Sunday, October 25, 2015

The Chatty Kathy: Volume 7, Number 2

Michigan College Application Week
The purpose of College Application Week is to help high school seniors navigate the college admissions process and ensure that each participating student submits at least one admissions application.  I do want to note that we define college as credentials beyond the high school diploma.  While some of our students will attend traditional four-year universities, many will attend community college or a trade school.  Whatever path our students decide to pursue, we want to support them in the process.  Special focus is placed on assisting students who would be the first in their families to attend college and students who may not have otherwise seriously considered applying to college.
 
Whitmore Lake is a proud host school again this year, and to celebrate our participation, we have several events planned for our entire student body (see Upcoming Events section below).  Although our seniors are the only Trojans actually applying to colleges right now, we want to establish and celebrate a college-going culture amongst all of our students. Why?  Because according to The Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce, by the year 2020, 62% of the jobs in Michigan will require post-secondary education.  Improving degree attainment, therefore, is key to remaining economically competitive in a globalized marketplace…as a country, as a state, as a community, and as a family. 
 
Please join us in celebrating College Application Week—talk to your son/daughter about his/her future plans, wear your spirit wear, tell your story!
 
Rake and Run
Friday, November 13, is Rake and Run, our school-wide community service project.  Please help make this annual event a success by encouraging your student to participate in this worthwhile endeavor and not allowing him/her to stay home.  The more student participation we have, the more yards we’ll be able to rake for our elderly residents.  Students should be sure to come prepared; they’ll need rakes, warm clothing, and money for lunch as we’ll be eating at local restaurants.  If you’re interested in chaperoning the event, please contact your student’s class sponsor:
7th Grade        Eric Kobeck                            eric.kobeck@wlps.net
8th Grade        Gena Conzelman                    gena.conzelman@wlps.net                            
Freshmen        Carrie Betz                             carrie.betz@wlps.net
Sophomores    Anna Rickard                         anna.rickard@wlps.net
Juniors            Kathy DeKeyser                     kathy.dekeyser@wlps.net
Seniors            Melissa Gordon                     melissa.gordon@wlps.net                    
 
Upcoming Events
College Application Week     
Students who participate in the dress up days and various activities throughout the week will have their names entered into a raffle for prizes.
 
Monday, October 26—College Apparel Day:  Teachers will be sporting gear from their alma mater and sharing their college stories with students on this day.  Students are encouraged to wear college apparel this day as well.
Tuesday, October 27—College Road Trip:  A group of seniors and juniors will be traveling to Alma College and Central Michigan University.
Wednesday, October 28—UM vs. MSU Day:  Students should show their support for the Wolverines or Spartans.  Seniors will be filling out applications and doing scholarship searches on this day.
Thursday, October 29—College Hat Day:  Students can pay $1 to wear a college hat for the day. Proceeds will go to support our Thanksgiving canned food drive.
Friday, October 30:  Celebration Day:  Seniors will celebrate the end of application season. Students who have completed at least one application by the end of the week will be entered in a raffle for prize baskets.
 
Picture Retake Day: Tuesday, October 27
If your student was absent on the original picture day, he/she will have an opportunity to have his/her picture taken on October 27. Envelopes are available in the HS office.  If your student had his/her picture taken but would like a retake, he/she should bring the original packet back and return it the photographer.
 
College Savings Plans Tuesday, October 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hamburg Township Library
College can be expensive, but there are many college savings options to consider, depending on your financial needs and preferences.  Join Barbara Clark and Michael Ford from Northwestern Mutual for this free information session to learn how to turn college aspirations into reality.  Register online at http://www.hamburglibrary.org/Events/adultevents.html.                            
 
Parent-Teacher Conferences: Wednesday, October 28, from 4:30-8:00 p.m.
 
Howell College and Technical Night: Wednesday, October 28 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Howell High School will host its annual College Night in the school’s cafeteria and commons area. The event is open to Howell High School students and parents as well as students and parents from neighboring districts. More than 50 colleges, universities, technical schools and the armed forces have already signed up to attend. 
 
College Prep Panel: Thursday, October 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hamburg Township Library
Learn all about the college admissions process, financial aid, academics, and student life.  There will be a panel of representatives from public, private, and community colleges to answer all of your questions.  Student attendance is encouraged with adult supervision if under 15.  Register online at http://www.hamburglibrary.org/Events/adultevents.html.
 
Financial Aid Night                            Wednesday, November 11, from 7:00-8:30 in the
                                                          WLHS library
 
Early College Alliance at Eastern Michigan University (ECA @ EMU) Informational Meeting
Thursday, November 12, from 6:30-8:00 in the HS Library
This program is for students who have completed their freshman year of high school.  To learn about this program prior to the meeting, visit the website at www.emich.edu/eca.
 
Washtenaw International High School (WIHI) Informational Meeting                                           
Wednesday, November 12, from 6:30-7:30 in Room A101
This program is for students who will be entering 9th grade next year.  To learn about this program prior to the meeting, visit the website at http://www.wihi.org.

Rake ‘n’ Run                                       Friday, November 13

Opportunities for Students
United Way Varsity Letter in Community Service:  The Varsity Letter in Community Service recognizes high school students for their outstanding volunteer work during the year by presenting them with a high school specific varsity letter in community service. Students participating in the program complete 145 hours of volunteer work from May 1 to April 30. All hours are verified by the Labor Participation Committee.  The basic requirements are as follows:

Be a student in grades 9-12 in Washtenaw County
Complete at least 145 hours of community service from May 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016 (only 3 hours per week!)
At least 50 of the total hours MUST be in non-school related activities
Have at least one school-related volunteer activity
All volunteer activities must be verifiable
All Varsity Letter Applicants are honored at a reception in early June.

For more information and to access the application packet, go to http://www.uwwashtenaw.org/sites/default/files/YU_LCSApp -04-29-10.doc.
 
Profile in Courage Essay Contest:  In honor of JFK’s political career, students are invited to participate in the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest. This program challenges students to consider the quality that JFK admired most in public life:  political courage.  Students in grades nine through twelve should submit an original and creative essay of 1000 words or less that demonstrates an understanding of political courage as described by JFK in his book Profiles in Courage.  The essay should describe and analyze an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1956.  The essay may focus on an issue at the local, state, national, or international level.  Students must use at least five varied sources and are encouraged to use primary source material.  The deadline for submission is January 6, 2016.  For complete guidelines, visit http://www.jfklibrary.org/Education/Profile-in-Courage-Essay-Contest.aspx.

Opportunities for Parents
Luncheon Lecture Series 2015-2016—Barriers to Engagement and Learning for Children and Youth:  How to Help
The Washtenaw Area Council for Children, Safe Kids, Strong Community is presenting the 2015-2016 Lecture Series Barriers to Engagement and Learning for Children and Youth:  How to Help.  The cost is $15 per lecture or $50 for the entire series (buffet lunch included).  All luncheon lectures take place from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the Washtenaw Intermediate School District, 1819 S. Wagner, Ann Arbor.  The dates are below.  For more information or to register, contact Marcia at Marcia@washtenawchildren.org or visit http://www.washtenawchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/LL-bro-2015.pdf.

Tuesday, November 24                       Don’t Bother Me, I’m Busy Being Angry
Tuesday, February 11                         When Social Media Becomes Anti-Social
Thursday, March 8                              How Complicated Lives Create Barriers       
 
Teens Using Drugs:  What to Know and What to Do
“Teens Using Drugs: What to Know and What to Do" is a free, two-part workshop series presented monthly in Ypsilanti.  It is designed to help parents, families, teens, and people who work with teens learn to understand and identify teen substance abuse problems and take appropriate, timely, and effective action to help.  Part 1 provides information on understanding and recognizing teen substance abuse.  Part 2 provides information on what should and should not be done to help when a teen substance abuse problem is suspected.  Part 2 includes a recovering teen speaker.  The program will be presented by a Dawn Farm or Growth Works therapist specializing in adolescent substance abuse.
 
The series is co-sponsored by Dawn Farm, the Livingston and Washtenaw Regional Coordinated School Health Program Council, and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System Greenbrook Recovery Center. All presentations are free and open to the public. Registration is not required.  The programs are presented at the Saint Joseph Mercy Health System Education Center, Classroom EC4 (second floor), 5305 Elliott Drive, Ypsilanti, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the first (Part 1) and second (Part 2) Tuesday evenings of each month from October, November, and January through June.  Free literature and resource information are provided as elective handouts. Ample free parking is available. Certificates to document attendance are available on request.
 
For additional information about the “Teens Using Drugs: What to Know and What to Do” workshop series, please contact Dawn Farm at 734.485.8725 or info@dawnfarm.org, or check the website at http://dawnfarm.org/programs/teens-using-drugs

Parenting Through Separation and Divorce
The University Center for the Child and the Family (UCCF) is offering a workshop to help parents understand their children’s needs as they face the challenges of separation and divorce.  It offers specific suggestions for creating the most beneficial post-divorce parenting relationships. The workshop is free and open to the public, and it is an approved alternative to the SMILE program presented by Friend of The Court.  It is held at the UM Center for the Child and the Family, which is located at 530 Church Street, UM East Hall, Suite 1465, Ann Arbor, MI.
 
This workshop is available October 5, November 2, December 7, February 1, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, and August 1.  Registration is required.  Please call 734.764.9466 to reserve a place.  Lectures are from 7:30-8:00 p.m.  Free parking is available in the UM Church Street structure.  For more information, visit http://mari.umich.edu/news-events/events-lectures/parenting-through-separation-and-divorce-20
 
For this month's Senior Supplement, click HERE.

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