Volume 1, Issue 1

Friendship Collegiate Academy Alumni Newsletter

Friendship Public Charter Schools

Collegiate Academy
4095 Minnesota Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20019 202.396.5500

GREETINGS
COLLEGIATE...YOU KNOW KNIGHTS!!
Some of you probably remember saying that chant not to long ago or for others years ago. That chant was only 4 words, but meant so much. It represented school pride and spirit that existed within the student body of Friendship Collegiate Academy (FCA). I am confident that with that same school spirit, we can come together for a new initiative that is being put in place to support all FCA Alumni. The FCA Alumni program has been designed to provide the necessary support to all FCA graduates to ensure college graduation and meaningful employment. I am proud to say that we have officially broken ground and we have started with a bang. In the first 2 months of the program we have enrolled approximately 65 students in college that were not currently enrolled, saved thousands of dollars in financial aid for students, recruited 20 FCA alumni ambassadors, developed a comprehensive social media presence (Over 75% of Alumni are a part of FCA alumni facebook), and built working relationships and partnerships with various colleges and universities. The Alumni Newsletter will inform and assist FCA alumni with financial aid and scholarships, making the right college choices, and several other college related matters. I have worked with the majority of you as your DCCAP counselor but now I am working with you as the Alumni Affairs Coordinator for Friendship Public Charter Schools. Im here for you. Im here to help you. However, I need the support of all FCA Alumni to make this program reach its true potential. On behalf of the Head of School, Mrs. Peggy Jones and Friendship Public Charter Schools Mr. Donald Hense, we welcome you to our new Alumni Association.

FRONT COVER Greetings News and Events

INSIDE SCOOP College choice/ 2 Major and/or Minor Registering for Classes Thinking about Transferring?? Scholarships and Grants Financial Aid Deadlines Alumni Spotlight Internships Opportunities 5 4 2

Any assistance needed or questions about the program contact Mr. Elshazli E
2

Phone: 202 569-4241 Mr. E

Email: [email protected]

NEWS AND EVENTS

Alumni Support Meetings:

Thus far we have hosted several FCA alumni support meetings on the following campuses (Trinity, UDC, PGCC, Pierpont CCTC, and Bowie state). In addition to the FCA Alumni and the FCA Alumni Affairs Coordinator (Mr. E), the meetings have also included University Support Staff as well. In these meetings we have discussed several on campus resources to help you succeed, scheduling, financial aid, proper ways to transfer from one college to another college, and course planning. Many more support meetings are being scheduled in the near future. If you would like to host a support meeting on your campus email Mr. E @ [email protected].

Keep In Contact

Alumni Day and Alumni Ambassador Orientation (Dec. 21)

All confirmed FCA Ambassadors will come back to FCA over Christmas break for an introduction and overview of the FCA Alumni Program. In addition to discussing the program the Ambassadors will participate in a discussion panel for current FCA students. We are still recruiting FCA Ambassadors. If you are interested in finding our more about the position please email or send a Facebook message to Mr. E.

Peggy Jones Head of School

Donald Hense CEO, Friendship Public Charter Schools

Peggy Jones, Head of Schools Donald Hense, CEO Friendship Public Charter School

Email: [email protected] FacebooK: MisterElshazli Friendship Alumni

Friendship Collegiate Academy Carter G. Woodson Campus 4095 Minnesota Avenue, NE * Washington, DC 20019 202-396-5500 Main Office * 202-396-8229 Fax

FCA ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

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Declaring a Major
** Costs of changing your major. Importance of taking core classes before jumping to deep into major. Understanding how major translates into a career. Once youre in college whats next?? What will you major in?? Something that needs to be determined as soon as possible and at the latest by the beginning of your junior year of college. Its always a good idea to major in an area that interests you. However, it is equally important for you to identify how your major can translate into potential employment opportunities. It is common for you to be initially undecided, however being undecided too long can be costly. If undecided, enroll primarily in core required classes and electives to avoid taking courses that may not count towards your major once you decide. There are some costs of changing your major or staying undecided too long. You paid for your current classes in tuition and if they dont count towards your new major requirements then you might be in school longer. If your having issues deciding on your major make sure to see your advisor regularly to get his/her input. You can also use online resources such as: Collegehelper.com, www.mymajors.com, or http://www.quintcareers.com/majors/

Friendship Public Charter Schools

The Friendship Collegiate Academy Alumni Program provides support to all FCA graduates pursuing higher education in order to improve the overall rate of college graduation for all Friendship Collegiate Academy alumni.

Ashref Elshazli
Email: [email protected] or [email protected] FacebooK: MisterElshazli FriendshipAlumni Phone: (202)569-4241

Registering for Classes

The things taught in schools and colleges are not an education, but the means to an education.

YOUVE BEEN ACCEPTED!!! Its now time to choose your classes. How do you know what classes to pick? First you have to look and find out the general graduation requirements along with the graduation requirements for your major. Make sure you review course offerings and suggested courses with an Academic Advisor. You must develop a good relationship with your Advisor. A good advisor makes registering for classes much easier than doing it on your own. Please register ASAP so the classes you want are the ones you get. Classes do fill up quickly. So be ahead of the game. In order to be considered a full-time student you must take 12 credits. Generally thats four classes worth 3 credits each. Anything below 12 credits is considered a part-time student. A minimum of 15 credits is recommended to keep yourself ahead and to maintain full-time status just in case you have to withdraw or drop a class. Taking the right amount of credits keeps you on track each year towards graduation. You must constantly monitor your major to graduation each semester. Knowing where you are each semester can prevent you from

KEEP IN CONTACT!!!
Help me help you!! Lets keep in contact with one another so we can help each other. Im taking names, email, phone numbers, FB names, and even Twitter. Your education and help other alumni. The vision is for every FCA Alumni graduates and pursue a professional career. LETS DO IT!!

Thinking about Transferring??

What if you dont like your present school? Or youre at a community college and now want to attend at four-year institution? You should transfer. But its not all that simple. You have to plan and be careful about your decision. You have to think about what college you want to transfer to. Seems simple right?? Not really. Its a process: 1. 2. 3. Research your choice college. Make sure your college accepts your transfer credits. Meet with an advisor.

Facebook Initiative: One of the best lines of communication to FCA Alumni has been through Social Media outlets such as Facebook. The official Alumni Facebook page MisterElshazli FriendshipAlumni, has been designed to communicate with alumni, share important notifications, and serve as a forum for discussion amongst FCA alumni. Please make sure you are a friend on the FCA alumni page and you are updating and checking your page for notifications and messages.

After all thats said and done you have to maintain a C or better in the courses youre transferring.

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Scholarships and Grants

One of the biggest challenges with college is finding out how to pay for it. Any student in need of additional scholarship should follow the 3 simple steps below. 1. Visit your colleges financial aid office.

School Name 1.Bennett College for Women 2.Bowie State 3.Coppin State 4.Delaware State 5.Elizabath City State 6.Fayettville State 7.Florida A&M 8.Kentucky State 9.Lincoln University 10.Lincoln University 11.Livingstone University 12.Morgan State 13.Norfolk State 14. NC A&T 15.Penn State Mt. Alto 16.Penn State Mt. Alto 17.Penn State University Park 18.Penn State University Park 19.PGCC 20. South Carolina State 21. Tennessee State 22.Trinity 23. Trinity 24.University of Maryland Eastern Shore 25.University of South Carolina Greensboro 26. Virginia State 27. Virginia State 28.UNCC 29.UNCC 30.Westwood

Student Name Ashia Wallace Nasheia Conway Kwame Womack Francis Hodge Lauran Lee Ernecia White Shawnece Morris Jovanna Harrington Junae Allen Devante Caldwell Chanielle Jackson Erica Hall Samantha Boone Ashlynn Reed Tierra Turner Tatiana White Jonathan Thomas Abril Grey-Porter Datrelle Jones Jeanette Berry Danielle Hill Shia Byers Darell Doleman Damien White Dayvon Yates Dyamonee Wallace Eddie Henderson Tammar Hobbs Michelle Liverpool Angela Reece

FCA Class 2008 2008 2008 2009 2009 2010 2008 2010 2008 2009 2009 2008 2008 2008 2010 2011 2008 2009 2010 2010 2009 2008 2008 2009 2008 2009 2009 2011 2011 2008

Most colleges have their own unique scholarships available to students that are attending. Check into major specific scholarships as well as any institutional scholarship you may eligible for. You MUST visit your financial aid office to do this. Looking into how you can be a Resident Assistant (RA) will also reduce the cost of college by eliminating the cost of housing. 2. Search online.

The top Scholarship college search engines for current college students are Collegeboard.com, CollegeNet.com, Fastweb.com, Scholarships.com, and ScholarshipMonkey.com. Many of the search engines ask you to keep an updated profile so they can recommend scholarships based on your profile. 3. Apply.

Once you have found the scholarships that fit your profile then you apply. Most scholarships require an essay or some type of evidence that you deserve the money theyre giving. LAZY students will not be rewarded!!!

Originality is the essence of true scholarship. Creativity is the soul of the true scholar.

Financial Aid Deadlines

Let us not forget that on January 1st of every year you can submit your FAFSA. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. The earlier you complete FAFSA the more money you will be eligible. Make sure your parents or legal guardian files those taxes ASAP. In addition to FAFSA you must complete the DC One Application for DC TAG and LEAP Money. Website is https://dconeapp.dc.gov/appforms/ seo_logon.aspx and the phone number to the OSSE office is (202)727-2824. In addition to DC Government funds, please don't forget about the DCCAP Last Dollar Award ($2070). Any student that is not an achiever is eligible for this money, however many returning FCA grads do not apply or are too late in applying for these funds. Any questions regarding the DCCAP Last Dollar Award can be directed to the DCCAP main office. The phone number is (202) 783-7933. Make sure you keep up to date with your Achievers money. Even if your not currently enrolled in college make sure you keep the Achievers Staff informed. The number to the College Success Foundation (202) 207-1800 or 1814. Put these phone numbers to good use. The College Success Foundation is here to help you with financial aide funds. FINANCIAL AID CONTACT NUMBERS 1. 2. 3. DC TAG and LEAP (OSSE) - (202) 727-2824 DCCAP(202) 783-7933 DC Achievers (DCCSF) - (202) 207-1800

Alumni Spotlight
Every Quarter we will highlight an FCA Alumni that is on the proper track for success, have shown tremendous improvement, or have gone above and beyond in their academic duties. In addition, the Alumni Spotlight allows alumni to express their story about positive outcome theyve gained.

INTERNSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY Year Up

Year Up is a one-year, intensive training program that provides urban young adults, ages 18-24, with a combination of hands-on skill development, college credits, and corporate internships. During the first six months of the program, participants focus on skill mastery in one of two areas: 1) Desktop Support / IT Help Desk; 2) Investment Operations. Equal emphasis is placed on developing the professional skills required in today's workplace such as effective communication, leadership, and teamwork. During the second six months of the program, students are placed in internships with local partner companies. A stipend is provided to all participants throughout the one-year, full-time educational program. OUR RESULTS We have achieved excellent results to date: 100% placement of qualified students into internships 95% of interns meet or exceed partner expectations 84% of graduates employed or in college full time withinfour months of graduation $15/hr average wage at placement For more information Please visit the year up Website:

Kierrah Norman, FCA 2008 graduate, has continued to be a model alumni and role model for FCA students. At FCA she was a recipient of the Achievers scholarship (Cohort 1) and also a participant in the early college program. Currently a senior at University Maryland Eastern Shore, Kierrah is majoring in Rehabilitation Services with a focus in behavioral counseling As a result of her early college credits and her motivation and drive to finish school early, Kierrah will be graduating in December, a semester early. She will be the first Achievers scholar from Washington, DC to graduate from college. At Eastern Shore she maintained a 3.1GPA and completed a 300 hour internship at Hudson Health Services Inc. , a 28 day inpatient facility for addicts and alcoholics. Currently her internship is now her place of employment as a chemical dependency technician. In addition to her job, Kierrah is also involved in campus groups related to her career field. She currently holds the treasurer position for the Student Rehabilitation Association (SRA) and volunteers tutoring and mentoring to underclassmen. In the Spring 2012 semester, when most of her 2008 classmates will be finishing up with school, Kierrah will be attending Bowie State pursing a masters degree in Mental Health Counseling. Because she is finishing school early, she will be eligible to use her Achievers scholarship funds to pay for a large part of her masters program. Kierrah aspires to become a licensed addictions counselor or mental health counselor and eventually open up her own facility. We our proud to recognize Kierrah Norman and her success and wish Kierrah the best in her future endeavors.

http://www.yearup.org/aboutus/index.htm

Inroads Intern
This internship is open to current college student with a B average interested in developing professionally while getting a paid internship with a major company. Possible scholarship opportunity is available. Please visit: http://www.inroads.org/students/apply-online WHY INROADS
A paid multi-year Internship with a top company. Customized skills development training to prepare you to contribute from Day One. Unparalleled networking opportunities with career-minded peers, corporate executives and INROADS alumni. Gratifying community involvement., Year-round professional and personal coaching and guidance from your INROADS advisor. A corporate mentor who takes a personal interest in you. Access to scholarship opportunities. Free tutoring. Great potential for a full-time career after graduation. With INROADS, you can literally walk from the classroom to the boardroom with the confidence and experience you need to succeed. We could go on, but why don't you see for yourself?

White House Internship -

www.whitehouse.gove/about/internships