Upcoming Testing:

• ACT Test- September 11, 2010 (Registration Closed)
• ACT Test- October 23, 2010

Important Upcoming Dates at Bishop Heelan:

• September 8:   School Pictures 
• September 9:   Catholic College Fair
• September 11:  ACT Test Date
• September 16:  Mid-Term Grades due in Registrar's Office
• September 17:  Registration Deadline for 10/23 ACT Test
• September 17:  Homecoming
• September 18:  Homecoming Dance (Sioux City Convention Center)         
• September 21:  Parent-Teacher Conferences 
• September 23:  Parent-Teacher Conferences
• October 3:        Tri-State College Fair
• October 13:      ITED/PLAN Testing 
• October 13:      College Planning Night
• October 14:      ITED/PLAN Testing
• October 16:      PSAT Testing
• October 19:      Quarter 1 Ends

Counselor Notes   

• The Counseling staff has completed its initial freshman and senior classroom meetings, presenting information pertinent to their school year.  Sophomore and junior meeting are scheduled for later in September.  Freshman individual meetings are also in progress. 
• Bishop Heelan is excited to implement a new program called "8 to Great" during the 2010-2011 school year. This program will be piloted with our sophomore class during this school year, and will focus on personal empowerment and positive motivation.
• 2010-2011 National Honor Society recipients will be named on September 17.
• We are excited to have over 60 students utilizing online classroom services in the Guidance office to take advantage of college online classes and receive college credit.  We also have over 70 students taking dual credit courses in our building which allow them to accrue both high school and college credit.

Student Opportunities

• ACT Prep Classes for the October 23 ACT National Test Date will begin at Heelan beginning on September 21.  These classes are presented in school on Tuesdays from 2:15-3:00 during Crusader Time.  Interested students need to contact the Guidance Office.

        The next registered ACT EXAM is 10/23/10, with a registration deadline of 9/17/10

• Student Shadowing-  Prospective Bishop Heelan students are encouraged to call Tom Betz (712) 252-1350 or Bob Geary (712) 252-0573 to arrange a date to shadow a Bishop Heelan student during the school day.  This opportunity allows a prospective student the opportunity to be a part of the Bishop Heelan experience prior to attending. 
• Congratulations to Bishop Heeelan graduates Jared Weaver and Lauren Eckert for achieving 2010 National Merit Scholarship Finalist honors. We would also like to congratulate Brandon Choquette for receiving National Merit commended honors.  These honors acknowledge these students as being among the elite scholars in the United States.  Look for information in the next two weeks regarding 2011 National Merit Candidates from Bishop Heelan!
• Welcome to two foreign exchange students who will be spending the next year with us at Bishop Heelan.  Malin Granbom-Koski (Sweden) and Simona Terracciano (Italy) are taking this opportunity to learn more about the United States and our educational opportunities.

It can be hard to understand why college is important, or even why good grades are important, when you're in middle school, or even the first years of high school.  If your student is uncertain about going to college, or just needs some reassurance about the path to college, here are a few reasons to share about why college is important:

• Every bit of education you get after high school increases the chances you'll earn good pay.  Most college graduates earn a lot more money during their working years than people who stop their education after high school graduation. 
• Besides good pay, the more education you get the more likely it is you will always have a job.  According to one estimate, by the year 2028 there will be 19 million more jobs for educated workers than qualified people to fill them.
• Continuing education after high school is much more important for your generation than for your parents' generation.  Today, most good jobs require more than a high school diploma.  Businesses want to hire people who know how to think and solve problems.
• Education beyond high school gives you a lot of other benefits, including meeting new people, taking part in new opportunities to discover and explore your interests, and experiencing success.

College Planning Tips:

• Freshmen-  Consider volunteering in your community.  It can be a rewarding experience, and it could help you earn a college scholarship.  Many scholarships are rewarded based on community service and involvement.
• Sophomores-  Education after high school doesn't necessarily mean a four-year degree.  There are certificate programs, two-year degrees and programs that go beyond four years.  Explore the different degree options.
• Juniors-  Get busy with your scholarship search.  Learn about selection criteria and what's required to apply.  Free scholarship searches are available at the Iowa College Access Network [ICAN@icansucceed.org] or elsewhere online.
• Seniors-  Attend an ICAN Financial Aid Night with your parents.  Heelan will be hosting a session on January 19, 2011 at 7:00 pm in the CYO.
• Parents-  Review the information you and your student gather on colleges and discuss the options.  Work toward attainable goals and workable solutions.  Before you know it, your child will be heading to college, and you will have played an important role.

Please take the opportunity to stress the importance of academics to your sons and daughters, and the need to communicate with their instructors if their grades are not where they want them to be!