Career Exploration

We are excited to launch our new college and career readiness software, Xello. This is a wonderful tool that students will use to build self-knowledge, personalized plans, critical life skills, and create their high school and Beyond Plan. Students will use the tool in their advisory class throughout the year. Students have access to Xello in the Google app waffle or use the clever app to access Xello.

Seniors

Financial Aid - See the Newsletter that went out on December 15, 2020

Applying to colleges - Students have been busy applying to colleges. Application deadlines are approaching (some have passed). January is a busy month in the college application world. Many of the State Public College and University applications are due in January. UW-Bothell Campus is due January 15, WWU, WSU due January 31. CWU, EWU, and Evergreen State College on February 1st.

Some colleges/universities have their own application, and some are using the Common App or Coalition App. You can find the school’s application by going to their website and looking for words such as “admissions” or “apply now.” In Washington, all Community and Tech schools use one application WA Community & Tech Colleges.

Scholarships - There are many local, state, and national scholarships to apply for. Please visit our website under OHHS > Learning > Counseling Resources >, scholarships. We will have a scholarship workshop in January. We will have a scholarship workshop for students on January 22nd after school from 2:30-3:30 in the Counseling Center.

Hey, Juniors, are you planning for Life after High School?

So often, students wait until their senior year to really start exploring their options for post-secondary education or training. Juniors should be taking steps now to prepare them for their pathway after high school. In February, we will have a Next Step Preparation in Advisory to discuss post-secondary planning. Here are some things Juniors should be doing now to prepare for their future beyond high school:

Want to get a head start in the scholarship process? Visit the College Board Opportunity Scholarships https://opportunity.collegeboard.org/.

• Explore Xello (app in student's school account) or College Board (www.collegeboard.org) to find educational programs that meet career interests.

• Take the ACT and/or SAT this spring if four-year college or university-bound.

• Register with the NCAA (www.ncaa.org) for student-athletes who plan on playing college sports.

• Visit college campuses during spring break or summer vacation.

• Start the application process this spring if interested in attending a military service academy.

• Speak with a recruiter if interested in enlisting in the military.

• Prepare a resume and evaluate extracurricular activities and leadership positions.

• Use summer vacation to gain work experience, complete an internship opportunity, or participate in a summer enrichment activity.

• Visit with Mrs. Kellison, College & Career Counselor, for assistance with post-secondary planning.

Testing

SAT and ACT Students applying for college admissions for fall 2021 do not need SAT and/or ACT scores. Colleges have either waived them or made them test-optional. Visit sat.org or act.org. Our next scheduled SAT will be May 8, 2021.

PSAT will be offered on January 26, 2021. The PSAT is used to determine eligibility and qualification for the National Merit Scholarship Program. It also serves as a practice test for the SAT. There is a limited number of seats due to the pandemic. Students will want to sign up with their student account: Sign up here. The fee is $20. Students eligible for free or reduced lunch can get a waiver. Priority will be given to juniors. Sophomores may take the exam if space is available. Students can prepare by taking a practice test: PSAT Practice Test.

ASVAB - will be February 2, 2021. Sign up here. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple-choice test administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States Armed Forces. ASVAB Practice Test

One of the strengths of the CharacterStrong curriculum is the relationships it builds between students to peers, students and school staff, students and family, and students and the greater community. This is done through intentional relationship-building activities that put a daily and weekly focus on what is most important to making this happen. We need to be reminded more than we need to be taught.

Interact Club is connected with one of the two Oak Harbor Rotary Clubs.

"Interact" stands for "international action," and according to the Interact Club handbook, there are 200,000 young people in more than 110 countries belonging to some 8,700 Interact Clubs.

Interact Club is for 14-18-year-olds. It allows young people to participate in fun, meaning service projects. Along the way, Interactors develop their leadership skills and initiative while meeting new friends.

Some service projects we have done in the past were:

- Volunteer at Hydro's for Hero's

- Volunteer at Walk of Honor Car Show

- Fill weekend food packs for elementary school students

- OHHS warm clothing drive

- OHHS Holiday-grams fundraiser

- Walk 4 Water Awareness walk-a-thon

Club Sponsor:

Emily Hilberdink
ehilberdink@ohsd.net

Email Mrs. Christensen for more information.

Check back soon for updates on the new senior ads timelines.

Shout out to Caitlin Dennen, Lola Chargualaf, Jake Swanson, and Casey (Jaedine) Cabigting, for their extra efforts in helping run swim camp— these 4 ohmazing swimmers co-coached our newer girls on the team in preparation for our hopeful season coming soon in 2021.

Pick up your child's school lunches Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Lunches are FREE to all students through the end of the school year! For more information and to see the menu, click the links below.