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 FCPS currently requires all students and staff to wear face coverings inside our schools. 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
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 who 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.”
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.
ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS SHADOWING Registration is now open to visit the Academy for the Fine Arts during a monthly "Shadow Day." During a Shadow Day, students get to spend the first two blocks of the day at the AFA meeting staff, participating in a class and discussing the program with current students.
The AFA is a college and career pathway program housed at TJ High School with focus areas in music, dance, art and theatre. Next year, the plan is to introduce a new focus area in musical theatre.
Due to COVID and lack of space on buses, transportation via the CTC shuttles will not be available for students who wish to participate in an AFA Shadow Day. If students are unable to participate in person, we are offering a virtual Shadow Day in November. Students who do wish to participate in person must either drive themselves or have a parent/guardian transport them.
The first Shadow Day will be Wednesday September 15th.
To register for a Shadow Day, please visit: https://www.fcpsartsacademy.org/visit-the-afa1.html
For questions, please contact the AFA Coordinator, Jonathan Kurtz at 240-236-8352 or jonathan.kurtz@fcps.org.
FREDERICK COUNTY COLLEGE NIGHT Frederick Community College Athletic Center Tuesday, October 5 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM FCC is planning an in-person College Night. Registration is not required for students/parents. Masks are required for this event. Please view FCC’s COVID-19 Information for the latest campus guidelines.
More than 60 colleges and universities from the East Coast will be in attendance. Click here for more information, or contact FCC Admissions at 301.624.2716 or admissions@frederick.edu.
MATH HONOR SOCIETY APPLICATIONS Due Friday, October 8 The MHS Math Honor Society is currently accepting applications for the 2021-2022 school year. The deadline for application submission is Friday, October 8. Please see Mr. DeGrange, Room 526 for an application. Eligibility requirements:
PSAT/NMSQT TEST AT MHS Wednesday, October 13
As of today there are fewer than 50 slots remaining. We will continue to accept sign-ups until they are all full.
Click Here For More Testing Details
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.
Maryland Seal of Biliteracy
Does your child use a language besides English at home? MHS, FCPS, and the state of Maryland would like to honor and celebrate that! The Maryland State Seal of Biliteracy is an award that recognizes a student's high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English and one or more other languages. These languages DO NOT need to be taught in school, so if you speak another language at home, you may be eligible. Maryland is one of more than 45 states that now offer the designation, and it conveys to colleges and employers that your child has a skill few others possess! Please see or email Ms. Stutzman (marcia.stutzman@fcps.org) for information on the award.
NATIONAL SCHOOL FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAM Breakfast and lunch meals are FREE for ALL FCPS students for the 2021-2022 school year. Breakfast and lunch are available on days when students are in school. Please note that snacks, ice cream, and drinks (other than milk) are not free and must be purchased from the cafeteria.
Free to-go dinner and snack meals will be available daily for students to take home with them after school starting Monday, August 23, at Middletown High School in addition to some other school locations. For more information, and to see a complete list of schools, please visit https://www.fcpsnutrition.com. To-go dinner and snack meals for Saturdays and Sundays will be distributed on Fridays.
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.
If you have previously received free and reduced-price meal benefits, you must re-apply for the 2021-22 school year.
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