🎄 Welcome to December, Highlander Families! 🎄

We hope you have a restful and cozy Thanksgiving break with your loved ones. As we step into this last month, we’re excited to welcome everyone back and finish the calendar year strong together - there are only three weeks of instruction in December.

This month is always a whirlwind - concerts, events, winter sports, performances, and plenty of academic momentum - we’ve GOT this. 💪✨ Let’s stay focused, stay connected, and support our students as they move confidently toward winter break.

We’re here for you every step of the way. Let’s make December a great month at North!

Go North! 💥

DISTRICT CALENDAR

COLLEGE & CAREER CENTER

 Thanksgiving Break College & Scholarship Checklist

Hello Seniors,

As you head into Thanksgiving break, I encourage you to set aside some time before the holiday week is over to work on your college financial aid and scholarship applications. A little bit of work now can save you a lot of stress later and lead to significant money for college!

Here is your checklist of high-priority items to work on this break:

1. Financial Aid: FAFSA & Oregon Promise

Completing the FAFSA and applying for the Oregon Promise grant are the two most essential steps for determining how much state and federal aid you will receive.

• Submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): This is the mandatory first step for all federal and most state financial aid (including Oregon Promise).

  • Link to Apply: FAFSA Website

• Apply for Oregon Promise: This state grant covers tuition at any Oregon community college.

  • Link to Apply: Oregon Promise Application Portal

2. Start Your Scholarship Applications!

The scholarships below are major opportunities for Oregon students. The deadline for OSAC is coming up in March, and starting now is the best way to secure a strong application.

A. OSAC Scholarship Application

The Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC) offers a single application for over 600 scholarship programs. You complete one application and are matched with every scholarship you qualify for.

• Link to Application: OSAC Scholarship Application

• Key Tip: The OSAC application includes an essay section. Use your break time to draft and refine your personal essay—this is the most time-consuming and important part of the application!

B. The Ford Family Scholars Program

This highly generous scholarship is open to high school seniors in Oregon who demonstrate financial need.

• Link to Apply: Ford Family Scholars Program

C. The Stacey Axling Scholarship

The $1,000 Stacey Axling Scholarship is awarded to one North senior. It is open to all seniors enrolling in a trade school, two-year college, or four-year university.

This is a fun and relatively quick application that we encourage everyone to submit!

• Application Requirement: The main component is a one-page essay on your favorite quote, phrase, saying, or philosophy and what it means to you.

• Application Document: Stacey Axling Scholarship Application Details

• Deadline: Due Thursday, December 18th.

I hope you have a relaxing break and a wonderful Thanksgiving! Please remember that I am here to help you when we return.

 Senior Students/Families,

Graduation Orders were due in late October but the deadline has been extended. Below are the instructions and information for placing your graduation order by the new deadline of Thursday, December 18th:

 Orders can be placed online at https://minersgrad.com.

• Order online by Thursday, December 18th to avoid any late fees and/or production restrictions and receive your Class of 2026 Gear (sweatshirts, bling tassels etc.) at school in January.

• If you have any order questions, please contact Miners Graduate Services at the contact information below.

  

We’d like to share a helpful resource that was passed along to us by a Churchill parent who participates in a bilingual/bicultural networking group here in Lane County. The group is supported by Jessica Villeda, a bilingual/bicultural licensed clinical social worker who runs a parenting support program for the county.

The flier included here invites parents and caregivers to join a casual, drop-in Zoom space to talk about coping with stress related to the current political climate for immigrant families. It also offers support for families who may be navigating conversations with youth about immigration. Participation is voluntary and can be completely anonymous—no identifying information is collected.
This project is funded through Jessica’s work with Lane County, and she also briefly shares information about a free parenting support program called the Family Check-Up Service for anyone who may be interested.

We believe this could be a meaningful support for families in our community and are sharing it alongside our district’s immigration-related support resources.
If you have any questions or need additional support, please feel free to reach out. We’re here to help.