MHS Counselors
Meredith Bagnell (A-D) - meredith.bagnell@fcps.org 240-236-7404 Brad George (E-K) - bradley.george@fcps.org 240-236-7436 Erin Phelps*(L-Rod) - erin.phelps@fcps.org 240-236-7402 Paula Langley (Roe-Z) - paula.langley@fcps.org 240-236-7405 *Ms. Phelps is on leave until September 14, 2020
INFORMATION FOR SENIORS
VERY IMPORTANT:
FOR SENIORS APPLYING TO COLLEGE: GOOGLE MEET Q&A Tuesday, September 8 at 2 PM Below is a link to a brief instructional video about using Naviance to request transcripts and letters of recommendation for college applications. https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYQVVVHhlG
A link to this video is also found in your Schoology course called “MHS Counseling Center” on the Materials page in the Naviance folder. MHS Counselors will be holding a Google Meet Question & Answer Session about the college application process.
Please watch the instructional video before attending the Google Meet Q & A. The video will not be shown at that time. When: Tuesday, September 8 at 2 PM Where: meet.google.com Nickname: MHSCounseling https://meet.google.com/lookup/mhscounseling All students should leave their microphones muted and type their questions into the chat.
SAT Opportunity for Current 12th Grade Students
FCPS will administer a free SAT assessment to 12th grade students on Tuesday, October 27, 2020.
All Maryland Health Department regulations and social distancing safety guidelines will be followed during the administration of the assessment.
Scores for this administration will be provided to colleges and universities by Tuesday, November 24, 2020.
In order to plan for the SAT assessment, please respond to this survey MHS SAT Survey if your child plans to participate in the assessment. Complete the survey for each 12th grade student in a household. The survey will close on Friday, September 11, 2020.
Should your child choose to participate, additional information regarding logistics (and transportation for those who normally receive it) will be communicated to you no later than Monday, October 12, 2020.
MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION PROGRAM: Ways to Pay for College Thursday, September 24, 7 PM
Each year, the Maryland Public Television (MPT) hosts an informational financial aid segment, Ways to Pay for College. Here is the link from last year's program here. Participants of the program include representation from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and local college financial aid experts. The MPT will be hosting their 2020 financial aid program on Thursday, September 24 at 7 pm. The program will be replayed on Saturday, September 26 at 6 pm.
An email address, college@mpt.org, is being made available for students and parents to send their financial aid questions. Questions can be sent before the event. Some questions may be answered during the live broadcast. All submitted questions, whether included in the broadcast or not, will be answered via email by financial aid experts at Anne Arundel Community College, one of the partners in this event.
VIRTUAL FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION NIGHT Middletown Counselors are planning to hold a virtual financial aid information night in October. We will have a Financial Aid Advisor from Hood College. Date is TBD! Keep an eye out for further information.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Check Naviance for paperwork and requirements for these and other scholarship opportunities!
To Access Scholarships On Naviance, Click on the following Tabs: Colleges Tab Scholarships and Money Scholarship List
Go to Naviance to access this information.
Due to the current school closure, if a Letter of Recommendation or an unofficial/PDF version of the transcript is needed, please email your counselor.
IMPORTANT DATES
Date
Event
Time
PSAT/NMSQT* Registration Information - Deadline is Wednesday, September 9
*Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
Registration: Wednesday, August 26 - Wednesday, September 9 Registration Link: https://frederickcounty.schoolcashonline.com/ Test Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2020 Test Time: 8 am to approximately 12:15 pm (students must report to the building by 7:30 am) Fee: $18
Who Can Take the PSAT The PSAT/NMSQT is intended for 10th and 11th grade students. If 9th grade students wish to take the exam, they should contact Ms. Bertulaitis (jennifer.bertulait@fcps.org). Due to safety and staffing, there is limited seating. Please note that the test includes math content from courses through Algebra 2, which 9th and 10th graders may not have yet taken.
Why Take the PSAT The PSAT acts as a precursor to the SAT as the two tests largely mirror each other in content and structure. The PSAT has fewer questions than the SAT. NOTE: PSAT scores determine students' eligibility to apply for National Merit scholarships for JUNIORS ONLY.
Safety We want to ensure the safety and health of all students/staff, and comply with social distancing guidelines. For this reason, we will not be able to provide supplies. Each student MUST bring a calculator, pencil and eraser. Additionally, students must wear a mask at all times. Testing areas will be disinfected, and plans are being developed to minimize risks and ensure social distancing.
Registration, Fees and Payment To register and pay for the PSAT/NMSQT, go to https://frederickcounty.schoolcashonline.com/. Registration opened on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 and run through Wednesday, September 9, 2020. You must pay a $18 fee in order to participate. Families experiencing a financial hardship should contact Ms. Bertulaitis (jennifer.bertulait@fcps.org).
We are still in the process of determining the number of students we can accommodate based on social distancing guidelines and staffing. Once that number is determined, we will choose students based on the order of registration. Students exceeding that number will be placed on a waitlist. 11th graders will be given priority due to the necessity of taking the test in that year for NMSQT eligibility.
If the PSAT is cancelled, payments will be refunded. Additionally, if a student does not take the test on test day, a refund will need to be requested by October 20, 2020.
Will transportation be provided? Bus transportation to and from school will be available upon request. Please complete this form (https://forms.gle/gQRozmLcWS3L13HJA) during the registration period if you need transportation.
How can I prepare for the PSAT?
The College Board (www.collegeboard.org/psat) offers detailed information and resources regarding the PSAT, including practice questions. Additional support can be accessed through the Khan Academy website (www.khanacademy.org).
Questions? Contact Ms. Bertulaitis (jennifer.bertulait@fcps.org) with any questions regarding the PSAT.
If Your Home Address Has Changed: Complete the Change of Address form and return it with a current utility bill (Gas, Water, Electric) or rental lease: Address Change Form
When submitting a utility bill, the bill must contain the following information:
You may email a scanned copy (niki.dillard@fcps.org) or drop off the updated proof of residency to our front office.
ONLINE ENROLLMENT: New or Transferring Students to Middletown High School
To begin your student’s enrollment into Middletown High School for the 2020-2021 school year, please review and complete the steps below.
STEP 1: Please click and review the Enrollment Parent Checklist to begin the enrollment. Have these documents ready to be uploaded or emailed to our Registrar, Ms. Niki Dillard (email below) at the time you complete the online enrollment. If you are unable to upload, please drop them off at the MHS Front Office between 8 am and 4 pm, Monday through Friday.
STEP 2: Pre-enroll using the FCPS Online Enrollment Website: FCPS Online Enrollment
STEP 3: ALL required/applicable documents listed on the Enrollment Checklist need to be received to process your student’s enrollment. Due to a limited number of documents you are able to be upload to the online website, email MHS Registrar, niki.dillard@fcps.org, any documents you are unable to upload or drop them off at the MHS front office.
2019-2020 Yearbook Pick Up Students who purchased 2019-2020 yearbooks and have not yet picked them up can come to the front office between 8 AM - 4 PM, Monday through Friday.
National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) Coronavirus Update Information
NACAC’s College Admission Status Update is a central resource of information about changes in college admission as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The website currently includes information provided to NACAC by colleges and universities worldwide. You’ll find information on each institution’s plans and policies for admission events; for consideration of high school transcripts and standardized test scores; for decision and deposit dates; for summer and fall semester plans; and more. NACAC
The Free HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Back to School College Fairs - July 2020 through March 2021 Students who are interested in attending an HBCU should consider filling out the Common Black College Application (CBCA), which for a limited time is only $20 to apply to 55 colleges and universities. There are virtual college fairs being held March 2021. To get more information about the college fairs and the CBCA please go to: HBCU College Fairs and CBCA Application
Selective Service Registration This is a reminder that all males are required by law to register for the Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Preregistration can be done at 17 years, 3 months and the registration held until the 18th birthday. Failure to register can create future issues: the inability to receive federally funded college loans and grants, to obtain federally funded training and certification programs and federal employment. To register, go to SSS.gov
Counseling Office Staff
Last Names A-D: Meredith Bagnell, 240-236-7404 Last Names E-K: Brad George, 240-236-7436 Last Names L-Rod: Erin Phelps, 240-236-7402 Last Names Roe-Z: Paula Langley, 240-236-7405
Registrar: Niki Dillard, 240-236-7401 Counseling Secretary: Jennifer Bertulaitis, 240-236-7403
Fax: 240-236-7580 Visit the MHS School Counseling Page