The Deering Weekly Update

 

Deering's award-winning Debate Team was recognized for its many impressive accomplishments at the last Board of Education meeting. Pictured (l-r) are Superintendent Xavier Botana, debaters Balqies Mohamed (10), Aidan Reid (12), Emily Cheung (10), Linh Nguyen (11), Aiden Blum-Levine (12), coach Brian Dodge, and Board member Roberto Rodriguez. 

Vol. 4, January 13, 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

HERE is our DEERING COMPREHENSIVE CALENDAR. 

For Deering's Sport Schedules, visit www.deeringathletics.com

DHS Twitter: @dhs_portlandme  

BE PART OF THE SOLUTION! 

GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT DEERING!

The Deering Social Media Team is welcoming interested juniors and seniors to apply for a Semester 2 Independent Study (1 credit). Students will provide the Team with media about goings-on at DHS for our twitter and Insta feeds. Interested students should see Ms. Cockrell in Room 317.

OPENING SOON! 

THE LOUNGE in DHS' Cafeteria, a supervised after-school teen center to be open Tuesdays and Thurdsdays, 2:30-5. Watch these pages for more news!

 

DO YOU HAVE A PING PONG TABLE or a FOOSBALL table you would donate to The Lounge? If so, please contact Sarah Shmitt at shmits@portlandschools.org

PARENT U: "Understanding the College Process" translated flyers here:

French Portuguese

Acholi Arabic Somali Spanish Vietnamese Khmer

 

Many local businesses are hiring, from movie theaters to restaurants to Walmart and more!

See Ms Williams in room 214 for more info!

DEERING PARENT GROUPS NEWS

 

NEXT PTO MEETING: Monday, January 27th: Deering Library, 6:00-7:30. Special guest, Michael Daly, Director of Athletics & Co-curricular Activities (who joined DHS this fall), will start the meeting with 30 minutes of info about co-curricular activities and athletics at DHS.  He will be joined by two students. Following that we will have a business meeting to discuss plans and ideas, including leadership for next year.

 

ALSO:

• Co-Principal Alyson Dame will provide updates on the Capstone Program (~5 minutes)

• Assistant Superintendent Aaron Townsend will discuss the principal search

• Close with a follow-up on the 8th Grade Open House (Jan 22) and the PTO meeting of Nov 12.

 

⇨ Parent volunteers will be needed for the DHS 8th grade Open House, Wed. Jan. 22, 2020, 6:30 PM.  Stay tuned!  If interested email deeringhspto@gmail.com.

 

⇨ Deering High School is looking for parents / guardians to serve on the newly formed PBIS Advisory Team.  PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) is the school-wide structure for ensuring that all students are engaged and supported in their academic, social, and emotional growth. Parent volunteers will meet twice a month with staff and administration to review student data and provide input on school initiatives. If interested contact Co-Principal Alyson Dame, damea@portlandschools.org.  

 

Currently scheduled PTO meetings for the year are Mondays, Jan. 27, March 16, May 11, all 6-7:30 in the DHS library.  Hope to see you there! Questions, contact DeeringHSPTO@gmail.com  PLEASE GET INVOLVED and SUPPORT YOUR SCHOOL! Contact us at DeeringhsPTO@gmail.com  

 

**CLYNK bags are helping us raise money for our projects like books for teachers and the DHS community.    If you want any CLYNK bags, let us know and we’ll drop some off at your house.

Deering Consolidated Boosters NEXT MEETING: February 5

Are you a parent or guardian of a Deering Student Athlete? Come see what Deering Consolidated Boosters is all about! Please join us on Wednesday, February 5 at 6 pm in Room 219.  Can’t make the meeting? Email us at deeringboosters@gmail.com to find out how you can help.

Yearbook Senior Ads Available Now!

These are the same as baby ads but will be advertised as Senior Ads, as we have had trouble in the past since students do not want their baby pictures in the yearbook! Baby photos will be accepted, but they are not required. Prices:

Full page ad: $200 Half Page: $100 Quarter Page: $50

We accept cash and checks made out to DHS Yearbook

Please send your photo(s), graphics and/or messages as attachements to: deeringyearbook2020@gmail.com

OR

Mail smooth, camera-ready copy to: 

DHS Yearbook, c/o Deering High, 370 Stevens Ave 04103.

2020 YEARBOOK: Purchase Today! 

The 2020 yearbook can be ordered online at YBPAY.com and the id number is 11227420.  The cost is $70.

 

The 2019 yearbook can be purchased for $40.  See Mr. Lawless in Room 113 if interested.

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

STEM ELOs:

• The Perloff Family Foundation and the Maine Space Grant Consortium are pleased to announce their sponsorship of the 2020 Maine 3D Printing Design Challenge and Expo which will take place at the Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) on Saturday, March 7, 2020. The challenge is to identify a need, a want or a problem, that is related to something “Maine” and then 3D print it. The Expo will include mini-workshops in a variety of subjects revolving around 3D printing, presentations from teachers and others who have been using this technology, and networking opportunities – along with the team judging and prize awards for team members! Learn at the link provided and stop by to see Mrs. Shibles in room 303 about accessing the school’s 3D printers.

• Maine Medical Center Department of Medical Education is hosting Family Medicine Night on Thursday, February 13th from 5:30-7:30 pm at Portland Family Medicine, 272 Congress Street. Students will learn about family medicine, meet doctors, and practice some medical skills. Dinner is included. To reserve a spot at this free event, please contact Llewis4@mmc.org. Interested students should see Mrs. Shibles in room 303 for media release and parent consent forms. Space is limited.

⇨ Please check descriptions/deadlines from prior posts.

January 13, 2020

DHS Guidance News

GUIDANCE NEWS

ARE YOU READY FOR THE START OF SPRING SEMESTER?  WOW!! 

 WE ARE ALMOST HALF WAY THROUGH THE SCHOOL YEAR!!!!!

Mid-Year and Final Exams for first semester classes take place on Thursday and Friday, January 16 & 17.  Second Semester classes begin on Tuesday, January 21. Students interested in making changes to their second semester course schedule can see their school counselor the week of January 13th to discuss courses that still have openings.  TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

 

 

 

Important Upcoming SAT 

Testing Dates

Click here for all 2019-20 SAT/SUBJECT TEST  dates, deadlines and registration info.

 11th Graders will be taking the SAT at Deering in April; however, any Junior can register for an SAT or Subject Test prior to that April date.  A number of Juniors choose to take the SAT one, two, sometimes even three times in order to get comfortable with the test. As they become more familiar with the actual test, they learn where their strengths and weaknesses are and can utilize Khan Academy for FREE practice in order to improve their test scores for college admission and heightened opportunities to get more merit scholarships.

Test Date Registration Deadline Late Registration 

                                                                            (Additional Fee)

MAR 14, 2020 FEB 14, 2020 FEB 25, 2020

MAY 2, 2020 APR 3, 2020 APR 21, 2020

**JUNE 6, 2020 MAY 8, 2020 MAY 27, 2020

** The June 6 Test Date is the last one for the 2019-20 school year 

Where Can Your Child Get In 

With Their SAT Scores?  

Students and Parents Can Search Colleges by Admission Test Score

College Simply

College Simply parsed admissions data from over 4,000 U.S. colleges and analyzed what SAT and ACT test scores get in where. Select your test score to find out where you may fit in best and estimate how likely you are to get accepted. The guide is organized by SAT and ACT score and presents the best colleges which have historically accepted students for each score.

 

 

 

 

How to Appeal a Financial Aid Award When Your Family Needs More Money

It’s spring of senior year and your child has just received the best news of their life. “Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you that…” You see the biggest smile on your child’s face, followed by tears of joy as they learn that they have been admitted to the school of their dreams. As you look at page two of the financial aid letter you feel like crying too, but for completely different reasons. The financial aid award isn’t close to what you will need to make your child’s dream school affordable.

Click here to find out what you can do:  https://grownandflown.com/appeal-financial-aid-award-need-more-money/

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Scholarships and Resources for Finding Them

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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

More and more Local and State Scholarships are being added all the time on your senior child’s Home Page of their  Naviance Account this time of year! 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.  (Students who may have forgotten their Username & Password for Naviance can always see Ms. Adams in Guidance to get refreshed on that information.)

2020 Mitchell Scholarship

The 2020 Mitchell Scholarship online application is now open!

Interested students can “like” the Mitchell Institute Facebook page to address questions and to stay updated on the latest news about the scholarship.

The 2020 recipients of the Mitchell Scholarship, representing more than 130 high schools from every community in Maine, each will receive a scholarship award for $10,000 to be paid in four equal installments of $2,500. In an effort to help more Maine students attain higher education, the Mitchell Institute provides scholarships for Maine students planning to attend two- and four-year degree programs at colleges both in- and out-of-state.

Once Scholars are selected, the Mitchell Institute helps them navigate college and the world beyond through personal and professional supports. In addition to offering the financial support of the scholarship, the Mitchell Institute offers a wide array of personal, academic and professional support programs, as well as a network of more than 3,000 Mitchell Scholars, Alumni, and partners—all of which amounts to much more than a check.

The 2020 Mitchell Scholarship online application is now open until April 1st!

Click here for the application link:  http://mitchellinstitute.org/scholarship/ 

If you would like to review the blank application form, you can click the Preview link at the bottom of the application landing page.

Please note that the Mitchell Scholarship has two deadlines:

Due by April 1, 2020

High School Transcript with mid-year grades

Recommendation letter (from high school teacher, counselor, or principal)

Student Aid Report from FAFSA

Due by May 1, 2020

Acceptance letter from applicant’s top college choice

Itemized financial aid offer from applicant’s top college choice

2020 Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund 

The Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund offers renewable, four-year scholarships to students with financial need who display academic achievement, a commitment to serving others (in school, their community, or at home), a strong work ethic, and leadership qualities.

DHS class of 2019 graduate Salam Salir was the recipient of last year’s Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship. 

 

Application Process for Current Deering Seniors (Class of 2020):

Ø   New applications will be posted on the website www.phillips-scholarship.org in December 2019.

Ø   The New High School Application and New College Application are due at noon on May 1, 2020.

Ø   The Early Response Option for High School Students Application is due at noon on April 3, 2020.

Ø   We welcome questions! Please call 978-744-2111 or email staff@spscholars.org.

 

 

2020 Richard H Pierce Memorial Scholarship

 

Established in honor of MES founder, Dick Pierce, who passed away in 2011, this scholarship is based on merit and financial need.  The goal is to provide support for students who might not otherwise continue their post-secondary education without financial assistance.  A scholarship for $5,000 will be awarded on a renewable basis for up to 4 years to the winning recipients

 

Application deadline is April 1, 2020.  The application is now open. Visit this website to apply: https://mesfoundation.org/scholarships.html   

If you have any questions about this scholarship, please email us at info@mesfoundation.org 

 

 

 

Summer 2020 Study Opportunities

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.

 

DON'T FORGET--Your student can also study abroad!  Check out CIEE's Global Navigators Programs for high school students here. 

HERE IS A LIST OF SELECTIVE SUMMER COLLEGE PROGRAMS:  https://www.collegetransitions.com/top-summer-programs-for-high-school-students/

What Are The 25 Best Jobs of 2019?

Health care jobs dominate the list, but software developer wins the crown.

Click here to read the latest from the Money section of US News & World Report:

https://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-25-best-jobs

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.