Hello Students!
On Thursday, April 23rd, Gina Raimondo officially confirmed schools in Rhode Island have been cancelled for the rest of the academic year. The news brings a lot of different emotions and thoughts to every student, but the news also brings many questions. What does this mean for my education? What does this mean if I need mental health support? What does this mean if I depended on my school? This newsletter will be different as it’ll be more of Question and Answer, relating to what students may have questions about during this time. Although not every question is mentioned and maybe not all can be answered, we’ll try our best to find the accurate information to help you.
WAIT! Before you continue reading, any additional resources or information can be found in this Google Document ! The Google Doc list a ton of resources that aren’t mentioned so we highly suggest to take a look if you or someone you know may be in need of any.
Important Notice For Classical Students
Students and Classical family members can request fabric face masks here. These are handmade fabric face masks, which are being made as requests come in. Protect yourself and the community when working outside the home during COVID-19.
Questions and Answers
Question: What does this mean for my grades or GPA?
Answer: If you didn’t know, PSU’s Leadership Team has been working very hard to implement a universal Pass/Fail system in Rhode Island for an alternative to schools that use a letter grade system. This is being pushed as it creates a fair and equitable learning scale that is accommodating to every student and their situation during this time. Here are a couple of facts about the Pass/Fail system:
The Pass/Fail system is a system where you don’t receive a letter grade (Ex: A+, B, F) but instead receive a plain Pass or Fail.
If your grade totals to a 65% (D) or higher than it’s qualifies you for a Pass.
If your grade totals to a 65% (D) or higher from the first semester, and you receive a Pass on your current semester, you will get a P that will neither decrease or boost your GPA
Many other educational institutions have adopted similar systems of Pass/Fail grading due to COVID-19- we’re not alone!
A question within the question can be what about college? We want you to recognize that if you’re considering applying to a college, there are a variety of institutions that understand the circumstances and barriers that COVID-19 has placed on grades, standardized tests and education as a whole. It’s been stated before that the COVID-19 situation will be taken into consideration when viewing applications. Being part of the Pass/Fail system should not harm the viewing of your application. We understand there may be more questions about college so we’ll be answering more in depth below.
If you are interested about the Pass/Fail system, please take a moment to sign our petition and share the link once you’re done
If you have already signed our petition, thank you so much for taking the time to do so!
Question: What does this mean if I wanted to attend a college or a university?
Answer: There are multiple ways this question can be interpreted. Below we’ll be listing a couple of answers that may suit your question about applying to a college or university during this time.
Applying to a college or university can be difficult when you’re not able to visit the campus yourself, however, there is good news! Many colleges and universities are moving their tours online as well as organizations that have set up college fairs. Check in with the colleges and universities that you’re interested in to see if they have moved online and search up “Virtual College Fairs” as well!
Once again, if you’re worried your grades may affect how your application is reviewed, do not fear! There are a variety of institutions that understand the circumstances and barriers that COVID-19 has placed on grades, standardized tests and education as a whole. It’s been stated before that the COVID-19 situation will be taken into consideration when viewing applications.
To add, if you’re worried about the SAT and/or ACT not being taken into consideration, even before COVID-19, many colleges and universities have turned into test optional schools. Test optional means you have the option to send in your SAT/ACT score. Check to see if any schools you’re interested in are test optional!
School was a major resource for many students who were interested in attending a college or university but needed help in doing so. Below are several links that answer a variety of questions better than us. Many of them are available to contact by the way! Don’t be shy to give them a call so your questions or concerns are answered.
-FAQ About College Admission-The Impact of COVID-19 on College Admissions, Experts Give Advice
Question: What does this mean for the SAT and/or ACT?
Answer: College Board website is constantly being updated with new information about the SAT. Any questions or information needed will be found there. Consider subscribing to their email list to receive direct information about the SAT. This information goes for the ACT as well. Below is the latest information sent to students.
SAT Email:
We recently emailed you about SAT® testing opportunities for the remainder of 2020, including the addition of a new September administration. We're emailing today to share that the new SAT administration will be on Saturday, September 26, 2020. This date will be for the SAT only, in the United States and internationally, with no SAT Subject Tests™ available. Sunday testing for religious reasons will be on September 27.
Registration for the 2020-21 SAT administrations will open the week of May 26. At that point, June registrants will be able to transfer their seat to a 2020-21 administration. All other students in the high school class of 2021 who don't have SAT scores will also have early access to register for the August, September, and October administrations. This includes students who had registered for March or May and had their registrations canceled and refunded. We'll email you again during the week of May 26 with the exact date that registration opens.ACT Email: *This will only effect students who registered for the ACT*
We don’t know all the ways you have been impacted by COVID-19, but we do know you intended to take the ACT® in April and the test was postponed. This is a friendly reminder that you can change your registration to the June 13 or July 18 ACT at no additional cost.
To reschedule, log into your ACT account or contact ACT Customer Care directly at 319-337-1270. To test in June, students need to register by May 8. To test in July, students need to register by June 19.
Question: Me and/or my family have been financially struggling at the moment, what do I do?
Answer: Providence Student Union is dedicated to helping the youth in our community. This is why the Well-Being Fund is available to help. The Well-Being Fund is able to give you the financial assistance needed whether it’s paying bills, buying groceries, etc. Click the button below to know more about the Well-Being Fund or how to apply. Don’t be afraid or shy, this is a safe zone!
To add, check with your local and federal government what benefits are being given. If you are a Providence resident, consider signing up for Mayor Jorge Elorza email list to receive direct information about benefits and what other assistance is being given.
Our Google Document has resources as well that can help you and/or your family. Consider taking a look and finding a resource that matches your needs the best.
Question: I’m bored, what do I do?
Answer: So are we.. but good thing there is resources to help!
Continue following PSU on any of our social media platforms for information on upcoming virtual events! Consider other organizations as well like ARISE, PRYSM, Youth In Action, etc!
If you love art or are an artist yourself and want to build your skills or simply get creative, New Urban Arts is currently sending FREE art kits to high school students. All you have to do is sign this google form , pick the art median you’d enjoy, and that’s it!
If you like to read, Amazon Audible is currently offering it’s services for free to students! Enjoy the thousands of books they’re offering and listen to them on your laptop, tablet, or phone.
Search if any virtual events are happening! This include virtual concerts, cooking classes, dance classes, etc! The best part is a lot of virtual events are being offered for free. Maybe you’ll come out of quarantine with a new skill?
If you have a sewing machine and fabric, consider taking the time to make masks for residents in your local community and essential workers. You can search organizations you can donate too as well. If you don’t how to make a mask but have the resources, YouTube, blogs, and New Urban Arts have a ton of resources available so you can learn how.
If you have an idea to help your community during this time, Peace First is offering to help. Peace First has launched a rapid response grant that can include up to $250, mentor ship, and project support, to help the youth lead projects that address community impacts because of COVID-19. If you are interested, please click this link to find more information and the form to submit your idea.
If you are a senior, Dear Class of 2020 is a virtual graduation event. The event is on June 6th, at 12pm and will be started by Michelle and Barack Obama. There is so many more commencement speakers and special appearances so here is a link for more information on the event.
And that’s the end of our first Q&A!
I hope you found this information helpful. Remember you can always access this newsletter through our website by clicking the “For Students” page and scrolling down. You are more than welcome to share any information/resources listed! I hope everyone continues to be safe and healthy during this time. See you next month!
