New Scholarship Opportunites

TWO NEW SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

Ronald McDonald House Charities US Scholarship Program

Every year, McDonald's Restaurants of Southeastern Wisconsin is proud to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Scholarship Program in distributing more than $60,000 in scholarship dollars to area high school students. The goal of the RMHC US Scholarship Program is to provide resources to students who need financial assistance to attend college. Over the past 18 years, the program has awarded more than $660,000 in local scholarships.

The online application can be accessed at www.rmhc.org from now through Friday, January 27, 2012. Students will be awarded the prestigious scholarship through one of the following awards: RMHC/HACER, RMHC/African American Future Achievers, RMHC/ASIA or RMHC Scholars. Milwaukee Ronald McDonald House staff and local McDonald's owner/operators will decide the winners based on students' participation in the community, academic performance and financial need.


Northern Illinois University Out-Of-State Huskie Scholarship

The NIU Out-of-State Huskie Scholarship is for new incoming undergraduate students from Wisconsin, Indiana and Iowa. The scholarship will be awarded to academically qualified student who exhibit strong academic performance and potential. NIU offers a wide variety of highly ranked academic programs at an affordable cost. The NIU Out-of-State Huskie Scholarship gives high achieving students the opportunity to reduce tuition costs even more. Because funds are limited and will be awarded on a rolling basis, you should apply ASAP at www.application.niu.edu.  The scholarship is valued at $9,200 for the 2012-2013 academic year and $36,800 over four years at current tuition rates.

KFC Colonel's Scholars

The KFC Colonel’s Scholars Program is looking for high school seniors with entrepreneurial drive, strong perseverance, demonstrated financial need and who want to pursue a college education at an accredited public institution in the state in which they reside.

Awards can be up to $5000 per year. The scholar could receive up to $20,000 over four years to help complete a bachelor’s degree.

Applicants must:

o Graduate from high school this academic year

o Earn a minimum GPA of 2.75

o Plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a public, in-state university

o Be a US citizen or permanent resident

o Demonstrate financial need

  Apply online at www.kfcscholars.org from December 1, 2011 - February 8, 2012

    

College Application Deadlines

Senior Students & Parents:

Many college application deadlines are quickly approaching!

Because of the time and effort we put into each and every college application, we have instituted the following deadlines for application submission:

If you want to ensure that your application(s) are submitted by Thanksgiving break, you must submit your portion of the application to Mrs. Shuler by MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14th.

If you want to ensure that your application(s) are submitted by Christmas break, you must submit your portion of the application to Mrs. Shuler by MONDAY, DECEMBER 12th.

We will work with you and make an effort to submit all applications we receive, however, we cannot promise that those turned in after the deadline will be submitted by the above listed dates.

Please plan ahead to make sure the schools you are applying to receive all of your application materials on time!

Thank you,

Ms. Sereno & Ms. Stankowski

Lastest Scholarships

Senior Parents & Students:

Be sure to check out the updated scholarship listing that can be found under Downloadable Documents. 

Please see Ms. Stankowski or Ms. Sereno with any questions. 

Exciting Opportunities

Danforth Scholars Program

Students interested in Washington University in St. Louis may have the opportunity to apply for the Danforth Scholars program. This program is for students who have exhibited a capacity for service and leadership, as well as academic excellence, and who will embrace the challenges of a rigorous academic curriculum. If you would like to be nominated for this scholarship, please see your guidance counselor.

University of Wisconsin LaCrosse Academic Success Institute

The Academic Success Institute is a summer program for invited students who apply to UW-L and who the Admissions Office believes would benefit from additional college preparation and facilitates a smooth transition from high school to college for prospective freshman. 

Submitting an application for admission to UW-LaCrosse is a requirement for participation in ASI.  Students will then be invited to complete an ASI application and will be interviewed prior to acceptance into the program.

Please visit www.uwlax.edu/mss/asi.htm for more information.

Police Aide Position

The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission invites qualified 17-19 year-olds to apply for a Police Aide position that may lead to a law enforcement career with the City of Milwaukee Police Department.

Application are being accepted until November 28, 2011.

Visit http://city.milwaukee.gov/jobs/PoliceA for more information.

College Goal Sunday

It will take more than good luck and best intentions to pay for college. You need a plan of action, and it should begin with College Goal Sunday!

College Goal Sunday is a national event that provides free information and assistance to families who are filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), the federally required form for students seeking financial aid, such and grants and loans. Completing the FAFSA is the first and most important step in qualifying for aid.

In Wisconsin, College Goal Sunday will take place on February 18-19, 2012 at 30 locations throughout the state.

Visit http://www.collegegoalwi.org for more information!

Information about Illinois' College Goal Sunday can be found here.

Upcoming Events

Washington University in St. Louis Admission Information Session

Sunday, October 23, 2011

2:00 – 3:00PM

Milwaukee Marriott West

W231 N1600 Corporate Court

Waukesha, Wisconsin

Visit admissions.wustl.edu for details

Mayo School of Health Sciences Educational Open House

November 1, 2011

5:30 – 7:30PM

Siebens Building, Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN

Visit www.mayo.edu/mshs/open-house.html for more information

Essay Contest

Fleet Reserve Association Americanism Essay Contest For Grades 7 - 12

The FRA National Committee on Americanism-Patriotism sponsors an annual Americanism Essay Contest.  The 2011-2012 Theme is “What Freedom of Speech Means to Me”

The contest includes a Grand National Prize of a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond, with $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 Savings Bonds awarded to the first, second and third place winners in each grade category. All regional winners are judged at the national level and receive a certificate of recognition. Other prizes are awarded at the branch and regional levels.

FRA's Essay Contest is open to all students grades 7 through 12 (including those who are home schooled). Each entrant must be sponsored by an FRA member in good standing or by a currently chartered branch or unit.

Please see Ms. Stankowski or Ms. Sereno for an application packet.  Entries must be postmarked by December 1, 2011.

Scholarships

We have posted the lastest scholarship information that we have received in the Guidance Department.  The complete list is available under Downloadable Documents.  Be sure to check it out! 

Wisconsin Education Fair

Whether you are just starting to focus on your post- high school plans or want more information about opportunities available to you, don’t forget to take advantage of the upcoming Wisconsin Education Fair! 

Ms. Sereno and Ms. Stankowski will be taking interested sophomore, junior and senior students to UW-Parkside on Monday October 10^th from 9-11am. 

This is a great opportunity to:

ü  Meet with approximately 100 professional admission representatives from all over the region

ü  Learn about requirements, academic programs, financial aid, scholarships, housing and more.

Please sign up outside of Ms. Stankowski’s or Ms. Sereno’s office by Friday, September 23^rd.

Also, make sure to register at www.wefs.org/registration BEFORE you come to the WEF. It is important to print off the barcode and bring this with you to the fair. This eliminates the need to fill out information cards at every booth!  All students registered by September 16th will be put into a drawing for a free Ipod touch.

Upcoming College Visits

The Guidance Department has been busy scheduling times for college admission representatives to visit St. Joe's and meet with students. Please see Ms. Sereno or Ms. Stankowski for a pass if you wish to meet with any of these representatives.

Our scheduled visits so far are:

Date	Time	College/University
September 26th	9:30 AM	Loyola Chicago
September 27th	7:30 AM	UW- Green Bay
October 3rd	1:10 PM	St. Norbert College
October 6th	10:30 AM	Cardinal Stritch University
October 10th	1:00 PM	Ball State University
October 17th	1:15 PM	Coe College - Iowa
October 17th	2:00 PM	UW-Platteville
October 18th	8:00 AM	UW-LaCrosse
October 21st	9:00 AM	Viterbo University
November 18th	7:35 AM	Northern Michigan University

Welcome Back

Welcome back to SJCA! We hope everyone has had a wonderful summer and is refreshed and ready for a new school year!

We've already started scheduling visits from admissions counselors. Please check the college visits schedule under "downloadable documents" on the left side of the page.

Private College Week Wisconsin

Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU) presents
Wisconsin Private College Week 

 July 11-16, 2011!

Please visit http://www.privatecollegeweek.com/ to learn about Private College Week, where all 20 private nonprofit colleges and universities are holding an open house. Students obtain a waiver of application fees at each campus they visit! In addition to information on Wisconsin’s twenty private nonprofit colleges and universities, they can also sign up to win one of five $1000 "Go Grants"—and they have up to two years to use the prize for tuition at one of our colleges.

National Honor Society

Attention Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher:

You are invited to apply for the National Honors Society. Please pick up an application outside Ms. Sereno's room, 113, as soon as possible.

Applications are due Wednesday, April 20 at 8:00 am. Late applications will be accepted in only exceptionally rare circumstances.

Please see Ms. Sereno if you have any questions.

College Planning Tips--Seniors

In April, you should continue visiting the schools where you have applied and/or were accepted. You will need to send in your decisions by May 1st, so repeat visits to your schools of choice will help you best make your decision.

Continue studying for your AP exams and for all your classes. Remember that universities offer acceptance, scholarship and financial aid based on your final high school grades. If your grades drop too low, they may revoke your submission or financial aid.

College Planning Tips--Juniors

In April, you should continue exploring colleges and possible majors/areas of study. Continue preparing for your upcoming AP Exams! Also, look for jobs, internships or volunteering positions in areas that interest you. This will be great not only for your resume, but also help you develop a real sense of your interests and skills. Look for summer learning programs to enhance your SJCA education.

College Planning Tips--Freshmen and Sophomores

In April, continue looking for job or volunteer opportunities in areas you might be interested in studying. Look for summer learning programs. The Guidance Department has some information on this, and you can also find additional information online.

AP Exams!

Parents/Guardians of Advanced Placement students:

 

St. Joseph Catholic Academy will be holding Advanced Placement exams during the first two weeks of May.  AP teachers will be discussing the exam with students.  Additional information can be found in the Bulletin for Students and Parents, 2010-11 that was given to students last month.  Each exam costs $87. 

 

The exam schedule is as follows:

• Chemistry: Monday, May 2nd at 8AM
• Psychology: Monday, May 2nd at 12PM
• Calculus (AB or BC): Wednesday, May 4th at 8AM
• English Literature: Thursday, May 5th at 8AM
• Biology: Monday, May 9th at 8AM
• Microeconomics: Thursday May 12th at 12PM

If your student will be taking any of these exams, please complete the registration form found in the Downloadable Documents section and return it, with payment (checks made out to St. Joseph Catholic Academy), to Kari Stankowski no later than March 25, 2011.

Registration forms are also available in Room 114

Please contact me with any questions.

Freshman and Sophomore College Planning Tips

In Spring you should begin looking for summer opportunities!

• Look for a great summer opportunity--job, internship or volunteer position.
• Check with your counselor and search online for summer learning programs.

Senior College Planning Tips

March:

• College decisions start rolling in!
• Watch the mail for your Student Aid Report (SAR). Carefully examine the results. A mistake could cause you to miss out on college funding.
• If there are special circumstances affecting your family's financial situation, be sure to discuss them with the financial aid office.
• Don't panic if you're selected for verification. Just provide the college with the documents they need.
• Stay on top of important financial aid deadlines.
• Respond quickly to college requests for additional documentation.
• College acceptance and financial award letters start rolling.
• Prepare for AP exams!

.

Junior College Planning Tips

In March, you should:

• Plan campus visits. Find information on how to do that here.
• Narrow your college list to a reasonable number.
• Contact the financial aid office for each college on your list to discuss payment options.
• Keep up college discussions with your family and counselors.
• Get answers to your "going to college" questions.
• Estimate how much various colleges will cost.
• Prepare for AP exams!

Term 2 Final Exams

TERM 2 FINALS

Thursday, February 24

Period A:  8:00-9:10

Period B:  9:20-10:30

Period C:  10:40-11:50

Friday, February 25

Period D:  8:00-9:10

Period E:  9:20-10:30

No school Monday, February 28

Term 3 begins Tuesday, March 1. Start strong!



ACT Science Workshop

Due to the inclement weather school closings, the last two days of the Faculty-run ACT Science Workshop have been rescheduled to take place on Monday February 21st and Tuesday February 22nd from 3-4pm in Mr. Mroz's classroom.

Junior College Night

Parents & Guardians of Juniors:

Ideally your junior has already been thinking about and researching college opportunities.  Now is the time to focus on post-secondary plans.  There are things you can do to support and guide your son/daughter to make informed and sound college decisions.  

The Guidance Department will host a Junior College Night on Wednesday, February 16^th  at 6:30 in the Buri-Nelson. This is an opportunity for you and your student to ask questions and gather information that will make the process of choosing a college less stressful and more purposeful. 

Highlights Include:

ü  ACT/SAT Testing

ü  Researching Colleges

ü  College Tours

ü  Application Process

ü  And More

We look forward to seeing you there!

UW-Madison Discovery Day

Interested in a Career in Pharmacy?

High school juniors and seniors are invited to

learn about the Doctor of Pharmacy and

Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology & Toxicology

programs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

School of Pharmacy.

Demonstrations, lectures, tours and more as participants

interact with current students, faculty, and pharmacists.

Explore your options at:

DISCOVERY DAY

Saturday, March 26, 2011

8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

UW-Madison School of Pharmacy

Rennebohm Hall

777 Highland Avenue

Madison, Wisconsin

Parking available. Registration required.

For registration and more information, visit

www.pharmacy.wisc.edu/discovery-day

SENIORS: Scholarships!

Seniors: 

Please be sure that you are check out the latest list of scholarships!  We have received information about many local scholarships that are available to students who live and/or attend school in Kenosha County.

You can view the current list under Downloadable Documents (on the left) or see your counselor for a paper copy.

Good Luck!

Practice ACT

*Due to the SJCA school closing, the Junior ACT Practice Test is being rescheduled for Thursday, March 3rd. *

All Juniors will take a practice ACT this Thursday, February 3rd. We will self-score the test, which means you will find out your score immediately.

Make sure to treat this just like the real thing! It will help you understand the subject areas in which you most need to concentrate.

Good Luck!

Junior College Planning Tips-February

• Start searching for scholarships
• Register and study for the SAT and/or ACT

Senior College Planning Tips-February

• College acceptance and financial award letters start to arrive
• Watch the mail for your Student Aid Report (SAR). Carefully examine the results. A mistake could cause you to miss out on college funding.
• If there are special circumstances affecting your family’s financial situation, be sure to discuss them with the financial aid office.
• Don’t panic if you’re selected for verification. Just provide the college with the documents they need.
• Stay on top of important financial aid deadlines.
• Respond quickly to college requests for additional documentation.
• Compare financial aid packages from different schools.

SJCA faculty-run ACT workshops

Update! There is still room available for the English and Reading sessions. Sophomores are accepted, until capacity fills.

Juniors and Sophomores:

The Guidance Department at St. Joseph Catholic Academy will be offering after-school ACT Workshops in English, Math, Reading, and Science.  Each workshop will be presented by a St. Joe’s faculty member and run Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3-4pm.  The cost for each 3-day subject workshop is $10. 

·         ENGLISH          February 7, 8, 9                       (Sr. Virginia)

·         READING         February 14, 15, 16                 (Ms. Sereno)

If your student is interesting in taking any or all of these workshops, please complete the registration form listed in the Downloadable Documents section and return it, with payment, to Kari Stankowski.

Registration forms are also available in Room 114.

Please contact Kari Stankowski (kastankowski@kenoshastjoseph.com) with any questions.

Badger Boys State

The American Legion Auxiliary Badger Boys State session will be held at Ripon College in Ripon, WI beginning Saturday, June 11 and ending Saturday, June 18, 2011.

This opportunity is open to all eligible males in the Junior class.

To be eligible, students must:

•  Be enrolled in the junior year of a Wisconsin public, parochial or private high school or home school whether she resides in Wisconsin or a neighboring state.
• Imperative that he has an interest in government and citizenship.
• Have a scholastic rating in the upper third of her class. 
•  Have outstanding qualities of leadership, good moral character, cooperativeness, dependability and participation in extra-curricular activities.

Badger Boys State is an experience like none other.  It may be quickly described as a program which teaches the workings of government "by doing"; but it is much more than that.  It is a week long journey through a great many things that make us who we are; leaders, friends, students, athletes, and most of all citizens of our respective cities, towns, and our great state.  It is a journey which can be described as the most challenging and most rewarding (and fun) experiences by those who have already participated in the program.

If you are interested in being considered as St. Joseph Catholic Academy’s student delegate, please see Ms. Stankowski for a Prospective Delegate application and return it to her no later than February 15^th.

You can also visit the Badger Boys State website for more information: http://www.badgerboysstate.com/

Badger Girls State

The American Legion Auxilary Badger Girls State session will be held at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh campus in Oshkosh, WI beginning Sunday, June 19 and ending Friday, June 24, 2011.

This opportunity is open to all eligible female stundents in the Junior class.

To be eligible, students must:

• Be enrolled in the junior year of a Wisconsin high school
• Imperative that she has an interest in government and citizenship
• Have a scholastic rating in the upper half of her class.
• Have outstanding qualities of leadership, good moral character, cooperativeness, dependability and participation in extra-curricular activities.

During this week, delegates will:

• Stay at UW-Oshkosh and experience dorm life
• Have a chance to meet awesome girls from around WI
• Participate in Campaigning, Pep rallies, State Fair and Talent Show
• Take part in a unique citizenship educational opportunity

If you are interested in being considered as St. Joseph Catholic Academy's student delegate, please see Ms. Stankowski for a Prospective Delegate application and return it to her no later than February 15th!

You can also visit the Badger Girls State website for more information: http://www.badgergirlsstate.org/

2011 Kwik Trip Community Scholarship Program

Kwik Trip Inc. is making one non-renewable $500 scholarship available to a senior at St. Joseph Catholic Academy!

To be considered eligible, applicants must:

·         Be accepted at an accredited college/university in the US and planning to take a minimum of 6 credit hours

·         Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

·         Exemplify the portion of Kwik Trip’s mission statement: “To Make a Difference in Someone’s Life.”  Applicants must exhibit good service to others through their school and community activities.

If you are interested in being considered for this scholarship, please see Ms. Stankowski for an application and return it no later than March 15th!

National Hispanic College Fair

National Hispanic Fairs, Inc. (NHCF), an organization formed to meet the specific needs of the fastest growing minority population in America, the Hispanic/ Latino, in obtaining access to higher education and vocational training programs, is sponsoring the

Lake County National Hispanic College Fair

Friday March 18, 2011

9:30AM – 12:30PM

Waukegan High School
Main Gym - Brookside Campus
2325 Brookside Avenue
Waukegan, Illinois 60085

This college fair brings representatives from a broad range of over 50 colleges/ universities and vocational training institutions to students, providing them a unique opportunity to become aware of their many options and to compare the offerings of participating institutions. Also available at the fair is information about scholarships and grants which may be available to students. NHCF has partnered with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund to help achieve their goals of helping minority students gain the widest access to the resources available to them.

SJCA Faculty-Run ACT Workshops

Parents & Guardians of Juniors:

The Guidance Department at St. Joseph Catholic Academy will be offering after-school ACT Workshops in English, Math, Reading, and Science.  Each workshop will be presented by a St. Joe’s faculty member and run Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3-4pm.  The cost for each 3-day subject workshop is $10. 

·         MATH             January 24, 25, 26                   (Mr. Zachariah)

·         SCIENCE          January 31, February 1, 2       (Mr. Mroz)

·         ENGLISH          February 7, 8, 9                       (Sr. Virginia)

·         READING         February 14, 15, 16                 (Ms. Sereno)

If your student is interesting in taking any or all of these workshops, please complete the registration form listed in the Downloadable Documents section and return it, with payment, to Kari Stankowski no later than January 18, 2011.

Registration forms are also available in Room 114.

Please contact Kari Stankowski (kastankowski@kenoshastjoseph.com) with any questions.

National Italian Invitational Golf Tournament for Charities High School Scholarship

The National Italian Golf Tournament For Charities has been raising money for Italian-American organizations for the last 53 years. This is the sixth year the organization has been able to offer scholarships and will be offering two $7,500 high school scholarships to current freshmen, sophomores and juniors of Italian ancestry with a minimum GPA of 3.0. 

This scholarship can help fund your high school tuition!

Please note: The winning candidate must attend the tournament banquet on Saturday August 6, 2011 at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, WI in order to receive the scholarship.

You can learn more about this organization here.

College Goal Sunday is approaching!

Completing the Free Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA) is the most important step high school seniors can take to help turn college dreams into an affordable reality.  The FAFSA is necessary for access to federal, state, and most institutional financial aid. 

Nationwide, College Goal Sunday events are planned annually to meet the need of helping these students and their families complete the FAFSA by providing them access to expert, hands-on, step-by-step help.

In Wisconsin, College Goal Sunday will take place on February 19-20, 2011 at 30 locations throughout the state.

Visit http://www.wicollegegoalsunday.org/ for more information!

Information about Illinois' College Goal Sunday can be found here.

Best Buy @15™ Scholarship Program

 Best Buy Children’s Foundation is awarding up 1,200 scholarships of $1,000 each to graduating high school students in grades 9-12 who will be attending a college, university or vocational school in the US or Puerto Rico in the fall immediately following their high school graduation.

ü  Applicants must:

o   Have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)

o   Demonstrate commitment to and involvement in community volunteer service or work experience

o   Have never been selected as a Best Buy @15 recipient

ü  Awards are one-time only and are not renewable.  Award payment will be made upon recipients’ graduation from high school and submission of eligible enrollment in an accredited post-secondary institution.

ü  Deadline is February 16, 2011

Apply online at www.at15.com or www.bestbuy-communityrelations.com

January College Planning Tips--Seniors

• COMPLETE AND MAIL THE FAFSA THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY
• TIP: Keep copies of your financial aid forms too.
• Continue studying and preparing for your classes and Term 2 finals. 
• Do NOT get senioritis and slack off during the second half of your senior year.
• REMIND PARENTS! Taxes should be completed as early as possible; colleges may request them to prove eligibility for financial aid.

January College Planning Tips--Juniors

• Organize a file for college brochures, viewbooks, and other related college information that soon will be flooding your mailbox.

• Continue studying and preparing for classes and Term 2 Finals. Remember: Each term grades impact your GPA

Winter College Planning Tips--Sophomores

Winter: Get involved, read, practice writing, and refine your college list

Take on new roles.
Stay involved with your extracurricular activities and work toward leadership positions in the activities you like best. Become involved in community service and other volunteer activities. These type of activities will look great to the schools on your college lists.
Read, read, read.
Developing your reading skills will help prepare you for tests and make you a well-rounded individual. Read as many books as you can and read the newspaper to learn about current affairs.
Practice your writing.
You’ll need good writing skills no matter what path you pursue, so work on those skills now to get prepared. Find a teacher or another adult who can advise and encourage you to write well.
Get advice from your counselor.
Meet with your guidance counselor to make sure you’re staying on track. You can also discuss your PSAT scores and ask about postsecondary enrollment options and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

Winter College Planning Tips--Freshman

Winter: Focus on grades, explore careers, continue to find colleges, and consider a savings plan

Make the grade.
Get off to a good start with your grades because they will impact your GPA. Although college seems like a long way off right now, grades really do count toward college admission and scholarships. Those schools that are making their way onto your college list will be interested in these grades.
Explore your interests and possible careers.
Discuss your skills and interests with your guidance counselor. Your list of colleges may change in the future based on these interests.
Consider a college savings plan.
Talk to your parents about planning for college expenses. If your family already has a savings plan, continue to add to it. If not, now is a great time to start saving for college.