High School Orientation for Parents/Guardians

Class of 2029

Welcome to Wachusett!

• Get to know the school counseling department
• Joining Google Classroom, Booking Appointments�
• Transition to high school
• Getting the most out of your high school career

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• Graduation & Transcripts�
• SchooLinks

￮ What is it? How to log in, 9th grade To Do List�

Meet the School Counseling Department!

Director of School Counseling:

Kendra Cantrell

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School Counselors: Administrative Assistants:

Allison Connors Lindsay Dupuis

Michael Dubzinski Allison Labovitz

Lauren Freeman

Brittany Hanna BRYT Program:

Kerri Knorring Jordan Young

Christina Lee Angela Barry

Jennifer Reilly

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School Adjustment Counselors:�Peter Boswell

Jenna Damato

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What Do School Counselors Do?

• Four Year Academic Planning�
• Course Selection & Scheduling�
• Social-Emotional Support�
• Crisis Intervention�
• Classroom/SEL Presentations�
• Post-Secondary Planning & Scholarships, College, Work & Military

Connecting with School Counselors

For Students:

• Book an appointment to meet through the School Counseling link on the WRHS website (YouCanBookMe)
• Join the School Counselor’s Google Classroom:

For Parents:

• Send an email, e.g. christina_lee@wrsd.net
• Phone call
• Newsletter

High School is Different Than Middle School

• More independence�
• More self-advocacy needed - speak up when help is needed!�
• More expected of students in school�

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Graduation Requirements

Study Tips

• Use a planner to stay organized�
• Keep track of schedule and obligations, including extracurricular activities�
• Find a place to study with limited distractions
• Shut off/put away phone; only have relevant open tabs open on computer
• Designate a specific time for school work and studying in order to stay accountable �
• Write down questions to ask teachers�
• Students can have someone quiz them to review and/or use flashcards/Quizlet to test understanding�
• Break down long-term projects into smaller due dates�

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Accessing Extra Help

• Extra help sessions with teachers - communication is key!

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• Peer tutoring options (no cost!):

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• The Math Honor Society tutoring is offered in the Media Center every Friday before school 7-7:30am.

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• These are walk-in, as-needed. You do not need to sign up in advance.

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• Academic Support Center - talk with your child’s School Counselor regarding this opportunity (referral required)�
• Private tutors (see School Counselor)

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Midterm & Final Exams

• This is a first experience for most students�
• Midterm and final exams make up 20% of the final (Y1) grade�
• Keep important notes, tests and handouts until exams�
• Avoid cramming!

Manage Stress

• Be aware of stress levels and incorporate healthy strategies and boundaries to promote balance�
• Get enough sleep (at least 8 hours per night)�
• Practice mindfulness �
• Exercise or engage in regular physical activity�
• Students should learn how to study in a way that works for them�
• Students are encouraged to see their school counselor if stress feels overwhelming

• An official record of a student’s high school courses, levels and grades�
• Number of credits awarded�
• Weighted GPA
• CP/CPA: No additional weight awarded
• Honors: +5 points for GPA calculation purposes
• AP: +10 points for GPA calculation purposes
• GPA is cumulative over high school�
• Every year counts the same�
• Play to strengths - choose appropriate levels…the goal is to be challenged but not overwhelmed

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Transcript

Freshman Year Close Up

Attendance is important too!

For full year courses (5 credits) - sixteen (16) absences.

�For semester courses (2.5 credits) - eight (8) absences.

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For every other day semester courses (1.25 credits) - six (6) absences.

Making Friends!

We encourage students to:

• Introduce themselves to someone new�
• Be themselves and be patient�
• Try a conversation starter: ask someone a question about themselves or an interest of theirs�
• Join a club, team or organization!
• Check the school website to see a full list of our clubs and organizations
• Clubs and Activities
• Listen to the Morning Announcements for meeting dates and times!

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Standardized Tests

• June 2026 - MCAS Science
• October 2026 - PSAT 10
• March & May 2027 - MCAS ELA & Math*
• October 2027 - PSAT/NMSQT
• Spring 2028 - SATs/ACTs
• Fall 2028 - SATs/ACTs

*Students who score well on these may be eligible for Adams/Koplik Scholarships for Massachusetts state universities

Looking Ahead - Pathways Program

• The Wachusett Pathways Program is available to students during junior and senior years�
• Students apply for priority seating in WPP in the late fall of sophomore year; classes start junior year�
• WPP is designed to give students a significant experience in an area of study that interests them�
• The purpose is to make students competitive with their peers when applying for post-secondary studies or jobs

Pathways Majors

• Auto Technology
• Business Finance
• Business Marketing
• Computer Science
• Criminal Justice
• Digital Art & Design
• Education
• Engineering Technology
• Health Sciences

Logging into SchooLinks

• Go to: https://app.schoolinks.com/login/k12
• Log in using your Clever account/Google
• What does it do?
• It helps you learn about careers, colleges, your learning style & much more!

• Each grade has a to do list with specific tasks
• Freshman completed “Find Your path” in their Freshman Seminar class

To Do List

Find Your Path narrows down your personality match, the traits/skills associated with your match, your top cluster matches and even celebrity matches!

Things Seniors Wish They Knew as Freshmen...

• Every year “counts” the same!
• Get involved. Quality over quantity! Try new things!
• Develop relationships with peers, teachers, and your school counselor
• Learn time management skills
• Be aware of the attendance policy (16, 8, 4)

• Think about life after high school and plan your high school career
• Find summer opportunities
• Get to know yourself
• Enjoy it :)

Other things to know about our school

• Follow us on Instagram & Facebook
• Insta:
• wrhscounseling
• wachusettregional

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• Facebook: School Counselors at Wachusett

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• Check the website for the Class of 2029�
• Check the School Counseling website for important info�
• Join your counselor’s Google classroom�

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Any Questions?