Saturday, August 26, 2023

Wahconah Newsletter 2324 #1

WELCOME BACK WRHS STUDENTS AND FAMILIES!


The Wahconah Regional High School Guidance Department would like to welcome all of our students and families back to school for a new school year! We look forward to working with you and helping you have a successful and rewarding year. If you need to contact us in the Guidance Department, our Staff and School Counselor assignments are below.


Phone: (413) 684-1330

Fax: (413) 684-2329


Lisa Farley Guidance Administrative Assistant

LFarley@cbrsd.org

Ext. 7109


Megan Sookey - School Counselor

Student Last Names: A-G

msookey@cbrsd.org

Ext. 7101


Peter Andersen - School Counselor & Counseling Coordinator

Student Last Names: H-M

pandersen@cbrsd.org

Ext. 7118


Katie Salavantis - School Counselor

Student Last Names: N-Z

ksalavantis@cbrsd.org

Ext. 7110


Cathy Grady - Career and Internship Coordinator

cgrady@cbrsd.org

Ext. 7125


The Add/Drop deadline is set:


The add/drop period runs September 5-15. If you would like to request a schedule change during this time, please email your guidance counselor for an appointment. Classes will not be changed for teacher preference.



Back-to-School Tips for Families


Here is a good article to review with good Back-to-School Tips for Families

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/school/Pages/back-to-school-tips.aspx



ATTENTION CBRSD COLLEGE BOUND JUNIORS AND SOPHOMORES

The Digital PSAT examination will be given at Wahconah Regional High School on Saturday, October 12, 2024 from 7:45am-*11:00am.


The PSAT is a practice SAT examination provided by the College Board to give you the chance to take a modified version of the SAT examination. Additionally, it allows juniors to attempt to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.


It is important for you to know that this test is not considered in the college admissions process. It is a practice test.


Before the test day

  • Review practice materials using the bluebook app. 


On test day: 

  • Students will park in the student parking lot and report to the main entrance at 7:30am. 

  • The test will end at approximately 11:00am for standard time testers and *12:00pm for extended time testers.

  • Make sure to bring their fully charged, school issued chromebook, a calculator and two sharpened #2 pencils.


Register for the PSAT at https://forms.gle/A5uu834XBG1EnKhP9 no later than Thursday, September 12, 2024. This is a required deadline that has been set by the college board. The test fee is $30.00 and can be paid online or via check. 


Online payment steps: Check:

1.  Go to https://wahconah.cbrsd.org Payable to CBRSD

2.  Click on $ Payment Center Mail to Megan Sookey

3.  Go to UNIPAY Payment Center: Click Here School Guidance Counselor

4.  Click on Wahconah and then WRHS- PSAT/SAT Test Fee Wahconah Regional High School

5.  Fill out the information 150 Old Windsor Road

6.  Make your payment Dalton, MA 01226

Subject line: Student name/ PSAT


For more information about the PSAT visit psat.org


SAT Update



Seniors:


Registration is now open for the spring 2024 SAT® administrations. An announcement will also be sent to Seniors with existing College Board accounts. 


Wahconah Seniors interested in taking the SAT can sign up via this link:

https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration


  • NOTE: Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch can obtain a 

    fee waiver by contacting their School Counselor.


SAT's go digital with shorter test-taking time for 2024 - article below


https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/sats-go-digital-with-shorter-test-taking-time-for-2024/


Mental Health School Supplies


It's that time of year again - If your overwhelmed by the thought of going back to 

school and the pressure that comes along with it, you are not alone. Mental Health 

School Supplies is a company that provides support and resources.  

You can learn more here via this link:

https://www.crisistextline.org/school/


CGN College/Career Library

The College Guidance Network provides an excellent library of resources through a video library to help students and families obtain information about their College & Career search.  You can find it here via this link:

https://www.library.collegeguidancenetwork.com/library/home/c0e831da-6867-4eda-a580-7f87e50a4f3e?ref=c0e831da-6867-4eda-a580-7f87e50a4f3e


College Admission Counselor visits


College representatives will visit our Seniors in the Guidance Department starting September 17th.

Students can find our full College Admission visit calendar and register on their Wahconah

Naviance.com account. If you need help with logging in to Naviance, please reach out to

your School Counselor. 


The following colleges are scheduled to visit in September:


Monday, 9/18 - Plymouth State University - 8:30am

University of Maine @ Farmington - 10:15am

Endicott College - 12:30pm

Tuesday, 9/19 - University of Southern Maine - 12:30pm

Wednesday, 9/20 - Bentley University - 8:30am

Thursday, 9/21 - Vermont State University - 8:30am

                               Anna Maria College - 9:15am (Virtual visit)

College of Holy Cross - 12:30pm

Lasell University - 1:30pm

Monday, 9/25 - Western New England University - 12:30pm

Johnson & Wales University - 1:30pm (virtual)

Tuesday, 9/26 - University of New Hampshire - Main Campus - 8:30am

Emerson College - 10:15am

Wednesday, 9/27 - Fitchburg State University - 9:15am

Thursday, 9/28 - Salem State University - 9:15am

Friday, 9/29 - University of Maine - 9:15am

                             Bay Path University - 10:15am


Junior College Planning Night Follow Up

Junior College Planning Night at Wahconah took place on Wednesday evening, 
March 22.  If you were not able to be in attendance, you can find the presentation 
slides link below and a link to the video from the presentation for your reference.



Also, below are links to articles and information that I referred to during the 
presentation and a couple of extra helpful future planning and career exploration links.  








University of Massachusetts - Amherst Net Price Calculator.  
Note:  Every College and University has a custom Net Price 
Calculator you can use to estimate cost of attendance for their
College/University.  You can use this estimator prior to applying.

The College Tour - Amazon Prime 
Video Series

Hosted by Alex Boylan, each episode of The College Tour tells the story of what life is 
truly like on college campuses across the country and around the world. 
From academics, housing, sports, career preparation, campus life/location and 
much much more. In this innovative and informative series, each story is told by 
real students attending the featured college or university right now!


Raise Me Scholarships


RaiseMe partners with universities to offer students scholarships for their 

achievements during high school and college.  WRHS students grades 9-12 can 

access this website to participate via this link.  https://www.raise.me/how-it-works


Scholarships

Seniors can access many regional and national scholarships through Naviance.  Once logged in click Colleges>Scholarships & Money>Scholarship Search to access.


New England Board of Higher Education Tuition Break
2023-2024 program offerings

Over 2,500 programs are now offered through Tuition Break (RSP)

73% of undergraduate degree programs are now Flexible*, available to all residents of New England!


You can find additional information with this link below:


Tuition Break Program for Massachusetts residents


College Admission - No cost virtual workshops

Siena College is pleased to offer a series of virtual workshops regarding the college admission process.  From the application to financial aid and everything in between, tune into listen to experts chat with you about the college admissions process.  Additional information and registration can be found by clicking this link: Siena College Admission 1011


Today show feature - treating Mental Health virtually



Strategies to help with homework completion

Routines and incentive systems to help kids succeed

Time Management

Improving time management habits now can reduce end-of-semester anxiety and stress. Here are some sharable tips:

  • Set daily goals each morning.
  • Establish a routine and stick to it.
  • Schedule study breaks – allowing down time for exercise and fun improves work focus.
  • Use a calendar or time management app to track classes, assignments, study times, activities, jobs, etc.
  • Create a to-do list and cross off items as you go.


Naviance is available to Wahconah Students and Parents

The Wahconah Regional High School Guidance Department is very excited to introduce the Naviance College and Career planning system to our school community. 

Naviance is a college and career readiness platform that helps connect academic achievement to post-secondary goals.  Its comprehensive college and career planning solutions optimize student success, enhance school counselor productivity, and track results for school and district administrators.

The Naviance program was reviewed with students during course registration and all students applying to college will need to use the Naviance program in order to obtain teacher recommendations and request transcripts.  Students were provided with an access code & parents can receive an access code by contacting your child's School Counselor.  You can access Naviance via the following webpage  https://connection.naviance.com/fclookup.php

Career Village

CareerVillage is a community where students can get free personalized career advice from real-life professionals.  Check it out by clicking the link below.


Career Village Website


Career Week video library

In the Spring of 2021, MassHire Berkshire Career Center recorded a series of Career videos for students to view as they are planning for graduation from high school.  You can access this excellent resource here and click on the career video that interests you. 

Career week videos


Volunteer opportunities


Berkshire Horseworks

Berkshire HorseWorks in Richmond, provides recreational and therapeutic horse-centered programs. They are always looking for volunteers for horse-care and support staff.  For more details on this opportunity, stop in to the College and Career Center or email Mrs. Grady at cgrady@cbrsd.org


It Takes a Village

It Takes a Village has a mission to, "provide FREE postpartum and early parenting support to families with babies and young children living in Western Massachusetts, and to inspire the community to welcome the newest members of their village."  Fulfilling this mission, ITAV offers a multitude of services to families in the area including:

  • The Village Closet - a place for families to give and receive new and gently-used baby gear, clothing, diapers, feeding supplies and more.

  • Home Visits for postpartum support of families with infants for up to 12 weeks.

  • Children's Play groups

  • Caregiver Support groups, workshops and more!

You can sign up to volunteer here:  https://www.hilltownvillage.org/

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