reports via Aspen. An email with login information and instructions for caregivers was sent to the email address corresponding to the first contact listed for a student.
INVESTMENT CLUB
Are you interested in finding out more about how to invest your money to make more money? Do you want to learn more about what the stock market is and how it works and how to invest? Please see Ms. Neuenschwander if you are interested in learning more about this opportunity.
COLLEGE OF THE WEEK:
Located in South Hadley, Massachusetts, Mount Holyoke College is a highly selective, nondenominational, residential, research liberal arts college for women that is gender diverse and welcomes applications from female, transgender, and non-binary students.
Mount Holyoke promotes experiential learning in all majors. They are particularly strong in STEM and the Arts. International travel is encouraged and supported by multiple programs and internship opportunities in other countries.
12th Grade News
Here is a preview of the fall:
College application/Essay Support: Activity time - room 212
November 1st: Early Action/Early Decision 4-year College application deadline
COLLEGE VISIT SCHEDULE: Visits offered during Advisory and Lunch
HENRY DAVID THOREAU FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
The objective is to foster future environmental leaders. Henry David Thoreau Scholars study many different subjects such as oceanography, green architecture, conservation biology, and alternative energy as well as engineering and computer science majors related to the environment. Thoreau Scholars also participate in study abroad programs and gain work experience through internships, which reinforce an environmental undergraduate experience.
Visit www.thoreauscholar.org or email jackie@thoreauscholar.org to learn more about the scholarship program. The application opens on October 15, 2022, and closes on February 1, 2023.
College Financial Aid Assistance (FAFSA)
The FAFSA (Free application for Financial Aid) is the primary form that parents and students fill out to qualify for Financial assistance from 2 and 4-year colleges.
The FAFSA application opens on October 1st and uses tax information from the 2020 tax year. In order to further understand this form please attend the following webinar offered by MEFA - The Massachusetts Educational Finance Authority. This is the first of many, so if you cannot attend this one I will list new dates and times as they become available.
UNDERSTANDING THE FAFSA
Please attend one of these live webinars to understand how to fill out the FAFSA, the financial document needed by all 2/4-year colleges to qualify for financial aid.
Thursday, October 06, 20226:30pm - 7:30pm RSVP
Tuesday, October 11, 20226:30pm - 7:30pm RSVP
Thursday, October 20, 20226:30pm - 7:30pm RSVP
Wednesday, October 26, 202212:00pm - 1:00pm RSVP
Tuesday, November 01, 20226:30pm - 7:30pm RSVP
11th Grade Students
Career and College readiness lessons will start in October using Naviance. Students will learn how to log in and navigate this platform. Here is a preview of the lessons students will participate in the first semester:
What do you know
What makes me unique
My Career Goals
Extracurricular Activities
Challenging Myself
My College Assessments
Also, it is never too early to learn about 4-year colleges. 11th-grade students are welcome to the college visits that take place during advisory or lunch in the library. College Visit Schedule
10TH GRADE STUDENTS
The focus of 10th-grade career and college readiness lessons in the 1st semester is self-reflection through goal setting, further identification of interests, career investigation, and the connection between the classroom and careers.
9TH GRADE STUDENTS
Through the month of September, Ms. Neuenschwander will be meeting individually with each 9th-grade student to get to know you.
8TH GRADE STUDENTS
Wondering what your student has for homework? Check out the 8th Grade Daily Homework Page!
7TH GRADE STUDENTS
Wondering what your student has for homework? Check out the 7th Grade Daily Homework Page!
Is it Flirting or Hurting?
This is a common question that comes up in Middle School. During the week of October 3rd, seventh-grade students will participate in a workshop about sexual harassment, called “Flirting or Hurting?” During the workshop, we will be discussing the definition of sexual harassment and what students can do if they witness or experience harassing behavior. The workshop will take place during Science classes Tuesday-Thursday. The workshop will be facilitated by Ms. Ruggeri, School Counselor, and Ms. Johnson, Science Teacher.
The curriculum is introduced in 7th grade because middle school is a time when many students begin experimenting with language and gestures that they do not fully understand. They are faced with the task of developing identities within peer groups and the larger community, and interactions between students can result in confusion and misinterpretation. Often students in middle school do not realize the effect that their behavior has on others, and many are unaware of the definition of sexual harassment and that it can be a form of bullying.
Proactively providing students with information about sexual harassment in middle school is part of our commitment to creating a community of learners who are respectful and accountable, as well as promoting a culture of empowerment.
CAREER TRAILS
Career information, exploration, and opportunities.
CAREER OF THE MONTH:
Actuary - click on the link to find out more about this growing career field.
This year students will be exposed to career speakers in their Academic and elective classes. These speakers will highlight careers that connect to that specific academic area or topic they are learning about in class. This allows students to connect the classroom to the real world. More to follow……
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
My plan is to launch training with the Cyber-Seniors staff in mid-late October. There are TWO ways youth can complete training. One is to navigate it on their own on the Cyber Senior website, and the other is to be part of a cohort that goes through training together. There are six sessions (all remote) with corresponding quizzes to complete. After training is completed, it is exclusively up to the volunteer how much time they dedicate to the project. Ideally, I would like to have multiple drop-in hours each week (at GCC/other sites), and of course, there will always be the option to volunteer remotely.
Youth can fill out a BRIEF interest form at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kL2RnXg-RvGgrGEP7LWXprHMtf-Mp1JaRgxJL_b97Wc/edit
This program is truly a win-win for youth and older adults. It is a wonderful way to build intergenerational relationships allowing youth to use the expertise they have gained as digital natives to help older adults. It's also something they can put on their resume when applying for college and/or entering the world of work.
Please email me at raperj@gcc.mass.edu with any questions! Thanks so much.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
J.S. RAE: YARDMAN
JS Rae down the road is looking for a student to mow lawns (zero-turn), shovel snow, clean the shop, and run errands. You should have a clean record.
For more information, contact Cynthia Pelletier, Office Manager @Joseph S. Rae, LLC
2231 Route 2 – Charlemont, MA 01370 Tel: 413-625-9228 cindy@jsrae.com
BERKSHIRE EAST:
For the Winter 22/23 Season!
Positions include Snowsports Instructors, Race Coaches and Crew, Lift Attendants, Maintenance and Mechanics, Cooks, Servers, Dishwashers, and more!
Scan the QR code in the flyer below, employment@berkshireeast.com or call 413.339.6618 x 1050 for more information.
YANKEE CANDLE:
Hiring high school students (ages 16 & 17) as long as you have a signed work permit. HERE is the job flyer with a QR code that links directly to our Indeed Retail Sales Associate job posting.
Available Positions with very flexible schedules:
- Retail
- Restock
- Property and Guest Services
Applicants can come to the store and fill out an application onsite and we will give them an immediate interview.
Contact Us
School Counselor Grades 9-12th
https://neuenschwander.youcanbook.me
School Counselor Grades 7 & 8th
https://truggeri.youcanbook.me/
Registrar and Student Services Assistant
413-625-9811 ext. 1305
Email: sgarcia@mtrsd.org
Website: https://mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org/Mohawk-Student-Services
Location: 26 Ashfield Road, Shelburne Falls, MA, USA
Phone: (413) 625-9811