Counselor Connection
March, 2024
All Grade Update!
- The portal in Aspen is open from March 6th - 28th for students to select their courses. Students are strongly encouraged to review the 2024-2025 Program of Studies prior to selecting courses to view course descriptions and prerequisites.
- All students will meet with their guidance counselor as a final step to make sure credits and graduation requirements are on track. Students may schedule an appointment by emailing their guidance counselor or stopping by the Guidance Office during free time. The guidance counselor assignments are as follows:
- Mr. Carlon (dcarlon@mpsd.org) - A-Cam; W-Z
- Mrs. Raymond (kraymond@mpsd.org) - Can-E
- Mrs. Benard (abenard@mpsd.org) - F-Han; Shay-V
- Mrs. Goff (kgoff@mpsd.org) - Hap-Ken
- Mr. Ruuska (mruuska@mpsd.org) - Keo-M
- Mrs. Smith (ssmith@mpsd.org) - N-Shaw
- Students are encouraged to maintain their motivation this term! Despite the weather, the days are getting longer. If you are struggling in a class, you are reminded to seek extra help from your teachers, the Math and Writing Labs, and the MAST Program in the Library.
- The Guidance Counselors hosted a College & Career Planning Night for parents of juniors in late January. If you were unable to attend you may view the presentation by clicking here.
Financial Aid - Understanding Award Letters
Understanding financial award letters and knowing how to appeal merit/need based aid for senior families can be confusing and overwhelming. Financial aid award letters are not standardized; some colleges provide a detailed breakdown of the award offer and your out-of-pocket costs but most colleges fail to clearly communicate this crucial information. Financial expert, Jodi Conway will host a free webinars to help students and parents understand this process. In this webinar, she will provide a detailed breakdown of the various components of financial aid award letters, how to calculate out-of-pocket cost, and an in-depth discussion on how/when to appeal need and merit-based award offers.
Parents of Sophomores and Juniors: Intro to Financial Aid
Applying for financial aid and paying for college can be overwhelming and requires advanced planning. Financial aid expert, Jodi Conway will provide an overview of the financial aid process with a brief discussion of the FAFSA and CSS Profile forms and show you the tools available to determine your specific eligibility for need and merit-based aid. She will also discuss common-sense strategies to pay for college with an emphasis on limiting debt. As a former financial aid director and current business owner, she has 40+ years of experience in all aspects of the college financial aid process. Please click on a link below to register.
MCAS Update
- ELA MCAS is right around the corner (3/26 & 3/27)! Be sure to charge your Chromebook, eat breakfast and get a good night’s rest. Dress comfortably.
SAT & ACT Test Deadlines
It is recommended that Juniors take their SAT and/or their ACT in the spring of their junior year. All colleges will accept either their SAT or ACT scores. Many colleges remain SAT optional and students are advised to speak to their guidance counselor to discuss whether or not they should consider sending their scores or not.
For a complete list of test registration dates & deadlines and to register for the SAT visit: Collegeboard.org.
For a complete list of test registration dates & deadlines and to register for the ACT visit: Actstudent.org.
Please note: Any student that has a financial hardship may see their guidance counselor to see if they are eligible for a fee waiver.
Boston National College Fair
Representatives from over 225 two-year and four-year colleges, nursing schools, business schools and trade schools will participate in the 2024 Boston National College Fair which will be held on Thursday, May 2 and Friday, May 3 at the Boston Convention & Exhibit Center. Officers and enlisted personnel from the various branches of the military services will also be on hand to discuss the military’s enlistment and education programs such as R.O.T.C., the military academies and the GI Bill.
The College Fair, sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), is a timesaving opportunity for students and parents to gather a lot of information in one day. College admissions representatives will be on hand to answer key questions ranging from acceptance policies to student–faculty ratio. In addition to asking questions, students and parents will be able to set up college interviews, pick up literature and learn about the various financial aid programs available. For more information click here.
Thursday, May 2, 2024
9 am–12 pm & 6 pm–8:30 pm
Friday, May 3, 2024
9 am–12 pm
Important Dates - All Grades:
- 3/5 - 3/28 - Course Selection for students grades 9-11
- 3/7 - MHS Scholarship Application Deadline
- 3/12 - Smart With Monday Fair - for Seniors; held at MHS
- 3/28 - Term 3 ends
- 3/26 & 3/27 - MCAS-ELA (Gr. 10)
- 4/5 - Term 3 Grades available in ASPEN
- 4/15 - 4/19 - Spring Break
- 4/25 - ASVAB Career Exploration Assessment (grades10-12) - More Information to Come!
Kerran Goff - Guidance Coordinator
Student Assignments: Hap-Ken
Dan Carlon
Student Assignments: A - Cam, W - Z
Amanda Benard
abenard@mpsd.org
Student Assignments: F - Han, Shay - V
Katelyn Raymond
Student Assignments: Can - E
Mike Ruuska
Student Assignments: Keo - M
Susan Smith
Student Assignments: N - Shaw
Marjory Graney
Administrative Assistant
Laurie Duane
Registrar
Marshfield High School
167 Forest Street
Marshfield, MA 02050
Phone: (781) 834-5055
CEEB Code: 221350