Student Services Update
7th and 8th Grade
Welcome to Student Services!
7th and 8th Grade Updates
Quarter 1 Progress Reports
Progress Reports are published at the mid-point of each of the four academic quarters and are a snapshot of a student’s academic progress. Report Cards are the official report of the student’s grades and are published at the end of each quarter.
Progress Reports and Report Cards are made available via Aspen. Students and caregivers will get an email alert when they are available to view.
During Advisory next week, students will learn how to access and read their progress reports and review the steps to take if they would like to improve their performance.
Aspen Student & Parent Portal
Aspen is our student information system which allows students and caregivers to view information such as grades, attendance, and report cards. It is important to remember that teachers typically update grades weekly or bi-weekly. If you have a question about a particular grade or assignment, it is best to contact the teacher.
All middle school students have Aspen accounts and have participated in tutorials guiding them through the login process. Your student should now be able to view their grades in each class.
7th grade caregivers received an email from Aspen in late August with login information and instructions. This email would have gone to the email address listed for the first caregiver contact. Parents of 8th grade students can use account information from last year.
Paying for College:
While we know that Middle School is years away from high school graduation, you may be interested in getting a head start to plan for the cost of college. Check out the Paying for College Resource for more ways to help students and families pay for college, including helpful guides, free tools, and a video series.
Here is a series of eight videos from Sallie Mae full of tips to help you pay for college. Start at the beginning or skip around and hit the ones you’re interested in.
12th Grade Updates
12th grade is a very busy year filled with great learning opportunities and future planning.
What have 12th grade students already worked on this year?:
Every Senior has met with Ms. Neuenschwander at least once to review their next step after high school and how to start on that path
Sessions to start the Common Application for college admissions have been offered during the after lunch activity block and will continue through December
Sessions to start their college essay have been offered and will continue through December
Financial Aid information will be provided the Week of October 18th - 22nd through Senior Capstone and is available for caregivers on October 14th or through MEFA
Over 20 colleges and universities have visited MTRS already this Fall with 22 more coming throughout the Fall
12th grade CAREGIVER INFORMATION NIGHT - COLLEGE AND FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
How does my student actually apply to college and an overview of financial aid will be presented during a 12th Grade caregiver virtual parent night: Thursday, October 14th at 6:30 p.m., Please register here and I will send you the link to the meeting
Fall of 2021 College Visit Schedule Please encourage your student to attend the visits of the colleges they intend to apply to.
10th and 11th Grade Updates
All of the 10th and 11th grade students received information about the PSAT during Advisory this week.
MTRS is offering the PSAT to 10th/11th grade students on Tuesday, October 26th.
This test is practice for the SAT that 4 year colleges have typically required as part of the application process. Due to COVID that has changed and many colleges are no longer requiring the SAT, but MTRS provides the opportunity for students to take this practice test in the fall of 10th and/or 11th grade. Students usually take the SAT for college admissions in the Spring of their 11th grade year.
2021 PSAT/NMSQT
WHAT IS IT? Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
WHY? Measures your academic skills for college, use for college applications and scholarships
WHEN? Tuesday, October 26th 2 hours 45 minutes
HOW DO I SIGN UP?: PSAT FORM
HOW MUCH? $15 cash or check (MTRS) or FREE to10th/11th grade students on who qualify
CAN I PRACTICE? KHAN ACADEMY FREE
Please fill out this form if your student would like to take the PSAT
Fees $18 per student $5 for students who qualify for the reduced rate
Test takes 3 hours covers Math, reading comprehension, writing and language
COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID - FAFSA How do I fill this form out?
Have questions about how and when to apply for financial aid for college? How do I fill out the FAFSA (the document for college financial aid)
Please attend one of the multiple virtual meetings that the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) will be hosting. During these meetings a college financial aid representative will review the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the form that needs to be completed to apply for financial aid at all 2 and 4 year colleges. Please click on the link below to register for one that fits your schedule. MEFA no longer offers individual school financial aid meetings.
Please go to the MEFA.ORG/events/category/college-financing to register for one of these sessions.
COLLEGE FINANCING - UPCOMING SESSIONS
Wednesday, October 6th 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 7th 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 20th 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 21st 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Monday, October 25th 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
And more dates in November!
Contact Us
College and Career Counselor
https://neuenschwander.youcanbook.me
School Counselor Grades 7 & 8th
https://truggeri.youcanbook.me/
School Counselor Grades 9-12th
https://mrcipoletta.youcanbook.me/Registrar and Administrative 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