Guidance Dept. Page For Parents/Guardians/Caregivers
Topic: Getting Involved at BMC Durfee High School
Resources for Parents/Guardians
Continuing Education and Adult Education Courses
Financial Aid Topic: Marital Status and Financial Aid
Special Education
The guidance Department works cooperatively with parents and guardians to facilitate the growth and development of each student in the areas of social, emotional, and academic. Parents and guardians are encouraged to contact the guidance department with any concerns about your child's progress in school. Individual appointments with parents and students can be scheduled to meet with guidance counselors at any time by calling the counselor directly.
Getting Involved at BMC Durfee High School
■Ask questions of your son or daughter about the classes they are taking. Know their schedule, their teachers names and how to contact them, the dates when progress reports and report cards are given to students (the reports are not mailed home and are provided to students in the home room period).
■Join the Durfee Parent Advisory Counsel, a group of parents which discusses current topics related to what is happening at Durfee High School and provides a forum for parents to voice their concerns. The meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month in the Tradewinds Restaurant.
■Join the Sports Booster's, a group of parents that supports the athletic programs at Durfee. Meets the first Wednesday of the month preceding the parent advisory counsel.
■At Durfee there are three Parent-Teacher conferences each school year. Stay tuned for details on the specific dates. Usually, there are two in the Fall and one in the Spring.
Resources for Parents/Guardians Back to top
http://www.quitsmoking.com/tips.htm Article on 11 ways to quit smoking
http://www.edreferral.com Eating disorder referral and info website
http://www.anad.org National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/internet Parents Guide to the Internet
http://www.stepfamily.net Educating stepparents, parents, family professionals and stepchildren.
http://www.disciplinehelp.com Information and resources on the topic of discipline.
Continuing Education and Adult Education Courses:
- YMCA Even Start of Greater Fall River
- 21stCentury After School/Summer School Programs
- The Transition Program
- Bristol Community College Workplace Literacy
- Ser-Jobs for Progress
- Old Colony YouthBuild Fall River
- Bristol Community College Adult Basic Education Program
- Fall River Housing Authority
- United Neighbors of Fall River Community Connections Coalition
- Stanley Street Treatment & Resources
- Mayor’s Office of Immigration Assistance
- Citizens for Citizens
- May Institute – Towne House
- Fall River Career Center
- Stepping Stone Inc.
- Health First Family Care Center Inc.
YMCA Even Start of Greater Fall River
Agency: YMCA of Greater Fall River
Address: 199 North Main Street
Fall River , MA 02720
Contact: 508-675-7841 Ext 31
Purpose:
Even Start is a family literacy program that provides free:
• Adult Education (GED or ESOL Classes)
• Parent Education workshops
• Parent & Child enrichment activities
• Home visits
• Assistance with enrolling your child in school or child care
• Assistance with transportation to and from program sessions
21st Century After School/Summer School Programs
Agency: Fall River Public Schools
Address: 615 Tucker Street
Fall River, MA 02721
Hours of Operation: Thursday 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. until May/June
Contact: 508-675-8381
Services/Resources:
• ESOL class for parents interested in improving their English language skills
• ABE/GED class held at the Henry Lord Middle School
• After school and summer programming for children enrolled in the public school system
Eligibility:
Adults (parents) must have a child attending the John J. Doran elementary school.
The Transition Program
Agency: Bristol Community College
Address: 777 Elsbree Street
Fall River, MA 02720
Hours of Operation: Evening courses
Contact: 508-678-2811 Ext. 2360
Purpose:
The Transition Program provides classes and support for graduates of Adult Basic Education programs as they make the transition to college course work.
Services/Resources:
• College Success Seminar
• Academic Coaching
• Study Skills
• Assistance with college paperwork
• Technology Tools for College Success
• Orientation to college
Eligibility:
Graduates of Adult Basic Education programs; GED, Adult Diploma, ESOL
Bristol Community College Workplace Literacy
Agency: Bristol Community College
Address: 777 Elsbree Street
Fall River, MA 02720
Hours of Operation: Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Contact: 508-678-2811 Ext 2368
TDD: 508-730-3269
Purpose:
The Workplace Literacy Program offers classes to incumbent workers, who have not yet earned a high school diploma, would like to study for the GED test and would like to improve their English, reading, writing and math skills. They also provide special programming for dislocated workers.
Services/Resources:
• On-site classes
• Pre & post assessments
• Customized curriculum
• Needs assessment
• Day & evening classes
Eligibility:
Incumbent workers who have not yet earned a high school diploma
Ser-Jobs for Progress
Agency: Southeastern Massachusetts Ser-Jobs For Progress, Inc.
Address: 164 Bedford Street
Fall River, MA 02720
Hours of Operation: Mondays through Thursdays 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Fridays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Contact: 508-676-1916
Purpose:
Southeastern Massachusetts Ser-Jobs for Progress, Inc. is a private, non-profit community-based organization dedicated to improving the educational and socio-economic status of individuals.
Services/Resources:
• Adult Basic Education classes offering ESOL to GED
• Skill training programs
• English 101 Preparatory class for students interested in going to higher education
• Socialization program for the elderly
• Family learning center providing daytime child care for the Young Parents Program
• Tutorial services in the evening for the children of adult students
Eligibility:
Over 16 years of age and out of school
Old Colony YouthBuild Fall River
Agency: Old Colony YouthBuild Fall River
Address: 72 Bank Street
Fall River, MA 02720
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Contact: 508-678-1975
Purpose:
The mission of YouthBuild Fall River is to provide an opportunity to give disenfranchised young people the ability to reclaim their lives, prepare for their future and become contributing members to their communities.
Services/Resources:
• Academic instruction leading to GED attainment
• Construction skills
• Project work to build a single-family house that will be purchased by a first-time, low income homeowner
• Courses in financial literacy, civic engagement, social issues, health career exploration and computer literacy
Eligibility:
YouthBuild Fall River is open to young people between the ages of 16 to 24 who are out of school, undereducated and/or unemployed or under-employed
Bristol Community College Adult Basic Education Program
Agency: Bristol Community College
Address: 777 Elsbree Street
Fall River, MA 02720
Hours of Operation: Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Contact: 508-678-2811 extension 2373
TDD: 508-730-3269
www.bristol.mass.edu/abe
Purpose:
The Fall River ABE Program offers classes for adults who would like to improve their basic English, reading, writing and math skills, and study for the GED test. The program seeks to support the literacy needs of students in their roles of parent, worker, citizen, and lifelong learner.
Services/Resources:
• Free day and evening classes
• Tutoring services for enrolled learners
• Individual assessment
• Access to BCC services and activities
• Computer literacy
• College study workshops
• Educational advisement
• Career exploration
• Non-credit tuition based courses
• Employability skills
Services are offered in multiple community locations.
Eligibility:
Individuals 16 years of age or older who have not yet earned a high school diploma.
Fall River Housing Authority Agency: Fall River Housing Authority Address: 85 Morgan Street Fall River, MA 02721 Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Contact: 508-675-3526 Purpose: Interpreting and translation services for minority population. Services/Resources: Monthly tenant meeting
United Neighbors of Fall River Community Connections Coalition Agency: United Neighbors of Fall River Community Connections Coalition Address: 209 Bedford Street, Suite 403 Fall River, MA 02720 Contact: 508-324-7933 www.unitedneighborsoffallriver.org Purpose: Strengthening families community by community Services/Resources: • Welcome family bag project • Facts about foster care community placement project • Basic needs booklet • Resident advocacy
Stanley Street Treatment & Resources Agency: Stanley Street Treatment & Resources Address: 386 Stanley Street Fall River, MA 02720 Hours of Operation: Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Contact: 508-679-5222 Purpose: Stanley Street Treatment & Resources is committed to providing programs and services that offer understanding, help, support and hope to those in need. Services/Resources: • Inpatient Services • Outpatient Services • Project Aware • Medicall • SSTAR Birth • Family Healthcare
Mayor’s Office of Immigration Assistance Agency: City of Fall River Address: 1 Government Center- 6th Floor Fall River, MA 02722 Contact: 508-324-2600 Purpose: The Mayor’s Office of Immigration Assistance provides immigration and naturalization services. Services/Resources: • Help filling out applications • Assistance with immigration issues • Assistance with green card matters • Translation of birth and marriage certificates • Study guide for Citizenship/Naturalization • Services in Portuguese and Spanish
Citizens for Citizens Agency: Citizens for Citizens Address: 264 Griffen Street Fall River, MA 02724 Contact: Citizens for Citizens at 508-679-0041 or Early Head Start/Head Start at 508-675-2151 Purpose: Citizens for Citizens, Inc., (CFC) is a community action agency serving Greater Fall River. As an anti-poverty organization, we offer a broad range of programs and assistance aimed at meeting the needs of those communities in our service area. Services/Resources: • Energy Programs • Child Care Programs • Health Programs • Youth Programs • Senior Programs • Emergency Services • Head Start Early • Head Start
May Institute – Towne House Agency: May Institute-Towne House Address: 51 Purchase Street Fall River, MA 02720 Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Contact: 508-675-5888 extension 37 Purpose: Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services/Resources: • Job support • Job placement • Work adjustment training • Educational supports & placements • Liaison with MRC Eligibility: Age eighteen years or older Diagnosis of severe mental illness
Fall River Career Center Agency: Fall River Career Center Address: 446 North Main Street Fall River, MA 02720 Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Languages: English and Portuguese Contact: 508-730-5000 Services/Resources: • Individualized assessment and testing • Vocational counseling • Financial aid counseling • Unemployment insurance benefits • Computerized local, state, and national job listings • Job search workshops • Interviewing skills • Resume writing • Networking • Training information • Re-employment options • Labor market information • Job referral/job development/job placement assistance • Use of pc’s/printers/copier/fax machines
Stepping Stone Inc. Agency: Stepping Stone Inc Address: 466 North Main Street Fall River, MA 02720 House Resource Manager 508-674-2788 Proy @steppingstoneinc.org www.steppingstoneinc.org Purpose: Stepping Stone has an array of substance abuse treatment programs in the cities of Fall River and New Bedford. These programs offer residential, transitional, and permanent housing, ambulatory and emergency shelter services, and serve hundreds of individuals and families affected by substance abuse and/or homelessness each year. Services/Resources: • Permanent Housing with Supportive Services • Outpatient Program • Next Step Home Program • Specialized Services • Stone Residence Program • HIV/AIDS Residential Services • Ambulatory Services • Men’s Treatment Program • Women’s Treatment Program • Transition House • New Bedford Graduate program • First Step Inn Emergency Shelter • William B. Webster Graduate Program
Health First Family Care Center Inc. Agency: Health First Family Care Center Inc. Address: 102 County Street Fall River, MA 02723 (Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5069) Hours of Operation: Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Health Center 508-679-8111 Purpose: To provide quality, affordable health care to all residents of Greater Fall River, regardless of their ability to pay. Services/Resources: • Adult Pediatric Primary Care • Dental • Obstetrics Cardiology • Medical Case Management • Social Services • Nutrition • WIC program Eligibility: Everyone with an emphasis on uninsured, underinsured & those who would not otherwise have access to health care
Bristol Community College, http://www.bristol.mass.edu
Serves as an official GED preparation and testing center for the five part exam. For more information, contact 508-678-2811 ext. 2274.
The English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program assists individuals whose first language is not English. The program emphasizes speaking and listening fluency, reading and writing are offered for advanced level students, 508-678-2811 ext. 2076.
BCC offers flexible course schedules in the day, evening, and weekends with an extensive number of course offerings in areas such as business, computers, health sciences
My-Turn- offers free GED Test Preparation, free career counseling, and free job placement for individuals aged 16-21. The program is located at the Career Center in Fall River, 446 North Main Street, 508-730-5051.
DIMAN- http://www.dimanregional.org/continuing_ed.asp Evening LPN program. Low-cost training in career programs including construction safety, computers for beginners, automotive maintenance, basic woodworking, and more.
The Salter School- http://www.salterschool.com/Campuses_Programs/Fall_River/42 One of four campuses, the Salter School in Fall River offers programs in massage therapy, medical assistant, and health claims specialist.
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth- http://www.umassd.edu/pce/fallriver/information.cfm Has a satellite campus at the Fall River Center for their Professional & Continuing Education Program and the main campus is located in North Dartmouth http://www.umassd.edu.
Heathcare Staffing and Training- To earn CNA, 508-672-6800.
Real Estate Schools - One option is Anjos Realty Institute, 508-995-3038. Earn your license through a 4-6 week program with a test at the conclusion of training.
FINANCIAL AID: Topic- Marital Status and Financial Aid
The marital status of the student's parents is one of the most important and complex issues affecting the filing of financial aid applications for many dependent students each year. Federal guidelines dictate which parent(s) needs to complete the FAFSA.
Dependent students are required to submit parental information on FAFSA. In the case that both natural parents are alive but not currently married, questions often arise. Consider the following scenarios when trying to determine who should provide financial information on the FAFSA.
Scenario #1: The dependent student lives with BOTH natural parents who are currently married. In this case, you check the box on the marital status question on the FAFSA for "Married/Remarried" and BOTH parents are required to submit their financial information.
Scenario #2: The dependent student lives with one natural parent who is not currently married. Check the appropriate box on the marital status question-"Single," "Separated/ Divorced" or "Widowed"-and ONLY the custodial parent has to complete the FAFSA. The federal definition of "custodial-parent" is the parent with whom the student lived most of the year. In the case of joint custody, where the student lived equally with both parents, the custodial parent is the parent who provided at least one dollar more in total support for the student.
Scenario #3: The dependent student lives with one natural parent who is currently married. Check the box on the marital status question for "Married/Remarried" and BOTH the custodial parent AND the step-parent must complete the FAFSA.
If a student is also required to file the CSS/Profile®, the non-custodial parent and his or her spouse may be expected to submit a Non-Custodial Parent Form online. Colleges can advise you about their individual policies regarding this situation. Remember that any information a college collects through the CSS/Profile® or any CSS/Profile® supplement can only be used to determine distribution of institutional funds. The CSS/Profile® information will not impact eligibility for federal or state financial aid.
The above information is intended as a guideline for the financial aid application process. You may request additional information regarding filing requirements directly from the college, or if a personal situation warrants it, a meeting with a member of the financial aid staff may be requested.
Guidance Counselors play a role in meeting the special education needs of your son or daughter. Counselors are responsible for working with the special education department to make sure that students are placed into the appropriate classes. We offer inclusion classes (students are mainstreamed into regular classes and are assigned to special education teachers), self-contained classes (students are placed into academic subject classrooms entirely comprised of special education students), and behavioral classes (for students with behavioral concerns). If you believe that your son or daughter is struggling academically and may need special education services, you can contact the guidance counselor. The special education department can be contacted at 508-675-8121. At the Massachusetts Department of Education website, there is information about special education, including a booklet entitled "A Parent's Guide to Special Education". Any parent of a special education student should familiarize themselves with the content of the booklet, which can be retrieved at http://www.fcsn.org/parentguide/pgintro.html or see the guidance counselor for a copy.
Back to top Back to home page
Please send correspondence to: 360 Elsbree Street, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720