ON Student Services Newsletter
March 2024
OATC Openings for 2024-25
Hey, sophomores and juniors! Did you miss the OATC application window? Great news! The following programs still have spots for the 2024-25 school year:
- Animal Science and Research
- Culinary Arts
- Electronics and Avionics
The application will only reopen for a short period of time. If you’d like to know how to apply, reach out to Ms. Gunderson for more information ASAP!
Click here to learn more about OATC.
Presidential Volunteer Service Award
KU Pharmacy Camp
KU Pharmacy Summer Camp for high school students is now open for registration. This camp gives students a chance to see what the pharmacy profession is all about.
One-day camp dates are June 10, 12 & 14. Overnight camp is June 23-25.
Sign up or get more info at https://rockcha.lk/RxCamp.
From Mr. Van Winkle, College Advisor
Horatio Alger Association - *Scholarship Opportunity for Juniors*:
Horatio Alger Scholarship Programs specifically assist high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. While many programs are directed primarily to recognizing academic achievement or leadership potential, the Horatio Alger Association seeks students who have exhibited determination, integrity, and perseverance in overcoming adversity, as well as have critical financial need. The scholarship application can be found HERE and is due on Friday, March 15th at 11:00 AM!
FAFSA is OPEN:
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opened on December 31st! 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 2024-2025 school year.
Additionally, please email me at lvanwinkle@olatheschools.org once you have completed the FAFSA, letting me know that you have done so!
February College Rep Visits:
- Friday, March 1st – Donnelly College
- Tuesday, March 5th – Premier Academy of Cosmetics & Esthetics (PACE)
- Friday, March 8th – Washburn University
- Friday, March 22nd – Northwest Missouri State University
- Monday, March 25th – Iowa State University
- Friday, March 29th – University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC)
Visits will be taking place during A/I on Mondays/Tuesdays/Fridays in the Library or in the College/Career Center, located within the library. You can sign up in Flex!
If you have any questions, please contact me via email, phone call, or stopping by my office.
Follow Me:
Don’t forget to go follow @OlatheNorthCCC on Twitter and Instagram!
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.
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
Senior Awards Night
Seniors, please remember that Senior Awards will be held on Monday, April 29th at 7 pm in the North Gym. This is an invitation only event. Invitations will go out approximately two weeks before the event.
Olathe Public Schools Foundation Scholarships
Seniors-Scholarship deadlines are fast approaching. Please remember to submit all Olathe Public School Foundation scholarships by Monday, March 4th.
The counseling office just received three more scholarships. One is the Mary Olson Scholarship which will only be available for the Class of 2024. All three are due Wednesday, March 27th.
Please let Mrs. Parazin know you have any questions: cnparazin@olatheschools.org.
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/.
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