School Counseling Department Newsletter

As a School Counseling Department, we are reaching out in an effort to make you aware of steps we continue to take to assist your students with their time here at Essex Tech. Please keep in mind the most important thing your student can do is reach out to their assigned School Counselor with any questions they may have so we can assist them as best we can. Here is our contact information:

Grade 10-12 School Counselors

Mr. Connors, [email protected], x3114
Ms. MacIsaac, [email protected], x3112
Mr. Loring, [email protected], x3113
Ms. O’Donnell, [email protected], x3111

Grade 9 School Counselors

Ms. Fajardo, [email protected], x5108
Ms. Montague, [email protected], x5110

Career (CO-OP) Counselors

Ms. Doherty, [email protected], x2104
Ms. Shea, [email protected], x2106

Director of School Counseling

Ms. Goldstein, [email protected], x3110

Administrative Assistants

Ms. Larivee, [email protected], x3115
Ms. Monje, [email protected], x5105

Program	School Counselor Last Name A-K	School Counselor Last Name L-Z	CO-OP Counselor
Advanced Manufacturing	Mr. Connors	Ms. O’Donnell	Ms. Doherty
Arboriculture	Mr. Loring	Ms. MacIsaac	Ms. Doherty
Automotive Technology	Mr. Connors	Ms. O’Donnell	Ms. Shea
Biotechnology	Mr. Loring	Ms. MacIsaac	Ms. Doherty
Carpentry	Mr. Connors	Ms. O’Donnell	Ms. Shea
Automotive Collision Repair & Refinishing	Mr. Connors	Ms. O’Donnell	Ms. Shea
Companion Animals	Mr. Connors	Ms. O’Donnell	Ms. Doherty
Construction Craft Laborer	Mr. Connors	Ms. O’Donnell	Ms. Shea
Cosmetology	Mr. Loring	Ms. MacIsaac	Ms. Shea
Culinary Arts & Hospitality	Mr. Connors	Ms. O’Donnell	Ms. Shea
Dental Assisting	Mr. Loring	Ms. MacIsaac	Ms. Doherty
Design Media Communications	Mr. Connors	Ms. O’Donnell	Ms. Doherty
Electrical	Mr. Loring	Ms. MacIsaac	Ms. Shea
Engineering & Automation Technology	Mr. Connors	Ms. O’Donnell	Ms. Doherty
Equine Science	Mr. Connors	Ms. O’Donnell	Ms. Doherty
Health Assisting	Mr. Loring	Ms. MacIsaac	Ms. Shea
HVAC	Mr. Loring	Ms. MacIsaac	Ms. Shea
Information Technology Services	Mr. Connors	Ms. O’Donnell	Ms. Doherty
Landscaping & Turf Management	Mr. Loring	Ms. MacIsaac	Ms. Doherty
Masonry & Tile Setting	Mr. Connors	Ms. O’Donnell	Ms. Shea
Natural & Environmental Resources	Mr. Loring	Ms. MacIsaac	Ms. Doherty
Plumbing	Mr. Loring	Ms. MacIsaac	Ms. Shea
Sustainable Horticulture	Mr. Loring	Ms. MacIsaac	Ms. Doherty
Veterinary Science	Mr. Connors	Ms. O’Donnell	Ms. Doherty
Freshmen Counselor (A-K)	Ms. Fajardo	Freshmen Counselor (L-Z)	Ms. Montague

School Year 22-23 Quarter Endings

Quarter 1 ended: November 8, 2022
Quarter 2 ended: January 25, 2023
Quarter 3 ends: April 5, 2023
Quarter 4 ends: June 16, 2023*
*(subject to change based on unanticipated school closures)

For more information see Essex Tech’s School Calendar at EssexNorthShore.org/calendar

Class of 2026 CTAE Placement

The selection and placement process for Grade 9 students in their CTAE areas was completed early January. Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Students have now also begun their Semester 2 Health Classes (check Aspen or Schoology for these assignments). If students and their caregivers have questions regarding their CTAE schedules and programs moving forward, please reach out to Ms. Dresser, the Freshman Supervisor at [email protected], or their child’s school counselor, either Ms. Fajardo or Ms. Montague. For questions about the Grade 9 Health Curriculum, please contact your child’s Health instructor or Mr. Brucker, Lead Wellness Instructor, at [email protected].

Course Selection for Next School Year (2023-2024)

School counselors visited current grade 9, 10, and 11 in History and Freshman Seminar classes late January/early February and talked to students about the course selection process for next school year. Students were able to view course and level recommendations from their teachers in Aspen. Juniors were also able to identify the electives they hope to take as Seniors. This is just the beginning of the process and we encourage students and caregivers to speak with your student’s current content teachers about courses and recommended levels for next year if you have not already done so. If you have any questions about the process, please feel free to reach out to your student’s school counselor.

Early College Classes with North Shore CC!

Essex Tech and North Shore Community College (NSCC) have partnered to offer our students an Early College Program where they are able to enroll in five (5) college courses and earn 15 MA college credits while still in high school! Essex Tech and NSCC are accepting “Confirmation of Interest” Early College Program applications from students who are interested in enrolling in our Early College program for next school year. Click HERE for more information, including a recording of our January Family Information Session that explains more about our Early College Program and courses in detail. While the deadline for expressing interest has passed, exceptions may be made on a case by case basis should a student and their family express interest between now and the conclusion of the school year.

Employment (Work) Permits

Students who are in need of an Employment (Work) Permit can access the Employment Permit Application on the Essex Tech website (https://essexnorthshore.org/student-job-board/work-permits/) or click HERE. Employment Permit Applications must be filled out by the student’s new employer, parent/guardian, and physician (if under the age of 16) before Essex Tech can issue a final permit. Once the Employer, and if need be Physician, have completed their sections, students can bring their Application to the Guidance Office for processing. Please allow at least two (2) school days for a completed work permit application to be processed by our school staff.

Driver’s Permit/Real ID Documentation

Students who are in need of documentation for their driver’s permit or a Real ID should contact the School Counseling Department’s administrative assistant, Ms. Larivee at [email protected], or their School Counselor to make this request. The School Counseling Office will provide students with an enrollment verification letter for the student to submit to the DMV. Please allow at least two (2) school days prior to a DMV appointment for a request to be processed.

Junior Sophomore Parent Night: March 1, 2023

Our School Counselors recently hosted an evening for our Junior and Sophomore families where they reviewed with families information about the post-high school planning process, including the College Search and application process. Information about MCAS, Cooperative Education, and Course Selection was also reviewed. We are sharing here the slide deck and recording of our session here:

We encourage families who were unable to attend to review this information as well as information on their child’s Naviance account. To access Naviance click HERE or go to https://student.naviance.com/essexnorthshore.

If a caregiver needs their parent login information for their child’s Naviance account, or has any additional questions, please contact your child’s School Counselor.

SAT Exam: May 6, 2023

Essex Tech will be a test site for the SAT exam on Saturday, May 6, 2023. It is recommended students register by April 7, 2023, to reserve a spot for this test date and location. All registrations must be completed in advance of the test day (late fees may apply if after April 7, 2023) through College Board ONLY at www.collegeboard.org. Same day registrations are not available. Essex Tech counselors and staff cannot register students. For more information see also: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration/dates-deadlines

Senior Updates

College Application Deadlines are Fast Approaching!

Seniors are still in the process of applying for colleges! While School Counselors have been reminding students of nearing application deadlines, we encourage senior families to check in with your children to help them monitor their progress with meeting these application deadlines as well. Most colleges will not accept applications once deadlines pass, and we want to make sure each student has every opportunity to apply timely to their schools of interest.

Once an application has been filled out and submitted, students are expected to fill out a College Notification Form (located in the School Counseling Office or at the bottom of this newsletter) and return it to your School Counselor so they can send your transcripts and recommendations for you. Students should be sure to have a Transcript Release Form on file with your School Counselor as well so that there is not a hold up with sending your materials to the college(s). Transcript Release forms can be accessed in the School Counseling Office or at the bottom of this newsletter.

Financial Aid, Scholarship, and Award Information

There are so many opportunities for our Seniors to apply for scholarships and awards whether they are going straight into full time employment in their career pathway, or onto college, apprenticeship or training programs or the military or both! All students, no matter what their plan is for after high school, should be applying for scholarships and awards. During early January, School Counselors visited Seniors in their English classes to share information on how students can easily research and apply for scholarships and awards on Naviance and by completing the Essex Tech Award and Scholarship Form. We are sharing that information here as well:

Award & Scholarship Information on Naviance

Access Naviance on the Essex Tech website under the Families tab or click HERE

Go to the Colleges Tab on Naviance

Click on Scholarship & Money

You will then see 2 options:

Scholarship Search: is where the Essex Tech School Counseling office posts community scholarship and award applications received throughout the school year.
National Scholarship Search: is where students can conduct personal scholarship and award searches for national scholarships.

Essex Tech Award & Scholarship Application DUE March 19

Application Link

Also available in Naviance under the Scholarships Tab

This application makes students eligible for numerous awards and scholarships that are presented by Essex Tech Scholarship Committee.

Other helpful Scholarship Resources:

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): www.studentaid.gov

Seniors who are planning to attend college next school year should complete the FAFSA form together with their parent/guardian as soon as possible. This should be completed for all students who are planning to attend any 4 or 2-year college or university. NOTE: Current seniors will complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA application and should not fill out the application that aligns to their current senior year.

If you have questions regarding the FAFSA please reach out to:

The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) 800-449-6332
The Educational Opportunity Center at the NSCC in Lynn (781) 593-6722

The School Counselors have also posted two (2) helpful links that may assist you when completing the FAFSA to our Naviance page. When logged into Naviance: Scroll to the bottom of the homepage where you will find helpful links. Click on VIEW ALL FROM MY SCHOOL. Scroll to the bottom of the homepage to find Helpful Links. Click on VIEW ALL FROM MY SCHOOL.

College, Award, and Scholarship Form Library:

Transcript Release Form
This form must be completed once and returned to the guidance office. If this form is not turned in, the counselor or school cannot release your transcript.

College Notification Form
This form must be completed and turned in to your School Counselor each time a student plans to/or has applied to a college.

Student Recommendation Information Form
Students will complete this form once and then make copies once it is completed. Students will give a copy of this form to the person/people that they request to complete a letter of recommendation for them.

College Visitation Form (Absence Form)The School Visitation form must be completed by the college if a student goes on a college visit. The completed form should be returned to the Main Office upon a student’s return to school for that college visit absence to be excused. Please stop by the School Counseling office to get a visitation form before any school visits or tours.

Community Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Resources

24/7 Crisis Lines and Emergency Services

As School Counselors, we want to remind our students and families of some helpful resources should you need to access these during after school hours, including nights, weekends, and during school breaks and vacations. Should you, your child, or another person you are concerned about be experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, please call 911, proceed to your local emergency room, or access these resources:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- 988 Information stickers are being posted in all bathroom stalls on ENSATS campus.
- Call or text 988 | 24hrs a day/7days a week
The Massachusetts Helpline
- (800) 327-5050
- https://helplinema.org/
- The Massachusetts Helpline will continue to work with families and other key stakeholders to devise the most appropriate course of action for adolescents and young adults ages 13-24 in need of treatment for their use of substances.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline
- 1-800-662-HELP (4357); 1-800-487-4889 (TTY)
- www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
Eliot Emergency Services
- 800.988.1111
- eliotchs.org
Lahey Health Behavioral Services
- 978.744.1585
- 866.523.1216
- www.bilhbehavioral.org
Advocates Emergency Services
- (800) 640-5432
- Advocates Emergency Services

The Larkin Project

School Counseling Department Newsletter

Senior Updates

Community Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Resources