As a high school principal it has been a challenge to find something positive to bring out of the last few weeks. In all honesty, I have tried to stay far away from social media and most news outlets, but Twitter is a place that I can usually find resources/ideas/support in times like this. There have been many posts associated with COVID-19 obviously, but most of my favorites have dealt with this idea of perspective.

PERSPECTIVE!

We’ve got to keep our perspective, stick together, persevere, and endure. Complaining isn’t helpful either. We need to focus on what is most important in our lives. People are dying from this thing. Who are we to complain about being stuck in the house? There are people who don’t have homes and who don’t have food. My brother lives in D.C and has shared some very scary things with me regarding how people are living at this time. In times of crisis, it’s always the individuals who live the most fragile existences who are most exposed. If you have a supportive family, health insurance, a roof over your head, and food in your fridge, try to be grateful.

I know there are many emotions associated with what is currently happening in our world, but know that I am here for any and all of you if you need anything. We will communicate with your son or daughter via email so make sure they continue to check that daily. Continue to use this document for enrichment activities by content area. Below is an FAQ document that will be updated frequently. Communication will continue to come from our Central Office regarding any updates/changes with COVID-19.

Thanks for your flexibility, Zach

These are so fluid right now we don't want to communicate anything that may change. I am confident to assume that through April 30th we will not have any school associated events. The governor has not yet issued school closure guidelines past 4.13, but we believe that will come by the end of the week.

Please check out this document if you have questions, and if you have more please reach out.

Check it out! Here are some of the big ones from this first week!

NOTHING right now. We hope you are enjoying time with your family!

Well, I certainly did not picture our 4th quarter going like this. The time after spring break is my favorite time of the school year. The energy and enthusiasm that permeates our building is invigorating! And yet, like all students and families, I’m not able to be in school experiencing these times. Like many students and families my emotions are all over the place. Parents, if your student is struggling with not being in school (e.g. being away from friends, anxious about the future, etc.) I want you to know that I am available to help. And if I can’t help with your particular situation, I will find someone who can.

If there is any way I can help, please let me know.

From Mike Thompson, Solon HS Counselor

Contact Information:

Phone: (319) 624-3401 extension 1117

Email: mithompson@solon.k12.ia.us

Website: https://sites.google.com/solon.k12.ia.us/solon-hs-counseling/home

J-FAST

The Solon CSD has partnered with J-FAST to offer Mental Health services to all students in our district. J-FAST is a great resource if you have concerns about a child in crisis or overall questions about Mental Health resources. Check out this flyer for more information.

Foundation 2 will continue to provide crisis services for youth in need of support. Our crisis services are free, confidential, and available 24/7. Mobile Crisis Outreach is able to provide telehealth services in lieu of face to face. To access this service individuals will need an internet connection, smart device (phone, tablet, computer), and an email address. Support via phone is also available for those unable to access telehealth. We are still working closely with our community partners to continue to assist youth and their families with being able to access expedited mental health and substance use evaluations as appropriate. In addition to Mobile Crisis Outreach, the Foundation 2 Crisis Center is also available for support over the phone or via text/chat. Both Mobile Crisis Outreach and the Crisis Center can be reached (319)362-2174. Chat and text can be utilized through accessing the Foundation 2 website at www.foundation2.org.

Earn College Credit at No Cost this Summer (2020)

Kirkwood Community College is (still) planning on offering courses this summer. There is no cost to the student for taking these courses. There is still time to register for these courses. (Deadline is April 9.) Let me know if you need assistance with this process.

Fall 2020 College Credit Courses @ KCC

I have a couple of updates related to fall 2020 college credit courses @ KCC.

Academy Programs - all April orientation sessions scheduled to be held at the Johnson County Regional Center have been cancelled. Instead, all orientation sessions will be completed online.

Hailey Hebl, Student and Academic Support Coordinator at the Regional Center, will be contacting students about this change.

There is still time to register for a 2020 - 2021 Academy Program. Use this link to complete the KCC Academy Pre-Registration Form. The form asks for a school code. Our school code is S1. Please let Mr. Thompson know if you have any questions!

Alternative Concurrent Enrollment Courses - at this time, the plan is to still allow high school students the opportunity to begin enrolling in college credit courses for fall 2020 starting April 10 (after 5:00 p.m.). Completing this process does have its challenges, especially for students looking to take a college course for the first time. I will be reaching out to students and assisting them with this process. Ideally, I want students to have registered for their fall college credit courses by May 15. With the current situation, we will just need to be flexible.

WLC Fall 2020 Internships

Solon High School Juniors and sophomores have an opportunity to complete a 60 hour work-site internship and earn three elective credits for your experience. The internship is a planned and supervised career experience and is offered through the Workplace Learning Connection. Through this experience, “Interns learn new skills, apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting, develop employability behaviors that better prepare them for the workplace, and gain insight that will help them make more informed career choices.” (TWLC)

All applications are due by 3PM on Friday, April 10th.

Here is the link to the WLC Internship Page: http://www.kirkwood.edu/site/index.php?p=38531

Rochelle Sowers is Solon HS's Internship contact. Please contact Rochelle with any questions. (Rochelle.Sowers@kirkwood.edu or 319-887-3651)

SHS Counseling Scholarship Page

I continue to update my scholarship page. This page includes information about scholarships that come across my desk. Included on this page is Solon Local Scholarship information.

Class of 2020: Check out the Last Dollar Scholarship

We want to make families aware of a great scholarship opportunity for high school seniors. The Last Dollar Scholarship is a state-funded program that pays tuition and mandatory fees for hundreds of programs offered through Iowa’s community colleges. All students need to do is complete a FAFSA by July 1, 2020, and enroll as a full-time student in the fall. For more information, visit www.iowacollegeaid.gov/LastDollar.

Last Dollar Scholarship Flyer

UPDATE: Financial Aid Planning

Even though our Financial Aid PLanning Event (March 23) was cancelled, Iowa College Access Network is still meeting with students and families virtually to continue their services and mission of helping families throughout the state of Iowa. Families can schedule Zoom virtual appointments here www.icansucceed.org/apt or they call ICAN’s toll free number 877-272-4692. (available Mon - Thurs 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

ICAN also offers virtual resources available to students and families. You can access these resources using this link. This includes virtual presentations we have coming up along with pre-recorded presentations. ICAN also has Facebook Live posts starting at 2:00 PM!

UPDATE: PSAT 10

With Solon High School currently not in session, our PSAT 10 exam for sophomores is postponed until further notice. At this time, College Board has not cancelled this exam for students. Depending on our schedule once we return to school, we might still offer this exam.

UPDATE: ZAPS ACT Prep

ZAPS, the company that was offering the ACT Test Prep (March 24 & March 26), is offering online At Home Test Prep opportunities for students. You can find more information about this opportunity here.

Additional Test Prep Resources from ACT

FREE Kaplan Live ACT Test Prep

ACT Bootcamp—Join expert instructors as students learn how to tackle some of the most common question types on the ACT.

• Wednesday, April 29 | 7 – 8:30 p.m. ET | Register

Studying for the ACT: How to Stay Motivated—Click the livestream at these times:

• Wednesday, April 1 | 7 – 8:30 p.m. ET | Livestream

• Saturday, April 4 | 1 – 2:30 p.m. ET | Livestream

ACT Prep Class—Help students succeed on the ACT Reading test.

• Saturday, April 18 | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM ET | Register

For all things school calendar related, please use this link to find schedules, locations, dates and times. Any questions can be directed to Casey Hack, district Activities Director. chack@solon.k12.ia.us

Email: zwigle@solon.k12.ia.us
Website: https://www.instagram.com/solonhighschool/
Location: 600 West 5th Street, Solon, IA, USA
Phone: 319-624-3401
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Solon-High-School-121237385944610/?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARCRagSRMLwHwgct71AMJfJiNCo5vZHS4zBNL3-77CUukUHvcra3VG-rxW0dMIzmUsRtIKKfy4jyLh50&fref=mentions&__xts__[0]=68.ARBASr3XJuQiYEF7rOhWaXLshfvQxPgdtkD6byuXJjmDO_rl-PAXss68YpfK_rhccmiuMz0Nx6IaCZALvk5tgCsa3rDffLiFWoeBex14EvCbxw8WBI17Dq5OPGIEBsz4SUfvcq3RaRn7t51Q7p4YACRAezxdIjwC3nhlxezrGwByQ7sa-bDvIJrLXpM87bykKnHERSK0mf8nbSaVP9shmCYzq3d3Bxs8iPD5mmr8eDfCVEiei6N56Sk-gU4aEc7oQmG_l5KRw3XYfTDfcldr4KuXdW2X7KaiuxUX5E06Q0q6l88vbA4gpjWI0r5hHsfdXqY7QreVXVTaUIefRpZUsUyA6Hs
Twitter: @wiglezac