Sophomore College & Career Access Sessions

During the week of March 7, academic counselors met with all sophomores about their post secondary planning. During these sessions the students worked with the counselors to: * log into Naviance, * create a CollegeBoard account, * complete a career interest survey, * understand which courses they need to take in

order to be competitive candidates for particular colleges,

* understand PSAT results and prepare for the SAT, * learn about the value of college tours, including the

sophomore trips in early April. (See info on right) All sophomores were asked to answer guided questions created by the counselors to help them understand the type of information they should consider when researching colleges of interest. See what the students were

asked!

Sophomore College Tours The MCI Academic Office is thrilled to give each sophomore the chance to visit a college campus in the Spring. The class of 2018 will be touring three different college campuses on Tuesday, April 5th. Stay tuned for pictures and stories from visits to Colby College, Husson University, and the University of Maine at Farmington!

Course Registration Information Course registration will begin on Tuesday, March 15th and end on Friday, March 25th for current freshmen, sophomores and juniors. Over the past two weeks, members of the Academic Office have met with each class to give them instructions about online course registration. All students must take a minimum of 6 courses which meet during the academic day, and may take as many as 8 if recommended by their academic counselor and with parent permission to do so. We recommend 7 courses for most students.

It is also important for students considering college as a post secondary option to check admission requirements for schools to which they may apply. They can do this by using Naviance, CollegeBoard or speaking with their academic counselor. The class of 2020 will make their selections on March 29th with the MCI Academic Office Counselors. We encourage students and parents to view their requests / selections together on Powerschool.(new elective offerings listed on page #3)

Advanced Placement (AP)

Between Monday, May 2nd and Friday, May 15th, 81 students at MCI will be taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams in 19 different subjects. The exams represent a culmination of hard work and determination in these extremely rigorous course offerings at MCI. If your son or daughter is taking one or more AP exams, please remind them that payment for each exam is due by Monday, April 4th to the Academic Office. Also, please encourage them to get plenty of rest before each exam, and to eat a healthy & hearty breakfast!

The Academic HuskyNews & Notes from the MCI Academic Office

Senior Spotlight

Senior Data Through February 2016 What’s Your Plan? "One of the reasons that I came to the United States was to study Political Science, and eventually study law. I have always wanted to ensure justice and bring freedom and justice. Since my early teens, I received unequal treatment from my previous school due to ‘radical opinions,’ while I was just being open minded. Now my goal is to study law and provide the freedom of speech for all"

“I've always been passionate about the outdoors, so I wanted to do something after school that would allow me to be in the outdoors. Next year I plan to attend Unity College. I'm going to major in environmental law enforcement. I do this with hopes of becoming a game warden after college. This will allow me to have a job where I can be outside, and I think I will enjoy it. I'm excited to go to Unity because I think this major is perfect for me”

“As long as I can remember I have had a passion for cars. I discovered I love math and science and that I definitely belong in a STEM field. My goal is to obtain an advanced degree in computer engineering and someday work within the automotive industry. My dream job would involve designing technologies that improve the function and safety of vehicles”

“Like anybody else, I am going to attend college in the fall, but unlike many, I am going to study Pre Med sciences to pursue my future career as a doctor. Medical sciences are very challenging for some, but I want college to be that kind of experience to find out who I really am. Although I am not completely sure which kind of doctor I want to be, I want to just live in a moment, try something new in college, and enjoy the times while they last”

“Three days after my audition for admission to the highly selective College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati (CCM), I was granted my acceptance as ‘Admitted 1st Choice,’ I could not be more excited to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in ballet and begin the next stage of my ballet career at CCM's fully accredited university program next semester”

Anna Meomutli ‘16

Nate Tilton ‘16

Leah Carron ‘16

Kosta Pribylov ‘16 Hannah Holtsclaw ‘16

Seniors: Putting their Paw Prints Across the Country

Applications through February 2016

ArizonaArizona State University

ArkansasHendrix College

CaliforniaCalifornia College of Arts (San Francisco)California State University FullertonCalifornia State University Long BeachCalifornia State University NorthridgePepperdine UniversitySan Diego State UniversitySan Francisco State UniversitySan Jose State UniversityStanford UniversityUniversity of California BerkeleyUniversity of California DavisUniversity of California IrvineUniversity of California San DiegoUniversity of California Santa BarbaraUniversity of California Santa CruzUniversity of La VerneUniversity of San FranciscoUniversity of Southern CalifoniaUniversity of the Pacific

CanadaNorthern Alberta Institute of Technology

ColoradoCO State UniversityUniversity of Colorado BoulderUniversity of Denver

ConnecticutQuinnipiac UniversityUniversity of ConnecticutUniversity of HartfordUniversity of New HavenWesleyan UniversityYale University

FloridaAve Maria UniversityBarry UniversityEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversityFlorida Southern CollegeFlorida State UniversityRingling College of Art & DesignSt. Thomas UniversityUniversity of FloridaUniversity of Tampa

GeorgiaEmory UniversityGeorgia Institute of Technology

IdahoUniversity of Idaho

IllinoisAugustana CollegeLake Forest CollegeNorthwestern UniversitySchool of the Art Institute of ChicagoUniversity of IL ChicagoUniversity of IL Urbana Champaign

IndianaButler UniversityEarlham CollegeIndiana University BloomingtonPurdue UniversityUniversity of Notre Dame

IowaCornell CollegeGrinnell CollegeIowa State UniversityUniversity of Iowa

IrelandUniversity of Limerick

KansasKansas State UniversityPittsburg State UniversityUniversity of Kansas

LouisianaTulane University

MaineBates CollegeBowdoin CollegeCentral Maine Community CollegeColby CollegeEastern Maine Community CollegeHusson UniversityKennebec Valley Community CollegeMaine College of ArtMaine Maritime AcademyNorthern Maine Community CollegeSaint Josephs College-MESouthern Maine Community CollegeThomas CollegeUnity College

University of Maine AugustaUniversity of Maine FarmingtonUniversity of Maine MachiasUniversity of Maine OronoUniversity of New EnglandUniversity of Southern MaineUniversity of Southern MaineWashington County Community College

MarylandJohns Hopkins UniversityMaryland Institute College of ArtUniversity of Maryland College Park

MassachusettsAmherst CollegeBabson CollegeBentley UniversityBoston CollegeBoston ConservatoryBoston UniversityClark UniversityCollege of the Holy CrossDean CollegeEmmanuel CollegeHarvard UniversityMass. College of Pharmacy & Health SciencesMerrimack CollegeNortheastern UniversitySimmons CollegeSuffolk UniversityTufts UniversityUMASS AmherstUMASS BostonWentworth Institute of Technology

Western New England UniversityWilliams CollegeWorcester Polytechnic Institute

MichiganHillsdale CollegeKalamazoo CollegeMichigan State UniversityUniversity of Michigan

MinnesotaHope CollegeUniversity of Minnesota Twin Cities

MissouriMaryville UniversityUniversity of Missouri ColumbiaWashington University in St. Louis

New HampshireColby Sawyer CollegeDartmouth CollegeFranklin Pierce UniversityNew England CollegeSouthern New Hampshire UniversitySt. Anselm CollegeUniversity of New Hampshire

New JerseyPrinceton UniversityRutgers-Camden

New YorkAdelphi UniversityBard CollegeBinghamptonClarkson University

College of Staten IslandColumbia UniversityCornell UniversityCUNY Hunter CollegeFordham UniversityHofstra UniversityIthaca CollegeJulliard SchoolNew York UniversityPace University NYCPratt InstituteRensselaer Polytech InstituteSt. John's University- Queens campusSt. John's University-ManhattanSt. Joseph's College- Brooklyn CampusSUNY PurchaseSUNY Stony BrookSyracuse UniversityThe New SchoolUniversity of Buffalo SUNYVassar CollegeWells College

North CarolinaDuke UniversityUniversity of North Caroline Chapel Hill

OhioCase Western ReserveOhio UniversityThe Ohio State UniversityUniversity of CincinnatiUniversity of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of MusicUniversity of Dayton

OklahomaUniversity of OklahomaUniversity of Tulsa

OregonConcordia UniversityOregon State UniversityUniversity of Oregon

PennsylvaniaAllegheny CollegeDrexel UniversityJuniata CollegeLa Roche CollegeLafayette CollegePennsylvania State UniversityPoint Park UniversityTemple UniversityUrsinus CollegeVillanova University

Rhode IslandBrown UniversityRhode Island School of DesignUniversity of Rhode Island

ScotlandUniversity of Glasgow

South CarolinaUniversity of South Carolina

TennesseeVanderbilt University

TexasBaylor UniversityRice UniversityUniversity of Texas Austin

UtahUniversity of UtahUtah Valley University

VermontChamplain CollegeSaint Michael's CollegeUniversity of Vermont

VirginiaCollege of William & MaryGeorge Mason UniversityUniversity of VirginiaVirginia TechWashington & Lee University

WashingtonUniversity of WashingtonUniversity of Washington BothellWashington State University

Washington DCAmerican UniversityGeorge Washington UniversityGeorgetown University

WisconsinMarquette UniversityUniversity of Wisconsin Madison

SAT information On April 12, members of the junior class will take the redesigned SAT here at school. The SAT with Essay is the state-required assessment for 3rd-year high school students and is a common admission requirement for colleges and universities. Most students take the SAT in the spring of their junior year, and many take it again in the fall of their senior year. Students will be able to send scores from this test administration directly to schools to which they intend to apply. Testing will begin right away the morning of April 12, and Maine juniors will not attend any classes that day. There will be a few brief breaks in the morning during which students may use the restroom and have a snack. Testing will continue till about 1:00 and students will have lunch following the test. Families of 3rd-year high school students can expect to receive more information from the school soon! Students can prepare for the SAT in a number of ways. The Khan Academy software at www.khanacademy.org/sat will customize each student’s test preparation so that so that students can focus on the areas where they need to improve. Students can access this personalized preparation in two ways: if they took the PSAT in the fall, they can link their College Board accounts to Khan Academy (students have an access code on their PSAT results to connect their scores – counselors also have this information if students need help). Any student can take diagnostic tests on Khan Academy to access personalized instruction, as well. This is a great FREE resource and is geared toward the new SAT: any older test preparation materials should not be used to prepare for the new test as there have been significant changes in the content and format. You can learn more about the changes in the SAT here: collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat Information will be also going home soon about voluntary participation in the College Board’s Student Search Service and the Student Data Questionnaire. The Student Search Service allows participating colleges and scholarship organizations to contact students directly if the student seems to be a good candidate. Participation in the Student Data Questionnaire helps College Board ensure fairness in their testing practices.

ELECTIVES 2016-17 We are pleased to be able to offer many great electives for students in the coming school year. Students can access the descriptions of electives on eBackpack or at this site: http://tinyurl.com/mcielectives ARTS: Some recent additions to our arts offerings include Popular Music and Society, Visual Culture: Film Studies, Social Theater, and Art Appreciation. SCIENCE: We are excited to expand our computer science program next year with new classes including Video Game Design, Introductory classes in Python and HTML5, and the newest Advanced Placement class, Computer Science Principles. Upperclassmen who are interested in exploring a career in medicine, including sports medicine, are encouraged to take Introduction to Medical Concepts. Juniors and seniors who have taken physics, or will take it next year, qualify to take the Private Pilot Ground School course which will prepare them for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) private pilot knowledge test and for formal flight training. Electives in Anatomy & Physiology, Botany, Engineering, and Sustainable Living continue to be popular options. HUMANITIES: Students will be able to learn about the election process while closely following the upcoming local, state and national elections in the fall Election 2016 class, or to deeply explore the world and work of one of the nation’s most important writers in Faulkner and Mississippi. These are additions to existing electives in Creative Writing, Film, Global Issues, Psychology, Sociology, and Sports & Society. DUAL ENROLLMENT: Seniors will continue to have the opportunity to enroll in Dual Enrollment courses which, for a reasonable fee of $100 - $130 for Maine students, allow students to earn university credits along with MCI credits. These courses are offered in Anatomy & Physiology, Art, Introduction to Communication, Psychology, and Sociology.

Congratulations Mr. Fortier and JMG

Students!

https://www.centralmaine.com/2016/02/25/mcis-jmg-students-serve-as-honoray-

pages-feb-23/

Outdoor Careers Expo

We are so happy to to announce the 1st Annual Outdoor Careers Expo at Maine Central Institute will be happening on Saturday, April 30th. Local outing club students from high schools and colleges will be on campus to network and interact with experts in the fields of Wilderness Medicine, Environmental Engineering, Coastal Ecology, and more! We are excited to partner with such great community resources and hope to make this a regular event. We encourage students, family and friends to participate! For more information, please contact Emily Wagner in the academic office at (207) 487 - 4453 or ewagner@mci-school.org. Don’t miss out on the great educational opportunity!

MCI 7th Annual College & Career Fair

On Wednesday ,April 27th MCI will host the 7th Annual College & Career Fair in Wright Gymnasium. Over 150 different colleges have been invited to attend this unique event on our MCI campus. Each MCI student will have a chance to attend the college fair. We welcome parents and others to take advantage of speaking with college admissions representatives who are eager to share information about their college. What a great opportunity for parents and students to make connections now in anticipation for life beyond MCI. It’s never too early to start planning, and it is always a good approach to attend a college fair,

gather information, and get your son / daughter’s name out there to admissions representatives. We hope you take advantage of this wonderful opportunity!

Senior Scholarship Information It’s time for seniors to be thinking about scholarships! Our community is unique and wonderful in so many ways and that is evident in the amount of locally sponsored scholarships we have available for students. All seniors have received the scholarship application and are required to turn in the completed form. If you’d like to help your senior with the application, a copy is available on the website (http://www.mci-school.org/2016scholarship). The applications are due by April 1st, however, the advantage of turning in the form earlier is that we will have time to work with students to determine whether or not there are other scholarship opportunities available to them. In addition to the many local scholarships available to students, we encourage you to explore state and national scholarship offerings. There are quite a few posted in your student’s Naviance account. If you have scholarship questions, please feel free to contact Ms. McWilliams (jmcwilliams@mci-school.org).

Freshmen College & Career Access Sessions

From March 21 - 24, the academic counselors will meet with each freshman during College & Career Access Sessions. Topics will include, creating a Naviance Account, creating a Collegeboard Account, taking a Personality Type Assessment, examining different curriculum pathways to a college of choice, the role of social media in college admissions and the workforce, PSAT and SAT information, and “Guided Questions” to use when examining colleges of interest. At the end of each session, which will be held in their English classes, all freshmen will be asked to send an email to their parent describing Naviance and the value of this online tool in their post secondary planning. Please be on the look out for an email from your son / daughter!

*6th Annual MCI College & Career Fair

Credit Recovery Information (Summer School)

The Maine Central Institute Credit Recovery Program (Summer School) will begin on Monday, June 20th and run until Friday, July 8th. Students who received between a 50-59 in English, history and science during the first or second semester (or both) qualify for summer school. Students who received a grade between 50-59 for the entire year in math also qualify for summer school. If students failed with a grade lower than a 50, than they will need to work with their academic counselor to make up this credit in their schedule next year, or through adult education. Students who failed the first semester in English, history or science with a grade between a 50-59 will receive their registration for summer school by April 1st. Please encourage your son or daughter to return this information to the academic office as soon as possible. Failure to make up credits could put their graduation status in jeopardy. Please give Scott Giallombardo a call in the Academic Office if you have any questions (207) 487-4453).

2016 Maine Central Institute Summer School ProgramExclusively for Credit Recovery

Monday, June 20th - Friday, July 8th

Name: ____________________________ Current Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12Address: __________________________ Home Number: ____________________________________________________ Cell Number: ____________________

I would like to enroll in one or two of the following subjects (each 3 hours per day).

Morning sessions are 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. and afternoon sessions are 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. The final determination of session placement will be done once students sign up.

____ Mathematics: __________________________Classes are available in Pre-algebra; Algebra 1A, Algebra 1/CP, Geometry A or Geometry CP; or

Algebra 2A of Algebra 2/CP. Students must attend the entire three week program to receive math credit

____ Humanities English: __________________________Classes are available in Humanities English I & English I/CP, Humanities English II, Humanities

English II/CP, Humanities English III, or Humanities English III/CP. Students will attend June 20th - June 28th if they failed the first semester and June 29th - July 8th if they failed the second semester.

____ Science: ______________________________Classes are available in Earth & Space Science, Earth & Space Science/CP, General Biology, Biology/

CP, Environmental Science, or General Chemistry. Students will attend June 20th - June 28th if they failed the first semester and June 29th - July 8th if they failed the second semester.

____ Humanities History: _____________________________Classes are available in Humanities History I, History I/CP, Humanities History II, Humanities History II/

CP, Humanities History III, Humanities History III/CP. Students will attend June 20th - June 28th if they failed the first semester and June 29th - July 8th if they failed the second semester.

Each student must have the teacher’s signature for the course he or she has failed. In order to enroll in summer school, the student must achieve at least a semester grade of 50:

Teacher 1: _________________________________Teacher 2: _________________________________

I pledge to arrive on time to summer school each day throughout the program. I understand that I am only allowed one absence or my summer school credit will be denied. If all work is completed, then I will receive a “P” for the course on my transcript with the associated credit. I understand that each summer school course costs $50, which must be paid to MCI before June 16th (unless other arrangements have been made with Mr. Giallombardo).

Student Signature: ______________________________ Date: ______________

Parent Signature: _______________________________ Date: ______________

On Monday, April 11th, Maine Central Institute will host 8th Grade Parent / Student Information Evening. We look forward to welcoming incoming 8th Graders from the greater Pittsfield district and beyond! We encourage all 8th graders to take advantage of this evening. Current MCI students will lead campus tours, and families will meet members of our faculty and staff who will describe courses for next year’s freshmen. Academic Department representatives this year include the Humanities Department, Math Department, Science Department, Human Development Department, World Language Department, Visual & Performing Arts Department, as well as the Academic Office and Athletic Department. Members of our Special Eduction department will also be available to answer questions. The event will run from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. An ice cream social will follow and all in attendance are welcome to join! We look forward to seeing you there!

8th Grade Parent / Student Information

Night

Monday, April 11th at 6:00 P.M.Parks Gymnasium

Come learn more about our departments.....

HumanitiesWorld Language

MathScience

Visual & Performing Arts Human Development

Academic OfficeSpecial Education

Athletics

Maine Central Institute

Somerset Career & Technical Center (SCTC)

SCTC Interview with Jack Reed

What made you decide to enroll in Culinary Arts?

First, I researched the program. I knew it would be a good step to take for when I am out on my own. The class

experience has helped me understand each position within the food service industry so that I could match my strengths with the best career options for me. I was also recommended by a teacher at my home school.

Why would you encourage other students to consider a Somerset Career and Technical Center (SCTC) program? Or what do you like about the program?

“I learn everyday skills for everyday life.” You can learn a trade then get a job. It’s a great way to give you basic skills even if you don’t plan on going to school for

Culinary. You can also learn cooking techniques for preparing food for your family, while getting you college ready.

I feel I have a lot more opportunities that I might not be able to access at my home school. For example certificates, college courses, and field trips.

Everything is very hands on! The learning is more self-directed. Instructors have an educational background in their field of expertise and work experience in industry.

It’s also fun, and I learn better when I’m working as a team. It gives you a sense of responsibility. There are community service opportunities that will help get you scholarships.

SCTC Engineering (At a Glance) “I had students design and build a boat made of just cardboard and duct tape that would support their weight. We launched the boats at Lake George Regional Park in Canaan back in the fall. Ben Arsenault and Jon Linkletter teamed up for the project, and did a great job in doing so! Both students attend Pre-Engineering at Somerset Career & Technical Center where they study structures, energy and robotics. Ben and John are very creative and excellent problem solvers. They have built a couple of amazing robots this year, Ben has a gift for visualizing a solution and then mechanically creating it. John is an outstanding programmer (John is also a member of the local robotics team the “Terrorbytes,” who finished third at the state VEX championships at Hampden Academy where they teamed up with a robotics team from

Somerset Career & Technical Center Ben plans on pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. John is undecided at this point.”

What would you like to see more of in the next Academic Office Newsletter?

Save the Dates!Save the Dates!

MCI Transitions Academy

Get help with your summer workDiscover information about

MCI sports, clubs, activities & other opportunities to get

connected at school

Learn MCI’s daily schedule & your own

course schedule

Meet teachers, administrators & older students

Work on study skills & note-

taking strategiesEarn a 1/2 half credit

with 100% attendance & active participation

Learn time management for getting to classes between

buildings

Eat lunch in the dining hall with other new MCI students

Participate in enrichment activities

with MCI faculty & staff

Set up the iPad you’ll use during the school

year

…be ready to succeed on day one.Transitions Academy:

A Summer Program for Incoming 9th Grade Students

Monday, August 1 - Friday, August 12 *Registration materials will be coming soon*

Class of 2020: Save the Date

-Friday, April 1: 3rd Quarter Closes-Tuesday, April 5: Sophomore College Tours-Tuesday, April 5: Ella Night - 6:00 p.m. in the Ella Powell Room-Monday, April 11: 8th Grade Parent / Student Information Night - 6:00 p.m. in Parks Gym-Tuesday, April 12: SAT Testing (Juniors)-Wednesday, April 13: AP Pre-administration Session - 7:45 a.m. in the cafe (Mandatory for all AP students)Manson Essay Night - 6:00 p.m. In Ella Powell Room-Monday, April 25: Senior Privileges Begin-Wednesday, April 27: MCI College & Career Fair in Wright Gymnasium-Saturday, April 30: Outdoor Careers Expo (Parks Gym)-Monday, May 2 - Friday, May 13: AP Testing-Monday, May 16: Senior Project Presentations Begin-Tuesday, May 17: Spring Concert & Art Show-Tuesday, May 24: Senior Project Exhibition Night-Tuesday, May 31: Underclassmen Academic Awards-Thursday, June 2: 8th Grade Move Up Day-Friday, June 3: Senior Chapel - 1:00 p.m. in Wright Gym-Sunday, June 5: Commencement

Examples of Questions Asked in Sophomore College Access Sessions

(Follow Up from Page #1) 1. Is it possible to go to a school with a great sports program and a great program for what I'm going to major in? 2. What do you suggest doing if you like multiple subjects and are having a hard time picking a direction to go? 3. Would it be bad to do college online? Is it hard to go to college for two things? 4. What do I do if I want to change my career path but I'm already enrolled and in college?5. What would be the best internships to take to prepare for engineering?