Monday, April 6 - Sunday,  April 12, 2020


Dearest Panthers,

Happy Sunday evening and here is your newsletter for the upcoming week.

Please note that there has been some changes to our Grab-and-Go meals. At this point our district has delivered over 2,800 meals. Please continue to use this service, but note these changes:
  • Mondays- Meals for two days (2 Cold breakfasts and 2 Heatable Lunches)- 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Tuesdays- Meals for one day (1 Cold breakfast and 1 cold lunch )- 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Wednesdays- Meals for two days (2 Cold breakfasts and 2 Heatable Lunches)- 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Thursdays- Meals for one day (1 Cold breakfast and 1 cold lunch)- 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Fridays- Meals for one day (1 Cold breakfast and 1 Heatable Lunch)- 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Continue to enter through Door #1, the Welcome Center Entrance to grab your meal.



Continuation of E-Learning Until April 30, 2020:
On Thurs., Apr. 2, 2020 Supt. Rodriguez stated that  Proviso District 209 will follow along with the Governor's mandate that the school shall remain closed until Thurs., April 30. As a result, e-learning shall continue.  Act of God days are now over and we are now in a phase of remote learning which means teachers can and will be grading all assignments that are provided to you . Which also means that if you do not engage, you will not receive credit for the semester.

A couple of reminders with respect to that; if you have not been doing so already:
  1. Please fill out the e-learning attendance link and submit it each day by 10AM to report your attendance. If you do not submit the link you will be considered absent for the day. The link can be found on your desktop, or click here.
  2. Log into Microsoft Teams to participate in your classes. (Having trouble getting into Microsoft Teams, click here for further explanation/help).
  3. Access your assignments through your Microsoft Team page.
  4. Complete assignments during the given timeframes.
  5. Contact your teachers, counselors, social workers, administrators, or the Help Desk as needed during the school day hours.
  6. Download the Teams app on your cellphone to serve as a back-up to your laptop applications.
If you need technical assistance, remote technology support will be available Monday through Friday during the hours of 730AM-4PM. A Helpdesk ticket and can generated using one of the methods below:
  • Calling: 708.338.5911
  • Logging into Outlook and sending an email to [email protected]
  • Clicking on the Helpdesk icon located on your desktop
For a quick reference for e-learning, please click here.

 

Proviso West's Instagram!
Are you following us yet?!?!?!?
If not, do so now! 
  • Follow us at: @proviso.west or 
  • Check us out by click here
A Special Note to Our Seniors
Class of 2020
Seniors please begin by seeing ALL the MANY scholarships that you can be applying for while you are at home; see below wherever the article leads with " Scholarship".

Please read the following regarding Senior Events:

Graduation:
Nothing is cancelled. However, the school district is currently investigating alternatives in case the mandatory school closure is extended. We will await more information and communication from the district regarding this event, and daily guidance from the Governor's office regarding the "Stay-at-Home" order and mandatory school closures.

Prom:
Nothing is cancelled. Proviso West and your Prom Sponsors are in constant contact with the prom venue. We plan to wait approximately one more week before considering options and potential decisions. We do not know enough about the spread of COVID 19 or the potential for an extended school closure (beyond April 30, 2020) to make any decisions right now. 

Post-Secondary Planning:
Seniors should assume deadlines are still in place. Stay in contact with your college and university admissions offices, military recruiters, future employers, trade unions, etc. and plan to make your decisions by May 1st. Please contact Ms. Williams if you need assistance with financial aid, admissions questions, etc. at: [email protected].

SAT:
For any seniors who were going to test for the first time this year, or who had planned to re-test, the state has waived the SAT for all Illinois students; this means that the April testing date is cancelled. We are awaiting guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education on next steps for seniors who have not taken this exam. In the meantime, it is imperative that you still  continue to do your test prep on Khan Academy to give yourself the best shot on this exam. Remember, we always want you to have absolutely every door open to  you, and thus it's always best to continue to prepare while you have the time to do so.

We love you Class of 2020 -- keep moving forward! We're still behind you, supporting you, even if it's cyberly.

It's coming. . . .don't lose sight of it despite what is going on now. . . . 




Important Dates 
(Subject to change based upon State and District guidance):
  • April: College & Career Month
  • Fri., Apr. 10: No School
  • Fri., May 1: Current re-open date of District 209 schools
  • Sat., May 2: Panther Academy
  • Mon., May 4: Community Service Deadline for Seniors
  • Wed., May 13-Fri., May 15: Senior Finals and Make-up Day
  • Sat., May 16: Panther Academy & Grad Night @ 6 Flags
  • Mon., May 18: Obligation deadline for Seniors
  • Mon., May 18-Wed., May 20: Graduation rehearsals
  • Wed., May 20: Cap & Gown and Senior Picnic
  • Fri., May 22: Senior Prom & After-Prom
  • Sun., May 24: Proviso Graduation @ UIC Pavilion -- 1PM; graduates need to arrive at noon.
  • Mon., May 25: Memorial Day -- No School

Having a Tough Time?
Please continue to reach out to our Counselors and Social Workers!

Over Spring Break the Counseling department hopes that you were able to find creative ways to enjoy your family, friends while simultaneously staying healthy.  The counselors at Proviso West have created a brief survey to check in with you so that they can best understand your needs while everyone is away from the building.  As Proviso West heads into the final stretch of the school year, it is important that the counselors continue to provide you with the support that you need to successfully complete your courses and manage any socio-emotional concerns you may have.  Please take a moment to complete this  survey.  If you request, you can expect to hear from a member of our team within 48 hours.

Cyberbullying
If You Feel Like You Are Being Cyberbullied:
Please reach out to a trusted individual immediately ; below is a limited list of individuals you may want to reach out to :
Also, please fill out the Anonymous 
T
ipLine  if you feel like you may be experiencing or observing cyberbullying.

What is Cyberbulling?
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.
The most common places where cyberbullying occurs are:
  • Social Media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter
  • SMS (Short Message Service) also known as Text Message sent through devices
  • Instant Message (via devices, email provider services, apps, and social media messaging features)
  • Email
Special Concerns
With the prevalence of social media and digital forums, comments, photos, posts, and content shared by individuals can often be viewed by strangers as well as acquaintances. The content an individual shares online - both their personal content as well as any negative, mean, or hurtful content - creates a kind of permanent public record of their views, activities, and behavior. This public record can be thought of as an online reputation, which may be accessible to schools, employers, colleges, clubs, and others who may be researching an individual now or in the future. Cyberbullying can harm the online reputations of everyone involved - not just the person being bullied, but those doing the bullying or participating in it. Cyberbullying has unique concerns in that it can be:

  • Persistent - Digital devices offer an ability to immediately and continuously communicate 24 hours a day, so it can be difficult for children experiencing cyberbullying to find relief.
  • Permanent - Most information communicated electronically is permanent and public, if not reported and removed. A negative online reputation, including for those who bully, can impact college admissions, employment, and other areas of life.
  • Hard to Notice - Because teachers and parents may not overhear or see cyberbullying taking place, it is harder to recognize.
Cyberbullying Tactics
It is important to understand how one can be cyberbullied so it can be easily recognized and action can be taken. Some of the most common cyberbullying tactics include:
  • Posting comments or rumors about someone online that are mean, hurtful, or embarrassing.
  • Threatening to hurt someone or telling them to kill themselves. 
  • Posting a mean or hurtful picture or video. 
  • Pretending to be someone else online in order to solicit or post personal or false information about someone else. 
  • Posting mean or hateful names, comments, or content about any race, religion, ethnicity, or other personal characteristics online.
  • Creating a mean or hurtful webpage about someone. 
  • Doxing, an abbreviated form of the word documents, is a form of online harassment used to exact revenge and to threaten and destroy the privacy of individuals by making their personal information public, including addresses, social security, credit card and phone numbers, links to social media accounts, and other private data.
How To Deal With "Haters"
What is a "Hater?"  "Hater" is a label used to refer to people who use negative and critical comments and behavior to bring another person down by making them look or feel bad. These hurtful and negative comments can be delivered in person, online, or in texts and apps. Often, the comments and behavior are repeated over time. Haters are often anonymous (especially online) but they can also be acquaintances, peers, or people who were once considered friends. Hateful, critical behavior is another form of bullying or cyberbullying. Like bullying, hater behavior is something that a person does - it is not who they are, and it can be changed.

Often, haters pick on people whom they perceive as being different from themselves. Being the focus of negative and critical comments can be upsetting and trigger feelings of anger, hurt, and confusion, and cause the person being criticized to question their self-worth and behavior. If the negative comments are posted online, it can also make someone afraid to use their social media accounts or feel ashamed of what is happening there.

Many children and teens don't want to be a part of negative behavior like name calling, criticizing, bullying, and cyberbullying. Dealing with haters isn't that different from dealing with bullying and cyberbullying. Teens who feel overwhelmed by all the drama on social media will often unfriend or unfollow people online to disengage.

How to Deal with Haters 
  • Ignore it. Walk away. Don't react or respond to negative comments. If it continues, there are other things you can do. If someone threatens you, report it to a parent, teacher, or other trusted adult!
  • Block online haters. If someone is making negative or hateful comments on your posts or account, or is cyberbullying, block them. If they're threatening you, tell your parents, report it to the platform, and take screenshots.
  • Be kind and respectful, even to haters. It shows that you're in control of your emotions and that you aren't letting negativity bring you down.
  • Stick with supporters. Having a friend nearby if you think you might encounter a hater not only makes it less likely that an incident might happen, but also means you'll have positive reinforcements just in case.
  • Remind yourself that comments from a hater are a reflection of them and aren't really about you. People who feel good about themselves don't need to put others down.
  • Understand criticism can be a sign of pain. People sometimes lash out because they have other life struggles. Negative comments may have nothing to do with you.
  • Acknowledge your feelings. Talk to a trusted adult or friend and get some encouragement and support.
  • Keep being you. Keep moving forward, pursuing your interests, and being who you are.
Before you Post, always:


 
What You Need to Know About Coronavirus

For the most current and up-to-date information, please click on one of the following links:
What is Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan China.

Can People in the US get COVID-19?
COVID-19 is spreading from person to person in person in Chicago, and limited spread among close contacts has been detected in some countries outside China, including the USA. AT this time, however, this virus is NOT currently spreading in communities in the USA. Right now, the greatest risk of infection is for people in China or people who have traveled to China. Risk of infection is dependent upon exposure. Close contacts of people who are infected are at greater risk of exposure, for example health care workers and close contact of people who are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. CDC continues to closely monitor the situation.

How can I help protect myself?
The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.

There are simple everyday preventative actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. These include:
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should:
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Is there a vaccine?
There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection it to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.

Is there a treatment?
There is no specific antiviral treatment for COVID-19. People with COVID-19 can seek medical care to help relieve symptoms.



AP Exams
They're Still "on" People! . . . Although With Some Alterations.

Here's what you need to know:

  1. Shorter: Exams will be only 45 minutes long (versus the usual 3 hours)
  2. NO multiple choice!: The exam will be entirely comprised of free response questions (FRQs). We don't know more about exact FRQ formats until we hear back from College Board again on April 3. 
  3. Limited Content: Exams will NOT include any content typically covered after early March.
  4. Online: Exams can be taken online either at home or at school. 
  5. 2 Exam Dates: One in May, one alter (TBD). Students can decide if they want to test while the material is fresh OR wait to give themselves extra study time.
  6. College Credit Intact: Colleges say they are on board with this exam approach, and there's precedent for them accepting shorter exams in emergencies.

How to Time Manage While e-Learning
Top Time Management Strategies for Online Learning

As we go into another week (after spring break) of e-learning you may be wondering how to manage this new way of learning to ensure that you are getting everything done. Well, there are a few savvy approaches you can use to get the most out of your day - rather than allowing yourself to go down one too many proverbial rabbit holes. Here are 5 time management strategies for online learning that will help you boost your productivity.

1. Make a Plan
Benjamin Franklin said "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail". Even though that was a bit of an English teacher-like quote-of-the-day move, college and graduate level work is especially deserving of adequate time and attention. Though you might believe that you can fool your instructor or professor into believing that you spent four weeks on that final research paper, if the work is rushed, they'll be able to tell. Trust me: I know from experience.

So how exactly do you stay on top of your deadlines?  Begin with a good planner
or study calendar and add all due dates for each class to your schedule. Rather than solely adding the due dates, however, you should also add notes in your planner to begin work on major projects four weeks before the due date; moreover, scheduling blocks of study time into your calendar each week will help to ensure that the work gets done on a regular basis. You want to be in a place where you are on time or ahead of schedule, rather than hanging on by a proverbial thread due to procrastination.

2. Track & Prioritize
Have you ever noticed how you spent your time, on a given day? Taking note-that is, literally tracking your activities by the hour-can do wonders for helping you understand and prioritize your schedule, each day. Though it may sound like a lot of work, it's surprisingly simple with the help of mobile apps like Google Calendar. After assessing your schedule over the course of the last week, it may reveal that you have more time for schoolwork than you used to think. Or you may find that you have to re-prioritize and give up certain social functions in order to allow for adequate study time.

3. Designate a Home-Study Space
Once you've organized your schedule and taken control of how you use your time each day, be sure to organize your workspace as well, in order to help you establish a routine to follow each day, when 'logging in' to your virtual classroom, from home. One thing that can help is setting aside a particular space at home that serves as your office. This physical delegation will help you mentally check into your virtual classroom more fully than simply logging in from anywhere in the house. You want to avoid checking in from the couch, for example, lest you fall prey to a Netflix-watching binge!

 
4. Establish A Routine
Establishing a specific routine -such as turning on a specific album of ambient music or making coffee or tea- will also help you get into the study mode. The goal is to train your mind into associating a certain location and routine with study time. These associations will, in turn, help to maximize the amount you are able to learn and accomplish during your study time. If you treat your online class time as you would a second job, with a designated virtual 'commute' time, office area, and routine, you will be more psychologically prepared to learn.

5. Check in Daily
Lest it go unsaid, here's a reminder that learning -especially online learning with its virtual nature and absence of face-to-face classroom time- is hard work!  To make your work a little easier, it definitely helps to spend time with your studies daily.  Check in  with your classmates and instructor as often as possible, via email and virtual chatrooms, in order to stay connected, ask questions, and share your thoughts.  One great aspect of online learning is the relative invisibility of the classroom time; that is, when you virtually 'speak up,' all eyes aren't literally on you, as they would be in real life.

If you show up regularly to participate in class discussions, you demonstrate your dedication to the subject matter and the class. You're therefore more likely to make a good impression on your instructor, as well as maximize your learning.  The more discussion you engage in, the better you will come to understand the subject matter at hand.  So don't be afraid to ask questions and share your thoughts. The more you participate, the more you'll get out of each class.

Panther Athletics 
Week of Apr. 6, 2020

Due to the school's closure through Thursday, April 30th and district guidance, there will be no athletic practice nor competition through Thursday, April 30th  If competition begins again at this time, not games will be able to be held until that following week. IHSA recommends that there is an acclimatization period before athletes begin competition. 

In the meantime, please also be reminded that any work outs that athletes may be participating in, need to be solitary and not in groups.

Working out on your own to stay in shape? Shoot me a pic and I'll feature it here; e-mail me at: [email protected].

Remember to try and stay as active as possible during this time of staying at home and social distancing. If you are interested in some article regarding staying fit, check out the following links:

College Corner!
April is  College & Career Month

The month of April is College & Career month. So each day of this month will be filled with college & career activities and features.  Each day you will be provided a link in your Proviso West e-mail that will take you to virtual tour of a college. All of these virtual tours will also be found in your Grade-Level "Counseling" Folder on Microsoft Teams, should you want to go back and look one again or after the fact.

Did you miss them this past week?! Check them out again here:
In your attempts to figure out what your future should look like, check out the following webs resources:

College:
Career:
Trade:
Military:

College Spotlight
Here are some familiar faces from around the building showing off their college pride

Social Studies Dept. Chair and Teacher Mr. Ngo, graduate of Loyola University of Chicago. Take a look at these other top private universities in the state of Illinois.


Argument-Centered Literacy guru, Mr. Les Lynn dropping his older son off at Miami University of Ohio.


Ms. Robertson at HBCU: Prairie View A&M University in Texas

Computer Science Summer Institute
For HBCU Students 
(3-weeks)

Program Overview:
Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) for Historically Black Colleges and Universities' (HBCUs) mission is to promote equitable representation in tech by connecting incoming   HBCU   students with like-minded peers, Google engineers, CS professors,   HBCU   alum in CS, and Black technologists in the local tech ecosystem. Our goal is to increase the retention rate of students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities graduating with computer science degrees. At   CSSI-HBCU, students cultivate an unparalleled community to support them in their journey to and through university, internships, and full-time opportunities at Google and in tech. During the program, cohorts of students from geographically-similar HBCUs participate in a three-week residential program based in Raleigh, NC or Huntsville, AL, where they'll be taught an introduction to computer science by Google engineers. Through an engaging and hands-on curriculum, students develop a solid foundation of computational thinking, which prepares them for their future studies in CS. The program finishes with a capstone project where students develop an application, so they have the tangible proof of what they're able to achieve.

Eligibility Requirements:
  • Be a current high school senior
  • Be available between June 2020 to August 2020
  • Considering an HBCU as one of their top three college or university choices
  •  Intend to be enrolled as a full-time student in a 4-year BA/BS program in the US or Canada in Fall 2020
  •  Intend to be enrolled at an HBCU in a computer science major for the 2020-2021 academic year
  • Be able to demonstrate an interest in studying computer science
  • Be able to attend every day of CSSI
Required Documents:
  1. An updated resume (PDF required)
  2. A current unofficial or official high school transcript (PDF required)
  3. Responses to multiple short answer questions. Each response should be under 200 words (PDF required)
Program Includes...
  • A project-based Python curriculum
  • Daily developmental sessions to help prepare students for CS studies and future job opportunities
  •  Robust opportunities to learn and interact with Google engineers
  • 10:1 student-to-teach ratio to provide a personal learning experience
  • Exposure and insight into Google's internship programs and technical career opportunities
Open to DREAMers:   No
Questions? please reach out to  [email protected]


Scholarship: 
Royal Business Bank Scholarship Program
Click  here

Organization & Scholarship Overview:
Royal Business Bank is committed to supporting economically-challenged youth residing in its business service territories to fulfill their dreams of obtaining a higher education.

Application:   Access Here
Sample Application:  View Here
Recommender Form:   Access Here
Eligibility Requirements:
  • High school seniors who reside in the East Coast - (New York): New York County, Kings County, Queens County, and Richmond County or the West Coast - (Southern California and Nevada): Los Angeles County, Orange County, Ventura County, and Clark County-Nevada, or the Midwest (Illinois) - Cook County
  • Plan to attend a U.S. Accredited 4-Year College/University or California/Nevada/New York Community College as a 1st year student in the Fall of 2020 (if selected, must submit college acceptance letter for verification)
  • Have a minimum cumulative unweighted high school GPA of 3.0
  • Have a household income at or below the County Low Income Level (Must be able to show 2018 or 2019 tax return should applicant be selected for award.)
  • The scholarship is open to ALL MAJORS and there is NO ETHNICITY REQUIREMENT
  • Employees of Royal Business Bank and their immediate family members are NOT eligible to apply
Required Documents:
  1. Application Form
  2. Recommender Form from a Community Service Advisor
  3. Official High School Transcript
All materials must be   RECEIVED   by 11:59pm   PST, Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Anything received (whether mailed, emailed, or faxed) past that date and time will not be considered, regardless of the postmark. Application and recommender forms  MUST  be submitted online - Hard copies will  NOT  be accepted.

Questions or inquiries?  Contact by phone: (213) 624-6400 ext. 6 or by email:    [email protected].
Award:  $2,000
Deadline:  04/17/2020

Scholarship: 
Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship Program
Click  here

Organization & Scholarship Overview:
Twenty $1,000 scholarships available for high school seniors planning to attend college as a full-time, degree-seeking student in the fall of 2020. Cathay Bank Foundation is committed to supporting youth residing in its business service territories to fulfill their dreams of obtaining a higher education.

Application:   Access Here
Sample Application:   Review Here
Recommender Form:   Access Here

Eligibility Requirements:
  • High school seniors who reside in California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Washington.
  • Plan to attend a U.S. Accredited 4-Year College/University or Community College in the state of California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas, or Washington as a 1st year student in the Fall of 2020 (if selected, must provide college acceptance letter for verification)
  • A minimum cumulative unweighted high school GPA of 3.0
  • A household income at or below the Low Income Level (if selected, must provide 2018 or 2019 tax return for verification)
  • Open to ALL MAJORS and there is no ethnicity requirement
  • Employees of Cathay Bank and their immediate family members are NOT eligible
Required Documents:
  1. Application Form
  2. Recommender Form from a Community Service Advisor
  3. Official High School Transcript
All materials must be   RECEIVED   by 11:59pm   PST, Wednesday, March 25 2020. Anything received (whether mailed, emailed, or faxed) past that date and time will not be considered, regardless of the postmark. Application and recommender forms  MUST  be submitted online - Hard copies will  NOT  be accepted.

Questions or inquiries?  Contact by phone: (213) 624-6400 ext. 6 or by email:  
Award:  $1,000
Deadline:  04/17/2020

Scholarship: 
Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship
Click here

Organization & Scholarship Overview:
Thinking about an automotive career? aftermarket career? Good choice! Servicing or supplying parts for vehicle maintenance and repair can be a rewarding career. An automotive scholarship can help pave the way. Scholarships are available for full time students attending a US or Canadian college or ASE/NATEF certified post secondary school for automotive, heavy duty or collision repair technicians. And, for more information on automotive aftermarket careers, see  Auto Care Careers
.

Eligibility Requirements:
  • Full time students at an accredited U.S. college or university or an ASE/NATEF Certified post-secondary automotive, heavy duty, or collision repair school
  • Graduating high school seniors planning to be full time students at any of the above
  • No GPA requirement
How to begin the application:
  • You can access the online application form using the Apply Online button at the bottom of this page
  • To start the application now, click "submit" at the bottom of the form and save this form using your e-mail address and a password of your choice
Do I have to finish the entire application at once?
  • Applicants can log on later and click on the "Update Your Application" button to retrieve, update, and complete your application
  • You may continue to update your application until March 31, 2020 or until it has been assigned to reviewers
What do I need to fill out this application?
  1. You will be asked for a one-page essay about your career goals and you can also post an optional short video on YouTube and include the link to it on your scholarship application
    a. If you mark the video as "Private" only our reviewers will have the link to view it
  2. You will be asked for at least one letter of reference
    a. Some of the organizations that work with UAF require a reference from one of their members or your automotive instructor 
    b. Each organization's page, located on the right, has the details about their eligibility requirements
  3. You must submit your high school transcript, and your post-secondary transcript if you are already in a post-secondary program
Contact Information:  Please email  [email protected]
Award:  $1,000 - $3,000
Deadline:  4/30/20


Scholarship: 
Golden Apple Scholars in Illinois
Click here

Scholarship Description:

The Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois is a scholarship program that identifies talented high school seniors, as well as first and second-year college students who have the promise and drive to be excellent teachers in high-need schools across Illinois. We prepare them for immediate and lasting success in the most challenging teaching environments.

Eligibility Requirements:
  • Graduate high school in 2020
  • Complete online application
  • Cumulative 2.5 GPA - school transcripts must be submitted to Golden Apple before applications are considered complete
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (DACAmented student) and resident of Illinois
Standardized testing requirements:
  • ACT: Composite score of 22 or higher and a minimum score of 6 on the Writing portion OR
  • SAT: Composite score of 1110 (evidence-based reading and writing + mathematics = 1110 or higher) and a minimum score of 26 on writing and language
    (Taking either the ACT or SAT is acceptable. Superscoring is now available on ACT/SAT. If you do not have an overall passing composite score, the highest subject scores from each test will be added and divided by the total number of tests to form a composite score. Please email     [email protected] if you would like your tests superscored. Visit the ACT website or College Board for upcoming test dates. Scores must be submitted to Golden Apple before applications are considered complete.)
If selected as a scholar, the Completion Requirements are...
Renewable:  Yes, for up to 4 years. 
Open to DREAMers: No, however open to IL DACAmented students
Contact Information:  please email  [email protected]


Scholarship: 
Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation Scholarship
Click here

Organization & Scholarship Description:

The Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation ("CLCF") was established to support the advancement of Latino Youth through scholarships, internships, and mentorship opportunities in the City of Chicago. Each year, the CLCF selects deserving young people of good character and high academic achievement to receive a scholarship to help them achieve their educational objectives. The CLCF will be accepting scholarship applications beginning March 2, 2020. Recipients will be announced in Spring 2020, with a subsequent Scholarship Breakfast Celebration in Summer 2020.

Application:  Access Here
Eligibility Requirements:
  • U.S. Citizenship is NOT required for this scholarship.
  • Students must be at least one-half Hispanic/Latino. Hispanic/Latino is an ethnic category, not a racial category; students may be of any race.
  • Applicants must currently reside in Chicago, Illinois.
  • Applicant must be a current high school senior graduating in 2020, OR a General Education Diploma ("GED") certificate holder, OR an undergraduate student with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0
  • Graduate level students are NOT eligible.
  • Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll as a full time student at an accredited 2 or 4 year institution.
Submission Guidelines:  
The complete online application is due no later than Friday, April 10th, 2020 at 11:59pm. Mailed applications will not be accepted. The application will not be considered complete unless all required documents are uploaded at the time of application. It is important that applicants are prepared to upload all documents at the time of application as the online application can not be saved once it is started. Applications MUST be completed in one sitting.

Renewable:  No
Open to DREAMers: Yes
Questions? Please email Ms. Sonia Del Real, Executive Director at 



Scholarship: 
Blacks@Microsoft Scholarship
Click  here

Organization & Scholarship Overview:

Founded in 1989 as the first Microsoft-sponsored employee resource group, Blacks@Microsoft (BAM) is dedicated to supporting the continued growth and development of black employees and encouraging students to pursue a career in technology. This year, BAM will award two US $5,000 scholarships to outstanding high school seniors who are interested in pursuing careers in technology. The scholarships are renewable - winners who continue to meet the criteria can receive an annual $5,000 award for up to four years. Five scholarship runners-up will be eligible for a $1,500 BAM technology stipend based on need.

Website:  Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship
Application:  Access Here
Eligibility Requirements:
  • Be a high-school senior of African descent (for example, African American, African, or Ethiopian).
  • Plan to attend a four-year college or university in the fall of the year following high-school graduation.
  • Plan to pursue a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, or select business programs (such as finance, business administration, or marketing).
  • Demonstrate a passion for technology.
  • Demonstrate leadership at school or in the community.
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher.
  • Require financial assistance to attend college.
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation. At least one letter must be from a faculty or staff member at your school. Letters of recommendation should be original and should not be duplicates of college recommendation letters. (Letters must be on letterhead.)
  • Résumé. Your résumé should include the following information:
  • Extracurricular activities (school and community related)
  • Honors and awards that you have received (if possible, include awards that are technology related)
  • Work experience
  • Picture of yourself.
  • Transcript. Include an official "sealed" copy of your current academic transcript. (Unofficial copies will not be accepted.)
  •  Two (2) essays. 
    • (a) In no more than 500 words, describe how you plan to engage in the technology industry in your future career. (If you have done exemplary work using technology during high school, please describe that also.)
    • (b) In no more than 250 words, demonstrate your financial need for this scholarship.
Renewable:  Yes
Open to DREAMers: Yes  
Questions? Please email  [email protected]
Award:  $5,000
Deadline:  04/10/2020



Yearbook
2019-2020

You can still buy your yearbooks online. To order, please go to:


T he  school code is 13819120.


Service Learning Projects in a Time of COVID-19
Hear are some options for things to do at home!

1. Create an audio/video of yourself reading a child's book to kids. If you don't have children's books at home, check out this website for free online books for 30 days:  https://www.getepic.com/educators. There are also free fables and fairytales online as well. Amazon freetime also has unlimited kids' video books free for 30 days. Share your video on Proviso West's Instagram and Facebook account. Use the #pwbooklover, take a screenshot of your post and e-mail it to your counselor.

2. If you have a sewing machine at home or just needles and thread, you can create masks for your local first responders, people who are working at grocery stores, local hospitals, etc. in order to provide an extra layer of protection for them. Please check with your local hospitals first if you please as they may have procedures in place as to what they need and exact specifications. Use this link for guidelines on how to make the masks. Use the #pwcares, take a screenshot of your post and email it to your counselor.

3. For those of you who play a musical instrument, create a video of yourself teaching kids how to play a simple song or how to read music and post it on Proviso West's Instragrm and Facebook account. Use the #pwlearnmusic, take a screenshot of your post and e-mail it to your counselor.

4. For those of you who love to sing and dance, create a video of yourself teaching kids how to sing or dance and share it on Proviso West's Instragram and Facebook account. Use the #pwsings or #pwdanceson, take a screenshot of your post and e-mail it to your counselor.

5. For our athletes, create a video exercise of how kids can stay physically fit and share it on Proviso West's Instragram and Facebook accounts. Use the #pwfitness, take a screenshot of your post and e-mail it to your counselor.

6. Create a comedy video, of appropriate content, chronicling your social distancing experience and share it on Proviso West's Instragram and Facebook accounts. Use the #pwcomedyhour, take a screenshot of your post and email it to your counselor.

7. Drop off food/groceries/supplies to someone in need. Take a picture and post that on Proviso West's Instagram and Facebook account. Use the #pwcares, take a screenshot of yoru post and e-mail it to your counselor.

8. If you made a college selection, create a video with your gear, providing facts abotu teh school and why you've chosen to go to there. Use the #pwcollegebound, take a screenshot of yoru post and e-mail it to your counselor.

You will earn an hour for every event you create and an additional hour for every time your video is shared on social media.

If you have service learning ideas that are not listed here, please contact your counselor or Ms. Natschke for approval.

Instagram name for PW is: proviso.west

Facebook name for PW is: Proviso West High School

If you have any questions regarding any of the following options, please reach out to: Ms. Natschke at  [email protected].


Scholarship: 
FarmHouse Scholarship
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

FarmHouse offers multiple $500-$5,000 scholarships every year to incoming male students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Eligibility for the scholarship isn't dependent on the student's choice of major or on any commitment to membership in the fraternity. Last year we gave out $16,000 in funds and this year we are hoping to exceed that amount. 

Applications can be found at  http://uifarmhouse.com/scholarships

To read read more about the UIUC social fraternity, the FarmHouse, click here .



ELOS Offerings 
For the Month of April

ELOS is still going on with remote learning. So, if you need to check-in with a teacher and get some extra time and attention, ELOS Is always the BEST way to do that. Click  here to see what's being offered for ELOS during the month of April.