As we ease our way into the school year, Guidance has been working so hard behind the scenes to work with students and help them get adjusted to their classes and help with college preparations.
I interviewed the head of the Guidance Department, Megan DeInnocentis to talk about what had been going on for the past few weeks. And what are the important dates to look out for.
First and foremost, the add-drop period ended, so in order to switch out of a class, you must get the consent from parents and your current teacher and department head to switch out.
“Counselors love meeting with students to make sure that they are scheduled for the most challenging, rigorous courses that they can be successful in,” DeInnocentis explained.
Progress Reports are out tomorrow, and it’s a good time for students to work to improve their grades before term 1 report cards.
DeInnocentis also explained how her goal along with the other counselors is to help students take classes that go with their college and career plans. The counselors are currently meeting with seniors to talk about their future plans after high school.
Guidance is also working to schedule college representatives as well as vocational and technical school representatives to come during lunch, and meet with students regarding plans for their future.
Representatives from vocational and technical schools, that are specifically career based, such as Barbering and Cosmetology come into Leominster High School to talk to students who are interested in these as well.
“And so that’s nice because all the students in grades 9 through 12 are able to meet with college reps to start planning for their future,” DeInnocentis said.
She also mentioned how college representatives come from many different areas to Leominster High, such as Fitchburg State University, Mount Wachusett Community College, and other colleges and universities that are less local.
There will be an upcoming college fair on October 16th, specifically for Juniors and Seniors. Mark your calendars!
DeInnocentis also went in depth about how they are currently continuing their partnership with College Affordable. “Which is a nonprofit program, and their goal is to help students make the best college decisions based on their individual financial situations,” DeInnocentis said.
She also expresses excitement about their continued partnership with the Early College Academy, which was initially where professors would come in from either Fitchburg State or Mount Wachusett Community College to come and teach.
Now students are able to go off to the Mount Wachusett Campus in Leominster, if they are taking classes from the Mount, to see what it is like to learn in an actual college environment.
“And so far, it’s been really successful and the kids have been doing great. So hopefully we can allow for more students to do that in the future,” DeInnocentis explained.
Upcoming Dates for the SAT hosted by the Leominster High School are on the October 4 and November 8. There will also be dates available in the Winter and Spring.
Finally, Guidance Counselors will be visiting the Seniors in their classrooms to talk about the College procedure, and visiting Freshman in their classrooms as well.
