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Chippewa Falls Senior High School

26-27 Student Services Newsletter - Quarter 1

Posted Date: 09/11/26 (03:23 PM)
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Student Services Newsletter

Quarter 1

This electronic newsletter is published by the High School Student Services department. A new issue will be emailed to students and their families each quarter. This newsletter will feature information pertaining to post-secondary planning information, testing dates and preparation tips, course scheduling and much more.
Picture is of each member of the student services department with their names and job title listed.
Schedule An Appointment with Us!
 

Spotlight on Seniors

Counselors to Hold Senior Meetings

School counselors are holding individual meetings with seniors this fall. Together they will check to make sure students have completed or have in their schedule the requirements for graduation. Counselors are also discussing the student's plans for after graduation and any steps that need to be taken to make those plans happen.

Be sure to ask your senior about this information and remind them to set up an appointment with their counselor if they haven't already done so.

Seniors Begin Applying to Colleges

The time is now! To begin, students are encouraged to go to the website of the college of interest and become familiar with their entrance requirements as these can vary greatly. Application deadlines also vary. Keep in mind that some selective schools have early action or early decision as soon as mid-October. Some popular programs at technical colleges can fill quickly and may have waiting lists, so it is in your best interest to apply early.

Two Initiatives Offer Streamlined Universities of Wisconsin Admission

Universities of Wisconsin Direct Admit
  1. Direct Admit: A program where senior students are automatically admitted to participating universities based on their transcripts, which were shared in June.
  2. Notification: Students received a letter in August regarding their Direct Admit status. A copy of this letter is also available in the student's Infinite Campus under documents.
  3. Next Steps: Students planning to attend one of the universities in which they were admitted, will need to complete the Direct Admit Wisconsin Form at: apply.wisconsin.edu/direct-admit. If a student was not admitted to the university of their choice, they should meet with their school counselor to explore applying through the traditional application process.
  4. Traditional Application: UW-Eau Claire, UW-LaCrosse, and UW-Madison are not participating in Direct Admit. Students applying to these universities will need to use the traditional application process. Those in the top 10% (5% for UW-Madison) may be eligible for The Wisconsin Guarantee.

The Wisconsin Guarantee
  1. The Wisconsin Guarantee offers admission to all Universities of Wisconsin (except UW-Madison) to first year applicants who are in the top 10% of their class, at the end of 11th grade. Those who are in the top 5% of their class are guaranteed admission to UW-Madison. Students must also have taken the required courses for admission.
  2. Next Steps: Unlike Direct Admit, students must submit an application for admission by the university’s deadline. Students applying to UW-Madison with The Wisconsin Guarantee must submit an application by the Early Action Deadline (November 1).

More detailed information on both programs can be found at: https://www.wisconsin.edu/students/wipathways/

Financial Aid Night

Senior Parents: Is your senior heading to college or technical school next fall? Join us for Financial Aid Night on Wednesday, October 7th at 6:00pm in the high school cafeteria. Representatives from UW-Stout's Financial Aid Office will present on the FAFSA process. Topics include: 

  • Types of financial aid available (grants, loans, work-study)
  • How to apply and navigate the FAFSA
  • How to find scholarships

Cost Assistance Programs at Universities of Wisconsin

  1. Bucky’s Promise covers the cost of tuition and fees at UW-Madison for families whose adjusted gross income is less than $65,000 per year.
  2. Milwaukee Tuition Promise provides up to four years of tuition and segregated fees for students coming from families earning less than $62,000 annually.

More information about cost assistance programs at Universities of Wisconsin can be found at: https://www.wisconsin.edu/tuition-promise/
College Planning Information

Considering Early Graduation?

In order to be eligible for early graduation, senior students must be able to complete all required coursework and have all necessary credits by the end of the 2nd or 3rd quarters of their senior year. Early graduation is allowed following 2nd and 3rd quarters only. Any senior interested in early graduation should complete the Early Graduation Application form as soon as possible.

Applications deadlines for early graduation:
  • October 30 (end of 1st quarter) for January 15 graduation
  • January 15 (end of 2nd quarter) for March 19 graduation
Early Graduation Application
 

Upcoming Events

Wisconsin Education Fair

The Wisconsin Education Fair (WEF) is coming to Eau Claire on September 23 at the Sonnentag Event Center and Field House. WEF provides students with an opportunity to meet with representatives from a variety of post-secondary institutions all in one place. Participants include public and private colleges/ universities, technical colleges, and many out-of-state institutions. Trade schools and the armed forces are also available. For more information, additional WEF dates, and a complete participant list click the button below!
Wisconsin Education Fair

National College Fair

The National College Fair will be held in-person at the Minneapolis Convention Center on the following dates/times:
  • October 5 from 9:00am - 12:00pm
  • October 5 from 5:30pm - 7:30pm
  • October 6 from 9:00am - 12:00pm

The National College Fair will also be held virtually on 3 different days. Each day will offer different college representatives, so make sure to check the website for more information.
  • September 20 from 1:00pm - 6:00pm
  • October 18 from 1:00pm - 6:00pm
  • November 8 from 1:00pm - 6:00pm

College admission representatives from schools throughout the US and the world will be in attendance. There are also workshops that students and parents may wish to attend. For more information click HERE.
National College Fair
 

College Credit through ECCP/SCN

Early College Credit (ECCP) and Start College Now (SCN) programs allow Wisconsin public high school students to take courses at an institution of higher education for high school and/or college credit.

Deadline to Apply:
  • October 1 (for spring semester)
  • February 1 (for summer semester)
  • March 1 (for fall semester)

Students interested in earning college credit while in high school should reach out to their school counselor.

For additional information click on ECCP, SCN or the link below.
College Credit in High School
 

PSAT Offered to Juniors

The PSAT (Pre-Scholastic Aptitude Test) will be offered at Korger Chestnut on Wednesday, October 14. While this test is optional, it is a great opportunity for students with high GPAs or strong test-taking skills, as scores may be required for certain highly selective scholarships. Additionally, juniors with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and exceptional PSAT scores may qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Registration Details:
  • Cost: $25
  • Dates: Registration opens on September 10 and closes on Sunday, October 12.
  • Capacity: Space is limited to the first 45 students on a first-come, first-served basis.
How to Register: Sign up using this link.
 

Schedule Change Deadline

Please be aware that the deadline has passed for schedule change requests for the first semester (Quarters 1 & 2). Changes for second semester (Quarters 3 & 4) can be made up until January 22. Please refer to the Important Course Dates document for more information.
Important Course Dates
 

Cardinal Market - Food Pantry

We have an exciting resource at Chippewa Falls High School: Cardinal Market. We are partnering with Feed My People to offer food to students each week. Each week there will be a time for students to shop for the food they would like to take home. Students will need to fill out the form that is sent out each week to get their pass. Cardinal Market is in room 127!

If you would like more information, please reach out to Teresa Wahl, School Social Worker at wahltm@chipfalls.org or 715-726-2406 ext. 3549.
 

Chi-Hi Student Services Calendar of Events

Below is a listing of events that the Student Services Department helps coordinate and/or promote. More specific information will be communicated through Infinite Campus notifications and/or in grade-level newsletters.

Sept-Dec - Individual Senior Meetings
September 4 - Last day to add/change a first quarter class
September 8-11 - Counselor Presentations in Senior TA
September 11 - Last day to drop a first quarter class without penalty
September 11 - Last day to add/change a second quarter class
September 19 - ACT (National Test Date)
September 20 - National College Fair (Virtual)
September 23 - Wisconsin Education Fair (EC YMCA Sports Center)
October - Counselor Presentations in Freshmen TA
October 5 & 6 - National College Fair (In person, Minneapolis Convention Center, MN)
October 7 - Senior Financial Aid Night
October 14 - PSAT (Juniors)
October 17 - ACT (National Test Date)
October 18 - National College Fair (Virtual)
October 30 - Last Day of First Quarter
November - Counselor Presentations in Sophomore TA 
November 3 - First Day of Second Quarter
November 8 - National College Fair (Virtual)
November 13 - Last day to drop a second quarter class without penalty
December/January - Course Scheduling for 2027-2028
December 2 - ASVAB
December 12 - ACT (National Test Date)
December 16 - ASVAB Interpretation
January 4 - Incoming Freshman Parent Information (sent electronically)
January 7 & 8 - High School counselors at Middle School for 8th grade course scheduling
January 15 - Last day of Second Quarter, Early Graduation for qualifying seniors
January 19 - First Day of Third Quarter
January 22 - Last day to add/change a third quarter class
January 29 - Last day to drop a third quarter class without penalty
January 29 - Last day to add/change a fourth quarter class
March 10 - Pre-ACT State Assessment (Grades 9 & 10)
March 17 - Pre-ACT State Assessment Make-up date (Grades 9 & 10)
March 19 - End of Third Quarter, Early Graduation for qualifying seniors
March 30 - First Day of Fourth Quarter
April 7 - ACT State Assessment (Grade 11)
April 10 - ACT (National Test Date)
April 14 - ACT State Assessment Make-up date (Grade 11)
April/May - Counselor Presentations in Junior TA
May 3-14 - AP Testing
May 12 - Senior Scholarship Program (Evening)
May 28 - Senior Awards Program (Daytime)
May 28 - Graduation, Last Day of School
June 13 - ACT (National Test Date)
 
Desk with keyboard, eye glasses, and note pad

Contact Us!

Danielle Hatfield - Registrar/Scheduling & Admissions Coordinator
hatfiedn@chipfalls.org
715-726-2406, ext. 1177

Liz Pukrop - School Counselor, Last Names A - Fa
pukrope@chipfalls.org
715-726-2406, ext. 1172

Ken Abel - School Counselor, Last Names Fe - La
abelkj@chipfalls.org
715-726-2406, ext. 1173

Jenny Ebner - School Counselor, Last Names Le - R
ebnerjj@chipfalls.org
715-726-2406, ext. 1174

Luke Heidtke-Starks - School Counselor, Last Names S - Z
heidtkld@chipfalls.org
715-726-2406, ext. 1171

Vanessa Boetcher - School Psychologist
boetchvm@chipfalls.org
715-726-2406, ext. 3020

Teresa Wahl - School Social Worker
wahltm@chipfalls.org
715-726-2406, ext. 3549