Student Services Update

The second half of the school year is underway! Lots will be happening, especially for our Juniors and Seniors. Please make sure you check in often regarding scholarships and deadlines, upcoming events and important dates.

As always, if you or your student need someone to talk to regarding an issue that has come up or is bothering them/you, contact us. Does your student need a quiet place to work for a bit or a place to "reset" ? Our school counselors are here to support students and their families as they navigate through middle school, high school, and plan for life after graduation.

• Linda Desarro

• Taffy Ruggeri

• Robin Jenkins

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

The Mohawk Trail Regional School District only approves the distribution of these materials and does not endorse or sponsor these programs or assume any liability for programs contained herein.

• The course catalogue will be available for viewing in the upcoming weeks.
• Students will input their course requests into Aspen during the week of February 23rd.

AP CLASS TEST FEES ARE DUE by February 1, 2026.

Payment needs to be dropped off or sent into the Student Services office at your earliest convenience. If you have any questions, contact Robin in Student Services. Thank you!

AP Exam Dates and Times:

• May 5th, 8am AP Chemistry
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• May 6th, 8 am AP English Lit
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• May 8th, 8 am AP US History
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• May 11th, 8 am AP Calc AB
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• May 12th, 12 pm AP Psychology
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• May 13th, 8 am AP English Lang
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• May 14th, 8 am AP Spanish Lang
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• May 15th, 12pm AP Comp Sci A

Seniors looking for scholarship information should check out the Student Services 25/26 OFFICICIAL Senior Scholarship Bulletin link. Local Scholarships will be posted as they open up, (in blue) which will have the application process and and deadline information listed. Make sure you check the link often. If you have any questions, see Mrs. Jenkins in Student Services.

Check out their Scholarship Application Virtual Drop-In Sessions.

• Friday, February 20th from 12:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.
• Wednesday, February 25th from 2:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
• Friday, February 27th from 12:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.

Drop-In Link:https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86062550745#success

To be considered, students must complete and submit all required documents no later than February 13, 2026

1. Fill out the application form (Using this link): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RYXNLGv-p49x0rJ02NkP3Xcrc8EJnsbSLiaSMm-55o/edit

2. Fill out the Preference Questionnaire (Using this link): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Jf9bT0HOU9yO16f2sHRGAycXup_Iw-fFto6hupSgMr0/edit

3. Send/Attach a Brief essay (approximately 1 page) on why you wish to participate in the “High School Doctor for a Day” Program. Send this to: jfrodema@mms.org

4. Send/Attach a reference letter from an adult (not related to you), teacher, guidance counselor, etc. Send this to: jfrodema@mms.org

The "High School Doctor for a Day" program was developed to foster mentoring relationships among students and practicing physicians. This high school program is sponsored by the Massachusetts Medical Society in conjunction with Franklin District Medical Society and local high schools. The mentoring program provides students with an interest in the field of medicine an opportunity to witness firsthand what it is like to be a physician, and provides physicians an opportunity to be role models for them. The goal is to assist the students in making career choices while witnessing the complexities involved in providing patient care.

• Curious about how college applications really work? Join our virtual panel hosted by the Small Town and Rural Students (STARS) College Network! All grade levels are welcome. If you're even thinking about college, this session is for you!

STARS Virtual Panel: Mock Application Review & Case Studies

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

7:00 - 8:00 PM CST

https://engage.starscollegenetwork.org/register

• It's not too early to think about visiting college campuses! Many colleges have visit and tour opportunities available on the admissions tab of their websites and February and April breaks are fantastic times to visit. Here is a list of fully funded visit opportunities for high school juniors.

• Interested in Volunteering? Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community, explore interests, learn about career fields and strengthen a resume. Here are some local places to volunteer!!

• It's time to register for the SAT!!!! For information on how to register, please click here! If you need a fee waiver, please email Mrs. Desarro.

• Summer program applications and college Fly In Programs for the class of 2027 are opening up!

  Click here for a list of opportunities!

• Highlighted program!!!! Smith College Knowledge for Freedom Program! Registration link

• Are you looking for summer or extended learning opportunities? Click Click Here!

• Here is the website for the SAT test dates for Spring2026. https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/dates-deadlines

Are you a high school junior or senior who is interested in taking college courses? Several Colleges have in person and online opportunities!!

• The options listed are free or low cost
• Classes are offered online or in person
• Dual Enrollment courses can:

1. provide you the opportunity to take courses not offered at MTRS

2. strengthen the rigor on your college applications

3. give you a head start on college, allowing you to double major or graduate early

4. provide you an opportunity to complete general education requirements for competitive

majors such as nursing, radiology, engineering and many others!

Naviance is an online platform that helps students plan for college and careers. Each MTRS student has their own account that they begin using in 7th grade and continue to use throughout high school at MTRS. At this point in Middle School, 8th graders have had the opportunity to complete all Self-Discovery assessments. They have used the results of these assessments to learn about specific career paths. This month, 7th graders completed the Career Cluster Finder assessment. This assessment identified the top 4 career clusters that matched their interests, skills, and values. Students can access Naviance from their chrome book-ask your student to login to show you the results of their assessments!

Within the next few weeks, students will begin to think about courses they would like to take next year, and information about the course registration process will be provided to students and families..

We are halfway through Trimester 2, which marks the halfway point of the school year! Trimester 2 Progress Reports were published last week. Students and families can reach out to specific teachers, advisors, or Ms. Ruggeri, the middle school counselor, with any questions or to discuss a student's performance.

Students who are having difficulty with Aspen, can sign up outside of Ms. Ruggeri's office to attend a help session during lunch on Mondays, or visit the Twin Lakes Technology Helpdesk The Helpdesk is available for families as well as students.

Wondering what you student has for homework?

Check out the 8th Grade Daily Homework Page!

Check out the 7th Grade Daily Homework Page!

LOOKING FOR INSIGHT ON NAVIGATING TEENS AND SCREENS?

The Screenagers website has valuable information, especially the "Blog" and "Resource" sections.

• Lifeguard Training Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation