ON Student Services Newsletter
April 2021
Having tech issues?
Link Crew (2021-22)
The application is now available for any current 10th and 11th grade student interested in being part of Link Crew next year to welcome incoming 9th graders to ON and help them learn the ropes of high school. The link to apply is here and the deadline is midnight on Friday, April 9th. Don’t want until the last minute because there is a 30 second video that must be submitted along with the application. Any questions can be directed to Mrs. Fogt or Ms. Etherton.
OATC (Sophomores and Juniors Only)
There are still a few openings in some OATC programs. If you are interested in any programs listed below, email Ms. Wartick at mawartick@olatheschools.org.
Auto Collision
Aviation Electronics
Animal Science & Research
CNA Evening
EMS
Healthcare
Xello (Parents)
Xello is an online K-12 program that prepares students for college and career success. It's the only education software that's been built to encourage student engagement by personalizing the planning experience and ensuring that every student develops the skills and knowledge they'll need to succeed. Encourage your student to show you the Xello website and all the options and information available to explore future employment and career opportunities.
ACT Tip of the Month
Read the question carefully.
- Answer the right question. Reread the question to make sure you have answered the right question. The perfectly wrong answers will be there to trick you.
- Watch a question’s wording.
- Look for limiting words such as not or least.
Power Prep ACT Class
Power Prep Inc, will be offering an ACT prep class for students preparing to take the ACT. This will be held on Friday, April 16th. Olathe North is offering a $20 discount for all North students that sign up. Normally the class is $85 but this would make it $65.
Please see the link for more information and to register: http://actprep.info/olathenorth
ACT Testing Information
Who should take the ACT?
Any student planning on attending a 4-year university. Many schools have waived the ACT scores for the class of 2021 however, it is still required for many scholarships at universities. It is unclear at this time, what will be decided for the class of 2022.
When should I start taking the ACT?
We recommend starting by the end of Sophomore year. The June test is a great test to get started in the process. For an additional $20 students can get a copy of the test booklet and their answers about a month after they take the test. This is a great learning tool to see areas where you need to make improvements. The test information release is offered for the April, June, and December tests.
Most students will take the ACT 3 times. We also recommend being finished by the end of the summer before Senior year in taking the test. The ACT is offered in June, July, September, October, December, and April each year.
What should you do to get ready for the test?
Practice! Research has shown the more you look at the test and prepare the better you will do. We also recommend taking a prep test.
How does a student register for the ACT?
Students will need to register for the ACT at www.actstudent.org. They will need to set up an account to register and pay for an exam. Students on free/reduced lunches can talk to a counselor and use an ACT waiver for 2 free exams. This account will be where students will check their testing location and confirm their registration.
April Scholarship Info
Code Wizards HQ Educational Scholarship-$2,500-1 Award Deadline: May 1, 2021
Student must be a high school senior with at least a 3.5 GPA and be planning to study in a STEM program.
Brower Youth Award-$3,000-6 Awards Deadline: May 14, 2021
Student must be a youth environmental change leader living in North America and be between the ages of 13 and 22.
https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/9545/brower_youth_award_scholarship.php
From Ms. Taylor, College Advisor
QUICK UPDATES!
- DECISION DAY!!!!!!- This year’s Decision Day will take place May 7 during Seminar… FLYER COMING SOON
- Upcoming Workshops- College Application Workshop on April 8 during Seminar- sign up here and Financial Aid Award Letter Workshop on April 21 during Seminar- sign up here
- Upcoming Workshops- College Application Workshop on April 8 during Seminar- sign up here and Financial Aid Award Letter Workshop on April 21 during Seminar- sign up here
- College Admissions- Several colleges have changed their admissions and deposit deadlines. Use this link to find out more information.
- Virtual Campus Tours- Can't visit a school?! Check out a virtual campus tour using this link.
- Upcoming ACT Exams- June 12 (register by May 7) and July 17 (register by June 18)
Senior Checklist!
- April
- Review Financial Aid award letter with Ms. Taylor
- Accept/Deny financial aid from college
- Limit final college decisions
- Submit Housing application (if applicable)
- Register for Orientation with college
- Apply for community colleges and universities
- Take ACCUPLACER (if attending a community college(
- Apply for scholarships, scholarships, scholarships!!!!
- Register for June 12 ACT
- Check out OlatheNorthCCC website for post-secondary information
Financial Aid
- Financial Aid packages with scholarships, grants, and loans are currently being sent out electronically or in the mail by colleges. If you have any questions or would like me to help you go over it, please let me know.
Other- JCCC Senior Sessions
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!
Admissions insights from John Hopkins University
Admissions insights
As you’re receiving questions from students and families about applying to colleges this year, we wanted to share a series of helpful videos that break down the different pieces of the holistic admissions review process.
The personal statement
Different perspectives and identities create a thriving campus community, and we want to know what your students might bring to ours. Within the application, the personal statement is the place for them to let their voices shine through and show us who they are as individuals.
Our Essays That Worked page is a great resource for finding essay tips and inspiration.
Transcripts
All official transcripts must be requested through Xello. Please see instructions below:
Olathe School District H.E.L.P. Clinic
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.
H.E.L.P. Clinic
Mill Creek Campus
300 E. Loula Street
Olathe, Kansas
913-780-7049
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
Emergency Resources
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255, Text: 741741
Johnson County Resource Connection: https://ims.jocogov.org/rc/default.aspx