Meredith Reardon Director 978-587-8311
MR@Fenwick org
FENWICK SCHOOL AND COLLEGE COUNSELING NEWLETTER
Mary Lou McLaughlin, Associate Director 978-587-8316
MLM@Fenwick org
Ellen Boucher Counselor 978-587-8314
EB@Fenwick org
Katie Conroy, Counselor 978-587-8303
KGC@Fenwick org
Donna Langer, Administrative Assistant 978-587-8313
DML@Fenwick org
978-587-8310
COUNSELING@FENWICK.ORG
Welcome to the Spring issue of the School and College Counseling Department's newsletter.
Each month we hope to share with you timely insights and helpful articles that are relevant to the school life of the students in all four grades We also hope you will get a sense of the many things we do to support and encourage our advisees throughout their years at Fenwick.
SUMMERTIME OPPORTUNITIES
Be sure and visit the Bishop Fenwick School and College Counseling Resource Board to view the available summer activities
Summer vacation is the perfect time to explore new things. All summers in high school are important, particularly in the sophomore and junior year. Colleges like to see applicants expand and stretch themselves, and a productive activity could help students stand out from other applicants who have similar GPAs and test scores
Different options:
Write for Acceptance at Bishop Fenwick High School
Participate in a specialized high school program.
Take a college class.
Get involved with research.
Take a free on-line class
Get a job
Be an entrepreneur
Volunteer for your community
Apply for internships
Find a job-shadowing opportunity.
Start your SAT or ACT test prep.
Make college visits
Use your imagination
CHECK OUT THESE UNIQUE AND INTERESTING COLLEGE MAJORS
COLLEGE FAIRS
It is never too early to attend a College Fair. In person Spring College Fairs in our area:
April 4, 2024 6 – 7:30PM
Malden Catholic High School 99 Crystal Street, Malden
May 2, 2024 9AM – 12PM, 6 – 8:30PM
May 3, 2024 9AM – 12PM
NACAC College Fair
415 Summer Street, Boston
Do you enjoy making people laugh? Why not make a career out of it by majoring in COMEDIC ARTS at Emerson College in Boston? Is watching NASCAR and Formula One racing your thing? Perhaps you should check out the MOTORSPORTS ENGINEERING major at Butler University in Indiana!
Have you ever dreamt of owning your own vineyard and winery? If so, check out the FERMENTATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY majors at Colorado State University and the University of Maryland.
Are you creative? Do you enjoy entertaining children? Take a peek at the PUPPETRY major at West Virginia University and the University of Connecticut
Is graphic design your thing? Avoid becoming a starving artist and check out the SNEAKER DESIGN major at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
Are you thinking about becoming a SAINT, SCHOLAR or SCIENTIST Check out this American university outside of Rome: The Catholic Institute of Technology. https://catholic.tech/
Are you interested in CYBER SECURITY.Check out this collaboration at Champlain College: Champlain and NuHarbor Security Form Groundbreaking On-Campus Partnership - The View
Class of 2024, 12th Grade
What Students are Expected to be Doing Now:
Stay focused on academics to finish their school year strong. Senior grades matter to intended colleges. Meet with their counselor to review all college application results before senior week
Update their Naviance accounts with application status and college decisions
Monitor college portals in case they require more information, announce a decision, or need an action by student
Check the Resource Board weekly for Scholarships (Deadlines are sooner than you think )
Check the Resource Board weekly for pre-college and summer opportunities.
Write notes of appreciation to the people that wrote recommendations and supported them through high school.
Incorporate self-care and mindfulness into every day.
What Parents Can Do to Support:
Keep the focus on finishing the year strong academically AP Exams, Final Exams and end of the year responsibilities are all important to beginning the next chapter of their lives
Continue to support your student through the application process – choosing which school is the best match for them can be the most stressful, next to waiting for a decision
Encourage students to declutter their schedules and allow for self-care and mindfulness
The next few months appear to be exciting, but the imminent changes can be scary for seniors. Take the time to check in and listen to how they are feeling
Seniors who will be playing an intercollegiate sport at a Division 1 or 2 school need to be registered with the NCAA and complete the Final Amateurism Certification before April 1st. Information is available in the School Counseling Office
Take a moment to appreciate the amazing job you have done raising your child It is because of you they are ready to fly – you have given them the wind beneath their wings.
We thank you for sharing your sons and daughters with us the past four years and look forward to hearing of their adventures as their journeys continue
The School and College Counseling Department
12th Grade Page 2
Class of 2025, 11th Grade
What Students are expected to be Doing Now:
Read the Course Selection Guide for the academic year, 2024-25
Make an appointment in Pick A Time to meet with their counselor to review course recommendations/elective options for the next academic year. Pick A Time links are available 3/15 on the Course Registration Tile on the Resource Board (Appointments available March 20th through April 12th)
Review with their parents the courses they have been recommended to take for next year.
Return the Course Request Signature Page, signed, to their counselor.
Continue to engage in the Junior College and Career Seminar
As part of Seminar class, complete all essential assignments which include Student Profile, and Academic Recommendation Request(s)
Take the SAT and/or ACT test
Tour colleges of interest.
Over the summer, brainstorm ideas for their college writing sample and start writing a draft, determine where they want to apply and arrange fall college tours
Set up a calendar or spreadsheet with important dates such as application and financial aid form deadlines. Students planning to pursue playing an intercollegiate sport at a Division 1 or 2 school must register with the NCAA and check in with Ms McLaughlin before the end of the school year Transcripts including the first six semesters of high school will be uploaded by July 1st for those students on the NCAA-Fenwick roster.
Attend College Fairs – listed daily on the Counseling Resource Board
Consider summer courses at colleges – list is updated daily on the School Counseling Resource Board
What Parents Can Do to Support:
Read and discuss with your student the Course Selection Guide for next year
Discuss prerequisites for courses. If your child was not recommended for a particular course/level, encourage them to share their disappointment with you, their teacher and counselor Not getting into the level of a course they had hoped for is not failure Our faculty is committed to determining the best fit for student success
Review the information sent home from the course request meeting and sign the Course Request Signature page. If you choose, complete, and submit to your student’s counselor the voluntary Parent Profile
Encourage a productive summer activity such as a pre-college program or a volunteer opportunity Refer to the School Counseling Resource Board.
Plan College Tours with your child
Encourage students to brainstorm ideas for their college writing sample and start a draft If you wish your student to attend “ essay boot camp ” , please register them on the Fenwick Website. Write for Acceptance flyers are available in the School Counseling office
The Junior and Senior College Handbooks are available on the Fenwick Resource Board and are written to aid students and parents in planning and carrying out the college application process.
11th Grade Page 3
Class of 2026, 10th Grade
What are Students Expected to be Doing Now:
Reading the Course Selection Guide for the academic year 2024-25
Make an appointment in Pick A Time to meet with their counselor to review course recommendations/elective options for the next academic year. Pick A Time links are available 3/15 on the Course Registration Tile on the Resource Board (Appointments available March 20th through April 12th)
Review with their parents the courses they have been recommended for.
Return a signed Course Request Form to your counselor
Re-familiarize self with Naviance
Check the Resource Board for: volunteer opportunities, summer pre-college programs and College Fairs held in the area this spring
Finish the year strong academically.
Meet with counselor one-on-one to reflect on the year
If interested in playing an intercollegiate sport, pick up information in the School Counseling Office
What Parents Can Do to Support:
Read the Course Selection Guide and review the required courses as well as discuss electives for next year. Discuss prerequisites for courses If your child was not recommended for a particular course/level, encourage them to share their disappointment with you, their teacher and counselor Not getting into the level of a course they had hoped for is not failure. Our faculty is committed to determining the best fit for student success. Sign and return the Course Request Signature page
Daily, help your student build self-care and mindfulness in their lives.
Plan with your student to attend College Fairs (these are posted on the School Counseling Resource Board)
When planning a trip, drive through colleges on the way to discuss size, location, the design of the campus, and facilities. The college Look Up in Naviance is a good resource for you and your child to do together to get more information about colleges
March Madness also presents an opportunity for college exploration and conversation using Naviance’s College Look Up and Scattergrams
10th Grade Page 4
Class of 2027 -- 9th Grade
What are Students Expected to be Doing Now:
Reading the Course Selection Guide for 2024-25 in preparation for requesting courses for next year.
Make an appointment in Pick A Time to meet with their counselor to review course recommendations/elective options for the next academic year Pick A Time links are available 3/15 on the Course Registration Tile on the Resource Board. (Appointments available March 20th through April 12th).
Review with their parents the courses they have been recommended to take for next year
Returning the Course Request Signature Page signed by their parent or guardian
Checking the Resource Board for summer opportunities to volunteer or take pre-college courses being offered by colleges and organizations
Finish the year strong using all academic support available to them: extra help from their teachers, Math Mondays, Peer Tutors, Study Buddies, and their School Counselor.
Prepare for Final Exams
Be sure to include self-care and mindfulness daily
What Parents Can Do to Support:
Read the Course Selection Guide and discuss course requirements with your student.
Review the materials sent home with your student after they meet with their counselor to discuss the courses they have been recommended for next year
If you have a question concerning your child’s courses for next year, communicate with their teacher(s) and the counselor
Check the Resource Board for postings of summer opportunities to volunteer or take pre-college programs offered by colleges.
Continue to help your student plan to meet all deadlines and put their best effort forward through the end of the academic year
Build in time for daily self-care and mindfulness.
Limit access to social media and the internet
Plan time to discuss the progress they have made this past academic year
9th Grade Page 5