Guidance Dept June Newsletter
Welcome to the June edition of the Guidance Department monthly newsletter! We’re excited to share with you some exciting updates and news!
Summer Vacation Office Hours: The Natick High School Guidance Office is staffed by Guidance Administrative Assistants during summer vacation. They can be reached at 508-647-6612/6642 and via email from 7:30am - 3:00pm. Monday - Thursday. Friday 7:30am-12:00pm. The Guidance Counselors will return the week of August 17th.
FRESHMEN ORIENTATION
We welcome the High School Graduating Class of 2030 to join us next August for our annual Freshman Orientation. The online registration information for the event will also be sent out from your middle school principals. The date for the event has been set as: Thursday, August 20, 2026 - please mark your calendars. You can register your student using the RSVP link below.
Freshman Orientation activities include opportunities for students to meet peers from both of our incoming middle school classes, bond with their freshman mentor group, tour the building, do team-building/icebreaker activities, experience their class schedule, and meet their upperclass mentors to name a few. It is the best way for students to get acclimated to the school that will become their second home for the rest of their years studying with Natick Public Schools. We look forward to meeting each of our incoming 9th Graders!
RSVP Link:
MCAS
Ninth graders will take the Physics MCAS on Tuesday, June 2 and Wednesday, June 3. Students will receive their room assignments from Mr. Hoye on June 1. Testing will begin at 8:15am each day. Students are encouraged to bring a calculator and a book to read (in the event that they finish their exam early). Best of luck, ninth graders!
Although passing MCAS scores are no longer a graduation requirement, we encourage students to be well rested and on time to put their best foot forward. When students give their full effort, they increase their chances of qualifying for scholarships, and our school’s scores can give an accurate picture for both the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (which evaluates schools based on student performance) and for our teachers to make adjustments to curriculum and instruction.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
If time allows, summer can be a great time to participate in community service, a rewarding experience that will also help students work towards meeting their 30-hour graduation requirement. See our Community Service Website for ideas!
PSAT
Save the Date: The PSAT is scheduled for Oct 17th 2026
Pre-ACT
Score Reports for students who took the March Pre-ACT were given to students in Guidance Seminar in April. If your child did not receive their score report, please have them reach out to their guidance counselor.
GUIDANCE SEMINAR
Guidance counselors have started to meet with sophomores in Guidance Seminar. Sophomore Guidance Seminar will be largely committed to helping students explore their personality type and interests as a way to launch their exploration of careers and career-related resources. This will also help guide students with future course selection and assist in researching possible college majors that relate to students’ interests.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
If time allows over the summer, your child may want to consider attending to some of the community service hours for which they are responsible. All students must complete 30 hours of community service as a graduation requirement. For access to the Community Service Form as well as some ideas for community service (including virtual ideas): Community Service Website.
SAT/ACT
We encourage students to take the SAT and/or ACT even though there are many schools out there with the Test-Optional Policy. We are fortunate that the SAT will be offered at the high school for several upcoming administration dates. We encourage students to register early to ensure their seat. The fall registration dates (including the August test date) are now open.
COMMON APPLICATION
Many students will also begin to complete the Common Application this spring and over the summer. The Common Application presents students with the opportunity to search over a thousand colleges (private, public, large, and small), select colleges that meet their needs, add them to a “My Colleges” list, and track their application process throughout the 2026/27 application season.
For students interested in exploring or starting their Common Application before August 1st, the Common Application has a feature called the Rollover, which allows a student to open their account early and roll over any information already entered into their account by the next school year/application season.
PARENT BRAG SHEET
Parents are encouraged to complete the Parent Brag Sheet. The information you provide will assist us when college planning with your children and writing letters of recommendation. This is your opportunity to share information about all the incredible things your child has been doing.
STUDENT BRAG SHEET
Students will need to complete the Student Brag Sheet for the Guidance Counselors. The information you provide will assist counselors with college planning and their recommendation letter. Please make a copy of the Student Brag Sheet before completing it and share it with your counselor.
JUNIOR POST SECONDARY CHECKLIST - a “to-do” list before leaving for the summer
Below is a check list of items students should be working on during the spring and summer break in preparation for college application season this fall. Remember, this is also posted in your child’s Junior Guidance Seminar Google Classroom. This work will lay a solid foundation for post-secondary planning in the fall and ensure a smooth start to senior year. Seniors will be assigned to a seminar in term 1 where they will review these items and focus on post-secondary planning and the application process.
Other Resources:
Keep in mind that your child’s Google Classroom has an array of resources, including topics covered during each session, the curriculum, and corresponding Google Slides, as well as several short videos covering/reviewing the topics covered in class. This is a great resource for students and families.
FINAL TRANSCRIPTS
The Guidance Department will send a final transcript to the school your child plans to attend in the fall, so please be sure to let us know your final decision once it has been made. Transcripts will be sent in late June. This process is automatic and you do not need to request a final transcript. This it is contingent upon you notifying us about your plans for the fall.
CLASS NIGHT FOR THE CLASS OF 2026
Recipients of the Local Scholarships will be announced during the pre-recorded Class of 2026 Class Night Award Program on June 4th at 7pm. The program will be aired on the Natick Pegasus channel.
Links and television stations are listed below:
Xfinity 08
Fios 30
Astound 13 / 1130
Can’t watch it on June 4th? The recording will be available for future viewing on our website along with a program pamphlet.
- Detailed information, including the amount and contact information, will be mailed to recipients on June 4th.
Check out the College & Career Readiness Center of the Natick High School website: Enter the center here