Staff: Diane Ahlberg and Jody HansenNovember 7th, 2017

(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):

December 9, 2017November 3, 2017November 4-17, 2017

February 10, 2018January 12, 2018January 13-19, 2018

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: and at

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

Hennepin Technical CollegeWednesday, November 8th10:30AM

Winona State UniversityThursday, November 16th8:00AM

University of Minnesota – MorrisThursday, November 16th1:30PM

New this year – Aviation Exploring Post: Have you ever wondered…How an airplane flies?How they know where to go?Who takes care of the airplanes?How an airplane is made? The new Aviation Exploring Post is looking for high school students ages 14 and up who are interested in learning about career opportunities in Aviation and Aviation-related fields.This year they will be meeting every other Thursday evening, plus some Saturdays. Additionalmeetings/sites to be determined. This is an exciting and unique opportunity for an inside look into Aviation. For more information contact: Gregg Strathy, r Carla Beach, .

• Nov.16, (Thursday) Sun Country Maintenance Facility, Minneapolis

• Nov.30, (Thursday) Minnesota Air National Guard, Minneapolis

• Dec. 7, (Thursday) Minneapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center, Farmington

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.

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”.

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:

Experience life as a University of Wisconsin – River Falls Falcon. Take your first step on campuson Friday, December 1st to determine whether it’s the right fit for you. Meet faculty and students, learn about academic programs, tour the campus, apply for admission, and get information on financial aid, student activities and more. Register at

Visit Southwest Minnesota State University and experience what life is like as a Mustang. Open house dates include “A Day at SMSU” – November 18th, “Hawaiian Night” – February 3rd, “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 November 17th, January26th, February 16th, March 23rd and July 13th. Register at

Augustana University has several “Visit” events scheduled: November 10th - Explore Augustana, April 6th and 27th – Junior Visit Day. To register for a Visit event 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

The University of Wisconsin – Superior is hosting Preview Days on January 20th, April 7th and July 21st. Register to attend at

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University are hosting “Saturday at CSB/SJU on November 11th. After the admissions presentation you can stay for a Johnnie’s football game! Additional fall admissions programs include Theater Exploration Day on November 11th. RSVP at

Montana State University in Bozeman is hostingMSU FRIDAYS onJanuary 26th,March 9th, March 23rd,and June 15th. This is a chance for students to find out what MSU is all about.You will have the opportunity to meet with faculty and students, explore academic facilities,tour the campus and investigate possibilitiesfor financial aid and scholarships. For further information and to register visit If you have any questions email the admissions rep at .

is now hiring package handlers. They offer multiple pay increases within the first six months of employment and tuition reimbursement. Applicants must be 18 years or older and able to load, unload and sort packages. $13.25 - $15.25 to start. For more information go to

has Nutrition openings at North Ridge Health and Rehab, 5430 Boone Ave N, New Hope. Apply atand click on Careers - click on Job Opportunities - click on Apply Team Member Positions - search for zip code 55428 - apply for open positions. If you have questions call Esther Hagen 763.592.2917, or email her at .

Three Rivers Park District is now hiring for Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area. They are looking for lift attendants, ski and snowboard instructors, attendants, food service workers and shuttle bus drivers. You will receive a free season pass, flexible scheduling and competitive pay. Apply at


There are quite a few volunteer opportunities.
Palmer Lake – math helpers for 1stgraders
Weaver Lake- helpers for STEM Action Fair- Thursday, November 9
Zanewood – shelving books (any day)
Edinbrook Bingo night – Friday, November 10
Woodland Bingo Night – Friday, November 10
Palmer Lake Bingo Night – Thursday, November 16
See Ms. Hennen in the front office in the Attendance Office to sign up.

Creating a Sustainable Solution
Excerpt from Build Your Future – Kistryn Quandt, Guest Contributor
According to the Construction Labor Market Analyzer, by 2019 we are expected to have a deficit of 1.5 million craft professionals. Just let that sink in for a moment. We aren’t talking about a few positions here and there that can easily be filled with a catchy job posting; we are talking about the future and longevity of the construction industry’s entire workforce.
While labor shortage predictions and skills gap statistics continue to flood our industry’s newsfeeds, what’s unclear is the sustainable solution. How do we effectively recruit, train and retain the next generation of craft professionals?
We have attempted to adapt recruitment and training strategies with technological trends and compete with the four-year degree frenzy that is sweeping the nation, but unfortunately, we continue to come up short. So let’s try looking at things a little differently.
Think about the bridges you drive across every day, the schools your children attend or the office buildings you work in. These structures that we rely on define the course and functionality of our day. Without the knowledge, hard work and skill of each and every craft professional, our lives would inevitably look and run quite differently. But most times, we don’t stop to think about all of that. Instead, we see just another grocery store, road, power plant or apartment complex.
But if we stop to imagine each and every pipefitter, electrician, plumber and welder responsible for its sturdy and safe foundation, we may not be so quick to dismiss it as just another building built by just another group of men and women. And furthermore, we may carry that same thread of unwavering respect for the crafts and their contributions to society into conversations we have with youth about career success.
We know that students everywhere crave a career aligning their passion with a purpose. Whether that is buried deep inside a research lab, behind a camera or underneath a hard hat, it is up to educators, parents and role models to encourage individuals to discover the career path suited to their individual personality and lifestyle. Traditional, nontraditional, in a classroom or out in the field, there are many opportunities beyond the sampler platter of four-year majors commonly presented to high school students. It’s time we, as a society, redefine career success and encourage students to consider all of their options.

Class of 2018! Important Information - Diane Ahlberg writes letters of recommendation and completes counselor forms for seniors.

If you need a college secondary report, recommendation, or scholarship recommendation please pick up a Senior Information Sheet for Recommendation in the CCRC, complete it and e-mail it as an attachment to or bring it to the CCRC. You should list Diane Ahlberg as your school counselor on your applications .

Effective for 2017-2018: Minnesota legislation now enables college students to be placed into college-level courses based on their high school Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) scores. For students who attended a Minnesota high school and entering Minnesota State colleges and universities in the 2017-2018 academic year and beyond, scores from the grade 10 MCA Reading assessment and grade 11 MCA Math assessment will be used in the course placement process. Students who meet the designated MCA scores benchmark in a subject area, within the validation window, are not required to take a developmental level course in that subject area.

Career Websites to Explore:

Minnesota Career Information System ( combines a wealth of career, education and labor market information into one comprehensive, easy-to-use exploration tool. Learn about over 520 occupations, develop a personal profile, research colleges, universities and career schools, find scholarships and financial aid, and improve job search skills and create a resume.

Try Engineering ( - great site for students to explore engineering careers. This site has information on how you can get involved with internships and competitions, as well as a college search feature.

Accounting Career Guide ( - useful information on how to become an accountant and it lists the top accounting schools and scholarship opportunities.

Is health care/nursing the right field for you?