SOAL
Summer Opportunity of a Lifetime
SOAL, what is it?
The Summer Opportunity of a Lifetime (SOAL) Program was started to give students
the opportunity to extend their learning outside the classroom during the summer
months. The SOAL program is a vehicle to transport students from the confines of their
community to exciting locales both domestically and abroad.
Who can participate?
Students in grades 3-11 who are registered for the next academic school year are
eligible to apply to the SOAL program. Students must meet the GPA and behavior
requirements as outlined in the student handbook. A monetary contribution is available
for participants that receive financial aid. Since SOAL participants are ambassadors of
Providence St. Mel School, they are expected to behave in a manner that reflects PSM’s
standards.
What is the application process?
Students must complete all required parts of the application process if they wish to be
considered for the SOAL program.
 Complete application form (available in November)
 Submit two recommendation forms (one from a current PSM teacher and the
other from their department chair)
 Write essay (following guidelines and topic)
 Copy of report card (after first semester)
 Pay administrative fee ($50) due at the time of signing the contract.
What fees and expenses are expected to be paid by the
family?
All students must pay a $50 administrative fee at the time that they sign the SOAL
contract. Payment must be made in the front office. (Please keep all receipts.) Students
who participate in SOAL and transfer the next school year must reimburse the school
for the total cost of the program. Records/transcripts will be held until the balance is
paid. Students are expected to provide their own clothing, gear, and spending money.
Some camps require additional fees to cover the cost of special programs (like
horseback riding & paintball), transportation or insurance. All students may apply for
scholarships to help defray the overall cost of their program. Financial costs to attend a
SOAL program are determined by program expense and financial aid need. All students
who receive a school monetary contribution must qualify for financial aid. Parents are
also encouraged to write letters expressing their interest in why their child should be
selected for the program. Thank you letters from parents are also welcomed and help
the coordinators assess the needs of the program.
What important dates do I need to know?
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December 20, 2012 – SOAL application due
February 1, 2013 – student essay and copy of report card due
February 15, 2013 – teacher/department head recommendations due
Program/camp applications and scholarships as well as $50 administrative fee
and additional fees may be due throughout the second semester.
Applicants are encouraged to research programs (including programs not on this list)
prior to applying.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Michelle Byrd at email (preferred) –
byrdm@psmnow.com or by phone – 773-722-4600 x 3141
Sincerely,
Michelle Byrd
Mrs. Byrd
SOAL program Coordinator
SOAL Student Application
(Summer Opportunity of a Lifetime)
Student Name/Grade: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________
City: ____________ State: ______ Zip:_______
Phone Number(s) – home, cell, work: _________________________________________________________________
Parent’s email: __________________________________________________________________________________________
Classroom/Advisory teacher ____________________________________ Current GPA: ______________________
Parent(s) Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent Daytime Phone ____________________________ Parent Evening Phone ____________________________
Are you registered for the 2013-2014 school year at PSM?
Yes
Extra-Curricular Activities:
__________________
________________
________________
__________________
________________
________________
Hobbies/Interests:
__________________
________________
_________________
__________________
________________
_________________
Have you participated in a SOAL program?
Yes
No
No
List the places you attended: ______________________ Year(s) attended? _____________
______ _________________ Year(s) attended? ____________
_______ _________________ Year(s) attended? ____________
Parents and students understand that all rules and regulations of camp programs must be
strictly observed. In addition, students are ambassadors of our school and are expected to
behave in a manner that reflects PSM’s standards. Failure to comply with any of these
requirements may result in expulsion from PSM and any funds paid by PSM for SOAL must be
reimbursed to the school. In order for a student to participate in SOAL, they must be registered
to attend PSM the following school year. **Students who apply and are accepted into a program
and decline to participate must reimburse the school any funds paid on the student’s behalf.
***Students who participate in a SOAL program but elect not to return to PSM in the fall agree to
reimburse PSM for all expenses paid by the school for the students’ participate in the program.
________________________________________
____________________________________
Student Name
Student Signature
__________________________________________
Parent Name
______________________________________
Parent Signature
__________________________________________
Principal Signature
________________________________________
Date
Completed Application
Last Report Card
Summer Program Attending
For Office Use Only
Teacher Recommendations (2)
Completed Essay
Administration Fee ($50)
Directors Approval
SOAL Essay Guidelines
Instructions
All applicants must write an essay. The essay should include an introduction, body and
conclusion. If the program you are applying to requires an essay you may use the same one
for your SOAL essay. Otherwise your essay should answer one of the questions below. You
should ask a teacher to review it before turning it in. All essays are due to Mrs. Byrd by
February 1, 2013.
Format
High School – at least 2 pages in length, 500-1000 words
Times New Roman, 12 pt.
Double spaced
Heading must include the following parts in top left hand corner:
Name, SOAL summer 2013, and grade
Essay Topics
 My future goals
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What is your goal for your future and how do you foresee SOAL helping you achieve
this goal?
Discuss both short-term goals and long-term goals.
 Who am I?
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Identify and describe three positive character traits.
Explain how each of these traits will help you at camp this summer or when you are
older, as an adult.
 What is a positive attitude?
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Explain what a positive attitude does for you and the people around you.
Identify three situations where a positive attitude makes a difference.
Explain what the outcome could be in these situations with a negative attitude.
 Why is the PSM Mission Statement recited each morning?
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What does the mission statement mean to you?
How can the words in the mission statement affect your life?
If Providence-St. Mel Mission Statement were for all students, would the world be a
better place? Explain.
SOAL Teacher Recommendation
TO BE COMPLETED BY STUDENT
Last Name__________________________First Name_______________________________
High School Graduation Year__________ Advisory Teacher_________________________
TO BE COMPLETED BY TEACHER
Name___________________________________________________________________
How long have you known the student and in what context?_________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Please evaluate the student’s personal traits and characteristics:
No Basis Below Average Average
Good Very Good Excellent
Superior
Leadership
Extrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic Motivation
Interpersonal Skill
Academic Skill
Kinesthetic Skill
Congeniality
Reliability
Determination
Flexibility
Do you recommend this student for SOAL?
Yes
No
Additional Comments (Required):
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Please feel free to write longer comments on the other side
Teacher
Signature____________________________________________Date_____________________
PLEASE RETURN COMPLETED FORMS to MRS. BYRD by FEBRUARY 15, 2013