Staff: Diane Ahlberg and Jody Hansen
(763) 569-7665 or (763) 569-7627
December 1st, 2015
The CCRC newsletter is provided on a monthly or semi-monthly basis to provide information on activities
and events that are helpful to Park Center students and their parents. This publication is also on Park
Center’s website (www.district279.org/sec/pcsh (under Academics or under Quick Links at right of
home page).
ACT TEST INFORMATION
Test Date
Registration Deadline
(Late Fee Required)
February 6, 2016
January 8, 2016
January 9-15
April 9, 2016
March 4, 2016
March 5-18
June 11, 2016
May 6, 2016
May 7-20
TEST FEE PER TEST OPTION:


ACT (No Writing)
$39.50
Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four college choices (if valid codes are
provided when you register).


ACT Plus Writing
$56.50
Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four college choices (if valid codes are
provided when you register). The Writing Test fee is refundable, on written request.
Students need to register on-line at www.actstudent.org
Students receiving free/reduced lunch can have their test fees waived TWICE by bringing a copy of the
letter they received from Food Service to the CCRC to receive a waiver. Fee waivers do not include late
fees.
Students can register for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests at www.collegeboard.org
Preparing for the ACT Test booklets that include a full length practice test, including the writing test,
strategies to prepare for the test and what to expect on test day are available in the CCRC.
You can take a free ACT or SAT practice tests online at: www.princetonreview.com/practicetest
Seniors who plan to apply to one of the five University of Minnesota schools, remember that Tuesday,
December 15th is the priority application deadline. Talk to Mrs. Ahlberg or Mrs. Hansen in the CCRC if
you need help with your application.
The University of Minnesota will again be offering the Share My App Program for fall semester 2016. The
Share My App Program works like this: All fall 2016 freshman applicants who have submitted a complete
admission application to the Twin Cites campus may also be considered for admission at one or more of the U
of M's other campuses (Crookston, Duluth, Morris, and Rochester) with no additional application and no
additional application fee. All students will be directed to z.umn.edu/sharemyapp for more information about
the program and to submit their request to participate.
COLLEGE REPS COMING TO THE CCRC
St. Cloud Community & Technical College
Century College
Hennepin Technical College
December 1st
December 9th
December 16th
10:00AM
1:00PM
1:00PM
NOTE TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS: The CCRC publishes the Scholarship Bulletin and Newsletter
approximately every two weeks. The Scholarship Bulletin lists all the scholarships that we have received
information on, including scholarships that are offered by local organizations which are available to residents of
Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center or students who attend a District 279 school. Because these programs have
restricted criteria, there is less competition and better “odds” for the student to be awarded scholarship monies.
The CCRC Newsletter has information on events that are occurring in the area, testing information, and special
programs that are being offered at Park Center PLUS helpful “Tidbits from the CCRC Staff”. These
publications are distributed to the students’ advisory classes and are published on Park Center’s web site. If
students and/or parents would like to have a copy of the Scholarship Bulletin (12th grade) and/or the
Newsletter (all grade levels) sent directly to their e-mail, we are asking that you send a request to Jody
Hansen at hansenj@district279.org and we will add you to our distribution list.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Attention Juniors: Come to the CRC to learn about Genesys Works on Friday, December 11th at 1:00PM
or Wednesday, December 16th at 10:00AM. Discover how you could have a paid internship during your senior
year of high school.
IT’S AN OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN REAL WORLD SKILLS: The summer training demands four hours a
day, but the rewards are huge. You gain business technology skills from experienced technical trainers and you
develop essential professional skills like public speaking, business etiquette, resume-building, and more.
IT'S A PAID CORPORATE INTERNSHIP: Students who successfully complete summer training earn paid
corporate internships at companies like 3M, Target, Medtronic, and Wells Fargo. You work 20 hours a week
during the school year and get to take the skills you learned over the summer and use them in a real workplace.
You also have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with coworkers and supervisors who want to
see you succeed as much as we do!
IT'S A PLAN FOR COLLEGE: Genesys Works also supports students in their dream of earning a two- or
four-year college degree. You receive free college counseling to help you find the colleges and scholarships
that will allow you to achieve academic and career success after high school. Sign up in the CRC for a pass!!!
CCRC Minis: Tuesday, December 1st at 9:00AM - “Two Year vs Four Year Colleges – Which is Right
for You?” and Tuesday, December 15th at 10:00AM – “The Wallin Scholarship”. Watch the schedule for
future Mini’s on “Preparing for the ACT”, “FAFSA”, “Apprenticeships” and more!
Do you have a plan for after high school? If not, perhaps this session is for you… A representative from
RESOURCE Career Education will be in the CCRC on Thursday, December 17th at 10:00AM. “Discover
what the best career or educational options are for you by discovering your skill potential, aptitudes, and career
goals.” Resource Career Education in Minneapolis and St. Paul offer FREE training in the following areas:
Entry level jobs in Healthcare paying $14/hr., Maintenance paying $13/hr., IT paying $18.50, Accounting
paying $14/hr. Sign up to attend.
Southwest Minnesota State University offers many visit days. Upcoming events include Mustang Saturday
on December 5th. For more information and to register for one of these events go to
https://www.smsu.edu/admission/visit.cfm
St. Kate’s offers many Saturday visit opportunities. Upcoming dates include December 5th and 12th. To make
a reservation call 800-656-5283 or reserve your spot online at stkate.edu/visit.
Bühler Inc. Apprenticeship Academy is offering an apprenticeship for the next generation of Customer
Service Engineers. It is a formalized three year dual training program that combines structured on-the-job
training and related technical instruction. Apprentices are paid as full time employees for the entire length of the
program. For more information go to www.buhlerusa.applicants.com.
Energy Explorers – Career Exploration 2015-16 Program continues on Tuesday, December 15th at 6:30 –
8:00PM at the Great River Energy headquarters, 12300 Elm Creek Blvd in Maple Grove. This program
continues with “Emergency Management – What happens when the lights go out?” What would life be without
electricity, and who is making sure you don’t have to find out? Meet career professionals in emergency
management, and learn how their work helps to keep your lights on. No preregistration is necessary to attend.
In the following months the topics include: Human Resources Specialists – How to get a great energy job!,
Electrical Engineering – Smart electrons making a difference!, Operations Management – Creating value from
your garbage!, Executive Technical Services – Bridging the technology gap!, Electrician/Lineworker – The
shocking truth about electricity!
Montana State University is hosting MSU Fridays on campus on January 29, March 11, and April 8. These
all-day campus visit events offer prospective students and their families the opportunity to meet with faculty
and students, explore academic facilities and tour the campus and residence halls. Online registration is
available at www.montana.edu/admissions/msufriday/
Augustana University is hosting a “Visit Day” on February 12th. To register or to schedule an individual visit
go to augie.edu/admissions, augie.edu/myvisit, or call (605)274-5516.
Illinois Wesleyan University will be holding auditions on 2/6, 2/20 and 3/5. Go to iwu.edu/music/admissions
for more information.
Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America is now accepting applications from current juniors in public or
charter high schools for acceptance into their Aspects of Leadership Summer Institute. Each year
LEDA finds and recruits approximately 100 LEDA Scholars. Scholars are high-achieving, low-income students
from communities that are under-represented at our nation’s top colleges and universities and in the nation’s
leadership sectors. The Institute is held annually on the Princeton University campus, and is an intensive sevenweek program that includes leadership training, writing instruction, standardized test preparation, and college
guidance. For more information and to apply go to http://www.ledascholars.org/admissions/admissionsprocess/. The final application deadline is December 11th.
Build your career through a Registered Apprenticeship Program. Earn while you learn and gain valuable
skills with no student loans! Over 25 careers in the construction industry offer apprenticeship programs.
Example: A second year apprentice in the Joint Pipefitters Training Program can earn up to $94,000 a year
($56,300 in wages and $37,700 in benefits) Look for upcoming CCRC Minis with Union representatives or
visit ConstructionCareers.org and start “building” your future today!
HOW TO SEND YOUR TRANSCRIPT: For the second year, Osseo School Districts now is offering
FREE electronic transcripts for current students. Students needing a transcript should go to
http://schools.district279.org/psch and look for the “Request my Transcript” button. Students will then set up a
personal profile and can request their transcript be sent electronically. Transcripts will be processed within two
school days with the following exceptions – weekends, holidays, during processing of final transcript grades
and two days before and three days after trimester end. Former students will be charged a $5.00 processing fee
for this service. Note: When putting in your school, put in “Park Center” only and a drop down menu will
come up and then choose “Park Center IB World”.
TRANSCRIPT REQUEST HOLIDAY DEADLINES: Keep in mind that it takes three days to
process transcript requests. The CCRC will be closed for the Winter Break. Plan accordingly!
Are you interested in the Accounting field as a career? Check out the StartHereGoPlaces.com website. They
have tons of resources, activities, exercises and ideas you can use to see that accounting can open big doors.
DID YOU KNOW???
TIDBITS FROM THE CCRC
Starting Salaries for Fast-Growing Careers in Accounting and Finance
Excerpt from CAM Report: Vol 38, Number 12
Public Accounting
Tax Accountants
$46,500 to $69,750
up to 1 year of experience
Tax Accountants
$40,500 to $55,250
Tax Accountants
$46,000 to $60,000
up to 1 year of experience
$52,000 to $82,000
1 to 3 years on the job
Financial Services
Mortgage Underwriters
Financial Analysts
Credit Analysts
Mutual Fund Accountants
General Accountants
up to 1 year of experience
$45,750 to $68,000
up to 1 year of experience
Audit/Assurance Services
$49,000 to $64,250
up to 1 year of experience
$51,500 to $83,250
1 to 3 years on the job
Audit/Assurance Services
Corporate Accounting
Internal Auditors
Financial Analysts
up to 1 year of experience
$41,500 to $61,250
$54,500 to $80,250
$45,500 to $95,750
$45,500 to $71,500
$43,250 to $61,250