Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools Jan/Feb 2019 | Page 10

UCPS opens free resource center to help families prepare for college As college application season kicks into high gear, Union County Public Schools (UCPS) is providing a new and free resource to help middle and high school families with applications, course planning and information about college board assessments. The UCPS College Readiness Resource Center opened Oct 1, just in time for the start of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application period. The center, which is located at the Monroe Library (316 E. Windsor St.), will operate by appointment only on Mondays and Thursdays from 4-7 p.m., and Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. “This resource center is another way that we are removing barriers for our families,” Superintendent Dr. Andrew Houlihan said. “We are in our second year of providing free in-school testing to help prepare middle and high school students for college and now we want to make sure families have the resources they need to plan and apply for college and receive financial assistance.” UCPS staff members will manage the center and provide one- on-one sessions with parents and students on how to become college ready. Laptops and materials will be available to provide assistance for the FAFSA process. In addition, staff will provide guidance on high school courses, what’s needed to have a competitive college application and information about SAT and ACT assessments. “Over the past two years, Superintendent Dr. Houlihan has really pushed us to raise the bar on college readiness,” said Jessica Garner, Director of College Readiness and Innovation. “We want our students and their parents to be prepared for the application process and this resource center will provide support.” To sign up, parents are strongly encouraged to set up appointments through an online system scheduling system https:// calendly.com/ucpscollegereadiness. 2018 UCPS College Readiness Highlights: • UCPS 8th grade and 11th grade students participated, at no cost, in the school day administrations of the PSAT 8 and SAT respectively. • The number of Advanced Placement exams taken by UCPS students increased by 15 percent over the 2016-17 school year. • UCPS’s Advanced Placement participation rate increased by nearly two percentage points and eclipsed 21 percent for the first time in reporting history. • Non-white participation among UCPS students in Advanced Placement exams increased by 20 percent over the previous school year. • More than 3,200 UCPS students accounted for 94 percent of the SAT school-day test-takers in NC on April 24, 2018. • UCPS students had an average score 100 points higher than the national average on the SAT. Carolina Kids Dentistry specializes in treating children from infancy to young adulthood and individuals with special needs in a state-of-the-art and inviting environment. KIDS! Bring in an A or B on your report card for a FREE Spin Toothbrush. *new patients only Bevin K.Malley DDS, PA Board Certified Pediatric Dentist Call for a free consultation! (ages 18 months and younger) 8 • Nov/Dec 2018 • Parent Teacher Magazine  5829 Phyliss Lane • Mint Hill, NC www.ckdentistry.com • [email protected] 704-790-0590