GUIDANCE  DEPARTMENT -  STUDENT SERVICES

Guidance services reflect a commitment of the department to the concept of services for ALL students.

The function of the Guidance Department is to assist students to gain maximum benefit from their educational experiences through counseling and guidance in relationship to their academic and personal needs.

Counseling is an integral part of the school, particularly with the complex situations with which students are confronted today.

The Guidance Department at Essex offers a variety of services to all students and is concerned with helping students to gain an understanding of his/her interests and abilities. The Guidance Department provides the following services:

The school guidance counseling staff consists of :

Wendy Fajardo -ext. 264    email: wfajardo@agtech.org
for students who have last names ending from A through K

Jennifer Skane -ext. 229  email: jskane@agtech.org
for students who have last names ending from L through Z

Harriet Polner- ext. 235 email: hpolner@agtech.org
Guidance Department Head and Testing Coordinator

Joseph Hill -ext. 268  email: jhill@agtech.org
School Adjustment Counselor

Selection of an agricultural major is an important decision that students make at the end of the ninth grade. The Guidance Department will help students consider long-range goals, career plans, and qualifications.

Because the number of seats in each major is limited, the grades that a student receives can be a determining factor in which major a student is allowed to select. Students wishing to make an appointment with the Guidance Counselor should do so before or after school. This appointment, whenever possible, should be made for a free period. If this is not possible, any appointment, unless it is an emergency, should be approved by the teacher whose class is being missed. Guidance will issue a signed pass to the student with the time and date of the appointment clearly indicated.

Click HERE for College Information and Testing Websites
Here are some links to websites that can benefit both students and their parents in college and career planning:

 

Timetable for Career Planning

                     

                   

      GRADE 9                 GRADE 10              GRADE 11                     GRADE 12

 Listing of SCHOLARSHIPS  that have been awarded at Essex Aggie

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AIDE AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

JUNIOR YEAR CAREER PLANNING PRESENTATION

Transition Planning

Transition planning is an ongoing process which helps students with disabilities in Grades 9-12 at Essex Agricultural High School make a successful change from school to work; however, anyone who is seeking transitional assistance is welcome. Transition planning uses Pupil-Centered-Planning, PCP, by which the student sets goals based upon his/her desired visions of the future and geared to interests and strengths. Secondly, supports are chosen by the student to assist them in realizing chosen goals.

Tech Prep 

Tech Prep is a federally funded initiative under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act of 1990. Under this act, grants have been made to consortia of local educational agencies and post-secondary institutions for the development of career pathways to a two year associates degree, a two year certificate or further post secondary education.

 Tech Prep introduces high school students to career pathways to develop a link between courses taken in the last two years of high school and a program of study at a post secondary institution or college, leading to an associates degree or bachelor’s degree. Currently, Essex Ag Tech High School  has articulation agreements with several area colleges. To fill out an Articulation Request, contact the guidance office to obtain a cover sheet for submittal.

Applying for Evaluation/Credit Award

Any student that successfully completes a high school course in which there is an active articulation agreement, and meets all additional course requirements, is eligible to apply for and receive advanced credit once enrolled at the college or post secondary program school. Please contact the guidance office for more information.

Peer Helper Program

Peer Helpers are students who volunteer to work with their fellow students. They work together as a team to assist their peers. Older students who have demonstrated sound interpersonal skills and responsible thinking are invited to take a special training course and become Peer Helper Facilitators. These groups provide stu-dents with a special opportunity to share experiences, explore feelings, offer ideas, encourage and listen to others. They meet once a week with their advisor.

 Peer Helpers are trained in alcohol and other drug abuse prevention techniques, how to promote values clarification and build a positive self-image. They know when and how to use a wide network of referrals. They are trained to coordinate activities addressing decision making, self esteem, depression and other health related topics. They provide an opportunity for friendship. There are fliers in the guidance office with names of the Peer Helpers and when they are available. A supervised room is provided in the guidance center for students to meet with the Peer Helper to discuss problems and concerns.

Alumni 

Alumni of the school can link to a web page  that is operated independently of the school by an Aggie alumnus, Charles Main .

Alumni Transcripts

Alumni transcripts from the high school can be obtained by sending a request to the high school office that contains the following:

Please send transcript requests to : Essex Agricultural & Technical High School , PO Box 362, Hathorne, MA. 01937 , ATTN:Transcripts.

Alumni of our former college division should contact the North Shore Community College office by email.