Student Services Update
9/1/2023
Welcome to MTRS Student Services!
Thanks for reading the Student Services Update!
Questions about scheduling, the college process, scholarships, work permits, transcripts, or life in general? Do you need to speak with someone regarding an issue that is bothering you, do you need a place to discuss what is going on in your life or to figure out how you are feeling? 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 kind of information you would like to read about in this newsletter: sgarcia@mtrsd.org
Click here to go to the MTRS Student Services Website. Here you will find additional resources and some FAQs!
WELCOME BACK!!!!
Happy start to your 2023-2024 school year. This newsletter will be emailed to all 9th-12th grade students and caregivers weekly on Thursdays. It will also be linked in Mr. Buckland’s weekly newsletter.
Your student should have brought home a packet of paperwork for you to review, sign, and return. If you did not receive this paperwork, please contact the front office.
Meet our New High School Counselor!
Hello Mohawk students and families, I look forward to meeting you. A little bit about me, I grew up in Bernardston, MA, and am returning to the area with my husband and 3 young boys. I have worked as a school counselor at Natick High School for the past 10 years. In my free time, I enjoy reading, cooking, gardening, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.
Students, in addition to emailing me at acairney@mtrsd.org, please utilize my online booking tool at: https://acairney.youcanbook.me/.
Aspen Access
If you are having trouble logging into Aspen, please submit a ticket to: help@suzorit.com
Honors Level Selection
Honors course level selection is taking place this week. If you would like to take a course for honors credit please let your teacher know by Friday, September 8th.
MTRS has 3 levels of coursework, College Prep, Honor, and Advanced Placement. Grades are weighted based on the level of course a student takes. Students are then ranked according to their weighted cumulative grade point average at the end of each semester. Below is an explanation of the grading system and class rank.
Grading System and Class Rank
Grading System and Class Rank
Courses are weighted when computing class rank and GPA. See the chart below. Class rank and GPA includes all students in their core academic areas only: English, Math, Social Studies, Science, and World Languages. It does not include courses taken at the local community college; that GPA stands separately. The placement Level and the associate Grade Point Value are listed below.
Independent Study courses and courses taken outside of Mohawk Trail, including online, Greenfield Community College, or correspondence courses, are not considered when GPA (Grade Point Average) is calculated.
Credits are earned by completing classes with a passing grade and credit is awarded at the end of each semester. (Credit for yearlong courses such as AP courses is awarded when the course is completed.) A semester is one-half of the school year. Semester one is from late August to mid-January, and semester two is from mid-January - June.

12th Grade Students
Mrs. Cairney will be working closely with the Senior Advisory Teachers to find common time to share information and resources pertaining to college admissions. Stay tuned!
Things to be mindful of when applying to college:
Deadlines: Early Action/Early Decision deadlines begin on November 1st
Common Application: A widely used college application tool
Letters of Recommendation: Most colleges require at least one letter of recommendation from their Junior year core academic teacher, students need to have this conversation at least 1 month before their first deadline. Mrs. Cairney will also be writing a letter of recommendation, stay tuned for more information on that process.
College Essay: Students wrote a version of the college essay in their Junior year English class. Many choose to use this or you can start fresh. Please view Common Application Essay Prompts for more information.
SAT/ACT Test Dates: For students who may need/want to take a standardized test
College Visit Schedule - Colleges are coming to Mohawk! This is an opportunity for Juniors and Seniors to speak with a college admission representative to learn more about what colleges have to offer and their application process.
Financial Aid Information
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - The redesigned FAFSA is expected to open in December 2023 for the 2024-2025 school year.
CSS Profile - Financial Aid application that some colleges require
Financial Aid 101 - A video explaining the financial aid process
Financial Aid Calculator - Calculating the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC)
Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) - Financial Aid resources for Massachusetts residents.
11th Grade Students
PSAT: MTRS will be administering the PSAT to all juniors who are interested in taking it on Thursday, October 19th during the school day. UPDATE - It is FREE for all! Please register here: PSAT Sign Up by Thursday, September 7th by the end of the day if you want to take the PSAT.
The PSAT/NMSQT (short for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is an opportunity for students to practice for the SAT. Your PSAT scores are designed to predict your SAT scores and gauge your college readiness. By taking the PSAT, you will learn which areas you should focus on when studying for the SAT and will be better equipped to score well on the SAT. For more information please visit: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt
College Visit Schedule - Colleges are coming to Mohawk! This is an opportunity for Juniors and Seniors to speak with a college admission representative to learn more about what colleges have to offer and their application process.
CAREER TRAILS
Career information, exploration, and opportunities.
This year students will be exposed to career speakers in their Academic and elective classes. These speakers will highlight careers that connect to the 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……