Campus Corner

by Instructional Coordinators for Special Education, Maureen Kaniewski and Amanda Amburn, and Resource Staff

ACT_Test_Preparation    Senior_Scroll     College Fair

Letter to Parents

September 8, 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians:

In an effort to maximize our juniors' performances on the ACT/PSAE given in April 2010, the Special Education Department will initiate weekly preparation activities beginning in January 2010. The topics covered include the mechanics of test-taking, appropriate test-taking strategies, and practice using test-taking skills. These activities will be held both in the resource room and the Literacy Center, with the cooperation of our general education staff. The skills taught during this time will be reinforced in resource and general education classes.

You will receive a follow-up letters, shortly before test preparation begins and just prior to the testing date, which will include specific suggestions for motivating and preparing your child for the two days of testing.

Thank you for your cooperation and participation in this matter. Parents and teachers working together are a powerful combination which can only benefit the children/students we share.

Sincerely,

Naperville North Special Education Teachers

Effective Test Preparation

We encourage our juniors to get ready for the ACT/PSAE through effective preparation: physically, emotionally, and mentally.  Although students will meet with staff for weekly lessons during their resource, study hall, or lunch periods, they are encouraged to practice for the ACT/PSAE outside of class, as well.  In order to maximize their performances on the April testing dates, students should become familiar with the format of tests and increase their confidence with content areas by: 

• reviewing Tuesday test preparation lesson notes for English conventions rules and strategies for completion of each of the exams.

   

• taking ACT's practice tests within the Preparing for the ACT booklet, available in the NNHS Pupil Personnel Services Offices.

   

• keeping track of the scores on practice tests and self-charting improvement.

   

• using  other available resources for practice, including credible Internet sites and study groups (e.g., www.actstudent.org and Literacy Center preparatory sessions).

   

• learning and using strategies for physical and emotional preparation (e.g., nutritious food, restful sleep, exercise, relaxation techniques, and positive self talk).

Acceptance Letters Needed in Resource

 
Seniors:  Please bring in a copy of your post-secondary acceptance letter to the resource room to have your intended post-secondary school's name added to our scroll. The list of school names, written on a scroll graphic, represents the future career choices of those students who receive resource services. We would like to share your school selection to highlight for others what our current seniors will be doing after graduation from NNHS. Several of our students have been awarded scholarships for their high school efforts and post secondary choices.

2009 Seniors Qualifying for Resource Services Now Attend*:

Carthage

Coe College

College of DuPage

Cornell University

Marquette University

Moody Bible Institute (Spokane, WA)

Northern Illinois University

Robert Morris University

University of Illinois

University of Kentucky

Western Illinois University 

 * as reported/verified by some of our seniors -- partial list

Special Services College Fair

Hosted this year by Waubonsie Valley High School

October 5, 2009

10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

     The first of our juniors who bring signed permission slips from home will be driven in Huskie buses to the fair during school hours. However, each parent who is available to attend with his/her junior(s) is encouraged to consider calling Attendance to give parental permission for absence from school for the purpose of meeting with college representatives. As post-secondary school staff members, the representatives will speak in general about their schools and discuss the variety of special services accommodations that are available to students who qualify.

     Seventeen-year-old seniors who are undecided about their post-secondary plans, and mature sophomores, are also welcome to attend with parental accompaniment. The following schools have indicated that they will send a representative:

University of Iowa REACH program
Robert Morris University
Western Illinois University
Joliet Junior College
University of Indianapolis
Morrison Institute of Technology
Academy of Dog Grooming Arts
Aurora University
DePaul University
Lincoln College
Westwood College
Universal Technical Institute
Waubonsee Community College
Elmhurst Life Skills Academy
University of Wisconsin- Whitewater
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
National Louis PACE program
Northern Illinois University
Columbia College
Roosevelt University
Bradley University
Illinois State University
College of DuPage
Hair Professionals School of Cosmetology– Oswego

Last modified by Linda Clayton on 09/08/2009