ON Student Services Newsletter
November 2020
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From the District Office: Learning Environment Change for Second Semester (OPTIONAL)
At the start of the school year, we asked parents to choose the learning environment for their child(ren) for the first semester. At that time we shared that there would be an opportunity for parents to change the learning environment for their child(ren) for second semester. Parents interested in changing their child’s learning environment for second semester beginning January 2021 may do so between Oct. 26 and Nov. 6 at this link:
https://onbase.olatheschools.com/forms/remote_learning_selection.html
Parents may change their child’s learning mode from in-person to remote or from remote to in-person. During the first semester, there was some flexibility provided in terms of changing learning mode given the changes that were made after the registration period ended. Because of staffing challenges and changes that will be needed to accommodate those choosing to change learning modes for second semester, there will not be flexibility in changing once the window closes on November 6. Please give careful consideration to the needs and learning mode that will best suit you and your child(ren) for the rest of the year knowing that the decision is a commitment through May of 2021.
This learning environment changes will go into effect when second semester begins on Jan. 6. Parents will need to have their child’s student ID number to complete the electronic request at the link above. Please note this is optional and only parents who want to make a change from in-person to remote or from remote to in-person should fill out this form. Parents who want to continue with the same learning environment DO NOT need to fill out this form.
If you are unsure of your student’s ID number, you can locate it in ParentVUE by going to Student Info. This form will be available from Oct. 26- Nov. 6.
2nd Semester Elective Changes
Please take a moment to look at your 2nd semester schedule and fill out the form below if you would like to change any of your elective classes. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE A CORE CLASS, PLEASE EMAIL YOUR COUNSELOR DIRECTLY.
Due to COVID-19 staffing changes, we have limited course offerings, and we may not be able to honor all schedule change requests. Your teachers for some classes will change at semester. We are working hard to keep class sizes within limits, so we will not be able to honor requests to change teachers, hours, etc. Thank you for your understanding!
To request and elective change, fill out the form here no later than December 11.
Late Start/Early Release
SENIORS: If you would like to have 1-2 hours of early release or late start 2nd semester, you will need to apply by December 11. This includes students who have early release or late start 1st semester. To apply, fill out the form here, and make sure that your parent or guardian returns the form to your counselor by email before the deadline.
AP Test Registration
Registration is open through Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at 11:59 pm
1. STUDENTS must log on to their College Board account and make sure that all of the exams that they want to take are marked “YES-order exam” for each exam they will take. If students do NOT want to take an exam, they must email Mrs. Milke to change that status.
2. Log on to https://ks-olathe.intouchreceipting.com/
- Click on student
- Click on “Items at Student’s School”
- Click on “AP Tests”
- Add AP test(s) to cart
- Pay for test(s)
Any questions? Email Mrs. Milke at tmilkeon@olatheschools.org for help.
College Now
The deadline to enroll in College Now classes through JCCC was pushed back to Monday, November 9th BUT the deadline to take the ACCUPLACER placement exam or submit a placement waiver is this Friday, Oct 30th. Your teachers should have already shared enrollment info and CRN’s with you, but all info needed (directions to enroll, CRN’s, Financial Aid forms) can also be found on the ON Counseling website, which also has a direct link to JCCC’s College Now website.
There are 2 main changes in the College Now world this year that are important to know!
1. Students can now submit ACT scores directly to their JCCC student account if they are high enough to meet pre-requisites for certain classes. That process is outlined below:
Go to the College Now Testing Information Page, scroll down to the bottom and click on the blue “request placement waiver” button. From there, you can upload your ACT Score Report, which you should be able to download from your ACT account. If you have issues, you can also email Mrs. Sherraden at jasherraden@olatheschools.org for a copy of your official transcript and try that instead.
2. There are still 2 opportunities for Financial Aid, but this year the JCCC Grant can be submitted online directly to JCCC. If you apply for the All-Fund, you still MUST provide proof that you applied for the JCCC Grant and include that with your ALL Fund Application, which needs to be submitted directly to Mrs. Etherton (nmetherton@olatheschools.org) This proof can be in the form of a copy of the JCCC Grant OR a copy of the email from JCCC confirming that it was submitted.
Send any questions regrading College Now to Mrs. Etherton at nmetherton@olatheschools.org.
From Ms. Taylor, College Advisor
College Planning Checklists by grade level:
College Planning for 9th Graders
College Planning for 10th Graders
College Planning for 11th Graders
College Planning for 12th Graders
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- 2021-2022 FAFSA opens OCTOBER 1
- What is the FAFSA?
- FAFSA Steps
- FSA ID Steps
- FAFSA Document Checklist
Scholarship Info.
- bit.ly/onscholarships2020
- Bigfuturecollegeboard.org
- Olatheschools.org/scholarships
- Hdfkc.org/scholarships
- Collegegreenlight.com
November Senior Newsletter: https://sites.google.com/view/onccc/newsletter
Schedule Virtual Meeting with Ms. Taylor- https://calendly.com/mstaylor
College Rep Resource Center
If you are interested in exploring various colleges and connecting with representatives, check out Olathe West's College Rep. Center. College reps provide 2-3 minute videos giving basic information about their schools. From this site, you can connect directly to the college webpages and representatives. Thanks to OW for sharing this great resource!
Scholarship Corner
Opportunity for Black Women Scholarship $1,000- Deadline: November 11, 2020
To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:
- Be a high school senior or currently in college.
- Be a black woman in any field of study.
Applications can be found by going to: https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/17767
Elks Most Valuable Student Competition $50,000-Deadline: November 15, 2020
To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:
- Be any high school senior who is a citizen of the United States.
- Applicants need not be related to a member of the Elks.
Applications can be found by going to: https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/9716/elks
Lamber-Goodnow Scholarships $1,000-Deadline: December 1, 2020
To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:
- Be an innovative and highly creative high school or college student.
- Submit an essay that can demonstrate that you are a creative thinker and problem solver.
Applications can be found by going to: https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/12176
Knight Essay Scholarship $5,000-Deadline: December 31, 2020
To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:
- Be a US resident attending public, parochial, private, or home school.
- Be currently in grades 9-12.
Applications can be found by going to: https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/9437
Easton/NFAA Scholarship Program $5,000-Deadline: December 31, 2020
To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:
- High school applicants must be applying to be full time students at a two or four-year college/university or a technical training college.
Applications can be found by going to: https://www.studentscholarships.org/scholarship/12654
November Virtual College Visits
Pre-register for a Virtual Visit here.
11/2: Maryville University in Saint Louis
11/3: MidAmerica Nazarene University
11/4: William Jewell College
11/5: Grinnell College
11/9: St. John's College
11/11: Neosho County Community College
11/12: Washington University in St. Louis
11/16: Oklahoma State University
11/17: Emporia State University
11/18: University of Central Missouri
11/19: University of Iowa
11/23: University of Kansas
11/24: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
11/30: Central Methodist University
November Rep Visits will be from 3:15-4:00pm.
ACT Tip of the Month
- Pace yourself by wearing a watch. A big part of your score is your ability to pace yourself during the test.
- Use all available time given to you. Don’t finish the test sections early; go back and check your work. You have to keep your brain going!
ACT Prep Fall Opportunities
If you are taking the ACT in December, please consider doing some prep before you take the test. Research shows that preparing for the test can raise your composite score 3 points and sometimes more! Remember-the more practice you do the more comfortable you will be on test day.
Here are some Fall offerings:
- Prepworks online ACT Test Prep through the Olathe Schools: https://www.olatheschools.org/Page/10274
- https://powerprepinc.com/act-test-prep?category=Online
Remember you can also practice on retired tests. If you have taken the free ACT test prep classes at North and need more practice tests, please contact Mrs. Parazin and she can help you get some more practice tests. cnparazin@olatheschools.org
Transcripts
All official transcripts must be requested through Xello. Please see instructions below:
2020 A Year of Change
Olathe North Student Services Team
Angie Wartick (Last Names A-E): mawartick@olatheschools.org
Nicole Etherton (Last Names F-L): nmetherton@olatheschools.org
Tammie Milke (Last Names M-Q): tmilkeon@olatheschools.org
Carrie Parazin (Last Names R-Z): cnparazin@olatheschools.org
Rachel Gunderson (IEP, KSD, and International Students): rmgunderson@olatheschools.org
Brionna Taylor (College Advisor): bstaylor@olatheschools.org
Molly Askew (Student Wellness Advocate): msaskew@olatheschools.org
Erin Davis (School Psychologist): edavison@olatheschools.org
Matt Sidarous (School Psychologist): msidarouson@olatheschools.org
Kelley Hull (Social Worker): kfhull@olatheschools.org
Ben Mustain (Social Worker): Bmmustain@olatheschools.or
The H.E.L.P. Clinic's goal is to support Olathe parents and students with the education and training opportunities that will have a positive impact on the quality of a student's educational experiences and life, and Help Each Live Productively.
View the H.E.L.P. Clinic brochure in English (PDF)
View the H.E.L.P. Clinic brochure in Spanish (PDF)
Any situation that causes an interruption in the learning process is a serious educational concern. Students who are finding school difficult because of poor study skills, adjustment concerns, or relationships with others can find help through the clinic. Parents who want to learn more effective ways of encouraging and motivating children in school can also turn to the clinic.
The H.E.L.P. Clinic is a service provided by the Olathe Public Schools. All services are free of charge to any student enrolled in the Olathe Public Schools, either in a remote environment or onsite.
- Individual and family counseling consists of short-term counseling (six sessions) for students and their families.
- Small group counseling with other grade-level or near grade-level peers serve those who would thrive learning and growing from a group structure. Groups would meet for six sessions.
- Play therapy is a technique where the child's natural means of expression, namely play, is used as a therapeutic method to assist him/her in coping with stress or life difficulties. Play therapy is used effectively at the H.E.L.P. Clinic with children ages 5 to 8 years old. Play therapy may not be used with every child and is available on a limited basis.
The H.E.L.P. Clinic is staffed by professional school counselors, school psychologists, social workers and other school-based mental health providers. All clinicians are Olathe Public Schools employees or retired employees who have an active license in school mental health. These accredited and experienced professionals have a sincere interest in assisting students and families to better deal with challenges that impact students' abilities to achieve educational success.
Enrollment information is available in the brochure mentioned above.
The clinic is located in the Mill Creek Campus, 300 E. Loula Street, Olathe, Kansas. The phone number is 913-780-7049 and the email is HelpClinic@olatheschools.org.
Emergency Resources
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255, Text: 741741
Johnson County Resource Connection: https://ims.jocogov.org/rc/default.aspx