Connections Weekly Newsletter
April 12, 2024
Class of 2024
Wow, graduation is just around the corner! This week, I wanted to highlight our FAFSA completion rate and offer my assistance if you have any questions. I notice that although our college application rates have stayed about the same, FAFSA completion rates are down. The FAFSA allows colleges that receive federal funds to offer scholarships, grants, and work-study. I recognize that the FAFSA process has 1) been delayed, 2) the FAFSA results have been delayed to colleges, and 3) colleges may have delayed getting your financial aid offers back to you. IF you have any questions about initiating the FAFSA process, I am happy to help.
One of the ways that we build our scholarship list in Naviance for future TCA graduates is via the end-of-year survey in Naviance; I will be in classes in May to guide students through the process. We ask for your help by adding any scholarships offered to your graduate into Naviance. If it is a college-specific scholarship, please begin with the name of the college followed by the name of the scholarship. If it is based on GPA, you would add “XYZ Automatic Merit” along with the amount of the scholarship. Go to Naviance>College Home>Scholarships I am Applying to” and press the pink + button. Please help us build our listing for future students!
Class of 2025 - SAVE THE DATE, Rising Senior Family Night
On Tuesday, April 23, from 5:30-7:00 pm in the Lecture Hall, the Connections team will review our PWR (Post-Secondary and Workforce readiness) program and review the college application process. Regardless of future path choices, this evening is to review with families how to support their teens as our seniors finalize plans for after high school. Next year is all about implementing the plan! We look forward to seeing you there.
Class of 2026
Last week, sophomores completed their TCA2Life On Purpose survey in Naviance and then had time to explore resources as they strive to learn more about areas of interest. In the survey, students reflected on who they are and things that are important to them as they move forward with the future. Sophomores have spent the last two years in the exploration phase (what) for life after high school, so that as juniors and seniors they can focus on planning (how). The joy of learning has been a foundation for TCA since our beginning. Students need a habit of lifelong learning for future work. Students are encouraged to save a tracking spreadsheet to their OneDrive to keep track of cool opportunities. Students received an email with links for exploration, which is included here.
Save the Date
At TCA
Tuesday, April 23, 5:30-7:00 – Rising Senior Family Night. Lecture Hall
In the Community
Two job fairs geared toward ages 16-24 on 4/23 & 25. Fairs are held at local high schools and the Pikes Peak Workforce Center. Positions can be summer jobs, full-time, part-time, internships & apprenticeships. Register here.
Virtual
Sunday, April 21, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm – Spring NACAC Virtual College Fairs, Virtual fairs are free to attend.
Enrichment and Other Opportunities
Summer is a PERFECT time for students to explore their interests! There are many opportunities. Enrichment opportunities are in Naviance under the colleges tab. Internships are available for high school students. Colleges have many summer programs and scholarships are often available. Click here for more ideas.
Forte offers year-round online private lessons in voice, guitar, piano, violin, and more with instructors verified by the GRAMMYS, Aspen Music Festival and School, and the Royal College of Music.
The Global Online Academy offers summer classes; students select from over 20 popular courses, such as Computer Science I-II, Geometry, Medical Problem Solving, and Investing, in a convenient seven-week format.
Emagination STEM Camps offer two-week summer camp sessions with more than 20-course options focusing on areas including coding, video game design, engineering, and digital arts and media.
Sustainable Summer is a hands-on way for students to expand their knowledge of sustainability while making friends from all over the world who share their passion for the environment. They offer an intensive two-week program designed to develop students’ knowledge of sustainability concepts, problem-solving and leadership skills; and a deeper understanding of self.
The FIRE Free Speech Leadership Summit is a free, week-long summer program in Philadelphia for college-bound rising 9th through 12th graders interested in learning how free speech empowers us to solve real-world problems and achieve our full potential.
Qualia Global Scholars is a four-week, online, summer enrichment program led by Stanford University mentors. Scholars will learn, grow, innovate, and form a close-knit community as they work on their research projects, presentations, and research papers to transcend the frontiers of innovation and impact.
Clark University is hosting an Interactive Media/Game Design and Development program, which offers eight specialized tracks, allowing students to tailor their education to their interests and career goals. Whether students want to create games for entertainment or to help solve world problems (or both), the faculty will work alongside them as partners in their creativity.
Veritas AI is an online program to make AI accessible to high school students. Students learn the fundamentals of machine learning under expert mentors from universities like Harvard, MIT, and Stanford.
Young Founders Lab - Start-up Bootcamp is an incubator program for students to work under the guidance of mentors from places like Google, Microsoft, and Meta to build revenue-generating start-ups. Deadline to apply for the summer cohort is April 21.
The National Network of State Teachers of the Year is sponsoring a free Aspiring Educators Workshop for students interested in education. The event is on July 24 at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Apply quickly as spots are limited.
Landmark College is offering summer programs. Apply here.
Blackbird Studio offers three-day camps for students interested in learning more about the technical side of the music industry using the same gear and in the same rooms that professional engineers, producers, musicians, songwriters, and artists use. Musicians, music lovers, band members, home recorders, songwriters, singers, and students with a passion for building their music production skills are encouraged to attend.
Champlain College is offering residential Pre-College Summer Programs; in addition to academic classes, there will be classes for artists, innovators, gamers, hackers, audiophiles, and film buffs. Registration closes soon.
Elevate College Prep at Illinois Tech offers one-of-a-kind summer programs for middle school and high school students that both broaden their knowledge and expose them to trending industries such as robotics, game design, and artificial intelligence, as well as relevant topics in business, humanities, law, the sciences, and much more.
The UCSanDiego Extended Studies online and residential summer programs explore a rigorous curriculum encompassing the physical and social sciences, engineering, arts, and humanities. Deadline to apply is May 24.
The UCCS Pre-Collegiate Support & Success Center provides programs for students to help prepare them for their postsecondary journeys through workshops, dual enrollment, the College Experience Program and more.
Career Highlights - Mechatronic Engineers
Mechatronics Engineering, a combination of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science, offers students a breadth of skills and knowledge that prepares them for careers in a wide range of industries, especially in increasingly automated fields.
College Spotlights
Connections Center (Career & College)
Katina Dahl, Career and College Advisor - Freshmen, Sophomores, AP
Jodi Hoffman, Office Manager - Rep Visits, Community Service
Location: 975 Stout Road, Colorado Springs, CO
Phone: 719-484-0091 1104