Cedar High School
February Newsletter
Events scheduled for February 2024
Here are some important dates this month!!!:
February 6 - All High Schools Parent Night at SHS
February 7 - Conference Day.
February 13 - WIDA testing.
February 14 - PLC Day, 1.5 hour early release.
February 14 - Valentine's Day
February 19 - President's Day
February 19 & 20 - No School, Mid-Winter Break.
February 22 - Parent/Family Education Night @ Olympic Middle School 5:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Upcoming dates in March
March 1 - 3 hour early release day - staff training
March 6 - 1.5 hour early release day
March 13 - 3 hour early release day
March 14 - 3rd trimester begins
March 19 through 22 - 3 hour early release days - conferences
March 26 - STAMP testing
Advisory Updates: February is for finishing!
All students should finish their YouScience inventory (and be able to share it with folks at home).
Before the end of 2nd trimester, all My School Data must be updated and practiced for presentations at conferences that will be held March 19-22nd.
March 13th is our Senior Presentation day. We celebrate and highlight the graduation planning for our class of 2024. Seniors will present their High School and Beyond plans to all 9th-11th grades.
Thank you for your attendance at our Running Start Information Session last week. If we missed you, 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. Stop by Susie’s for a To Do list to get you started.
Cedar Ambassadors are heading out to OBJH, Pioneer, Hood Canal, Grapeview, and Griffin to let 8th graders know about our cool school and their opportunities here. Feb. 6th from 6pm-7pm, please encourage folks you know to join us as we highlight the options in Shelton for high school students.
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.
This very, very cool thing is happening, and you may not even be aware. I am just catching up for sure.
ALL 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-families
Students 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)