This is the final week to place your fruit sales order. If you would like to purchase some tasty fruit, meat or cheese to support the Prairie FFA, our members would appreciate it! All proceeds will go towards opportunities for students to develop premier leadership, personal growth, and career success.
You can order directly online by credit card, or connect with any Ag Student/ FFA member by Thursday, November 3rd.
https://sales.minntexcitrus.com/
Thank you for your support! Go Hawks!
Counselors met with Juniors in October to discuss college and career planning as well as discuss opportunities for their future. Here are the slides that were shared during the meetings: Junior Year 101 - October 11th.
Counselors will be meeting with Sophomores this coming week to discuss upcoming opportunities and planning for the future. Here are the slides that were shared during the meetings: Sophomore Year 101 - October 24th
Sophomores Students and Families,
Prairie High School will be offering sophomore students the opportunity to take the PreACT assessment on December 16. The test will take place at school starting at 9:15. Location is TBD. To sign up, students need to pay Mrs. Schmidt in the PHS School Store $17 by Nov. 4. No registrations will be taken after that date.
The PreACT is the practice version of the ACT. Historically, the ACT has been the college entrance assessment for students who plan on starting their college careers as freshmen at 4-year institutions. Although many 4-year institutions now provide alternatives to the ACT for admissions, students still can still use the PreACT and ACT for feedback on academic strengths and weaknesses, college admissions, and access to various financial aid opportunities.
This test is optional, but we would encourage all students who are considering post-high school futures that begin at 4-year institutions to take the PreACT.
Sign Up for Kirkwood
Kirkwood registration for second semester courses started this week. If you are interested in taking courses, please see Mr. Stoffer to sign up. The sooner that you sign up, the better chance you have in receiving the sections/professors that you want. The deadline to sign up is January 3, but we would encourage everyone to sign up before winter break. Here are a few things to consider:
1. Seniors - if Comp 2 is on your second semester schedule with Mrs Mullins, you do not need to register for that, you will do it the first few days of the semester.
2. If you are in an Academy at Linn Regional, you are already signed up for second semester courses.
3. If you have never applied to Kirkwood before, the instructions are linked below. Please do that before you stop in to sign up for sections.
4. Below is a linked course list that shows how the courses you select would transfer to Iowa, Iowa State, and UNI.
5. Prairie does not pay for Winter Term courses.
Scholarships
Fall Scholarship List - Make sure to check XELLO for the information and applications!
Events and Information
Testing Information
ICAN Support
- ICAN Financial Aid Resources (FAFSA)
- Call ICAN 877-272-4692 or visit www.icansucceed.org/apt to set up in person or virtual appointment
Student Planning Guides
Available NOW...
Mercy Urgent Mental Health Care
The start of the school year can cause some anxious feelings for students. This is common. But sometimes those feelings don’t settle down and start to impact life at school and at home.
Mercy Urgent Mental Health Care is available to all Prairie students and is conveniently located at the Mercy Prairie Creek office east of the Prairie Campus.
This service is free to all Prairie students and the referral process is simple. If you’d like more information or to schedule an appointment, please reach out to your student’s school counselor. All counselors’ contact information is available at this link.
We are grateful to the Mercy organization for their partnership with College Community Schools.
Sign-Up to attend a FAFSA Workshop: The FAFSA opens up on October 1, 2022. Submitting and completing the FAFSA is one of the single most important things you can do to open access to various forms and sources of financial aid. College admissions and financial aid professionals encourage all families, regardless of income, to submit and complete the FAFSA as there are financial aid opportunities for everyone. For example, Future Ready’s Last Dollar Scholarship covers any remaining gap between federal and state grants/scholarships and tuition and qualified fees for students enrolled in an eligible program, regardless of financial need! Questions or concerns? Contact Ms. Rawson at nrawson@crprairie.org or 319-848-5340 x 2061.
More events will be scheduled in November and December, stay tuned!
FAFSA Prep Checklist:
Both students AND a parent must create an FSA ID. An FSA ID is a username and password that will be used to access and sign the FAFSA electronically. The FSA ID will stay with you for life, so make sure to use an email that you will have access to after leaving PHS. Write down your username and password somewhere secure.
Start collecting the following documents:
Parent and Student SSN# or Alien Registration #'s
Parent 2021 federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned
Student 2021 federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned (if applicable)
Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
Upcoming College Visits
*While all students are encouraged to apply to attend the CCTC Visit Days, priority is given to juniors and senior level students who come from backgrounds or identities that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education including: first-generation students, students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, students who receive IEP services and/or students who are English Language Learners.
University of Northern Iowa- November 16, 2022
Join other students from around the state of Iowa for an exciting opportunity to experience the University of Northern Iowa on Wednesday, November 16, 2022! This day is designed to give you a chance to learn about the opportunities and services available at UNI. The day will include information about scholarships, student organizations, and the admission process. Apply by November 8, 2022 for priority consideration.
Have questions about college or career planning?
Reach out to Ms. Rawson at nrawson@crprairie.org or schedule an appointment here.
Have questions about college or career planning?
Reach out to Ms. Rawson at nrawson@crprairie.org or schedule an appointment here.
Internships and Tours Help Students Explore Careers in Manufacturing
This month we are focusing on Advanced Manufacturing Careers. This past summer in conjunction with the Workplace Learning Connection (WLC) internship program, Prairie student Takeshi Fottral, Class of '24, worked with MSI Mold Builders as a mechanical/design engineering intern. Throughout his experience, he learned about the company, the industry, and careers in this field.
“I liked the variety of things that I did at MSI Mold Builders,” Takeshi said. “I got involved on the shop floor and in project management. There are so many things to do from start to finish. I really liked how the internship was set up to show that range of work to high school interns.”
Takeshi worked alongside two Prairie High School and former WLC interns. Will Vlasek Class of '23, completed a WLC internship with MSI Mold Builders last spring, and continued working for MSI over the summer. Jake Smith, Class of '16 interned with WLC at MSI in the summer of 2014 and is employed there now. Jake mentored both Will and Takashi.
MSI Mold Builders has been a great WLC partner through the years. Beyond hosting interns, they also host a "Engineering and Machining Careers in Advanced Manufacturing" job shadow day. MSI leaders participate in career speaker events and career fairs, and this month they were a tour location as part of our Career Discovery Tours. Career Discovery Tours are designed to expand knowledge about manufacturing, engineering, and industrial technology careers. Area companies open their businesses to help students understand what’s created in Eastern Iowa. Students learn about applied science careers, training, resources, and the education required to gain employment in the industry.
Our second semester internship application process is underway and due October 28th. Juniors and Seniors are encouraged to consider this important exploration opportunity where you work in exchange for course credit. Check out 300+ job descriptions at www.workplace-learning.org. Please check in with Mary Gudenkauf in Career Services to learn more about jump-starting your future with an internship.
Please contact Mary Gudenkauf, Prairie High School Career Services for additional information and thank you for supporting this student-focused exploration program.
