Newsletter - 4/10/20
4/7/20 Town Hall
Promotions Ceremony
Graduation Survey
Parents, we recently solicited feedback from cadets about their preferred graduation option (delayed, virtual, etc.). At this time we are asking all parents to answer a few quick questions that will help us formulate our graduation plans.
Re-enrollment
Re-enrollment season is upon us! We wanted to remind all families that we have extended the deadline to receive the re-enrollment incentive ($750 Boarding, $300 Day) to May 15th. Families wishing to receive the incentive need to submit their contract and pay their deposit by May 15th. Also, families interested in tuition assistance should submit their applications as soon as possible. Families must reapply each year for aid as aid does not automatically renew each year. You can complete your application online through the FAST system. If you have questions about re-enrollment or tuition assistance, please reach out to the admissions office.
Athletics
- Each week, your Cadet’s spring coach sport is sending out a workout that is designed to keep your Cadet active as well as working on sport-specific skills as applicable.
- These workout plans contain 3 engagement checkpoints weekly for accountability. Completion of these checkpoints will be used directly to determine athletic awards, letters and certificates. We hope that putting an emphasis on engaging with the workouts will keep all Cadets active during this challenging time!
Academics
While a cadet can do amazing things with a phone, the expectation is that a cadet has a device with a keyboard and that is compatible with Google Apps. Please verify with your cadet that he isn’t trying to “white knuckle it” and not tell you that perhaps his laptop died.
We have changed the daily and weekly schedule to address the identified need for additional time and help (missed classes, struggles with material, extra time for questions or practice). It is also a way to recognize and reward cadets that are performing well (grades of C or better). Cadets with better grades are always welcome to attend IIT (perhaps for extra credit or to voluntarily help peers). Faculty will alert cadets that are required to attend IIT.
SUN |
MON |
TUES |
WED |
THURS |
FRI |
SAT |
Apr 12 |
Apr 13 |
Apr 14 |
Apr 15 |
Apr 16 |
Apr 17 |
Apr 18 |
Easter |
No Classes |
A IIT B |
B IIT A |
A IIT B |
B IIT A |
|
Apr 19 |
Apr 20 |
Apr 21 |
Apr 22 |
Apr 23 |
Apr 24 |
Apr 25 |
Morning Afternoon |
A IIT B |
B IIT A |
IIT All Day |
A IIT B |
B IIT A |
|
Apr 26 |
Apr 27 |
Apr 28 |
Apr 29 |
Apr 30 |
May 1 |
May 2 |
Morning Afternoon |
A IIT B |
B IIT A |
IIT All Day |
A IIT B |
B IIT A |
|
May 3 |
May 4 |
May 5 |
May 6 |
May 7 |
May 8 |
May 9 |
Morning Afternoon |
A IIT B |
B IIT A |
IIT All Day |
A IIT B |
B IIT A |
|
Time |
A day event |
B day event |
Prior to 0900 |
Home responsibilities, Chapel Message, contact IT, faculty, advisor, PT/train as scheduled or needed |
|
0900 - 0950 |
Block 1 |
Block 4 |
1000 - 1050 |
Block 2 |
Block 5 |
1100 - 1150 |
Block 3 |
Block 6 |
1200-1250 |
Home responsibilities, Chapel Message, contact IT, faculty, advisor, PT/train as scheduled or needed |
|
1300 - 1350 |
IIT - Block 4 |
IIT - Block 1 |
1400 - 1450 |
IIT - Block 5 |
IIT - Block 2 |
1500 - 1550 |
IIT - Block 6 |
IIT - Block 3 |
1600 - 1630 |
Chapel Message, contact IT, faculty, advisor, PT/train as scheduled or needed, otherwise released to Home responsibilities |
Exam Week (review + assessment) is the week of 11 May. A more detailed schedule will come. Faculty are working on formatting the exam and scheduling appropriate review activities for the exam.
After exams, the check-out process can begin. Each department (Athletics, Infirmary, Quartermaster, Military, Business Office and Academics) will have requirements. In-person checkout can be scheduled for 16 May through 14 Jun (8am - 6pm). The Military Department to schedule a specific time slot in a manner similar to Parent/Teacher conferences. COVID-19 protocols will be followed to ensure the safest environment for all.
College Counseling
I hope everyone is well and getting up to speed on our remote learning platform! The College and Career Counseling Department is still hard at work, making sure our seniors find their final destination and our Juniors are staying engaged/preparing for the college application process.
In light of rapidly changing developments, I would like to offer my guidance in the form of a remote College Counseling Seminar and a brief Q&A session for our Juniors, Sophomores, and their parents on Thursday April 16th at 7:00 PM.
I am here for any questions/concerns you might have during this time. I am continually working to do my part to give our young men the best opportunity they have to succeed once they leave Hargrave!
-- Mr. Ben Veshi, College Counselor (veshib@hargrave.edu)
For SENIORS:
Seniors that have (at least one) college acceptance and are now working towards finalizing scholarship/financial aid applications and making a final decision.
I am in the process of writing/submitting letters of recommendation, placing phone calls with admissions offices, and maintaining as much contact as I can with our seniors through their final decision.
To date, 11 of our seniors have made their final college decision!
Stay focused and let’s close the loop!
Seniors that do not have any college acceptances to this point.
We should be maintaining weekly contact, helping with applications to back up schools, sending transcripts, writing letters of recommendation, and giving as much support as possible.
This is the final stretch of high school and the COVID-19 bump in the road should not derail you!
You are not alone: even in these times of social separation, many folks are standing by to help you.
For Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors:
With the ever-changing COVID-19 situation, colleges are slightly adjusting the way they are approaching the application/final decision process. Here are the general adjustments along with some examples of schools/programs that have made changes:
Virtual campus tours.
UCONN, Wheaton College (MA), and Virginia Tech are among the many schools that have produced virtual campus tours.
Another helpful site during this time is https://www.campusreel.org/ that has over 15,000 videos that show 300+ college campuses.
Additional campus tour websites include: http://www.ecampustours.com/ and https://www.youvisit.com/collegesearch/
Pushed back deadlines for Deposits (for housing or to confirm acceptance) and Scholarships
University of Alabama, Mary Baldwin University, and Xavier University are among schools that have pushed back deposit deadlines/scholarship deadlines from May 1st to June 1st.
In some cases, such as Mary Baldwin University, the deposit cost has been reduced significantly in these trying economic times.
Test-optional admissions
COVID-19 has forced a wide variety of schools to move to test-optional admissions.
A test-optional college lets students decide whether they want to submit test scores with their application. Most test-optional schools will consider SAT and ACT scores if they are submitted, but focus on other factors they believe are stronger predictors of a student's potential to succeed in college.
Some colleges will continue the process for the future: Xavier University and Boston University, will be moving test-optional for Fall 2021 applicants (current Juniors).
It is important to pay attention to each specific school, as schools like Williams College are going test-optional for ONLY the 2020-2021 admissions cycle.
AP Testing
All AP testing has been moved online this spring and guidance was sent from the Collegeboard and has been disseminated to our AP instructors here at Hargrave.
SAT and ACT testing
We are monitoring the situation closely.
ACT has cancelled the April administration with registrations honored in June/July test dates.
SAT has cancelled the May administration. SAT is still slated to hold their June administration and are currently working on the potential of adding a July administration.
The following links may also be helpful:
Once again, I will have a remote College Counseling Seminar and a brief Q&A session for our Juniors, Sophomores, and their parents on Thursday April 16th at 7:00 PM. Please RSVP with me via email (veshib@hargrave.edu) to help my planning process.