WHS Guidance News
June 7, 2021
- 9th Grade Science MCAS
- Ms. Orpen's Long Term Substitute
- Schedules for the 2021-22 School Year
- Special Opportunities
- Summer Resources for Students
MCAS Tests
Students in 9th grade will take the Science MCAS on June 8th and June 9th. Please see this 9th Grade MCAS newsletter for more details.
Coverage for Ms. Orpen's Students and Families
Schedules for the 2021-22 School Year
Special Opportunities for Students
WPI is hosting a virtual festival this week (June 6th-June 12th). Events include guided hands-on demonstrations, lab tours, interactive online activities, presentations, and more. This is an excellent opportunity for students to explore STEM fields while building leadership and collaboration skills. To register, click here.
The Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts will be hosting its annual Careers in Accounting and Management Professions (C.A.M.P) program for rising high school juniors and seniors this summer (date TBD). This virtual one-day event will allow students to participate in panel discussions with key professionals in the field and provide opportunities for networking. There is no cost to the student. Students from underrepresented populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Students with strong academics, motivation, leadership, and interest in business/accounting are given preference. To learn more about this program, click here.
The Teacher Collaborative is excited to announce the start of Passion to Learn, a new, FREE opportunity for high school students (in Massachusetts only) to take open, multidisciplinary courses designed and facilitated by strong, innovative educators from across the state. Thanks to a partnership with UMass-Boston, they offer college credit to enrolled students.
The two blended courses are focused on real-world, problem-based learning, blending civics engagement with core content-area learning in math or humanities. In addition, they offer a complementary module focused on advocacy through social media.
Courses will run from July 19 - August 20th. The courses will be virtual and the credit-bearing courses will include a blend of scheduled meetings and independent learning time. Students will need access to an internet-connected computer or device in order to participate. Please complete this interest form as soon as possible if you would like to learn more.
The Watertown Community Foundation will again be sponsoring the Summer Internship Program for Watertown students. This "build-your-own internship" requires that students work to develop an internship experience that allows them to explore a career or college major they may be interested in. After securing the internship site's approval, students are eligible to apply for a stipend through the WCF program. Students are expected to work for 120 hours over the course of the summer (20 hours/week for 6 weeks). Past internship hosts have included Live Well Watertown, Mass Audubon, WCA-TV, Watertown Business Coalition, private law offices, Watertown Children's Theatre, Watertown Housing Authority, and many more. Interested students should contact Ms. Eaton in Guidance. Parents/guardians who are interested in learning more about hosting an intern can also reach out to Ms. Eaton.
In addition to the summer internship program, the Watertown Community Foundation is seeking two current 10th or 11th-grade students to join their Board. In this position, students will participate in a range of activities, but will not be voting board members. Each intern will receive a $1,000 stipend upon successful completion of the intern positions and each intern will have a board mentor from one of the board committees they join. The position will run from September to June of an academic year (10 months) and will entail a time commitment of 2-4 hours per week on average, though this contribution will likely vary considerably depending on the board's activities and students’ interests. Activities will include:
- Attending monthly board meetings
- Serving on the Grant-making and Events committees (two active committees)
- Assisting the WHS administrator with the WCF summer intern program
Interested students should submit the following items to Ms. Eaton in Guidance as soon as possible:
- A brief, one-page essay explaining why they want this position and how they see themselves contributing to the board
- A letter of recommendation from a teacher or community member (not a family member)
- A resume or list of previous activities (paid and unpaid)
- Acknowledgment of the number of hours (or an average number of hours) they expect to contribute)
Summer Resources for Students
As summer begins, we want to remind students and families of the many resources available in the Watertown community and beyond. Below are just a few suggestions for students and families who may be seeking support, information, or a new opportunity.
Mental Health
- Handhold is a partnership between the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Office of the Child Advocate, and Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The website is geared towards parents/guardians who are looking for resources to support student mental health and well-being. The site provides links to a variety of tools, resources, and agencies that can support students and families.
- Riverside Community Care: 617-969-4925
- Wayside Youth and Family Services: 781-891-0555
- National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK): Whether you are in crisis, you are worried about a friend, or you want resources to talk to someone who might be in pain, you can find support and information here.
- The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386: The Trevor Project provides a 24/7 hotline for LGBTQ youth who are in crisis. Their website also offers a number of resources for students who may be struggling, in need of support, or looking to offer support to others.
- LoveIsRespect: 1-866-331-9474: LoveisRespect is a nationwide hotline for teens to gain information, support, and resources about healthy teen relationships. Their hotline provides peer assistance for teens who may be in unhealthy or abusive relationships as well.
- Additional resources can be found here.
- Naviance. Students in grades 10-12 have access to this college and career exploration tool to assist them as they search for possible careers, college majors, and post-secondary opportunities.
- Future Planning Summer Workbook. We share this "workbook" with 11th graders during our junior meetings and at the end of the school year. Wherever they are in their post-secondary planning, this workbook guides them through steps they can take over the summer to get prepared for application season in the fall.
- School/Program Comparison Worksheet. As students begin to research post-secondary options, this document can help them track their thoughts, questions, and interests.
Academic Enrichment
- AP STEM and English Bridge Program. Mass Insight's Summer AP STEM & English Bridge Program helps students bridge gaps between their fundamental courses and their ‘21-‘22 AP courses. These FREE VIRTUAL courses will be taught by experienced AP teachers from across the country and are open to all Massachusetts public and charter school students.
- Watertown High School Summer School. In addition to summer school courses for credit recovery, students may take up to 2 enrichment classes this summer through the WHS summer school program. Please contact Mr. John Rimas (john.rimas@watertown.k12.ma.us) for more details.
- SAT and ACT Practice Tests. Take a full-length practice test under timed conditions. A proctored practice exam will help build testing endurance and give you a real-time snapshot of your testing performance. This virtual test will give your student the opportunity to work on pacing and endurance in a safe setting that best simulates the test day environment. Students will take the test online with a live proctor through Revolution Prep, and get a baseline score. These practice tests are offered through the Newton Public Library.
- Bridgewater State University's Advanced Physics Academy. Bridgewater State University is accepting applications from current high school students for the Advanced Physics Academy which will meet next academic year. The Advanced Physics Academy is free for accepted students and will allow them to do physics on a variety of topics with physics faculty during four, three-hour workshops held on the BSU campus. This academy is ideal for students who are considering majoring in physics, engineering, science education, or related fields in college. The application deadline is June 30.
- Boston Community for Independent Living's Summer Sessions. BCIL is offering a number of summer programs for students ages 14-22 with a disability. Courses include cooking, resume writing, driver's permit test preparation, travel training, social justice, and more. All groups will be virtual. To learn more or register, contact Mary-Kate Wells at mkwells@bostoncil.org.