- Most of you know mentor Sandy Tuck, and many of you have worked alongside her. She was the Program Coordinator before I took on the role, and she mentored for a year before and four years after that. She, her husband, dogs and other critters have moved to eastern Oregon. Since that’s a bit far to commute to YC, Sandy has resigned her ASPIRE mentoring role. Her seniors will be checking in with me for the balance of the year. I’d like to personally thank her for all she taught me and for the hundreds of hours she devoted to helping dozens of students at YCHS. Please join me in wishing her well in her new environs.
- Please remind your students that there are local scholarship supplications now posted in colorful folders on the wall next to the office.
- There also are some scholarships for Juniors and others that 9th-12th graders can apply for!
- In each of your mentor files I’ve placed a copy of the awesome and informative brochure the INCIGHT folds developed to ease the way in working with folks who are physically or developmentally challenged. It’s tuff we should all know anyway as we go about our lives – especially the term “handicrap.” Now you have to read the brochure to learn what that means. We had two sets of parents, one student, one mentor, one counselor and one teacher attend the presentation last week. I have a few extra INCIGHT packets if you’d like one. INCIGHT has a lot of resources available to us. Thanks for attending Leona.
- There are two Preview Days coming up at Portland Community College, Please help spread the word:
Sylvania Campus April 20, register by April 13
Cascade Campus May 11 (tentative), register by May 4
- We learned a lot at the Chemeketa Jumpstart trip. Including that, in the financial aid world, the rule of thumb for how many units a student must take is:
o
Full-time 12 or more units
o
¾-time 9-11 units
o
½-time 6-8 units
o
Less than ½-time fewer than 6 units
- I have been remiss in thanking John for his great find, “The Financial Aid Handbook: Getting the Education You Want for the Price You Can Afford.” The authors, a former and a current director of admissions, offer a WEALTH of knowledge and tips to navigate the turns and twists on the money road to college. I have an office copy if you’d like to give it a glance.
- The overhead projection equipment is now working in the ASPIRE office, in case we have the need to view something as a group. A nice amenity!
- Looks like we will have at least a $250 ASPIRE Mentors Scholarship to offer this year, thanks to a generous donation from a friend of Leona’s. There may be additional funds as well: It seems that several past recipients did not claim their funds by the deadline. All that is being double-checked now. We’ll need volunteers to review this year’s applications and suggest a winner.
- Thanks to Carla for donating more water bottles and snacks for students and volunteers!
- Thanks to Nancy for her office help! And to Danaia, our student aide this term: She gets things done
