Counselors’ Corner December 2025

Counselors’ Corner

December 2025

The holiday season is upon us, and December is the month of hope, joy and anticipation of the new year. The School Counseling Department would like to recognize the incredible strength, resiliency, and perseverance demonstrated by our students, staff and families throughout the course of the year. December provides a powerful time where we can reflect on both the tears we’ve shed and the moments of pure happiness we’ve shared, reminding us of the positives in our lives. We hope that you are able to find joy in the simple things, those everyday blessings, for they can foster a stronger sense of happiness, health and courage to face adversity. We also want to express our deepest gratitude for your kindness and compassion toward others. Never underestimate how even the smallest acts of genuine care can profoundly impact someone else. It is our hope that we can continue to uplift each other as a community. During the holidays, and throughout the rest of the year, we encourage you to focus on the good in our lives and remain hopeful and optimistic of what is yet to come. 

We wish you hope, peace, and joy….Happy Holidays, 

Your School Counseling Department 

Daytona State College Senior Admissions Day 

Daytona State College Senior Admission Day is coming up! DSC Advisers will be in the MHS Media Center on Tuesday December 9th from 8:10am - 2:50pm to assist seniors who plan to attend DSC after graduation. They will help you to complete your admissions advising session and understand the enrollment process. Please note - This event is for 2026 high school graduates and is by appointment only.  

Please click HERE to make an appointment for your Advising Session. 

Please visit Ms. McQueen, the Guidance Secretary, in the Upper Spot to pick up a pass for your scheduled appointment time. If you have not done so already, please complete your Online Admissions Application before arriving at your scheduled advising appointment. Apply now with the event code MATANZAS26 to have the $15 application fee waived. 

Senior News 

Please bookmark and consistently check the Senior Page, MHS socials, Schoology and Parent Square for updates, important information, dates and deadlines. Don’t wait to order your cap and gown! Visit the Jostens website to order! For any questions about your cap and gown order or senior activities and events, please contact the Senior Sponsors, Ms. Alred (AlredB@flaglerschools.com; Rm 6-152) or Ms. Graifer (GraiferS@flaglerschools.com; Rm. 1-202) 

Florida Financial Aid Application (Bright Futures) 

Seniors, have you completed your Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA - Bright Futures Application)? In order to secure your award money Seniors MUST complete their FFAA application prior to graduation! The application only takes 5 minutes to complete! Completing this application opens a Bright Futures account for you, so that you can track your progress towards eligibility throughout the year - Be sure to follow the instructions provided to you when completing the application. See your Senior College & Career Prep Packet for instructions on how to complete the application. Remember that you need 100 volunteer and/or paid work hours posted to your transcript as part of the eligibility requirements for the top Bright Futures award. Please be sure to turn your community service sheets in to the Guidance Secretary! You need 100 volunteer and/or paid work hours as part of the eligibility requirements for the top Bright Futures award. Be sure to submit pay stubs or other evidence of paid work hours. 

Transcript Requests

Seniors, do you need to send your official transcript to a college, scholarship program, or other institution? Do you need an unofficial transcript for your own records to complete an application? Please visit the MHS Transcript Request Page for more information and to complete the Transcript Request Form.

Dual Enrollment Students

Please share your Daytona State College Spring course schedule with your school counselor, Ms. McQueen, and Ms. Freeman! This information is needed in order to place your DSC courses on your MHS schedule and for you to obtain your Spring DSC textbooks. The MHS internal deadline to complete your Spring Daytona State College Spring course selection and submit your form to DSC was November 15th 2025.

Be sure to return all of your Fall textbooks. It is Flagler Schools policy that students return all dual enrollment textbooks no later than one week after final exams for each term enrolled. No additional dual enrollment textbooks will be issued until all Fall books are returned or any financial obligations are paid. Visit the Dual Enrollment Books Page and follow the steps carefully to order your Spring textbooks.If you have any questions about the dual enrollment textbook process please contact the DSC bookstore at sm8566@bncollege.com or email/see the Guidance Secretary, in the Upper Spot for help (McQueenK@flaglerschools.com) 

Summer and Fall Daytona State College Dual Enrollment

If you’re planning on taking dual enrollment Daytona State College classes in the Summer and Fall of 2026, please save the important dates and deadlines below. 

Summer 2026

April 2nd - Registration for Summer 2026 begins

Summer enrollment is available to returning students only. Students new to the DSC Dual Enrollment program may not begin in the Summer semester.

April 30th - Flagler Schools internal deadline for Summer course registration 

Fall 2026

December - March 12th - New students must complete their application, orientation, new student advising session, and placement within this period. The course search opens in March, so students should be completed with all preliminary enrollment tasks in order to begin their course search once it opens. 

March 13th - April 1st - Review course search, plan schedules and select classes and possible alternates 

April 2nd - Registration for Fall 2026 begins

To be eligible for enrollment, students must have applied, met minimum testing requirements, planned classes with a DSC adviser, and be ready to submit completed forms 

May 15th - Flagler Schools internal deadline for Fall course registration 

 

Dual Enrollment Opportunities 

We offer dual enrollment opportunities, in which college credits can be earned through post-secondary institutions, including Daytona State College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Flagler Technical College, University of North Florida, and University of Florida. If you’re interested in dual enrolling, please review the program websites, and contact your school counselor to see if you’re eligible. 

Need Support? Your Counselors Are Here for You

As we close out the semester, we want to remind all students that the School Counseling Department is here to support you academically, socially, and emotionally. Whether you need help with grades, dual enrollment, postsecondary planning, or personal concerns — please make an appointment to meet with your school counselor.

How to Make an Appointment: Please visit the MHS School Counseling Appointment & Services Page to schedule an appointment with your school counselor:

Counselors’ Corner in the Sandbar During Both Lunches

Have a question for a school counselor? Need to talk through a situation or just get some advice? Stop by the Counselors’ Corner in the Sandbar during both lunches! A counselor will be available to help, listen, and support you—no appointment needed. Come say hi and see how they can help make your day a little smoother!

As we head into the holiday season and prepare for a fresh start in the new year, please know this:
You are never alone, and we are always here to help.

Your courage, kindness, and determination make our school community stronger each day. We encourage you to reach out, ask questions, seek support, and continue striving toward your goals.

We wish you a peaceful, joyful, and restorative winter break. Happy Holidays!

– Your School Counseling Department