Summer Opportunity of a Lifetime

SOAL

Summer Opportunity of a Lifetime

SOAL, what is it?

The Summer Opportunity of a Lifetime (SOAL) Program was started to give students the opportunity to extend their learning outside the classroom during the summer months. The SOAL program is a vehicle to transport students from the confines of their community to exciting locales both domestically and abroad.

Who can participate?

Students in grades 3-11 who are registered for the next academic school year are eligible to apply to the SOAL program. Students must meet the GPA and behavior requirements as outlined in the student handbook. A monetary contribution is available for participants that receive financial aid. Since SOAL participants are ambassadors of Providence St. Mel School, they are expected to behave in a manner that reflects PSM’s standards.

What is the application process?

Students must complete all required parts of the application process if they wish to be considered for the SOAL program.

Complete application form (available in November)
Submit two recommendation forms (one from a current PSM teacher and the other from their department chair)
Write essay (following guidelines and topic)
Copy of report card (after first semester)
Pay administrative fee ($50) due at the time of signing the contract.

What fees and expenses are expected to be paid by the family?

All students must pay a $50 administrative fee at the time that they sign the SOAL contract. Payment must be made in the front office. (Please keep all receipts.) Students who participate in SOAL and transfer the next school year must reimburse the school for the total cost of the program. Records/transcripts will be held until the balance is paid. Students are expected to provide their own clothing, gear, and spending money. Some camps require additional fees to cover the cost of special programs (like horseback riding & paintball), transportation or insurance. All students may apply for scholarships to help defray the overall cost of their program. Financial costs to attend a SOAL program are determined by program expense and financial aid need. All students who receive a school monetary contribution must qualify for financial aid. Parents are also encouraged to write letters expressing their interest in why their child should be selected for the program. Thank you letters from parents are also welcomed and help the coordinators assess the needs of the program.

What important dates do I need to know?

December 20, 2012 – SOAL application due
February 1, 2013 – student essay and copy of report card due
February 15, 2013 – teacher/department head recommendations due
Program/camp applications and scholarships as well as $50 administrative fee and additional fees may be due throughout the second semester.

Applicants are encouraged to research programs (including programs not on this list) prior to applying.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Michelle Byrd at email (preferred) – or by phone – 773-722-4600 x 3141

Sincerely,

Michelle Byrd

Mrs. Byrd

SOAL program Coordinator

SOAL Student Application

(Summer Opportunity of a Lifetime)

Student Name/Grade: ______

Address:______City: ______State: ______Zip:______

Phone Number(s) – home, cell, work: ______

Parent’s email: ______

Classroom/Advisory teacher ______Current GPA: ______

Parent(s) Name: ______

Parent Daytime Phone ______Parent Evening Phone ______

Are you registered for the 2013-2014 school year at PSM? Yes No

Extra-Curricular Activities:

______

Hobbies/Interests:

______

Have you participated in a SOAL program? YesNo

List the places you attended: ______Year(s) attended? ______

______Year(s) attended? ______

Parents and students understand that all rules and regulations of camp programs must be strictly observed. In addition, students are ambassadors of our school and are expected to behave in a manner that reflects PSM’s standards. Failure to comply with any of these requirements may result in expulsion from PSM and any funds paid by PSM for SOAL must be reimbursed to the school. In order for a student to participate in SOAL, they must be registered to attend PSM the following school year. **Students who apply and are accepted into a program and decline to participate must reimburse the school any funds paid on the student’s behalf. ***Students who participate in a SOAL program but elect not to return to PSM in the fall agree to reimburse PSM for all expenses paid by the school for the students’ participate in the program.

______

Student NameStudent Signature

______

Parent NameParent Signature

______
Principal SignatureDate

For Office Use Only

Completed Application Teacher Recommendations (2)Administration Fee ($50)

Last Report Card Completed Essay Directors Approval

Summer Program Attending

SOAL Essay Guidelines

Instructions

All applicants must write an essay. The essay should include an introduction, body and conclusion. If the program you are applying to requires an essay you may use the same one for your SOAL essay. Otherwise your essay should answer one of the questions below. You should ask a teacher to review it before turning it in. All essays are due to Mrs. Byrd by February 1, 2013.

Format

High School – at least 2 pages in length, 500-1000 words

Times New Roman, 12 pt.

Double spaced

Heading must include the following parts in top left hand corner:

Name, SOAL summer 2013, and grade

Essay Topics

My future goals

What is your goal for your future and how do you foresee SOAL helping you achieve this goal?
Discuss both short-term goals and long-term goals.

Who am I?
Identify and describe three positive character traits.
Explain how each of these traits will help you at camp this summer or when you are older, as an adult.

What is a positive attitude?
Explain what a positive attitude does for you and the people around you.
Identify three situations where a positive attitude makes a difference.
Explain what the outcome could be in these situations with a negative attitude.

Why is the PSM Mission Statement recited each morning?
What does the mission statement mean to you?
How can the words in the mission statement affect your life?
If Providence-St. Mel Mission Statement were for all students, would the world be a better place? Explain.

SOAL Teacher Recommendation

TO BE COMPLETED BY STUDENT

Last Name______First Name______

High School Graduation Year______Advisory Teacher______

TO BE COMPLETED BY TEACHER

Name______

How long have you known the student and in what context?______

______

Please evaluate the student’s personal traits and characteristics:

No Basis / Below Average / Average / Good / Very Good / Excellent / Superior
Leadership
Extrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic Motivation
Interpersonal Skill
Academic Skill
Kinesthetic Skill
Congeniality
Reliability
Determination
Flexibility