This fall, Mrs. Carpenter & Mrs. O'Brien has been actively visiting classrooms to meet with students across grades 9-12. We’re here to support students on their academic and personal journeys, and we're excited to connect with them directly in their learning environment. One new tool we're introducing this year is MEFA Pathway, a comprehensive online resource that empowers students with college and career planning tools. Through MEFA Pathway, students can explore career options, set academic goals, and research colleges. We're looking forward to using this program to help students plan for their futures and set themselves up for success!

Topics that we have covered so far in our counseling seminars! Sept/Oct (see attached presentations below):

Grade 9-Making the Most out of High School; My Learning Style

Grade 10-Intro to MEFA Pathway, SMART goal setting

Grade 12-College Apps 101

Coming up in November...

Grade 10-Exploring options after High School

Grade 11-Intro to MEFA Pathway/What College Factors are Important to You

Grade 12-Senior To-Do List

Please see below for important information on college planning. We will be seeing you in classes the first week of November!

Mrs. Ryan, our School Adjustment Counselor, has been working with students on important life skills this year through monthly seminars. Each grade level is learning something new to help them grow and stay healthy, both emotionally and mentally.

Here’s what’s already happened:

• 10th Grade: Self-Advocacy – Learning how to speak up and voice your needs (September)
• 12th Grade: Stress Management – How to handle the pressures of senior year (October)

What’s coming up next:

• 9th Grade: Signs of Suicide – Recognizing the signs of depression and suicide (November)
• 11th Grade: Healthy Relationships – Building respectful and positive connections (December)
• 9th Grade: Communication Skills – Improving how we talk and listen to each other (January)

These sessions are designed to give students the tools they need to succeed and stay well throughout the school year.

On Friday, September 27th, we hosted our annual DHS College and Career Fair, which brought together nearly 70 representatives from local businesses, colleges, and military organizations. This event provided a fantastic opportunity for our students to explore various post-secondary options and career paths.

Prior to the fair, students received valuable information about the types of questions they could ask the representatives, helping them make the most of their experience. The day was filled with engaging discussions and numerous connections made between students and professionals, setting the stage for future opportunities.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to the success of this event!

We recently welcomed back our sophomores and juniors to the Nichols Leadership Academy and are excited to announce the induction of our new freshmen members! Our first trip to the academy took place on October 24th, where students engaged in various leadership activities and team-building exercises designed to enhance their skills and confidence.

This year, students will have the opportunity to return to the academy for 3 additional visits, on 12/4, 1/29, and 3/5 allowing them to further develop their leadership abilities and form lasting connections with their peers. We look forward to seeing the growth and development of all our participants throughout this program!

The SAT's were held on 10/16 and the PSAT's were held on October 30. For those interested in taking the SAT, the next date is December 7, 2024, with registration closing on November 22. Additional SAT dates are available on the College Board's site, and students should check local test centers in Massachusetts for availability.

For more information on SAT dates and registration, visit the College Board's official SAT page

This initiative, which includes MassEducate and MassReconnect programs, enables Massachusetts residents to attend community college without paying tuition or fees, as long as they haven't earned a bachelor’s degree yet. The program also offers an allowance for books and supplies for eligible students. Families are encouraged to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to maximize their benefits.

This program, signed into law in July 2024, applies to all 15 Massachusetts community colleges and aims to increase accessibility and support workforce development across the state.

Friday, January 31st: QCC Info Session for those students planning on applying. Please see Mrs. Carpenter and Mrs. O’Brien to make sure you are on the list to participate in this event.

Friday, February 7th: QCC Decision Day. Interested students will meet individually with the QCC admissions representative and will earn their conditional acceptance to the college that day.

Mrs. Carpenter & Mrs. O'Brien have been meeting with seniors who are applying early and will be meeting with ALL seniors whether they are planning on applying to college, wanting to join the military, work, attend a technical school, etc. We are here to support everyone-this is a big year! If you would like to book an appointment via calendly you can do so below or fill out the form in google classroom to meet with us:

To make an appointment with Jill Carpenter: https://calendly.com/jcarpenter-dhs

To make an appointment with Kristen O'Brien: https://calendly.com/kobrien13

The FASFA will now open on 12/1....apply early to maximize your aid!

https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

If your family is new to the financial aid process, we highly recommend that you sign up for one of the following Financial Aid 101 webinars. The presentation provides a helpful overview of the entire financial aid process, and includes information on financial aid applications and eligibility, types of financial aid, and how colleges determine the details of financial aid offers. Weekly webinars will continue through mid-December. Please use the link below to register.

The ELA MCAS retest will be held on on 11/6-11/7 and the Math MCAS retest will be held on 11/12 & 11/13. These will also be offered again in March, as needed. The Biology retest will be held on 2/4 & 2/5.

This Spring, all sophomores will take the ELA MCAS on 3/25 & 3/26. They will also take the Math MCAS on 5/20 & 5/21.

The Biology MCAS for freshmen and sophomores will be held on 6/4 & 6/5.

As the holiday season approaches, we want to ensure all our families have the support they need. If your family could use a little extra help this Thanksgiving or Christmas, please don't hesitate to reach out to our counseling office. We have resources available and can connect families with local programs to provide assistance during this time of year. Your request will remain confidential, and we're here to help in any way we can to make the holidays a joyful time for everyone in our community.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/comfort-gratitude/202109/how-gratitude-can-help-teens-stay-motivated