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Beginning in January 2017, please find all Nipmuc School Counseling information, updates, and resources at: 

www.NipmucSCC.weebly.com

December Newsletter

There is a lot going on in the School Counseling Center before vacation this December!  There are college application deadlines, Wellness Week, Breakfast with the Counselors, and more.  Read on for the details!

December 5-9: Wellness Week: The School Counseling Center and Student Health Services at Nipmuc have joined forces again to help students and faculty reduce stress, improve health, and learn about wellness.  This week we will have an additional advisory session as well as themed days throughout the week and some fun give-aways. Click here to see a schedule of events.  We’d also like to thank Nipmuc Together for their enthusiastic support of Wellness Week!

December 10: ACT

December 13: Breakfast with the Counselors, 8am-9am in the PDC:  This workshop is for parents of sophomores.  We will focus our discussion on supporting healthy decisions.

December 14: Intro to Post-Secondary Planning for Juniors: School Counselors will meet with juniors during advisory to begin post-secondary planning.  Students will learn about a variety of pathways to take after high school in order to get to where they want to be in the future.

December 16: Transcript Request Forms Due: Any seniors who are applying to colleges with a January 15th deadline must submit Transcript Request forms by December 16.

December 21: Intro to the College Search Process or Post-Secondary Alternatives for Juniors: Juniors will meet with school counselors again during advisory to begin learning about the College Search Process.  Any juniors interested in other post-secondary paths will meet with Mrs. Hennessy.

December 21: Deadline to register for January SAT (January 21st)

Ongoing in the month of December:

Scholarships on Naviance for seniors: Although we’re a few months away from the busy scholarship season, there are some scholarships available now.  Seniors should check the scholarship list on Naviance once a week to see updated opportunities.  Mrs. Hefez is the scholarship coordinator and she can answer any questions you might have.

December 24 - January 2: Holiday Break

We wish everyone a happy, healthy, and safe holiday and new year!  See you in 2017!

Nipmuc School Counseling Center News - June

We can’t believe it’s already June and another school year is coming to a close. With three weeks left for underclassmen, there’s still plenty of time to finish strong. Summer is a great time for students to take part in enriching experiences like jobs, internships, camps, sports, SAT/ACT prep, or pre-college programs. Students looking for ideas should see their counselors or Mrs. Hennessy.

As our seniors are gearing up for graduation in just a few days, we want to wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors! Congratulations, seniors!

Coming up in June…

June 1: Senior Banquet: click here for details

June 2: First Annual Senior Walk: Seniors will walk through Clough, Memorial, and Miscoe dressed in their graduation regalia to say goodbye to teachers and inspire the younger students in Mendon and Upton.

June 2: Awards Ceremony (1pm in the Nipmuc gymnasium)

June 3: Graduation (6pm in the Nipmuc gymnasium, tickets required)

June 4: SAT Test Day

June 11: ACT Test Day

June 21: Last Day of School!

Note to Parents of Juniors: All juniors need to complete the Counselor Letter of Recommendation Survey in Naviance before the end of the school year. There will also be a brag sheet survey for parents coming out later this week. Both surveys are extremely helpful to us when we are writing recommendation letters, so we appreciate your thoughtful responses. Now is a good time for juniors to check in with their counselors about their future plans to make sure they are on track going into the summer. Please feel free to contact your child’s counselor if you have any questions.

Tips for a Safe and Healthy Summer

Summer will be here before we know it and the arrival of summer means warmer weather and more time spent outside. The arrival of summer also means an increased risk for dehydration, injury, and illness. But don't worry! The School Counseling Center is here to provide you with some tips on how to stay safe and healthy this summer.

1) Stay hydrated!
       Did you know that dehydration can have a noticeable effect if you lose as little as 2% of your body's water content? Being dehydrated can lead to a decrease in physical performance, altered body temperature control, reduced motivation, and increased fatigue (authoritynutrition.com). To avoid becoming dehydrated, it is important not to wait until you are thirsty to start drinking water. Try drinking small amounts of water throughout the day and snack on foods that have high water content such as apples, watermelons, and strawberries.


2) Think before you swim.
        Are you a good swimmer? Are you tired? Is the water moving rapidly? Is there a life guard on duty? These are just a few questions to ask yourself before diving into the water or participating in other recreational water activities. The highest drowning rates within any age group are found among teens and young adults (summersafetyforteens.pdf) but staying cautions when near water, knowing your limits and what safety precautions to take can ensure that all water activities stay fun and relaxing.

3) Protect yourself from bugs.
       It is always a good idea to wear bug repellent when spending time outside during the warmer weather. When in the woods, doing yard work, or sitting by a fire at night, wear protective clothing such as long sleeves and long pants. If you are on a hike, stay towards the middle of the path and avoid over grown areas and sitting directly on the ground. Perform tick checks on you and your family members and be aware of the signs/symptoms of tick-related illnesses.

4) Wear Sunblock!
       Peak hours for sun-exposure are from 10am-4pm. If you plan on being outside during these hours it is extremely important to wear sunblock, protective clothing such as hats and sunglasses, and seek shade whenever possible. When buying sunscreen, look for products with UVA and UVB protection and an SPF of at least 15. The American Association of Dermatology advises people to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside and to reapply every 2 hours or sooner if swimming or sweating.

The summer is a fun, exciting, and relaxing time of year...ensure that you are able to enjoy it by staying healthy and safe!

Nipmuc School Counseling Center News - May

We’re in the home stretch! Term 4 is well underway and seniors are just a few weeks away from graduation. In the School Counseling Center, we are just about finished with course registration for next year and are looking forward to finalizing student schedules before the end of this year. Students who have concerns or questions about their classes for next year can feel free to schedule appointments with their counselors.
 

Coming up in May…

May 2: AP Exams begin - click here to see a schedule.

May 3: Breakfast with the Counselors for Parents of Seniors - Leaving the Nest: As a teenager graduates from high school and leaves for college, parents can feel numerous different emotions related to this and the upcoming transition to college or the workforce. Please join the Nipmuc School Counseling Staff in the PDC from 8:00am-9:00am for a discussion about changing family dynamics and the social emotional impact of this transition. Please RSVP to Janis Grady at jagrady@mursd.org if you plan to attend. Hope to see you then!

May 5: Deadline to register for the June 4th SAT: Click here to register.

May 6: Deadline to register for the June 11th ACT: Click here to register.

May 7: SAT Test Day

Reminder to seniors and parents of seniors: All scholarship opportunities are posted in Naviance. More are posted each day and deadlines are starting to come up. Please submit your applications to Mrs. Hefez by the Naviance deadlines!

For information about all senior events this spring, click here.

The Warm Weather is Here...It's Time to Get Outside!

Now that the weather is getting warmer, it's time to dust off those sneakers and get outside! 

Physical activity is a very important part of your overall wellness and it isn't just about lifting weights at the gym or running drills at practice, there are many different ways to be active outside this spring!

 Betterhealth.gov suggests aiming for 30 minutes of physical activity every day. But what defines physical activity? The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) summarizes physical activity as "any body movement that works your muscles and requires more energy than resting." The NHLBI categorizes physical activity into four main types: aerobic, muscle-strengthening, bone-strengthening, and stretching. 

The spring is all about the start of something fresh and new, so why not make this the perfect time to get outside and start moving?! Not every physical activity you do has to be high intensity. A short walk around your neighborhood after dinner or throwing a ball outside with your pet after school or work are great ways to start incorporating physical activity into your daily routine. And when you're outside, not only are you being active, but you are also breathing in the benefits of some fresh air!

Here in the School Counseling Center and the Student Health Office, we love to motivate each other through step challenges and hourly step goals, but here are some other ways we like to be active outside...

Mrs. Towne likes to walk to a park near her house and toss a Frisbee with her husband. She also loves to walk to her favorite cafe and read on their outside patio.

Mrs. Hefez just got a new puppy, so she has been enjoying taking him for walks and playing with him outside. She also likes to play games with her nephews outside...it's great to get them out of the house!

Mrs. Fagan enjoys going for long hikes on the weekends and she takes her dog for walks every evening. She also loves to garden and can't wait until she has fresh vegetables right in her backyard!

Ms. Pittsley also has two puppies that she likes to walk every afternoon, she likes to take bike rides and once the weather gets really warm, she loves to swim in her pool.

Mrs. Larrecey also likes to hike, garden, and travel during the warmer months.

Mrs. Gauthier also likes to walk every day, take hikes, and garden.

Mrs. Grady enjoys all activities that involve the outdoors...her favorites are walking, boating, and fishing.


While it is important to be active...it is also important to remember to wear sunscreen and bug spray when you are going to be spending time outside. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing sunscreen that is at least SPF 30 and it should be reapplied every 2 hours. The sun's rays are strongest between 10:00am and 4:00pm so if you plan on being outside during those hours, it is especially important to reapply your sunscreen and seek shade when necessary.

Take advantage of the nice weather and be well!

Nipmuc School Counseling Center News - April

The school year is flying by and spring is finally on its way...we think! In the School Counseling Center, we just finished up our spring Wellness Week and course registration for next year is ongoing.  Springtime also means scholarship season for seniors who are going to college next year.  Seniors should check the scholarship list in Naviance often as new scholarships are posted almost every day.

Coming up in April…

April 1: The last day of Spring Wellness Week: Students participated in advisory activities and therapy dogs were in the building! Click here to see some highlights from the week!

April 7: Community iFair at Nipmuc (5:45-8pm): The Community iFair is designed to bring the entire Mendon and Upton communities together to get excited about technology! All technology sessions and showcases are offered this evening by Mendon-Upton educators, staff, supporters, and students.  Technology sessions are a combination of presentation and practice and will be held in classrooms. Our technology showcases will be set up throughout the lobby, hallways, and the media center. These showcases allow you to experience hands-on technology, see best practices in action, and have your technology questions answered.

April 8: Deadline to register for the May SAT: www.collegeboard.org

April 9: ACT: Good luck to those students taking the test! There will be another ACT given on June 11.  Visit www.actstudent.org to register.

April 15: Counselors will be wrapping up individual meetings with students for course registration. Students should take a look at the Program of Studies and the course selection sheet before meeting with their counselors. Both documents are available on our School Counseling blog.  Individual meetings will also include starting a Wellness Plan.

April 18-22: April Vacation - have fun and be safe!

Reminder to seniors and parents of seniors: All scholarship opportunities are posted in Naviance. More are posted each day and deadlines are starting to come up. Please submit your applications to Mrs. Hefez by the Naviance deadlines!

What Does it Mean to Be Well?

With Wellness Week coming up next week, the School Counseling Center wanted to take an opportunity to breakdown what it means to be well. 

To put it simply, personal wellness is the act of taking care of your mind and body. It is important to remember that wellness is a process and it takes a deliberate effort. In order to kick off your own personal wellness journey, you first have to ask yourself, “What am I already doing well?” and “Where would I like to see a change?”

The National Wellness Institute developed a model for wellness that is referred to as the    Six Dimensions of Wellness. The dimensions are occupational, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical. Here is what you need to know about each dimension…

• Physical: Paying attention to and maintaining overall health through nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and positive healthy habits to maintain a healthy quality of life. Being physically well requires being able to take charge of your health by making conscious decisions to be healthy.

• Social: The idea of being able to develop meaningful interpersonal relationships. A main aspect of being socially well is having the ability to move through various social situations while appreciating the similarities and differences between people.

• Intellectual: Developing the mind as an instrument for decision making as well as learning and interpreting experiences. Intellectual wellness involves critical thinking, creativity, and curiosity. Being open to new experiences and ideas contributes to growth.

• Spiritual: Developing your own personal beliefs system and adhering to that system. Spiritual wellness involves seeking purpose and meaning in life while appreciating the beliefs and perspectives of others.

• Emotional: Getting in touch with feelings and emotions regarding yourself and others. Concepts such as, self-confidence, love, and trust for others are key parts of being emotionally well. Maintaining your emotional wellness will help in coping with emotional challenges in life.

• Occupational: The ability to achieve a balance between work and leisure time. Being occupationally well involves addressing workplace stress and building relationships with co-workers.

Activities during Wellness Week will focus on giving students the opportunity to explore different activities and wellness practices that they can incorporate into their own lives to begin enhancing their personal wellness!

For more information on personal wellness and the Six Dimensions of Wellness, visit these links.

8 Components of Personal Wellness 6 Dimensions of Wellness Personal Health & Wellness

Be Well!