FROM THE HISTORY/SOCIAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
FROM THE COUNSELING CENTER
GUIDANCE, COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS
For the most current information from the Counseling Center we encourage parents and students to routinely check the Counseling Center tab at the MRHS home page.
TEST DATES
Juniors who are planning to continue their education at a four-year college or university should plan to take the SAT Reasoning Test on May 2 or June 6. Sophomores and juniors, who need to take SAT Subject Tests in courses they are currently in, should take them in June upon completion of the course. The ACT will be given at Minnechaug on April 4. Be sure you meet the registration deadline! (Normally 30 days prior.) Direct links to the websites for registration can be found on Edline under the Counseling Center tab.
AP EXAMS will be administered May 4 – May 15. Registration forms will be available in the Counseling Center March 2. The cost is $94.00 per test. The AP seminar test cost is $142.00. The AP Capstone test cost is $142.00. The deadline to register is Thursday, March 12.
College Readiness Workshop for Juniors and Parents
All juniors will attend the College Workshop on March 10 during F block, 9:45 – 10:30 and will receive important information regarding the college search. Parents and juniors are also encouraged to attend the evening College Readiness Program on Tuesday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the MRHS auditorium. A panel of college admissions representatives will be able to answer your questions.
STUDENT WITHDRAWAL PROCESS
A parent/guardian must come to the Counseling Center and fill out a Withdrawal Form the day before the student’s last day. The student, on their last day, will take the form to have each teacher provide their grade as of that date and return any text books. The student will also get signatures from the Librarian, Athletic Director, Student Activities Secretary, Cafeteria Bookkeeper and Main Office Secretary that all school debts has been paid. The completed form must be returned to Mrs. Lavoie, Guidance Secretary, in the Counseling Center at the end of the students last day. When all books and debts are paid and a Request for Records is received from the student’s new school the student’s cumulative file will be mailed to their new school.
ACADEMY DAY
Juniors interested in applying to a US Military Academy are highly encouraged to attend Academy Day hosted by Congressman Richard Neal. It will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2020, at Noon at the Springfield Museums, 21 Edward Street, Springfield Massachusetts. Registration forms are available in the Counseling Center.
For more information go to https://neal.house.gov/services/academy-nominate.
FINANCIAL AID PRESENTATION FOR SENIORS AND PARENTS BY THE MASSACHUSETTS EDUCATIONAL FINANCING AUTHORITY
“Paying the College Bill Seminar” Once you have received your acceptance letters, the next step is to choose a college and figure out how to pay for it. All college bound students and parents are encouraged to attend this seminar on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at Longmeadow High School.
You can also visit www.mefacounselor.org to download MEFA College Financing eBook, access helpful tips, financial aid applications, calculators and worksheets. Utilize the “Ask the Expert” link on the website to email financial aid questions, and sign up to receive MEFA emails to help you stay on track throughout the senior year. It is also important to communicate with the financial aid office at the colleges you have been accepted to; they can answer specific question concerning your specific financial aid question. There is also a short video on the FAFSA on Edline, under the Counseling Center tab.
National College Fair at the Big E, Monday, April 6, 2020 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Juniors and Sophomores are encouraged to attend.
The 2020 Springfield National College Fair is free to high-school students, parents and anyone else interested in higher education. Students can meet one-on-one with admissions counselors at their booths to discuss entrance requirements, campus life, application deadlines and majors. Representatives will have brochures, catalogs and other literature to describe their institution. Students in all grades are encouraged to attend.
For additional information and to register go to:
https://www.collegefairguide.com/springfield-national-college-fair
SCHOLARSHIPS
Seniors applying for scholarships should frequently check the Naviance Scholarship List and in the Counseling Center for the most up to date information. Students in need of transcripts and letters of recommendation must request these materials from Mrs. Lavoie in the Counseling Center. Official transcripts are $2.00.
The New England Board of Higher Education’s (NEBHE) Tuition Break Program
NEBHE’s Tuition Break program enables New England residents to enroll at out-of-sate New England public colleges and universities at a discount. Students are eligible for the RSP Tuition Break when they enroll in an approved major that is not offered by the public colleges and universities in their home state. For more information check out the power-point presentation on Edline, under the Counseling Center, College Information tab, and/or go to: http://www.nebhe.org/programs-overview/rsp-tuition-break/overview/
SCHOOL-TO-CAREER ACTIVITIES
Career Internships – Currently 61 seniors are taking the opportunity to gain real life experiences in healthcare, education, business, engineering and more. There are 108 juniors who have completed the application process and look forward to an internship during their senior year. Placements will occur in June when class schedules are completed.
Credit for Life – Country Bank will once again sponsor the Credit for Life Event for all seniors on Tuesday, March 31. Seniors will learn about the importance of budgeting, protecting their identity and all the other important elements of managing their money.
FROM THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Important notes for winter & spring athletes and their parents:
Winter Athletes
Sports locks - On the last day of the winter season, you are to turn your sports lock into your coach, along with your home and away uniforms, and any other equipment issued by the Minnechaug athletic department. Your cooperation with this important task will be greatly appreciated. Any student-athlete who does not comply with this procedure within three days of the end of his/her respective season will be billed for all outstanding equipment.
TRYOUTS/PRACTICES FOR SPRING SPORTS BEGIN MONDAY, MARCH 16th!!
Spring Athletes
1. PHYSICALS: A current physical (within 13 months) must be on file PRIOR to trying out for any sport. If a student athlete's physical is to expire during a sports season, then he/she MUST provide the Nurse with an updated physical. That student athlete is ineligible until the new physical is on file. If a student wishes to check his/her physical status, he/she may do that at the nurse. THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT CANNOT ACCEPT ANY PHYSICALS. ALL PHYSICALS MUST GO TO THE NURSE.
2. CONCUSSION BASELINE TEST: ALL Incoming Freshman, New Students to Minnechaug and any current student who has not taken an assessment will be required to take this assessment. You will be notified once you register should you need to take the test. Any student who played a sport last school year will NOT have to take this assessment as we already have baseline data on you. Please contact our office at 413-599-1831 if you have any questions.
3. Parent/guardian and the student-athlete must an online concussion courses in the past 12 months. The free course can be found at: http://nfhslearn.com/courses/38000 *A paper copy of signs and symptoms of concussions is available at the Athletic Office should you not be able to view any of the links. WE DO NOT NEED A COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION. PLEASE KEEP FOR YOUR RECORDS.
4. User Fees are due at the time of registration by either paying via UNIPAY website (the registration process on familyid will take you directly to Unipay site) OR you can send your son/daughter in with a check. If you pay on UniPay, you will need their student ID number.
Social Media for Chaug Athletics!!!!
We are pleased to continue to use Instagram and Twitter for getting out important messages, achievements, big games, etc… This spring all of our volleyball games jv and varsity will be streamed live via YouTube. If you have relatives far away or if you just can’t get to a game, go to YouTube and search Minnechaug Athletics. Subscribe to the channel if you would like and view the games! This was tested in the winter season and was a hit!
FOREIGN LANGUAGE WEEK – MARCH 2 TO 6, 2020
