RSU 71 Students Shine at the Fall Regional Middle School Math Meet

 

RSU 71 Students Shine at the Fall Regional Middle School Math Meet

On Thursday, November 7, 2024, twenty-seven students from Troy Howard Middle School competed in the first regional Math Meet of this school year, held at The Snow Pond Center for the Arts. Five other schools from China, Winslow, Messalonskee, Vassalboro, and Waterville also participated.

Awards are given to the top-scoring students and teams at each grade level. RSU 71 teams went home with 6 team ribbons, and 7 students placed in the top 3 at their grade level.

6th Grade Team 1: 1st Place

Maria Jacobs 

Charlotte Van Carpels

Cohen Patric - Tied for 2nd place individual 

Elias James 

6th Grade Team 2: 3rd place

Scarlett Wagner

Reagan Adams  - First-place individual

Reuben Fournier

Hadley Kneller - Tied for 2nd place individual 

7th Grade Team 1: 2nd place 

Morgan Shorey

Annette McCue Hafford - 2nd place individual 

Paul Drouin - Tied for 3rd place individual 

Phoebe Beal

7th Grade Team 2

Griffin Stover

Gabriel Neal

Briza Dow

Baylee Ash

8th Grade Team 1: 2nd place

Reagan Mitchell

Soyoon Ahn

Rose White - Tied for 2nd place individual 

Yan Lozenov

8th Grade team 2: 4th place

Avery Adams

Pierson Dietz

Glenn Bitely

Ella Chase

8th Grade team 3: 1st place

Lucas Canning

Gabriel Sagaas

Maxton Sinagra - 1st place individual 

Math Team Coaches: Nicholas Hills (THMS) and Jessica Young (ELP) 

Congratulations to all our RSU#71 Mathletes for a job well done! Special thanks goes to our parent volunteers who helped the organizers with scoring: Lisa Chase, Susan Adams, and Sierra Dietz.

There will be another math meet scheduled for January 23rd, and students are looking forward to another day of intellectual fun!

BAHS School Counseling Newsletter SY2025

School Counseling Newsletter

The School Counseling Office is here to help support students throughout their academic, personal/social and post secondary and college planning journey throughout high school.   Please reach out if you have any concerns or questions.   Students can also stop into our office anytime to make an appointment to see their counselor! Here is our staff: Tonya Ballard - Director/School Counselor (for last names A-K) Traci Small - School Counselor (for last names L-Z) Ruth Richards - Registrar & Scholarship Coordinator Charity Hall - Administrative Assistant See our website for a live link to this newsletter and other important information.

December Updates

Happy Holidays!

Student Mental Health and Wellness

• McLean's Guide to Managing Mental Health Around the Holidays

• 5 Ways to Stay Healthy for the Holidays (for Teens) | Nemours KidsHealth

• https://childmind.org/

• Crisis Hotlines

• If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911

• Maine Crisis Hotline - 1-888-568-1112

• Suicide Prevention - 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)

• Call or chat https://988lifeline.org/

• If you are not sure who to call … Dial 211 for help getting connected with thousands of state-wide services and programs.

General Information

• Students need to carry at least six classes/”experiences” each semester.  Check schedules for semester 2 to make sure schedules are all set.  Otherwise, schedule a time to see your school counselor.

• Senior families:  Did your student get accepted to college?  Congratulations!  Have them stop by to let the Counseling Office know and add a “paw” to our board!

• Does your student need extra help in their classes?  The Library Learning lab is open every block and there are NHS tutors available to assist!  They can also reach out directly to their teachers as needed.

Post Secondary/College Planning

• Are your students considering attending college when they graduate from high school?  Here are some things you should consider doing now.  It’s never too early!

• Research colleges (Use search engines such as  https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ to research colleges)

• Consider majors, size, location, affordability

• Visit colleges (Virtual or in person tours, open houses…)

• Consider whether they should take the PSAT/SAT based on what colleges may require for admission

• https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/scores/understanding-scores/your-score-explained

• Understanding PSAT scores

• Understanding SAT scores

• Encourage them to meet with their school counselor to choose courses that meet their graduation requirements and support their post secondary plan

Upcoming Events

• December 2 - ASVAB entrance exam for each branch of the military.  Sign up in the counseling office.

• December 6 - Senior paperwork and transcript request form due for January 1st college application deadlines.

• December 12 - Progress reports will be available to view on Infinite Campus

• Month of December - Our “On The Spot” college admission interviews continue…  See here for detailed information and dates  

January preview…

• January 3rd, 11:30-12:30 pm- Post Grad Forum panel - Stay tuned for more information.

• January 17- End of Q2; Grades posted by January 30th

Financial Aid and Scholarship Resources

• Seniors - It’s time to sign up for your FAFSA ID and complete the FAFSA!

• See this link for our Financial Aid Night recording from 11/7/24 and other FAME/Financial Aid information

• Affording Higher Education - FAME Maine

• Check out FAME’s YOUTUBE videos

• https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%40famemaine

• Current Scholarships available for seniors: December

November Updates

Attention Senior Families:  Remember to scroll to previous months to review important information and events.

Upcoming Events

• October 30 - Senior paperwork and transcript request form due for November 15th college application deadlines

• Saturday, November 2, report by 7:30 am with testing ticket and ID  - SAT test at BAHS

• November 7 - Quarter grades will be available to view on Infinite Campus

• November 7, 6-7:30 pm - Financial Aid Information 

• See this link for our Financial Aid Night recording and other important links

• November 8 - The Early College portal opens for applications.  Meet with your school counselor if you’re interested in this program.

• https://www.maine.edu/early-college/resources/stepbystep/

• November 14 - College visits scheduled for interested juniors 

• Permission slips were available in homeroom on 10/11/24 - Trips filled on first come, first serve basis, Permission forms due by November 8th

• Trip # 1 - EMCC, Husson, UMAINE - Orono

• Trip #2 - SMCC, USM, Bowdoin

• Month of November - Our “On The Spot” college admission interviews are coming this month!   See here for detailed information and dates  

• This is a great way to simplify your college acceptance process and know ASAP that you are admitted to a college!!!

• Colleges who are admitting students ON THE SPOT - UMAINE - Orono, Husson, Thomas, Maine Maritime, Univ. of Maine- Farmington, CMCC, SMCC, KVCC, EMCC…)

• Sign up in the School counseling office for an interview.

• You must apply to the college at least one week before your interview.

December preview….

• December 2 (updated date) - ASVAB entrance exam for each branch of the military.  Sign up in the counseling office.

Athletic Information:

• Attention student athletes!

• Are you a student athlete?  Would you like to try to play your sport in college?

• Check out the following resources.  

• https://www.ncsasports.org/

• http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Student_Resources/CBSA.pdf

Financial Aid and Scholarship Resources

• See this link for our Financial Aid Night recording from 11/7/24 and other important links

• Check out FAME’s YOUTUBE videos

• https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%40famemaine

• Senior families - You can create your FAFSA ID’s anytime!  The FAFSA application will be available starting in December.

• Financial Check-in with FAME - FAME Maine 

• Understand Financial Aid | Federal Student Aid

• A Student's Guide to Saving for College | My Alfond Grant

• High School - FAME Maine

• Affording Higher Education - FAME Maine

• Financial Aid Information Sessions - FAME Maine

• Virtual Financial Aid Events Archives - FAME Maine

• Filing the FAFSA - FAME Maine

• Join - FAME Maine - Join for updated information and a chance to earn a scholarship

• Federal Student Aid 

• Does your college require you to submit the CSS Profile?  See here for information.

• Check our website regularly for Scholarship information

College and Military Visits See this link  for information regarding representatives visiting BAHS Sign up in the School Counseling Office!

October Updates (updated 10/15/24)

Upcoming Events

• October 1 and 8 - Common Application work sessions for seniors

• Offered in the School Counseling office all day

• October 3 - Progress reports will be available to view on Infinite Campus.

• October 16, 8:05 am -  PSAT for sophomores and juniors during the school day. 

• October 24, 8-11 am - College and Career Day for all students.

• Students will choose from a variety of sessions with college admission representatives, career professionals or the military

• Sign up sheets will be completed on Friday, October 18th in academic time

• See here for the flier

• Saturday, November 2 - BAHS will host a SAT test. 

• Register on Collegeboard by October 18th for this date. 

• November 14 - College visits scheduled for interested juniors 

• Permission slips will be available in homeroom on 10/11/24 - Trips filled on first come, first serve basis, Permission forms due by November 8th

• Trip # 1 - EMCC, Husson, UMAINE -Orono

• Trip #2 - SMCC, USM, Bowdoin

• See here for information regarding our “On The Spot” college interviews happening in November

College and Military Visits See this link for the most up to date information Students can drop in at these times to meet with the representatives. October 3 - US Marine Corps  Lunchtime (Outside of the cafeteria) October 17 - College of the Atlantic School Counseling Office, 11:00 am October 24  - College and Career Fair  At BAHS, 8:00-11:00 am October 28 - Bowdoin  School Counseling Office, virtual visit - 9:30-9:55 am November 1 - St. Anselm College  School Counseling Office, 10:00 am Stop by the Counseling Office for more information!

College and Career News

Attention Senior Families:

• See our website for senior information.

• Did your student receive a “Direct admission” from a college?  Have them stop into the counseling office to talk with their counselor about their next steps in that process.

• College application month is NOVEMBER!  

• Encourage your students to turn in their senior paperwork as soon as possible.

• Most Early Action/Early Decision applications are due November 1 or 15.

• Students have received the Senior guide, Class of 2025 along with the required senior paperwork for the college application and letter of recommendation process.  (Ask your students to review this paperwork and information with you.)

• Remind your students to set up their senior interview with their counselor.  These meetings typically last about 45 minutes and we will review a variety of important senior topics.

• Important note:  In order for our counselors to write letters of recommendations and for our office to submit the supporting application documentation, we ask that the blue “Transcript request” form be signed by the parent/guardian and submitted to our office by the student at least two weeks prior to the college application deadline (10 school days).  All other senior paperwork should also be completed and turned into our office by that time.

• For any November 1st Early Action/Early Decision deadlines, the transcript request form is due by Monday, October 21st.

• Common Application Work Sessions will be offered in the School Counseling Office on Tuesday, 10/1 and Tuesday, 10/8 during all blocks.  Encourage your senior students to stop in during homeroom or a study hall for help!

• The Common Application is an application that many colleges will accept.  Students just need to complete one application and it is sent to all of the colleges they request.

• Here’s a helpful link:  https://www.commonapp.org/apply/first-year-students

• If the college doesn't accept the Common Application, you can check the college website for their own application.

• See here for more helpful links.

• Materials needed 

• High School details

• FERPA

• Common App launches 2024–2025 direct admissions program with 117 colleges and universities

• BAHS will host a SAT testing date on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Register on Collegeboard by October 18th for this date. 

• Encourage students to visit with any College Admission representatives that visit BAHS.  They will hear who is visiting on our announcements.

• November 8 - ASVAB entrance exam for each branch of the military.  Sign up in the counseling office.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Resources

• Senior families - You can create your FAFSA ID’s anytime!  The FAFSA application will be available starting in December.

• Financial Check-in with FAME - FAME Maine 

• Understand Financial Aid | Federal Student Aid

• A Student's Guide to Saving for College | My Alfond Grant

• High School - FAME Maine

• Affording Higher Education - FAME Maine

• Financial Aid Information Sessions - FAME Maine

• Virtual Financial Aid Events Archives - FAME Maine

• Filing the FAFSA - FAME Maine

• Join - FAME Maine - Join for updated information and a chance to earn a scholarship

• Federal Student Aid

• November 7, 6-7:30 pm - Financial Aid Information - BAHS (Please join us!)

• Here is the zoom link https://famemaine.zoom.us/j/86171996767?from=addon

• FAFSA virtual help session evening for seniors and their parents.

• Watch from the comfort of your own home or come to a live viewing at the high school library in case your internet connection is down.

• We will post the recording for anyone who can’t make it but wants to view it later.

• The FAFSA application for 2025-2026 opens on December 1 this year.

• Create your FAFSA ID early!  

• Does your college require you to submit the CSS Profile?  See here for information.

• Check our website regularly for Scholarship information

September Updates

Schedules and Grading

• Our open add/drop process has officially ended.  For any additional schedule/level changes for semester 1, an add/drop form will need to be completed by your student’s school counselor and signed by their teachers and parents/guardians.

• Progress reports will be available to view on Infinite Campus by Thursday, October 3rd.  Quarter grades will be available to view on Thursday, Nov. 7th.

Upcoming Events

• BAHS is offering the PSAT for sophomore and juniors on October 16th during the school day.  Sign up in the School Counseling Office by September 26, 2024.

• College and Career Day for all students - October 24, 8-11 am 

• Students will choose from a variety of sessions with college admission representatives, career professionals or the military

• Stay tuned for more details soon!

College and Career News

Attention Senior families:

• College application month is NOVEMBER!  

• Most Early Action/Early Decision applications are due November 1 or 15.  See your school counselor to schedule your senior interview ASAP if you plan to apply early.

• Seniors attended our Post-Secondary Planning Presentations on Sept. 17, 18 and 19 during Academic Homeroom.  

• During this time, students heard from our school counselors (Mrs. Ballard and Mrs. Small) about post-secondary planning along with the college process.

• Students received the Senior guide, Class of 2025 along with the required senior paperwork for the college application and letter of recommendation process.  (Ask your students to review this paperwork and information with you.)

• Remind your students to set up their senior interview with their counselor.  These meetings typically last about 45 minutes and we will review a variety of important senior topics.

• Important note:  In order for our counselors to write letters of recommendations and for our office to submit the supporting application documentation, we ask that the blue “Transcript request” form be signed by the parent/guardian and submitted to our office by the student at least two weeks prior to the college application deadline.  All other senior paperwork should also be completed and turned into our office by that time.

• Common Application Work Sessions will be offered in the School Counseling Office on Tuesday, 10/1 and Tuesday, 10/8 during all blocks.  Encourage your senior students to stop in during homeroom or a study hall for help!

• The Common Application is an application that many colleges will accept.  Students just need to complete one application and it is sent to all of the colleges they request.

• If the college doesn't accept the Common Application, you can check the college website for their own application.

• BAHS will host a SAT testing date on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Register on Collegeboard by October 18th for this date. 

• Encourage students to visit with any College Admission representatives that visit BAHS.  They will hear who is visiting on our announcements.

• November 7, 6-7:30 pm - Financial Aid Information 

• FAFSA virtual help session evening for seniors and their parents.

• Watch from the comfort of your own home or come to a live viewing at the high school library in case your internet connection is down.

• We will post the recording for anyone who can’t make it but wants to view it later.

• The FAFSA application for 2025-2026 opens on December 1 this year.

• You can apply for your FAFSA ID anytime and ideally before December 1st.

• Here’s a resource that may be helpful to review. https://www.famemaine.com/affording-education/

• November 8 - ASVAB entrance exam for each branch of the military.  Sign up in the counseling office.

Upcoming College and Military Visits Please drop in at these times to meet with the representatives. September 25 and 30 - Army National Guard  Lunchtime (Outside of the cafeteria) September 25 - University of  Southern Maine  10:15 am (In the School Counseling Office) October 3 - US Marine Corps  Lunchtime (Outside of the cafeteria) October 24  - College and Career Fair  At BAHS, 8:00-11:00 am October 31 - St. Anselm College   Time TBD Stop by the Counseling Office for more information!