Student Services Update

It's another busy month in Student Services. Meetings with students about next years classes and schedules, assisting seniors with the college and scholarship process, visiting advisories, providing specific programs/events, supporting students needs, are just the tip of the iceberg here! As always, if you or your student needs someone to talk with, needs assistance navigating classes, or just a reset, we are here to help!

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.

• 2026-27 MTRS Course Catalog

💲💲 AP CLASS TEST FEES ARE PAST DUE !!💲💲

Payment needs to be dropped off or sent into the Student Services office ASAP. 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

Dear Student,

As you consider your options after high school, we encourage you to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, in order to access grants, federal student loans, and work-study funds for college. Filling out the FAFSA is one of the most important steps students and their families can take to pay for college and is the key to unlocking college financial aid from federal, state, and local sources.

If your immigration status prevents you from qualifying for federal aid, you might still be eligible for aid through the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA), which can help you attend public institutions of higher education in Massachusetts.

Applying for financial aid helps keep college an option for the fall but does not commit you to enrolling. Fill out the FAFSA or MASFA as early as possible to maximize the aid you can receive.

There are resources available to help with this process, including the following:

1. Go Higher Go Higher is the Commonwealth’s initiative to share information about access and affordability at public institutions of higher education in Massachusetts. Go Higher offers paths that make higher education more affordable–like free community college, free or affordable four-year degrees, career-connected scholarships, and more.

2. DESE, in collaboration with the Department of Higher Education and the Executive Office of Education, has identified FAFSA resources that may be helpful.

4. The Department of Higher Education’s Office of Student Financial Assistance is the Commonwealth’s “go to” on resources concerning student financial aid.

5. The federal government’s FAFSA website includes steps for families, and entities such as the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) provide information and continuing supports during the school year for educators, counselors, administrators, students and their families.

Fill out the FAFSA or MASFA as early as possible to maximize the aid you can receive!

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 this out for GREAT summer opportunities!! Updated list: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IEIu-i8CvMDs7gemjmgF3LmcdpocUQjDipNtvUrsgjc/edit?usp=sharing

• Spring College Prep Workshops at UMass Amherst

Register Today:

• 2026 BFMC Student Education Programs

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DRuYh8yOq6anl8_wXCirxYem7lEV-1Wr/view?usp=drive_link

Student Ambassador Program

This program is designed to give Franklin county high school students an introduction to the wide range of careers in healthcare in a hospital setting. It functions as an intensive one-or-two-week mini medical school program where students observe in different departments, are educated about the function of the department and the various roles within. Depending on the schedule and patient permission, students may be allowed to observe surgery, shadow in the ER, OB, and other departments. The group spends time each week sharing their experiences and what they learned.

Two sessions of the program will be offered, with an option for a one-or-two-week commitment (M-F) Application deadline is April 14, 2026

• July 7th thru 17th 9am-1pm (two weeks)
• August 10th thru 14th 9am- 4pm (one week)

Check out the information below:

Student Ambassador Program

Ask Me! Volunteer Programs

Ask Me Now Real!

Application

• How to register for the SAT: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SSHWZDYzolyXDADjH2RhbP3EsMAsLLtL8kO2KpQXlpE/edit?usp=sharing

• The importance of visiting colleges in the Spring of Junior Year: https://campusbound.com/juniors-and-sophomores-lets-talk-college-visits/

• College Visit programs: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jVcc_iY7Rf57CBwPxtUEkQ5ql6BNIlFVSX9PtQci3Do/edit?usp=sharing

• How to set up a tour at the local colleges: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lcCq2TX7rAewxIqjiwOxB0t1rG4BIHI644rZTxOTPss/edit?usp=sharing

• College Prep Scholars Program:

High School Juniors: The application is now open!

Scholarships and awards for high-achieving high school juniors from low-income backgrounds.

Awards include: full scholarships to summer programs, personalized support, $1,000 awards,

and more! Apply by March 24, 2026 http://questbridge.org/

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

• 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!!

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!

This month, students have been busy learning about the course request process for the 2026-2027 school year. They have participated in Advisory lessons as well as optional individual and small group meetings. Both 7th and 8th grade students will be entering course requests into Aspen by the end of next week.

Schedules for 9th graders will be available later this spring, giving them the opportunity to meet with counselors and make changes prior to summer break. Students entering grades 7 & 8 will get their schedules on the first day of school.

In addition to requesting 9th grade courses, 8th graders were invited to draft a 4-year plan for high school. These plans give students an overview of what their 4 years in high school can look like, and can be changed and modified at any time.

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.