Staff: Diane Ahlberg and Jody HansenJanuary 23rd, 2018

(763) 569-7665 or (763) 569-7627

The CCRC newsletter is provided on a monthly or semi-monthly basis to provide information on activities and events that are helpful to Park Center students and their parents. This publication is also on Park Center’s website (under Academics or under Quick Links at right of home page).

IMPORTANT!!! Attention seniors: When you are asked to indicate your school counselor on college applications note Diane Ahlberg, , as your counselor. She is the counselor for senior students who need a recommendation letter, Secondary School Report or any other college reference.

Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch are also entitled to other free things, such as participating in activities and sports or taking the ACT for free twice. Free & Reduced Lunch Applications are available in the Student Support Office, Attendance Office, Counseling Office, and in the Kitchen. Families may apply online as well at:

SENIORS,if you choose to take the ACT again you will need to know what your ACT ID number is...this information can be found on the top center of your April score report.

Test Date:Registration Deadline:(Late Fee Required):

April 14, 2018March 9, 2018March 10-23, 2018

June 9, 2018May 4, 2018May 5-18, 2018

July 14, 2018June 15, 2018June 16-22, 2018

TEST FEE PER TEST OPTION:

  • ACT (No Writing)$46.00
  • Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four college choices (if valid codes are provided when you register).
  • ACT Plus Writing$62.50
  • Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four college choices (if valid codes are provided when you register). The Writing Test fee is refundable, on written request.
  • 5th & 6th college choice fee is $12 for each school.
  • Late registration fee is $27.50.
  • Standby testing is $51 in addition to the basic fee, if you missed registration.
  • Test date change fee is $25 in addition to the basic fee.
  • Test center change fee is $25 in addition to the basic fee.
  • Test information release service is $20.
  • International testing is $33.

Students need to register on-line at

Students receiving free/reduced lunch can have their test fees waived TWICE by bringing a copy of the letter they received from Food Service to the CCRC to receive a waiver. Fee waivers do not include late fees.

Students can register for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests at Preparing for the SAT Test booklets that include a full length practice test, including the writing test, strategies to prepare for the test and what to expect on test day are available in the CCRC.

You can take free ACT or SAT practice tests online at: at Contact the CCRC staff for login information for MnCIS.

Check out theLearning Express Library.There is atest prep resourcethat is a free resource for Park Center students available through ELM (Electronic Libraries for Minnesota). Here, you can access practice ACT, SAT, AP, TOEFLtests, as well as others.

Chegg offers ACT lessons, quizzes and practice tests.

Union Test Prep Free Practice Tests for the ACT: If passing the ACT is standing in the way of getting into the college of your dreams, there is help! Afree ACT practice testto help you identify in which areas you are strong and which areas could use a little more work is available at

Juniors, would you like a paid corporate internship where you will earn up to $12,000 your senior year – with a guaranteed acceptance into college? Then Genesys Works is the opportunity for you! They provide free training in both professional and technology skills, a paid corporate internship, and free college preparation assistance. Come and learn more from a Genesys Works Coordinator and current Park Center seniors who are interning through Genesys Works. They are meeting on Wednesday, January 31st at 9:15AM in the Auditorium. Sign up in the CCRC for a pass to attend.

Dunwoody College of Technology offers two great scholarship programs for new students. The Women In Technical Careers Program is designed to help female students succeed in a technical degree program. Scholarships are awarded up to $10,000 per year for women enrolled in automotive, construction, computer technology, or robotics and manufacturing, and who demonstrate financial need. Advising, mentoring and a cohort experience are included.

They also offer the Youth Career Awareness Program - a six week paid summer camp filled with career exploration, field trips, and college-readiness courses. A $20,000 scholarship plus additional financial support are offered to students who complete the camp and attend Dunwoody in the fall. Come to the CCRC on Tuesday, February 12th at 10:00AM to hear more. Sign up for a pass.

Have you heard of GenesysWorks? This is a program for juniors to gain real world experience and get paid!

Through GenesysWorks you get professional training, strengthen your communication skills, and learn responsibility and accountability. From there you get to work at a major corporation, gain real world experience and earn a real wage. You will get ahead because you are building a strong resume, pursuing a professional career along with applying to college.

Theywill begin accepting applications forthe next class of Genesys Works young professionals from the current high school juniors (Class of 2019) starting Wednesday, January 3th, 2018. Go to apply.

Application Process:

  1. Verify you meet eligibility requirements.
  2. Complete online application.
  3. Interview in our office in March or April.

If you are accepted, training generally begins mid-June and runs through early August. Once you’ve completed training, internships begin late August or early September, and typically run for one year.

Eligibility Requirements - To be eligible for the Genesys Works program, you must be:

  • A high school junior who is on track to graduate.
  • Legally able to work in the U.S. and have valid documentation allowing you to do so.
  • At least 16 years of age by August 1 of your training year.
  • Able to work in the afternoons during your senior year in high school. Since this can conflict with other activities, you will have to make the choice before signing up with Genesys Works.
  • Recommended by your school counselor, principal or specialty teacher.
  • Willing to invest your entire summer, completing their intensive training program.
  • Willing to commit to regular attendance. Your participation in Genesys Works has to be top priority.
  • Able to provide your own transportation to and from Genesys Works and your worksite. Many students use public transportation.
  • Able to meet the Genesys Works dress code and the dress requirements for corporate clients.
  • Aware that Genesys Works is something you do in addition to your schoolwork. You must maintain good standing in school and at Genesys Works.

You will gain real world experience at major corporations like3M, Bremer Financial, Medtronic, Travelers Insurance, Best Buy, Ecolab, Thrivent Financial, Xcel Energy, Target, and Optum.

BROOKLYNK: Get Work Ready Training! Paid Summer Internships! Work Ready Training: Learn real skills for a real summer job! The trainings will be fun, led by local professionals, and focus on topics such as: Networking, Resume Building and Professionalism. Youth between the ages of 14-21 are eligible to apply. The mission of BrookLynk is to prepare youth with essential job skills, experiential employment opportunities, and professional social networks to develop personal pathways to college and career.

Summer Internships: Youth aged 16-19 who have completed BrookLynk Get Work Ready Training can apply for paid summer internships. Internships are coordinated with local employers and provide opportunities for young people to explore career fields, regardless of previous work experience. During their internship, interns will be coached and mentored by staff on-site while receiving further support from BrookLynk Staff.

Get more information and apply online at

University ofSt. Thomas – Dougherty Family Collegeis a selective, two-year program offering an associate of arts degree in liberal arts. The program is designed for students who:
  • Demonstrate a high level of financial need and want to proceed directly into a bachelor’s degree program upon graduation
  • Demonstrate the personal maturity and readiness for higher education
  • Demonstrate the perseverance, resilience and commitment needed to achieve educational goals
  • Have not had ready access to academic, economic, social or other support resources that facilitate academic success
  • Will not require remedial coursework to succeed

To apply, students should visit stthomas.edu/dfc/apply. A completed application consists of a submitted application, official high school transcript, and FAFSA (or Minnesota Dream Act Application).
The Regular ApplicationDeadline is February 1, 2018. Space is limited, so apply as soon as possible.

North Hennepin Community College Scholarships: NHCC offers scholarships for new and returning students based on program of study, academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need. Scholarship amounts range from $500 to $1000. Please apply between February 1st and April 30th at

The Mayo Clinic offers a Phlebotomy Technician Program that is an excellent fit for high school seniors who are interested in a healthcare related career, are undecided about college and have a desire to live in the Rochester/SE MN region. The Phlebotomy Technician Program is a 10 week program where students learn how to collect blood for clinical testing and become eligible for employment as a phlebotomist immediately after graduation. The national average phlebotomist salary is approximately $31,000 per year and their program has a greater than 90% hire rate after program completion. Some phlebotomists spend their entire career within the phlebotomy field, advancing in position by additional training and taking on management responsibilities, while others may use their phlebotomy experience as a stepping stone to advance their careers beyond phlebotomy within the healthcare field. Visit for more information on this program.

Eligibility: All Division I and II college-bound athletes are required to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Visit to register.

A copy of the most recent College Bound Student Athlete Guide can be found at f

NCAA Eligibility Center's Updated Academic Fact Sheets for DI & DII can be found at

Seniors, if you have not completed your FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid - you may already be missing out on money schools have to offer for financial aid. Come to the CCRC today to get the information you need to complete your FAFSA!

The University of North Dakota Scholarship application deadline is March 1st! As the March1stscholarship deadline is approaching, you are reminded that paper scholarship applications will no longer be accepted. All students should complete a Scholarship Central application to be considered for 2018-19 scholarships. Scholarship Central is home to more than 800 scholarships, and these scholarships are in addition to any automatic academic scholarships students may receive. Students must be admitted to UND and have claimed their accounts before they're able to complete their Scholarship Central applications. If you have any questions about 2018-19 scholarships, contact the UND Student Financial Aid office at 701.777.3121 or .

HOW TO SEND YOUR TRANSCRIPT: The Osseo School District is offering FREE electronic transcripts for current students. Students needing a transcript should go to set up a personal profile using an e-mail address that is nottheir school apps e-mail address and then request their transcript to be sent electronically. Transcripts will be processed within two school days with the following exceptions – weekends, holidays, during processing of final transcript grades and two days before and three days after trimester end. Former students will be charged a $5.00 processing fee for this service. Note: When putting in your school, put in “Park Center” only and a drop down menu will come up and then choose “Park Center IB World”.

Beginning with the class of 2018, class rank will no longer be reflected on the transcript; however, it will be added to the report card each trimester. Very few institutions require class rankrecorded on the transcriptfor admissions purposes. If the institutions for which you are applying requires class rank reported on the transcript, simply file a request with our office,and it will be added.Eachtrimesterreport cards will havethe student’sclass rank and GPA (weighted and unweighted)included, and official transcripts will continue toreflectthe student’sGPA (bothweighted and unweighted). Please contact the CCRC or your guidance counselor if you have any questions.

HENNEPIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE APPLICANTS…. IMPORTANT TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION

When sending your transcript through Parchment to Hennepin Technical College you must use the following e-mail address as the recipient’s address:

North Dakota State College of ScienceThursday, January 25th10:00AM

Lake Superior CollegeTuesday, January 30th8:30AM

Minnesota State University – MankatoThursday, February 8th8:45AM

South Dakota State University invites you to Junior Day 2018! Junior Day is a jam-packed day of fun and information. It is a great way to kick start your college search, and you’ll be well on your way to finding the right fit for you. Enjoy academic majors fair, campus and residence hall tours and an admission information presentation. Register now at

Experience for yourself what life is like as a student at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. During your Red Letter Day you’ll tour the campus with a current Nebraska student as your guide, explore your academic interests, visit a residence hall, learn more about student involvement opportunities, discuss important admissions, scholarship and financial aid information, and discover the many services that help students at Nebraska succeed. If you are interested in any health-related fields, check out ourPre-Health Red Letter Day.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact the Nebraska Office of Admissions at800-742-8800, ext.2023. Because Red Letter Days fill up quickly, we encourage you to reserve your spot early at Walk-in registration is open only on a space-available basis the day of the event.Fee:$10.00 per person, no refunds.

Simpson College in Iowa invites you to Junior Visit Day on Friday, April 13th. This is a great day for juniors to learn about academics, campus life and the Simpson Experience. Register at

North Hennepin Community College is offering several upcoming events includingtheDiscover STEM EventonTuesday, February 13thfrom 5:00-6:30PM. This event will help students explore potential STEM majors and learn about STEM scholarship opportunities. RSVP at

The NHCC Financial Aid Workshop is onWednesday, February 28thfrom 5:00-6:30PM. Students will learn all about financial aid and have the opportunity to fill out their FAFSA. RSVP at

The NHCC Open House is onTuesday, April 17thfrom 4:00-7:00PM. Prospective students can attend program breakout sessions and admissions informational sessions, visit resources tables, learn about 4-year partnerships, and tour the campus. Graduating seniors can apply for FREE!

Collaboration: Spanish Financial Aid and Transferring Presentation,Tuesday, January 23rd and Thursday, February 1stfrom 5:30-8:30PM. Their Latin Outreach and Success Specialist, Felipa Cespedes, will be collaborating with CLUES to give a two-part Spanish presentation. The first part of the presentation will be on financial aid. The second part will be on the process on starting at a community college and transferring to a four-year university. Please contact Felipa at 763-424-0770 or at if you have any questions.

Energy Explorers

Great River Energy participates in the Northern Star Council’s “Exploring and Learning for Life” career program. The purpose of Great River Energy’s program is to provide high school students with information and experience in a variety of career fields possible in the energy industry.

Students will explore technical careers related to the design, construction, operation and maintenance of utility power systems. These include generation, transmission, telecommunications network, and information technology systems.

On Tuesday, February 13th: “Using Technology to Influence Customer Behaviors” Through the use of technology, consumers can save money by making choices about how they consume energy. To expand public awareness, we will create public service announcements (PSA) to promote new technologies that improve the efficiency of the electrical grid and provide consumers more control of their energy usage. We will also discuss concepts and trends driving innovation in the industry, and explore careers in business and conservation.The presentation runs from 6:30PM – 8:00PM at the Great River Energy headquarters, 12300 Elm Creek Blvd in Maple Grove. The first 45 minutes consist of a professional, qualified man or woman talking about their career. The second 45 minutes will include a hands-on activity for students to experience that type of career.

For more information and to register go to

You are invited to attend Lake Superior College Career Nights: February 9th – Firefighting and Truck Driving, February 28th – Integrated Manufacturing, March 16th – Aviation. All events run from 5:00PM – 8:00PM. RSVP at

Visit Southwest Minnesota State University and experience what life is like as a Mustang. Open house dates include “Hawaiian Night” – February 3rd, and “Junior Visit Day” – March 24th. Mustang Saturdays are on December 2nd, January 13th and 20th. Schedule your visit at

Experience life in the Pack!Northern State University invites you and your families to join them for “Northern Bound Days” on January26th, February 16th, March 23rd and July 13th. Register at

Augustana University has “Junior Visit Day” scheduled for April 6th and 27th. To register go to

Minnesota State University Moorhead invites you to attend one of their“Preview Days” on February 17th and March 24th. Meet with faculty and current students, tour the campus and residence halls, apply onsite and have your application waived. Sign up at