January 2022 — First-ever Student Intern, Code of Conduct Agreement, Student-only WhatsApp Group, & more
Dear Upward Scholars students,
Happy new year! As the new year and Spring semester begins, we hope you are all excited to start anew. Take this time to reflect on what you want the semester and year to be and create a plan that will help you meet your goals.
Please read through this month's newsletter as it includes our New Student Intern, our updated Code of Conduct agreement, the student-only WhatsApp Group, Free COVID test information, and upcoming scholarships.
Upward Scholars Announcements
New Student Intern!
Upward Scholars has its very first Student Intern! Elías Hernández Armenta (right) is an Upward Scholars student from Mexico. He moved to the United States 4 years ago and is currently completing the ESL courses at Cañada College. Back in Mexico, Elías studiedCommunication Sciences so in his role as Student Intern he will support Upward Scholars' social media channels, website, and student newsletter, among other things. Join us in welcoming Elías to the Upward Scholars team! 🎉
Upward Scholars Code of Conduct
It is unlawful to harass a person because of that person's sex. Harassment can include "sexual harassment" or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.
Harassment does not have to be of a sexual nature, however, and can include offensive remarks about a person's sex. For example, it is illegal to harass a woman by making offensive comments about women in general.
Upward Scholars has adopted the following Code of Conduct that all employees, students, and volunteers must adhere to:
Prohibition Against Sexual Harassment
Upward Scholars strives to maintain a workplace that is free from illegal discrimination and harassment. While all forms of harassment are prohibited, it is our policy to emphasize that sexual harassment is specifically prohibited.
If you experience sexual harassment by another Upward Scholars student, employee, or volunteer and feel comfortable sharing, please inform one of the Upward Scholars staff members. You can also send an email to compliance@upwardscholars.org if you feel more comfortable doing so.
Any employee, student, or volunteer who engages in discriminatory or harassing conduct towards any other employee, volunteer, or person enrolled in Upward Scholars programs is subject to removal from the organization. Complaints alleging misconduct on the part of employees, students, or volunteers will be investigated promptly and as confidentially as possible.
Join the Upward Scholars Student WhatsApp Group
The student-only WhatsApp group is a group chat where students share challenges and successes with one another, including community resources, employment opportunities, advice, on-the-job discrimination, and encouraging and inspirational words. Upward Scholars staff moderates the group along with a few active students and post important announcements from time to time. Click here or use the QR code to the left to join the group and stay in the know.
Spiritual Counseling with Reverend Gerardo García Palacios
Upward Scholars offers all students and their families free spiritual and emotional counseling with Rev. Gerardo García Palacios. The pandemic has affected all of us and we want you to express your struggles and be heard in a safe, confidential, and virtual environment. People of all beliefs are welcome and Rev. Gerardo is English-Spanish bilingual.
Schedule a session with Rev. Gerardo by emailing him at pastorgarcia1679@outlook.com or calling/texting him at (650) 387-9174. Tell him your full name and if a family member schedules a session, they should also give the name of the Upward Scholars student they were referred by.
Virtual Conversation Club
The Upward Scholars Conversation Club is an opportunity for you as students to build confidence in your English conversation skills via a safe, friendly, and welcoming environment.
Save the date for our next virtual Conversation Club on:
Friday, February 18, 2022
6:30 to 7:45 pm
RSVP by February 14 to attend and invite your friends to do so as well.
External Announcements/COVID-19 Resources
FREE at-home COVID-19 tests
Free at-home COVID-19 tests from the federal government are now available! Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four tests and orders will usually ship within 7-12 days.
Order your tests at https://covidtests.gov.
To find testing locations if you need immediate assistance, visit https://www.smcgov.org/landing-page/covid-testing.
External Employment Opportunities
Sequoia District Adult School (SAS) Job Board
SAS has its very own job board to help students like you find jobs. There are a variety of positions in various industries. Visit their website to learn more.
If you hear of any employment opportunities, please contact Jessica at jessica@upwardscholars.org and she will share them with all Upward Scholars students.
Upcoming Scholarships
The following is a list of external scholarships with upcoming deadlines. Click on the links to learn more about each scholarship.
NOTE: If you need help applying to any of these, contact me at jessica@upwardscholars.org to be paired with a volunteer who can work with you one-on-one.
SMCCC Foundation Scholarships
The next scholarship cycle for the San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation is NOW OPEN! This is a single application that allows you to apply to multiple scholarships all at once. The application deadline is fast approaching on March 2, 2022, at 11:59 pm. Apply now!
Financial Aid
The FAFSA and California Dream Act applications for the 2022–2023 academic school year are NOW OPEN for those who are eligible! Complete them as soon as possible and before March 2, 2022 to secure your financial aid and enrollment in Upward Scholars.
Application Deadline: January 24, 2022
Some qualifications: 3.5 GPA or higher; enrolling in a four-year university as a full-time student; U.S. citizen
Curry Award for Girls and Young Women
Application Deadline: January 24, 2022
Some qualifications: young woman aged 18 to 26; 3.3 GPA or higher; current resident of San Mateo County; GED; United States citizen or eligible non-citizen
Application Deadline: February 15, 2022
Some qualifications: must be of Hispanic heritage; minimum of 2.5 GPA; transferring to a four-year university; planning to enroll full-time
Pursuit of Excellence Community College Scholarship - Bay Area
Application Deadline: February 28, 2022
Some qualifications: transferring to a 4-year university; preference given to students who transfer to a UC; GPA of 3.5 or better is preferred; currently enrolled in a SMC Community College or Foothill/De Anza College
Crestmoor Neighborhood Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadline: March 1, 2022
Some qualifications: live in San Bruno or attends Skyline College; first-year student at a community college or transfer student from a community college to a four-year university; open to undocumented students; full-time student
10,000 Degrees General Scholarships
Application Deadline: March 2, 2022
Some qualifications: full-time student
Latinos in Technology Scholarship
Application Deadline: March 18, 2022
Some qualifications: must be of Latino or Hispanic origin; majoring in a STEM-related field; transferring to a 4-year undergraduate university; 3.0 GPA or higher
To find an array of scholarships specific to your major or area of study, click here.
If you know of any other scholarship opportunities with deadlines in the next few weeks or months, please email me at jessica@upwardscholars.org, and I will share them with all Upward Scholars students.
Thank you for reading through this newsletter. I hope you found it helpful. If you have any further questions or want help with anything you read here, please reach out to me.
Onward and upward,
Jessica & Elías