TJHSST College and Career Center Newsletter
Fall Edition 2020
DECEMBER SPOTLIGHT | KEEPING EVERYTHING IN PERSPECTIVE
Last year at this time, Student Services hosted an open house for our 9th grade IBET groups. They toured our Student Services suite, met our staff, and enjoyed refreshments and an opportunity to write on a display what brought them joy. They listed books, movies, friends, family, music, and activities in which they participated that bring them joy. This year has certainly been challenging in many ways, however, we can still search for things that bring us joy. It may require a change of perspective as the venue or method by which we are able to participate is different, yet the benefits are great. As we head into Winter Break, we are thankful that our students share their joys with us and encourage them to keep seeking things they enjoy and sharing those with others.
Class of 2021 | Students have submitted all their transcript requests for the colleges to which they will be applying and many students will receive their first admissions decisions for their Early Decision and some Early Action schools this month. While these decisions may bring elation, sorrow, and/or a mix of emotions, please remember these important words from Marie Bigham, a former board director at the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC):
"Whatever the outcome, keep this in mind: admission acceptance, denial and deferment are strictly a reflection of the process.They are not an indictment about parenting or a statement about success for your future. Don’t get stuck on one or two places. Remind yourself that there are many outstanding options, really a broad breadth and depth of colleges available to you."
- Read more about what different admission decisions mean on the Georgia Tech Admission Blog and the UVA Admission Blog
- Sign up in Ion (student intranet) to join Ms. Wolf in the CCC during 8th periods for open question/answer sessions related to college applications as we head into Winter Break.
ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The FCPS curated list can be found in Naviance Student. Naviance Summer Enrichment and Scholarship List is still being updated by FCPS however, students and families will have to confirm on their own that programs are continuing as information changes daily. We recommend reaching out to those programs that students had applied to previously to see if the programs will offer remote or virtual opportunities. Weekly updates to the Naviance Enrichment List are posted in Google Classroom for students each week and in Naviance Document Resources for parents/guardians to access via FCPS 24/7 Learning.
Recent updates include:
2021 NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth and Space Science Internship | Current Sophomores and Juniors
NASA, the Texas Space Grant Consortium and The University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research have joined forces to encourage high school students’ interest in STEM careers. The SEES project allows students to work remotely prior to their onsite internships in Austin, Texas, July 17 to July 31, 2021 or participate in a virtual project. Participants will conduct authentic research with NASA subject matter experts in their chosen areas of work.
ActiveFairfax Transportation Plan Youth Advisory Committee | Deadline Dec. 15, 2020
Indel Power Group’s Technician Apprentice Program
Camp Alleghany Staff | Summer 2021
SCHOLARSHIP LIST
Naviance has updated its scholarships section to include separate spaces for college specific merit scholarships and those that FCPS adds to to the scholarship database. The most up-to-date information about college specific scholarships can be found on the individual college's website.
The Diane Fortna Murtha Memorial Scholarship through College Access Fairfax
One $2500 scholarship will be awarded to an FCPS graduating senior in memory of Diane Fortna Murtha, an FCPS Strings educator, a violinist with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, the Manassas Symphony Orchestra, and the Friends & Family Chamber Ensemble. Eligible students must plan to pursue a degree in Music Education at a two or four year institution. This scholarship has no financial need requirement; however, 2 letters of recommendation and an essay are required.
Additional College Access Fairfax Scholarships
SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH SITES
College Board Opportunity Scholarships
RaiseMe | Earn money for college starting in 9th grade based on achievements in school and life.
FINANCIAL AID
College Access Fairfax | Financial Aid workshops continue in January 2021 including a FAFSA Line-by-Line virtual presentation on Saturday, January 30 at 10:00 am.
FCPS Parent Resource Center | Workshop and Webinars
Digital Citizenship Series Part 1: How to Find Balance with Technology (November 2020)
When technology becomes the primary space for school and connecting with others, what does it look like to set boundaries?
Questions? Reach out to Student Services.
The information provided is for your information and review. Scholarships and enrichment programs offered by organizations other than FCPS are neither sponsored nor endorsed by FCPS, the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent or TJHSST. Students and parents should carefully review all application requirements. Parents/Guardians need to confirm the details, accuracy and relevance of any program chosen for their student. This document contains links to one or more web pages that are outside the FCPS network. Neither FCPS nor TJHSST controls the content or relevancy of these outside pages.
External opportunities may utilize an online technology, or video and web conferencing tool that has not been assessed or approved for use in FCPS by the FCPS Department of Information Technology. Students should gain permission from their parent/guardian before engaging in any non-FCPS enrichment opportunity. Families should review and agree to the Terms of Service and User Agreements for any technology platform used to facilitate these opportunities.