ON Student Services Newsletter

KC Scholars is a local community organization whose mission is to make college a feasible option for all students. The organization offers three different types of scholarships: College Savings Match scholarships (9th graders), Traditional Scholarships (11th graders), and Adult Learner scholarships. These scholarships are designed to change the lives of low- and modest-income Kansas Citians by making their dreams a reality. The Traditional Scholarship for Juniors is worth up to $50,000 (!!!!)

To find out more information and to see if you qualify, please visit the Great Jobs KC website and select the 9th or 11th grade scholarship to read the requirements!

The scholarship applications are open NOW until February 28th, 2025.

WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITY:

If you ARE an eligible Freshman or Junior who would like to attend an application workshop, please fill out this Google form. The Junior workshop will take place during A/I on Monday, January 27th and the Freshman workshop will take place during A/I 1 and A/I 2 on Thursday, January 30th – both will be in the library.

Remember: You HAVE to ensure you are eligible, by following the instructions on the Google form (you may need parental help for this part) AND you have to complete the Google form in order to attend! If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Van Winkle at lvanwinkle@olatheschools.org!

The College Now enrollment opens Monday, January 20th and closes Friday, Feb 14th. This is a hard deadline. Your student should already have an active JCCC student account, but in case he/she did not take a class for credit in the Fall semester, the first step would be to complete a JCCC application. Please visit the ON College Now website for complete information, including links to everything you need: https://www.olatheschools.org/Page/8747.

Other things to note:

1. If you are looking for financial assistance, your student MUST apply for both the JCCC Grant and ALL Fund. Links to both can be found on the ON College Now website (scroll all the way to the bottom).
2. If your student is enrolled in AP Lit and wants to take Comp II through JCCC but did NOT take Comp I, he/she will need to upload proof that they scored a 3 or higher on the AP Lang exam last May. Directions for that are also on the ON College Now website referenced above.

Please reach out to Ms. Etherton with any questions!

Who should take the ACT?

Any student planning on attending a 4-year university. Many schools have waived the ACT for the class of 2025 however, it is still required for many scholarships at universities. For example: K-State has a smaller scholarship for GPA only and larger scholarships that need both GPA and ACT scores; KU just has GPA only scholarships. 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. However, for the 2024-2025 school year, Sophomores might want to delay taking the test until their Junior year-see below for more information.

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.

How is the ACT test changing?

Students will now have the option to take the test online. However, Olathe schools are continuing with the paper and pencil test only. If a student is interested in the online option, they will need to go to ACT’s website to look for testing locations that offer online testing.

Starting with the September 2025 test, the Science portion will be optional for all paper and pencil tests just like how the writing portion is currently optional. It is too soon to tell how colleges will handle this change. It will be important to check with each school of interest to see if they are going to require the science test or not. The test will also go from 3 hours to 2.

For current Seniors: you will be required to have the Science test

For current Juniors: you will need to continue to take the Science test-very few of you will still be taking it in September of Senior year when the changes start

For current Sophomores: If you take the test starting in June you will have Science. Starting in September of your Junior year Science will be optional. It might be to your advantage to wait until Fall of Junior year if you feel that Science will not be helpful to you.

For current Freshmen: Starting at end of Sophomore year means that your ACT test will not have Science.

What is Test Information Release?

For an additional $32 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 this year for September, December and February 2025 (this is all that is currently published).

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.

ACT Prep Class Opportunities for Spring 2025

• ON ACT free prep during Advisory-Academic Intervention. This class is offered on Thursdays: Jan 16th, Jan 30th, and Feb 20th. You must attend all sessions and for the complete hour (9:55-10:55). Sign-ups are available now and dates are subject to change.

• ACT Prep with Power Prep Inc. on Wednesday, May 28th from 8:30-12:55 pm. Class will be discounted for all North students. http://actprep.info/olathenorth.

Remember: prep and practice = confidence and a better score

KC Scholars - *Scholarship Opportunity for Freshmen/Juniors*

Ewing Marion Kauffman hoped to ensure a postsecondary education was possible for everyone, regardless of their income, age, or ethnicity. Through this, The Kauffman Foundation founded KC Scholars. KC Scholars is a local community organization whose mission is to make college a feasible option for all students.

The organization offers three different types of scholarships: College Savings Match scholarships (9th graders), Traditional Scholarships (11th graders), and Adult Learner scholarships. These scholarships are designed to change the lives of low- and modest-income Kansas Citians by making their dreams a reality. The Traditional Scholarship for

Juniors is worth up to $50,000 (!!!!)

To find out more information and to see if you qualify, please visit the Great Jobs KC website or schedule a meeting with Mr. Van Winkle (https://calendly.com/lvanwinkle).

The scholarship applications are open NOW until February 28th, 2025.

FAFSA IS OPEN:

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opened officially in November! Any college bound students who are eligible should file their FAFSA. Even if you believe that your family makes too much money to be offered anything from the federal government, many colleges require it to be on file for their institutional scholarships so fill it out, regardless! It is best to get it completed sooner rather than later to be considered for the most amount of aid.

To begin, the parent helping with the FAFSA AND the student will need an FSA ID. You can each create one HERE.

Once you have done that, you can file the FAFSA HERE! Make sure that you are filing for the 2025-2026 school year.

Additionally, please email Mr. Van Winkle at lvanwinkle@olatheschools.org once you have completed the FAFSA, letting him know that you have done so.

Upcoming ACT Dates:

• February 8, 2025 (Late Registration Deadline: January 24, 2025)
• April 5, 2025 (Last Day to Register: February 28, 2025)

January College Rep Visits:

• Tuesday, January 21st: Wichita State University

• Friday, January 24th: Pittsburg State University
• Monday, January 27th: University of Saint Mary
• Friday, January 31st: MidAmerica Nazarene University

Visits will be taking place during A/I on Mondays/Tuesdays/Fridays in the Library. You can sign up in Flex.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Van Winkle: mailto:lvanwinkle@olatheschools.org.

OLATHE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS due March 3, 2025

Applications are found at: https://www.olathepublicschoolsfoundation.org/students-parents/scholarships

The following scholarships are open to Olathe North seniors only:

The Calvin W. Mummert Vocational Scholarship will be awarded to one Olathe North student who plans to pursue studies in allied health, nursing, information technology, electrical technology, automotive technology, welding, HVAC, religious studies or social welfare.

The Kathy Musgrave Founders Sports Medicine & Exercise Science Academy Scholarship will award one scholarship to an Olathe North Sports Medicine and Exercise Science Academy participant who plans to pursue further education in a health-related field.

The Olathe High School Alumni Association Scholarship will be awarded to a student who demonstrates financial need and participated in at least one school club or activity.

Olathe North and South students who plan on pursuing a course of study in a science field are eligible for the Keith E. Barnes Memorial Scholarship.

The Ruth Ann Hackler Scholarship is open to Olathe North High School seniors who demonstrate financial need and who have taken at least one business class.

The Captain Ralph O. Bray, Jr. Scholarship will award one scholarship to an Olathe North senior pursuing studies in education, engineering, religious studies, social welfare or medicine.

The Ervin D. Wright II Memorial Scholarship will award two scholarships to students planning to continue their education at a 2-year, 4-year college or a technical school. The ideal candidate should be a Senior on the boys or girls wrestling team.

The Stowell Family Scholarship will be awarded to a Senior who has participated in the Arts, Sports, or other extracurricular activities and worked part-time.

New! The Adonis Knight Memorial Scholarship will award a scholarship to an Olathe North senior who plans to continue their education after college. Eligible students will be diverse and have participated in extracurricular activities. Priority consideration will be given to students with financial need.

The following scholarships are open to all Olathe seniors:

There are several scholarships available for students who plan on pursuing a career in education, including the Amelia Shears Scholarship, Olathe Public Schools-REA Scholarship, Inspire the Love of Learning: The Karen Eakin Family Scholarship and the Leon and Gretchen Brewer Memorial Scholarship.

The Jyotsna Garg M.U.F.F.I.N. Memorial Scholarship will award a $1,000 scholarship to an Olathe high school senior who plans to pursue an education in agriculture, horticulture, botany, photography, or the visual arts.

The Olathe Public Schools Alumni Association awards a scholarship to any Olathe Senior high school student who demonstrates strong ties to the Olathe school community.

The Brogden Family Debate and Forensics Scholarship will award a scholarship to students who participated in their high school Debate or Forensics program.

The Bustillo Scholarship will award a $500 scholarship to Olathe high school seniors who participated in the district’s ELL program and who plan to attend post-secondary schooling or training. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.

Olathe District custodial staff and their direct dependents are eligible for the Home Depot Pro Building a Better Future Scholarship.

The Kathleen Macoubrie Smith Scholarship recognizes the efforts of graduating seniors who plan to study English or Education with an emphasis in English at the University of Kansas.

The Green Scholarship will award a scholarship to any Olathe senior who plans on to pursuing a career in instrumental music education. The amount of the scholarship will be $20,000 over 4 years.

The Michelle Stortz Memorial Scholarship for students who attended Olathe’s Regency Place Elementary and plan to pursue a degree in childhood development.

The Azalia Morales OATC – CTE Scholarship is designed to encourage all graduates to pursue a post-secondary degree in a CTE area. One $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to any Olathe senior who has participated in CTE programs with the OATC and plans to pursue a post-secondary education in a CTE area.

The Chapter GR P.E.O. Scholarship is open to graduating females who have demonstrated community and school involvement.

Creighton Goddard Memorial Scholarship for Olathe Seniors who plan to complete a certification or associate degree in a technical program, including but not limited to construction trades, HVAC, electrician or plumbing.

Olathe seniors who have participated in the Olathe Public Schools Bridge to College Mentoring Cohort for Transitional Age Youth are encouraged to apply for the Charlie and Amy Wunsch H.O.P.E. Scholarship.

Getting 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/.

Many students who are going to a 2-year university take placement tests in place of the ACT or SAT. These tests can also be used when enrolling in College Now classes.

JCCC Testing Services offers two different placements test through scheduled on-campus appointments. The tests are not timed, and there is no charge.

STEPS TO TAKING THE A PLACEMENT TEST AT JCCC:

1. Enroll at JCCC and get a JCCC ID number: https://www.jccc.edu/admissions/apply/.
2. Once you have enrolled at JCCC, you can schedule a placement test and review the study materials: https://www.jccc.edu/student-resources/testing-centers/testing/.
3. Show up for your scheduled appointment with your JCCC ID and a current official photo ID.
4. Once you have completed your placement tests, you can access your scores here: https://www.jccc.edu/student-resources/testing-centers/testing/.

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.

See the directions below to request an official transcript or to view your unofficial transcript.

The H.E.L.P. Clinic's goal is to support Olathe parents and students with the education and training opportunities that will have a positive impact on the quality of a student's educational experiences and life, and Help Each Live Productively.

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.

HELP Clinic

Mill Creek Campus

300 E. Loula Street

Olathe, KS 66061

Phone: 913-780-7049

Email: HelpClinic@olatheschools.org.

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