McFatter News – (Week of 11/24 to 11/28)
Lillie Henry - Magnet Coordinator
Hello everyone,
We kicked off the week with the rescheduled standing room only concert featuring Sgt. Corrin Campbell. Some of the students even sang and danced a little. It was a great start to the week! Today, we wrapped up our week with a student appreciate event at lunch. Everyone had an opportunity to taste something new, share what they are thankful for, play games, and LABEL “Band-aids for kindness”. Several tech tours and shadowing opportunities were completely as well.
Through all the fun, the students learned a lot and received their interim report to help them geer-up to wrapping up their first semester schedule. Only a couple of weeks are left to the beginning of State EOC testing, followed right behind with final exams and ultimately winter break.
It is so hard to believe that Thanksgiving is on Thursday. Please be advised that we do have school and lots to cover on Monday and Tuesday… Wednesday begins the holiday weekend. In the event that you are intending to sign your student out, please remember to bring your photo ID with you to the High School Student Service office in room 601. Don’t forget that school board policy requires that all sign outs take place at least 30 minutes before the scheduled end of the school day and that delays can occur when contacting the classroom for students to be released for the day. Thank you all for your dedication to the students that we serve at McFatter.
Today’s newsletter contains several attachments that explain in more detail activities mentioned below. (for referenced attachments in this email, please go to: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0ByXD3QYvLm7jYmhVMnNNOGpINHM&usp=sharing )
Have a health and safe weekend and Thanksgiving!
Lillie Henry
Magnet Coordinator
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Important Dates:
November 26-30 – Thanksgiving Break
December 2 - Bright Futures Scholarship authorization day for seniors
Tuesday, December 1-12 –EOC Testing Window (see below for details)
December 8 – PTSA Meeting at 6:30 in The Bistro at McFatter.
December 12 -McFatter’s “Barnes and Noble Family Night”
December 15-19 – Final Exam Week
January 6 – Parent Seminar
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Lunch Options:
**** See attachments entitled Traditional School Lunch 1124-1128 or McFatter menu 11_24 thru 11_28
REMINDER: For traditional school lunch,
orders must be placed and paid for in student services by 9:45am. Please
be aware that lunches ordered but not picked up will incur the charge equal to
the student’s lunch rate. The options this week are available on the
attachments entitled Traditional School Lunch 1020-1024. The link to submit
your order online is http://www.quia.com/sv/686982.html (Students: Please Type your Full Name on Survey)
Your username you set up should be your
first name and lunch number
Your password should be "Lunch"
Be sure to select one choice for each Entree and one choice for Milk per day. (Note: You must select milk for each meal)
It is very important that you pick up your order each day. If it is not picked up, your lunch is returned to throw out and noted on your account by the service provider.
Please be in line before 12:45.
REMINDER: If your parent has not renewed for the free/reduced lunches, please ask them to complete the application on line at www.schoolpaymentsolutions.com
News from Ms. Ziegler, BRACE Advisor (attachments: Scholarship bulletin 10.1.14)
Please call (754)321-5805 with any questions you may have regarding BRACE News.
We would like to congratulate the following students who have received offers of admission to various institutions. Louis Duchin - USF, Regine Elisme - FAU, FIU, and UCF, Jessica Lago - UCF, Shannan Ryan - Mercer University, Arielle Schebovitz - Penn State, Samantha Skinner - USF, Katherine Viteri - FAU, Kyler Wagner - FIU and Auburn. Great Job everyone! Be sure to stop by my office and let me know and you can get a flag pin and put your mark on the map.
With thanksgiving break coming up, I would like to share a comment that I once heard from a college representative. They said: "If you are sitting down at the Thanksgiving table and you have not applied to all of your colleges and universities, you need to get up from the table and complete your applications." All kidding aside, Thanksgiving and winter break are great times to get caught up on college and scholarship applications.
New information to share:
Many of you have been concerned about your transcripts not getting to the colleges and universities. I have heard from various college reps and other high schools, that there is a problem with the electronic transcript system. It is not a McFatter problem, but a state wide problem. Some colleges are having no problems and others are having a big problem. I still believe that the electronic transcript system is the best way to send your transcripts. However it is very important for you to follow up and make sure that they have been received. You can follow up by checking your online status/student portal or by calling or emailing the school. You may need to send your transcripts more than once. I advise to try the electronic system twice and if it is still not being received, send a hard copy transcript. Remember, schools will/cannot review your application without all parts of the application (application, app fee, transcripts, and test scores and supplemental documents at certain institutions.
UCF has a new Top 10 Knights program. Students who are in the top 10% of their class, have a 1010 SAT (reading and math) or a 21 ACT and apply before Dec. 31st are guaranteed admission to the university. However the term is not guaranteed.
Students applying to UCF and using college application fee waivers (especially College Board waivers) may now submit them online at:uaoper...@ucf.edu.
Free
and Reduced Lunch - There are
many benefits to qualifying for free or reduced lunch, other than the meals
themselves. Students are eligible to receive SAT and ACT fee waivers for
both their junior and senior years (1 per test, per
year). Additionally, seniors who have taken a test using a fee waiver
are able to receive college application fee waivers. If a student
were to take advantage of all of the fee waiver offers, they could save over
$500. It is well worth the time to complete an application to see if
you qualify.
Fee waivers for the Class of 2015 are ready for pick up. I
still have a handful of students who have not picked up their waivers.
On
Campus Events: College visits are open to juniors
and seniors.~ All students must have a college visit pass to attend.~ The
student must sign up in the BRACE office in order to get a college visit pass.~
Space is often limited.~ Passes are assigned on a first come first come basis.~
It is between the teacher and the student whether it is appropriate for the
student to miss class time to attend the college visit.~ Students should stop
by the BRACE office often as visits are constantly being added.
Dec. 2nd - Bright Futures Authorization Day - I will meet with all seniors through their tech programs to have them complete the FFAA (Florida Financial Aid Application) also known as the Bright Futures Authorization.
Scholarships:
George W. Jenkins Scholarship - Deadline: Dec. 1st - Award: $62,000 to $250,000 over 4 years Senior. U.S. Citizen. Plans to attend the University of Miami. Minimum 3.75 unweighted GPA. Financial Need. Strong work ethic. School and community involvement. History of overcoming significant adversity. Nomination required. Application and information available at: http://www.miami.edu/jenkins
Razor's Edge Scholarship Program - Deadline: Dec. 5th - Award: $10,000
High School Senior. Plans to attend Nova Southeastern University. Demonstrate Leadership Qualities. See attached letter for more information.
Stolen Girls...Stolen Dreams Poster Contest - Deadline: Dec. 12th - Award: Vary
Original work of art capturing an image of Human Trafficking. See attached flyer for details.
FIRE Free Speech Essay Contest - Deadline: Jan. 1st - Award: $500 - $10,000
Junior or senior. 800 - 1,000 word essay. Visit thefire.org/contest for essay prompt and more details.
Gates Millennium Scholars Program - Deadline: Jan. 14th - Award: Total Cost of Attendance throughout Bachelor's degree Senior. African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American or Hispanic American. U.S. Citizen, national or legal permanent resident. Minimum 3.3 unweighted GPA. Significant Leadership, community service and extracurricular. Meet Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria. For information and details, visit: http://www.gmsp.org
Bank of America Student Leaders Program - Deadline: Jan. 31st - Award: 8 - week paid internship, week long all expense leadership summit in Washington D.C.
Juniors and Seniors who are passionate about making a difference in our community. Visit: bankofamerica.com/studentleaders and/or see attached flyer for more details.
The Princeton Prize in Race Relations - Deadline: Jan. 31st - Award: $1,000 and trip to Princeton University campus
High School student 9 - 12. Helping to improve race relations. Details and application available at: http://www.princeton.edu/pprize/ or at Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/PrincetonPrizeMiami
Arts for Life - Deadline: Feb. 2nd - Award: $1,000 - $2,000 (plus college match program)
High School Senior. Demonstrate excellence in: creative writing, dance, drama, music, or visual arts. Winners automatically eligible to receive a matching in-kind scholarship worth a minimum of $1,000 if they attend one of these participating institutions: Broward College, College of Central Florida, Flagler College, Florida Atlantic University, Florida College, Florida Institute of Technology, Jacksonville University, Nova Southeastern University and Stetson University. Application available in the BRACE office.
The Jackie Robinson Foundation - Deadline: Feb. 15th - Award: $24,000 over 4 years
High School Senior. Minority. Leadership potential. Demonstrate dedication to community service. Evidence of financial need. U. S. Citizen. Minimum test scores - SAT 1,000 (Critical reading and Math) or ACT composite score of 22. Application and details available at:www.jackierobinson.org
HEAT Scholarship - Deadline: April 4th - Award: $5,000
three programs: Miami HEAT Scholarship, Dr. Jack Ramsay Scholarship and Alec Kessler Student-Athlete Scholarship.
High School Senior. Minimum 3.2 unweighted GPA. Letter of acceptance to a 4-year college/university. Essay. Application available in the BRACE office.
Ayo and Iken Children of Divorce Scholarship - Deadline: May 1st - Award: $1,000
Senior in Florida high School. Plans to attend post-high school education. Lives in a household separated by a divorce (permanently separated). Parents communicate openly and positively. Details and application available at: www.myfloridalaw.com/children=of-divorce-scholarship-ayo-iken/
Southern Scholarship Foundation, Inc. - Deadline: Ongoing - Award: Low-cost housing
Rent free housing for students admitted to FSU, UF, FAMU, or FGCU.~ Motivation demonstrated through awards and activities.~ Financial need.~ Minimum 3.0 GPA.~ Information and application available at: http://www.southernscholarship.org
Also see the attached
scholarship bulletin (October 15th scholarship bulletin)
Interesting
Websites:
Following are a couple
of free test prep websites:
PERT prep - Go to Broward.edu.~ Click on Student Resources, then click Testing
center.~ When you click the PERT link it opens up to offer you a PERT study
guide and practice test.~ They also have links to YouTube tutorials.~ You can
also register for a free 4 - week on line college foundations course.
March2Success~ - www.march2success.com
Website includes test prep for the ASVAB, SAT and ACT.~ They also offer help
with high school math and verbal skills.~ There is a high school science hub to
help with Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth Science.~~~ Additionally they
offer a college readiness online course.~ There is a Spanish option for this
website.~
[ http://www.maldef.org ]www.maldef.org - MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational
Fund) Scholarship List.~ This list is an informative resource for students,
parents, and educators.~ MALDEF is not a direct provider of the scholarships on
the list, with exception of the MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program. (This
can be a good resource for students who have residency issues.***
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News from PTSA:
Mark your calendars!! The PTSA will be sponsoring an evening of shopping and fun at Barnes & Noble in Plantation on Friday, December 12 from 6-8 pm (see flyer attached to this newsletter for more information.) A percentage of the evening's sales will benefit McFatter students and teachers! Students and teachers from McFatter's clubs and technical programs will be on hand providing entertainment and information. Come and join us for a evening of enjoyment! It will be an opportunity to get a jump on your holiday shopping and support McFatter!
PTSA is happy to announce that it will again be sponsoring the PTSA Grant Request Program. The PTSA's Teacher and Club Grant Program supports student learning by helping meet the needs of teachers and students. The PTSA has allocated funds for grants for the 2014-2015 school year. Grants will fund unique or innovative programs or resources; collaborations between teachers; special project materials; classroom or club field trips and special events; and more. It does not fund items already in the school budget. Grant requests are open to both Teachers and Student Clubs; however the individual submitting the grant must be or become a registered PTSA member. All grants must be submitted by December 1, 2014 to be considered for our first grant cycle. Grant decisions will be made on December 08, 2014 and funds released in January 2015. The grant request forms are attached to this newsletter as well as the PTSA membership application form.
We continue to sell Enjoy the City Entertainment books for $10.00! Each book contains (4) $5 coupons off the total price of groceries at Winn Dixie (also accepted at Publix) for a savings of $20! Wow! that more than pays for the book! More importantly, McFatter earns $8.00 for each book sold! Please contact PTSA member Shirley Dickinson at shirll...@aol.com to request your copy! Additionally, we are selling Pollo Tropical food and beverage coupons. Each coupon costs $5.00 and you get $5.00 worth of food and beverage. The benefit is that McFatter gets $2.50 of each $5.00 coupon sold! Please contact PTSA member Shirley Dickinson at shirll...@aol.com to purchase coupons. Thanks for your support!
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 8th at 6:30 pm in McFatter's Bistro. See you then!
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Rapid Deadline Approaching:
Advanced learning opportunities are still available for the UF Dual Enrollment program for Spring Semester. If interested in this opportunity, students should speak with their assigned counselor ASAP to complete all of the requirements in time. The deadline for submission of all documentation to the McFatter counselor registration is December 5th.
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School wide Collection Drives:
Food- The Gay Straight Alliance club will be participating in a food drive to collect much needed items for Poverello from December 1st- 15th.
Jeans-For the sixth year in a row, McFatter’s Shape club will be facilitating the Teens for Jeans program. We will be gathering up all denim products (jeans, skirts, shorts) from December 1st to February 1st for a local homeless shelter. When you are clearing out your closet in preparation for the upcoming holiday season, please think of us and send in the “jeans” to the school. Boxes will be in various classrooms.
Toys- FEA Club is collecting new and packaged toys for local children in need. If you would like to make a donation, there are boxes available in high school student services and many of the classrooms. (see attached flyer).
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REMINDERS
Local Community Event: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is being presented for your holiday entertainment. (Flyer attached) Not only is this a fun interactive show, but your support helps the E.A.S.E. Foundation to reach out to those in need in our community. Your purchase has a significant impact on families and children! If you are interested, click on the link below, which will take you to EventBrite, where you may select your choice of date, and purchase your tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-the-grinch-stole-christmas-tickets-14036029141
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Duke University Summer Offerings:
2015 Information now available on our website! Please check it
out to learn about our exciting programs.
Have the summer of your life while preparing for the sophisticated, vibrant and
life-altering educational experience that is college!
If you are currently in grade 10 or 11, spend your summer at The Duke Summer College for High
School Students!
With a dynamic curriculum designed for your passions and talents, we set you up
for Duke-caliber greatness in the setting of our gorgeous university campus.
Make friends from all over the globe as you learn from the highly-trained,
highly-intriguing faculty of Duke University and earn college credit.
Or you might choose to spend your summer at the Duke
Summer Academy for High School Students for students currently in grades 9 - 12! This
program for personal enrichment offers courses with a global perspective: The
Global Entrepreneur, The Global Leader, The Global Communicator, The Global
Healer and The Global Environmentalist.
Our new programs for 2015 also feature an evening film series and evening
extended learning opportunities in Academic Writing, SAT training, and College
preparation. The classroom environment is intimate enough to gain the individual
attention you need to thrive, and the residential life is full of exciting
excursions and activities.
Begin preparing, as the competitive application opens up December 2. Check out
our active website and blog, where you can read testimonials about how other
students like you have expanded their minds at Duke International Summer
College and Summer Academy for High School Students.
Email us at summer...@duke.edu or summer...@duke.edu with any questions.
http://summersession.duke.edu/high-school-students
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Upcoming Community Service Opportunities:
CEC Upcoming Holiday Events
Please circulate to students for community service hours - they can also volunteer with their parents, friends, and family. They will need to sign up via Hands On Broward using the below links:
Thanksgiving Harvest Feast -http://www.handsonbroward.org/HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Details_Page?id=a0CA000000dzkxM
Turkey Distribution-http://www.handsonbroward.org/HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Details_Page?id=a0CA000000dzkxg
Holiday Decoration & Toy Distribution-http://www.handsonbroward.org/HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Details_Page?id=a0CA000000dzkyj
Attention Seniors:
Bright Futures Scholarship authorization will take place in Media Center on Tuesday, December 2nd. All seniors will complete the Bright Futures authorization during their technical programs on that day. Please see Ms. Ziegler in High School Student Services with any questions.
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Attention Broward College Dually Enrolled Students (New: Deadline for Return of Instructional Materials)
As part of the Dual Enrollment process with Broward College, students returned their college books to the Broward College Bookstore. There has not been a stated deadline for this process. Beginning this term (Fall 2014) a return window will be set for students.
The textbook return program for BCPS Dual Enrollment students taking Dual Enrollment classes on a Broward College campus will begin on December 8, 2014 and end on January 5, 2015.
All Broward County Public School students taking a Broward College Dual Enrollment course on a Broward College campus must return their textbooks to any Broward College bookstore during this time period.
The student will be given a receipt for the textbooks returned which they should keep for their records. Students who fail to return their textbooks within the allotted time frame will have an obligation placed against them. Procedures for placing the obligation will be communicated at a later time.
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FREE Tutoring:
McFatter’s National Honor Society has tutoring during lunch. All tutoring will take place in room 503(Mrs. DeValk's) from 12:30-1:00pm. There will be tutoring three days a week with different subjects for each of the days. If a student would like additional help during the week for a subject, we can make arrangements if we know ahead of time.
We would like if you could announce to your classes that the tutoring is starting and the schedule. Signs will be put up next week throughout the school.
Tutoring Schedule for NHS
Mondays - All Sciences, History and English
Wednesday - Spanish and Psychology
Thursday - Math
Thank you very much for your help in making this successful.
FAST Program: Monday and Wednesday from 4:30-6:30 All Academic Areas covered - Math • Science • English • Social Studies. Some students can earn service hours for tutoring others. This after school program will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30-6:30 from November 3rd to January 28th. Light snacks will be provided to students. Forms to sign up will be sent home this week.
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Parent Requested Evaluations Brainshark
This presentation is for parents of students who suspect their child may be a student with a disability and are requesting a comprehensive educational evaluation be conducted by the school. Please click on the link below to view the presentation:
http://app.brainshark.com/browardschools/vu?pi=zHHz5uW1Zz7tVmz0
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Recognition Opportunity:
McFatter Technical High School needs more Silver Knight candidates to apply for this year’s Silver Knight Award Program. Although the candidates must be in their senior year of high school, underclassmen should begin thinking about their community service projects and how they can become a Silver Knight candidate in the future. Students should speak with Mrs. Vivenzo in room 420 or email her at elise....@browardschools.com to get more information.
What is a Silver Knight?
The Miami Herald Silver Knight Awards is one of the nation’s most highly regarded student awards programs. The purpose of this Awards program is to recognize outstanding students who have not only maintained good grades but have also unselfishly applied their special knowledge and talents to contribute significant service to their schools and communities. The Silver Knight Awards program was instituted at The Miami Herald in 1959 by John S. Knight, past publisher of The Miami Herald, founder and editor emeritus of Knight-Ridder Newspapers and 1968 Pulitzer Prize winner.
The program is open to high school seniors with a minimum 3.2 GPA (unweighted) in public, private, and parochial schools in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Students may be nominated in 15 categories. Check out everything Silver Knights on our website. (See attachment New Silver Knight Awards Flyer)
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Class of 2015 News (Graduation Ceremony Information):
We have received confirmation for the graduation ceremony date, time and location.
The McFatter graduation ceremony will take place on June 2, 2015 at War Memorial Auditorium at 7:00 PM.
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Winter EOC Testing Calendar:
Computer Based Testing
Thursday, December 4th--U.S. History
Wednesday, December 10th--Algebra 1
Thursday, December 11th--Geometry
Friday, December 12th--Biology
Paper Based Testing
Tuesday, December 2nd--Algebra 1
Wednesday, December 3rd--Geometry
Thursday, December 4th--U.S. History
Friday, December 5th--Biology
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(for referenced attachments in this email, please go to:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0ByXD3QYvLm7jYmhVMnNNOGpINHM&usp=sharing )