November 2021 — Student Recipes Needed, Summer 2021 Dean's List, November Conversation Club, & more
Dear Upward Scholars students,
Congratulations on getting through midterms! As you look over the horizon toward the end of the semester, know that your Upward Scholars family is here to support you and rooting for you every step of the way.
Please read through this month's newsletter as it includes a Call for Student Recipes, Summer 2021 Dean's List photo request, November Conversation Club, Emergency Relief for ESL and Undocumented Students, and upcoming scholarships.
Upward Scholars Announcements
Student Recipes Needed!
In recognition of our diverse cultures, and to thank our donors for their continued generosity and support, we want to share YOUR favorite recipes with the rest of our community. If you have a favorite dish you love to make (it does not have to be a holiday recipe), please send it to me at jessica@upwardscholars.org.
We’ll share your recipes with donors during our end-of-year fundraiser, and include it in an Upward Scholars digital cookbook as a thank you for their donations. Everyone who submits a recipe will also receive a copy of the digital cookbook.
Help us thank our donors by emailing your favorite recipe to me at jessica@upwardscholars.org by midnight on Tuesday, November 9!
What to include in your submission:
Your name
Name of dish
List of measured ingredients
Step by step instructions
Why this dish is important to you
Optional: photo of dish
Submissions should be in English, but we can also accept them in Spanish. We are unable to translate other languages at this time, but if you'd like to provide your recipe in your native language and English as well, it would be an honor for us to receive it in both languages.
Summer 2021 Dean's List Recipients
Dean's List letters for the Summer 2021 semester should be arriving soon for students who earned a 3.3 GPA or higher during the summer semester. This summer, only 190 of the 2,763 students enrolled in courses earned the Dean's List recognition!
If you receive a Dean's List letter, please take a photo of yourself with your letter and send it to me at jessica@upwardscholars.org or text it to (650) 254-6274 as soon as possible. We will be recognizing recipients via social media.
Spiritual and Emotional Counseling with Reverend Gerardo García Palacios
Upward Scholars offers all students and their families free spiritual and emotional counseling with Rev. Gerardo García Palacios (right). 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.
Save the Date — Virtual Conversation Club
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, November 12, 2021
6:30 to 7:45 pm
RSVP by noon on Wednesday, November 10 to attend and invite your friends to do so as well.
External Announcements/COVID-19 Resources
LEAMOS—Spanish Literacy Program at the North Fair Oaks Library
LEAMOS is Spanish literacy program helping Spanish-speaking adults to read and write in Spanish. It's an online based program, but the North Fair Oaks Library hosts in-person studying groups on Mondays from 6:00-7:30pm.
The library also hosts an in-person English Conversation Club for ESL learners on Tuesdays from 6pm-7:15pm. Help them spread the word by telling your friends and neighbors who might be interested.
Emergency Relief: Financial Assistance for ESL and Undocumented Students
If you have taken ESL courses in 2021 and/or you are an Undocumented Student, you may qualify to receive financial assistance to help you pay for your Enrollment Fees and any Non-Resident tuition. You qualify if you are taking 6 or fewer units at the San Mateo County Community College District and have been impacted by COVID. If you would like to apply for tuition assistance for the Fall 2021 semester, please complete the following application:
ESL/UNDOCUMENTED STUDENT ASSISTANCE APPLICATION
ESL is defined as any student who was or is enrolled in at least one ESL course for the Spring 2021, Summer 2021, or Fall 2021 term, and who is currently registered for a Fall 2021 unit load of 6 or fewer units.
Please note, COVID-related financial impacts can include the following, but are not limited to:
Loss or reduction of income
Unexpected medical expenses for student or family member
Inability to pay rent/mortgage or utilities bills
Expenses due to unexpected move
Loss of housing or catastrophic property damage
Unexpected transportation expense (i.e car repair bill)
Sudden loss of childcare or sudden increase in childcare expenses
Documented theft of books and other essential academic supplies or tools
If you need assistance with the application or have further questions, please contact the following Dream Centers:
Cañada College: Janet Rios Leon riosleonj@smccd.edu
College of San Mateo: Paola Mora Paredes morap@smccd.edu
Skyline College: Jackie Santizo santizoj@smccd.edu
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 Jessica at jessica@upwardscholars.org to be paired with a volunteer who can work with you one-on-one.
Application Deadline: November 15, 2021
Some qualifications: identify as a woman; primary breadwinner for family
Dr. Juan Andrade, Jr. Scholarship for young hispanic leaders
Application Deadline: November 30, 2021
Some qualifications: enrolled full-time; undocumented students welcome; 25 years or younger
Emery Reddy Legal Studies Scholarship
Application Deadline: November 30, 2021
Some qualifications: law or legal studies major
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Student
Application Deadline: January 10, 2022
Some qualifications: transferring to a 4-year university in fall 2022; 3.5 GPA or higher
Providing Educational Opportunities (PEO) for Women
Application Deadline: January 10, 2022
Some qualifications: female; legal permanent resident or citizen; in good academic standing
If you want to apply, please let me know. All applicants need a recommendation from Upward Scholars.
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