Counselor Connection
January 2021
January: Everything Is Possible
The Everything Is Possible Mindset teaches that we are all capable of living extraordinary lives. Everything which exists today was once just an idea until someone believed it was possible and took the actions to make it into reality. This is true with our lives as well – they become, in many ways, whatever we expect them to be.
Everything is Possible Weekly Learning Objectives:
Jan. 6-8: Dream big.
Jan. 11-15: Embrace creativity.
Jan. 18-22: Think positive.
Jan. 25-29: Act and adjust.
Come hang out us during our weekly Bison Mindset Minutes - every Wednesday at 11:45!
Check your grad plan to see your spring electives! Contact your counselor if you have questions!
Virtual College & Career Tech Sessions - January 2020
10am - Central Technology Center
11am - US Coast Guard
2pm - Gordon Cooper Technology Center
Friday, January 22nd
11am - Wyotech Technology Center
2pm - Oklahoma Panhandle State College
Friday, January 29th
11am - University of Tulsa
College and Workplace Ready Workshops
Financial Aide & Scholarship Information - Tuesday, January 12th at 12pm
Study Skills - Tuesday, January 19th at 12pm
Job Search Skills - Tuesday, January 26th at 12pm
Technology School Enrollment 2021-2022 - APPLY NOW!
Take control of your future and achieve your post high school career goals by enrolling in your local technology center. You can attend technology school at no cost as a junior or senior. Technology centers will start soon to register for next school year so contact your local technology center asap to apply.
You will attend the technology center served by the local school district in which you live. The map found here provides links to the technology center in your area. Technology centers provide quality learning environments preparing students for success in the workplace, in education, and in life. You can take advantage of this training and education to prepare for your future!
Visit OKCollegestart.org and click CAREER PLANNING to learn about yourself and explore careers you may be interested in. This site is designed for Oklahoma students to explore, plan and decide what career will work best for them. Then, visit your local technology center website to explore career paths, certification programs and courses offered.
Technology Center Enrollment Process
1. Register online or call the technology center to apply. The technology center will assist and guide you through the process. Let them know you attend Insight School of Oklahoma.
2. As soon as possible, email your counselor and let them know you will attend a technology center and send your official schedule when it is available (schedules may not be available until the school year begins next year). Your counselor will adjust your online class schedule and Grad Plan once they receive your official schedule.
Counselors may reduce the number of regular online courses while you attend technology school, if a student’s academic plan will allow. However, students must be able to meet graduation requirements.
Call or email your counselor if you have questions about enrolling in a technology center or if you need career path advisement.
Attention 11th Graders! HSLC @ OU - Applications Open November 5th!
HSLC is a three-day, two-night leadership experience that is specfically designed for high school juniors. Every Februrary, 300 students attend the conference at the University of Oklahoma. For the past 22 years, HSLC has made an impact on thousands of students from across the country.
For more information about this unique opportunity, check out the website and be sure to apply! https://www.ou.edu/sga/cac/events/hslc/about
OKLAHOMA'S PROMISE - SIGN UP DURING THE 8TH, 9TH, OR 10TH GRADE
Oklahoma’s Promise allows students whose families earn $55,000 or less annually, and who meet academic and conduct requirements to earn a college tuition scholarship. This means that once you have applied, if you qualify, you can go to any college or university in the state of Oklahoma tuition free! OK Promise covers your tuition at any college or university in Oklahoma.
Created in 1992 by the Legislature to help more Oklahoma families send their children to college, Oklahoma’s Promise was originally designated as the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP). The program is administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
ESA Foundation Scholarships
ESA International is an organization founded in 1929 and is a leadership and service organization. The ESA Foundation is a 501(c)3 public foundation established in 1970 as an organization with the purpose of promoting continuing education and charitable activities.
ESAF offers more than 200 scholarships each year. They do not allow their scholarship program to be advertised or used by companies that charge for scholarship information. ESA Foundation Scholarships are awarded based on individual scholarship criteria. Some scholarships have requirements for GPA and/or field of study.
While the website filters applications based on selections made, it is important to review the specific criteria for each scholarship prior to applying. Personal letters should be written with these criteria in mind, as scholarship judges will review these items.
Information about scholarship requirements and applications are available on the ESA website: here.
The application submission process is done online. To find scholarships currently available, click on the current list of ESA Foundation Scholarships available by the state in which the student resides. Click on the state to learn which scholarships are available.
Completed applications are accepted online beginning September 1, 2020 and ending February 1, 2021 at 11 PM MST to be considered for the scholarships this academic year.
Youth Leadership Oklahoma
YLOK Class 21 Referral
If you are a high school Junior during the 2020-2021 school year and would like to be contacted when the application for YLOK Class 21 is open, please complete the referral form.
When the Application for Selection becomes available, we will contact you and/or your referral with an application packet and a personal invitation to apply. We appreciate your interest in Youth Leadership Oklahoma Class 21!
Click here to fill out YLOK Class 21 Referral Form
Questions? Contact lok@leadershipoklahoma.com
YLOK APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be high school juniors or home-schooled equivalent.
Applicants must live in Oklahoma.
Applicants must have at least a 3.25 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
Class members must attend the program week in its entirety, Sunday through Friday.
Class members must agree to abide by all Leadership Oklahoma policies and procedures.
Class members must make their own arrangements to travel to and from Oklahoma City to start and end the program. Transportation during the program is provided.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications must be received in the Leadership Oklahoma office no later than 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date. All applications can be submitted by mail, FED EX, UPS or hand delivered to the Leadership Oklahoma office. Emailed applications will be accepted but hard copies are preferred.
When mailing the application, please send four (4) applications to Youth Leadership Oklahoma: one (1) original and three (3) copies of the application.
Other than the one recommendation letter required and the reference form, no attachments are permitted. The recommendation letter and the reference form can be included with the application packet or sent directly to the Leadership Oklahoma office.
Applications must be typed and complete to be considered. Applicants download the application and reference form from the links above.
Please do not fold applications. They should be mailed in a 9×12 envelope.
The Youth Leadership Oklahoma selection committee will select approximately 50 participants based upon demonstrated leadership as well as gender, ethnic and geographic diversity.
Letters notifying applicants of the selection committee results will be mailed in March of the application year.
FAFSA EXPLAINED IN 2 MINUTES
ACT FEE WAIVERS AVAILABLE FOR OVCA STUDENTS!
OVCA has a limited number of ACT Fee Waivers available for current seniors that would like to take the ACT. Seniors should email their school counselor with the test date and test location they are wanting to register for to receive a fee waiver code.
Any Junior or Senior that qualifies for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program is also eligible to receive an ACT Fee Waiver for up to 2 tests. This is separate from the above mentioned waivers. Students should email their school counselor for more information regarding the Free/Reduced Lunch ACT Waivers.
Any Native American student in grades 10, 11, or 12 may also qualify for an ACT fee waiver or reimbursement. Students should contact their specific tribal office for more information.
The ACT is offered nationally multiple times per year. The National ACT takes place on a Saturday, typically from 8am-12pm. There are various test locations around the state. To register for a National ACT students need to visit www.act.org to create an account. During the registration process you will be able to select the test date and test location of your choice. Fee Waiver Codes are entered on the payment screen during the registration process. *The National ACT is separate from the State ACT that is required for all 11th graders in the State of Oklahoma for graduation. The State ACT is scheduled to happen in April 2021 pending any changes mandated by the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
School Counselor Open Office Hour will be held every Wednesday from 3:00-4:00pm. Check your CC Schedule for the link!
The Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access educational programs and activities. As required by Title IX, the Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy does not discriminate on the basis of gender, in its educational programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the Title IX non-discrimination matters:
- Angie Foust, Title IX Coordinator, afoust@okvirtual.org, (405) 259-9478 ext 2069, 1160 S Douglas, Midwest City, OK 73130
- Additionally, you may contact the Office of Civil Rights by calling 1-800-421-3481.