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Solon High School

Monthly Update-October 2021

Solon HighSchool Monthly Update-October 2021

1st Quarter coming to an end

Good Morning High School Families,


We have three weeks left in our first quarter. Thanks for a great start to the year! We have many things to celebrate, but one I would like to share is how awesome your kids have been. Supporting each other, working hard in the classroom, and bringing their best each day does not go unnoticed. As we approach Oct. 22nd, there are a few reminders I would like all of you to take a look at.


REMINDER: If you have any COVID related questions, please reach out Amy Link. Also, if you have a positive case in the home we ask that you keep all kids home and let us know.


REMINDER: Students with 6 or more tardies in a given quarter will have open campus privileges taken away.


Don't forget that you can visit our WEBSITE for all things Solon High School.

Dates to ADD to your calendar

We all know how calendars can get filled, so please add the following dates to your back to school calendar!


Early Outs: 10.7, 10.14, 10.21 and 10.28


10.11.2021- NO School: Professional Development for our teachers


10.22.2021- END of 1st quarter


10.23.2021- Mattress Fundraiser for the Music Boosters


10.25.2021- Start of 2nd quarter


10.26.2021- ICAP Day 1: We will have a special schedule for this day


10.29.2021- Picture Retakes

Homecoming Fun!

Please pass this along to anyone that may be interested!

From the Counseling office....

Mike Thompson, Solon HS Counselor


Kathleen McKean, College and Career Transition Coordinator


FINANCIAL AID PLANNING INFORMATION


The FAFSA opens on October 1, 2021. If you are nervous about completing the FAFSA or have specific questions I highly encourage you to contact our Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) Representative, Lupe Hernandez. She has an office at the Kirkwood Regional Center in Coralville.

ICAN can provide assistance with the FAFSA this fall. Appointments are free and their schedule fills up fast. To schedule a one-on-one appointment with ICAN visit www.icansucceed.org/apt For reference, here is Lupe's contact info:



Additional FAFSA Assistance: Step-by-Step FAFSA Events

A Step-by-Step FAFSA Event is a virtual walk through of the FAFSA form in which participants join a Zoom call and file the FAFSA while being led through the form by an ICAN professional. Additional FAFSA helpers will be available through the chat feature or breakout rooms to answer questions and provide assistance.

To participate simply register below.

Fyi … Iowa State University (Dec 1), University of Iowa (Dec 1), Grinnell College (Nov 15) and Morningside University (Dec 1) have early FAFSA priority dates. If any students are considering any of these schools, they should file the FAFSA soon after October 1st.

More detailed information about Financial Aid can be found on the Financial Aid Information page of the Solon HS Counseling website.



ASSESSMENT INFORMATION:


Test Prep (Free)

Here is an opportunity from StudyPoint to take a free virtual practice test for the ACT, SAT or the PSAT. StudyPoint is offering the practice test events, and since they do so virtually, you can take the practice test from your home. Anyone who participates will also receive a free score analysis that breaks down how you did by section, question type, and content area so you can get a sense for where you might want to do some review prior to the real thing.

StudyPoint runs multiple practice tests each week. If you're interested you can view available dates and register for a test at https://site.studypoint.com/virtual-practice-tests.


PSAT/NMSQT for JUNIORS


Solon HS is offering the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) on Wednesday, October 13 at Solon High School. This test is an optional test for juniors. This exam (a shortened version of the SAT Exam) can provide a snapshot of where a student is in terms of college readiness. PSAT Scores are not shared with colleges/universities. The PSAT is also the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. This year, the test will be given on Wednesday, October 13. The cost to the student for the PSAT/NMSQT is $17.00. There are a few tests available. Students interested in taking this exam can register with Mr. Thompson. Please do so by October 5.


Tutoring Available

At Club Z! In Home Tutoring of Eastern Iowa, we want to be here to help schools, teachers, students, and families alike to achieve goals. If students need to either prepare for or boost ACT scores, want to develop study skills or time management skills, or need individual assistance doing their best across classes, we have them covered. Meeting scholars where they are with sessions in the community, virtually, or in the comfort of their own home is just one way that we are different from the rest with well qualified tutors across disciplines. For more information contact:

Julia Freeman

Curriculum Director

Club Z Tutoring

319-536-7139

www.clubztutoring.com

ClubZ! Flyer


Information about college entrance assessments can be found on Solon HS Counseling Department’s Assessment Page


WORK-BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCE:


Winter/Spring 2022 Internship Opportunities

Solon High School seniors and juniors ... check out this opportunity!!! You have an opportunity to complete a 60 hour work-site internship either during quarter 3 (Winter) or quarter 4 (Spring). And you will earn three elective credits for your experience! The internship is a planned and supervised career experience. Seniors, 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)

What types of internships are offered? Good question! Explore internship opportunities here.

Students receive three (3) elective credits for successfully completing an internship.


  • The portal is open! Applications are due – Friday, November 5, 2021 @ 3:00 p.m.


More detailed information about Financial Aid can be found on the Career Information page of the Solon HS Counseling website.

SPRING 2022 COLLEGE COURSE REGISTRATION


Students can soon begin to register for spring semester college courses. The middle to the end of October is when both Kirkwood Community College and The University of Iowa students release their Spring 2022 Course schedule.


  • Kirkwood will release its 2022 spring course schedule in October. Now is the time to visit with Kathleen about your spring college credit course plans.

  • In addition to meeting minimum proficiency standards to be eligible to take a college course, students wanting to take a course at the University of Iowa must have a 3.5 high school GPA to be admissible. See Mr. Thompson for more information.

POST-SECONDARY EXPLORATION


  • College Representative to Solon HS: Use this link (SHS Post-Secondary Visit Schedule) to see the most up-to-date listing of college representatives visiting Solon HS.


  • Kirkwood Official Visit Days: Not sure what you want to do after high school? Join us for a Kirkwood campus visit to see if community college is a good fit for you! We will be providing transportation to anyone who would like to go to the Kirkwood visit days on the following dates. To sign up, please stop by Kathleen’s office by October 22.


  • October 29: 8:00 a.m. -12:00p.m.

  • November 12: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.


Back on Track

The Iowa College Aid Commission is dedicated to get all Iowa high school students Back on Track with their college planning process. Here are some links to various Back on Track Presentations (Links to Back on Track presentation)


SOLON HS COUNSELING WEBSITE

Mr. Thompson is continuing to update his website. You can access the High School Website here.

Reminder

Activities Schedules

For all things activity 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


Thanks!