pfc newsletter O A K
P A R K
H I G H
S C H O O L
November 2013
www.oakparkusd.org/ophs
The Principal’s Message Last month, a group of OPHS teachers, administrators, and counselors, along with a parent and student, all sponsored by the PFC, attended a Conference put on by the Stanford University Graduate School of Education on the stresses that students face and what high achieving schools and communities can do to improve their students’ social and emotional well-being. Last week at the Kick-off event for the OPHS Safe School Ambassadors, (once again supported by the PFC) students and teachers discussed how to improve our school climate and foster a nurturing school environment. Today, over 150 Advanced and Beginning Peer Counselors conducted their home group meetings and trainings on creating a supportive and positive school culture. Earlier today I watched 200 students line up to eat healthy food prepared by the Four Seasons food truck arranged by our Associated Student Body and the OPUSD Health and Wellness committee. The 2013 California Physical Fitness Test results were just released and 90% of our ninth graders performed in the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) passing 5 of 6 of the tests administered in their PE classes. So, once again we turn our attention to student health, and social and emotional well-being. Yet despite all the programs we have at OPHS, many of our students are still experiencing stress and anxiety toward school. Many students are over-scheduled as they attempt to achieve good grades in tough classes while playing sports, working jobs, and participating in countless other extra and co-curricular activities in and out of school. We know that many of our teenagers are not getting enough sleep, and that they spend as many hours on social media or gaming as they do on their studies. We are very concerned about some of the high-risk behaviors that we know some of our students are engaged in and are acutely aware of the continued dangers of substance abuse among our students. We
know and recognize that depression among teenagers is still a real and significant condition that we see too many students struggling with and the impact it has on families and school. We are also working in our leadership groups and in our departments to tackle the issue of academic integrity as overwhelmed students find ways to cut corners and find themselves facing disciplinary consequences. In the upcoming weeks we will be giving our students a survey designed by the teams at Stanford to identify what else we as a school can and should do to help students be successful while maintaining good physical, social, and emotional health. And while there are many things to celebrate as our students, school, and district continue to receive awards and recognition for our achievements and successes, we must be ever vigilant to the risks our students face as they cope with the pressures of adolescence and school. I look for your continued support and am confident that as a school and as a community we will continue to work together to build the supports and safety-nets that the students need to achieve success and be healthy.
Inside This Issue P Honor Roll names list P Important Yearbook deadlines & dates. P Common Core, Article #2 P eScrip changes P Plus, all the regular news, ‘save-the-dates’ & notices to keep you IN THE KNOW!
Campus Calendar, News & Notes Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov.
1 No School - Pupil Free Day 8 PFC General Meeting, 8:30 am, Lib. CR 7 Comedy Sportz, 7:00 pm, Pav. 11 No School - Vererans Day 12 Naviance Workshop, 7:00 pm, C-6 12 OPPAA Meeting, 7 pm, Lib. CR 15 Freshman “Show-Off” Night, 7 pm, Pav. 16-17 SAT Bootcamp, 8 am, G-9 18-22 ASB Canned Food Drive 18 Winter Sports Final Clearance, 2:30pm, Student Store 18 Winter Sports Parent Meeing, 7pm, Gym 23-24 ACT Bootcamp, 8 am, G-9 23 Girls Lacrosse Carwash, 9 am, Pkg lot 28-29 No School - Thanksgiving Holiday Pav. = Pavilion Lib. CR = Library Conference Room
See complete event listings and more on the OPHS Master Calendar! It’s easy as 1-2-3! 1. Click here or go to…www.oakparkusd.org/ophs. 2. Hover your mouse on “Calendars” in the yellow menu bar and select Master Calendar from the drop down menu. 3. If you selected Master Calendar, click on any event listed for more information!
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PFC Update President’s Message Dear Parents and Friends of OPHS,
eScrip News!
The leaves on some of our trees are beginning to change colors, and fires are beginning to burn in our fireplaces. I hope all of you are enjoying the many benefits of living in Southern California during this time of year. I do not know how things go in your house, but in mine, conversations have turned to Thanksgiving and the holidays. These past two months have been very busy for our VP of Programs, Julie Ahdoot. She has done a fabulous job in organizing the Mock SAT & ACT, College Knowledge Night, and the College Writing Seminar. Thank you to Julie for all your hard work and to the families that participated. Have you checked the OPHS PFC online directory? Thank you Leslie Medina and Debbie Bulko for getting the directory up and running so quickly. I know this wasn’t easy! Recently I have heard from several parents why they do not wish to join the PFC. Cited below are just a few of the reasons why joining the PFC is a benefit to you and your student: 1) “I will have to go to the meetings.” No. However, if you do, you will learn what is going on at OPHS. We do not take attendance. 2) “I’ll have to volunteer.” No. You only volunteer if you WANT to. 3) “They’ll bug me for money.” No. We have only one fundraiser per year, and it is our No Frills Campaign.
Please make sure that your VONS card is registered with eScrip. We generate about $1000/month with this fund raiser so it is well worth it. If you submitted your info at registration you have already been renewed. Please note an important change to the program starting November 1, 2013: 1. In order to qualify for earnings you will need to pay for groceries with one of the following payment types: Debit Card * Check * Cash * Smartcheck * VONS gift card * WIC * Calfresh 2. Credit card payments will not generate contributions. If you still wish to use your credit card please consider purchasing a VONS gift card and using it to pay for your purchases.
Just as our kids put a tremendous amount of effort into their studies and extracurricular activities, your PFC is putting in the effort to save our planet. Being green does not just have a positive impact on the planet, it also teaches kids that we care about the planet they are growing up in. Your PFC has embraced the recycling program offered by the Planet Green, Company. We will be collecting the following items throughout the school year: inkjet toner cartridges, cell phones, eBook readers, digital cameras, Ipads/tablets, iPods/MP3 players and video games. If you have any of these items to recycle, please drop them in the office during school hours. Thank you in advance for participating in OPHS PFC’s efforts to make this planet better for our kids. To all the OPHS families, I wish you all a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving. — Best wishes, Shelly Resnick, PFC President
Thank you for your continued support of our eScrip program
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OPHS THANKS Tom Bregman – Realtor® Broker / Owner Bregman Properties
Bregman Properties is pleased to sponsor Oak Park High School’s “All Call” system. The computerized phone system is a vital link to our OPHS families!
Serving Oak Park and the Surrounding Communities www.MoveToOakPark.com www.ConejoValleyHouseValue.com
Tom Bregman -
Broker/Owner Direct: 818.915.3360 www.BregmanProperties.com
DRE#01852520 Oak Park High School PFC Newsletter published monthly September - June by the OPHS Parent Faculty Club (PFC) for families of Oak Park High School students. Oak Park High School • Oak Park Unified School District Principal: Kevin Buchanan 899 N. Kanan Road, Oak Park, CA 91377 OPHS Main Line: 735-3300 Attendance/Temp. Off Campus Pass Line: 735-3311 (please call before 9 a.m.) PFC President: Shelly Resnick ophspfc@gmail.com Newsletter Editor: Suzie Bock bockgraphx@sbcglobal.net 818-970-5251 eNews Editor: Uma Narayanan umasaa@yahoo.com 818-707-3124 www.oakparkusd.org/ophs • www.oakparkusd.org
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Adv. Peer Counseling News Oak Park High School Honor Roll Reinstated
Hello everyone, all of us here in Advanced Peer Counseling hope that your transitions to the new school year have gone smoothly. As the first quarter of this school year comes to a close and the holidays approach, let us take time to reflect on this year overall, and think about everything that we are thankful for, from academics to personal life. One thing I, (Cameron), am grateful for is having such a close knit group of friends. It is crucial that in order to have a truly excellent high school career, one must have a good support circle. That is the beauty of Oak Park, because there are many programs including Peer Counseling that provide that quintessential support group. Having that sense of security, companionship, and trust make for a very enjoyable school year, and will create friendships that will stand the test of time. I, (Kyra), am very excited as college becomes a more lucid picture in my life, I find myself becoming increasingly more appreciative of the preparation Oak park gave me not only academically, but mentally and socially. I'm excited to take the ideas of peer counseling to whichever university I commit to in the spring. As the holidays approach, take a few minutes to think back on everything that you are thankful for, and embrace each other, as the smallest gesture of kindness can make the world of difference for anyone. If things are tough during this time of year, remember that we as Peer Counselors are here. You can fill out a request form which is available in the counseling office or on the website) and we will meet as soon as possible.
Beginning with the second semester of 2012-13 OPHS is reinstating the Principal’s Honor Roll recognition program based upon a student’s semester GPA. Students with outstanding scholastic achievement in a single semester are recognized by having their names placed on an Honor Roll List, which is posted on the noticeboard outside the College and Career Center and in the PFC Newsletter. This honor recognizes students in two categories: Principal’s Eagle Honor Roll and Principal’s Gold Honor The Principal’s Eagle Honor Roll recognizes students who achieve a term grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 to 3.74. The Principal’s Gold Honor Roll recognizes students who achieve a term grade point average (GPA) of 3.75 to 4.00. All classes taken at OPHS during a semester will count toward the TERM GPA for Honor Roll (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0). Students who achived honor roll for the second semester of 2012-13 are listed on the next three pages.
— Sincerely, Cameron S. O'Brien and Kyra Stevens Advanced Peer Counseling Liaisons
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Principal’s Gold Honor Roll Recipients Aggarwal, Shruti Naresh Ahmadi, Tina Roya Aiken, Abriannah Elizabeth Alchanati, Camden Gray Alschuler, Schuyler William Anderson, Kyle David Angha, Hayla Apar, Lily Sarah Appelrouth, Alexander Ardi, Ryan Dean Arenson, Brooke Taylor Austin, Andrew Wesley Aynlender, Daniel Gordon Balter, Alexis Ariel Banton, Carly Rose Barylak, Martin P Bay, Lauren Taylor Bear, Zachary Elias Bender, Kristen Marie Benson, Grady Irvin Berman, Julia B. Bernstein, Lauren Taylor Bhatia, Ronak Bhutada, Abhishek S Billig, Bradley Edward Blackwell, Brittany Block, Libby Esther Bochan, Sarah Marie Boganim, Edan Bornstein, Michael Ryan Bradbury, Jordyn Alexa Branigan, Nicholas Kristof Bregman, Liora Danielle Bregman, Sarah Bronstein, Leah Mirelle Budhiraja, Naman Burger, Alex Cameron Burke, Dylan Spencer Byer, Brandon Phillip Byer, Matthew Leonard Byrne, Katherine Anne Calce, Joseph Anthony Chandra, Roopa Chandramohan, Devika Chang, Vincent Jong Kae
Chavez, Sydnie Sofia Chekuri, Shreeja Chen, Matthew A Cheney, Alexis E Cheney, Christopher Robert Cheng, Tim Chesson, Jacob Taylor Chiu, Dennis Chock-Wong, Taylor Jean Cibrian, Cristina Diane Cohen, Cameron Ian Cohen, Madeline Anne Colao, Roman Francis Conant, Justin Tyler Convey, Rachel Brooke Cooper, Lauren Alyse Cruz Albrecht, Carlo Adrian Cruz Albrecht, Laura Cruz, Ashley Nicole Davarpanah, Neda Mina Dave, Priyanka Davis, Jake Lazar Davis, Max Noah deCaussin, Audrey Anna Dion, Collin Jason DiPaolo, Alexa Gianna Dods, Matthew Nicholas Dolabson, Erin Lyn Driggs, Nathaniel Taylor Duerfeldt, Lauren Rose Dugar, Roshni Egan, Brendan Richard Ellsworth, Gracie Jae Ephrem, Belen Sabrina Epstein, Jordan Samuel Fam, Miriam Nagi Farboody, Sabrina Renee Farzaneh, Kayla Nicole Feng, Andrew Yong Cien Fields, Daniella Finn, Noah Francis Fong, Dorinda M Ford, Tyler Martin Friedman, Gabrielle Brooke Friedman, Ilana Peri
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Furgala, Juliana Marie Geske, Monica Anne Ghaffari, Emilie Sarah Gigliotti, Sophia Kathryn Gilliam, Julia Paige Gladstone, Matthew AaronGlenn, Karly Marie Godsick, Samantha Lee Goldberg, Sarah Aliyah Goodman, Lauren Elyse Goodnough, Ryan Hunter Goodson, Christina Marie Gorenstein, Kayla Shea Gortner, Davis Willis Gowri, Aneesh Greenbaum, Amanda Greenberg, Abigail Peyton Greer, Anastasia Marie Grinstein, Noah Eliezer Grunberg, Michelle Etty Gunn, Sam Ross Ha, Kevin Van Hadari, Ofir Haikin, Ziv Cutler Hale, Savannah Rae Hall, Trenton Scott Harris, Ryan Kenneth Hasserjian, Cole Spaulding Heeney, Sarah Elizabeth Herbert, Lindsey Rachel Herbert, Megan Bryce Herbert, Riley Tanner Hinds, Hannah Marie Lee, Keun Hee Lee, Sun Hee Legaspi, Sharmaine Levy, Lorenzo Rocco Lewis, Hillary Lynn Lin, Emily M Lonngren, Rebecca J Lu, Kevin Yan Mach, Rachel Sarah MacMahan, Justin Bruce Markarian, Emily Markarian, Nicholas
Principal’s Gold Honor Roll Recipients (continued) Markowicz, Sarah Alyssa Matsumoto, Clara Kaori Matsuoka, Alex Takashi Mei, Tingjun Joshua"" Mertzel, Amanda Ruth Meyer, Benjamin Thomas Migliore, Rachel Leigh Miller, Brooklyn Paige Moiz, Huzefa Morrow, Miles Bennett Myden, Brandon Tyler Myers, Madison Grace Nalamlieng, Jayda Gina Naranjo, Gerryl May Jugo O'Brien, Emma Rose Ojalvo, Gabriela Sophia Ong, Lillian Yi Ang Ostrove, Amanda Sarah Paden, Maris Virginia Pai, Alex Yo Tan Park, Kenneth S Parks, Brendan Clay Pathak, Harini Vibhav Pearson, Charles Edward Perlmutter, Lauren Pestano, Brooke Alexa Peters, Charlotte Ann Peters, Joseph Roy Pham, Audrey Thuy Mi Pham, Rachel Thuy-Nhi Phillips, Jacob Vitawski Phillips, Madison Claire Piurkowsky, Stephen Elias Porat, Benjamin Jordan Powers, Emily Caitlin Qin, Thomas Zhao Rabizadeh, Crystal Hanna Ramirez, Nicolas Kenji
Rashba, Gabriel Ben Ratusnik, Talya Reifman, Matthew Ryan Reilly, Amanda Justine Rochon, Brady Nicole Roded, Tal Gil Romanova, Nicole Rosen, Jake Edward Rudnick, Lily Gabrielle Saifi, Nabeel Faiz Salinger, Jamie Lynn Sarveshwar, Varsha Meta Schneider, Keith Mitchell Schulner, Eliana Davida Schwartz, Nicole Angela Sexton, Sarah Delaney Shapiro, Joshua Matthew Shapiro, Nolan Tyler Shattuck, Sarah Chloe Sheinkman, Virginia Pearl Shikha, Shivani Shires, Marshall Ossi Shires, Zane Michael Sklar, Sam Brennan Smith, Caroline Tyler Snader, Brooke Sophia Speert, Jakob Edgar Spence, Samara Stuart Srinivas, Ashwarya Srinivas, Chandana Stahlhuth, Andrew Paul Stanton, Lindsay Danielle Stermer, Sophia Ariana Stocking, Chase Lee Strauch, Elizabeth Ann Stutz, Samantha Helen Sugar, Emma Leigh Sun, Cathy
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Sutarwala, Taha Tagawa, Russell Takeda, Caitlin Emi Taneman, Summer Ari Taylor, Matthew R Telep, Nektary Tobias, David Joseph Townsend, Jessica Ellen Tran, Tyler Kien Tran, Vincent H Trompetto, Brittany Anne Tsai, Asumi Tsai, Sunny Hsin Tzu Umann, Cassidy Michele Vertullo, Brandon James Volk, Isaiah Karlan Waksman, Itamar Waldron, Jane Elizabeth Wall, Jessica Lorran Wang, Lynn Warmbrand, Noah Daniel Weisberg, Jacob Lawrence Weissman, Harly Paige Welin, Lauren Rauch Whealen, Jake Thomas Whiteley, Jack Thomas Whiteley, James David Wigul, Chloe Maya Wing, Courtney Leona Wood, Lauryn Cassiday Wulf, Luke William Xiao, Wendy Qiuyu Yang, Irena Ye, Grace Sijie Zhao, Amanda Shengting Zhao, Olivia Zheng, Angela Zilberman, Paul Joshua
Principal’s Eagle Honor Roll Recipients Adamski, Marissa Rene Agapiou, Molley Elizabeth Aleagha, Tara Aoki, Kyle Cabral Arulmani, Priya Aisvarya Audras, Joseph Andrew Balke, HannahRose Baraghimian, Benjamin L. Barrow, Emma Marie Bartolomea, Hannah Elyse Bazargan, Sahm Beatty, Brett Taylor Berns, Emma Rachel Berns, Sarah Gabrielle Bloss, Madison Elizabeth Bowman, Hannah Jo Bracken, Emma Anne Geldin, Michelle Rose Gifford, Blake Edward Camorlinga, Lauren Christine Campbell, Alexandra Rose Chane, Emily Gail Chuba, Hallie Elizabeth Chung, Vincent Cohen, Lauren Ann Cohen, Rachel Bryanne Cook, William Woods Coppel, Brandon Mark Cwik, Kendall Nicole Dadon, Coraal Mimi Davies, Sebastian M DeGrinis, Ava Lorraine Delin, Hillary Michelle Desai, Sweta Hemant Dunlay, Kristen Irene Exler, Hannah Rebecca Fatemi, Cameron Farid Finn, Zachary Daniel Fitzgerald, Lindsay Theresa Frey, Adam Joseph Friedman, Aaron Thomas Frisch, Alexa Lillian Garfinkel, Jake Addison Gari, Jason Christian Kinberg, Aaron Louis Knauer, Michael Alexander Gigliotti, Dante James Goulak, David Alexander Greenwald, Jordan
Greer, Tatiana Nicole Gupta, Neepun Niraj Gutterman, Melissa Erin Ha, Victoria Alexis Hasserjian, Lauren Spaulding Hedlund, Mitchell Eric Helou, Jessica Dawn Hennessy, Monica Breann Henry, Elijah Patrick Hirsch, Madelyn Paige Hughes, Madison Marlin Hush, Matthew Jason Hwang, Yoochan Michael Ivaturi, Raju Jamison, Hunter Darren Jasso, Brendon Connor Jiang, Alice Kalmanovich, Nimrod Kaplan, Samantha Katz, Gregory Nathan Katz, Leah Marie Kawamoto, Kyle Richard Kelly, Sarah E Kerns, David Edward Khaw, Johnny Ryan Nguyen, Dai Scott Quang Nguyen, Korey Kotik, David Peter Labrecque, Melanie Elise Lapides, Megan Ruth Lee, Trent Nicholas Levine, Dylan Hunter Lewis, Kelli Ann Li, Albert Erbo Lin, Ryan Liu, Amanda Yingying Louie, Alexander Gilbert Mahoney, Marissa Nicole Rice, Sarah Rose Rifkind, Jonathan Noah Rinkov, Samuel Bennet Rivera, Stephanie Rosen, Zachary Barnet Rowland, Natasha Shabazi Rubenstein, Lili Arin Salim, Emily Lauren Salim, Jenna Ashley Salinger, Audrey Lee Sanders, Rachel H. 9
Santiago, Matthew James Sauer, Ashley Rose Schlatter, Julia Marie Schmidt, Brandon Anthony Schnurr, Aurora Brynn Schwartz, Brian Kyle Vetti, Robert Paul Seigel, Kaila Selby, Parker Harrison Shaham, Jonathan Benjamin Sharon, Ariel Sharon, Neev Shattuck, Joshua Cameron Shemtov, Lauren Ashley Shenavai, Delyla Hope Shi, Catherine Sigel, Sophie Ruth Simons, Raizi Feinberg Singley, Nicholas Weldon Smailes, Brooke Akimi Snyder, Casey Lynn Solny, Jordyn Stephanie Straughan, Samuel R Sullivan, Peyton Elizabeth Sunshine, Arielle Yonah Tallman, Sally Rose Taylor, Jake Wayne Too, Benjamin Jun Wei Torigian, Christina Marie Torres, Victoria Esperanza Trnavsky, Alana Marie Trompetto, Ashley Taylor Tucker, Brandon N Ucker, Brandon Riley Varney, Natalie Rose Velasquez, Michelle Sarah Wada, Theodore Toranosuke Wall, Michaela Terry Washington, Leia Jillian Weber, Jordan Von Weitzman, Bryan Norman Wheatley, Leah Barbara Winck, Ben Andrew Wyner, Logan Harrison Xie, David Tong Young, Frank Matthew Zelico, Gabriel Joseph Zhang, Jerry
Eagle Athletics Update All of our fall teams are working hard to find a spot in the CIF play-offs and competing for TVL championships. Here are the team records as of now: Varsity Football Girls Tennis Girls VB B XCountry G XCountry
League
Overall
2-0 1-4 6-4 1st 1st
7-1 7-6 9-13
JV League
Frosh
Overall
2-0
5-3
3-7 1st 1st
4-17
League Overall
1-5 4-6
5-13
Best of luck to all our teams as they continue their seasons. Please come out and support them. All schedules and directions to away contests are located on the OPHS website under athletics. Play-off information will be on the website when we have that available. WINTER SPORTS Important dates for upcoming winter sports – boys and girls basketball and soccer are as follows: Nov. 18
Parent meeting (for all those on a roster) 7:00 pm Location will be determined and coach will let you know.
Nov. 18
Final Clearance – all information and needed paperwork regarding this is on the OPHS website under Athletics. Times to be determined by sport and coaches will let athletes know their specific time. Location will be the student store.
Any questions, feel free to contact us at apettit@oakparkusd.org or by phone at 818-735-3303. - Ann Pettit and Rob Hall, Co-Athletic Directors
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Common Core State Standards Initiative An Overview and social studies, science and technical subjects. The standards for grades 9-12 use two-year bands to allow maximum flexibility in designing high school course work. The standards require an emphasis on literature and literary nonfiction, as well as reading informational texts across the content areas.
The English Language Arts and Literacy portion of the Common Core Standards is a culmination of an extensive effort to create the next generation of K12 standards, thereby ensuring that all students are college and career ready by the end of high school. The standards offer an integrated model of literacy with key features including reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language. They are research and evidence based, aligned with college and work expectations, both rigorous and internationally benchmarked. These standards create a vision of what it is to be a literate person in the twenty-first century. The standards address requirements not only for English Language Arts but also for literacy in history, social studies, science, and technical subjects. They address literacy in a variety of content areas. The literacy standards for grades 6-12 help students meet the challenges of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in multiple disciplines. It is important to note that the 6–12 literacy standards in history/social studies, science, and technical subjects are not meant to replace content standards in those areas but rather to supplement them. This structure recognizes that while English Language Arts teachers are responsible for developing literacy skills, teachers in other content areas have a role to play, as well. As most of the required reading in college and the workforce is informational and challenging, this interdisciplinary approach ensures that students are proficient in reading complex informational text and writing in a variety of content areas. In kindergarten through grade 8, the English Language Arts and Literacy Standards are grade specific. They balance the reading of literature with the reading of informational text including history
The student who masters the ELA Common Core standards: • demonstrates independence • builds strong content knowledge • responds to the varying demands of audience, task, purpose and discipline • comprehends as well as critiques • values evidence • uses technology and digital media strategically and capably • comes to understand other perspectives and cultures I will be presenting an overview of the Common Core at the following sites: Brookside - October 25th Medea Creek - November 7th Red Oak - November 14th Please feel free to attend any of these meetings - I look forward to addressing your questions and concerns! — Yours, Leslie Heilbron, Ed.D Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources/Curriculum and Instruction
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Yearbook News & Notes Senior Personal Ads - from family to student Be a part of the OPHS Yearbook Tradition Your opportunity to purchase a Senior Personal Ad with a special, personalized message from you to your graduating senior is NOW!
Personal Ad Pricing Personal Ad Form Next Senior Personal Ad deadline is Tuesday, December 10th Last Senior Personal Ad deadline is Friday, January 10th
Yearbook is now accepting Now & Then photos from Seniors. Photos need to include at least two seniors in the shot. Photo needs to be from childhood, with the ‘now’ photo posed the same way. Please submit photos to Ms. Rohlfs at krohlfs@oakparkusd.org for consideration. Seniors will only be in the photos once, so please consider when picking which photo to use. (Example: if Suzie appears in a photo with Judy and a different photo with Jamie, only one will be chosen by the class).
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College News Important Dates & Deadlines for Seniors Early Action/Early Decision: application deadlines vary from as early as October 15th to as late as Feb. 1 for some Colleges. Most "Regular Admission" deadlines are set from Nov. 30 to Jan. 15 (although some colleges have even later deadlines). For more details go to: http://www.oakparkusd.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=1102 Oct. 1 - Nov. 30, 2013: This is the window for students to submit their online application to all UC's & CSU's. For more information go to the UC Application web page at: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/apply-online/index.html. And, the CSU Application web page at: https://secure.csumentor.edu/AdmissionApp/ Nov. 22, 2013: This is the deadline for students to request a letter of recommendation for any application with a deadline prior to January 15th. Counselors and Teachers must have a minimum of 3 weeks lead time for all recommendations! The Counselor's Checklist must be completed in order to request a recommendation from any teacher or counselor. Jan. 1, 2014: Federal Financial Aid applications (FAFSA’s) may only be submitted after this date. Paper forms are available in the Counseling Office now. However, the preferred method for submission is via internet through their website at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ Jan. 7, 2014 (6:30-8pm): in G-9: Financial Aid Workshop
ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT SUBMISSION & COLLEGE APPLICATIONS One of the most significant developments in the college application process over the last decade has been how colleges now prefer to receive applications, transcripts, and letters of recommendation electronically. At Oak Park High School we strive to be on the cutting edge in supporting our students with their applications. To that end, we have been using the NAVIANCE program since 2009 to not only assist parents and students with college research, but also to submit documents electronically (i.e. transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc...). NAVIANCE gives us the ability to transmit documents to the 488 colleges who use the Common Application, and an additional 1,828 colleges through Docufide Parchment Services. The good news is that electronic document submission (via NAVIANCE the Common App & Docufide), has dramatically reduced the amount of paper that students and the school have to prepare and mail. It has also provided an added level of security because each of these services have tools that verify document submission.
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In NAVIANCE, once a student loads a school into the "colleges I'm apply to" page under the "colleges" tab, they will be able to determine which schools accept electronic document submissions (of transcripts, and letters of recommendation) by viewing the following icons: This is a Common Application school. All transcripts and letters of recommendation, and other supporting documents will be transmitted electronically to these schools via the Common App. This is also an electronic school. If they require a transcript or any other supporting documentation these too can be transmitted electronically via Docufide Parchment Services. This is not an electronic school. They require transcripts and supporting documentation to be mailed via USPS. For this kind of school you must either provide a stamped pre-addressed envelope to the OPHS Registrar, or we can put the transcript and/or letter of recommendation in a sealed envelope for you to pickup and mail yourself. To view the list of destinations that accept electronic transmission of documents through Docufide: http://www.docufide.com/hp2/general/edocs_destinations.jsps If your school/destination is on this list make sure you have added it to your list of “colleges I'm applying to” in the “colleges” section of Naviance.
So, if everything is electronic - why do we still get notices that documents have not been received? It is very frustrating for students, parents and OPHS faculty to receive this kind of communication from colleges when we know that the documents were prepared, paid for, and submitted on a timely basis. As previously referenced, more than 1,000 nonCommon App schools accept electronic documents from Docufide Parchment Services. Both the Common App and Docufide provide document verification reports to NAVIANCE. Parents and students can confirm in NAVIANCE that their documents were submitted in the "colleges I'm applying to" page. If OPHS has submitted your documents you will see "initial materials submitted" next to the school in the "Office Status" column. If the Office Status still shows "Pending," you should contact your OPHS Counselor. You can also check to see if your Teacher Recommendations are "completed" as well!
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Click here for a tutorial on Managing your Common Application Click here for a tutorial on Submitting your Common Application When an student creates an account in the Common App Online, the student must first identify Oak Park High School (CEEB code 050006), as their "Current or most recent secondary school attended." Once they do this, students will receive a prompt explaining that all of their school forms will be completed through NAVIANCE. He or she will then identify one counselor and one or more teachers. After a teacher or counselor is added to a student's list of school officials. Applicants are then able to monitor when individual teachers and counselors have submitted their various forms in the "Assign Recommenders" section. The "School Report" in the Common Application includes the following 4 documents in one packet transmission: 1. The Common App's Secondary School Report evaluation form completed by your OPHS Counselor 2. An OPHS School Profile 3. Counselor's Letter of Recommendation 4. The Student's Initial Transcript
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Here is a sample of how this section will look in the Common Application Dashboard:
You can track Counselor School Reports, and Teacher Evaluations in the "Assign Recommenders" section:
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How do Common Application Colleges receive School Forms that were submitted online? Common Application members log in to a secure Website where forms submitted online – via either the Common App Online system or NAVIANCE – can be downloaded. This is the same Website where members have downloaded the applications and supplements submitted by students for the past decade. The institution receives the online portion of your application once you electronically sign the application and click the "Submit" button. Your application is then instantly made available to the institution, but it may take several days or more until the institution actually views your application. The institution will not see or know the specifics of your online application until you complete the steps involved in the submission process, which typically includes the payment of an application fee, submission of any required supplements, and acknowledgement of the accuracy of your application by use of the electronic signature.
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I created alternate "versions" of my Common Application for a few schools, and some of them have not received my School Forms - why is this? The Common Application allows students to create as many as 10 separate "versions" of their Common Application.The Common App does not allow us to submit documents electronically to alternate versions - only to the first version. If you did create alternate versions, you must provide hard copies of the School Report and Teacher Evaluation forms to your teachers & counselor, along with stamped, pre-addressed envelopes so we mail the forms (and your transcript). Note: A high percentage of Common Application schools already have supplements as part of their application so they have provided a way for students to personalize their applications. Creating different 'versions" of their Common Application is one of the most common reasons that School Forms aren't able to be matched to the student's application. I've submitted my Common Application to multiple institution, but some of them say they haven't received it yet! Once your application has been submitted, it is the college's responsibility to download your application, and School Forms from the Common App. If you are concerned that an admissions office hasn't received your application, ensure that your application shows green and complete on the My Colleges page (check out the status legend), then contact the school directly. Please provide them with your Common App ID so they can search for your record appropriately. Once a school has downloaded your application from the Common Application & School Forms it will look like this: For more questions about the Common Application go to: https://appsupport.commonapp.org/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=33013 What if my college is a non-Common App school, but NAVIANCE says it accepts Electronic Submissions - how can I verify that my documents were sent?" As previously referenced, more than 1,000 non-Common App schools do accept electronic documents from Docufide Parchment Services. In addition to the “initial materials submitted" notification on your "colleges I'm applying to" page in NAVIANCE, this service also provides an internal “Submission Status" report with more details. Your OPHS Counselor can provide you with a copy of your "Submission Status" report that verifies your documents were submitted by OPHS, and whether they have been downloaded by the college. This report also contains a unique "Docufide ID" confirmation number for each document. A sample report will look like this:
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Some Feedback From Colleges: Depending on the time of year it can take colleges 4-6 weeks to process your documents and acknowledge receipt to you directly. If you feel it's necessary to contact the school, make sure to ask how long it takes them to process document so you can make sure that amount of time has passed since you received their last confirmation. To help parents & students better understand this process we have some feedback from 3 popular schools Indiana, Arizona, and Texas about the time it can take to process a student's application: INDIANA UNIVERSITY, BLOOMINGTON • We’re glad that so many students want to come to IU, but processing all of the applications we receive takes time. Once your application is complete, you should receive information about your decision in four to eight weeks. • We do indeed accept forms such as transcripts and recommendations electronically via Docufide! • Please note that it may take up to two weeks from the time that your application materials are received in the Office of Admissions before your status is updated online and you can see that the materials have been received. • Thanks for your patience. You can check your status by logging in to OneStart if you have already set up your IU computer account.
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA We do accept transcripts via the Docufide service. However, the processing time for submitted documents can be 4 to 6 weeks and, as such, students may receive correspondence from our office during that time indicating non-receipt. The transcripts do not need to be sent again. If you still have concerns, please feel free to contact our Admissions hotline.
At the University of Texas in the best of circumstances, it can take two or three days for items you submit online to appear in your MyStatus page. Items you submit in paper form (by mail, for example), may take two or three work weeks to show up, especially near the deadline. And as the deadline approaches, the Office of Admissions can receive thousands of documents by mail each week. Document uploads: Electronically formatted documents are uploaded to our computer system and matched with individual application files. At this point they appear in MyStatus.If you submit several items in one envelope or package, they may not all be processed at the same time. Different areas of the office process different kinds of documents, and what needs to happen and how much time it takes to complete each process varies. So one or more of your items may show up on your MyStatus page a couple of days before another.
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So, what should parents & students do when a college tells you they have not received documents that NAVIANCE says have been sent? • Even in this electronic era it is important to understand that there is still a "human" element to the college application process in College Admission offices. They are overwhelmed with documents (both paper and electronic), and it simply takes time for them to work through them all. • Contrary to what most of us imagine, electronically submitted document are not automatically matched to a student's application. A human being must download the document, match it to the student's application, file it, and then log it in the student's applications status portal. • Re-sending documents in the middle of the application crush does absolutely nothing to help the process. Even though it might make us feel better, it only adds another item that has to be logged in and reviewed. These "re-sent" documents ultimately add no new information, and actually end up delaying the review of a student's application. • Bombarding them with phone calls and emails also takes away precious human resources from the application review process. If you absolutely feel it is necessary to contact a school about missing documents, make sure you have done your homework first! Preparing to contact a school should include the following: 1.) If it is a Common App school: make sure you have confirmed the "submitted" and/or "downloaded by college" dates of the documents from your Common Application. Make sure you have these dates, along with you Common App ID when you contact the school. Also, make sure you to check whether created any alternate "versions" of your Common Application for one or more of your schools. 2.) If it is a non-Common App school: make sure you have confirmed in Naviance that "initial materials submitted," is posted. If Naviance does show that your documents were submitted, you can contact your OPHS Counselor for a "Submission Status" printout. When you speak to the Admission office you should quote the "Docufide ID" number to them to help them locate the missing document(s). 3.) Students should always be part of any communication with a college! Whenever a parent contacts a school by themselves, the college representatives begin to wonder just how independent and ready the student really is for college.
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