SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

Phone: 978-897-8891
Fax: 978-897-6089

NOTE: During the summer, school counselors are unavailable. Counselors will return a few days before the school year begins. If you have urgent questions or concerns, please call the main office and they will assist you.

Counselors are available Monday through Friday during the school day. If you need to meet outside of regular hours, please contact us.

Nicole Fernald, M.Ed., C.A.G.S. (she/her)
Certified School Guidance Counselor
Caseload: Last names Lb-Z (K-Z for class of 2025 and beyond)
Email: nfernald@maynard.k12.ma.us
Phone: 978-897-8891 x3209
Office: B109

Dana MacPhee, M.A., C.A.G.S. (she/her)
Certified School Guidance Counselor
Certified School Adjustment Counselor
Caseload: Specific students, last names A-Z
Email: dmacphee@maynard.k12.ma.us
Phone: 978-897-8891 x3105
Office: A203

Amy Petroskey, M.Ed., Ed.S. (she/her)
Certified School Guidance Counselor
Caseload: Last names A-La (A-J for class of 2025 and beyond)
Email: apetroskey@maynard.k12.ma.us
Phone: 978-897-8891 x3210
Office: B110

Olivia Hull, M.A. (she/her)
School Adjustment Counselor
Email: ohull@maynard.k12.ma.us
Phone: 978-897-8891 x1417
Office: A202

Counseling Department Newsletters

Other Counseling Pages

Important Information

Program of Studies - This document includes MHS graduation requirements.
2023-24 edition
2024-25 edition

Application for Free/Reduced Lunch - Although all students receive free lunch, it is helpful for families to apply for free lunch each year. Qualifying for free/reduced lunch allows for fee waivers or reductions for the bus, activities and athletics, class dues, standardized tests, and college applications. If you think you may qualify, please apply here.

Work Permits - Work permit applications are available in the main office. Completed applications can be turned in at the main office for official work permits.

Bus Information - Families must go here in order to sign up for the bus for the 24-25 school year.

Official Transcripts for Alumni - Official transcripts can be requested at the main office, by calling 978-897-8891, or by emailing Gail Lucas at glucas@maynard.k12.ma.us.

SCHOOL COUNSELING

IN-SCHOOL EVENTS

Class of 2024 Final Transcripts

Final transcripts will be sent to colleges the week of June 17th. Counselors are waiting for students to be graduated in the system before sending those to school. If your school is still reporting they have not received your final transcript after July 1, please contact the main office.

Understanding Financial Aid & Paying for College

Counselors went into senior project classes to discuss different types of financial aid, show students how to calculate federal loan payments after college, and compare sample financial aid award letters. The full presentation can be found here.

Junior Post-Secondary Planning

Counselors went into junior history and science classes to talk through the post-secondary planning process and college application process. Part 1 can be found here and Part 2 can be found here, both with embedded links.

2024-25 Scheduling

All currently enrolled MHS students (and 8th graders who plan to attend MHS) have viewable schedules in Aspen. These are PDFs capturing a moment in time, so they do not reflect any changes that may have been made based on conversations, meetings, or emails. The live schedule will be available for students and families after the system rolls over in July.

Incoming 8th graders who plan to attend Assabet do not have schedules, but if students return to MHS, they will receive a schedule.

Families of current 8th graders can learn more about high school courses and requirements in this newsletter.

The 24-25 program of studies is available here.

POST-SECONDARY PLANNING

Class of 2024: please make sure you are completing the transcript release form if you need us to submit a transcript for a scholarship application.

Do you still need financial aid support? FAFSA Day is still holding virtual events throughout the summer that provide one-on-one support for families completing the 2024-25 FAFSA. Details and registration links are listed on the FAFSA Day website here.

Class of 2025: In late March, school counselors presented to families and students in the class of 2025. You can view the slides presented to families here and a recording of the full presentation is available here. Please also feel free to refer to the Postsecondary Planning Timeline and Resources page for more information.

MEFA is holding a webinar for any student or family who has ever wondered how college admissions offices make decisions. Deputy Director of Admission at Holy Cross Drew Carter will be sharing the inside scoop on what really happens when colleges evaluate applications for admission. This free, virtual event is open to all on Tuesday, June 25th at 6:30 p.m. Register for this event here.

Admissions 101 from Bentley University

Bentley University has an Admission 101: Guiding you through the College Admission Process series with blog posts about tips for visiting colleges, college essay writing, making the most of college fairs, and more.

Financial Aid

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which all colleges require for financial aid (and sometimes merit aid, as well) is finally available!

Step 1 is to create your FSA ID (username and password) here. You should complete this at least a week ahead of starting the FAFSA.
Step 2 is to complete the FAFSA here.

MEFA has created a checklist for what you need and the steps to complete the FAFSA. That document can be found here.

MEFA Financial Aid Information

Students with 504s or IEPs

The process to receive accommodations at college is not the same as in high school. Students need to disclose their disability and request accommodations through the office of disability services (sometimes also called accessibility services). For more information about the transition to college with a disability, check out these resources.

TESTING

Testing information has been moved to the post-secondary planning website.

RESOURCES

Mental Health/Crisis Hotlines

  • Advocates 24/7 Mobile Crisis Line: 800-540-5806

  • MA Behavioral Health Help Line: 833-773-2445

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

  • Crisis Text Line: Text ACT to 741741

  • theTrevorProject.org 1-866-488-7386

  • Trans Lifeline 1-877-565-8860

Community and Mental Health Resources (Webpage)

Mental Health Resources List (Google Doc)