Counseling Department Newsletter

• Parents/Guardians of Juniors presentation (3/2 at 6pm): GOOGLE MEET LINK below
• Registration OPEN for Wachusett Wellness Day for students and WRHS staff
• SAVE THE DATE: upcoming April events!
• WRHS hosts a virtual college fair! Register now!
• Scheduling Process for 2021-2022 School Year
• Counseling Block Presentations
• Wachusett Wellness Newsletter
• College Guidance Network
• Parents Supporting Parents

The school counselors will be hosting a College Admissions Process Overview Presentation on Tuesday, March 2nd at 6pm via Google Meets!

The agenda will include:

• Review of graduation requirements and scheduling for senior year

• Overview of college admissions process

• Trends in college admissions

• Standardized testing

• College Fairs

• Developing the list

The google meet link is: https://meet.google.com/sop-biqg-yfr

We ask that students and WRHS staff please join us Wednesday, March 10th for an afternoon of wellness, positive energy and remote togetherness. This afternoon is a chance to remind yourself to “take a moment” in the stress of day-to-day life. We know that in the current time it’s tough to set aside time for yourself. This afternoon is designed to jumpstart just that!

There will be workshops offered during 3 different sessions that afternoon.

Session 1: 12:30-1:00pm

Session 2: 1:05-1:35pm

Session 3: 1:40-2:10pm

Presentations include:

Astrology for Wellness

Breath work

EFT Tapping

Energy: What Are Your VIBES

Establishing a Self-Care routine that will last

Goal setting/ results training

Gratitude Practice

High Energy Fitness Kickboxing

Identifying and Responding to Stress

Let’s Switch That! (Mindset)

Mindful Photography

Self-Compassion and Boundary setting

Stress Relieving Techniques for Better Sleep

Think you think too much? Turn down the volume on your own thoughts

Tribe Fitness

Two Things You Should Do, But Won’t...

Yoga

Zentangles

A program description of each workshop was posted in the student's google classroom. Registration opened on March 1st! Students should register by clicking HERE.

April 1st from 6:30-8:30pm: WRHS will be hosting a virtual college fair -- REGISTER HERE!

April 6th at 6pm: Navigating the College Search for Students Who Learn Differently given by Regional Enrollment Representative for Landmark College

This webinar will give students and families the tools they need to determine fit as they explore a variety of colleges and help them prepare for a successful transition. The representative will provide information about what to consider, the questions to ask, and the wide range of accommodations, supports, and programs that exist in post-secondary education today. You’ll hear a little about Landmark - where it fits in the overall landscape- and get plenty of time to ask your questions. This presentation is intended for families of 9th – 12th graders and interested students.

Google meet link: meet.google.com/nua-rnym-sfe

April 8th at 6pm: Financial Aid Information Session with Monica Blondin, Director of Financial Aid from Assumption

This webinar is designed for high school juniors and their parents and will cover the following topics:

• How to apply for financial aid (e.g. required forms)
• How financial aid is determined
• Review of merit and need based financial aid funding
• Helpful websites and tips
• Question & Answer session

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://assumption.zoom.us/j/97216299984

April 15th at 8am: Sophomore parent/guardian presentation

Please join us for "Planning Ahead for your Sophomore". We will preview college planning, course planning, and other things to consider as your student transitions to the second half of high school.

Google meet link: meet.google.com/jqe-yhrr-kne

• NEACAC Virtual Fair Dates:

• Sunday, March 14, 1-3 p.m. EST

• Wednesday, April 14, 7-8:30 p.m. EST

• Sunday, May 16, 1-3 p.m. EST

• NACAC Virtual Fair Dates:

• Sunday, March 21, 1-7 p.m. EST

• Sunday, May 21, 1-7 p.m. EST

• CollegeBoard is offering a virtual college fair for sophomores and juniors:

• The Northeast event will be on March 7th. There are three other regional events (West/Southwest, Midwest, and Southeast) in February and March.

• WRHS will be hosting a virtual college fair on Thursday, April 1st from 6:30-8:30pm-- REGISTER HERE!

Students and parents are invited to play an active role in the scheduling process. Students can review the graduation requirements and course offerings through our WRHS Educational Guide, review prior grades in PowerSchool and revisit career clusters and pathways that have been revealed through Naviance.

The scheduling process involves three parts.

1) Recommendations for course levels will be inputted into PowerSchool for students

2) Students review those recommendations in PowerSchool, select their core classes, and choose electives based on their interests.

3) Students meet individually with their counselors to review their choices and finalize their course requests for next year.

Scheduling Timeline

March 2nd - March 8th:

Current Sophomores meet with their school counselors individually during their Health classes to review and finalize course requests. Some students will have virtual meetings.

March 9th - March 15th:

Current Freshmen meet with their school counselors individually during their Freshman Seminar classes to review and finalize course requests. Some students will have virtual meetings.

April 16th:

All requests for reconsideration of level change forms are due.

Please visit the Scheduling Process Timeline for more information!

Every Wednesday the counselors have been meeting with one of the grade levels to discuss various topics including welcoming back our students, reviewing the college application process, and delivering our Naviance inventories; to name a few. The presentation time slot is 11:15-12pm each week.

Throughout the month of March, counselors will be meeting with their freshmen to deliver the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programming.

Helping students adopt and maintain healthy behaviors is at the core of our school counseling program. To have healthy behaviors students must first start with education and awareness.

Please see our past newsletters as well:

Wachusett Wellness Newsletter: February

Wachusett Wellness Newsletter: January

Wachusett Wellness Newsletter: December

Wachusett Wellness Newsletter: November

Wachusett Wellness Newsletter: October

We are thrilled to bring our families and students a new service offering going into the new school year. We have signed up our school to have access to College Guidance Network, a virtual programming network specializing in demystifying the college admissions process.

Take a closer look at the full schedule of programming and speakers on their programming page. You will also be able to view past presentations there as well.

What's New and What's Changed this Year

Wed., March 10th via Zoom

8-9pm

College as an Investment

Wed., April 7th via Zoom

8-9pm

We recognize what a challenging time this is. The BRYT Family Engagement Team invites you to participate in our weekly Parents Supporting Parents group where parents can get & receive support from each other.

Please join us every week for PARENTS SUPPORTING PARENTS. Simply click the link and join the Zoom meeting. All are welcome so please share with family and friends.

View the flyer HERE for dates/times!

Follow us on instagram: @wrhscounseling

Email: lauren_clark@wrsd.net
Website: https://wrhs.wrsd.net/school_counseling
Location: 1401 Main Street, Holden, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 829-6771
Twitter: @CounselorsWRHS