Example #1: Student A

On Mon, Sep 18, 2017 at 8:28 AM, Tseng, Cynthia wrote:

September 18th Senior Newsletter: 2nd Issue

Good afternoon Class of 2018 seniors and families,

Here’s hoping the school year started off smoothly. If you forgot to read the first issue of
the senior newsletter, it’s available on your advisor’s message board. Be sure to read
each newsletter in order to stay updated on senior deadlines and information
throughout this pivotal year! Here are your updates:

1. Stay on top of your attendance. In order to stay enrolled at ORCA, state

law requires that you make two contacts each week. Doing any of the
following would count as a contact: talk to a teacher on the phone, attend Live
Lesson (either group or individual), write a webmail, text back and forth with
a teacher, and watch a Live Lesson then webmail your teacher. If you receive a
webmail from our vice principals alerting you that you have not yet made a
contact this week, you need to do so ASAP!
2. Set up your phone’s voicemail and empty your inboxes. Please take a
few minutes to empty your voicemail inboxes and to set up your voicemails if
you have not yet done so. Returning a teacher’s call counts as a contact and it
helps teachers help you.
3. Did you know that you can earn college credit at ORCA? ORCA has
partnered with the College Now program at both Linn Benton Community
College and Chemeketa Community College so that students can earn college
credit for successful completion of certain high school classes. See the
attached dual enrollment handout for more details and to see which ORCA
classes qualify for dual enrollment.
4. The first assignment for Senior Project/Job Shadow has been
posted in the class message board. This assignment will go over what this
course is, how it operates and includes a short freewrite activity. Don’t forget
that:
a. There are no assignments on odd weeks, only on even weeks. Check the
odd weeks off as complete.
b. Ignore directions to turn in “Independent Study Summary assessment”
and go straight to the class message board. The actual lessons and
assignments are in the class message board (click on the purple thumb
tack from lesson) or go here.
c. If you have completed a project in the past or have an experience that
could count towards the senior project requirement, reach out to your
advisor to get it approved.
5. Check out Junior-Senior College Workshop Week events. Are you
applying to a four year university this year? Do you need more information on
how to find and apply for scholarships? The attached flier has a list of
 upcoming events. Session topics include applying to college, tips for writing
essays, scholarship strategies, financial aid, managing stress and more!
6. Career Fireside Chat series are up and running. These Live Lessons
feature guest speakers that share their journeys to their current careers on the
first and third Thursdays of each month. e-mail reminders will be sent the day
before the event.
7. Take the SAT or ACT by November if you’re applying to a 4 year
university. Our counseling department recommends that you take either the
SAT or ACT by November if you are planning to apply to a 4 year
university. This interactive quiz can help you decide which test to take. For
test registration dates check out the following links:

SAT: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/dates-deadlines
ACT: http://www.act.org/

8. The FAFSA application opens on October 1st. Bookmark this date if you
are going to college or vocational school after high school! Filling out the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is how all college and vocational
programs determine financial aid. You need to complete this form if you are
attending a two year college, a four year university or a vocational program.
The FAFSA is located here. Check out “How to Complete the FAFSA" for help.

Thanks for reading and look out for the next senior newsletter on Monday, October 2nd.

On Wed, Sep 20, 2017 at 12:03 PM, Student A (name redacted) wrote:

Mrs. Tseng,

Very nice to e-meet you. My name is Student A and I will be one of your students this
year.

I was looking at my classes and was wondering if it was possible to change the sign
language class for a Spanish class instead? I play professional soccer with the Portland
Timbers 2 and I think spanish will serve me better for my future because I will get the
opportunity to practice it with spanish speaker players that are in our team while at the
same time learn more in school.

Also, Mrs. Joseph told me you will be my advisor this year so I was wondering if I can
call you some time tomorrow or Friday to talk more about this new school year, about
earning college credits during high school and about state testing results. I took the test
I believe it was at the end of May/beginning of June but not sure if the results/scores are
out yet, but anyway I think it will be good for us to talk so I can prepare better than I did
last year.

Thank you Mrs. Tseng, I look forward to hear back from you
On Wed, Sep 20, 2017 at 2:24 PM, Tseng, Cynthia wrote:

Good afternoon Student A,

Sounds like a plan! I've just requested that Sign Language be dropped. This course
should be cleared off of your schedule by the end of the week. I've also added Spanish
to your schedule.

How interesting that you play for the Portland Timbers 2! Will you be available tomorrow
morning for a call? I’m happy to talk with you about the state testing requirement and
I’m glad to hear that you’re interested in taking advantage of dual enrollment to earn
college credits now. 10 am, 11 am or 11:30 are available. I look forward to chatting with
you soon.
Example #2: Student B
On Mon, Nov 13, 2017 at 8:58 AM, Tseng, Cynthia wrote:
November 13th Senior Newsletter: 6th Issue

Good morning Class of 2018 and families,

Now that the semester is about halfway over, it’s time to think about how to balance the
holidays with school work. Here are your updates as we approach Thanksgiving:

1. Make attendance a priority, especially as the holidays approach! As

seniors, it is your responsibility to meet all the requirements needed for you to graduate.
Although this is a busy time of the year, state law still requires you to make at least two
teacher contacts per week in order to stay enrolled at ORCA. If you are struggling to do
so, be proactive about reaching out for help or coming up with a plan to meet this
attendance requirement. Some suggestions include but are not limited to setting
reminders on your phone, putting tasks in your to do list or planner, or having
designated webmail Wednesdays or phone call Fridays.

2. You should be setting up your job shadow experience (or using your current
job to fulfill the requirement). In order to graduate, you are required to complete a job
shadow experience by Monday, January 29th and a 40 hour senior capstone project by
Friday, May 4th. Week 8 in your Senior Project/Job Shadow class message board has
job shadow packets and directions. It is highly recommended that you set up your job
shadows by Thanksgiving so that you have time to complete your packet by the end of
the semester.

3. There is no school on Wednesday through Friday, November 22nd-24th for

Thanksgiving. As with all holidays, lessons will not be assigned on those days and
teachers will not be in their offices. Reach out to teachers before the break if you need to
speak with them. If you are behind, be sure to spend some time catching up over
Thanksgiving break!

4. Scholarship highlight: the Greenfield Peace. What would it take to eliminate

nuclear weapons in your lifetime? Answer this prompt in an essay, poem or narrative of
600 words or less. Three prizes range from $500 - $1,000. For more information, head
to their website.

5. College and career planning resource highlight: Joining the Workforce

Live Lesson. This recording covers ideas for careers that involve less than 2 years of
college, apprenticeships, the military, trades and trade school, and entrepreneurship.
Take a look here.

6. Ongoing reminders: FAFSA, SAT/ACT & Oregon Promise.

a. Fill out the FAFSA if you plan on attending community college, a vocational or trade
school, or a four year university after high school. The FAFSA is located here. Use “How
to Complete the FAFSA" for help.
b. Register for and take the SAT or ACT by November if you’re applying to a 4 year
university. This quiz recommends which test to take. SAT info. is here. ACT info.
is here.
c. Apply for the Oregon Promise grant if you plan on attending community college
after high school. This grant can cover up to all of your tuition. Read over the
guidelines here.

Thanks for reading and look out for the next senior newsletter on Monday, November
27th.

On Tue, Nov 14, 2017 at 4:41 PM, Student B (name redacted) wrote:

hi, i just finished the fafsa. glad that’s over. my sister helped me out and she was
surprised that I could get into it this early. can you give me more information about the
SAT fee waiver? thank you,

Student B

On Wed, Nov 15, 2017 at 10:19 AM, Tseng, Cynthia wrote:

Good morning Student B,

Great work filling out the FAFSA already! I’m curious to hear if and when your sister has
applied for the FAFSA in the past. She may have been surprised because a few years
ago, the FAFSA wasn’t available until January 1st. However, the federal government
recently started opening up the FAFSA application on October 1st to allow students
more time to apply for financial aid. Now that you’re in the groove (hopefully ) of
applying for the FAFSA early on, this is a fantastic habit to keep up since you’ll need to
reapply for the FAFSA every year that you’re in college and FAFSA funding is first
come, first serve. The earlier you apply for federal financial aid through FAFSA, the
more likely you are to receive funding. I’ve cc’ed your counselor here so that he can
provide more detail on the process for getting a SAT fee waiver. Please let me know if
there’s anything else you need during this time!
Example #3: Student C
On Mon, Jan 8, 2017 at 8:22 AM, Tseng, Cynthia wrote:

January 8th Senior Newsletter: 9th Issue

Good morning Class of 2018 and families,

We’re almost at the halfway mark in this school year! Since the semester is ending in
three weeks, we at ORCA want to encourage you to keep up the hard work as you
contend with final exams and finishing up your courses. Here are your updates:

1. There are 15 school days until the semester ends on Monday, January
29th. All first semester assignments are due on this date. If you began the school year on
time, you should be 85% complete with your courses as of today. You can see your
overall lesson completion by going into your grade book and using the lesson
completion column. Use this lesson completion guide to stay up-to-date on how many
days remain in the semester and where you should be at with lesson completion. There
is still time left in the semester, so reach out to your teachers if you need help to use the
remaining weekends and upcoming holiday to catch up. If you are on track or ahead of
schedule with your lessons, great work!!!

2. Some dates to keep in mind as the semester ends:

Thursday, January 11th – faculty meeting (all staff out of office)
Monday, January 15th- no school (MLK Day)
Monday, January 29th: last day of the first semester (all work is due)
Tuesday-Wednesday, January 30th-31st: semester break (no school for students)
Thursday, February 1st: first day of the second semester

3. Job shadows are required for graduation and due on January 29th. As you
know, all seniors are required to complete and submit a job shadow packet by Monday,
January 29th in order to graduate from ORCA. Week 8 in your Senior Project/Job
Shadow class message board has job shadow packets and directions. Reach out to your
advisor if you need help

4. Don’t neglect your attendance requirement! State law requires that you make
two teacher contacts per week in order to stay enrolled at ORCA. We recognize that this
is a hectic time of the year, but it is your responsibility as a senior to meet the
attendance requirement. Be sure to stay enrolled by doing at least two of the following
each week: calling and reaching a teacher on the phone, sending a webmail that is
academic in nature, attending Live Lesson, or watching a Live Lesson recording and e-
mailing your teacher a summary of what you learned.

5. Graduation information is in the advisory message board. This message

board will be updated throughout the year. Graduation will be held at the Oregon State
Fairground’s Pavilion building in Salem on Saturday, June 9th. Students are encouraged
to bring an unlimited number of guests. There are plenty of seats and no tickets are
needed. The website to order graduation gear, such as caps and gowns, will be shared
out as soon as it’s available. Be sure to keep reading the Senior Newsletter throughout
second semester for all graduation-related information.

6. Scholarship highlight: GEAR Up. This website provides a scholarship calendar

with deadlines, links to application, and a brief description of each scholarship. Be sure
to read over the details for each application since there are eligibility requirements.

7. College and career planning resource highlights: Big Future website. The
“Make a Plan” tool in blue at the bottom right of this website is a great planning
resource for a student who would like to plan for his or her future after high school.

8. Ongoing reminders: FAFSA, SAT/ACT & Oregon Promise.

a. Fill out the FAFSA if you plan on attending community college, a vocational or trade
school, or a four year university after high school. The FAFSA is located here. Use “How
to Complete the FAFSA" for help.

b. Apply for the Oregon Promise grant if you plan on attending community college
after high school. This grant can cover up to all of your tuition. Read over the
guidelines here.

c. If you have a transcript or letter of recommendation request, please reach out

with a request at least two weeks before you need it. Transcripts and letters of
recommendations take some time to send and we want to be sure that everything is in
order.

Thanks for reading and look out for the next senior newsletter on Monday, January
29th.

On Tue, Jan 9, 2018 at 11:51 AM, Student C (name redacted) wrote:

Good morning Mrs. Tseng,

I saw that there is an Oregon Promise grant. I want to apply, but I’m not sure if I’ll get it
because on my grades. What are the grades that I need to get to apply for this?

Your student,
Student C
On Tue, Jan 9, 2018 at 3:34 PM, Tseng, Cynthia wrote:

Good afternoon Student C,

Thanks for reaching out! I have great news for you. You’re earning all A’s and B’s this
semester and if you earn at least a 3.0 this semester (and the next, you will be eligible
for the Oregon Promise. Can you let me know if you need any help strategizing on how
to get you to the grades you need to make the Oregon Promise a possibility?

On Wed, Jan 10, 2018 at 1:16 PM, Student C (name redacted) wrote:

Hi Mrs. Tseng,

I didn’t do all that well in school for a while because of a lot of issues in my life, but I am
very happy to hear that I still have a chance to get a scholarship for college. I think I
have the hang of things now, but I will let you know if I need help. I’m going to keep
working hard so I can get the Oregon Promise.

Your student,
Student C