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ON Student Services Newsletter
October 2023
Advanced Placement Exams
AP Exam registration is open, and the window closes Monday, Nov 6th. Please see the attachment with directions on how to register and pay OR how to indicate that you do NOT want to take the exam. You MUST do one or the other! The AP Exam schedule is also included on the attachment.
There are TWO STEPS required for registration: one through College Board and one through the Olathe Schools online payment program, Touch Base. Both MUST be taken care of before any exam(s) will be ordered for you!
Reach out to Ms. Etherton with any questions.
Donations Requested:
The counseling office is in need of snack donations to help students get through the day. We would love your help with helping our students. Please just label donations "counseling office," and drop them by anytime!
Here are some suggestions:
- Microwave mac and cheese
- Granola bars
- Cheese or Peanut butter crackers
- Pop tarts
- Individual cereal boxes
- Ramen
- Soup with pull tabs
- Fruit or applesauce cups or pouches
- Single serve chip packs
- Fruit snacks
- Beef jerky
- Drinks such as juice boxes, water bottles or drink flavor packets
ACT Testing Information
Who should take the ACT?
Any student planning on attending a 4-year university. Many schools have waived the ACT for the class of 2024 however, it is still required for many scholarships at universities. Schools are still deciding for future years. Please check with individual schools.
When should I start taking the ACT?
We recommend starting by the end of Sophomore year. The June test is a great test to get started in the process. For an additional $30 students can get an electronic copy of the test booklet and their answers about a month after they take the test. This is a great learning tool to see areas where you need to make improvements. The test information release is offered for the April, June, and December tests.
Most students will take the ACT 3 times. We also recommend being finished by the end of the summer before Senior year in taking the test. The ACT is offered in June, July, September, October, December, and April each year.
What should you do to get ready for the test?
Practice! Research has shown the more you look at the test and prepare the better you will do. We also recommend taking a prep test.
How does a student register for the ACT?
Students will need to register for the ACT at www.actstudent.org. They will need to set up an account to register and pay for an exam. Students on free/reduced lunches can talk to their counselor and use an ACT waiver for 2 free exams. This account will be where students will check their testing location and confirm their registration.
From Mr. Van Winkle, College Advisor
October 9th – October 13th will be COLLEGE APPLICATION WEEK! The week’s schedule is as follows:
- Monday, October 9th: College Application Workshop – Sign up HERE to attend.
- Tuesday, October 10th: Rockhurst University Rep Visit (10:40 AM – 11:10 AM in the College & Career Center in the Library) – Sign up HERE to attend.
- Wednesday, October 11th: Apply to College, Get a Prize Day (All Day, in the College & Career Center in the Library) – Seniors must prove to me that they have applied to college and in return they will get to pick out a prize. Prizes include college swag, coupons, candy, and more.
- Thursday, October 12th: College Colors Day – EVERYONE is invited to wear their college gear to support the Seniors as they work on their applications.
- Friday, October 13th: 1:1 Help with Mr. Van Winkle (8:00 AM-4:00 PM in Mr. Van Winkle’s Office, by phone, or via Zoom) – SENIOR FAMILIES, make sure to sign up HERE, as this is by appointment only. Please note that if the day no longer has openings when you try to schedule, Mr. Van Winkle is happy to meet with you any other day, at your convenience. Meetings can be with students/parents/any combination.
Upcoming ACT Dates:
- October 28, 2023 (Late Deadline to register is October 6th!)
- December 9, 2023 (Deadline to register is November 3rd!)
College Rep Visits:
Throughout the year, Olathe North will be hosting several representatives from different Colleges/Universities. They will meet with students, give some information about their school, answer questions, and maybe even bring some college swag.
Visits will be taking place during A/I on Mondays/Tuesdays/Fridays. You will be signed up for the visit through Flex.
- Monday, October 3, 2023 – Avila University
- Friday, October 6, 2023 – Quincy University
- Tuesday, October 10, 2023 – Rockhurst University
- Friday, October 27, 2023 – William Woods University
- Monday, October 30, 2023 – Northwest Missouri State University
- Tuesday, October 31, 2023 – University of Saint Mary
To sign up for any of these Rep Visits, fill out this Google Form or use the QR code on the flyer!
Forget to sign up? Check Flex on the morning of the visit to check if there are any spots open for you to join.
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Van Winkle via email (lvanwinkle@olatheschools.org), phone call, or stopping by his office.
DO YOU NEED TO TAKE THE ACCUPLACER TEST?
Accuplacer refers to a testing system that can be used to determine if post-secondary students have the skills and knowledge needed to start taking college-level courses, regardless of whether they're enrolling in a career-training or traditional college program. The purpose of the Accuplacer tests is to evaluate the mathematics, reading and writing skills of test-takers. Some individuals may also take the Accuplacer tests during high school to determine if they are ready to pursue postsecondary studies or to identify areas where they need to improve to be ready for college.
Many students who are going to a 2-year university take this test in place of the ACT or SAT. It can also be used when enrolling in College Now classes.
JCCC Testing Services offers the ACCUPLACER placement test through scheduled on-campus appointments. The test is not timed, and there is no charge.
STEPS TO TAKING THE ACCUPLACER:
- Enroll at JCCC and get a JCCC ID number: https://www.jccc.edu/admissions/enrollment/.
- Once you have enrolled at JCCC, you will be informed about when you need to take the Accuplacer test. You can schedule a test at https://www.jccc.edu/student-resources/testing-centers/testing/.
- Accuplacer study materials can be found here: https://studentportal.accuplacer.org/#/home.
- Show up for your scheduled appointment with your JCCC ID a current official photo ID. Score reports are available immediately after testing. You are allowed one retest during the dates specified by Testing Services.
For further information regarding scheduling or testing, you may contact Testing Services by email at testingservices@jccc.edu or by phone at 913-469-4439.
You can go to college - Bigfuture can help you get there!
Betting ready for college? Count on BigFuture to help out. BigFuture is the College Board’s free college planning tool, designed to support students like you from your first thoughts about college to your first day on campus. BigFuture will help you:
- Handle the college planning process.
- Find the college where you’ll thrive.
- Take a look at your interests and career options.
- Make informed choices.
- Discover your big future.
Check it out here: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/.
In case you missed it:
Scholarship Search Tools
Transcripts
All official transcripts must be requested through Xello. Please make sure that your due date is accurate. You can find instructions here.
If you would like a copy of your unofficial transcript for personal use, please request one from Mrs. McQuay in the counseling office.
Olathe School District H.E.L.P. Clinic
View the H.E.L.P. Clinic brochure in English (PDF)
Lea el panfleto acerca del H.E.L.P. Clinic en español (PDF)
Any situation that causes an interruption in the learning process is a serious educational concern. Students who are finding school difficult because of poor study skills, adjustment concerns, or relationships with others can find help through the clinic. Parents who want to learn more effective ways of encouraging and motivating children in school can also turn to the clinic.
The H.E.L.P. Clinic is a service provided by the Olathe Public Schools. All services are free of charge to any student enrolled in the Olathe Public Schools, either in a remote environment or onsite.
- Individual and family counseling consists of short-term counseling (six sessions) for students and their families.
- Small group counseling with other grade-level or near grade-level peers serve those who would thrive learning and growing from a group structure. Groups would meet for six sessions.
- Play therapy is a technique where the child's natural means of expression, namely play, is used as a therapeutic method to assist him/her in coping with stress or life difficulties. Play therapy is used effectively at the H.E.L.P. Clinic with children ages 5 to 8 years old. Play therapy may not be used with every child and is available on a limited basis.
The H.E.L.P. Clinic is staffed by professional school counselors, school psychologists, social workers and other school-based mental health providers. All clinicians are Olathe Public Schools employees or retired employees who have an active license in school mental health. These accredited and experienced professionals have a sincere interest in assisting students and families to better deal with challenges that impact students' abilities to achieve educational success.
Enrollment information is available in the brochure mentioned above.
The clinic is located in the Mill Creek Campus, 300 E. Loula Street, Olathe, Kansas. The phone number is 913-780-7049 and the email is HelpClinic@olatheschools.org.
Olathe North Student Counselors
Rachel Gunderson (Last Names A-D, SER, CBR, KSD): rmgunderson@olatheschools.org
Nicole Etherton (Last Names E- Li): nmetherton@olatheschools.org
Tammie Milke (Last Names Lo-Ri): tmilkeon@olatheschools.org
Carrie Parazin (Last Names Ro-Z): cnparazin@olatheschools.org
Samanta Landa (ELL, AVID): silanda@olatheschools.org
Logan Van Winkle (College Advisor): lvanwinkle@olatheschools.org