School Matters, multilingual video plan

School Matters, monthly magazine video – multilingual plan

SCHOOL MATTERS PLANNING

*Hosts: [Drop in intro and conclusion from each host. Other content will feature language voiceover.]

English: Heather Peters

Hmong: Vang Lor

Somali: Abdulrahman Adem

Nov. 2011

Intro

Hello! Welcome to School Matters.

Today, we are at the Southwest High School to learn more about the financial aid process for students planning to attend college.

We will also visit Dowling school as they prepare to receive a Minnesota School of Excellence award and take a look at the great professional development experiences for our teachers.

Lastly, we’ll learn more about the Community Education opportunities available to anyone in Minneapolis.

Coming up next on School Matters…

Segment Location Date FAFSA February Southwest High Jan. 12 12:30 – 3 p.m.

Spanish: Tania Garcia Estrada

Heather, Vang, Adem or Tania

Lower 3rds

Audio

Video

Graphics

Heather/Vang/Adem/Marjorie:

Today we are Southwest High School to learn more about the financial aid process. When families complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA, they have opportunities to receive financial assistance in the form of scholarships, student loans or grants.

We all know that the cost of attending college continues to grow and every little bit helps when it comes to financial assistance. AchieveMpls and high school counselors from Southwest High School helped us break the process down at the College and Career Center this month.

Interview.

B-­‐roll of students in College and Career Center, walking in the hallways

Lower 3rds

Heather Peters Minneapolis Public Schools

Vang Lor Minneapolis Public Schools

Abdulrahman Adem Minneapolis Public Schools

Marjorie Kielkopf Minneapolis Public Schools

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Why should students and families look into applying for financial aid?

1. Funds from federal student aid programs are awarded on the basis of financial need What type of financial aid is available for students who plan to attend college? Do students need a high grade point average to qualify?

1. (Student loans, grants, FAFSA and scholarships!)

2. While a high grade point average will help a student get

3.

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into a good school and may help with academic scholarships, most of the federal student aid programs do not take a student’s grades into consideration.

Provided a student maintains satisfactory academic progress in his or her program of study, federal student aid will help a student with an average academic record complete his or her education.

Families may ignore the form because they don’t think they will quality to receive funding. What do you tell them?

1. There is no income cut-off to qualify for federal student aid.

2. Many factors besides income—from the size of your family to the age of your older parent—are taken into account.

Your eligibility is determined by a mathematical formula, not by your parents’ income alone.

3. And remember: when you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSASM), you’re also automatically applying for funds from your state, and possibly from your school as well.

4. Don’t make assumptions about what you’ll get—fill out the application and find out.

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Is the form difficult to complete? How can you get help in completing the FAFSA application? Or scholarship applications?

1. The FAFSA is easier than ever, especially if you fill it out online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

2. There are detailed instructions for every question, and the form walks you through step by step, asking only the questions that apply to you. If you need help, you can access real-time, private online chat with a customer

George Mountin Licensed School Counselor

Danielle Jastrow AchieveMpls Career & College Center Coordinator

3.

service representative.

If you’re filling out the paper FAFSA, you can get help from a high school counselor, from the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend, or from our toll-free number: 1-800-4-FED-AID. And remember, the FAFSA and all these sources of advice are FREE.

What do you think about the students and staff at Southwest High School?

We have great students and staff at the school. They all work together to make sure that students are reaching their highest potential as they prepare for college.

For additional assistance, mark your calendar for the district-­‐ wide FAFSA February event on Sunday, February 12 at MCTC from two to five p.m. or ask the counseling office at your child’s high school to gather more information at your child’s school.

Dr. Bill Smith Principal

Did You Know…

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

MPS stands ready to help families learn more to harness the resources needed to send our students to college.

Next Up… Dowling – Minnesota School of Excellence

Segment Location Date Minnesota School of Excellence Dowling Jan. 10

Audio

Video

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Voiceover:

B-­‐Roll:

-­‐Classroom lesson -­‐Swimming -­‐Arts -­‐Snowshoeing

Joe Rossow Principal

Dowling Urban Environmental School was one of five elementary schools to receive a 2011-­‐2012 Minnesota School of Excellence endorsement from the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association.

The Association developed this research-­‐based program aligned with national standards in leadership, vision, student learning, the culture of adult learning, data and decision-­‐making and community engagement. The five schools will be honored during an annual statewide convention on February 2nd.

• Tell us about the school history and why it is important.

• What is a Minnesota School of Excellence?

• How many schools receive the award annually and why was Dowling chosen?

• What makes Dowling excellent?

Janet Kujat Kindergarten Teacher

Liz Frisby Literacy Coach

Jane Brandt Special Education Teacher

Katie Carter Parent

Did You Know…

MESPA also honored two MPS Principals this year:

Frank H. Catchings, Jr. of Burroughs 2012 National Outstanding Assistant Principal

Joan Franks of Armatage

Segment Location Date FACETS MPS Professional Development

Audio

Video

Voiceover: Minneapolis Public Schools teachers have opportunities for professional development throughout the year. This month, we visited with some of our Arts teachers to see how they learned to connect with their students and enhance their classroom lessons.

B-­‐Roll: Complete

Interview: Complete

2011 National Distinguished Principal

Next Up… Professional Development with MPS Teachers

Graphics

Did You Know…

Need info.

Next up…

Community Education in Minneapolis

Segment Location Date Community Ed. TBD TBD

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Video

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Voiceover: Minneapolis Community Education offers over 800 unique adult enrichment course opportunities each quarter at schools, businesses, parks, churches and museums across the city of Minneapolis. Course topics range from foreign language, music, health and fitness, cooking, business and home improvement – to name a few.

We visited Pratt community school to take a look at how community members participate in a Bodyshaping class.

B-­‐Roll/interviews:

Foreign language, painting, sewing, photography, computer basics and computer programming, healthy desserts, yoga, Zumba, pilates, meditation, dog obedience, woodshop, genealogy, dancing, stand-­‐ up comedy, sheetrock repair, electrical wiring, window repair…

For information or to enroll: 612.668.3939

Teacher: How long have you been teaching Community Education courses?

Why do you keep coming back – why do you think it’s important to share your knowledge with others?

Student: What sparked your interest in Community Education courses?

Would you recommend it to your friends/family members?

Why?

Jack Tamble: What is the mission/vision of Minneapolis Community Education?

What does the program hope to bring to others?

How does the department determine which courses will be offered?

Voiceover: Anyone may sign up to participate and a wide variety of courses are offered throughout the year. For more

http://commed.mpls.k12.mn.us

information or to enroll, visit the Minneapolis Community Education website or call 612.668.3939.

Wrap-­‐Up

Heather/Vang/Adem/Marjorie on camera: Thanks again for tuning into School Matters! We will see you again next month.

* Voiceovers to be completed at DATE and TIME.

Heather Peters Minneapolis Public Schools

Vang Lor Minneapolis Public Schools

Abdulrahman Adem Minneapolis Public Schools

Marjorie Kielkopf Minneapolis Public Schools