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Guidance

Staff

  • Frank Howard – Director of School Counseling
  • Barbara Davis- Class of 2012
  • Amelia Westmark – Class of 2011
  • Wendy Horne – Class of 2010
  • Maria Ceddia – Class of 2013
  • Rhonda Musikar – Adjustment Counselor – Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday
  • Patricia Norton-Paliwoda – Adjustment Counselor – Monday through Friday
  • Kristine Sinclaire- Adjustment Counselor- Monday through Friday
  • Marjorie Martignetti- Secretary
  • Judy Sousa- Secretary

Overview

A School Counseling program has the responsibility of assisting ALL students in achieving their fullest potential, in realizing their maximum personal/social development, and in monitoring the learning environment so that ALL students are respected and supported, both as learners and as human beings. School Counseling is a vital part of the educational process which first helps students recognize their needs and abilities, and then assists them in designing specific plans of action to enable them to realize their full potential. When individuals gain self-realization, they are better able to contribute to society and to the growth of others in that society.

In our rapidly changing world, School Counseling must be flexible. School Counselors must be well versed in many areas in order to help students adjust to the changes taking place in society. The primary role of School Counseling must be developing and implementing a Comprehensive Developmental School Counseling program that will help students acquire skills in the academic, personal/social, and career areas necessary for successfully living and working in the next century. As specialists in child and adolescent development, School Counselors coordinate the objectives, strategies and activities of the program. In addition, School Counselors serve as student advocates, helping students meet the challenges of school and preparing them for transition into the world after high school. Aware of the patterns of achievement and the behaviors that enhance student success, School Counselors provide the leadership to identify the issues and initiate solutions. Thus, the School Counselor is a very active member of the professional team providing opportunities for students to develop self-understanding, self-evaluation, and self-direction. To this end, the School Counselor works closely with other educators, parents, and the community to help ALL students deal with life in all its facets.

Research has shown that psychological maturity is an excellent predictor of life/career satisfaction. Education for the future must include student’s affective development. Students must develop the communication and socialization skills necessary for a successful, rewarding lifestyle. Every student has the right to choose from the many different lifestyles existing in our society. Information on current and future trends is needed to make important, knowledgeable decisions and choices concerning careers and lifestyles. The foundation for these decisions is established in the early years of a student’s growth and development. In a Comprehensive Developmental School Counseling program, each student is assisted in identifying problems, thinking them through, and developing confidence and trust in his/her ability to make decisions and choices based on self-awareness and knowledge of the world in which he/she lives.

Founded on the belief that individuals experience definable stages of personal growth and concomitant developmental tasks as they move from childhood through adolescence to adulthood, a Comprehensive Developmental School Counseling program requires the cooperative efforts of the entire school community in the process of assisting every student as he/she progresses from one developmental stage to the next. It is crucial to provide ALL students, K-12, with a comprehensive, responsive, preventive,and proactive School Counseling program suited to their developmental needs, and geared towards their realizing full potential in the areas of academic, career, and personal/social development.

Scholarships

Please note- Our scholarship list is updated frequently so please be sure to check regularly!  Scholarship information is also available in the first floor Guidance office.

College Open Houses 2009-2010

Johnson & Wales University – Providence Campus
March 13, 2010
April 10, 2010
May 8, 2010
June 12, 2010

New England Institute of Art
February 15, 2010
March 6, 2010
April 17, 2010
May 22, 2010

College Information

Important documents for college-bound seniors:

Applying to college?

College deadlines are quickly approaching. Students applying to college are required to complete all application information and send it to the college/university by the appropriate deadline with the correct fee. A brag sheet must be given to your guidance counselor and teachers in order for recommendation letters to be written. A signed transcript request form, along with a fee of $15.00 must be brought to Mrs. Sousa in 1st floor guidance office in order to complete this process. See the College Application packet below for more information. You will also find important documents such as the Brag Sheet, Transcript Request Form, and Teacher Recommendation Sign Off above.

SAT’s

Useful Websites:

Select a link below to learn more on each topic.

College Admission

Financial Aid

College & career search database is available through the MHS Library. Try Career Cruising in the MHS Library.

Looking for Community Service Hours?

ServeMedford.com is an online database of community service opportunities to help Medford High School students identify volunteer activities that meet their interests and fit their busy schedules. Members of the MHS community can visit the site from any computer, using the school’s group membership (User ID = medfordhighschool; Password = mustangs), though we strongly suggest that students join the group to receive email announcements of new service opportunities as they are posted. The site includes a calendar that lists upcoming volunteer opportunities by date, messages that include special invitations to MHS student volunteers, and listings of approximately 50 groups or projects that are actively seeking high school student volunteers.

To join the group, simply click on ServeMedford.com, click “Join this Group,” and follow the sign up instructions on the web page.

Community Service Form

Students need 15 hours of community service per year for a total 60 hours to meet graduation requirements.