Student Services Update
1/11/2024
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
12th Grade Students: FAFSA and Scholarships!
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available! This application is for those requesting financial aid to help pay for college.
FSA ID - a unique personal username and password allowing you access to the FAFSA
- You can register for this now: https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch
Recommended Deadlines:
- Students who applied Early Decision I or II & Early Action: Apply by January 15
- All other application types: Apply by February 20
I found this article very informative: FAFSA 101: What You Need To Know About the 2024-25 FAFSA.
Here are other resources:
- Federal Student Aid: FAFSA
- Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA)
- https://www.gcc.mass.edu/financial-aid/
- You can get help filling out the FAFSA at GCC
- Does your college require the CSS profile? 2024-25 Participating Institutions and Programs
Scholarships:
- Mohawk Trail Senior Bulletin (local scholarships coming in 2024)
- https://studentscholarships.org/
- MEFA Scholarships
- https://www.goingmerry.com/
Please reach out with any questions, I am happy to assist.
- Aimee Cairney
Scholarships!
Summer 2024 Pre-College Programs Virtual Fair
The Association for Pre-College Program Directors is proud to present the Summer 2024 Pre-College Programs Virtual Fair, a virtual event that provides students and their families the opportunity to learn about academic summer programs at top US colleges and universities. At the fair, attendees may visit virtual booths, where you can ask questions via text or video chat with summer program representatives. Registration is free to attendees.
2024 Summer Pre-College Program Fair
Saturday, January 20, 2024
10:00am - 12:00pm EST
REGISTER NOW
Representatives from UMass Amherst Pre-College Programs will be at the event. Any questions about the event can be directed to fairs@precollegeassociation.org.
Construction & Manufacturing Day 2024
Construction & Manufacturing Day 2024 is for students who are interested in learning more about careers in construction, trades, manufacturing, and much more. The event will be on May 2, 2024, at the Franklin County Fairgrounds. Schools can register here by March 1, 2024.
For more information or questions, please see the attached flyer or contact the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Workforce Board School-To-Career Team at schooltocareer@masshirefhwb.org.
Starting the College Search: A Workshop with NECBAC Colleges
The Northeast Consortium Bridging Access to College (NECBAC) warmly invites you to join us for Starting the College Search: A Workshop with NECBAC Colleges. All are welcome to attend this workshop, which also centers on first-generation students or students who are the first in their families to pursue a bachelor's degree.
Founded in 1976, NECBAC is an organization dedicated to increasing college access. In this workshop, admissions counselors from four of NECBAC's 30+ member institutions will offer concrete tools for engaging with colleges that will help students answer the questions: "What kind of college am I looking for?", “How do I connect with colleges productively?”, and "Could this college be a fit for me - academically, financially, and in student life?". This workshop is open to all students, families, and counselors and is free of charge.
Date: Sunday, January 28 from 1:00-3:00 pm
Location: Stoneleigh-Burnham School, 574 Bernardston Rd. Greenfield, MA
Info Session and Registration for Culinary Training At Smith Vocational
Please come and get a preview of the culinary program (and register) at Smith Vocational and Agricultural School in Northampton starting January 16, 2024.
4:30-6 pm at Smith Vocational and Agricultural School
Free for those who meet the eligibility criteria-
- 18 years or older (or turn 18 before the end of the training)
- MA resident
- Income under $46,300/annually
- Authorized to work in the US
- Commitment to attending classes with minimal absences
- Commitment to working in the industry once training is completed
Please see the attached flyer for more info!
For questions, please contact
Beverly Behrmann (she/her)
413-774-4361 ex. 354 / 800-457-2603
Middle School
As part of the College & Career Readiness curriculum, middle school students have explored their personality types and learned about college from recent MTRS graduates. They will continue their work in Naviance in January by completing assessments of their skills and various types of intelligence.
As we are halfway through Quarter 2, all middle school students should now be in the habit of checking grades in Aspen weekly or bi-weekly. They are encouraged to talk with their Advisor, teachers, or the school counselor if they would like to improve their grades and/or study habits.
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!
PreVenture: School-based Personality Targeted Workshops
MTRS will be implementing PreVenture with 8th grade during the 2023-2024 school year. PreVenture is a school-based workshop for youth aged 12-17 that helps them explore their personality and coping strategies and set long-term goals. The program was developed by Dr. Patricia Conrod, a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Université de Montréal, a clinical psychologist and a researcher at the CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center. This evidence-based, mental health promotion and substance use prevention program is run by school counselors, and implementation is planned for January.
PreVenture Timeline
Parent Consent Letter email to 8th Grade Families Dec 15
SURPS (Student Substance Use Risk Profile Scale) Questionnaire given in 8th grade Advisory Jan 4th
SURPS data reviewed and intervention groups determined Jan 8-19th
Intervention groups delivered Jan 24th, 25th, 26th
Class of 2027
Grade 9: Mrs. Cairney, the High School Counselor, is meeting with all freshmen students on Thursdays for the remainder of Semester 1, with a focus on their transition to high school. Topics include, but are not limited to, school resources, habits for student success, semester grading, time management, student schedules, learning style inventory, and an introduction to the Naviance program. She will continue to update her presentation here as the weeks go on Grade 9 Advisory - Student Services.
Career of the Month - Data Scientists
Data scientists typically do the following:
- Determine which data are available and useful for the project
- Collect, categorize, and analyze data
- Create, validate, test, and update algorithms and models
- Use data visualization software to present findings
- Make business recommendations to stakeholders based on data analysis
Data scientists typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or a related field to enter the occupation. However, some employers require or prefer that candidates have a master’s or doctoral degree.
Greenfield Savings Bank Financial Literacy Workshop for Elementary, Teens and Adults
Greenfield Savings Bank is offering Financial Literacy Workshops to the Franklin and Hampshire Counties. These workshops are free and open to the general public; 4-6 weeks in duration; offers follow along workbooks (each workshop offers its own workbooks which are age-appropriate for the students) a video tutorial that students can access at any time; a friendly and welcoming teacher/student atmosphere; easy to follow along (coloring books and easy to understand for elementary aged children) and a certificate upon completion from the course. For more information or questions, please see the attached flyer or email Mpress Nembhard at 413-775-8385 or vnembhard@greenfieldsavings.com
Upcoming GCC Events
Dual enrollment funding at GCC for Spring 2024
We are looking forward to providing one free course to eligible high school students who are interested in taking a dual enrollment course this Spring 2024 through the Commonwealth Dual Enrollment Partnership (CDEP) program grant.
Eligibility criteria and the steps to apply are included on the information sheet attached.
Space for this program is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.
To be eligible for CDEP funding, a student must place in college-level reading and writing via the Accuplacer, as well as meet one of the following criteria:
- A student is from an underserved racial or ethnic group
- Student qualifies for free or reduced lunch within the school district (or according to guidelines)
- Student is a first-generation college student (neither parent/guardian has a Bachelor’s degree or higher)
As mentioned before, the funding is first-come, first-serve, and seats are filling up fast. If you have a student interested, please pass the attachment along to them, and encourage them to start the dual enrollment application and placement test process this week.
GCC's spring semester begins on January 24th.
Quarter and Semester Dates
Here are the tentative dates for the Quarter and Semester Dates for the rest of the year:
Quarter 2
First Day: Friday, November 3, 2023
Last Day: Friday, January 26, 2024
Semester 1 Student-led conferences
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 - (Early Release)
Thursday, January 25, 2024 - (2 hr. delay)
Friday, January 26, 2024 - (2 hr. delay)
Q2 report cards will be available in Aspen on Monday, January 29, 2024
**Dates will be adjusted to accommodate snow days.
Aspen Access
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.
The Aspen email for caregivers is sent to the email address corresponding to the first contact listed for a student.
Students and Caregivers, if you have questions about the login process, please contact Suzor IT:
Email: help@suzorit.com
Virtual Office: help.suzorit.com
Contact Us
School Counselor Grades 9-12
Book an appointment HERE
School Counselor Grades 7 & 8
Book an Appointment HERE
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