OCTOBER 2014 Coffee with the Superintendent October is College Knowledge Month at STEP Students are encouraged to explore, plan and apply for college. The goal of College Knowledge Month is to provide every graduating high school senior with the preparation, opportunity, and support needed to apply to college. This statewide effort occurs annually during the month of October. In addition, the following options below are available for STEP students. For more information about these opportunities or if you have any other questions or concerns, please stop in the STEP Career Center to see Mr. Joslin at (763) 433-4030 or at [email protected]. COLLEGE & CAREER TOURS: Drop in for a free cup of coffee and a visit with David Law, Anoka-Hennepin School District’s new superintendent. He invites community members to his first Coffee with the Superintendent session Saturday morning, Oct. 4, 9 to 10:30 a.m., at The Bean Coffee Café, 15190 Bluebird St. NW, Andover. Law is excited to be superintendent of the district where he attended elementary, junior high and high school. He is looking forward to meeting community members to hear about the education issues most important to them and to thank them for the support they give Anoka-Hennepin schools. He is planning future Saturday morning Coffee with the Superintendent sessions around the district to make it convenient for people throughout the district to participate: STEP students are able to go on several college visits this month including tours to: • Anoka Technical College • Anoka Ramsey Community College • Hennepin Technical College • North Hennepin Community College • St. Cloud State University • University of Minnesota Mr. Joslin has permission slips and details with more information in the Career Center. THE NATIONAL COLLEGE FAIR: This is an opportunity to visit with representatives from colleges and universities from all over the twin cities metro area as well as representatives spanning across the United States and internationally. Minneapolis Convention Center 1301 Second Avenue South, Halls D – E Minneapolis, MN 55403-2781 Tuesday, October 7th 2014 • 9:00am – 12:00pm • 4:30pm – 8:00pm FREE COLLEGE APPLICATION WEEK IS OCTOBER 27-31 STEP seniors will have availability to apply online free to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities on Friday, October 31, 8:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in Forum rooms A&D. We will provide a schedule for the instructors regarding when to send students down to the Forum. COLLEGE PREP 101 College Prep 101 will take place Saturday November 1, at the Education Service Center, 2727 N. Ferry St., Anoka. This event is from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Students need to sign up either at their home high school Career Center or at the STEP Career Center. Learn key information about the following: • Financial Assistance: including FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), grants, scholarships, etc. • Naviance: software available to students and families to assist in college and career planning including transcript information, developing portfolios, interest inventories, etc. Wednesday, October 8th 2014 • 9:00am – 12:00pm • College Student Panel: college students will answer your questions about various experiences in 2 and 4 year colleges and universities • Nov. 8, Anoka • Feb. 7, Champlin • March 7, Coon Rapids • Apr. 11, Blaine TRANSPORTATION, DIRECTIONS, AND PARKING: find directions and parking information for the Minneapolis Convention Center on their website at http://www.minneapolis.org/minneapolis-convention-center • Representatives from MnSCU (Minnesota State Colleges & Universities): college application process, what to expect, things to look for, etc. Watch this newsletter for exact locations. *This is a free event. *Cost is $5.00 per family Classroom Highlights Welding STEP Welding students have the opportunity to participate in two distinct skills contests through participation in Skills USA. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student excel. They provide educational programs, events, and competitions that support career and technical education (CTE) in the nation’s classrooms. The first competition that our students participate in is the Individual Welding Contest. Three students are chosen to participate and compete against other High School students from around the state. Students are tested on a wide variety of materials and welding processes in a lab and written format. The highest scoring student in the state will advance to the national event. The second contest is the team event. Three students are selected to compose the welding team. The team is supplied with a variety of steel parts and is asked to assemble these into a usable themed item. This item is evaluated and scored by a panel of Certified Welding Inspectors and the highest scoring team is invited to participate in the National Skills Contest the following summer. Calendar Reminders The Career Center is open by appointment only on Tuesday evenings, October 7, 21, and 28. Please call Mr. Dean Joslin to schedule an appointment, 763-433-4030. Parent/Teacher Conferences Thursday, October 9, 2014, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; staff dinner break 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. *If you need interpretation services provided for this conference time, please call 763-433-4002 to make your request. No school for students Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, October 15, 16, and 17. Picture retakes for full-time STEP students, Monday, October 20.