Student Services Update
11/10/2022
Welcome to 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 other information you would like to read here @ sgarcia@mtrsd.org
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: Thursday, November 3, 2022
Last Day: Wednesday, January 18th, 2022
Semester 1 Finals
Wednesday, January 18th - Block 1 and 2 (2 hr. delay)
Thursday, January 19th - Block 2 and 3 (2 hr. delay)
Friday, January 20th - Make Up Day (2 hr. delay)
Quarter 3
First Day: Thursday, January 19, 2023
Last Day: Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Quarter 4
First Day: Thursday, March 30, 2023
Last Day: Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Semester 2 Finals
Tuesday, June 6 (2 hr. delay) Block 1 & 2
Wednesday, June 7 (2 hr. delay) Blocks 3 & 4
Thursday, June 8 (2 hr. delay) Make-Up
**Dates will be adjusted to accommodate snow days.
Parent and Caregiver Support
Support groups, guides, and other information for parents and caregivers who want additional support for themselves and their children.
Parental Stress Line: 1-800-632-8188
Parents and caregivers who are experiencing any kind of problems related to their children can call the Parental Stress Line for support. The Parental Stress Line is staffed by volunteer counselors who are sympathetic and nonjudgmental. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Parental Stress Line is a project of Parents Helping Parents of Massachusetts.
Aspen
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. An email with login information and instructions for caregivers was sent to the email address corresponding to the first contact listed for a student.
If you need help resetting your password, please email sgarcia@mtrsd.org
MCAS TESTING
MCAS Retests: November 15 & 16th (Math)
Passing Grade 10 ELA and Math MCAS is a high school graduation requirement in Massachusetts. As well as opportunities in the Spring of grade 10, students have the opportunity to retake these tests in November, February, and the Spring of grade 11 and 12 should they need to do so.
MCAS results for students in grades 7, 8, 9 & 10 were sent home by mail. The families of students who will need to take either G 10 ELA and/ or Math MCAS received an email last week letting them know when these test sessions will be and the expectations for students taking these tests.
HERE is the list of the MCAS test dates for the 2022-2023 school year.
For parents/guardians who are interested in learning more about the tests themselves, DESE has put together a number of useful resources, HERE. Student expectations during testing are explained, HERE.
12th Grade News
College application/Essay Support: Activity time - room 212
COLLEGE VISIT SCHEDULE: Visits are offered during Advisory and Lunch
College Tip:
Students applying to a 4-year college should be writing their college essays and asking two 11th-grade teachers for recommendations.
Students will also need a recommendation from a School Counselor. With this recommendation, the student’s high school transcript is uploaded into the Common Application.
AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS
College Financial Aid Assistance (FAFSA)
The FAFSA (Free application for Financial Aid) is the primary form that parents and students fill out to qualify for Financial assistance from 2 and 4-year colleges.
The FAFSA application opens on October 1st and uses tax information from the 2020 tax year. In order to further understand this form please attend the following webinar offered by MEFA - The Massachusetts Educational Finance Authority. This is the first of many, so if you cannot attend this one I will list new dates and times as they become available.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR THE FAFSA
2023-2024 FAFSA and CSS Profile Opened 10/1: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa and https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/
Video: How to File the FAFSA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAeAVGscEWU
Virtual FAFSA filing support: https://fafsact.org/
More FAFSA resources: https://thecollegefinanciallady.com/2022/09/27/fafsa-resources-2/
Great Advice for Parents:
11th Grade Students
It is never too early to learn about 4-year colleges. 11th-grade students are welcome to the college visits that take place during advisory or lunch in the library. College Visit Schedule
8TH GRADE STUDENTS
November is a busy month for student services activities! As part of our College and Career Readiness program, students will meet individually with Ms. Ruggeri to discuss their short and long-term goals. We will also begin the Preventure Program (see below).
The Communities That Care Coalition received funding from the Opioid Task Force to be able to bring the PreVenture Program to the area. PreVenture is an exciting, evidence-based, mental health promotion and substance use prevention program run by school counselors. Mohawk Trail, along with other schools in Franklin County, is implementing these workshops during the 2022-2023 school year. MTRS will be implementing the program in 8th grade this year.
There is a screening phase and a workshop phase. We plan to begin the screening phase on Monday, November 14, 2022. Participation in all phases is voluntary. Please review this document that explains the PreVenture Program in more detail: Preventure Parent Consent Letter
Wondering what your student has for homework? Check out the 8th Grade Daily Homework Page!
7TH GRADE STUDENTS
Middle school report cards look much different from Elementary report cards. During Advisory over the next two weeks, 7th-grade students will learn about report cards and grading terms at MTRS.
Wondering what your student has for homework? Check out the 7th Grade Daily Homework Page!
COLLEGE PLANNING FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL FAMILIES
College Planning Information for Middle School Families
Webinar Wednesday, December 7th from 6:30 - 7:30
This webinar is for parents with children in middle school and above and will describe information and resources that families can use to put a college savings plan in place, as well as what tools students and parents should consider when beginning the college search. We will address the questions of how best to save for college, how savings impacts financial aid, where and how to begin the college search, and what role cost plays in the college decision. Live transcription will be available.
CAREER TRAILS
Career information, exploration, and opportunities.
CAREER OF THE MONTH: Nurse Practitioner- click on the link to find out about this growing career field.
This year students will be exposed to career speakers in their Academic and elective classes. These speakers will highlight careers that connect to that specific academic area or topic they are learning about in class. This allows students to connect the classroom to the real world. More to follow……
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
George Propane is looking to fill a part-time Helper position for after-school and
Saturdays. Must be reliable with a good work ethic.
Please contact: Mike George
George Propane, Inc.
3 Berkshire Trail West, Goshen, MA 01032
Mobile: 413-626-9449 Office: 413-268-8360
Email: mgeorge@georgepropane.com
BERKSHIRE EAST:
For the Winter 22/23 Season!
Positions include Snowsports Instructors, Race Coaches and Crew, Lift Attendants, Maintenance and Mechanics, Cooks, Servers, Dishwashers, and more!
Scan the QR code in the flyer below, employment@berkshireeast.com or call 413.339.6618 x 1050 for more information.
YANKEE CANDLE:
Hiring high school students (ages 16 & 17) as long as you have a signed work permit. HERE is the job flyer with a QR code that links directly to our Indeed Retail Sales Associate job posting.
Available Positions with very flexible schedules:
- Retail
- Restock
- Property and Guest Services
Applicants can come to the store and fill out an application onsite and we will give them an immediate interview.
Contact Us
Interim School Counselor Grades 9-12th
School Counselor Grades 7 & 8th
https://truggeri.youcanbook.me/
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