Cedar High School
April Newsletter
Events scheduled for April 2024
Here are some important dates this month!!!:
April 1 through 5 - Spring Break - No school
April 16- Environthon Team goes to their competition
April 17 - 1.5 hour early release day
April 25 - Student/Guardian Conference Day
April 30- ELA State test all 10th grade students and 11th and 12th who have not yet met a graduation pathway.
May 1- PLC
May 2- ELA State test all 10th grade students and 11th and 12th who have not yet met a graduation pathway.
May 7- Science assessment- All 11th grade students
May 14- Math State test all 10th grade students and 11th and 12th who have not yet met a graduation pathway.
May 15- 1.5 hour early release day
May 16- Math State test all 10th grade students and 11th and 12th who have not yet met a graduation pathway.
Upcoming dates in May 2024
May 1 - 1.5 hour early release day
May 15 - 1.5 hour early release day
May 22 - Student/Guardian Conference Day
May 27 - Memorial Day - No school
Welcome to Spring Break!
Of course we all need a break, but when we return April 8th, our need is to be ready to work collaboratively as our projects reflect our best work. It’s an exciting time and I am so glad we get to do this together. The goal, as always, is to share our Cedar Culture with each other and our Shelton community. Below are some updates to help this happen:
Advisory Updates: April, May, June
All Students
- Lunch Bunch starts after Spring Break in Abby’s room. Any and all students are welcome to join. The purpose is to have a confidential space to meet each Monday. Students are welcome to come and support each other to make positive changes and set hopeful goals. Students will need to be in and ready to start within 10 min so we have adequate time without disturbance. (this is a student initiated support)
- Summer school is for students behind in credits who can attend all dates. It will be held at SHS and transportation will be provided. Any student who did not pass an English, Social Studies, Math or Science course should plan on attending.
- Summer employment and extension opportunities can be found on the Cedar Counseling Connections website. Additionally, HOPE Garden will be on campus to share information. Also, Instagram @hopegarden for contact information.
- Yearbook support is welcomed and encouraged. Please contact Amber or Susie for more information.
Class of 2025 and 2026
- Running Start Information Sessions have been held and registration is currently happening. If you would still like to sign up for summer or next year, https://www.olympic.edu/student-life-support/enrollment-services/running-start is the place to start. Virtual information sessions are found here along with virtual office hours. Once you have an email of acceptance, sign up to see Susie for course recommendations. Course selection is dependent upon space availability, so do not delay.
- New Market Skills center has shared their application process and programs are filling up quickly.https://nmsc-registration.newmarketskills.org/fmi/webd/reg?homeurl=http://www.newmarketskills.org for juniors and seniors who are interested. Be sure and check with your advisor about your credit count and how this fits with our graduation requirements.
Class of 2024
- Confirmation of My School Data completion with Colleen is required for graduation.
- Personalized Pathway signatures must be on file if this is part of your graduation plan.
- Fuel Ed, either independently or through LEAP must be completed and transcripted.
- Senior club meets weekly to share information about graduation, senior plans and to build community.
- Watch for a senior survey to indicate your post secondary plans, any scholarships received, and final thoughts for the Cedar community.
- Scholarships are updated weekly. If you would like support after school to complete these, let Susie know and she can meet you during after school tutoring.
State Testing Information
4/30
ELA SBA CAT
5/1
PLC
5/2
ELA SBA PT
5/7
WCAS Science Assessment
5/14
SBAC Math Assessment
5/15
PLC and NTN Leadership meeting with Jose
5/16
SBAC Math Assessment
Future Forecasting:
Simpler, more generous 2024-25 financial aid applications are now available
A family of four making up to $120,500 may be eligible for aid.
Financial aid applications for this year’s graduating seniors are now available, although students and families should expect some technical issues for the time being. And it will take longer than usual for colleges to get and process applications and respond with financial aid awards.
Applications were delayed this year as updates were made to improve the FAFSA and WASFA forms and increase aid eligibility. In Washington, there are two ways to apply for financial aid. You should only complete one application—the FAFSA or the WASFA:
- FAFSA: Most people should complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA is used by U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens to apply for both state and federal financial aid. The new 2024-25 FAFSA has been released in a “soft launch.” Families may experience technical issues with the form over the next few weeks, but there’s no need to rush to apply—there is no deadline for state or federal financial aid.
- WASFA: The WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) is an application for state financial aid. The WASFA is for people who are not eligible to complete the FAFSA due to immigration status, defaulted federal loans, or other issues with federal aid. The new 2024-25 WASFA is now available.
Applying for financial aid is a crucial first step toward college or job training. Many families assume they won’t qualify, but there’s more help available than ever before. This year, a family of four making up to $120,500 can qualify for financial aid in Washington. The only way to know for sure if you’re eligible is to apply.
Learn more, get support, and apply for financial aid on WSAC's Apply page.
ALL of our students with a 3.0 GPA and meeting CADERS (CADERS ) will be admitted to Washington public universities participating in WAGAP (Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program) include Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, The Evergreen State College, University of Washington Tacoma, Washington State University and Western Washington University.
This is beginning now but would be expected to continue SO encouraging students to get and keep a 3.0 or higher is important.
https://councilofpresidents.org/_admissions/guaranteed-admissions-program-gap/#students-familiesStudents need to meet two criteria to be eligible for guaranteed admissions:
- A minimum GPA of 3.0
- Completion or on track to complete by fall 2024 all College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADRs)
If a student meets the criteria or is on track to meet the criteria by fall 2024, they are guaranteed admission to all six participating institutions. Students eligible who receive guaranteed admission must supply additional data as part of supplemental admissions application. The institutions are required by law to collect this additional data. Students are encouraged to engage in challenging high school coursework and maintain their high school GPA during their senior year to meet the guaranteed admission criteria.
If you have students who are not eligible for guaranteed admission but who want to go to college, are thinking of college or have not considered college, there is a place for them in Washington at one of the state’s public, four-year institutions. We want to welcome all students to our institutions.
Learn more about financial aid and how to complete the FAFSA/WAFSA, visit the Washington Student Achievement Council.
As ALWAYS, watch for scholarships for all grades on the Cedar Counseling Center site. It’s pretty much anything you are looking for as it relates to school can be found there. You may need help knowing where and I am always happy to assist.
Thanks for letting me work with your students!
Susie Honaker Wirzbicki (she/her)
Cedar High School NBCT School Counselor
I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.
Henry David Thoreau
Club Information
Native Club - A club dedicated to promoting awareness and education of Native American issues and culture.- Advisor- Luanne Bigbear (During Lunch- Tuesday)
Envirothon - A team where students attend competitions to test their ecology knowledge against other schools.- Advisor- Kurt Garrison (After School- Mondays)
Equality Club - Cedar’s club for students with a passion for social justice. Advisor- Colleen Kost (During Lunch- Thursday)
Voice Club - Voice club is working to create a student-run school newsletter. Advisor- Hannah Palmer (During Lunch- Friday)
Cedar Ambassadors - A group of student leaders who promote positive culture at Cedar and participate in promoting the school to the community. Advisor- Susie Honaker-Wirzbicki (During Lunch- Wednesday)
Senior Club - Just like it sounds, a club for our seniors! Advisor- Jeff Sumpter (During Lunch- Wednesday)
ASB - Associated Student Body. Student government. Advisor- Michael Dallas (Every other Thursday)
Yearbook- Students will learn about design and create the 23-24 yearbook. (Lunch and After school on Thursday)
SSD Budget Update
SSD Budget Update
The 2024-25 school year is fast approaching and we want families to be aware of important information about the budget for next school year.
We are currently facing a downward trend where there are fewer dollars for districts. As some of you may have heard, districts across Washington State are facing heavy budget cuts leading to staffing reductions and even closing schools.
As we enter the budget planning season, we are thoughtfully approaching each decision as budgets are built to minimize any impacts on student learning. While we are lean and need to stay lean in our spending, we are not facing an involuntary reduction in force or closing schools or programs.
Your patience and support mean a lot as we face these challenges together. Thank you for being part of the SSD community.