tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29317874808903344972024-03-13T10:00:09.511-07:00Churchill HS Parent BlogThis blog's purpose is to support and inform Churchill families and LD students navigating the college process and transitioning to life after high school. Churchill School is not responsible for the content of this blog. Please submit your email below for updates.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14493617188715915159noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-25932515549539856452014-06-04T04:49:00.000-07:002014-06-04T04:49:36.696-07:00Senior HS Parent ReflectionsSpirits were high at the Churchill Senior Breakfast yesterday as parents, students and Churchill staff mingled in the school auditorium. The ordeal of figuring out how to transition to life after Churchill is now behind us. At least the first step of the journey. Most students will attend college in the fall and a few are taking a gap year.<br />
<br />
My son will attend Hofstra University on Long Island. His route there meandered from wanting to study hospitality at a small college in Florida to business management at a medium sized university with many academic options and solid LD support. Other students will attend Adelphi University, American University, Boston College, Connecticut College, Ithaca College, Skidmore College, SUNY New Paltz, Syracuse University and other great schools. A gap year student will attend University of Madrid, Spain.<br />
<br />
Churchill families are savvy. "We're still waiting for financial packages," some parents would respond when asked where their son or daughter would attend. As readers of this blog know, I think that how to pay for college should be a main decision factor - families should think hard about the consequences of racking up debt to pay for education. <br />
<br />
Having completed the college search with my son, I am now ready to hand over this blog to another Churchill parent, yet to be 'appointed'. Let me or Ms. Hugger know if you are interested.<br />
<br />
VeronicaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-37121521269185157952013-10-28T05:13:00.000-07:002013-10-28T05:13:50.399-07:00<div class="im">
<h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><b>Emilie did ED at Connecticut College - the only school on her list</b></span></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">In
October of her senior year, Emilie Stoll applied <a href="http://www.conncoll.edu/admission/apply/early-decision/" target="_blank">Early Decision</a> (ED) to
<a href="http://www.conncoll.edu/" target="_blank">Connecticut College</a> (Conn) and became the first Churchill student ever
accepted, On </span><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1263501270" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">December 15</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"> she knew she would be attending her first and only choice, she said in a recent interview.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Emilie
first heard about Connecticut College in her junior year at Churchill
when she ran into an old dance buddy at the 28 Street subway stop. It
turned out that her friend was a freshman at Conn and raved about its
dance program and the college in general. Inspired by the conversation,
Emilie started researching Conn and discovered a small test-optional
liberal arts school that would allow her to combine her love of dance
with a strong academic education. After touring the campus twice, doing a
lot of leg work including learning about LD support, she decided to
apply ED.</span></span><br />
<br />
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.churchillschool.com/programs/high-school/college-guidance/college-guidance" target="_blank">Churchill guidance office</a> offered solid support
throughout the process. "</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Ms.
Hugger and Ms. McEntee were great," Emilie says. "They</span></span> always had such enthusiasm for
anything I had to share with them about the school,</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">” she adds.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Taking advantage of the option, Emilie did not send any test scores. She did not want to
dedicate too much time to test prep and basically just showed up to take
the ACT, on which she says she scored OK.</span></span><br />
<div class="im">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Once she had decided to apply to Conn, Emilie saw no reason to visit other
schools. “I wanted to avoid becoming overwhelmed,” she says.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EczA25NAD_0/Um5NEpbVd0I/AAAAAAAAIXk/EeptwfgbTLU/s1600/Emilie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EczA25NAD_0/Um5NEpbVd0I/AAAAAAAAIXk/EeptwfgbTLU/s320/Emilie.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emilie in her Conn dorm room.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"></span>After
she was accepted, Emilie traveled to New London, CT a third time to
familiarize herself with more practical Conn aspects including living
options. She requested a room at the North Campus, which she preferred
due to its proximity to the main dining hall and recent renovations. She
and a room-mate share a spacious room with great natural light and
cross ventilation. </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">The
academic transition has been smoother than expected and much is due to
Churchill teaching and instilling self-advocacy: “This is such a big
one," Emilie says. In addition to asking her professors for assistance
when necessary, Emilie takes advantage of French tutoring once a week
and considers utilizing the Writing Center.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Emilie
plans to major in Dance and English or Dance and Human Development
during her time at Conn, and study French in Paris in her junior year.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Even
though she has now firmly launched into the college phase of her life,
Emilie misses Churchill and still keeps in touch with her school friends
and teachers. She plans to attend Alumni Night in January and share her
Conn experiences.</span></span><br style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><i><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">About
Early Decision (ED): Several colleges offer ED, which is a binding
commitment. Students who have been accepted ED have to withdraw all
applications to other schools. The advantage with ED is that a larger
proportion of the applicants tend to become accepted. Most colleges list
data that makes it easy to figure out ED odds. A similar option is
Early Action, which is non-binding and gives a piece of mind along the
college process to those who are not yet ready to commit to ED.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span></i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-19532955837879214952013-04-22T16:22:00.000-07:002013-04-22T16:22:52.980-07:00Measuring College Prestige vs. Cost of Enrollment
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">By Paul Sullivan (published in The New York Times 4.19.13)</span></i><br />
Having a choice is generally a good thing, and being able to choose
among several college acceptances should be a wonderful thing indeed.
<br />
<div class="articleInline runaroundLeft">
But let’s face it: the cost of a college education these days ranges
from expensive to obscenely expensive. So the decision is likely to be
tougher and more emotional than most parents and children imagined as
they weigh offers from colleges that have given real financial aid
against others that are offering just loans.</div>
<div class="articleInline runaroundLeft">
<div class="columnGroup doubleRule">
<div class="story">
</div>
<div class="story">
<div itemprop="articleBody">
While some students will be able to go to college only if they receive
financial aid and others have the resources to go wherever they want,
most fall into a middle group that has to answer this question: Do they
try to pay for a college that gave them little financial aid, even if it
requires borrowing money or using up their savings, because it is
perceived to be better, or do they opt for a less prestigious college
that offered a merit scholarship and would require little, if any
borrowing? It’s not an easy decision. </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
“It’s not just the sticker price and the net costs,” said Sarah Turner,
professor of economics and education at the University of Virginia. She
added, “How likely is it that you will get into medical school or law
school or have some other opportunities” if you choose the more
prestigious college? </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
That’s the rational argument. In these decisions, though, emotion often
wins out, and it can lead to the slippery slope of excessive borrowing. </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
“Families really need to look realistically at what they can afford,”
said Lynn O’Shaughnessy, author of “The College Solution” and <a href="http://www.thecollegesolution.com/" title="The blog.">a blog</a>
of the same name. “Sometimes, they’ll look at a package and say, ‘It’s
not enough, but we can sacrifice and send our children to the school
they really want to go to.’ They have to realize this a four- to
five-year commitment.” </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
Ms. O’Shaughnessy said she was trying to counsel a father in New Jersey
who was on the verge of making a horrendous financial decision. His
daughter had received a full scholarship to attend Rutgers University
but her first choice was New York University, which, even with financial
aid, would cost the family $32,000 a year. The father, an engineer who
was also out of work, said he was going to send her to N.Y.U. </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
“I can’t even believe he’s considering it,” she said. “I was floored. It’s irrational.” </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
But, unfortunately, that father is not so unusual. While it is hard not
to give our children what they want, here are some ideas on how to think
about this financial dilemma without going broke — or at least know why
you will be broke. </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
The competition to get into top colleges is fierce in many cities and
towns in America, but nowhere is it more so that at the country’s elite
institutions. And many parents feel compelled to reward all that hard
work. </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
The debate between paying full tuition at an elite institution or
accepting a merit scholarship from someplace less prestigious “is a
conversation we have all the time,” said James Conroy, chairman of
post-high-school counseling at New Trier Township High School in
Winnetka, Ill., an affluent suburb in Chicago. “It’s a tough
conversation because what it gets down to is the values of the family.”
</div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
But he said many parents did not realize that their children were going
up against other children who were identical to them — at least on
paper. “There are 100 schools that we talk about in this office day
after day after day,” he said. “But those are the same schools that
every New Trier across the country talks about.” </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
Prestige has always been part of the equation, but he said he had
expected parents to start looking for value in colleges after the 2008
financial collapse. Instead, parents have come to see the elite
universities as the only way to give their children a chance at success.
They feel jobs are hard to come by and companies are only going to look
to hire at the elite universities. </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
“Whether it’s true or not, I have no evidence,” he said. “But that was
what was out on the bongo drums in the community.” </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
Ms. O’Shaughnessy knows this thinking well. The New Jersey father she
described has many contemporaries willing to try to pay for something
they could not afford. And there’s no guarantee, she said, that N.Y.U.
will bring his daughter greater success.</div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
“Frankly, I think that’s why East Coast schools that aren’t in the top
tier but are in cities can get away with charging outrageous amounts of
money and giving mediocre financial aid packages,” Ms. O’Shaughnessy
said. “Students fall in love with these schools, and there are parents
who are willing to sacrifice beyond all rational reasoning.”</div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
But economists are not sure this trade-off is worth it. In two <a href="http://www.nber.org/papers/w7322" title="Abstract of one of the studies.">much-discussed</a> <a href="http://dataspace.princeton.edu/jspui/bitstream/88435/dsp01gf06g265z/1/563.pdf" title="2011 study.">studies</a>
about the value of a degree from an elite college — one with people who
graduated in the 1970s and the other with more recent graduates — Alan
B. Krueger, then an economist at Princeton University, and Stacy Berg
Dale, a senior researcher at Mathematica Policy Research, found that
equally smart students had about the same earnings whether or not they
went to top-tier colleges. The big difference, their studies found, came
from minority and low-income students who went to top-tier colleges:
They did better later on. </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
Lawrence Katz, a professor of economics at Harvard University, said he
could envision circumstances where there might be a benefit to attending
the more elite institution, but he could see more instances when paying
to go to a large, nonelite university was a waste of money. </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
“The difference between going to Swarthmore and Penn State is greater
today than it was in 1976 because there are higher returns to all
upper-end skills and connections,” he said. By contrast, a larger,
private, expensive nonelite university was not necessarily better than
“the flagship campus of a top-notch state university.” </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
For parents willing to pay more for that nonelite, private university,
Professor Katz said they should not think about it as an investment but
as a form of consumption. “If your kid is dead set on it, you can
splurge on it,” he said. “But you should view it like a wedding or a
vacation. There are plenty of things that you can do that make your life
better if you’re upper middle class, and that’s fine.” </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
This spending becomes problematic, of course, when parents cannot really
afford to pay and, worse, Professor Turner said, when students borrow
heavily without thinking about the kind of life they want after
graduation. </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
“Am I certain I’m going to end up on Wall Street?” she said. “If you
know that’s what you want to do, borrow and go to N.Y.U. But borrowing
does not make a lot of sense if you want to go to culinary school.”
</div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
In most cases, though, the decision is what Professor Turner called, “a
choice under uncertainty”: few high school seniors really know what they
want to do and, by extension, what they will earn. </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
Parents and their children trying to make the decision now need to be honest with themselves, Ms. O’Shaughnessy said. If they decide to pay more than they can afford for the coming school
year, they need to remember that they’re looking at a four-year expense
and that given increasing tuition, the total cost will be more than four
times the cost of freshman year. “If you have a smart student who can
get into some of these expensive schools, they’ll do well in other
places,” she said. </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
Parents and students also need to look at the graduation rates of the
colleges they’re considering. While taking on a lot of debt is not good,
taking on a lot of debt and not graduating from college is even worse.
</div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
And if the students received any merit scholarships, they should
consider them. They are a sign that a college really wants the student. </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
For parents who will be in this situation in a few years, you could do
worse than take a page from the playbook of James Montague, director of
guidance and support services at Boston Latin School, the oldest public
school in the United States and one that selects students based on exams
and grades. Mr. Montague said his students, a third of whom are on subsidized lunch
programs, do not often have the options of their peers at wealthy
suburban schools. Their parents are not going to be able to find or
borrow $30,000 a year for four years. </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
To prevent disappointment — or to force the students who want to be
bakers to go to work on Wall Street to pay back their loans — he said he
encouraged students to apply to at least one state college that would
give them merit aid and to stick to the federally subsidized loan
limits. </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
“Our students are reasonable about this,” he said, adding, “Our students
are very resilient. They’re going to make it work.” </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
And ultimately, that will be what determines success long after a college is chosen. </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/20/your-money/measuring-college-prestige-vs-price.html?smid=pl-share" target="_blank">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/20/your-money/measuring-college-prestige-vs-price.html?smid=pl-share</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-86015552768695129632013-04-04T05:05:00.000-07:002013-04-04T05:05:50.788-07:00How Final Is a College’s Financial Aid Offer?This is an excerpt from a New York Times blog <a href="http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/03/how-final-is-a-colleges-financial-aid-offer/?src=recg" target="_blank">Q & A with Brian Lindeman</a>, the director of financial aid at <a href="http://www.macalester.edu/">Macalester College</a> in St. Paul:<br />
Families should know at least four things when they compare financial aid offers:<br />
<ol>
<li>How much will I need to pay to the college (how much is my bill)?</li>
<li>What other costs do I need to be prepared for (textbooks, travel to and from campus, personal expenses, other fees)?</li>
<li>How much will I need to repay after college? What will be the
required monthly payment and how long will it take to repay my loans?</li>
<li>Are there factors that might cause my financial aid to change after
the first year? (Issues that can sometimes cause year-to-year
fluctuation include grade point average requirements for renewal of
scholarships, family members who graduate or enter college, or
significant changes in family income.)</li>
</ol>
There is a lot of information in a financial aid package so at Macalester we offer <a href="http://www.macalester.edu/financialaid/faq/aboutyouraward/">this video tour</a> to our families.<br />
<hr />
<strong>Q: How does a student improve his or her chances of getting financial aid that doesn’t need to be repaid?</strong><br />
<div class="a left">
A.There are some obvious pitfalls that should be avoided:
</div>
<ul>
<li>Don’t be tardy with your financial aid application.</li>
<li>Make sure you check the answers on your <a href="http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/">Free Application for Federal Student Aid</a>, or Fafsa, and other application materials to be sure you haven’t overstated your assets.</li>
<li>Avoid the <a href="http://www.finaid.org/fafsa/errors.phtml">common Fafsa mistakes</a>.</li>
<li>Don’t be shy or embarrassed to let the college know about unusual
circumstances that may affect the family’s ability to pay for college.
Unusually high medical expenses or a recent job loss are examples. My
recommendation is that you write a short letter describing those
circumstances before you receive a financial aid result. If you then
receive a financial aid package that doesn’t seem to fit your
circumstances, follow up with the school’s financial aid office to ask
how they took your special circumstance into account.</li>
</ul>
Please note that there is no rainbow you can follow to a pot of gold.
You don’t need to visit campus and meet with the “right person” or make
sure that the financial aid officer is impressed by the student’s
wonderfulness. (If there is money for wonderfulness, it will be
distributed during the admission process in the form of a merit-based
scholarship.)<br />
<br />
<div class="q left">
Q.<strong> How final is an institution’s financial aid offer? Is it etched in stone? Penciled in? Drawn in sand?</strong>
</div>
<div class="a left">
A. Most financial aid offices will not respond positively to simple
requests for more aid. We generally won’t improve financial aid packages
in response to a financial aid offer from another school. In my office,
our goal is to provide a financial aid package that makes Macalester
financially feasible. We know that the student will almost always have a
lower-cost option.
</div>
Over the years, I have had hundreds of conversations with parents
that start with, “My daughter loves Macalester, but we are really
struggling to figure out a way to make it work financially.” The next
step is a conversation about the content of the financial aid
application. We sometimes uncover factors that were either
misinterpreted initially or weren’t reported. Sometimes we can provide
more aid.<br />
Families who are wondering whether to ask questions about financial
aid should know: You will not be the first or the last to do so. A
parent of a student who asks for more aid needs to be ready to hear
“no,” but there’s no reward for silence.<br />
<br />
<div class="q left">
Q.<strong> What’s the worst thing a student could do when comparing financial aid offers?</strong>
</div>
<div class="a left">
A. I think the most common mistake I’ve seen is the failure to
understand cost and value in the long term. Too often, I talk to parents
who are choosing between schools based solely on the first year’s cost.
</div>
Students and parents should be thinking about the total cost for
degree completion. How many years will it take to graduate? What will
student and parent debt load be at graduation? How might sibling
enrollment affect financial aid availability in the future? Are there
other factors that might affect the availability of financial aid in
future years?<br />
Similarly, families should be considering each institution’s value as
a multidecade return on investment. For traditional-age students, the
college years can be a crucible of intellectual and social development
that shapes a person’s life far beyond the first job after college. That
doesn’t mean that parents and students should sacrifice everything else
to choose the “perfect” school but it can sometimes mean that it’s a
good idea to stretch for the right fit.<br />
<hr />
http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/03/how-final-is-a-colleges-financial-aid-offer/?src=recgUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-65300702876527128232013-03-26T14:55:00.000-07:002013-03-27T04:25:48.763-07:00How to afford 'the right fit'?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
It’s not even April and many Churchill seniors have
already been accepted to college. I recently spoke with the mother of one of
those seniors, who does not want her or her child’s name in this article due to
privacy concerns. Her joy about her child’s acceptances is mixed with financial
fears.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
To optimize financial and academic odds, the
senior applied to 15 colleges, some testing optional and other requiring
SAT/ACT scores. After receiving acceptance letters from several top colleges
with the right academic support, however, the family is concerned that a top
college could be financially out of reach, even after factoring in <a href="http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/most-merit-aid" target="_blank">merit aid</a>
and low cost <a href="http://www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds_SA/" target="_blank">student loans</a>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The family has experienced that the more
competitive the college is, the less free funding its financial aid package
will contain. While the student’s first choice did not offer any merit aid, other
colleges are tempting with up to $35,000 of free funding based on academic
accomplishments and other factors represented in the student’s applications. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The preference is to minimize costly loans and rely on merit aid, which requires the student to maintain a
certain grade point average, but doesn’t need to be paid back. News stories
about debt-laden college graduates who toil at unpaid internships or low wages
are common and scary. “College can become a debt sentence,” says private
finance adviser <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNM7nvcVm-0&feature=player_embedded" target="_blank">Suze Orman</a>, who tells parents to entirely avoid private student
loans.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Today, a private undergraduate degree can cost
around $250,000 while a <a href="http://www.suny.edu/" target="_blank">SUNY</a>/<a href="http://www.cuny.edu/" target="_blank">CUNY</a> degree is within reach for a fraction of that
price. A private college, however, may offer merit aid that can make the price
variation less dramatic. Applying early for financial aid can pay off because there
is a first come/first serve aspect. The family submitted the <a href="http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/" target="_blank">Free Application for Federal Student Aid </a>(FAFSA) and <a href="http://student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile" target="_blank">CSS </a>profile as soon as applications were
accepted (January 2013). In addition, the student applied early action to
several schools, which was a confidence booster. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Working with <a href="http://www.churchillschool.com/page.cfm?p=1149" target="_blank">Churchill’s college guidance office</a>, the
family has also done a tremendous amount of independent research, which the mother
thinks is typical for the Churchill parent body.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
“Churchill parents are savvy, otherwise we would
not have children at Churchill,” she says.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Additional financial aid links:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<a href="http://www.direct.ed.gov/" target="_blank">www.direct.ed.gov</a>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<a href="http://collegecost.ed.gov/" target="_blank">http://collegecost.ed.gov </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-35835005224463649892013-01-07T17:35:00.000-08:002013-01-07T17:35:23.931-08:00Summer programs that prepare for life after Churchill<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026"/>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/>
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are many programs that prepare high school teens for
transitioning to semi-adult life. Several colleges offer summer classes of
varying degree of academic rigor. Some of these programs award college credits
while other mainly focus on giving students a taste of independent life away
from home and how to function in a college setting. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While many of the private colleges' summer programs are expensive, City University of New York (CUNY) offers a tuition free six
week summer college program. Click <a href="http://churchillhsparent.blogspot.com/2012/06/cunys-college-now-program-prepared.html" target="_blank">here</a> to read interview with a Churchill
student who attended <a href="http://collegenow.cuny.edu/" target="_blank">College Now</a>. Not all colleges accept credits from College
Now, but if you are considering a CUNY school you will be able to
accumulate college credits in advance during a College Now summer. College Now
is free for Churchill students and NYC public school students.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other teen programs focus on community service, language
immersion and exposure to other cultures.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A limited list – feel free to contribute:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ithaca College offers <a href="http://www.ithaca.edu/summercollege/" target="_blank">one week or three week</a> summer college classes to prepare high school students for college.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brown University has an <a href="http://brown.edu/ce/pre-college/" target="_blank">extensive summer program</a> and I know of students who went back for seconds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.curry.edu/programs-and-courses/undergraduate-programs/special-programs/ld-program-%28pal%29/summer-programs.html" target="_blank">Curry College</a> and <a href="http://www.landmark.edu/academics/summer-and-january-programs/high-school/" target="_blank">Landmark</a> College are top LD colleges that offer college programs for high school students during summer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
NOLS:
A parent brought up this college <a href="http://www.nols.edu/courses/find/bydate/summer.shtml." target="_blank">credit leadership program</a> at a recent Parent
Breakfast. Expensive, but scholarships are available.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wingspan is a tuition free <a href="http://wingspanarts.org/theatre-classes-camp/" target="_blank">summer acting program</a>.
A Churchill student who attended enjoyed it very much. No college credits
offered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Visions Service Adventure
offers<a href="http://www.visionsserviceadventures.com/" target="_blank"> international community service programs</a> during the summer for teens of
various ages. The cornerstones of the programs are meaningful service, cultural
immersion, adventure and community building.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Global Works is another company with many years of offering <a href="http://www.globalworkstravel.com/" target="_blank">community service immersion</a>
programs in foreign cultures. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-65599979161430965642012-12-14T05:07:00.000-08:002012-12-14T05:07:50.499-08:00Free mock ACT and SAT testsSeveral companies that offer SAT and ACT prep classes also offer free mock ACT and SAT tests. If you decide to do a mock test, make sure to apply for extended time. One of the companies that offer mock tests is Bespoke. Some current 11th grade students have taken tests at one of Bespoke's locations and given positive feedback. Visit Bespoke's website to view multiple test sites and times:<br />
<br />
http://www.bespokeeducation.com/mock_testing.cfmUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-26598111214138487862012-10-05T14:48:00.000-07:002012-10-07T05:52:52.213-07:00New guidance program prepares students for life after Churchill<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
<o:PixelsPerInch>72</o:PixelsPerInch>
<o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
To better prepare students for success after high-school, <a href="http://www.churchillschool.com/page.cfm?p=1149" target="_blank">Churchill</a> has created a new comprehensive four-year program where high
school guidance counselors Deborah McEntee works with 9<sup>th</sup> and 10<sup>th</sup>
graders and Erin Hugger counsels 11<sup>th</sup> and 12<sup>th</sup> graders.
In addition, head art teacher and Churchill veteran Dennis McKonkey trains 9<sup>th</sup>
and 10<sup>th</sup> graders in self-awareness and self-advocacy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
“We're very excited about this new program” Deb said in a recent interview with her and Erin at the new 6<sup>th</sup> floor guidance office.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0_A-jvkYceQ/UGyayMSeS1I/AAAAAAAAH2c/XqN5g08ORew/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0_A-jvkYceQ/UGyayMSeS1I/AAAAAAAAH2c/XqN5g08ORew/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Churchill high school counselors Deborah McEntee and Erin Hugger at the guidance office.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Deb has a background in special education and
counseling and Erin used to work as college guidance counselor at Chapin School
on Manhattan’s Upper Eastside. Both Erin and Deb have Master’s degrees in
school counseling and are New York State certified school counselors. Last year
Deb worked as assistant high-school guidance counselor at Churchill. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Student
centered process </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The new guidance program is student centered and
starts in 9<sup>th</sup> grade where students analyze their strengths,
weaknesses and interests, learn time management and are exposed to various career
options. In 10<sup>th</sup> grade, students are slowly introduced to start
thinking about post high-school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>10<sup>th</sup>
graders will begin to make the connection between their own work ethics and how
that translates into their career choices and life after Churchill. Students
are introduced to Naviance, a computer-based system with a multitude of resources
and data on where previous Churchill students have applied to college, been
accepted and attended college, their test scores and grades.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
In junior year transition preparations become more
focused. Building on the foundation laid during the first two years, Erin works
with students to plan a path that leads to their desired future endeavors. Most
Churchill students attend four-year colleges and tend to do well. Churchill alumni
have a retention rate above 90% from college freshmen to sophomore year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
In the beginning of the second semester of 11<sup>th</sup>
grade, Erin meets with students and their families to discuss college, gap year
programs/vocational school options. Student interests and needs, high school grade
point average through the first semester of 11<sup>th</sup> grade and PSAT
scores factor in to this discussion. Spring of junior year/summer after junior
year is the time to start working on a resume, visiting colleges and begin drafting
the college essay. Students who have an essay draft at the start of 12<sup>th</sup>
grade are in good shape, Erin says. She calls the transition process “a family
affair” and recognizes the vital part parents and other support persons play and the importance of communication between them and the student.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The fall of senior year can be intense. Families
and students have follow-up meetings with Erin, finalizing their college lists,
gap year/vocational school plans. In school, students attend weekly
transitioning classes and college/career planning and preparation learning how
to handle college admissions interviews, writing personal essays and working on
other writing assignments required for admission packages.<br />
"Start early and stay calm," Erin advises. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Test prep
and college reps at Churchill</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Erin and Deb are currently in the process of meeting
with test prep companies that have experience working with LD students to
explore the possibility of offering a SAT/ACT prep class at Churchill. At Churchill,
students are offered to take ACT/SAT at school twice a year (spring and fall). </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Another new part of the process is the visits to
Churchill by college representatives selected based on their colleges’ LD
support and suitability. This fall some 20 college reps are visiting Churchill.
In addition, both guidance counselors tour colleges and evaluate alternative
post high school programs. Over the past summer Erin visited Northeastern
University, Curry College and Clark University, three schools where Churchill
alumni have enrolled.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-64757561878249712822012-10-02T09:34:00.003-07:002012-10-02T09:34:41.476-07:00Workshop: Is My Child Ready for College?<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Identifying Support for College Bound Students with Learning Differences </span></b><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Workshop at the MAIAA Parent Resource Center</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">October 11, 2012 </span></b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";"></span><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> btw. 6:30-8:00 pm </span></b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #008f00; font-size: 10.0pt;">Guest speaker - Sherri Maxman, College Advisor </span><span style="color: #008f00;"></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Sherri
Maxman will discuss the process of college placement for students with
Learning Differences. What are some specific things to think consider
for your child when determining a good fit? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Group size is limited to 12 people. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Location: </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">417 E. 90th Street, 6H </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">New York, NY 10128 </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Fee: </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">$35.00 (non-refundable due to small group size)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Refreshments
and light snacks will be served.</span> Please contact Colleen Mariani at <span style="color: #0433ff;"><a href="mailto:colleen@maiaanyc.com" target="_blank">colleen@maiaanyc.com</a> </span>or <a href="tel:917-747-2146" target="_blank" value="+19177472146">917-747-2146</a> to reserve your spot.</span> </div>
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span>
MAIAA- A Parent Resource Center <br /><a href="tel:%28212%29%20426-3742" target="_blank" value="+12124263742">(212) 426-3742</a> <br /><a href="http://www.maiaanyc.com/" target="_blank">www.maiaanyc.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-87140263848528139012012-09-05T06:58:00.000-07:002012-09-05T11:57:04.227-07:00Pay less for testing for ACT/SAT extended timeLast school year (2011/2012) I had my son, then a 10th grader, tested so that he could obtain extended time on the SAT/ACT and get accommodations in college. I did not feel that it was necessary to pay between $5,000-7,000 for this service. Instead I paid $600 and he was tested during the February break at Hofstra by a Ph.D student supervised by her professor, a certified clinical psychologist. After meeting with the testers to discuss their recommendations, I verified that these were consistent with those on his IEP.<br />
<br />
<b>Contact information for universities that offer low cost psycho-educational evaluations:</b><br />
Teachers' College 212-678-3262 (fills up quickly, call early)<br />
Fordham University, 212-636-6483.
(fills up quickly, call early)<br />
<a href="http://www.hofstra.edu/Community/slzctr/slzctr_psych.html">Hofstra University</a> in Hempstead 516-463-5660 <br />
<a href="http://www.adelphi.edu/communityservices/derner/dernercenter/">Adelphi University</a>
516-877-4844 (supposedly charges $500 for testing, but did not answer
the phone)<br />
<br />
The NYC Department of Education performs psycho-educational evaluation for free if you belong to the NYC school system. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-81144205202470793992012-07-09T18:07:00.000-07:002012-07-24T11:43:52.303-07:00Exploring college at JWU career days<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
My son Peter has just returned from a career <a href="http://www.jwu.edu/uploadedFiles/Documents/Admissions/brochures/JWUCareerExplorations.pdf" target="_blank">exploration weekend</a> at <a href="http://www.jwu.edu/">Johnson & Wales University (JWU)</a> in Providence, RI.
JWU offers four-year career-oriented college degrees at four campuses
(Providence, RI, Charlotte, NC, Miami, FL and Denver, CO) within hospitality,
culinary arts, business, technology and arts & science. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Peter took a bus from New York City on Friday
morning and was picked up by a JWU representative in Providence in time for lunch. The first day
he spent dining in the school cafeteria, touring the campus, listening to
presentations including information about the learning center, and meeting with
current JWU students. He shared a dorm room with another high school student for
two nights. On Saturday Peter got a taste of hospitality classes during the day and the JWU
recreation center in the evening. Sunday morning was check-out. The entire program was just $95. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aeji9Qe7d6A/T_t-V7D9dtI/AAAAAAAAHTY/-HDBPeKIJOk/s1600/P1070269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aeji9Qe7d6A/T_t-V7D9dtI/AAAAAAAAHTY/-HDBPeKIJOk/s320/P1070269.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter Stolt (right) and Joseph Schembari at their JWU dorm room. Photo by Christine Negroni.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
“I’d recommend a career weekend at JWU for those
who have an idea of what they would like to do in life,” Peter says. “It was great
to get an idea about how it is to be at a school that is career oriented and
not about liberal arts.”</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-3311507305452471602012-06-19T07:58:00.000-07:002012-06-29T12:10:52.636-07:00Churchill alumn picked to lead 5,000 students<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In
college, Churchill alumn Shoshana Rosen turned initial struggles into
success. At her recent graduation from <a href="http://www.umd.edu/">University of Maryland (UMD)</a>,
Shoshana was one of eight Senior Marshalls selected out of 5,000
students to carry UMD’s flag representing her grade.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“It
was one of the proudest moments of my life,” Shoshana said at a recent
interview at an Upper Eastside coffee shop. “I was leading everyone
else.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46u7MgRPiEY/T-CPkzLw4zI/AAAAAAAAHTA/Sy0SMJ-Ue5w/s1600/shoshana+graduation+low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46u7MgRPiEY/T-CPkzLw4zI/AAAAAAAAHTA/Sy0SMJ-Ue5w/s320/shoshana+graduation+low+res.jpg" title="Shoshana Rosen at graduation from University of Maryland where she was selected to represent her 5,000 student class." width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Shoshana
had to work very hard to earn her success. The adjustment from
Churchill to UMD, a large state research university with 300 student
freshmen classes, was rough. During her first semester an
English professor refused to tolerate any dyslexic errors, even after
being informed about Shoshana’s LD issues, and the Writing Center did
not offer any proof reading services. Instead, Shoshana paid a
proof reader to help weed out typos and grammar errors before
handing in her papers. In the beginning of her sophomore year, however, the
Writing Center had a new director who was receptive to Shoshana’s
self-advocacy. From then on, the Writing Center helped Shoshana with
her papers. As a result of persistence, hard work and obtaining the
support she needed, Shoshana made the Dean’s List almost every semester.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Academically
it would have been easier at a smaller school, but for me academics
were not the only aspect of college,” Shoshana says. She picked UMD
because of its variety of student activities, student diversity and an
active Jewish community.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Socially UMD was the best option for me,” she says.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">At
UMD, she was able to create her own major, an endeavor that entailed
writing a thesis arguing her proposed major and convincing faculty
members of its feasibility. Shoshana’s “Children with Special Needs and
Family Support” major consisted mainly of courses in psychology, special
education and family science. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Throughout
her four years at UMD, she participated in many different
organizations, including a peer counseling and crisis intervention
hotline She also had an internship at <a href="http://www.thearc.org/">The ARC</a>, an organization that
works with families of children with intellectual and developmental
disabilities where she created an online support network platform that
helps families of disabled children ages 0-3 to connect and share
experiences. Another advantage with UMD is the proximity to Washington,
DC, which Shoshana visited about once a week to spend time at museums,
restaurants and enjoy big city life in general.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Shoshana graduated from Churchill in 2008 after being at Churchill since middle school.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Churchill
did a great job teaching me how to learn,” she says. Also, at Churchill
“I felt smart for the first time.” Churchill teachers are the best
teachers in the world, she says. Churchill’s supportive and nurturing
environment, however, made her unprepared for the harsher UMD reality.
No one at Churchill had told her that in college she might get assigned
to read 100 pages in one night. She was the first Churchill student to
attend UMD while most of her classmates selected smaller schools.
Initially she felt as if “I wasn’t expected to succeed at Maryland,” she
says.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Shoshana now looks forward to volunteering with
families of intellectually and developmentally disabled children in
Israel during the coming year. Long term plans include obtaining a
master’s degree in Social Work and running a support center for families
with intellectually and developmentally disabled children using a
holistic approach including art therapy, teaching social skills, and
offering sibling and family counseling.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Shoshana’s
advice to Churchill HS students and their families: Students: know
yourself and pick a school where you can see yourself for four years (or
more). Parents: It’s not about the name of the school, but what the
student wants and the college being able to provide the support the
student needs to succeed.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-88926583223681432652012-06-11T07:34:00.000-07:002012-06-29T12:12:20.632-07:00Churchill alumn Julia teaches art at Churchill<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-epqdluTZCWQ/T8kfgxnU7hI/AAAAAAAAHSk/p1OWsGCX-yo/s1600/Julia+R+w+art.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-epqdluTZCWQ/T8kfgxnU7hI/AAAAAAAAHSk/p1OWsGCX-yo/s320/Julia+R+w+art.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julia Romano took a gap year before attending college. Now she teaches at Churchill.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When Julia Romano, 25, was a senior at Churchill, she applied to college “because that’s what everyone else was doing so that’s what I was doing too,” she said in a recent interview at the Churchill Middle School art room. She applied to 12 schools, which resulted in 11 acceptances and one wait-listing. After a few weeks at a college in New Hampshire, however, Julia realized that she had made a mistake and dropped out. Instead, she spent her first year after high school working in retail and pondering future career plans.<br />
<br />
“I gained a lot of responsibility and independence,” Julia says about her time as a retail employee. Adult life also sparked a desire and motivation to obtain higher education and focus on art. She had friends at <a href="http://www.mville.edu/">Manhattanville College</a> and became interested in the school’s strong programs in art and education. When her acceptance letter from Manhattanville (the only college she applied to) arrived Julia was very excited. <br />
<br />
“I was hungry for new challenges,” she says. During her freshman year at Manhattanville, Julia was enrolled in <a href="http://www.mville.edu/catalog/2011-2012/educational-support.htm#o4891">The Higher Education Learning (HELP) Program</a>, an individualized support program where she worked with a tutor who helped her with papers and essays. After her freshman year she did not need the Help Program, which costs extra, anymore. Overall, she had a rewarding college experience. <br />
<br />
“My grades were much better in college than in high school, she says. She is dyslexic and had to work very hard, and credits the solid foundation built at Churchill for her success mastering her college courses. Having never studied any foreign language prior to college, Julia took two language courses and studied art history for a semester in Barcelona, Spain where she also enrolled in an intensive Spanish language course.<br />
<br />
Dennis McConkey, Churchill’s head art teacher, has been a mentor for Julia and remembers her as a nine-year old. “She was the kind of kid that you knew was going to become a good adult,” Dennis says. In addition to being a serious student, he remembers her artistic skills. Julia and many other Churchill students are talented artists, but they are not fully aware of the significance of their creative gifts until they are in a different learning environment, he says. Julia and Dennis share values regarding teaching and art. “She often says exactly what I was going to say,” he says, "I’m passing on the torch.”<br />
<br />
Julia recalls Dennis telling her early on that one day she’d make a good art teacher. During her senior year in college, Julia applied for teaching jobs at various LD schools in New York City. After she graduated in the spring of 2010, an assistant science teacher opening materialized at Churchill elementary school. A year later, she landed a position as middle school art teacher. She enjoys being back at Churchill and having some of her former teachers as colleague. The feeling is mutual.<br />
<br />
“It is funny to have one of my former students as a colleague,” Dennis says.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-66498973782743648642012-06-01T05:39:00.000-07:002012-07-10T05:32:29.223-07:00CUNY’s College Now program prepared Marisa for college<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
To get an idea about college studies, Churchill senior
Marisa McCaffery took advantage of <a href="http://collegenow.cuny.edu/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">College Now</span></a>, a free college program for high school students run by the <a href="http://www.cuny.edu/index.html">City University of New York (CUNY)</a>. For a
part of the summer between her junior and senior year, Marisa studied
psychology at <a href="http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/">Baruch College</a> with other NYC high school students. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I would recommend College Now <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";"></span>to every high-schooler,” Marisa said in a recent interview over the
phone. In the fall of 2012 Marisa will start at <a href="http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/main/">Hunter College</a> with three
college credits already under her belt. College Now gave <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";"></span>her an opportunity to discover learning outside the Churchill
environment at one of the top CUNY colleges.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Students attending state-funded schools such as Churchill are
eligible to attend College Now<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";"></span>, but the participating CUNY college program administrators don’t always realize
that Churchill students are eligible, Pauline
Ores, Marisa’s mother says. Applying can be a bit confusing as there is a
central <a href="http://collegenow.cuny.edu/"></a><a href="http://collegenow.cuny.edu/">CUNY College Now</a> program site<a href="http://collegenow.cuny.edu/"><span style="color: #000099;"></span></a> and additional sites
maintained by the participating CUNY colleges. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each college offers different <a href="http://collegenow.cuny.edu/summer-programs-list/">College Now courses</a><a href="http://collegenow.cuny.edu/summer-programs-list/"><span style="color: #000099;"></span></a>,
mostly during the summer, but some also offer these courses during the school year.
Students need to apply to each CUNY college program separately, but can apply
to as many programs as they like. While Hunter College is mainly offering math
and science classes, City College and <a href="http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/collegeNow/summer.html">Queensborough Community College</a> have been offering an all-day theater course.
Depending on funding, courses offered by CUNY College Now s<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";"></span>chools vary from year to year. Eligibility is determined by Regents
exams and/or PSAT/SAT scores.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since the 2008 recession, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/23/nyregion/at-cunys-top-colleges-black-and-hispanic-freshmen-enrollments-drop.html?_r=1&hp">top CUNY schools such as Hunter College and Baruch College have become increasingly competitive and selective</a>. Last fall, 26 % of those who
entered these CUNY schools had SAT scores at or above 1,200/1,600. With an
annual in-state tuition of $5,430 for the 2012/2013 school year for New York
State residents, CUNY is a bargain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Marisa’s turn to apply to college arrived, Pauline (a
seasoned mother with an older daughter who is currently a college junior) focused
on helping Marisa not only evaluating colleges where she would thrive, but also
assessing post-graduation job placement support. Pauline stresses the
importance of starting early to alleviate some of the inevitable stress during
the student’s junior and senior years. Sports scholarships, for example, usually
require game videos and may have earlier application deadlines. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d recommend downloading the <a href="https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/default.aspx">common app</a> in 9<sup>th</sup>
grade,” Pauline suggests. This creates an opportunity to get familiar with what
type of information colleges look for and how to organize this data, for
example number of hours per week for each community service program. Most of all, Pauline emphasizes the importance of supporting
the student obtaining a strong GPA. “If you have limited resources, you’re far
better off helping your child get good grades than spending money on SAT
tutoring,” she says, pointing out that many colleges no longer require SAT
scores.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Churchill really
cares about the students,” Pauline says about the transition to life after
Churchill. While other schools may try to push students to apply where they are
100% certain to become admitted, “Churchill is truly interested in finding the
right fit.” The school also organized applications for the New York State
Scholarship for Academic Excellence, which Marisa was awarded based on her
Regents scores.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marisa was accepted by all seven of the colleges she applied
to, mostly in the New York City region. She
selected to attend Hunter College, where she was awarded an academic
scholarship, which requires maintaining specified grade point average. Her
scholarship also includes a one-on-one adviser to help her select her classes,
a dorm room and help with internships and job placement. “Hunter offered me
really nice things,” Marisa says. She looks forward to studying math and
statistics this fall.</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-81193486961755257342012-05-14T12:28:00.000-07:002012-06-29T12:14:09.715-07:00Behind the doors of the Admissions OfficeThe
admissions office is the gatekeeper, but it is also the college’s marketing department. The Dean of Admissions is, in effect, head of public relations.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
“My boy was being solicited, as surely and
shamelessly as a sailor come to port,” <a href="http://www.andrewfergusonbooks.com/" target="_blank">Andrew Ferguson </a>writes in his well researched and often hilarious book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Crazy
U</i> about college mailings clogging his mailbox.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
College brochures and
websites are carefully crafted to entice students and their families. In
addition to online and print marketing, college admissions officers
travel
around the country visiting high schools and college fairs. The result
of these promotion efforts is often that a much larger number of
students apply than the colleges can
accommodate. (The ease of the common app also contributes to the deluge).<br />
<br />
A motivation for soliciting lots of applicants is college
rankings, a driving
force behind the college business. The more selective a college
appears, the higher the ranking potential. Many colleges play games - according to a Wall Street Journal reporter, 25% fudge the numbers they submit to the <i><a href="http://www.usnews.com/rankings" target="_blank">US News & World Report</a></i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Studies,
however, show little correlation between attending a high ranking
college and future income. Among 1,300+ millionaires surveyed the
average SAT
score was 1190/1600, and attending a top ranked college ranked a lowly 23 as
reason for riches (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Millionaire Mind</i>
by Thomas J Stanley).<br />
<br />
When visiting colleges, I have been encountering
alumni in their 20s working at the admissions office of their alma
mater. Being a college admissions officer is stressful, relatively low paid and
requires a lot of traveling so people tend to move on after a few years. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
My
impression is that once Churchill students find a suitable school, they
tend to become admitted and do well. Years of solid academic instruction, LD awareness and
self-advocacy training have prepared them for success in life after
Churchill. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Sources:</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Crazy U</i>
by Andrew Ferguson, chapter 2 & p.106-130</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cool
Colleges</i> by Donald Asher</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-81562630300456639942012-05-08T09:47:00.000-07:002012-06-29T12:16:15.677-07:00Julian Cohen-Serrins studies psychology at Dickinson College<br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><i>In 2011, Julian Cohen-Serrins
and <a href="http://churchillhsparent.blogspot.com/2012/04/jesse-medalia-strauss-is-filming-in.html" target="_blank">Jesse Medalia Strauss</a> produced <a href="http://www.churchillschool.com/page.cfm?p=1276" target="_blank">four short videos</a> for Churchill. Julian is a
junior at <a href="http://dickinson.edu/" target="_blank">Dickinson College</a> studying in <a href="http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/" target="_blank">Copenhagen, Denmark</a> this semester.</i></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k4W3S06eHIE/T6gJxaVMYWI/AAAAAAAAHRw/zC9UdY702lM/s1600/Julian+Cohen-Serrin+Austria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k4W3S06eHIE/T6gJxaVMYWI/AAAAAAAAHRw/zC9UdY702lM/s320/Julian+Cohen-Serrin+Austria.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julian Cohen-Serrins visiting Austria during his junior year abroad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Like so many others, Julian struggled in school before entering Churchill in 2005
as a high school freshman. His middle-school years were stressful and he developed a fear of teachers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">"Instead of asking me what I was thinking or learning more about my learning disabilities they just made me feel worse," he writes in an email from Copenhagen. </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">He felt as if no one understood him.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">At Churchill, however, Julian quickly learned to trust his teachers and realize that his learning disability was not going to hold him back from
anything he wanted to do. He
is planning to graduate from Dickinson with a major in Psychology and a minor in Political
Science and to attend graduate school to obtain Psy D. in Clinical Psychology. The long term goal is to either have a large private practice or run a clinic. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How did Churchill prepare you
for college?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Churchill
prepared me for college in a several vital ways. First, Churchill educated me on my learning disability, something that played a large role in
developing my identity and my academic life. Without understanding my learning disability from both an outsider perspective and a personal
psychological perspective I would be at a loss. This is especially important
when communicating with peers and professors about how to best accommodate my
needs so I can produce my best work. <span style="color: #222222;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Second, Churchill prepared me for college by teaching me to think critically. Throughout
every class I was encouraged and rewarded for critical thinking. While many non-Churchill students are excellent at taking standardized tests,
thinking critically is a more valuable skill in college and life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What is your fondest Churchill memory?</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">The trip to Yosemite National Park was the perfect culmination of my Churchill experience. While we were learning about the wonderful wilderness around us there was such a strong sense of comradely that no matter what
happened we were always going to enjoy each other and be close. I will never forget that trip and everyone involved who
gave me one of the best experiences of my life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How did you determine if a college would
be a good match? How did you make your final decision?</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">The primary factors I was looking for were small class sizes, a
liberal ideology or tradition, close teacher relationships and a college not
too far from home. I decided on Dickinson College
mostly due to it satisfying my criteria combined with Dickinson’s
prestigious reputation and the school's emphasis on studying abroad. </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What accommodations and support services
do you have at Dickinson?</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">I get my own laptop, double time on all tests and my
own private room to take tests with a proctor. </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">The only real support service I use
regularly is the writing center. I use this resource for literally every paper
I write. Another resource I have used is a language tutor for my German
classes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Highlights at college so far? </span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Attending a college that offers amazingly interesting
classes taught by even better professors and running and being the
president of a student liaison program called the Public Safety Advisory Board.
This board consists of a group of students who promote a stronger working
relationship and better representation between the Department of Public Safety
and the student body.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What made you decide to make the videos
about LD for Churchill?</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Jesse and I had such a
positive and life transforming experience at Churchill that we both want to
give back in any way we can. While Jesse and I have worked together since
meeting at Churchill on Film-making and especially making documentaries, this
project was by far the most meaningful because of our Churchill experience.
Throughout the production of the videos we both felt that we needed to
try and show what a remarkable school Churchill is, but at the same time Jesse
and I are just two people. What really made the films successful were the
overwhelmingly positive and insightful words of those we interviewed.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Advice
to current Churchill HS students and their families embarking on the transition
process to life after Churchill?</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">R<span style="color: #222222;">emember that although learning disabilities may have
caused academic difficulties for a long time, with the help of Churchill, those
difficulties <i>can</i> <i>and will</i> be lessened. Churchill students simply
know more about how they learn than other students and because of that they
are better prepared to advocate and adjust to the academic environment. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Yet, more importantly, people with learning disabilities also
tend to have amazing <i>abilities</i> and in college and life that’s what will count,
that’s what will stand out and that’s what will sow the seeds of future
success.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-87650405571306020032012-04-30T06:11:00.000-07:002012-06-29T12:18:32.098-07:00Jesse Medalia Strauss is filming in Prague and editing Obama 2012 videosMeet Jesse Medalia Strauss (class of 2009), half of the two
student team that produced <a href="http://www.churchillschool.com/page.cfm?p=882&newsid=35" target="_blank"> four short videos about learning disabilities</a> posted at Churchill’s website (you will meet Julian, the other team member, later). Jesse is a
junior at <a href="http://www.american.edu/" target="_blank">American University</a> (AU) in Washington, DC spending this semester in Prague, Czech Republic,
attending the film academy FAMU. A highlight of Jesse’s college experience so far has been
editing Obama 2012 videos.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOx6AOld3I0/T56EvYkMeNI/AAAAAAAAHQg/qAIrfgzcON0/s1600/Jesse+Medalia-Strauss+Prague%281%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOx6AOld3I0/T56EvYkMeNI/AAAAAAAAHQg/qAIrfgzcON0/s320/Jesse+Medalia-Strauss+Prague%281%29.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesse Medalia Strauss on location in Prague. Jesse is a junior at American University.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How did Churchill prepare you for
College?</b><br />
The most important way Churchill prepared me for college was to teach me how to
self advocate. Through Churchill I learned exactly what I need to learn best
and how to articulate that to professors. The relationship between teachers
and students at Churchill is an essential part of the environment
that Churchill fosters, which made me confident in talking to and
befriending my favorite professors in college.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How did you select American?</b><br />
When looking at colleges I knew I wanted a film program in an urban
environment. I was really torn between American and Emerson. I decided that AU
was the best fit because, although their film program was not quite as renowned, it
was the perfect school to combine a love of film and politics. Previous
Churchill students have attended American and it has a great LD support system.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What accommodations and support do
you receive?</b><br />
I have time and a half on tests and a guaranteed computer if the tests are short
answer or essay based. I also can use my laptop in class to take notes even if
the professor has a no laptop policy. I had a tutor for my statistics class but
other than that my accommodations have been enough to get me through all my classes.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What have been the highlights so far
at college?</b><br />
I have found a great group of friends that get along wonderfully with my
Churchill friends. I have become close with a few of my professors. Study
abroad has been an amazing opportunity and has taught me so much about the world and film-making. I was elected as
Communications Director of AU Democrats and have interned for the PR company
that creates Obama's political ads (GMMB) where I got to edit a few for the 2012
campaign.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What made you and Julian decide to do
the Churchill videos?</b><br />
Churchill has done so much for us and we really wanted to do something in return. Despite the wonderful opportunity Churchill is, you still have to carry the label of being learning disabled that comes with it.
That label can make people uncomfortable and many Churchill students have
a hard time explaining what Churchill is to their friends outside Churchill. Parents of perspective students may also feel uncomfortable by
the LD label. The videos serve as a way of explaining what Churchill is and how this
label is not necessarily negative and can actually result in being a positive
force in your life.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Future career plans?</b><br />
Hopefully have a job making videos for a nonprofit, shooting independent films and documentaries or working somewhere in political communications.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fondest Churchill memory?</b><br />
I have two really fond memories. The first is from our Yosemite National Park
trip. One night we had the choice to sleep in a cozy cabin or under a tarp in
six feet of snow. Two of my friends and I opted for the snow. I got perhaps an
hour of sleep in my sleeping bag designed for summer weather. An icy drip from the trees above landed
on my face - my area of the tarp was not set up
properly. After what seemed like a lifetime morning came and the three of us became
the first in Churchill history to last the entire night. <br />
My second memory was being in charge of directing the class of '09 Senior Video. I decided
to create a three act 20 minute documentary profiling our grade. It was
complete with reenactments, interviews and archival footage. For two months the
senior video engulfed my entire life and was probably the hardest project I
ever undertook until filming at FAMU. But when it was played at graduation it
brought parents to tears and that made it all worth it. The senior video Part
I: <a href="http://vimeo.com/6612584" target="_blank">http://vimeo.com/6612584</a>
Part II: <a href="http://vimeo.com/6612814" target="_blank">http://vimeo.com/6612814</a><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Advice to current Churchill students?</b><br />
Never be afraid to advocate for yourself, take advantage of every opportunity
that is presented to you and practice good time management. Everything else
will fall into place.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-7884232495205834032012-04-24T09:19:00.000-07:002012-04-24T09:19:01.888-07:00Churchill HS Breakfast April 24, 2012<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dr. Siebert welcomed some 30 parents attending the April 24 Churchill
High School Breakfast. He began the meeting with introducing the two newly
appointed co-high school principals Lynn Settlow and Jason Wallin. Another
change Dr. Siebert announced was that the current college guidance counselor Bill
McBrien will retire as of June 30, 2012. His assistant Deborah McEntee, a certified
guidance counselor, is a strong candidate to succeed him. In addition, outside
applicants are being interviewed and Dr. Siebert expects to have a top contender
ready by the middle to end of May.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a result of feedback from parents and prodding
by current 10<sup>th</sup> grade parents, Churchill has updated and expanded
the <a href="http://www.churchillschool.com/page.cfm?p=1149" target="_blank">college guidance section of its website</a> and intensified its work tracking
the progress of Churchill alumni after graduation, Dr. Siebert said. The new college guidance counselor will work closely with HS teachers and students on the transition process to life after Churchill.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lynn and Jason spoke about changes planned for next year. The school
day will began promptly at 8:15 am with a subject lesson, and advisory will
move to a later period of the day. The dean positions will be eliminated in an effort to streamline the
communication flow. Starting the 2012/2013 school year,
Churchill will have a full time technology person who will assist individual
students, among other duties. Next year the honor program will expand to include 10<sup>th</sup> grade (currently honor classes are only available to
11<sup>th</sup> and 12<sup>th</sup> graders). More detailed information about
the honor program will be disseminated later this spring.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Churchill 12<sup>th</sup> graders who have completed
chemistry, biology and earth science will have the option to choose between
physics and forensics. Those who take Regents physics will also study calculus.
A less math intensive physics class may be offered to students not interested
in studying calculus.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Parent questions included the honor program, the science and
math curriculum, executive functioning support, SAT & ACT prep, and information
about non-college alternative career paths. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-52759178228693471332012-04-23T13:05:00.000-07:002012-04-23T13:05:44.736-07:00The college visit: Basics & ChecklistTouring a college provides teenagers opportunities to visualize themselves living and studying away from home.<a href="http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/17/yes-i-took-my-ninth-grader-on-a-college-tour-and-it-was-worth-it/" target="_blank"></a> For <a href="http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/17/yes-i-took-my-ninth-grader-on-a-college-tour-and-it-was-worth-it/" target="_blank">college visits</a> with younger children the main objective is to plant the idea of higher education in their minds - such visits can be combined with a family vacation or outing. Once the college search process kicks in, however, the focus is on finding an appropriate and affordable fit.<br />
<br />
During the visit you should scrutinize the learning center and eat at the college cafeteria at peak hours. While the tour and the info session are sales pitches where the school exposes you to carefully selected students and staff, the cafeteria offers an unedited version of the college and a chance to speak with random students. How is the atmosphere? Do students look happy? Food options? Ask students about what they like and dislike about this college, why they choose to attend and what a typical day looks like.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">College Visit Checklist LD Students</b></div><div style="margin-left: .25in;">Before deciding to visit a college, do your homework. LD support varies from college to college. School websites have answers to many of the questions below.</div><ol start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">What LD accommodations are offered? How do to obtain accommodations? What documentation is required?</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">What tutoring, counseling, and support services are available on campus and how are they accessed? Is there an additional fee for these services? </li>
</ol><div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>What academic elements are considered in the admissions process - courses, grades, test scores, interests, financial needs, essays, recommendations, and interviews? How important is each of these factors? </div><div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>How many students at this campus? Student/teacher ratio?</div><ol start="5" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">Which academic programs on campus are the most popular? </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">What is the largest class size for a freshman or sophomore? How many large classes to expect? </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">Who teaches freshman classes? (tenured professors? teaching assistants?)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">What is the freshmen retention rate? </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">What is the graduation rate? (4 year? 5 year? LD kids sometime need 5 years)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">What activities do students participate in during their free time-on campus (school sponsored) and in the community? What are the most popular extracurricular activities? </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">Greek life? (fraternities and sororities?) If so, what percent of the student body participates in Greek life? Are parties open? How do students who elect not to participate in the Greek system fit in? Policies against hazing?</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">What portion of the student body lives on campus? What portion of the student body remains on campus for the weekends? </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">What transportation options are available to and from campus? Trips home? Trip to the mall/shopping/excursions? Trips to points of interests? </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">Can freshmen have cars on campus? What is the fee for having a car on campus? </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">Where do students go if they have a medical emergency? </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">Do you need to bring your own computer? Are the dorms wired for Internet/e-mail services? </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">What laundry facilities are available? </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">What are the safety issues on campus? How are they addressed? </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">Is campus housing guaranteed for all four years? What percent of students live on campus all four years? What housing options exist? (Theme housing? Single sex? Coed? Greek? Off-campus?) </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">What meal plans are available? Are freshmen required to purchase a specific type of meal plan? What hours may students access food services?</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">What is the yearly cost of attendance, including books, tuition, fees, housing, meal plans? </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">Which financial aid forms are required? <a href="http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/" target="_blank">FAFSA</a>, a <a href="https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/index.jsp" target="_blank">CSS Profile</a>, institutional or school specific forms, states forms?</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">What percent of entering freshman received aid? Merit aid? Is merit aid also need based? What is the average freshman aid package? Is there a way aid is packaged - loans first, for example? Is the aid package negotiable? </li>
</ol>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-30525653358738984742012-04-17T11:17:00.000-07:002012-06-29T08:11:13.035-07:00Harris F., aspiring writer at Ithaca College<span id="internal-source-marker_0.27233697068807916" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Harris F. is having a terrific freshman experience at<a href="http://www.ithaca.edu/"> Ithaca College</a>, both academically and socially. Thanks to a solid foundation built at Churchill and a strong work ethic, he masters his classes, and finds time to work as a <a href="http://www.ithaca.edu/reslife/employment/student_staff/resident_assistant/">Resident Assistant</a> for his dorm floor as well as enjoy activities with his friends.. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ever since he was in middle school, Harris has known that he wanted to work in the film industry, which simplified the college search - only a handful of colleges have film programs. Narrowing the search down to three colleges, he picked Ithaca because he wanted to experience an environment different from New York City. Located in Ithaca, NY, Ithaca College is about a five hour drive from New York City.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“I just loved the campus,” he said in an interview over the phone about visiting Ithaca College for the first time. In addition to the campus environment and the academics, Harris liked that Ithaca prepares film students early on for their future careers by sending them to either Los Angeles or New York City for internships where they learn on the job and make industry connections.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">To become accepted, Harris took both ACT and SAT and did better on the ACT. After working with a tutor he retook the ACT, raising his score. Extracurricular activities including having been on the Student Council at Churchill and working as a camp counselor several summers also contributed to his admission, he thinks.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The most important skill he learned at Churchill was self-advocacy. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Because of the prep at Churchill, I can now approach my professors and get the support I need,” Harris says. At Ithaca, he has been using the writing center, but any other LD support than extended time has so far been unnecessary. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“It is good to know that it is available,” he says about the <a href="http://www.ithaca.edu/sds/">learning center</a>, “in case I’d need it in the future.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A film major focusing on script writing for radio and TV, Harris is planning a minor in English Literature or Writing. For a student with dyslexia who initially struggled with reading and writing, starting at Churchill in 4th grade was a transforming experience. A vivid imagination has been the driving force behind his development as a writer while </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> learning how to handle his dyslexia</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“It shows that you can overcome anything,” Harris says about his accomplishments.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Harris misses the teachers at Churchill and visits every time he comes to New York. “I consider them my friends,” he says about the Churchill staff. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Churchill’s a great environment, the best in the world.”</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-87918333306525183052012-04-16T12:25:00.000-07:002012-04-16T12:25:24.034-07:00Colleges that Change Lives in NYC May 21 & 22Churchill alumni attend several of the schools selected by "Colleges that Change Lives" (CTCL) a non-profit organization dedicated to the support of a student-centered college search process.<br />
"We support the goal of each student finding a college that develops a lifelong love of learning and provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life beyond college" the CTCL website states.<br />
For more info, click below and read my post <a href="http://churchillhsparent.blogspot.com/2012/01/colleges-that-change-lives.html">Colleges that Change Lives</a> (Jan. 13, 2012).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ctcl.org/events/new-york12">Colleges that Change Lives College Fair</a><br />
Monday or Tuesday May 21 & 22 at 7pm (2 days)<br />
<a href="http://www.hotelpenn.com/" target="_blank">New York Penn Hotel, NYC </a><br />
Skytop Ballroom <br />
401 Seventh Avenue Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-33351830195021576262012-04-02T04:54:00.000-07:002012-04-02T04:54:40.538-07:00Lynn University - individualized LD support in resort settingOver spring vacation, my son and I visited <a href="http://www.lynn.edu/">Lynn University</a> in Boca Raton, Florida. Lynn has a reputation for offering solid LD support, and a couple of Churchill alumni attend this school. In addition to general accommodations, such as extended time, peer tutors and easily accessible professors, students at Lynn can take advantage of a special LD program, <a href="http://www.lynn.edu/academics/institute"><i>Institute for Achievement and Learning</i></a>, which offers individualized support including coaching in organizational skills, study skills and time management, counseling and expert tutoring. This tailored-made program costs $5,875 per semester for new students and $4,225 per semester for returning students on top of $43,500 (2012/2013) annually for tuition, room, board and fees.<br />
<br />
Lynn did a terrific job organizing our visit. We were greeted by an MBA student from London - 23% of Lynn's 2,000+ students are international students.Then we had lunch with a professor and two students from the major my son is interested in, followed by a tour by a student in my son's prospective field. Classes are small and interactive. Popular sports are tennis, soccer and golf. Many students have cars on campus and there are shuttle buses to Ocean beaches and shopping. Our tour ended at the admissions office where we met with an admissions officer familiar with Churchill School.<br />
<br />
However impressive the support program seemed and how pleasant we found the campus, its location, and everyone we interacted with, I was concerned about Lynn's low freshmen retention rate (62 %). When asked, our tour guide explained that located five minutes from sandy beaches in sunny Florida, Lynn attracts some young people with other priorities than studying. Freshmen being disappointed in the academic rigor and Lynn's tough anti drugs and alcohol policy contribute to the large drop between freshman and sophomore year, she said. I buy that explanation - apart from the classrooms, Lynn felt more like a resort than a higher learning facility.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-17751415767961099892012-03-15T05:35:00.000-07:002012-03-15T05:35:36.335-07:00Naviance - college navigation and statisticsTenth-grade parents should now be able to access <a href="https://connection.naviance.com/family-connection/auth/login?hsid=csny">Naviance</a> (ask your child or Mr. McBrien for a password) at connection.naviance.com/csny and click on links such as "Colleges our students are attending" and "Top 20 most popular colleges where our students apply" to get an idea about where Churchill alumni attend school and where they have been accepted. The number of students at each school is still low due to Churchill HS's brief history, but the data gives an idea about required GPA and school selections.<br />
<br />
The Churchill College Office is currently working with 10th graders who are getting familiar with Naviance and how to use it to help navigate the college process. A first step is to identify colleges and adding them to the list "colleges I am thinking about". Naviance offers research tools including "college match" and "college compare" to aid with picking colleges.<br />
<br />
During 10th and 11th grades student utilize Naviance to help find and keep track of colleges of interest in "colleges I am thinking about". This section contains application deadlines, links to the chosen colleges' websites and a box where students can mark level of interest for each college. It is easy to add and drop colleges to and from "colleges I am thinking about". Once the application process starts, students move selected colleges to the list "colleges I am applying to" and use this list to follow up and make sure the colleges receive required material in a timely fashion.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-22542498994470013792012-03-12T09:29:00.000-07:002012-03-12T09:29:32.725-07:00High college retention rate for Churchill alumniChurchill students prove again and again that they are prepared for higher education. While 21 % of college students at full-time private non-profit four-year colleges drop out after freshmen year (40% at full-time public 2-year-colleges), Churchill students tend to return after their freshmen year. According to a recent survey of the 2010 graduating class, 90 % returned to college after their freshmen year.<br />
<br />
Sources:<br />
http://completionagenda.collegeboard.org/freshman-sophomore-retention<br />
Churchill internal dataUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931787480890334497.post-89682848947328865762012-03-07T14:30:00.000-08:002012-03-07T14:30:27.589-08:00Scholarships for LD studentsA learning disability may create an advantage with the admissions officer looking for diversity, and there are special college scholarships for LD kids. Most I have found so far are between $1,000 - $6,000. <br />
<br />
The <a href="http://risescholarshipfoundation.org/">RICE</a> Foundation (Rewarding Individual Success in Education) offers a scholarship and information benefiting LD students: http://risescholarshipfoundation.org/<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.learningally.org/About-Us/National-and-Local-Award-Opportunities/108/#ltl">Marion Huber Learning Through Listening</a> offers a $6,000 to a students with dyslexia, http://www.learningally.org/About-Us/National-and-Local-Award-Opportunities/108/#ltl <br />
<br />
The Novotni Scholarship Fund offers special scholarships up to $5,000 for students with ADD and ADHD:http://031df74.netsolhost.com/Documents/Novotni_Scholarship_Application.pdf<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.ncld.org/about-us/scholarships-aamp-awards/the-anne-ford-and-allegra-ford-scholarship-award">Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Scholarships</a> offer financial assistance to two graduating seniors with documented learning disabilities (LD) who are pursuing post-secondary education and have the ability to act as role models.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/ld.phtml">Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid</a> lists the Anne Ford scholarship and a few others on its website: http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/ld.phtml<br />
<br />
The Edge Foundation repeats some of the previously mentioned scholarships: http://www.edgefoundation.org/blog/2011/04/06/college-scholarships-for-adhd-students/Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0