TO:Juniors and their Parents
FROM:Mrs. Kerfoot
DATE:October 1, 2015
SUBJECT:News and Opportunities
PSAT
The PSAT test will be given in the morning on October 28. Those who are signed up are Katara, Johna, Desiree, Haylee, Trever and McKoy. You are encouraged to use the student guide to practice for the test. Students must pay the $14.00 fee to the office (checks made out to NTCHS or cash) BEFORE the test date. There are 4 more tests available. If you are interested, contact Mrs. Kerfoot.
The PSAT/NMSQT also measures critical thinking skills that are important for success in college, including reading, math problem-solving, and writing skills. Taking this test enables students to:
*get feedback about important academic skills
*seek information from colleges
*enter scholarship competitions
*prepare for the SAT Reasoning test
*initiate the college-planning process
VFW Voice of Democracy – Prizes awarded at local, district, state and national level. Record your original 3-5 minutes essay on a CD. 2015-2016 theme is: “My Vision for America”. For more details, see Mrs. Kerfoot or the website Deadline: November 1 to local post commander, Steve Osgood.
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards – Recognizes students in middle and high school who have demonstrated exemplary community service; awards are presented annually on the local, state, and national level. Application online at Submit to Mrs. Kerfoot by November 3. For information, check online at or
An all-expense paid tour of Washington, DC awaits a local area student if they enter and win an essay contest sponsored by Marias River Electric Cooperative. Entry for the contest is a two page typed essay. The 2015 essay topic is “Considering your top three consumer needs, how do you believe we, as an electric cooperative, can best communicate our care and concern to the younger members of the cooperative?” MRE will select an essay winner to represent our cooperative in the Youth to Washington Tour. The winning student will spend six days in DC, June 11-17, 2016, touring the major governmental and historical sites in the capital. Students will also meet with Montana’s congressional delegation. Students are chaperoned by member service employees of Montana’s Electric Cooperatives. Student must be a sophomore or junior; and parents/guardian must be served by MRE. Pick up an application from Mrs. Kerfoot. Essays must be received at the MRE office by November 30 at 5 pm. The student’s name, parents/guardian name, address, telephone number and name of cooperative must appear on the cover page of the essay. For more information contact MRE at 434-5575, or look at the information outside the counselor’s office on the bulletin board.
Athletes who hope to play college sports with NCAA or NAIA schools should go to or naia.orgfor complete information or see Mrs. Kerfoot or Mr. Tharp.
Check out these websites to help you prepare for your future:
Montana Career Information System – a GREAT website for career and college exploration! If you don’t remember your username or password, see Mrs. Kerfoot
-- -- designed for students and parents to prepare for college. The Student Assistance Foundation provides this site in an effort to ensure that students have a roadmap to guide them on their path to higher education. Several Montana organizations have teamed up to launch the KnowHow2Go campaignaimed at encouraging low-income, first-generation, and other students in grades 8 - 12 to pursue higher education. The premise behind the website is that students can prepare for higher education by following 4 simple steps.
-- -- designed to help students and families ‘Get Smart’ about college preparation with free ACT and SAT practice tests and access to MCIS – Montana Career Information System.
-- -- another site with information for college-bound students and their parents. (KFC stands for Knowledge for College – not the fast-food chain)
-- for scholarship and college searches, career planning, and other useful information.
-- – site is a direct, user-friendly college search engine for students.
-- for information on making your college applications stand out, careers, avoiding credit traps, time management, saving on textbooks, SAT vs ACT – what you need to know and more.
The Rural Montana Saves program is helping families with limited incomes save for college or job training. For every $1 saved, the Rural Montana Saves program matches it with $3. Save up to $400 and you will be eligible for the maximum match of $1,200. Plus, participants may be able to access $1200 in ‘quick start’ payments to begin an education or training program. For more information contact Rural Employment Opportunities, 1-800-546-1140 or .
All students who have not yet turned 18 are encouraged to apply for a NEXUS card. NEXUS is a trusted traveler program which allows pre-screened travelers to travel to and from Canada. Applicants submit one application on-line via the Global On-line Enrollment System (GOES). Qualified applicants will receive an email instructing the applicant to schedule an appointment for an interview and issuance of a photo ID card at the Port of Sweetgrass. The main benefit of the NEXUS card over a passport is the difference in cost. The cost of the NEXUS card is $50 for adults but there is no fee for persons under 18.
NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT TIME TO START PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURES! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!