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Mindful Moment

With Valentine's Day this month, it's important to remember that the most important relationship you will ever have is with yourself! See the graphics below for some self-love reminders and signs of a healthy relationship.

Dual Enrollment Information

Spring semester dual enrollment classes are in full swing! If you are interested in taking an Early College class this summer, registration will open on February 14th!

Seniors

$ Senior Financial Toolkit! $

See the document below for some important information about financial aid, scholarship opportunities, and affording college! If you have any questions about any of these resources, please schedule a meeting with your school counselor so we can support you!

Future Plans

As you hear back from colleges you have been accepted to, please let your school counselor know! If you have other plans for after high school, we would love to share those as well! Please use the form below let us know (note: you can fill this out more than once, so every time you get an acceptance- be sure to share it with us!)

The following students have shared their college acceptances with us - CONGRATULATIONS! 👏

Scholarship Opportunities

It's never too early to start your scholarship search! Click the link below to go to our Scholarship Website, which is full of national, state, and local scholarship opportunities that our students historically apply for. Please note that many of these scholarships have last year's deadlines - we will continue to update the site as this year's applications and deadlines become available!

This month's scholarship highlight is the Mainely Character Scholarship! Thirteen $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to Maine residents who demonstrate the 4 core principles of character - concern, responsibility, integrity, and courage. References are required, and the application deadline is March 1st. See the links below for frequently asked questions and the scholarship application!

Maine Community Foundation Portal Information & Scholarship Workshop!

Maine Community Foundation's online scholarship portal is officially open! All scholarships are updated on their website, with 2025 links to contacts and applications here:  https://www.mainecf.org/find-a-scholarship/. Below are step-by-step instructions on how to make an account and apply to MCF scholarships.

NEACAC Essay Contest!

NEACAC announces its Annual Essay Contest for high school juniors and seniors (grades 11 and 12). High school juniors and seniors from NEACAC-member high schools in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont are invited to submit a 500-word essay on the following topic: 

Describe a trusted mentor (counselor, teacher, coach, or peer) who has had the greatest impact on your decision to attend college. How has this individual supported your educational goals? Please reflect on their influence/effect on your college process.

A panel of high school counselors and college admissions officers from NEACAC-member institutions will select the winning essays. Essays will be evaluated holistically, taking into consideration factors such as originality, creativity, focus, clarity, and structure. Priority will be given to applicants who hold an identity that has been historically excluded from higher education.

In addition to the $1000 scholarship awarded to the 6 New England state winners, NEACAC will award one overall winner a $2,000 scholarship. 

For more information and to apply, click here. For additional writing guidelines, click here. The deadline for submission is April 1, 2025.

GAP YEAR OPPORTUNITY! The Landing School of Boatbuilding & Design - Arundel, ME

Juniors

Future Planning

All juniors and their parents/guardians received an email with important information about scheduling their junior meeting with their school counselor. Additionally, students and families can access a link to the advisory presentation and a full resource list to help you with postsecondary planning!

Save the Date: SAT Wednesday, April 16th!

The SAT will be administered at MHS to any interested junior on Wednesday, April 16th at 7:30 AM. Stay tuned for a Google form that you must respond to if you want to participate! See the flyer below with reasons that you should take the SAT.

Summer Internship Opportunity!

This summer, UNH is offering a summer internship program for high school students through HighTech Bound. Students will take part in a unique, hands-on experience in technology and will work on a team to create a solution for an assigned project. Applications are due on February 28th - see the link below for more information and to apply!

Sophomores

Career Tech Application: Sanford Regional Technical Center & Dover CTE

It's career tech application season! If you are a sophomore interested in either SRTC or Dover CTE, see the information below from Mrs. Lontine for helpful tips and tricks!

Use your RSU email and make sure you do not have spelling errors in it

This is the #1 error when completing a CTC application. 

Write down your log-in information

We do not have access to the username/password you create for yourself. Be sure to write these down in a safe place. 

Take your time

The deadline to submit your application is 2/28. While you shouldn't wait till the last minute, there is no advantage to being the first to submit. Take your time to review the application questions and make sure you are best representing yourself. You can always save and return to the application (remember your login!) SRTC requires multiple short answer responses in their application. Consider typing these in a separate document first to ensure your spelling and grammar are correct.

Use your resources

Don't forget to check back at each school's website (SRTC and Dover CTC) and our MHS Career Tech Info page. Use these as resources to help you in making your application easier.If you haven't already, you should also meet with your school counselor to make sure you are making an informed decision on what program will best meet your needs. MHS teachers and current CTC students can also be great resources, along with the insight of family and friends. 

How will the classes that I need fit with a CTC class?

If you are accepted into a CTC program, your school counselor will work with you to develop a schedule that works. 

When will I know if I am accepted?

• SRTC applicants will be notified via email on 3/14 if they are invited to interview. Interviews will take place virtually, with more information to follow. Final program acceptances will be shared via email with applicants on 4/18. 

• Dover applicants will be notified via email if they are invited to interview (March, TBD). Program acceptances will be shared via email in mid April (date TBD). 

Running into trouble?

Talk to your school counselor, or see Mrs. Lontine for some help! 

SRTC Application: https://srtc.enrolltrack.com/StudentPortal/#

Dover Application: https://tricity.enrolltrack.com/StudentPortal/#

Freshmen

BARR (Building Assets, Reducing Risks)

Congratulations to all 9th Graders for Completing Your First Round of Midterms! 

As we kick off the second semester, it’s the perfect time for a fresh start. With new opportunities ahead, we encourage you to reflect on what you’ve learned so far and set new goals for the months to come.

Course Selection for Sophomore Year will begin in March, so be sure to stay tuned for details and start thinking about your interests and future plans!

Remember, Mrs. Edson is here to support you academically, personally, and emotionally throughout the year. If you have any questions, concerns, or just need someone to talk to, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Let’s make the second semester even better than the first!

STUDENT AMBASSADORS WANTED!

A student ambassador is someone who represents MHS to prospective students, current students, and sometimes the wider community. The role often involves acting as a liaison between the student body and staff, providing information, and helping to create a positive culture here at MHS. Being a student ambassador is about embodying the values of our school while also making sure students feel informed, supported, and engaged in our school community.

We are headed into a very important time of the year- we like to call it "TRANSITIONS!" This is when we are preparing 8th graders (and transfer students grades 10-12) and their families to enter Marshwood High School for the first time this fall. We need amazing student volunteers to help with our programming and would love for you to help! Please fill out the form below if you have interest. You will be awarded community service for your time!

Information for All Grades

Leadership Opportunity! Maine Youth Wilderness Leadership Program

The Friends of Baxter State Park is currently accepting applications for this year's Maine Youth Wilderness Leadership Program, a FREE opportunity open to Maine high school juniors and sophomores that includes a nine-day wilderness experience in Baxter State Park to better understand wilderness through science, art, storytelling, photography, writing, history, and recreation. See the flyer below for more information and click this link to register - the deadline is February 8th!

Academic Support & Tutoring

Are you struggling in a class? Do you need help getting organized? If you answered yes to either of these questions, meeting with a peer tutor is right for you! Peer tutors are current MHS upperclassmen that volunteer to tutor students struggling in specific subjects. If you are interested in meeting with a peer tutor, connect with your classroom teacher and they will start the referral process.

Jim Gray, an Ed Tech III at Great Works School, is available to tutor students 1-2 days a week after school. Jim has a degree in History and taught eighth grade English last year. He is available to help students with writing papers, understanding a topic, or general organizational skills. His rate is $50 per hour but he is price negotiable! If you are interested, reach out to Jim at james.gray@rsu35.org.

Community Service

Don't forget, 50 hours of community service is part of your graduation requirements. Your 50 hours need to be completed by May 1st of your senior year. Setting a goal of completing 10 to 15 hours each year of high school will help to set you up for achieving this requirement in no time! Community Service forms are located in the D-Pod Hub, or can be printed from our BRAND NEW community service website. This website is FULL of opportunities offered year-round and is regularly updated, so be sure to check back often!

This month's community service highlight is the Rollinsford Public Library! They are looking for volunteers to help with events and other various library tasks. This is a year round need, so they are always looking for volunteers! If interested please reach out to Laurel Vencentio at 603-244-0449 (you may text her) or email rollinsfordlibraryfriends@gmail.com.

Free Creative Winter Programs for Teens!

Did you know Arts in Reach (AIR) offers FREE creative workshops for teens in the areas of art, theater, music, and more? See their workshop offerings below and use this link to sign up!

Community Resources

MainSpring Social Services Collective - Coming Soon!

Mainspring is a social services collective in Kittery, Maine that will be open to the public in February! It will soon house Footprints Food Pantry and Fair Tide Thrift Store. They are so excited to provide a "one-stop shop" for resources in the community!

Get Involved!

Did you know that there are over 48 Clubs and Activities to choose from at MHS? Take the opportunity to try something new and get involved! See the slideshow below to see what clubs and sports are being offered this year.

Contact Your Counselor!