A Message From The Principal
Hello Families,
I am pleased to update you on some of our major developments in further developing the College and Career-going culture at RKA. This is a multi-year process, and each year we work on developing and diversifying what we offer to students at RKA to better prepare them for their lives after RKA.
This year we have:
Joined the High School College Access for All program supported by the Department of Education. This allowed us to:
Created the technology infrastructure to help students prepare for the PSAT and SATs through Khan Academy.
We have also:
Our Middle School College Access for All Program further ensured that:
Please remember these VERY IMPORTANT dates:
One way that parents can help their children have the strongest experience and applications for college is by promoting their child's involvement in community service, enrichment or interning opportunities. College applications are competitive and sometimes it comes down to colleges selecting between two academically similar students. Who would you choose- the applicant who helped their community and participated in lots of exciting enrichment programs while posting astrong GPA or the applicant who only had the strong GPA to show? Please consider attending this Summer Enrichment Fair as a way to help you child develop his or her interests AND resume.
Next Saturday, February 2nd, is the 3rd Annual Summer Enrichment Program Fair, hosted by the College and Career Planning Team. Students will learn about academic programs, internships, and summer youth employment opportunities top bolster their resumes, build workforce-readiness skills, and earn income. It is hosted at the New York Public Library (476 Fifth Avenue, NYC) from 12:00-4:00 PM. Families can register to attend.
We really want to help your children and YOU with all of your college concerns. Please reach out if would like to discuss any of this with us.
Lori O’Mara
Principal
I am pleased to update you on some of our major developments in further developing the College and Career-going culture at RKA. This is a multi-year process, and each year we work on developing and diversifying what we offer to students at RKA to better prepare them for their lives after RKA.
This year we have:
Joined the High School College Access for All program supported by the Department of Education. This allowed us to:
- Create a "One Goal" class for 25 college-bound juniors. They are experiencing a unique curriculum designed to support them in all aspects of the college process. Currently, they are prepping for the SAT exams to be held here at RKA on March 27.
- Staff Ms. Soremi Lockhart from the NYU College Advisory Corps to assist us with the college process. She has just arranged two very economical college trips currently available to our 10th and 11th grade students. She has promoted these with the students already, but the due date is approaching quickly. Forms are attached to this email. First due date is March 1st!
Created the technology infrastructure to help students prepare for the PSAT and SATs through Khan Academy.
- All students were issued @RKA141.org Gmail accounts- Most students use them actively.
- All students were invited to join the Google Classroom for their cohort- many have already joined (50-80% per grade)
- All students were invited to join the Khan Academy class for their cohort. they will be receiving general (and personalized!!) test taking practice and prep depending on their cohort.
- Ms. Lockhart will be visiting classes again next week to review this with them and encourage them to sign up. Please help us with this by encouraging your child to sign up.
We have also:
- Had 93% of our senior class with active college applications on file.
- Seen that 80% of our senior class has submitted the FAFSA application.
- Promoted "Super-Scoring" as a viable, accessible and effective way to increase SAT score results. Students who take the SAT more than once may use their best scores on each section to submit to colleges.
- Hosted College Visits and a college fair for our students. CUNY and SUNY are already on the calendar to visit with our Juniors in March.
- Hosted an Alumni Panel to talk to 11th and 12th graders about the college transition and applying to college.
- Set April 30 as our official College Decision Day
Our Middle School College Access for All Program further ensured that:
- All 7th graders visited Lehman College this year on tours especially designed for younger adolescents.
- Participated in a 8-week push-in Success Prep program in our school, which was designed to promote long-term goal setting and college/career planning.
Please remember these VERY IMPORTANT dates:
- 10th graders take the PSAT for free during the school day on 3/26
- 11th Graders take the SAT for free during the school day on 3/27
One way that parents can help their children have the strongest experience and applications for college is by promoting their child's involvement in community service, enrichment or interning opportunities. College applications are competitive and sometimes it comes down to colleges selecting between two academically similar students. Who would you choose- the applicant who helped their community and participated in lots of exciting enrichment programs while posting astrong GPA or the applicant who only had the strong GPA to show? Please consider attending this Summer Enrichment Fair as a way to help you child develop his or her interests AND resume.
Next Saturday, February 2nd, is the 3rd Annual Summer Enrichment Program Fair, hosted by the College and Career Planning Team. Students will learn about academic programs, internships, and summer youth employment opportunities top bolster their resumes, build workforce-readiness skills, and earn income. It is hosted at the New York Public Library (476 Fifth Avenue, NYC) from 12:00-4:00 PM. Families can register to attend.
We really want to help your children and YOU with all of your college concerns. Please reach out if would like to discuss any of this with us.
Lori O’Mara
Principal
Principal's Newsletters
| family_newsletter_jan_28.pdf |
| teacher_newsletters_october_2018.pdf |
| family_newsletter_may_june_2018.pdf |
| january_18_newsletter.pdf |
| december_2017_newsletters_final.pdf |
| newsletters_oct_2017.pdf |
| principals_newsletter_march_17_2017.pdf |
| feb_2017_principals_newsletter.pdf |
| principals_newsletter_nov__2016.pdf |
| principals_newsletter_oct_2016_final.pdf |
| principals_newsletter_march_2016.pdf |
| principals_newsletter_jan_2016.pdf |
| principals_newsletter_dec_2015.pdf |
| principals_newsletter_nov_2015.pdf |
| principals_newsletter_oct_2015.pdf |
| principals_newsletter_march_2015.pdf |