WHS Guidance News

Report cards will be mailed this week. Students can also access their 1st quarter grades online through the PowerSchool Portal. Once you have logged in, click on "Grade History" on the left to see your grades. Be sure that you are in the 2020-21 school year (there is a tab for each year).

Your user name and password can be found on the schedule that was printed for you back in September. If you can't find that, please feel free to contact Mr. Mimms (kareem.mimms@watertown.k12.ma.us) or Mrs. Tracy (linda.tracy@watertown.k12.ma.us) for your information. If you are using the app, you may need to enter the District Code (GRDF).

Students in the National Honor Society are available for Peer Tutoring after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays over Zoom. Soon, a limited number of tutors will be available before school in person. Students should check the morning announcements for the Zoom link and tutoring schedule.

Students needing support with completing the FAFSA are encouraged to attend FAFSA Day presented by MEFA on December 14, January 10, or February 7 (in Spanish). MEFA will offer a short presentation and then take live questions and answers. Students must register in advance at https://www.mefa.org/events.

We are still accepting student requests for the HOBY Leadership Conference. Each year, Watertown High School 10th graders have had the opportunity to participate in the annual Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar. This weekend-long seminar provides participants with opportunities to develop and improve their leadership skills, hear from community and business leaders, and partner with students from around the state on group service projects. This year the event will be held virtually on May 1 & 2, 2021. The registration fee is $225 and registration is limited to seven 10th graders. If 10th graders are interested, they should contact their school guidance counselor to learn more about the nomination process. More information about state leadership seminars can be found here.

Seminars for 10th and 11th graders began last Friday. Students have access to the Zoom link through their counselor's Google Classroom. In 10th grade, we are helping students consider their interests and values and will be working to connect those interests to courses at WHS, careers, and future opportunities. In 11th grade, we are helping students dive deeper into their plans for life after high school through a review of Naviance and other helpful career and college search tools and through the development of individualized timelines for junior and senior year. Both schedules can be found on the Weekly Learning Plan section of the WHS website and here: 10th grade; 11th grade.

JUST IN!

Thrive Scholars Application

Thrive Scholars offers a six-year program to high-achieving students of color. The program begins with college advising and academic support in junior year and extends through career exploration and development. This program is 100% free to students who are admitted. The application to the Thrive Scholars Program is a 2 part application with part 1 opening on Sept. 28th and closing on January 6, 2021. Part 2 of the application will open on February 5, 2021(for those who make it to the next round), and will close on February 28th. Students will receive acceptance notifications in early April. Find out more at thrivescholars.org.

Framingham State University Mancuso Scholarship

Framingham State will be awarding two Mancuso Scholarships this year to students in English and Humanities majors. These scholarships will cover 100% of tuition, fees, room & board for up to four academic years. The scholarships represent an outstanding opportunity for hardworking students with financial need. Visit the Mancuso Scholarship website to review eligibility and scholarship application guidelines.

Artistic Merit Scholarship to Hartford Art School, University of Hartford

Our Artistic Merit Scholarships range from $12,000 - $28,000 per year. It is important students apply by our Early Action date of December 15th to qualify for our highest scholarships. Early Action carries two primary benefits: waving of the $35 application fee and two-week decision notification. Funds do run out over time and we want to make sure your students have the best chance at receiving the highest aid possible.

You can find more information on this scholarship and many others offered at the University of Hartford at this website: https://www.hartford.edu/admission/scholarships/default.aspx#

*Scholarship guidelines for the Artistic Merit Scholarship:

1 Meet the admission standards for acceptance to the Art School and University. 2 Be a full-time student at the University of Hartford’s Hartford Art School during your four-year BFA program. 3 Maintain a 3.0 grade point average each semester during your BFA program. 4 To qualify for federal aid programs you must file for FAFSA by February 15, 2021. Please contact Rebecca Lee, Assistant Director of Admission at 860.768.4158 or relee@hartford.edu if you have any questions or need further assistance in understanding this award. 5 This award may not be combined with any other merit-based University of Hartford Scholarship. In addition, you may be eligible for need-based aid. 6 Upon presenting a full portfolio and academic material, this award is subject to increase up to $28,000 per year.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

If you would like more information on each of these scholarships, please go to Naviance and follow these steps:

• Click on the ‘Colleges’ tab at the top of the screen

• Click on ‘Scholarships and Money’

• Click on “Scholarship List’

• Search through the list to see these scholarships and more!

Science Ambassador Scholarship

One (1) award of $40,000

Deadline: December 14, 2020

North American Van Lines Logistics Scholarship

Three (3) awards of $1,000

Deadline: December 15, 2020

Equitable Excellence Scholarship

Fifty-Two (52) awards of $25,000

Deadline: December 15, 2020

Assumption University Light the Way Scholarship

Fifty (50) awards of $27,000 renewable for all four years

Deadline: December 15, 2020

AFL-CIO Scholarship

Multiple Awards

Deadline: December 18, 2020

You Deserve It Scholarship

One (1) award of $1,000

Deadline: December 29, 2020

Design Thinking Scholarship

Two (2) awards of $1,000

Deadline: December 31, 2020

CC Bank’s Young Scholars Scholarship

Five (5) awards of $2,000

Deadline: December 31, 2020

Ron Brown Scholarships Program

Ten (10) awards of $40,000

Deadline: January 9, 2021

Automotive Women’s Association Scholarships

Fifteen (15) awards of $2,500

Deadline: January 9, 2021

Washington Crossing Foundation Scholarship

Thirty-nine (39) awards of $5,000

Deadline: January 15, 2021

Massachusetts JCI Senate Scholarship

Two (2) awards of $1,000

Deadline: January 22, 2021

Henry David Thoreau Foundation Scholarship

$20,000

Deadline: February 1, 2021

Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarships

Three (3) awards of $10,000

Deadline: February 20, 2021

November 12, 2020

November 2, 2020

October 13, 2020

September 27, 2020

September 14, 2020