MHS Counselors
Meredith Bagnell (A-D) - meredith.bagnell@fcps.org 240-236-7404 Dana Brashear (E-K) - dana.brashear@fcps.org 240-236-7405 Erin Phelps (L-Rod) - erin.phelps@fcps.org 240-236-7402 Jacqueline Bassler (Roe-Z) - jacqueline.bassler@fcps.org 240-236-7436 Niki Dillard (Registrar) - niki.dillard@fcps.org 240-236-7401 Jennifer Bertulaitis (Secretary) - jennifer.bertulait@fcps.org 240-236-7403
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IMPORTANT DATES
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Event
Time
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FINANCIAL AID: SCHOLARSHIPS, FAFSA, OTHER INFORMATION
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, use the following Tabs: Colleges Tab > Scholarships and Money > Scholarship List
Go to Naviance to access this information.
To Request Official Transcripts for Scholarships, Athletics or Other Personal Use on Naviance, do the following after logging in:
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.
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OTHER INFORMATION
SUMMER LETTER FROM MHS ADMINISTRATION We hope you had a rejuvenating summer and that you and your family are well. The staff at MHS is working hard to prepare for the return of students on Wednesday, August 17th.
Please follow the link for information about Counselor assignments, schedule change requests, a voluntary meeting for parents of incoming 9th graders and students new to MHS, our Open House, residency and transportation, and Find Out First details. Some of this information is also listed elsewhere in this newsletter
MHS Summer Letter
CLASS OF 2026 AND STUDENTS NEW TO MIDDLETOWN HS Voluntary Parent Meeting Wednesday, August 3 at 6:30 PM
Welcome parents/guardians of the Class of 2026!
Before we officially begin the 2022-2023 school year, we would like to provide all incoming 9th-grade parents the opportunity to visit with the Middletown High School administrative team with any questions to get ready for August. We will be having a voluntary parent meeting Wednesday, August 3rd at 6:30 pm in the MHS auditorium. This is designed for parents/guardians of 9th graders and new students to MHS only, as we hosted our incoming freshmen on the move-up day in June.
FALL SEMESTER SCHEDULES AND BACK TO SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 12 Please note that Fall semester schedules are to be available in Schoology starting August 8th and our Back-to-School Open House for all students is scheduled for Friday, August 12 from 12:30-2:30 pm.
BACK TO SCHOOL SCHOOL MEAL INFORMATION If you have questions about how much meals will cost this coming school year, FCPS has created a webpage that explains the current pricing information, including information about free and reduced meals. Please note, meals are not free for all students. Please click here for the latest details.
JUNIORS AND SOPHOMORES: ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR THE PSAT/NMSQT* *Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
Registration: Opens August 1, 2022 - September 2, 2022 Registration Link: https://frederickcounty.schoolcashonline.com/ Test Date: Wednesday, October 12, 2022 Standard Testing Time: 7:30am - 12:00pm Fee: $18
Who can take the PSAT? The PSAT/NMSQT is intended for 10th and 11th grade students. Any 9th grade students who wish to take the exam must contact Ms. Bertulaitis (jennifer.bertulait@fcps.org). Please note that the test includes math content from courses through Algebra 2, which 9th and 10th graders may not have taken yet.
For more details, please click here: PSAT/NMSQT Online Registration Information
ATTENTION RISING SENIORS: SAVE THE DATE FOR "COLLEGE BOOTCAMPS" Where: MHS Media Center When: Tuesday, August 2 from 9:00 AM -12:00 PM Monday, August 15 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Get a head start on the college application process! There will be help available for all of the following: Assistance with the college application process, Common Application account set up, college essay writing, Naviance and more. This is a great time to get organized and ready for the college application season! You don't have to stay for the whole time.
RISING COLLEGE-BOUND SENIORS The Counseling Department is looking forward to helping you have a successful senior year! Below are links to information and tasks that will help you research and plan for a successful college application process.
Class of 2023 Summer Task List
Entering Senior Year Slideshow
2022-2023 Common App Essay Prompts
Attention Seniors! If you have started working on the Common Application, please read the following message from Common App:
Each year on August 1, Common App launches our refreshed application with updated information, including any new questions and new colleges. Students will need to sign in and refresh their Common App accounts for the new cycle.
Many colleges change their questions from year to year, so if students started working on responses to college-specific questions, they should sign in before July 27 and take the following steps:
Document counselors, teachers, advisors, and other recommender names and emails outside of Common App. Students will need to re-add and re-invite these individuals if they intend to apply after August 1. Paying for College: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Academic Common Market
2022-23 VIRTUAL OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL Earn High School Credit in ADDITION to the courses you are taking at MHS! These classes are offered through the Frederick County Virtual School (FCVS).
Virtual Outside of School (VOS)
Courses include Fitness & Health; English 10, 11 & 12; French and Spanish courses; various Math and Social Studies classes; Digital Photography; Career Tech classes, and Environmental Science. Click here for course offerings and registration information, including course dates, participation expectations, and registration deadlines.
Deadline to pre-register: Completed forms must be turned in to your school counselor by the published deadlines. Courses fill quickly; enrollment is limited and some courses may already be close to capacity or full.
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER HOURS As Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) makes the transition into the summer, we also move into our summer operating schedule.
Four Day Week: Beginning Monday, June 13, FCPS transitioned to a four-day workweek schedule. We will return to our customary five-day workweek on Monday, August 8.
MHS MEDIA CENTER SUMMER HOURS The library will be open this summer! Come to the Middletown HS library on Tuesday, August 2 from 1-3 PM
You will be able to check out books and spend some low-key time out of the heat! Email Ms. Mills (katherine.mills@fcps.org) or send her a Schoology message with questions! This opportunity is only open to current Middletown HS students or rising ninth-grade students.
CAREER, INTERNSHIP, WORK-BASED LEARNING, EDUCATIONAL AND OTHER NON-FCPS OPPORTUNITIES
For complete information about all WBL opportunities, check out the WBL web page, below: Work-Based Learning
COUNTY WIDE HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE AND CAREER PROGRAMS Frederick County Public Schools offers many opportunities for students to explore career pathways, increase the rigor and value of their high school education, and prepare for college. These programs are open to all FCPS high school students. Some require shadowing for a day prior to applying and being accepted into the program.
For more information, see link below:
FCPS College & Career Programs
NATIONAL SCHOOL FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAM SUMMER 2023: FREE Breakfast & Lunch will be served: Monday through Thursday, June 13 - August 11, 2022, at the following locations: Ballenger Creek Elementary, Butterfly Ridge Elementary, Frederick High, Lincoln Elementary, Whittier Elementary Breakfast: 9:00 am-9:30 am Lunch: 11:00 am-12:00 pm For more information about summer meals, call 301-644-5061 or visit www.fcpsnutrition.com
SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM - FREE LUNCH Sponsored by the Department of Housing and Human Services Thursday, June 9 - Tuesday, August 16
Free lunch is available to all children ages 18 and younger, Monday - Friday (except Monday, July 4).
For locations and times, please go HERE.
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
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
2022 - 2023 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.
MANDATORY 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
LEARNER'S PERMIT VERIFICATION FORM Is your student applying for an MVA learner's permit? Students applying are required to have a Verification of Identity and/or School Attendance form completed by the school.
MVA Verification of Identity/School Attendance Form
WORK PERMITS Directions for minors (ages 14-17) wishing to get a work permit. The application is completed online. Work Permit Information
REGISTRAR INFORMATION: NEW STUDENT ENROLLMENT, CHANGE OF ADDRESS, STUDENT WITHDRAWAL
NEW STUDENT ENROLLMENT INFORMATION:
The following links will provide students and parents, new to Middletown High School, with the steps and required documents needed for enrollment.
Please contact the Registrar, Niki Dillard at niki.dillard@fcps.org or 240.236.7401 if you have any questions.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS:
If you move, please notify the Registrar immediately and submit an updated proof of residency: Utility bill - Gas, Water, Electric or Cable
When submitting a utility bill, the bill must contain the following information:
If the parent and child live with someone else, the owner/lessee of the home needs to provide a proof of their residence (Utility Bill), and parent/guardian must complete the FCPS Parent Residency Affidavit (Multi-Family Disclosure Form and have it notarized, stating that the child resides at that address
You may scan and email the updated proof of residency to niki.dillard@fcps.org or drop it off in our counseling office.
WITHDRAWING FROM MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL: If your child is transferring to another school, please notify Ms. Dillard (Registrar) at Niki.Dillard@fcps.org or 240-236-7401 at least 2 full school days before their last day.
Please provide the following:
Before the student leaves on their last day at MHS, all financial obligations (including but not limited to: return or payment for Chromebook, calculators, text and library books, etc.) must be met. Once all obligated items are accounted for, the student will receive the transfer packet from Ms. Dillard to present to the new school.
Counseling Office Staff
Last Names A-D: Meredith Bagnell, 240-236-7404 Last Names E-K: Dana.Brashear, 240-236-7405 Last Names L-Rod: Erin Phelps, 240-236-7402 Last Names Roe-Z: Jacqueline Bassler, 240-236-7436
Registrar: Niki Dillard, 240-236-7401 Counseling Secretary: Jennifer Bertulaitis, 240-236-7403
Fax: 240-236-7580 Visit the MHS School Counseling Page