Student-Parent Connection
In an effort to spark discussion between parents and students about life as a middle school/high school
student and college, we have decided to incorporate some discussion questions into our newsletter. We hope
they provide a starting point for some great conversations!
Learning shouldn’t come to a halt just because it is summer break. How can we use the summer to continue
learning? What was the highlight of your school year? What would you change about this past school year?
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Our Mission:
Educational Talent Search empowers students to make informed decisions on education by
connecting school success with career choices.
The Connection
Educational Talent Search is located at the:
University of Wisconsin-Stout – 13 Harvey Hall – Menomonie, WI 54751
(715) 232-1250
www.uwstout.edu/ets
Summer 2011 EDITION
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Rig Helping Your Student
With Course Selection!
You may have heard the term “rigorous curriculum” floating around in the schools
or on the news. A rigorous curriculum is basically a way to get students to take
challenging courses in high school that will prepare them for academics in college.
Ironically, high school graduation requirements often do not align with college prep
requirements. So, in an effort to make our students more aware and more prepared,
beginning with the 2011-2012 school year, we are going to strongly encourage ETS
students to enroll in a rigorous program of study at the high school level.
What does this mean? For starters, it means a student will take:
•4 credits of English
•3 credits of social studies
•3 credits of math (including Algebra I and higher-level courses like
Algebra II/Advanced Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, Statistics)
•3 credits of science (at least two of the following: Biology, Physics,
Chemistry)
•1 credit of a foreign language
You may be wondering why your student should take a rigorous curriculum if they
don’t plan to go to college. Great question! The reason we are encouraging all
students to take a rigorous curriculum simply has to do with choices. By not taking
these courses, your student will be less prepared for the challenges of life after high
school should they change their mind and choose to enroll in an apprenticeship,
tech school, college or university. By taking these courses, not only will they be
better prepared for the challenges ahead, it will also keep their options open as far as
where they can apply (with a good chance of getting in).
ETS Staff
Carolyn Mertz, Interim Director
mertzc@uwstout.edu
Heather Barke, Advisor
barkeh@uwstout.edu
Karen Smolarek, Advisor
smolarekk@uwstout.edu
Jason Hausler, Advisor
hauslerj@uwstout.edu
Amy Burns, Office Associate
burnsamy@uwstout.edu
UW-Stout’s Educational Talent Search is
a 100% federally funded TRiO Program
serving 700+ students annually with $296,548
awarded per budget period.
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Student-Parent Connection
To sum it up- taking these courses in high school will make your student
more ready for the challenges of a college education, or at least provide
more options for life after high school. Remember, we want your student
to be prepared and be successful!
University of Wisconsin-Stout
13 Harvey Hall
Menomonie, WI 54751
Educational Talent Search
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-STOUT
W I S C O N S I N ’ S P O LY T E C H N I C U N I V E R S I T Y
1st Class Mail
US Postage Paid
Menomonie, WI
54751
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Fieldtrip Photos
Graduates Advice to Underclassmen
“Apply for college early. ETS has helped keep me on
track and aware of opportunities available and upcoming
deadlines.”
–John Werner, Menomonie High School Class of 2011
“Don’t wait to apply- apply
early and take advantage of
what ETS has to offer.”
–Krista Falk, Menomonie
High School Class of 2011
“Before you take the ACT get test prep materials. I wasn’t
prepared the first time I took it.”
–Ally Hill, Menomonie High School Class of 2011
“Never give up on yourself.”
–Sara Vande Vrede,
Menomonie High School Class
of 2011
“When doing your college application
essays, type them in Word first and
have your English teacher proofread
it. ETS has helped me prepare for
college and also saved me a lot of
money on college application fees.
Thanks, ETS!” –Anna Reimer,
Wittenberg-Birnamwood High
School Class of 2011
MHS ETS’ers visit the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge to
learn about conservation science.
“Have your college essays reviewed.”
Elizabeth Schroeder, Menomonie High School Class of 2011
“Study as hard as you can for
the ACT. ETS helped me with the
ACT, applying for college, etc. If
it wasn’t for ETS I wouldn’t have
known what to do.” –Heather
Pukall, Wittenberg-Birnamwood
High School Class of 2011
WB learns teambuilding skills during a visit to UW Stout
Exploring different cultures at the Festival of Nations
“Get started early because deadlines
come quick.” –Kyle Korbisch,
Wittenberg-Birnamwood High
School Class of 2011
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A visit to UW- Lacrosse
“Don’t wait to apply for scholarships- do it right away after
you have applied to college.” –Allen Wierzba, WittenbergBirnamwood High School Class of 2011
MHS students visit UW River Falls on a wintry April Day
“Have a firm idea of what you are wanting as far as
postsecondary education. Take the ACT during junior year
and start marking plans then. As a senior you want to spend
your time achieving your plan.”
–Eric Markham, Menomonie High School Class of 2011
A trip to the Minnesota Science Museum to learn about King Tut
ETS helped me through all of the
steps to get to college.” –Rehanah
Vera, Wittenberg-Birnamwood
High School Class of 2011
WBHS students climb to new heights at UW Stout
Match each ETS staff member to the correct alma mater!
(FYI: An alma mater is a school, college, or university at which one has studied and, usually, from which one has graduated.)
You may use letters more than once. (The picture below may help a little!)
Mrs. Smolarek ___
A. University of Wisconsin- Stout
“ETS helped motivate me to get my applications done and
submitted. Without ETS I don’t know where I would be.”
–Corey Wood, Menomonie High School Class of 2011
Mr. Hausler (pick 2!) ___ ___
B. University of Wisconsin- River Falls
Mrs. Barke ___
C. Winona State University
“Don’t be lazy! Apply early, finish scholarships and FAFSA
as soon as you can.”
–Pa Nhia Vue, Menomonie High School Class of 2011
Mrs. Mertz (pick 2!) ___ ___
D. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Mrs. Burns ___
E. University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh
To check your answers visit www.uwstout.edu/ets and check out the STAFF page.
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