Connections Newsletter

Room assignments for AP exams will be posted in the short hallway by the Connections Center. Here is the exam schedule. Students are reminded to arrive at 7:30 for a morning exam and 11:30 for an afternoon exam.

Important: Students must have their College Board account login on exam day, as they will not be able to test if not signed into their College Board account. There will be no testing fee refunds for students unable to test due to inability to login to College Board. Students do not get tickets like they do for PSAT/SAT. ASAP, please install BlueBook and log into your College Board account to make sure all of your exams are listed. Please see Mrs. Dahl ASAP if you do not see your exams listed in BlueBook or on the room assignments list.

Students must also bring photo IDs, as our proctors are substitutes in the building.

If school is closed, AP exam will be rescheduled for the make-up AP exam day (May 19-23). If school is on a delayed schedule, all morning AP exams will be rescheduled for the make-up day, and all afternoon exams will follow the original schedule.

Here is a list of what students should and should not bring on exam day. Here is a list of the only exams that allow or require calculators. Please review the AP Exams Calculator Policy for chemistry, statistics, calculus, physics, and biology. Students must leave their phones, smartwatches, lunch boxes, backpacks, and other prohibited items in their cars or lockers. Students will not have access to lockers or cars during testing. All prohibited items will be taken to Connections to be picked up after testing.

AP Exam Terms and Conditions

All current AP students: The 2025 AP Exam Terms and Conditions are now available to be read through here. Students will need to review these terms and conditions and accept on test day before taking each exam.

Be sure to prepare for your AP exams using your AP Classroom and class materials.

As graduation day approaches, we are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our soon-to-be graduates. Your dedication and hard work have paved the way for exciting futures, whether you're heading to college, embarking on vocational training, or stepping directly into the workforce. We commend each of you for your perseverance and ambition, and we are confident that you will continue to excel in your chosen paths. Best wishes for a bright and successful future!

If you are headed on to college, you will need a final transcript sent (with your graduation date!), Ms. Peters was in Rhetoric classes on May 1 for you to complete your graduation survey and as part of the survey, request your final transcript to be sent to the college you will be attending. If you are playing NAIA or NCAA athletics, you will need a final transcript sent there as well. We recommend you print your immunization record from IC before you lose IC access.

For all seniors: If you missed the session with Ms. Peters, please complete the Graduation Survey and Supplemental Graduation Survey in Naviance.

Tip of the day: Your shot records are available in IC on the 2nd page. Be sure you download a copy as you will need it. College requirements? Travel? Seniors lose IC access at graduation.

As we are gathering resources for the fall, we wanted to reach out to you to share (optional) information about your family as it relates to:

First Generation (first in family to attend college)

Free and Reduced Lunch Qualified

Foster Child

There are often resources we can share or fee waivers we can provide to assist you and your family. If you choose to share, please complete this form.

The Connections team hosted 18 students on a field trip to CSFD station 22 on April 30. We received a high energy tour from Quinn, the newest firefighter at the station and learned all about the station, the life of a firefighter, and what it takes to become a Colorado Springs firefighter. The trip ended with the excitement of the crew hopping on the truck to go out for a call. If you missed the trip, here is more information about Firefighter and Paramedic professions.

In the Community

Saturday April 26, 10:00-2:00: Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Aviation Career Symposium

April 30-May 4: Black Forest Arts and Craft Show, Proceeds go to scholarships

Monday, August 11, 7:00-9:00: Colleges That Change Lives College Fair, Denver

Scholarships play an important role in paying for college. There are many scholarships available for merit, leadership, community service, academics, athletics, many fields of study, and for students who demonstrate financial need. Here are some scholarship resources for juniors and seniors along with tips for winning college scholarships.

Work Ethic Scholarship Program will be giving away $2,500,000 in scholarships to hardworking men and women. Apply by May 9.

Explore these links to learn more about each school’s summer programming. As a student, participating in a summer program is a great way to further explore your interests, get a taste of what it is like to be a college student, visit a college campus, and learn more about topics that interest you.

CodeDenver, sponsored by MSU Denver and Colorado School of Mines, is a summer program designed to introduce high school students to the world of computer science through hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world tech exposure. Apply by May 16th.

Anthem Music Enterprise – Studio Recording Camp, Colorado Springs

Emory University – Pre-College Summer Program

Champlain College – Pre-College Summer Programs

Other Opportunities

TurnUp is offering Civic and Activism Remote Internships. These positions are remote, on rolling admission, offer a flexible schedule and the hours apply to community service.

UCHealth is offering volunteer and shadowing opportunities.

The National Apprentice Fund will provide one-time financial assistance to Registered Apprentices across the U.S. who are apprenticing in new and emerging industries and may face barriers to completing their training.

Are you a federal employee? Spouse or dependent of a federal employee? OPM partners with colleges and universities as a part of the continuing efforts to provide higher educational opportunities to the Federal workforce by providing current Federal employees with the opportunity to pursue post-secondary education at reduced tuition rates.

“There are countless ways to see the world, and no single mindset is “right” or “wrong” — only helpful or unhelpful in different situations. An excellent exercise to consider is available here.

Flight Crew is its unique ability to foster community and connection for youth in a safe, supportive environment to grow their confidence as STEM leaders and make their voices heard.

WashU FLI-In Program is a special small-group opportunity designed to introduce First-generation and Limited-Income students to the college application process and to WashU. Apply by May 23.

Perspectives on Pomona (POP) is a free, on-campus and virtual program for high school seniors.

Test-optional, test-required, test-flexible... feeling lost yet? 🤔 You're not alone! College admission testing is definitely a hot topic. To help clear things up, I've (Ms. Peters) compiled a basic overview of the questions our families ask most often. As a college advisor, I dive deeper with my students, but this document is designed to be helpful for all. Take a look!

What to Expect with ACT Online Testing Familiarize yourself with the ACT's new look and feel by trying a few sample questions as well as a full-length practice test in the new format. Get to know the platform and exactly what to expect on test day. (Chrome browser is best, Safari is not recommended.)

The next SAT testing date is June 7, 2025. Register by May 22, 2025.

Additional test dates

Schoolhouse offers free SAT Tutoring Bootcamp

March2Success offers free online SAT, ACT and ASVAB test prep

More test prep resources available on our Connections page

SAT and ACT free hour strategy session/online courses

ACT & SAT Fee Waivers

The next ACT testing date is June 14, 2025. Register by May 9, 2025.

Additional test dates: July 12, 2025

The enhanced ACT is available for online test-takers this June and July. Register here.

Find out what is changing on the ACT in 2025 here.

Katina Dahl, Advisor - Freshmen, Sophomore, AP, PSAT/NMSQT

Jodi Hoffman, Office Manager - College & Career Visits, Community Service

Email: tcavisits@asd20.org
Website: tcatitans.org/Connections
Location: 975 Stout Road, Colorado Springs, CO
Phone: 719-484-0091 1104