Junior Newsletter
May 2019
As the school year is winding down, we hope that you continue to explore your options for after HRHS and plan some activities to help build your resume over the summer.
If you have any questions about the college process please stop by and see Ms. Scully anytime. Families are still welcome to schedule meetings with Ms. Scully to talk about plans for after high school.
MCAS Scholarship/Award
The Massachusetts Department of Secondary and Elementary Schools offers two financial awards based on MCAS scores. Both awards include a tuition waiver at any state university or college, including community colleges. The award is the equivalent of $1700 at UMASS Amherst.
The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship goes automatically to students who scored Advanced on at least one of the three 10th grade MCAS tests, Proficient on the other two tests and their scores are in the top 25% of the school. Students will be notified if they meet these criteria in the beginning of November.
Students can qualify for the Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Award by 1) scoring Advanced on at least one of the three 10th grade MCAS tests, Proficient on the other two tests and 2) demonstrating additional academic achievements on AP and/or SAT II (subject tests) exams. MCAS scores do not need to be in the top 25% of the class for this award. The Koplik Certificate also provides a tuition waiver to a Massachusetts state college or university.
To Receive the Certificate of Mastery, students must fulfill additional requirements through one of the combinations listed below:
- 2 AP exams with scores of 3 or better;
- 2 SAT II exams (Minimum scores required are dependent upon subject area. Scores are listed on the Koplik application);
- 1 SAT II exam and 1 AP exam; or
- 1 SAT II exam and 1 other achievement; or
- 1 AP exam and 1 other achievement.
For more information about both awards go to http://www.doe.mass.edu/FamComm/Student/Koplik-Adams-compare.html or check in with Ms. Pietrzak.
Community College Bound?
You do not need to submit letters of recommendation, SAT scores, or an essay in order to apply to community college. Throughout next year, during school time, there will be opportunities to apply to GCC, HCC and STCC as well as to take placement tests at these schools. There will be a community college application information session during October to provide students with all of the information they need in order to apply to these schools.
Not interested in college?
There are many jobs in our community that require technical skills that can be learned on the job, through a career training program, during an apprenticeship or at a community college.
If you are interested in heading straight to the workforce after high school or finding a way to acquire technical skills, come see Ms. Scully to discuss options.
Manufacturing is a growing industry in our area and local employers are constantly short on good workers. Check out this publication of "Stuff Made in Mass" to learn about manufacturing jobs, internships and opportunities in our area.
Summer Plans
Check out last month's newsletter for suggestions for things to do this summer to build your resume.
UMass Amherst offers excellent pre-college summer programs for high school students. There are still openings for these programs. Click here for more information.
Four-Year College Planning
College Planning Workshops - Summer Jump Start
If you plan to apply to four-year college next year, you are invited to attend a Junior Jump Start Workshop to learn about what you should be doing over the summer to prepare for applications.
As part of this workshop, a group of seniors will share their experience and advice about the college application process.
Please stop by the guidance office or email Ms. Scully to sign up for a workshop. The workshop options are below. Please do not sign up for a workshop during your core classes.
Thursday - May 23rd during Advisory and Period 3
Friday -May 24th during Advisory and Period 2
SAT/ACT
There is still time to register for the June SAT and ACT:
SAT June 1st
Register by May 3rd (or May 22nd with late fee)
ACT June 8
Register by May 3rd (or May 20th with late fee)
In order to maximize test scores, students should practice for the test ahead of time and take the SAT or ACT twice.
Collegeweeklive.com
Check out collegeweeklive.com to bring college fairs and college visits right to your computer. The website allows you to communicate directly with admissions representatives and take virtual tours of colleges. It also provides links to important documents for each school, such as scholarships, applications, common application supplements, course catalogues, and much more.
Teacher Letters of Recommendation
Before talking to teachers, students must complete the Recommendation Form (also located in the guidance office) and a resume on Naviance. Once a teacher agrees to write a letter, students invite teachers to submit their letters via Naviance. Stop by the guidance office with any questions.
Counselor Letter of Recommendation
Most four-year colleges require students to submit a school guidance counselor recommendation in addition to a teacher recommendation. Students requiring a counselor letter must submit a Brag Sheet to the Guidance Office. Additional copies can be found in the guidance office. Please submit the Brag Sheet by the end of the school year. Mrs. Pietrzak and Ms. Scully will be writing these letters.
Application Requirements for Specific Majors
Some majors have specific requirements for their applicants. For example, art and music students typically need to submit a portfolio of completed work or participate in an audition process. Some majors such as physical therapy, athletic training, and dental hygiene require a certain number of hours of observation (job shadow) prior to admission into the program. Others such as game design require applicants to submit a self-designed game. The summer is a great time to complete these requirements and to take the time to research the requirements at each college.
College Essay
Career Spotlight
10 Fastest Growing Jobs in MA
May 1, 2018
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development has projected that the following jobs will expand the most between now and 2024, creating many new job openings.
1. Home Health Aides
Description: Provide routine individualized healthcare such as changing bandages and dressing wounds, and applying topical medications to the elderly, convalescents, or persons with disabilities at the patient's home or in a care facility. Monitor or report changes in health status. May also provide personal care such as bathing, dressing, and grooming of patient.
Average Annual Salary: $30,740 Degree Required: None Projected Job Growth by 2024: 37.53%
2. Nurse Practitioners
Description: Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.
Average Annual Salary: $120,140 Degree Required: Master’s Projected Job Growth by 2024: 29.50%
3. Physical Therapists
Description: Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.
Average Annual Salary: $89,130 Degree Required: Doctorate Projected Job Growth by 2024: 25.59%
4. Personal Care Aides
Description: Assist the elderly, convalescents, or persons with disabilities with daily living activities at the person's home or in a care facility. Duties performed at a place of residence may include keeping house (making beds, doing laundry, washing dishes) and preparing meals. May provide assistance at non-residential care facilities. May advise families, the elderly, convalescents, and persons with disabilities regarding such things as nutrition, cleanliness, and household activities.
Average Annual Salary: $28,810 Degree Required: None Projected Job Growth by 2024: 24.74%
5. Clinical, Counseling and School Psychologists
Description: Diagnose and treat mental disorders; learning disabilities; and cognitive, behavioral, and emotional problems, using individual, child, family, and group therapies. May design and implement behavior modification programs.
Average Annual Salary: $83,660 Degree Required: Doctorate Projected Job Growth by 2024: 18.42%
6. Personal Financial Advisors
Description: Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives.
Average Annual Salary: $109,370 Degree Required: Bachelor’s Projected Job Growth by 2024: 17.64%
7. Computer Systems Analysts
Description: Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to implement and improve computer systems. Analyze user requirements, procedures, and problems to automate or improve existing systems and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and scheduling limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software.
Average Annual Salary: $93,030 Degree Required: Bachelor’s Projected Job Growth by 2024: 17.53%
8. Registered Nurses
Description: Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.
Average Annual Salary: $89,330 Degree Required: Bachelor’s Projected Job Growth by 2024: 15.78%
9. Market Research Analysts &Marketing Specialists
Description: Research market conditions in local, regional, or national areas, or gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or create a marketing campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution.
Average Annual Salary: $77,520 Degree Required: Bachelor’s Projected Job Growth by 2024: 15.54%
10. Medical Assistants
Description: Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.
Average Annual Salary: $39,310 Degree Required: Certificate Projected Job Growth by 2024: 14.81%