Junior Newsletter
April 2020
Hello juniors and families,
I hope you are healthy and doing well during this crazy time. Please reach out to one of the members of our counseling department if you are struggling with school work, mental health challenges or challenges accessing food or other supplies.
Ms. Scully
New Google Classroom for Juniors
Check out the Junior Planning Google Classroom! Use the code: 4wuanf2 to log in. The Junior Planning Google Classroom is a one-stop shop for all of your college and career planning needs. The following is included in the classroom:
- Information/applications for dual enrollment, online high school classes, teaching assistant
- Career research resources
- College search resources
- Information about careers in the trades
- Options for obtaining career training after high school
- Financial aid Information
- Four-year college planning information
- Two-year college planning information
- College planning for students with disabilities
- College athletics information
Life after high school planning support
Families and students are encouraged to reach out to Ms. Scully if you have questions about planning for life after high school. Ms. Scully can be reached at ascully@hr-k12.org or 413-437-5588.
Many of you have met with Ms. Scully and your families to discuss your plans for after high school. Ms. Scully plans to meet (potentially virtually) with each junior who did not have a meeting with their family. These meetings will be scheduled at the end of April/beginning of May. Families are welcome to join these meetings.
Naviance
Dual Enrollment/Joint Admissions
The process for registering for Dual-Enrollment and Joint Admissions has changed due to community college campus closings. Most likely, placement tests will either be waived or students will be required to take them from home. The colleges will communicate their new procedures with students once each student's application has been processed. If you are planning to do Dual Enrollment or Joint Admissions these are the steps you should complete asap.
1. Fill out the HRHS Dual Enrollment or Joint Admissions application and return it to Ms. Scully. You can take a photo of the competed application and email it.
2. Apply directly to the college via their website.
3. Notify Ms. Scully when you apply to the college and she will send your transcript and the Counselor Supplemental Form to the college.
4. After completing the steps above, the college will communicate the next steps.
Course schedules for colleges:
HCC Fall 2020 schedule will be available on Friday, April 10th
STCC Fall 2020 schedule is currently available
GCC Fall 2020 schedule is currently available
Letters of Recommendation for College Applications
Students who plan to apply to four-year colleges will need letters of recommendation in order to complete their applications. Most colleges require a counselor letter of recommendation and/or a teacher letter of recommendation. Click on this link to learn how to acquire these letters. Students are encouraged to begin the process of asking for letters of recommendation at this time.
Timeline for College Bound Students
To Do List for April/May:
- Sign up for SAT
- Ask a teacher to write a letter of recommendation
- Fill out your Brag Sheet so that a counselor can write a letter or recommendation for you.
- Continue to research colleges and narrow down your list
- Do online college tours and connect with college admissions counselors
- Investigate summer job opportunities (jobs, internships, job shadows)
Summer To Do List
- Continue (or begin) to visit college campuses, if possible
- Write your college admissions essay
- Begin to fill out the Common Application (you cannot do this until after August 1st)
What Happens in the Fall
- Finalize your college list
- Fill out applications (in November for Early Action/Decision, Jan/Feb for regular decision)
- Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid , complete after 10/1)
- Decision Days for students going to community college
SAT & ACT Updates
College Testing Policy Changes
Due to the current and potential future cancellations of SAT and ACT test administrations, many colleges are becoming "test optional" schools. Other colleges are removing their subject test requirements.
Check the websites for your colleges of interest to read about any changes. In some cases it may still be beneficial to take the SAT or ACT test. Contact Ms. Scully if you have questions about this.
SAT
May 2nd Exam Cancelled
College Board canceled the May 2nd SAT and SAT Subject Test administration. Students who registered for the May 2nd exam will receive a refund.
Future Testing Opportunities
- The next SAT is scheduled for the first weekend of June. A decision will be made soon as to whether College Board can safely hold that exam administration.
- College Board will add new test administration dates in response to canceled administrations.
Students can sign up for the June 6th exam in order to hold a spot. You will be refunded if this administration is cancelled.
Test date: June 6
Register By: May 8
*Subject tests are available during this testing date*
Click here to register for the SAT
ACT
April 4th Cancellation:
The ACT on April 4th was cancelled. Students who signed up should have received an email with directions on how to register for the June 13th test. If you would prefer a refund, instead of taking the test on June 13th, you need to contact the ACT.
Test Date: June 13
Register By: May 8
Click here to register for the ACT
SAT & ACT Prep
Free Online Test Prep Options
Kaplan free online prep
Kaplan, one of the leading test prep companies, is offering a free month of SAT prep. Kaplan provides SAT test taking strategies that are not available through Khan Academy.
https://www.kaptest.com/sat/free/sat-on-demand-trial
SAT Online Prep - Khan Academy
Students can link their CollegeBoard account to Khan Academy to personalize test prep: https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
ACT Online Prep
http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/
ACT Academy
Local SAT Prep Courses
Westfield State
Westfield State offers interactive on-line prep courses for both the SAT and ACT. There is also a week long SAT summer course that offers in-person instruction. Click here for more information about both of these options.
Summer Opportunities
Need a Resume?
If you are interested in finding an internship for the summer or finding a part-time job, a resume can set you apart from the competition. Check out this video to learn how to create a professional resume. Naviance also has a feature to build a resume!
Job Shadow
The best way to learn about a career is to experience it firsthand. Ask family members or family friends if you can go to work with them for a day or for a few hours this summer. If you don’t know anyone who works in the career in which you are interested, call around to local businesses, offices, medical facilities and ask if they would be willing to have a high school student visit for the day. Contact Ms. Scully if you need ideas of where to shadow.
Internships and Volunteer Work
Internships and volunteer work are great ways to improve your resume and to acquire work related skills. There are many local organizations that take volunteers and interns over the school year and the summer. Some examples are Cooley Dickinson Hospital, the Survival Center in Northampton and Elite Home Health Agency in West Hatfield. Local churches, non-profits, and libraries are also great places to volunteer. If you would like more information about how you can earn credit for an internship next school year, see Ms. Scully.
Reminder: You need 30 hours of community service before graduation.
Career Spotlight
Trends in the labor market
Interested in learning what occupations are growing the fastest and pay the most? Check out these articles about the 20 fastest growing careers and the highest paying jobs.