There will be a meeting at City High-Middle School on Tuesday, March 30 at 7 PM in the Multi Purpose room. This meeting is to present next year's schedule. The presenters will be City's administrative staff, Franklin Campus staff and PTSA members. Please join us!
** High Priority **
** Reply Requested When Convenient **
Dear GRPS Stakeholders:
I am writing to invite you to a very important event that we are hosting for students, parents, staff, and all community stakeholders to discuss how GRPS can continue to build upon our school improvements and educational reforms, while at the same time implementing the changes that will be necessary to address the financial challenging facing the district and meet the needs of the 21st Century learners.
In follow up to our Futures Summit last November and the information provided in the March 10 State of Our Schools address, your participation and input is again important to help us develop our new instructional model and develop a plan that maintains our positive momentum.
WHAT: GRPS Futures Summit II
WHEN: Saturday, March 20, 2010
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
WHERE: Ottawa Hills High School
2055 Rosewood SE - Grand Rapids, MI 49506
WHO: Open to students, parents, GRPS staff, media and community members.
Child care will be provided.
To watch the video from the State of the Schools address and learn more about the instructional model concept, please log onto the GRPS web site: www.grpublicschools.org.
Thank you for your consideration and prompt response to this invitation. I ask that you please RSVP to Tara Rietberg at 819-2197 or email at rsvp@grps.k12.mi.us. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Bernard Taylor, Jr., Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship
The QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship levels the playing field of college admissions. It equips high-achieving low-income students with the knowledge necessary to compete for admission to the nation's most selective colleges.
High school juniors who have achieved academic excellence in the face of economic challenges should complete the free application.
Selected students will receive one or more of the following awards:
• Full scholarships to college summer programs: 10 students will receive scholarships to summer school programs at Emory, Harvard, Notre Dame, Penn, Stanford, or Yale. The scholarships will cover the full cost of travel, tuition, and room & board.
• Individualized college admissions counseling: 40 students will each be paired with an experienced counselor from QuestBridge's staff and will receive personalized admissions advice via phone and e-mail throughout the college application process.
• College Admissions Conference invitations: 1,000 students will be invited to QuestBridge conferences at Stanford or Yale. Participants will attend workshops on how low-income students can successfully apply to leading colleges. They also will meet college admissions officers and learn more about the opportunities that QuestBridge offers.
• All-expense-paid campus visits: 100 students will have their travel expenses and room & board covered by a QuestBridge partner college to visit their campus.
• Tele-mentoring with college students: 100 students will each be paired with an Amherst College student who will provide advice about the college admissions process.
The application is free of charge and is due March 29, 2010.
Visit http://www.questbridge.org/access/collegepreptext/ for more information.
Thanks to everyone who contributed exam snacks for the 2nd trimester finals. They were much appreciated by our students! Since there is 1 more trimester to go, we will be asking everyone to contribute something in May. Also, the junior class will be having MME exams on March 9-11. These are very important exams for their future college plans, so we may need additional snacks and drinks for those days also.
Your support is greatly appreciated...and very worthwhile as our students continue to outperform ALMOST the entire state! (we were #2 for the last 2 years!---just behind the International Baccalaureate World School in Bloomfield Hills!!!)
A special shout-out goes to Deena Cook for organizing snacks for our kids.
Thanks again...from the City PTSA
This is a VERY IMPORTANT MEETING...
As we move ever closer to International Baccalaureate World School status, an information meeting for parents on the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at City High/Middle will be February 23, 2010, 6:00p to 7:30p in the City cafeteria. This will be extremely helpful in understanding how the program will be introduced to both the Middle School and High School students, and a generalized timeline and review of course sequencing. This is an important step for City and our students, so please make every effort to attend!
Please call the office if you need any additional details.
"nuf said!
Be in school tomorrow! The September count represents 75% of the per pupil amount we receive from the state. The other 25% comes after the February count.
The legislature is about to take $218. from GRPS (yes, that includes City) per student. DON'T LET THEM TAKE MORE!!!
See you in school tomorrow.
Thanks!
Wayne Glatz
City PTSA president 2009-10
If interested see Mrs. Ralston
Rensselaer invites academically talented rising seniors, who are underrepresented minorities or young women, to apply for the STAR (Science, Technology, Arts at Rensselaer) program. Please share this event information with your students.
Students accepted to participate in the STAR program will receive a confirmation packet from Rensselaer. The STAR program begins the evening of Thursday, October 15 with a dinner reception and concludes Saturday, October 17 at the close of the Fall Open House.
Weekend activities will include
*Interactive leadership activity
* Academic experience
* Undergraduate research overview and tour of laboratories
* Campus tour
* Student panels
* Student organizations and clubs fair
* Lodging and meals with current students
Students may apply online by September 19 to participate in the STAR Program.
Sincerely,
Michael E. Moore
Associate Director
(518) 276-6216
moorem5@rpi.edu
Dear Parents,
May I again ask for your assistance with our districts policy for entrance to our school building. In an effort to keep our building secure we require all visitors to check in at the office at all times during the school day. If you need to speak to a teacher or principal please call in advance and set up an appointment time. It is difficult during class hours for teachers to assist you so a call or email to the staff person you need to see would allow them to prepare for their classes and find time to talk with you.
Your assistance will allow for the least amount of disruption to the school day activities
and will also be a courtesy to our busy staff. If possible please keep appointments to Tuesday– Friday during teachers’ prep and afterschool times. It is with your continued support that our staff has the best opportunity to dedicate their school time to preparation and instruction.
Thank you,
Dale Hovenkamp
We understand that some parents supported senior skip day, which was on Friday, May 1, 2009. If students are failing their name will not appear on the graduation program, the program goes to print on Tuesday May 5, 2009.
All seniors must be passing each one of their classes by Tuesday, May 5, 2009. If they fail any class senior students will not be able to attend any graduation function including the senior breakfast and graduation. The seniors who are not passing will not attend the senior field trip on Friday, May 22, 2009.
We highly encourage you to work with your student to ensure graduation.
Senior skip day is not approved by the Michigan Department of Education, the Grand Rapids Board of Education or the City High Staff. This is problematic and appears to be supported by some parents. Please support us!
Here is a great opportunity with "We Vote":
Door-to-door: Volunteers needed, schedule available:
The League of Women Voters (this is not for women only!) has planned their annual door to door campaign to remind Grand Rapidians to vote for their School Board Candidates on May 5th. Volunteers must be 14 or older. If you are interested, grab a friend and click on the site below.
Flyers and news about the We Vote event can be found at this web site: http://wevotegr.wordpress.com
Many thanks to Janelle Hill burdejanie@yahoo.com for coordinating the 2009 neighborhood outreach! She has already scheduled a number of days that We Vote will be meeting neighbors, encouraging them to vote, and giving them a Voter Guide. Dates are available on our event calendar http://wevotegr.org/events , where people can register to volunteer for specific times.
Register Now: Making the Most Out of Attending a National College Fair Webinar
Date: Thursday, January 15
Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
Duration: 1 hour
Register Now
Each year thousands of high school students begin preparing for their journey into the world of post-secondary education. The journey is often a lengthy process, filled with many uncertainties. Students often ask questions like, how do I know what school is the right school? What majors are available? Should I attend a two- or four-year institution? Are there any resources available on a local basis to make the process easier?
Join us for this free webinar, sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) on Thursday, January 15, 2009 to learn more about attending a NACAC National College Fair. Hear college admission and counseling experts share tips on how to narrow down your college search by preparing for and getting the most out of attending your local NACAC National College Fair. You'll also learn about the importance and benefits of lead retrieval technology when registering for college fairs.
Target Audience: This webinar is free and open to the public. Both college-bound high school students and their parents are encouraged to sign up for this webinar to learn more about the National College Fair program.
Topics to be discussed include:
Advice from college admission and counseling experts on how to narrow your college search.
Discussion on how attending a National College Fair will help with the college search process.
Guidance on preparing for and how to get the most out of attending your local National College Fair.
Explanation of additional National College Fair resources, including workshops and our Counseling Center.
Lead retrieval: online registration is as easy as one, two, three.
Upon completion of this webinar, participants will:
Have a better understanding of what goes on at a National College Fair and what resources are available.
Know how to prepare before attending a National College Fair.
Have a better understanding of how to conduct the college search process
Be ready to preregister for upcoming fairs in their city.
Question and Answer Session:
Our experts will respond to questions during the webinar.
Moderated by:
Andrew Sison
Dean of Undergraduate Admission
Lewis University
Presenters:
Harry Gong
Director of Admissions
Niagara University
Kathi Lecertua
Career Counselor
Borah High School
Mark Rasic
Associate Director of Admissions
University of Southern California
Barbara Schultz
Guidance Counselor
Arnold O. Beckman High School
Katie Voller-Berdan
College Counselor
Marshall School
Registration Information: Register Now
Unable to Attend?
The full presentation will be posted on this page shortly after the webinar airs.
Webinar Technical Needs
View technical information for participants.
Once you have registered, please make sure your computer meets the system requirements. It is recommended participants use a PC for this event. Please click on the link in the third bullet BEFORE the webinar begins to check your system's compatibility. You will also need speakers to be able to hear the presentation. If you are having technical difficulties, please call 1-866-490-5412 for technical support and reference confirmation number 6239945.
Calvin college wants to pass on three important messages regarding the application process:
1. Calvin will waive the application fee until December 1.
2. They recommend studnets apply online at www.calvin.edu/apply
3. Scholarships are available to qualified first-year students.
For all students whose completed applcations are postmarked before November 1st, the University of Michigan will guarantee that a decision will be released by December 24th. You are encouraged to visit their website at www.admissions.umich.edu for more information.
Attention Juniors - a must read article from the Princeton Review website. I am available to begin discussing the college application process.
I will be back at work on August 25 and will be available to help students with the application process!
Have a restfull, relaxing summer!
Mrs. Ralston
(Read the article by following the link below...)
Just a reminder that the Free Application for Federal Student Ais (FAFSA) is now available on line. This application will determine how much federal funding you will be eligible for. Visit www.fasfa.ed.gov for more information and to get started.
ATTENTION SENIORS AND PARENTS:
Paper copies of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will no longer be available in the CRC. Students will be able to obtain a paper FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). Students may request up to three copies and should receive them in three to seven business days. Also new for 2008-09 is a PDF version of the FAFSA that students can submit for processing. The form will be available mid-November at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov. Students are encouraged, however, to use the online method for filing the application by visiting www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you have any questions, see Mrs. Ralston.
DA Blodgett is willing to offer a full range of services free of charge: family consultation, prevention/behavioral groups for students preK-12, behavioral/emotional health referrals and linkage to community services in Kent County. If interested please contact DA Blodgett Services at 616-451-2021 or visit at 805 Leonard Street
Kent Career Tech Center Open House Thursday October 18 from 6:30-8:30pm. Take a tour, information on free college and high school credit, learn about their 30+ programs. Chance to win prizes and meet the DJ's from HotFM and B93
Early Decision is a binding agreement - you agree to attend that college/university if accepted
Early Action is a non binding agreement - it is an opportunity to apply early to schools so to hear back sooner than
normal
Printed Applications:
1. Complete the application and sign it
2. Bring it to Mrs. Ralston with your application fee (if you didn't pay online) - make sure to fill out a yellow sheet in Mrs. Ralston's door and attach it to your application
3. A transcript will be prepared and mailed for you
4. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. It will take 3-5 days to process your application
5. IF YOU NEED RECOMMENDATIONS: please allow10-14 days to prepare.
If you apply online:
1. Print out your application for your records
2. Bring counselor page to Mrs. Ralston - make sure to attach the yellow sheet in Mrs. Ralston's door
3. Be careful with cyberspace. You are putting a lot of valuable information out there. Make sure their application process is secure
If you are wondering the best way to contact your child's teacher, it is likely through email. All Grand Rapids Public School employees have an address that starts with their last name, first initial @grps.k12.mi.us. For example, Linda Grieger, one of our school secretaries would look like this: GriegerL@grps.k12.mi.us. Trying to reach them by phone during school hours can be tricky, especially during class.
Students: All visits will be in the old senior center across from the office. You need to sign up in the blue book on the table outside of Mrs. Ralston’s office.
This bulletin is given to assist you in preparation for the PSAT/NMSQT, which is to be administered on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at City High School.
Testing begins at 8:00 a.m. and should be completed about 11:00 a.m. Please read the whole bulletin and see Mrs. Ralston if you have any questions. ralstond@grps.k12.mi.us
Parents: Don't be alarmed by the bill sent to you from Ferris State University as it is automatically generated. You have no fee. Exhale! ?'s Ralstond@grps.k12.mi.us
TESTING & PREPARATION
College testing is generally recommended in the spring of the junior year. A junior can take their ACT in February, April or June. SAT testing is available in January, March, May and June. Students can also repeat any testing in the fall of their senior year. Taking tests more than one time is often recommended so a students can achieve their best score. Retesting is also desirable to provide the best opportunity for merit based scholarship awards. Spring testing for juniors allows the most time for academic development. To gegister for testing:REGISTRATION PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE COUNSELING OFFICE AND STUDENTS CAN REGISTER ON-LINE. read on...
Continue reading "Testing, Testing-for all parents to read-esp 10-12th grade" »
City students in grades 7-12 will be spending time on their EDPs - CAREER CRUISING
(check out www.careercruising.com)
During 1st semester students will have the opportunity to:
Continue reading "Education Development Plans (EDP's) for ALL STUDENTS" »
Techniques, strategies!
A good score on the ACT can help you get into the college of your choice. Wendy Martin, professional Academic Coach, will show you techniques and tips to raise your ACT score. The workshop includes content review, reading comprehension techniques, testing tactics, and specific ACT strategies. Each participant will need to purchase the Barron’s ACT 2007-2008 book.
Wednesday, October 3 and Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Grand Rapids College Night at Aquinas College Wed, Oct 3 6:30p-8:00p . More than 60 colleges will be presenting in the fieldhouse. More information available at: 623-2863 or email bouwkdam@aquinas.edu
*** THIS IS THE ONLY COLLEGE FAIR IN KENT COUNTY THIS FALL**
Completed applications received by October 31 are guaranteed an admission decision by December 21
Students applying electronically to MSU by Oct 5 and submiting all required materials, will have their admission status postmarked no later than Nov 5.
Any student wishing to attend MSU's James Madion College is invited to attend 2007 Fall Visit Days. For information contact the James Madison College of Admissions: (888) 223-3798, email jmcadmin@msu.edu or visit webpage at: www.jmc.msu.edu
Good Morning! I wanted to take the time to introduce myself to all of you. My name is Jessica Glandon and I will be interning with Mrs. Ralston for the school year. I am working on my Masters Degree at Grand Valley State University in the School Counseling program. I earned my undergraduate degree from Michigan State in Kinesiology and Health Promotion, and have spent the past five years traveling the country (Chicago, New York, Hawaii and Arizona) teaching outdoor education and recreation programs to at-risk youth.
I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can, and encourage you to stop by and see me. I am here to help you!
Frequently Asked Questions?
Q What is Advanced Placement?
A The Program
Advanced Placement Program® is a cooperative educational endeavor between secondary schools and colleges and universities. Since its inception in 1955, the Program has provided motivated high school students with the opportunity to take college-level courses in a high school setting. Students who participate in the Program not only gain college-level skills, but in many cases they also earn college credit while they are still in high school. AP courses are taught by dedicated and enthusiastic high school teachers who follow course guidelines developed and published by the College Board.
The Program's success is rooted in the collaborative efforts of motivated students, dedicated teachers, and committed schools. By participating in the Program, secondary schools make the commitment to organize and support at least one class that is equivalent to a first-year college course.
There are currently more than 110,000 teachers leading AP courses in high schools worldwide. AP teachers are some of the worlds finest. The Program is strengthened by their participation in professional development workshops and Summer Institutes and in the annual AP Reading where thousands of AP teachers and college faculty gather at college sites across the United States to score the AP Exams using rigorous guidelines.
AP Program Facts
• The AP Program offers 35 courses in 20 subject areas.
• Nearly 60 percent of U.S. high schools participate in the AP Program.
• In 2005, 2.1 million AP Exams were administered worldwide.
o More than 60,000 teachers worldwide attended AP workshops and institutes for professional development last year.
o Over 90 percent of the nation's colleges and universities have an AP policy granting incoming students credit, placement, or both, for qualifying AP Exam grades.
Are Advanced Placement exams required?
● 12TH Grade students are required to take the AP English, AP Government, and AP Macro Economics.
Is there a GPA advantage for Advanced Placement classes?
• No, none of our classes have weighted grades. However, there are other benefits to taking AP courses including the opportunity to take an AP exam for potential college credit. In addition, when reviewing high school transcripts, colleges look to see that students continually challenge themselves throughout high school. AP courses are recognized as such.
Q What is Dual Enrollment?
A Dual Enrollment provides an opportunity for eligible 11th and 12th grade students to receive college credit while in high school. There are guidelines for eligibility that must be met prior to signing up for a Dual Enrollment class. Students The classes that students are eligible for must not be offered by a GRPS high school. The student must have taken the PLAN in 10th grade (for 11th grade dual enrollment) and the MME in 11th grade (for 12th grade dual enrollment) and received a specific score in the content area in which he/she wishes to dual enroll. (PE, theology, religion, hobby classes is not eligible as dual enrollment. In addition the class
Q What are the qualifying scores for Dual Enrollment?
A PLAN Assessment – all 10th grade GRPS students take the PLAN
Content Area Minimum Passing Score
Mathematics 18
Reading 17
Science 19
English 21
PSAT Assessment – for out of district or new incoming students
PSAT Test Section Content Minimum Passing Scores
Critical Reading Reading 44
Writing Skills Writing 49
Math Mathematics 45
MME SCORE?
Q What is the process?
A See the high school counselor. Courses must be approved before registration.
Q What does exhaust our curriculum?
A A student must have taken all of the courses in a subject area offered by GRPS. If the course is an elective credit, the student must have exhausted the GRPS elective offerings. The following courses are not eligible for dual enrollment: physical education, religious classes, and any hobby course. The dual enrollment course must be consistent with the student’s EDP.
Q Dual Enrollment versus Advance Placement
A AP courses are college level courses taught by high school faculty
that has a positive impact on a student transcript. If a student takes the AP Exam and receives a qualifying score for the individual college or university they will earn college credit. AP courses are included in the students GPA.
Dual Enrollment (DE) is a college course taught by college staff either at the college location or at the high school location. A student must follow the state and local district eligibility requirements to apply to take a course. DE courses are included on the transcript and are calculated into the student’s GPA. It is up to the students chosen college/university as to whether they will accept the DE course as college credit..
Q Testing Schedule
A PLAN As a "pre-ACT" test, PLAN is a powerful predictor of success on the ACT. GRPS students are required to take the PLAN in the fall 10th grade. The PLAN test, in addition to preparing students for the ACT component of the MME, focuses attention on both career preparation and improving academic achievement.
.
ACT
The ACT® test assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work.
• The multiple-choice tests cover four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science.
• The Writing Test, which is optional, measures skill in planning and writing a short essay.
MME
This is a state required test (replacing the MEAP at the high school level.) It includes the ACT, which can be used for college applications, plus additional subtests writing, social studies from the Work Keys test. Beginning in 2007-08, students can earn elective credit by taking and demonstrating proficiency on the MME.
Students can earn a Michigan Merit Aware of $4,000 by taking and demonstrating proficiency on the MME.
Internships
Q How many are required for City Graduation requirements? When
A Two different internships are required; one each during junior and senior year. 11th and 12th grade students can schedule their internship during 7th hour for 1 semester or 8th hour all year.
?????HOW ARE YOU WORKING OUT 7TH HOUR? THIS WILL HAVE THE STUDENTS MISSING TIME.
Q Why only two internships?
A It is important that students take the necessary classes to prepare themselves for college. In addition, Colleges expect to see that a student has challenged himself/herself with core academic classes all four years of high school.
Q Education Development Plan?
A An Education Development Plan (EDP) documents an ongoing process in which a learner identifies both career goals and a plan of action to achieve them. The purpose of the EDP is to provide every student with a periodically updated and ongoing record of career planning that will guide in taking effective steps to enter a career of choice. Each student develops a first EDP in middle school, stating an initial career goal and desired work and educational experiences. School counselors verify that EDPs reflect an individual career decision-making process based on career exploration, career assessment information, school performance, and expressed interests. School counselors also facilitate selection and enrollment into general courses and into specialized education and training related to the career pathway of choice indicated in the EDP.
Michigan Virtual High School?
Q Why should my child take an online course through MVHS?
A He or she could catch up on missed credit, take a subject not offered (including Advanced Placement® courses), improve his/her technology skills, solve a scheduling conflict, try a different method of learning or supplement his/her learning activities if he/she is being home-schooled or is temporarily home-bound.
Q Can I enroll my child in MVHS courses?
A Yes, but only as a home-schooled student. To take the MVHS through your school, which is often at no cost to the parent, the counseling staff (guidance counselor or the school’s registrar) must register and enroll a student in an MVHS course. MVHS students must be age 20 or younger. In order for the school to pay for the course, the course must meet State Aid eligibility guidelines.
Q Will my son take the course on his own time or school time?
A can vary. However, most students are successful when it is planned as part of their school day and students take their online course during a regular school period in a computer lab or media center with a certified, mentor teacher available to help. In other cases, he may be accessing his course outside of regular school hours. This needs to be worked out with the counseling staff. MVHS courses are rigorous courses with high expectation. Students must be prepared to work in a focused, self-disciplined manner that often requires additional time outside of regular school hours for homework, just as he does for most of his in-seat courses.
Students and Parents...Check here for college nights, testing, scholarship opportunities and other guidance postings.
Continue reading "Welcome to the City PTSA Guidance Board" »