Senior Presentations

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

Advanced Placement Exams

In March, students taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses will have the opportunity to sign up to take the AP exam which is set for May. Current students in AP courses received a "Bulletin for AP students and parents" in February. Each exam costs $87.00, payable at the time of the exam. For an AP exam schedule, visit www.collegeboard.com/ap.

Second Semester Progress Reports

Progress reports are being mailed the first week of March to families of students who are receiving a grade lower than a C in a class this semester. Parents and students are encouraged to contact teachers directly with questions. Teacher's email and phone extensions are found on LMH's website. The third quarter ends on Friday, March 25.

"What Color is Your Parachute?"

In March, students in grades 9, 10 and 11 will begin a six-week book study in advisory groups where they will spend time discussing the book, What Color is Your Parachute? The book teaches high school students to zero in on their favorite skills and apply that knowledge to get the most out of school, set goals and find their dream job. Advisors will lead the discussion and the weekly activities during this six-week study.

Presentation for Junior Advisory Groups

The guidance team is inviting one junior advisory group at a time to the guidance career center for a 30-minute presentation from the counseling team. This presentation will consist of a brief orientation to the guidance career center and ways juniors can start the college and career admissions process. The guidance team's goal is to equip each junior with the tools and resources needed to be successful in this process. Counselors and students work together to help make this happen.

Appointments with Counselors

Each student at Lancaster Mennonite School is assigned to a school counselor throughout her/his time in high school. Students are welcome to come to the guidance office and make an appointment to see their counselor at any time for academic or personal concerns. Counselors also make periodic appointments with students as a way to check in with them throughout the year.

SAT & ACT Admissions Test Preparation

The best way to prepare for the SAT & ACT tests is to take rigorous courses in high school, read and write extensively, and become familiar with the tests 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.

Registration and Testing Dates for SAT & ACT

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.

Learning Support students interested in taking the SAT or ACT

Students currently receiving services through the high school learning support center who are interested in taking the SAT or ACT college entrance exam next year should contact the learning support staff to begin the application process.

College Visits

One of the best ways to learn about a college or university is by scheduling a visit to meet with an admissions representative. Often there are opportunities to have a campus tour, visit with current students, sit in on classes, and meet coaches and other prospective students. Summer can be a great time for students and families to visit college campuses. If a student needs to visit a college on a school day, they are asked to complete an educational excuse form at least five days prior to their visit; the form can be found online at http://www.lancastermennonite.org/forms/Educationaltrip_new.pdf.

Aevidum Club - "I've got your back"

There has been significant interest within the student body to start an Aevidum club which will begin during the third trimester of Tuesday clubs. Aevidum is Latin for "I've got your back," and the focus of this group is to support and empower students who are working through depression. The goal of the group is to educate the student body about depression and to support students through depression while integrating faith to find healing and health. The club is being led by faculty advisors - Mr. Mayo, Mr. Dietzel, Mrs. Banks and Mrs. Krieg.

Guidance Services that students receive at LMH

While students attend Lancaster Mennonite School, they are exposed to various forms of career and college guidance. LMH students receive the following guidance services:

• Grade 9 - Terra Nova Results in classrooms with "Guidance Tips" handout
• Grade 9 - Freshman Check-In's with Youth Minister and/or School Counselor
• Grade 10 - PLAN results in classrooms with "Guidance Tips" handout
• Grade 10 - Career Cruising Assessments in the computer lab
• Grade 11 - PSAT results in classrooms with SAT/College Planning Information Packet
• Grade 11 - Shadow Day Job Experience in December
• Grade 11 - Presentation in the Guidance Career Center on College and Career Planning
• Grade 12 - Senior Class Meeting on College and Career Planning
• Grade 12 - Senior Class Meeting on Senior Presentations/Reflections
• Grade 12 - Senior Interview with Counselor and follow-up appointments
• Grades 9, 10 & 11 - Parachute Career Book Study in Advisory Groups
• Every Year - Scheduled meetings with their school counselor
• Every Year - Faith & Career Week Chapels & Reflections
• Every Year - College Representatives visit campus to meet with interested students
• Every Year - Available Resources - either online or in Guidance Career Center
• Every Year - Monthly Guidance Emails to Families  

Workshop offered for College-Bound students & parents

Derek Melleby, director of the College Transition Initiative, a ministry of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (CPYU) and Coalition for Christian Outreach, will present a seminar for college-bound high school students and their parents at the Parish Resource Center, 633 Community Way, Lancaster, on Sunday, April 3 at 5:30 pm. For registration and more information, please call 717-299-993 or visit www.parishresourcecenter.com/lancaster. Derek Melleby is the author of Make College Count: A Faithful Guide to Life & Learning.