Shawsheen Tech Guidance Newsletter

Ms. Angela Caira (acaira@shawtech.org) 9th grade counselor: Last Name A-L

Mr. Matt Smith (masmith@shawtech.org) 9th grade counselor: Last Name M-Z

Mr. Greg Harrison (gharrison@shawtech.org) 10th-12th grade counselor

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Auto Collision Repair & Finishing
• Automotive Technology
• Dental Assisting
• Medical Assisting
• Metal Fabrication & Joining Technologies

Ms. Terry Henry (thenry@shawtech.org) 10th-12th grade counselor

• Business Technology/Marketing
• Drafting
• Graphic Communications
• Health Assisting
• Masonry

Ms. Kelly McFadden (kmcfadden@shawtech.org) 10th-12th grade counselor

• Carpentry
• Electrical
• HVAC
  
• Plumbing

Ms. Amanda Samaha (asamaha@shawtech.org) 10th-12th grade counselor

• Cosmetology
• Culinary Arts/Hospitality Management
• DVC
• Electronics/Engineering
• Information Support Services & Networking/Programming & Web Development

Our College & Career Night was held on Thursday, October 24th and was a huge success! Parents/Guardians & students met with representatives from a variety of public & private colleges & universities, technical institutes, and military representatives.

On November 6th we held our Finanical Aid and Scholarship Information Night. We would like to thank Amy Staffier, Director of Financial Aid from Simmons University for presenting.

If you were not able to attend the event, you can watch a recording of a similar presentation here:

English: https://www.mefa.org/videos/financial-aid-101/

Spanish: https://www.mefa.org/videos/ayuda-econmica-para-la-universidad-101/

Portuguese: https://www.mefa.org/webinar/financial-aid-101-portuguese/

To view the PowerPoint that was presented, please see below:

During the 5th Exploratory cycle, following a presentation that we delivered on SMART goals, the freshmen completed a goals activity using the Naviance platform. In addition, the students completed their first of three Shop Selection Surveys.

Students were encouraged to identify three goals: Academic, Career, and Personal/Social using the SMART goal method. We emphasized the importance of having goals as they improve productivity, performance, and overall success. Throughout the interactive presentation, we discussed the need for a FOCUS and explained that having a focus serves in part as a driving force toward goal completion. As evidenced by the post survey results that we tabulated, most of the freshmen class understands what a SMART goal is, and most students used the process successfully in creating their three goals. We encourage you to review your child’s goals with them on the Naviance platform (accessed through Class Link). Our 9th graders' ability to define a smart goal went up from 33% prior to the lesson to 88% after the lesson. Our 9th graders' knowledge of how to achieve a smart goal went up from 37% before the lesson to 92% after the lesson.

The shop surveys provide critical data to help us identify how much interest there is in each of our Vocational/Technical programs. We use this data, in part, to help us guide the students during the selection process. Throughout the Exploratory program, we will continue to remind the freshmen that each Vocational/Technical program has a capacity limit, and we determine which students get placed into every program according to interest and grades. If there are 50 students interested in a program that only has capacity for 20 students, the top 20 will be placed into the program and the other 30 students will be put on a wait list for said program. As the year progresses, much more information will be shared about the selection/placement process. We thank you in advance for echoing our message that both skills and interests should be considered when selecting their final top three choices.

Finally, at this presentation, the students learned more about how their Guidance Counselors can support them as they continue to navigate their first year of high school.

We are back at it with our 8th grade visits and roadshows! On Wednesday, November 13th we presented to Hanscom Middle School students at Shawsheen and then hit the road in the afternoon to present to 8th grade students at Wilmington Middle School. This Friday, November 15th we welcomed John Glenn Middle School students to Shawsheen. Our next Roadshow will be at Marshall Simonds Middle School in Burlington this Thursday, November 21st.

The Shawsheen Tech Guidance Office created the following College Admissions Checklist as a tool to help you complete the steps required to apply to college. If you plan to apply to a 4-year college, please review the document and reach out to your counselor if you have any questions or need clarification. Counselors will be visiting students in Related to give a general overview of the college application process but a 1-1 appointment with your counselor is recommended, especially if you plan to apply to college with an “Early Action” deadline (typically on or around November 1st).

Attention all 7th grade students who reside in our sending districts (Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Tewksbury and Wilmington), registration is now open for Project Explore. Information about the program and how to register can be found here.

• Application information can be found here.
• Admissions policy can be found here.
• Admissions website: Student Admissions (go2cte.com)

If you have any questions about admissions, please email the admissions office directly at admissions@shawtech.org.

Are you looking to get involved? Check out our list of clubs & activities we have to offer. Be sure to listen to the morning announcements for meeting dates & times.

If you are looking for additional counseling services or resources for your child, please take a look at the following links for information and contact info:

Outside Counselor Referrals

Community Resources

Students and families can visit the School Nurses' Office website for up-to-date information from that department, by clicking on the following link: Nurses' Office / Nurses' Office (shawsheentech.org).

RMV/Union paperwork: Parents/Guardians must email your request to guidanceoffice@shawtech.org

*Please give 48 hrs. notice for this request*

Work Permits: Please complete the following form and submit to the Guidance office: Work Permit Application

Email: guidanceoffice@shawtech.org
Website: shawsheentech.org
Location: 100 Cook Street, Billerica, MA, USA
Phone: 978-667-2111
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shawsheentech/
Twitter: @shawtech_hs