Desiree DeHaven & Jett Sebetka

Sydney Divoky & Jackson Baedke

Brigid Helgenberger & Connor Groff

Emma Keiper & Landon Ruby

Ava McMenomy & Logan Redig

Jacey Miller & Jack Wagemester

Mia Pendergast & Go Benesh

Caroline Rausch & Mason Trpkosh

Alexys Schares & Maddux Frese

Maya Shelangoski & Michael Reyes

Two PHS Seniors were named National Merit Semi-Finalists this week!

Congratulations to Elliott Bourgeous and Joshua Levering!

Elliott and Joshua were among the highest scorers on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Semi Final Qualifying Test in Iowa and top 1% in the nation. Finalists will be named in February, chosen after candidates submit an application detailing grades, community and leadership abilities, employment, honors and awards. CONGRATULATIONS!

All PHS Juniors were invited to attend the Eastern Iowa College Fair on Wednesday, September 14 where there were representatives from 70+ colleges and universities. Students had the opportunity to visit a college campus with many college and career advisors. See pictures for this awesome event.

Iowa State University CCTC Visit Day Application Now Open! Apply here!

Apply by September 21st for priority consideration

Join other Cedar Rapids area high school students for an exciting opportunity to experience Iowa State University on Wednesday, September 28th, 2022! This day is designed to give you a chance to learn about the opportunities and services available at Iowa State. The day will include information about scholarships, student organizations, and the admission process. *Please note that space is limited for this specific visit. This visit is designed for current seniors. If space allows, the visit will be opened up to eligible juniors. We will do our best to accommodate all who are interested. If you are not eligible or selected to go on this visit, there will be future opportunities to visit Iowa State. Priority will be given to students who submit this form by September 21st, 2022.

Eligibility Criteria:

- The CCTC Visit Day is open to students who come from backgrounds or identities that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education including: students of color, will be the first in their families to obtain a 4-year college degree, students from low-income backgrounds, students who receive IEP services and/or students who are English Language Learners

- Have a minimum 3.0 GPA

- Currently have a D or higher in all courses

Attention Senior Families: Prepare to complete the FAFSA! The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens October 1, 2022. The FAFSA is the form seniors will need to complete to be eligible for any financial aid from the federal government to help pay for college. Each year, over 13 million students who file the FAFSA get more than $120 billion in grants, work-study, and low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of Education. Many colleges will also use the FAFSA to determine which students get financial aid—and how much they’ll get.

FAFSA Prep Checklist:

1. Both students AND a parent must create an FSA ID. An FSA ID is a username and password that will be used to access and sign the FAFSA electronically. The FSA ID will stay with you for life, so make sure to use an email that you will have access to after leaving PHS. Write down your username and password somewhere secure.

2. Start collecting the following documents:

• Parent and Student SSN# or Alien Registration #'s

• Parent 2021 federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned

• Student 2021 federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned (if applicable)

• Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)

• Records of untaxed income (if applicable)

Prairie High School will be hosting FAFSA Workshops throughout the fall to support students and families in completing the FAFSA. Dates and registration information coming soon!

Iowa College Access Network’s (ICAN) “College Planning Week” will run September 19 - 25 and will culminate with the Golden Door College Fair in Altoona, IA on September 25th, 2022. Each night will highlight a grade level and feature speakers from ICAN, colleges and universities and current college students. Learn more and register at ICANsucceed.org/ontrack

• Tuesday, September 20th - Junior Night

• Wednesday, September 21st - Sophomore Night

• Thursday, September 22nd - Freshman Night
  
  

Have questions about college or career planning?

Reach out to Ms. Rawson at nrawson@crprairie.org or schedule an appointment here.

Senior Students and Families,

Thank you for attending the Senior presentations on Tuesday and Wednesday this past week. We shared information about FAFSA, college planning, scholarships, transcripts, and more.

Two of your XELLO lessons should be completed:

• 12th Grade Graduation Plan and ICAP Review Lesson
• Work/Life Balance

Seniors, please make sure to schedule a time to meet with your counselor in the next two weeks and make sure to fill out the attached Google Form.

Events and Information

• Volunteer Cord Process

Testing Information

• ACT Dates
• SAT Dates

ICAN Support

• ICAN Financial Aid Resources (FAFSA)
• Call ICAN 877-272-4692 or visit www.icansucceed.org/apt to set up in person or virtual appointment

Student Planning Guides

• ICAN Transition Guide
• ICAN College and Career Ready

Available NOW...

Mercy Urgent Mental Health Care

The start of the school year can cause some anxious feelings for students. This is common. But sometimes those feelings don’t settle down and start to impact life at school and at home.

Mercy Urgent Mental Health Care is available to all Prairie students and is conveniently located at the Mercy Prairie Creek office east of the Prairie Campus.

This service is free to all Prairie students and the referral process is simple. If you’d like more information or to schedule an appointment, please reach out to your student’s school counselor. All counselors’ contact information is available at this link.

We are grateful to the Mercy organization for their partnership with College Community Schools.

GT Students,

Please check your email or GT classroom to sign up for a beginning of the year meeting with me. We will discuss your goals for this year and ways that I can support you.

Thanks,

Mrs. Hoffman

Students, are you one of the 319 high schoolers who started an online application for a Workplace Learning Connection Job Shadow?

WHY SHOULD STUDENTS SIGN UP FOR A JOB SHADOW?

Participation in work-based learning experiences, such as job shadows and internships, gives students the opportunity to explore a career interest, discover local opportunities, gain confidence, build connections, and plan for their future. Students get all of this without any monetary commitment. We've found that these experiences also help increase motivation and improve retention while helping students develop responsibility, maturity, problem-solving skills, self-confidence, and self-discipline.

Shadows take place during the school day, 2-4 hours. Both in-person and virtual are offered.

Opportunities are divided into six pathways:

1. Agriculture/Food/Natural Resources

2. Science, Tech, Engineering & Manufacturing

3. Business, Finance, Marketing, Management

4. Health Sciences

5. Human Services

6. Information Solutions

Please contact Mary Gudenkauf, Prairie High School Career Services for additional information and thank you for supporting this student-focused exploration program.

mgudenkauf@crprairie.org

PHS Administration...

Mrs. Karla Hawley, Principal khawley@crprairie.org

Mr. Rocky Bennett, Athletic Director rbennett@crprairie.org

Mr. Travis Sprague, Associate Principal - tsprague@crprairie.org

Mr. Rich Jackson, Dean of Students (Last Names A-L) rjackson@crprairie.org

Mrs. Kelly Klekar, Dean of Students (Last Names M-Z) kklekar@crprairie.org

PHS Main Office and Dean's Complex...

Mrs. Brenda Haendler, Main Office 319.848.5340

Mrs. Lori Pleiness, Athletic Office 319.848.5350

Mrs. Debie Towe, Dean's Complex/Attendance 319.848.5360

Mrs. Angie Wagner, Dean's Complex 319.848.5340 x2052

Officer Janae Obbink, Student Resource Officer jobbink@crprairie.org

Mrs. Jackie Martin, Nurse 319.848.5340 x2011 jackiemartin@crprairie.org

PHS Student Services...

Mrs. Laura Fisher, Counseling Secretary 319.848.5344

Mrs. Angela Amunson, Counselor (Students with Last Names A-G) aamunson@crprairie.org

Mr. Mike Reshetar, Counselor (Students with Last Names H-O) mireshetar@crprairie.org

Mr. Clay Stoffer, Counselor (Students with Last Names P-Z) cstoffer@crprairie.org

Mrs. Erin Hoffman, Gifted and Talented Coordinator ehoffman@crprairie.org

Mrs. Nicole Rawson, Kirkwood: College and Career Transition Counselor. nrawson@crprairie.org

Mr. Nick Norris, Grades 7-12 Transition Specialist

Mrs. Mary Gudenkauf, Career Services: Internships & Job Shadows mgudenkauf@crprairie.org

Ms. Karinda Bacon, Counselor - Tanager Services

Ms. Kerry Kilker, Community Engagement Specialist