The course selection process for the 2011-12 school year is underway in Advisory Groups. Advisory Group Leaders are working with students to complete their course selection form and update their Personalized Education Plan. Parents are also encouraged to work with their students, while contacting current teachers, advisory group leaders and their school counselor, if needed. These forms will need to be signed by parents and given back to advisory group leaders by February 15.
 

Junior Advisory Groups

Junior advisory groups will be invited to the guidance career center next month for a 30-minute orientation on the many college and career resources that are available and a presentation about the college application process by the guidance team.

Student Support Team (SST)

The Student Support Team process provides a strategy for intervening when students have major difficulty succeeding in their academic program. An SST meeting may include teachers who are core team members and the student's classroom teachers, along with the student and parent(s). The team reviews the student's goals and the factors which seem to be preventing success and then plans strategies for addressing the student's situation. Parents or students may request a meeting by contacting Mrs. Lehman or the student's counselor.

Career Assessments

Classes such as Academic Writing, Individual and Family Studies, and Personal Finance give students the opportunity to take career assessments. Soon, Advisory Groups in grades 9-11 also will be studying sections of the book, "What Color is Your Parachute?" where they will explore career possibilities and given resources to evaluate their gifts and abilities. Students are welcome at any time to log onto Career Cruising (careercruising.com, user name: lmhs; password: careers) where there is excellent career information.

SAT & ACT Preparation

The best way to prepare for the SAT & ACT test is to take rigorous courses in high school, read and write extensively, and become familiar with the test by practicing on the available sample tests. Free resources for SAT preparation are available on the College Board website at www.collegeboard.com. This site has daily practice questions, a full SAT online prep course and other resources available to purchase. Similar information is available for the ACT test at www.act.org.

SAT & ACT Registration

College-bound students are encouraged to take the SAT or ACT tests in the spring of their junior year and again in the fall of their senior year. For registration and testing dates for the SAT and ACT, please visit www.collegeboard.com/sat or www.act.org.

Scholarship & Financial Aid

There is a continued effort to make local and other scholarships available to students and their families. The scholarship and financial aid site is frequently updated with financial opportunities for college-bound students. [click here for webpage.]
 

Test Score Results

In the near future, counselors will give results of October's testing to students. Mr. Benner will give PSAT results, Mrs. Hill will give PLAN results, and Mrs. Shenk wil give Terra Nova results. Along with helping students interpret their test results, counselors also will give students information on the college planning process. Some students received their scores in first semester classes, and now counselors will meet with students in new classes this semester.

Senior Presentations

Seniors are currently presenting their informal, morning presentations in their Wednesday morning Advisory Group. Next month, seniors will give their required, formal senior presentation on March 1, 14 or 31. Please check with your senior to see when their formal presentation is scheduled. This will be a wonderful time of celebration as seniors share their 20-minute presentation with their family, friends, teachers, classmates, friends from church and work, coaches and others who have had a meaningful impact on them throughout high school.

SAT Prep Club

There is the possibility that an SAT Prep Club by Abbey Harris from the SAT Prep Co. will be offered during the third trimester of clubs at Lancaster Mennonite. This club would meet every Tuesday; the cost of $500 covers a book fee, materials and diagnostic test. If you have specific questions about the course, please contact the course instructor, Abbey Harris, at abbeyharris@comcast.net. Students will have opportunity to sign up for this club for the third trimester of clubs; it will run only if there is adequate interest.

The College Transition Seminar

There is a seminar on March 20 from 2-5 p.m. at The State Museum of PA in Harrisburg called, "The College Transition: Your Purpose, Your Faith and Your Community." It is designed for college-bound high school students and their parents and will address the transition from high school to college. Registration is required and you can find more information at www.theConnectionMinistries.org or at 717-545-9500.