Thank you for visiting the Passport to Success – College and Career Edition page. We will NOT have the campaign for the summer of 2022, but please download the 2021 workbook to help you explore college and career pathways.
***
Welcome to Passport to Success – College & Career Edition!
We want you to follow your college and career dreams! Through Passport to Success – College & Career Edition, you and your family are encouraged to participate in learning activities, take virtual tours of colleges and institutions, and attend virtual college and career sessions and events between June 7, 2021 – August 1, 2021.
We will be awarding five $1,000 scholarships to students living in California in grades 5-12. Three of the five scholarships will be awarded to students in Los Angeles County.
To be eligible for a scholarship, we ask that you download and complete the Passport to Success – College & Career workbook due on August 1, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. Please submit your workbook via bit.ly/PTSSubmission2021 or email it to jtorres@familiesinschools.org. Please note, that 2020 Scholarship Winners and Runner-Ups will NOT be eligible for a second scholarship but are encouraged to participate.
To be eligible for the $1,000 scholarship, the selection committee will consider the following.
Explore colleges and trade institutions virtually. Some colleges and trade institutions are offering virtual tours, where you can learn more about the institution. Click here for a list of colleges and trade institutions offering virtual tours. If the college or trade institution you are interested in does not offer virtual tours, consider exploring the college by checking their website and social media channels. The selection committee will be taking a look at the following in the review section of the workbook.
- Institute’s logo, address, admission’s phone number, date, and time of tour
- Thoughtful reviews of your
- major, academic, or career program
- campus, class, and program size
- campus location, dorms vs. living at home, commute, etc.
- clubs, sports & on-campus activities
- financial aid /scholarships/cost
- Use the Comparison Sheet to rate your top three colleges or institutions.
Attend five virtual events or sessions on college and career preparation. Families In Schools will be providing a series of virtual sessions between June 7, 2021 – August 1, 2021, but we also want you to explore other sessions in your community. Below you will find a list of approved sessions. If you would like to check something out, but it is not on this list, please contact Jessica Torres at jtorres@familiesinschools.org to review, approve, and add it to the list.
Live Panels Hosted by Families In Schoos
Panel #3: The Benefits of Volunteering and Internships, Wednesday, July 14th, 5 PM - 6 PM on Facebook Live, Twitter, and YouTube
Students and their families will have the opportunity to hear from current college students and graduates who were highly involved in extracurricular activities prior to college. Students will have a better understanding of the benefits to volunteering and interning as a step to exploring their interests, determining which careers appeal to them and which do not and how this may help them choose their college major. Parents and guardians will gain understanding as to how they can best support their students with this process.
Panel #4: Self Care Tips for Students During and After a Pandemic, Wednesday, July 28th, 5 PM - 6 PM on Facebook Live, Twitter, and YouTube
Students and their families will have the opportunity to learn about the importance of prioritizing self-care during college, understand the various types of self-care, and hear from current college students on how they are taking care of themselves as they navigate college during a pandemic. Families will better understand how they can support their student’s mental wellness and help their students to build healthy habits that will aid them in high school, college, and beyond.
July 1 - July 15
Friday 07/02 2-3:00 PM, The Power of Self-Care
You’re invited to join the Project Return Peer Support Network in this webinar to discuss mental health and focus on developing self-care/ self-love techniques through peer support.
Monday 07/05 1-2:00 PM, Change Your Mindset
If you operate on the assumption that there will be a worst-case scenario you are probably not alone. A lot of us do this without even thinking about it. Join the Project Return Peer Support Network in this webinar to explore these types of experiences and gain insight into how you can redirect your thought patterns.
Tuesday 07/06 5-6:00 PM, Navigating the College Admission Process
The college admissions process should be a time of opportunity and new beginnings, but increases in competition and costs cause more anxiety than excitement. Gathering expert information and planning ahead can smooth out the ride to securing a spot at a college where your student will thrive. Applerouth will arm you with information and timelines, dispel unhelpful myths, and discuss optimizing test scores and grades for admissions. Join them and be prepared to navigate the college admissions process with confidence.
Thursday 07/08 9:00 AM, MEFA Webinars: Comparing College Loan Options
There's a lot to consider when borrowing a loan to pay for college. This webinar offered by MEFA will help you differentiate among college loan options and better understand the true cost of borrowing. Live transcription will be available.
Saturday 07/10 8-11:00 AM, SAT Practice Test: Series 1
For students in grades 10-12, the city of Newport Beach is partnering with Strive to Learn to offer free SAT practice tests. Sign up to take one of each to figure out which test is right for you. Both tests are proctored online via Zoom, so you can take them at your home in a virtual setting at the given time. After you take the practice test, you will receive a detailed score report to help you determine which test showcases your strengths. Additionally, you'll be able to meet with a Strive to Learn counselor to get feedback on how you did, how you can self-study, and ask any questions you have about standardized testing.
Tuesday 07/13 1:30-2:30 PM, Crafting Your Personal Essay for College
Students are encouraged to join Broward County for the live workshop featuring The Scholarship Plug! This workshop will reveal some of the useful tips to write a successful personal essay for college admission.
Wednesday 07/14 2-2:45 PM, How to Write Great College Essays - NYPL Partner Webinar
Many great kids write average (even bad) college essays—essays about “life lessons learned from soccer” or “how my trip to Europe broadened my cultural horizons." In this workshop, Collegewise is partnering with NYPL to show you what admissions officers really look for in great college essays and offer suggestions for finding and sharing your best stories.
Thursday 07/15 5-6:00 PM, Testing 101 - Crowell Public Library Partner Webinar
In this webinar, Collegewise will cover the most recent updates on the testing front and share key tips on how to achieve your best scores. The webinar will provide families and college-bound students with a forum to ask questions about college admissions and the standardized testing process.
Thursday 07/15 10-11:00 AM, Coping with Activities
Join the Project Return Peer Support Network for a peer run support group where everyone can come together to talk about the next steps to take in order to move forward after living in a restrictive environment. Everyone is welcomed!
July 16 - July 31
Tuesday 07/20 5-6:00 PM, How to Unlock Student Potential with 21st Century Learning Skills
A new webinar with Dr. Jed Applerouth on how to help students:
- Manage anxiety
- Get and stay motivated
- Build grit and resilience
- Develop better executive function skills
Even the most intellectually gifted students can't achieve their potential without these 21st-century skills. Learn how to equip your students for success this fall and in the future.
Friday 07/23 1 PM, Summer Series: Staying NourishEd At Home
Gather the entire family and join Family Connect team members to learn ways to boost healthy and mindful eating at home throughout the summer. The webinar will be sharing activities and resources for both adult and child health at home.
Saturday 07/24 10-11:30 AM, SAT/ACT Test Prep Webinar: Series 2
What's the deal with the SAT and ACT? Do they still matter? Can you get into a good college without them? Which test is the better fit for you, and how should you prepare? How can parents best support their children? Students in grades 10-12 join Josefine Borrmann, the founder of Strive to Learn, to learn which test is better to take, as well as some of the most relevant advice. The first 20 students to sign up and attend this webinar will receive a free ACT or SAT test prep book. When you sign up, please comment SAT/ACT or either.
Monday 07/26 1-2:00 PM, Poetry for Kids
Students ages 8-12 will be introduced to writing poetry in a fun and low-pressure virtual classroom environment. They will learn the building blocks for how to tell stories and learn about the written word by writing their own poems.
Monday 07/26 2-3:00 PM, Youth Photography
Students ages 13-24, will learn how to express themselves through photography by learning how to "read images," "making pictures," rather than "taking pictures," digital editing, and collaborative reflection. No experience necessary!
Youth Photography will be taught by LHYAC Teaching Artist, Bobby Gordon (Mr. Bobby).
Monday 07/26 5-6:00 PM, SAT vs ACT: The differences, the timelines, and the expectations of colleges.
Join Applerouth Tutoring in this webinar to learn about the SAT and ACT, as well as up-to-the-minute updates on the test administrations. Come learn about the main differences between the two tests, how to decide which one is better for your child, when to take them, how much to prepare for them, and more.
Tuesday 07/27 1:30- 2:30 PM, Preparing for High School
Join The Scholarship Plug to learn some quick tips on successfully planning and succeeding in high school and beyond! The workshop is targeted to the class of 2025, current 8th graders.
Wednesday 07/28 8-11:30 AM, SAT Practice Test: Series 2
For students in grades 10-12, the city of Newport Beach is partnering with Strive to Learn to offer free SAT practice tests. Sign up to take one of each to figure out which test is right for you. Both tests are proctored online via Zoom, so you can take them at your home in a virtual setting at the given time. After you take the practice test, you will receive a detailed score report to help you determine which test showcases your strengths. Additionally, you'll be able to meet with a Strive to Learn counselor to get feedback on how you did, how you can self-study, and ask any questions you have about standardized testing.
Friday 07/30 2-3:00 PM, The Power of Self-Care
You’re invited to join the Project Return Peer Support Network in this webinar to discuss mental health and focus on developing self-care/ self-love techniques through peer support.
Saturday 07/31 8-11:30 AM, ACT Practice Test 2: Series 2
For students in grades 10-12, the city of Newport Beach is partnering with Strive to Learn to offer free ACT practice tests. Sign up to take one of each to figure out which test is right for you. Both tests are proctored online via Zoom, so you can take them at your home in a virtual setting at the given time. After you take the practice test, you will receive a detailed score report to help you determine which test showcases your strengths. Additionally, you'll be able to meet with a Strive to Learn counselor to get feedback on how you did, how you can self-study, and ask any questions you have about standardized testing.
Complete a short essay of 500 words or less detailing what you and your family, caregiver, or mentor have taken away from your experience with Passport to Success – College & Career Edition. How will this experience help you reach your college and career goals?
Complete the passport workbook and send it via bit.ly/PTSSubmission2021 or to jtorres@familiesinschools.org by August 1, 2021, at 11:49 p.m.
We will announce the scholarship recipients on September 30, 2021, on the Families In Schools social media channels.