Student Services Update

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 kind of information you would like to read about in this newsletter: sgarcia@mtrsd.org

Happy start to your 2024-2025 school year. This newsletter will be emailed to all 7th-12th grade students and caregivers weekly on Thursdays. It will also be linked in Mr. Buckland’s weekly newsletter.

Your student should have brought home a packet of paperwork for you to review, sign, and return. If you did not receive this paperwork, please contact the front office.

Academic Calendar for 2024/2025

9th -12th-grade students

You can view your schedule in Aspen. Here is how to view the schedule:

1. Log into your Aspen account

2. Click on the MY INFO top tab

3. Click on the CURRENT SCHEDULE side tab

4. You will see your first semester schedule, if you want to see second semester you need to click on the TIME drop-down menu and select S2

Honors course level selection is taking place this week. If you would like to take a course for honors credit please let your teacher know by Friday, September 6th.

MTRS has 3 levels of coursework, College Prep, Honor, and Advanced Placement. Grades are weighted based on the level of course a student takes. Students are then ranked according to their weighted cumulative grade point average at the end of each semester. Below is an explanation of the grading system and class rank.

Grading System and Class Rank

* GPA, class rank, and credits pertain only to high school

Courses are weighted when computing class rank and GPA. See the chart below. Class rank and GPA includes all students in their core academic areas only: English, Math, Social Studies, Science, and World Languages. It does not include courses taken at the local community college; that GPA stands separately. The placement Level and the associate Grade Point Value are listed below.

Independent Study courses and courses taken outside of Mohawk Trail, including online, Greenfield Community College, or correspondence courses, are not considered when GPA (Grade Point Average) is calculated.

Credits are earned by completing classes with a passing grade and credit is awarded at the end of each semester. (Credit for yearlong courses such as AP courses is awarded when the course is completed.) A semester is one-half of the school year. Semester one is from late August to mid-January, and semester two is from mid-January - June.

Welcome to Senior Year! There are so many things to be excited about and look forward to; Booster week, Capstone, College Acceptances, Friends, Jobs, Musical, Prom, Scholarships, and so much more.

Here is a preview of the fall:

Mrs. Desarro will be working closely with the Senior Advisory Teachers to find common time to share information and resources pertaining to college admissions. Stay tuned!

Things to be mindful of when applying to college:

Deadlines: Early Action/Early Decision deadlines begin on November 1st

Common Application: A widely used college application tool

Letters of Recommendation: Most colleges require at least one letter of recommendation from their Junior year core academic teacher, students need to have this conversation at least 1 month before their first deadline. Mrs. Desarro will also be writing a letter of recommendation, stay tuned for more information on that process.

College Essay: Students wrote a version of the college essay in their Junior year English class. Many choose to use this or you can start fresh. Please view Common Application Essay Prompts for more information.

SAT/ACT Test Dates: For students who may need/want to take a standardized test

College Visit Schedule - Colleges are coming to Mohawk! This is an opportunity for Juniors and Seniors to speak with a college admission representative to learn more about what colleges have to offer and their application process.

Financial Aid Information

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

CSS Profile - Financial Aid application that some colleges require

Financial Aid 101 - A video explaining the financial aid process

Financial Aid Calculator - Calculating the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC)

Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) - Financial Aid resources for Massachusetts residents.

This is your year to get involved. Join a club, get a job or try a new sport. We will spend a lot of time in Advisory researching your interests, strengths, and information about options after high school.

College Visit Schedule - Colleges are coming to Mohawk! This is an opportunity for Juniors and Seniors to speak with a college admission representative to learn more about what colleges have to offer and their application process.

Explore your interests in high school by joining a club or sport.

Through lessons in Advisory, you will do more career exploration and research.

We will be working with Sophomores this year to help them gain a better understanding of their personality and interests. Through self-reflection and goal setting, students will begin to make the connection between their classes and potential careers.

WELCOME TO THE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2028! MTRS is so glad you are here! During the 1st Semester, Mrs. Desarro will be meeting individually with each 9th-grade student to get to know you.

Welcome back, 8th grade! Middle school is a great time to try new activities. Join Band, Chorus, try a new sport, join a new club! Extracurricular activities help students feel even more connected to their school community. All returning 8th graders should be able to log into Aspen to view their grades. Students and families who need assistance with Aspen login and account information can submit a ticket to: support@twinlakesconsulting.zendesk.com

Wondering what your student has for homework? Check out the 8th Grade Daily Homework Page!

7th Grade Students

WELCOME TO THE CLASS OF 2030! MTRS is so glad you are here! Middle school is a great time to try new activities. Join Band, Chorus, try a new sport, join a new club! Extracurricular activities help students feel even more connected to their school community.

During the 1st Semester, Ms. Ruggeri will be meeting individually with each 7th-grade student to get to know you.

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.

Aspen Accounts for new students and families (including 7th grade) are in the process of being created. If you are new to MTRS, you will receive an email containing login information and instructions. Counselors and Advisors will run login workshops for 7th grade students once accounts are created.

Wondering what your student has for homework? Check out the 7th Grade Daily Homework Page!

Career information, exploration, and opportunities.

This year students will be exposed to career speakers in their Academic and elective classes. These speakers will highlight careers that connect to the 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…

Software developers create the computer applications that allow users to do specific tasks and the underlying systems that run the devices or control networks. Software quality assurance analysts and testers design and execute software tests to identify problems and learn how the software works.

Duties

Software developers typically do the following:

• Analyze users’ needs and then design and develop software to meet those needs
• Recommend software upgrades for customers’ existing programs and systems
• Design each piece of an application or system and plan how the pieces will work together
• Create a variety of models and diagrams showing programmers the software code needed for an application
• Ensure that a program continues to function normally through software maintenance and testing
• Document every aspect of an application or system as a reference for future maintenance and upgrades

Software quality assurance analysts and testers typically do the following:

• Create test plans, scenarios, and procedures for new software
• Identify project risks and recommend steps to minimize those risks
• Implement software testing, using either manual or automated programs and exploratory testing, and evaluate results
• Document and report defects or problems with software
• Provide feedback to software developers and stakeholders regarding usability and functionality

Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are involved in the entire process of creating a software program. Developers may begin by asking how the customer plans to use the software so that they can identify the core functionality the user needs. Software developers also determine other requirements, such as security. They design the program and then work closely with programmers, who write computer code. However, some developers write code themselves instead of giving instructions to programmers.

Software quality assurance analysts and testers design and execute systems to check the software for problems. As part of their testing, these workers document and track the software’s potential defects or risks. They also assess its usability and functionality to identify difficulties a user might have. After completing testing, they report the results to software or web developers and review ways to solve any problems they found.

After the program is released to the customer, a developer may perform upgrades and maintenance. Quality assurance analysts and testers run manual and automated checks to look for errors and usability problems once the software is released and after any upgrades or maintenance.

The following are examples of types of software developers:

Applications software developers design computer applications, such as games, for consumers. They may create custom software for a specific customer or commercial software to be sold to the general public. Some applications software developers create databases or programs for use internally or online.

Software engineers take a broad view of a project’s system and software requirements, planning its scope and order of work. These workers may direct software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers.

Systems software developers create the operating systems for the public or specifically for an organization. These operating systems keep computers functioning and control most of the consumer electronics in use today, including those in cell phones and cars. Often, systems software developers also build the interface that allows users to interact with the computer.

Developers who supervise a software project from the planning stages through implementation sometimes are called information technology (IT) project managers. These workers monitor the project’s progress to ensure that it meets deadlines, standards, and cost targets. For information on IT project managers who plan and direct an organization’s IT department or IT policies, see the profile on computer and information systems (CIS) managers.

Education

Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers typically need a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology or a related field, such as engineering or mathematics. Computer and information technology degree programs cover a broad range of topics. Students may gain experience in software development by completing an internship, such as at a software company, while in college. For some software developer positions, employers may prefer that applicants have a master’s degree.

Although writing code is not their primary responsibility, developers must have a strong background in computer programming. They usually gain this experience in school. Throughout their career, developers must keep up to date on new tools and computer languages.

Linda Desarro

School Counselor Grades 9-12

Book an appointment HERE

Taffy Ruggeri

School Counselor Grades 7 & 8

Book an Appointment HERE

Shana Garcia

Robin Jenkins

Registrar and Administrative Assistant

413-625-9811 ext. 1305

Website: https://mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org/Mohawk-Student-Services
Location: 26 Ashfield Road, Shelburne Falls, MA, USA
Phone: (413) 625-9811