The Deering Weekly Update
SEE MORE EXAMPLES of DISTANCE LEARNING ART in the NEWSLETTER BELOW.
Vol. 4, May 29, 2020. If you have news you'd like to share or questions about something you read here, please contact Sarah Shmitt at shmits@portlandschools.org
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GRADUATION 2020
We are excited to celebrate the 146th class of Deering High School! Under these historic conditions, we are determined to create a ceremony that will feel memorable, personal, and will honor this important milestone in your life.
Today, we are able to share that all three of Portland's high schools have chosen the outdoor venue of Ocean Gateway for their graduation ceremonies. Each school will be hosting a "drive-in" event that will be streamed by video and on local radio. The organizers, along with some student representatives, will be touring the site next week and we will be in touch with more details as we have them.
Deering's graduation date remains Thursday, August 6, 2020.
Alyson Dame and Abdullahi Ahmed
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A PPS Food Fund has been created through the Foundation for Portland Public Schools. Anyone who wants to help can donate to the Food Fund to provide for families experiencing food insecurity during this crisis. The link to donate is here.
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HERE is the district's information page on the COVID-19 virus and the FAQ Page.
HERE is our DEERING COMPREHENSIVE CALENDAR. / DHS Twitter: @DeeringHS Deering's Sport Schedules
And here is the new Natural Helpers Insta: dhsnaturalhelpers
FREE SPECTRUM SERVICE IS ENDING
Unfortunately, the free 60 day trial period with Spectrum is expiring for many families. If any PPS family is going to lose internet access because they cannot afford it, Portland Public Schools has hot spots available for free. This device will allow students to be able to access the internet at all times. If you would like to get more information or get a device, please contact Krista Simonis at simonk@portlandschools.org.
DEERING PARENT GROUPS:
PTO / BOOSTERS
The Deering PTO is looking to get people interested in helping out with the DHS parent group! We are the folks who help to serve at the ice cream sundae welcome, teacher-staff appreciation, and other events. We focus on things like communication with administration and teachers, teacher-staff-community support, planning, celebrations & fundraising. It’s a great way to be part of the DHS community! If you are interested, please email us at deeringhspto@gmail.com! Our meetings were cancelled this spring but we plan to resume in the fall – hopefully starting with the ice cream welcome for incoming 9th graders.
We need your input and ideas, as the class of 2020 graduates and their parents move on. Thanks!
"RACISM IS A VIRUS"
Virtual Workshop for Students: Racism Is a Virus Too
June 2 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
In this webinar, the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine educators will look at “explicit” and “implicit” bias, and how our biases are formed by our own experiences as well as learned stereotypes too often reinforced by society.
In addition, we’ll use both historic and present day examples to consider the impact of bias and the proclivity for biases to become more pronounced when combined with uncertainty or fear. The issue of bias has been particularly evident in the face of COVID-19 with an increase in incidences of xenophobia, racism, anti-Semitism and anti-Asian prejudice in Maine and across the nation.
This lively workshop will provide opportunities for self-reflection and discussion, along with resources and recommendations for digging more deeply into the topic of bias and COVID-19. The workshop is open to all students grades 6-12 and is designed to be an introduction. No prior study of anti-bias is necessary, yet we feel there’s something for every young person interested in examining their own biases.
> REGISTER HERE <
DOES YOUR STUDENT NEED A JOB?
Have them enroll in Sydney Williams' ELO google classroom page for lists and list of jobs OR contact Ms Williams at willis@portlandschools.org
From Our Natural Helpers!
Ways to Chillax and Stay Sane During the Shutdown
You are not a raccoon: don't sleep through the day and stay up all night.
Simple Mindfulness
Recommendations for a Sane Remote Schedule
Checklist for a Balanced Schedule
THANK YOU, STUDENT MENTORS!
A special THANK YOU goes out to student volunteers Leaticia Hannah and Pedro Matala. Using their multilingual skills, they have both put in extra hours helping to support many of our newcomer students, especially during the transition to remote learning. Thank you Hannah and Pedro!!!
No prom? No problem!
Maryann Carroll (l) wears her wedding dress (!) and Hope Carroll her prom dress in this family snapshot.
Livia Srappa, one of many proud Deering High soon-to-be graduates with her new sign!
ART!
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES 2020
Are you up to date with your required vaccines?
Maine state law requires all high school seniors to have two doses of the meningitis (MCV4) vaccine. (One dose if it was given on or after your 16th birthday)
Please contact your health care provider and see if you are up to date.
Elizabeth Nalli, School Nurse
Deering High School
370 Stevens Ave
Portland, ME 04103
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Or email a copy of your immunization records to nallie@portlandschools.org
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Since no one is at DHS to receive faxes at this time, please do not fax immunization records until we are back in school this fall
Any questions - please email me at nallie@portlandschools.org
FREE COLLEGE COURSES ACROSS MAINE!
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U-Maine is offering Early College options for Maine's high school students FOR FREE!
Check out their course catalog and find out how to earn college credit while in high school! CONTACT um.earlycollege@maine.edu
We have some exciting news! Your graduating seniors, all of them, will be able to take FREE summer courses with CMCC! That is tuition free, fee free, and as many courses as they want. They are only responsible for the textbook. This includes private and public high schools, home school students, and students who have earned their HiSET / Adult Diploma in 2020. Yes, you read the right!
Registration Form
Southern Maine Community College is now offering short-term training programs tailored to provide skills that are in high demand during the COVID-19 crisis.
One of the programs is a 16-week pharmacy technician training course which prepares students for national certification and employment in the pharmacy field.
The other program is a free professional education license. The school is offering 500 of these licenses, where students will be trained in a variety of fields including business, customer service, finance and human resources.
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Maine Academy of Modern Music
Is offering free music lessons to the children of essential workers! Click here for more info!
Jukado Martial Arts in Westbrook
Free Online Self Defense Classes!
Be sure to hit Contact Us! ask about class times or call (207) 854-9408
From Our Natural Helpers!
Ways to Chillax and Stay Sane During the Shutdown
You are not a raccoon: don't sleep through the day and stay up all night.
Simple Mindfulness
Recommendations for a Sane Remote Schedule
Checklist for a Balanced Schedule
Deering 2020 Yearbook
Yearbooks are still NOT here and will NOT be available for the Seniors on Monday and Tuesday next week. The Covid-19 situation has caused the Yearbook Company and its distributors to cut back hours so they are behind on fulfilling the orders. I have been in communication with the Yearbook representative almost daily and there is no definite scheduled timeline at this point to share.
When yearbooks do become available, Mr Lawless will send information out and will be in contact with everyone who purchased one. Contact him with questions at lawles@portlandschools.org. There are still a few left so if any student needs a yearbook, email MR. LAWLESS @ lawles@portlandschools.org for the process of how to order a yearbook. The cost is $70.
Online purchase option has expired.
May 22, 2020
STEM Newsletter Items
Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year.
Look for STEM ELOs & STEM Scholarship opportunities to be posted here each week.
If your student is new to Deering or new to the STEM Endorsement work, encourage them to join the Google Classroom for program requirements, ELO trackers and general announcements. Google Code: xa03aiv
Apply to Girls Who Code’s Virtual Summer Immersion Program (SIP) for an unforgettable summer experience! During this FREE two-week virtual program, you'll learn the computer science skills you need to make an impact, get an inside look into the tech field, and join a supportive lifelong sisterhood — all while being virtually hosted by influential companies, like AT&T, Goldman Sachs, Disney, and more. Current 9th - 11th grade girls and non-binary students are eligible to apply. Need-based stipends of up to $300 are available for those who qualify.
Applications are considered on a rolling basis, but classrooms are filling up fast! Apply today at girlswhocode.com/virtualsipform or learn more in a webinar.
⇨ LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON STEM OPPORTUNITIES OVER THE SUMMER ON THE STEM GOOGLE CLASSROOM PAGE! Ms Shibles will be updating it regularly.
⇨ Please check descriptions/deadlines from prior posts.
GUIDANCE NEWS
Week of June 1, 2020
Maine College and Career Access Program
for all Graduating Seniors in the DHS Class of 2020
WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU THROUGH THE SUMMER!!!
How can we help you?
● Provide one-on-one support
● Review your goals and plans for college
● Help determine academic readiness
● Talk about tuition and financial aid
● Complete online tasks needed to enroll
● Help with administrative tasks
● Identify support systems on campus
Don’t let all your hard work get derailed as you prepare to attend college in the fall. You aren’t alone. Let us support you to achieve your college and career goals!
For more information on continued support now and into the summer months contact us by emailing Erin Krivicky from PAE at krivie@portlandschools.org
The Members of the Deering High School Class of 2020 are Getting an Awesome Early Graduation Gift--
FREE (Yes-FREE!) Access to Online Summer Courses at Maine’s Community Colleges!!!!!!
Graduating Seniors can explore interests, earn college credit and save money & time while moving toward college and career goals.
For more info on classes and how to register, click HERE
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New Student Loan Interest Rates Drop to Record Lows for 2020-21
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Amidst so much disappointment about what next year will look like for students going to college, this is one piece of good news.
READ MORE
What is a letter of recommendation? What makes one good? Who should you ask and when? These are questions that we hear a lot in our Guidance office. CLICK HERE for a video that answers all of this and more!
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CALLING ALL JUNIORS!
CALLING ALL JUNIORS!
Parents of Deering Students in the Class of 2021
PLEASE, PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO SCHEDULE A JUNIOR MEETING WITH THEIR SCHOOL COUNSELOR NOW TO DISCUSS:
Counselors are available by appointment.
Let us help you and your teen feel good about their future!
Tracey Moore has students with last names A-E. Click here to schedule an appointment: https://mooret.youcanbook.me
Asia Alexis has students with last names F-L. Click here to schedule an appointment: https://asiaalexis.youcanbook.me
Libby Heselton has students with last names M-N. Click here to schedule an appointment: https://hesell.youcanbook.me/
Farausi Cherry has students with last names O-Z. Click here to schedule an appointment: https://cherry14.youcanbook.me/
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The 2020-2021 Common App Will Have a Question About COVID-19
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Jenny Rickard, President and CEO of the Common App, explains that the COVID-19 question will allow colleges to understand, “each student’s unique context.”
READ MORE
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ARE YOU A PARENT OF A CURRENT JUNIOR
WORRIED ABOUT HOW TO VISIT COLLEGE CAMPUSES DURING COVID-19?
WORRY NO MORE!!!!!
Here are four superb tour sites that aim to help students feel as if they are really walking on a college campus. Teens and their families can visit as many colleges as they like without the cost of a road trip or the aching feet!
CampusTours offers tours of more than 1,800 schools in the United States as well as tours of schools in the United Kingdom, Canada, China and France. Its advanced search feature allows students to fine-tune details they are searching for, such as how much tuition they want to pay.
YouVisit offers tours of more than 600 U.S. schools. The tours offer prompts that pop up asking students for input that is sent to college officials to respond, an attempt to replicate the questions and answers that come up during in-person tours.
YoUniversity: Students can click on tabs such as “safest campuses,” “most diverse campuses” and “top academic colleges,” as well as “best campus food” and “coolest dorms.”
CampusReel: utilizes crowdsourced student-generated video content to bring a campus to life for prospective students. The sponsors want to show an authentic portrait of a college community. Students or parents must register to join this site.
IS YOUR TEEN LOOKING FOR FREE ONLINE SAT PREP THIS SUMMER?
LOOK NO FURTHER!
Let’s Get Ready is proud to announce that we have moved our SAT and College Prep program into the virtual world for the summer. With the changing times of COVID-19, we have found that we can best serve students in the safety of their own homes and in turn we are able to serve more students than ever before.
Here is our flyer . Students can register at www.letsgetready.org
June SAT and SAT Subject Test Administration
To keep students safe, and in alignment with public health guidance and school closures across 192 countries, the SAT or SAT Subject Tests will not be administered on June 6, 2020.
Future SAT Administrations, Including September 26
If it’s safe from a public health standpoint, CollegeBoard will provide weekend SAT administrations every month through the end of the calendar year, beginning in August. This includes a new administration on September 26 and the previously scheduled tests on August 29, October 3, November 7, and December 5.
FOR ALL TEST DATES, REGISTRATION INFO, AND UPDATES CLICK HERE
Click here for: Colleges and Universities Waiving ACT/SAT Requirements for 2020 Admissions and Perhaps Beyond
Scholarships and Resources for Finding Them
$$$.
Here are some reputable resources for scholarship searches:
FAME (the Financial Authority of Maine) lists many scholarship and financial aid resources on their website (famemaine.com). Look through the Maine Scholarships list and have your student apply to several. This is the best site we have found for advice on paying for college. MES is another scholarship resource, as in the Maine Community Foundation.
We found a good resource for scholarship information from Reviews.com. This is a website “dedicated to conducting data driven and unbiased research about topics that can help make an impact in people's lives.” Below is a link that covers the best scholarship search sites, what you should know about scholarships, and how best to apply, etc: Reviews.com scholarship search
LendEdU for scholarships and search tips: http://lendedu.com/blog/scholarships
Local Portland and Maine State Scholarships
Local and State Scholarships are on your senior child’s Home Page of their Naviance Account! If you want to see that comprehensive list, ask your child to show you their Naviance Account. The Scholarship List is on the Naviance Home Page in the left, bottom corner of the page.
May 1st is a popular deadline for many scholarships; however don’t give up yet! Keep researching the list and use FastWeb for scholarships with later deadlines.
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Free and Low Cost Online Summer Programs
Posted in May by TeenLife
CLICK HERE
Summer 2020 Study Opportunities
SUMMER STUDY PROGRAMS MAY HAVE NEW DATES OR EVEN CANCELLATIONS DUE TO COVID19. PLEASE CHECK SPECIFIC COLLEGIATE WEBSITES FOR THE MOST UPDATED STATUS OF THESE PROGRAMS.
CLICK HERE FOR A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES IN EVERY STATE THAT HAVE PRE-COLLEGE COURSE OFFERINGS IN THE SUMMER FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
HERE IS A LIST OF SELECTIVE SUMMER COLLEGE PROGRAMS: https://www.collegetransitions.com/top-summer-programs-for-high-school-students/
Career Opportunities in Maine
DESTINATION OCCUPATIONS HAS UPDATED THEIR SITE WITH MANY EXCITING, WELL-PAYING JOB OPPORTUNITIES RIGHT HERE IN MAINE FOR BOTH TEENS AND ADULTS .
So. . . What do you want to do? Destination Occupation is the place to go for an insider’s look at Maine’s best careers with some of the state’s most dynamic employers, from entrepreneurial ventures to Maine’s largest organizations! This is a great site for teenagers wanting to know more about specific career fields as well as what job opportunities are available in Maine today. The site is also superb for adults as well. Click here for more information. Click here for videos: CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN MAINE/ VIDEOS