MHS School Counseling November 2023
Lewiston Strong
Our hearts are with the families of the victims of the tragic mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine. When an event like this happens close to home, it is natural for feelings of confusion and sadness to become overwhelming. If you need a space to process or talk things through, please see your school counselor.
Parents & Guardians: Here is a list of talking points and tips to help you guide your conversations and process this tragedy with your student(s) at home.
- Validate their feelings. Explain that all feelings are okay when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.
- Make time to talk. Let their questions be your guide as to how much information to provide. Be patient; children and youth do not always talk about their feelings readily. Watch for clues that they may want to talk, such as hovering around while you do the dishes or yard work. Some children prefer writing, playing music, or doing an art project as an outlet, lastly consider going for a drive or a walk.
- Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate. Upper middle school and high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. Emphasize the role that students have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines (e.g. not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus, reporting threats to the school safety made by students or community members, etc.), communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators, and accessing support for emotional needs.
- Review safety procedures. This should include procedures and safeguards at school and at home. Help children identify at least one adult at school and in the community to whom they go if they feel threatened or at risk.
- Observe children’s emotional state. Some children may not express their concerns verbally. Changes in behavior, appetite, and sleep patterns can also indicate a child’s level of anxiety or discomfort. In most children, these symptoms will ease with reassurance and time. However, some children may be at risk for more intense reactions. Children who have had a past traumatic experience or personal loss, suffer from depression or other mental illness, or with special needs may be at greater risk for severe reactions than others. Seek the help of a mental health professional if you are at all concerned.
- Limit television viewing of these events. Limit television viewing and be aware if the television is on in common areas. Developmentally inappropriate information can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children. Adults also need to be mindful of the content of conversations that they have with each other in front of children, even teenagers, and limit their exposure to vengeful, hateful, and angry comments that might be misunderstood.
- Maintain a normal routine. Keeping to a regular schedule can be reassuring and promote physical health. Ensure that children get plenty of sleep, regular meals, and exercise. Encourage them to keep up with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities but don’t push them if they seem overwhelmed.
Upcoming Dates & Events
- Wednesday, November 1st - Parent Teacher conferences, 3:00-6:30 PM
- Tuesday, November 7th - Election Day, No School
- Friday, November 10th - Veterans' Day Observed, No School
- Wednesday, November 15th - ASVAB test for registered students, 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Wednesday, November 22nd - Friday, November 24th - Thanksgiving Break, No School
Career CenteR
The Career Center is a hub with helpful programming and information for all grade levels - drop-in sessions, college admissions visits, advisory presentations, and more! Above is a screenshot of all the upcoming events we are hosting! Interested in an event listed above? Click the button below and use the links within the calendar to sign up!
On-the-spot Admissions Events - SENIORS ONLY
On-the-spot admissions events are opportunities to have an on-the-spot review of your college application with an admissions representative to discuss your application, hear insight into their review process, and ultimately be informed of your admissions decision at their school! Space is limited for each school so be sure to sign up in advance and submit your application at least 1 week prior to the date! Got questions? Email Mrs. Lontine at kyle.lontine@rsu35.org or speak with your school counselor. Click on the buttons below to sign up for an on-the-spot admissions event!
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Hiring Events!
Mrs. Lontine, Mrs. Leboeuf, and a group of awesome seniors took a field trip to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on October 17th. They got a behind-the-scenes look at their advanced technology and learned all about the Shipyard's different departments from employees, including many Marshwood alumni! They also got to hear about the benefits of their paid apprenticeship program. The Shipyard is holding monthly hiring events, and attending is a great opportunity for any senior looking to enter the trades after high school. See the flyer below for more information!
ASVAB Test Preparation
On October 25th, students registered to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test received important information about the test format, what skills it measures, and ways to prepare for the exam.
On the Road to Senior Year: A Family Planning Guide
During Parent Teacher conferences, Mrs. Lontine presented to families about how parents can support their seniors throughout the college application process. Click the button below to view the presentation!
Seniors
We are here to help you with your postsecondary plans! All seniors should schedule their senior meeting at least one month prior to their earliest deadline. If you are a student with an earliest college deadline of December 1st, use your counselor's YouCanBookMe link or send them an email to schedule your senior meeting!
Empire Beauty School's "Build Your Own Empire" EventS
Empire Beauty School offers trades that are in demand - cosmetology, barbering, and esthetics, in addition to certifications in makeup artistry and lash extensions! They are offering 1 hour "Build Your Own Empire" events at the time and campus of your choice so you can learn more about their programs and scholarship opportunities, get financial aid information, meet students and instructors, and get a behind-the-scenes tour. You will receive a voucher for their enrollment fee - a $100 value! Parents are welcome as well.
Hooksett, NH Campus: Tuesday, November 7th - 10 AM - 2 PM or 5 PM - 7 PM, RSVP by emailing jpeltonovich@empirebeautyschools.com
Somersworth, NH Campus: Tuesday, November 7th - 10 AM - 2 PM or 5 PM - 7 PM, RSVP by emailing ahoy@empirebeautyschools.com
FAME Financial Aid Events & Information
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the financial aid application used by all schools to award federal, state, and often institutional aid. The FAFSA for the 2024-2025 academic year is currently being overhauled and is delayed until December. The new FAFSA form will be easier to complete and has fewer questions, but does require students and families to take steps to prepare before the FAFSA can be filed. FAME (Finance Authority of Maine) is available to help! They provide free information to help you prepare to apply for financial aid and make a plan to pay for education after high school. Click the link below to sign up for a virtual or in-person event.
Scholarship Opportunities
We have a brand new scholarship website this year full of local, state, and national scholarships organized by deadline, in addition to helpful scholarship search tools. Click the button below to access the MHS Scholarships site!
This month's scholarship highlight is the Maine American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program. Qualifying students can earn up to $1,500 at the state level and $25,000 at the national level! To apply for this scholarship, you need to submit a 8-10 minute speech that must be on the subject of the U.S. Constitution, with some emphasis on the duties and obligations of citizens to the government. Additional 3-5 minute speeches on an assigned topic are also part of the contest. The application is due on December 1st, 2023, and you can get a hard copy of the application from Mrs. Bolin in the school counseling hub (D207). Click the button below for more info, and if you have any questions, call the American Legion Department of Maine at (207) 873-3229.
Virtual College Fairs
The National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) has organized a virtual college fair on November 12 from 1:00-6:00 PM. This opportunity is a great way to connect with colleges you may not be able to tour before you submit your application. Have a quick video chat with a rep, drop in on a virtual presentation, send a question through chat - make a connection YOUR way! Click the button below to sign up.
Freshmen
Hello, Class of 2027! We welcome you to Marshwood High School and hope that your transition into high school has been smooth so far. As your school counselors, we are here to support you and help make high school a fulfilling experience! Counselors have visited your advisories to encourage you to sign up for your freshmen meetings. If you haven't already, please schedule your meeting during your study hall, lunch or after school using your counselor's YouCanBookMe page!
Information for all grades
Academic Support
Community Service
Don't forget, 50 hours of community service is part of your graduation requirements. Setting a goal of completing 10 to 15 hours each year of high school will help to set you up for achieving this requirement in no time! Community Service forms are located in the D-Pod Hub, or can be printed from the MHS School Counseling Website (located within the "Information for ALL Grades" tab).
Your 50 hours need to be completed by May 1st of your senior year. To help, we've compiled a document filled with Community Service Opportunities. This document is regularly updated so be sure to check back often!
Community Resources
Maine Choose to Be Healthy webinar: How the Media and using Media Affects Our Children with Dr. Michael Rich, associate Professor of Pediatrics
MHS Community Closet
The Marshwood High School Community Closet exists to provide new and gently used clothing, hygiene supplies, food, shoes, and other daily essentials at no cost to students in need and their families. The Community Closet empowers our school community to nurture compassion through service, and to foster awareness of our diverse population. The Marshwood Community Closet was spearheaded by the Interact Club, and is further supported by our Counseling department, Nurse, Administration, and community donors.
If you or someone you know would like to access the Community Closet, please reach out to your school counselor and/or the Nurse. This process is discrete and you can have regular access to these materials.
If you would like to donate to the MHS Community Closet, please email Emily Rumble, Interact Club advisor, at emily.rumble@rsu35 to set up a time to drop off materials. The closet is currently FULL of women's clothing, but they are in need of the following items:
- Hangers
- Men's dress clothes (ties, button ups, dress pants)
- Hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, etc. (Winter gear)
- Shoes (especially sneakers)
- Non-perishables
- School supplies (pencils, backpacks, pens, etc.)
Choose to Be Healthy Parent Cafes!
Sign up for any or ALL of their popular Parent Cafes via Zoom with Shannon Briggs, Child Development Specialist, of York County Kids Free To Grow. These informal, facilitated discussions build parent resilience and are different every time. Attendees can listen, share, learn - any or all of the above! The first 50 parents to attend will receive a FREE Parent Handbook, $14.95 value. Click the buttons below to RSVP to CTBH's upcoming cafes!
Get Involved!
Did you know that there are over 48 Clubs and Activities to choose from at MHS? Take the opportunity to try something new and get involved!
Contact your Counselor
Did you know the MHS School Counseling website is JAM PACKED full of helpful information? Be sure to check it out and bookmark it for easy access! On the site you'll also find the links to email or book an appointment with your school counselor. We look forward to meeting with you!