MHS Counselors
Meredith Bagnell (A-D) - meredith.bagnell@fcps.org 240-236-7404 Dana Brashear (E-K) - dana.brashear@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
IMPORTANT DATES
Date
Event
Time
Dates and times are subject to change
FCPS REQUIRES UNIVERSAL MASKING FOR THE START OF THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR FCPS requires all students and staff to wear face coverings inside our schools for the start of the 2021-22 school year. There will be no requirement to wear face coverings outdoors; however, it is strongly recommended, particularly for those who are unvaccinated. The requirement to wear face coverings on school buses continues to be in effect.
INFORMATION FOR SENIORS
SENIORS: ATTEND A COLLEGE BOOT CAMP! MHS Media Center, Wednesday, August 25 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM College-Bound Seniors: Get help and information about Common App and other college applications, your "brag sheet", how to request recommendation letters, using Naviance and other topics you may have questions about. Be sure to bring a laptop or device. You will be meeting with MHS Counselors.
MEETING FOR SENIORS WHO ARE APPLYING TO 4-YEAR COLLEGES Friday, August 27 during Knights Quest 10:25 AM - 10:55 AM All seniors who are applying to 4-year colleges should plan on attending this meeting, which is being held in the Auditorium. Counselors will be reviewing how to access Naviance and use it during the application process. Naviance is an important tool in the application process. You should bring a charged device with you to this meeting.
Transcripts (seniors/class of 2022): MHS will not send any senior transcripts for college applications until at least September 1. The initial transcripts will be sent when schedule changes are complete and GPA and rank calculations can be verified.
Recommendations: Seniors applying to 4-year colleges in need of letters of recommendation should identify the counselor and teachers that they will ask for them. Recommenders SHOULD NOT be added to the Common App, because Naviance will link them later. Prior to contacting those recommenders, students should complete the “Recommendation Brag Sheet” in Naviance Family Connection. That is found in the “About Me” tab in the top left under “Surveys to take.” Upon completion, students can email the teacher(s) and counselor identified and let them know that they will receive a future request for a recommendation in Naviance, but the responses to the brag sheet are now available to the staff members in Naviance if they would like to write their letter now for uploading and sending later.
UPCOMING COLLEGE VISITS
Seniors and juniors should use their Naviance Account (see link below) to sign up for these and other visits and determine the location of the visit, which will usually be the Main Conference Room or the Auditorium during Knights Quest. All sign-ups close 24 hours prior to the visit time. Please see Mrs. Bertulaitis in Counseling if you have questions.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Check Naviance for paperwork and requirements for these and other scholarship opportunities! Applications in bold are local scholarships - for MHS students, FCPS students and/or residents of Maryland.
To Access Scholarships On Naviance, Click on the following Tabs: Colleges Tab Scholarships and Money Scholarship List
Go to Naviance to access this information.
To Request Official Transcripts for Scholarships or Personal Use on Naviance, click on the following tabs: Colleges Tab Apply to College Manage Transcripts Red "+" button Other Transcript
Enter information as completely as possible. Enter special instructions in the note section, (for example, "Please email transcript to (insert email address)" or "Please include counselor recommendation form"). There will be a $2.00 fee (cash or check payable to MHS) per official transcript prepared, payable when the transcript is picked up. You will be notified when it is ready. Please allow 5 business days for a transcript request.
PSAT/NMSQT TEST AT MHS Wednesday, October 13
As of today there are fewer than 100 slots remaining. We will continue to accept sign-ups until they are all full.
Click Here For More Testing Details
FCC DUAL ENROLLMENT PAYMENT DEADLINE Friday, August 20 If you are in a Frederick Community College Dual Enrollment class, payment is due to FCC next Friday, August 20. If payment is not made, you will be dropped from the class. Go to the FCC website to make your payments.
For more information, please see Mrs. Langley's August 2 letter and payment information sheet. Please note that if you have technical difficulties accessing your account or have forgotten your password, the Counseling Office at MHS can't help you. You must reach out to FCC.
VIRTUAL US SERVICE ACADEMY INFORMATION NIGHT Held by Senator Chris Van Hollen's Office Tuesday, August 24 from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM The office of U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen invites you to attend a virtual U.S. Service Academy information night for students and young people on Tuesday, August 24th, from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM EST. This event will be an opportunity to hear directly from representatives of U.S. Service Academies and Army ROTC about what each has to offer and their application processes. Please got to this flyer for more information.
To RSVP, please register at:
https://senate.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItd-qqpj8iGOxCF9XZ0TSof7EF-ySNK90
Middle school students to individuals aged 22 years old are encouraged to attend.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Senator Van Hollen's office at (301) 545-1500 or academynominations@vanhollen.senate.gov.
BACK TO SCHOOL IMMUNIZATIONS The Frederick County Health Department will offer back-to-school immunizations for children from August 11 through September 8. These required vaccinations help keep children healthy, ensuring they miss less school time.
You may schedule your child's appointment by calling 301-600-3342. The immunizations will be provided at the health department building, located at 350 Montevue Lane. For more information, please click here.
COVID-19 vaccinations will not be offered at the back to school clinics.
NATIONAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAM Applications for free and reduced-price school meal benefits for the 2021-2022 school year are online at www.fcps.org/meals.
Frederick County Public Schools, Food and Nutrition Services announces participation in the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) for the 2021-2022 school year. SSO is part of the National School Breakfast and National School Lunch Program and has been approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allow all children enrolled at Frederick County Public Schools to receive meals for free.
We encourage families to complete the free and reduced-price meal benefits application even though all children receive meals at no charge because the USDA provides funds that support the nutrition program based on your child’s eligibility. Eligibility for free or reduced-price meal reimbursement is based on the following annual income eligibility guidelines effective from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.
Please go here for the income eligibility guidelines.
CREDITS, GRADE PROMOTION AND GRADUATION If you're not sure you understand how earning credits towards graduation works, watch this video! It provides a clear explanation of all you need to know. This is especially recommended for students in earlier grades - rising 9th and 10th grades, but all students and parents can benefit.
Credits, Promotion & Graduation
FREDERICK COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDY SKILLS & SAT TEST PREP CLASSES
The SAT test is a standardized exam you will likely encounter on your journey from high school to college. Test scores are used for college admissions decisions and awarding merit-based scholarships.
Prepare for the SAT with test-specific content as well as test-taking strategies needed for satisfactory performance on the SAT. Enrollment is limited to ensure a low student-to-teacher ratio. These classes will meet on campus in an in-person environment. The cost is $149.
Click here to go to the FCC website for more information, or here for a flyer on the classes.
All SAT testing dates listed above are Saturdays. Late registration incurs a late fee. Learn more, register and get free practice at College Board.
CEEB/ETS High School Code: 210755
2021 - 2022 ACT TEST DATES AND REGISTRATION DEADLINES
All ACT testing dates listed above are Saturdays. Late registration incurs a late fee. Learn more and register at ACT. CEEB/ETS High School Code: 210755
SUPPORT SERVICES:
Mental Health Resources The Maryland Department of Health released a “Student and Young Adult Resource Guide for Coping During COVID-19”. Click here to see it. It’s a handy, comprehensive guide created for secondary and college students to spotlight issues and find resources on how to help themselves and each other through the continued adjustment to pandemic-created changes. Many of the resources also support elementary students. The FCPS Mental Health Matters page can be found here. Students and family members who are experiencing difficulty may wish to contact the Frederick County Mental Health Association (MHA).
Walk-In Behavioral Health Services The Walk-in Service has resumed seeing clients in person at their office located at 226 South Jefferson Street in Frederick for those who prefer to see someone face to face. They are also continuing to offer their Virtual Walk-In platform for those who feel more comfortable with that. The MHA's call center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. From intervention, a caring and supporting voice at a moment of crisis, to connecting to resources and information, dial 211.
Child Protective Services (CPS): 301-600-2464 Help for physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect. Crisis Services: Dial 211 - Help when you feel really anxious or really depressed and need someone to talk with so that you can stay safe. Maryland Anonymous Tip Line: 1-833-632-7233 - Report threats or situations that put your safety, or others' safety, at risk. Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 - Help if you are thinking about suicide.
Help Finding Local Food Distribution Sites: Use the link below to search your address. A list of food distribution sites will appear including the hours of distribution.
Local Food Distribution Sites
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: Dana.Brashear, 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