"Fall into Your Future!"

School Counselors are meeting with junior students to discuss their post-secondary plans, specifically which route they will take after high school graduation. Parents, please check in with your student and ask them about their chat. If you have any questions, please contact your child's School Counselor at their campus.

• Junior Chats begin September 30th - October 18th

GPISD's Career and Technical Education Department (CTE) will be visiting 8th graders at our middle school campuses to showcase the CTE programs offered in high school. Please see the flyer here and talk with your student about the Programs of Studies that they are interested in.

Parents, can you believe the first grading period of the 24-25 school year has already ended? Time has flown by! The grading period officially closed on October 11, 2024. Please take a moment to review your student’s grades and work together on a plan to improve them as we aim for a strong finish on their first report card of the year. Be sure to discuss your household expectations around grades. Below are a few helpful links to guide the conversation.

View Grades

Set up grade notification emails

Did you know? AVID students are more likely to take advanced courses and graduate college-ready. The program helps students navigate the college application process, write personal statements, and apply for scholarships.

Next month SGP & GPHS students will participate in on the spot college admissions with the University of Texas A&M Texarkana.

SGP on November 6th & GPHS on November 12th. For more information about GPISD AVID visit: https://www.gpisd.org/Page/50185

AVID incorporates WICOR strategies (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading) to help students succeed. These research-based techniques boost classroom learning and critical thinking. This month’s focus is on organization. Students are encouraged to use organizational tools like binders, agendas, or folders, which can help them manage their assignments, stay on top of deadlines, and build habits that lead to academic success.

All AVID students grades 6th-12th are highly encouraged to complete at least 60 community service hours during the school year. Those who achieve this have the potential to earn recognition for their dedication to helping others. Find out more about PVSA eligibility below.

Volunteer Eligibility

• United States citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e., green card holder)
• Must be at least five years old
• Completes eligible service within a the 24/25 school year (for annual Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards) and over a lifetime (for Lifetime Achievement Awards)

Eligible Service:

• Unpaid acts of volunteer service benefitting others
  • Service through National service programs that provide a stipend (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) may count towards the Lifetime Achievement Award, but not for the annual Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards)
  • Travel stipends, transit/parking passes, membership passes, expense reimbursements, and other nominal volunteer support do not impact service eligibility

Eligible Service does not include:

• Donating funds
• Political lobbying (Non-partisan voter registration is an eligible activity)
• Religious instruction
• Conducting worship service
• Proselytizing
• Volunteer service performed as part of court-ordered community service
• Serving only family members

• Demonstrates commitment and leadership: Colleges value students who show dedication to causes outside the classroom. Volunteer work highlights a student’s initiative, leadership, and responsibility.
• Sets applicants apart: With many students competing for college spots, community service can help distinguish an applicant from others with similar academic records.
• Develops transferable skills: Volunteering builds skills like teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and time management, which are essential for college and beyond.
• Shows a well-rounded character: Colleges look for students who are not only academically strong but also care about their communities. Community service reflects empathy, compassion, and a sense of social responsibility.
• Helps with scholarships: Many scholarships, including those from colleges, organizations, and foundations, consider volunteer hours as a key criterion when awarding financial aid.
• Provides valuable experiences: Community service allows students to explore interests, gain real-world experience, and even discover potential career paths.
• Builds connections: Volunteering can also offer networking opportunities with community leaders and organizations, which may lead to mentorships or future opportunities.

College application deadlines vary by school, but here are some common deadlines:

• Early decision

  Typically due in early November, with schools responding in December. Early decision is a binding commitment, and you can't break it unless the early decision agreement allows it.

  
  

• Early action

  Typically due in November, with schools responding between December 1 and January 31. Some schools may wait until mid-February to respond.

  
  

• Regular decision

  Typically due in January, but can be in December or February. Schools typically send offer letters by March or April, with a deadline to accept in May.

  
  

• Rolling admission

  Typically runs from August to August

The 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form will be available to the public on or before Dec. 1, 2024.

How To Prepare for the 2025–26 FAFSA® Form

Prepare now so you can complete the 2025–26 FAFSA form as soon as it’s available on or before Dec. 1, 2024.

Here are some ways you can get ready:

• Create a StudentAid.gov account (if you don’t already have one).

• Learn about the documents you may need to fill out the FAFSA form.

• Determine your dependency status and whether your parent(s) or spouse will be required to contribute information on your FAFSA form.

• If you’re a dependent student, use the Who’s My FAFSA Parent? wizard to identify which parent(s) will be a required contributor on your form.

Participating DCP High Schools:

https://www.gpisd.org/gphigh

https://www.gpisd.org/southgphigh

https://www.gpisd.org/crosswinds

https://www.gpisd.org/dubiski

https://www.gpisd.org/finearts

Seniors are encouraged to apply to 5 or more scholarships each month.
• Most scholarships are based on MERIT, this means that students should focus on their academic performance and extracurriculars and community service.
• Lottery scholarships make sure that everyone who enters has an equal chance of winning.
• Community service is a major factor in standing out for scholarships, it also reflects a student's positive attributes and good values
• It is often better to start looking for scholarships before your senior year (mid junior year is ideal)
• Quality and perspective of an essay is more important than just technicalities
• If you do not meet the criteria for a scholarship, it is not recommended that you apply at all (anyone who doesn’t meet the requirements is typically disqualified immediately)
• You can apply for scholarships after you’ve already started college
• Be sure to look for scholarships outside of those allotted just through a specific school
• USE SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE CALENDARS FROM INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS

Welcome to The Athlete's Edge, your go-to resource for mental health and wellness tips tailored specifically for student athletes. In each edition, we’ll explore strategies to enhance your performance, balance your well-being, and tackle the unique challenges you face in your sport.

Click here to enjoy this October Newsletter

“What are the most important factors in college admissions?” CollegeData.com

Colleges are extremely open regarding the college admissions process for athletes. You just have to know where to go to find the information. Some of the important factors are:

• Grades in college prep courses. Ex. Texas College Bridge

• Grades in challenging courses. Ex. Advanced Placement courses, Dual Credit courses, and Advanced courses

• Admission test scores. Ex. Advanced Placement, SAT, or ACT scores

• Overall Grades. GPA plays an important role in the process when looking for well-rounded athletes.

• Other factors that may help students are:

• Extracurricular involvement in one or two activities and the level of the involvement

• Letters of recommendation from teachers and high school counselor

• Essays or writing samples that shows the applicant’s personality and character

• Genuine Interest in the institution by reaching out to the admission officer, interviewing well, and expressing your interest in attending the school

• Class Rank showing how you rank with your classmates. Very few colleges & universities are using rank to make the final decision

• Personal qualities of the applicant. Article-9 personality and Character Traits Colleges Look for in Applicants

Date: 11/03

Virtual Click Link to Join

NCAA's Fall Webinar for Student Athletes & Families

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jtnef6erx29x48e9scbkv/Guide-for-the-College-Bound-Student-2024-2025.pdf?rlkey=nl361ae8mn03dh2ngyl2yrabu&e=1&dl=0

We have moved from DialCare to Call4Care to help students facing behavioral or emotional concerns, including depression, anxiety, grief, bullying, and self-esteem issues. These services are provided to students in Kindergarten-12 grade. Call4Care provides other opportunities for family needs, like food, clothes/uniforms, and supplies/hygiene products. To get started, please call (972) 522-7070.

Visit the College & Career Hub website today!

Education Center

2602 S Beltline Road Grand Prairie, Texas 75052

Jereese H. Johnson

Email: jereese.johnson@gpisd.org

Patricia Calahan

Email: patricia.calahan@gpisd.org

Dr. Holly Mohler

Email: holly.mohler@gpisd.org

Email: ana.gonzalez@gpisd.org

Email: melissa.rodriguez@gpisd.org

Website: https://www.gpisd.org/Page/42249
Twitter: @GPCollegeReady