Welcome to the first issue of the Guidance News for the 2011-12 school year!  

Each month, the guidance department will send this electronic newsletter to you. Past issues will be archived on the school website under GUIDANCE NEWS. We welcome you to familiarize yourself with the other resources that are available on our website. The links in the grey sidebar will take to various guidance-related web pages.

School Counselors serving on the Guidance Team

The guidance team recently welcomed back students to another school year. Each counselor is looking forward to working with the students assigned to them. Serving as counselors in the high school are Mr. Kirk Benner, Mrs. Dorcas Lehman, Mrs. Erin Hill and Mrs. Stacy Shenk (who will also serve as a part-time counselor in the middle school). Each student is assigned a school counselor who is listed on the bottom of a student's schedule.

Appointments with counselors

Counselors welcome students to make appointments with them. If a student has a study hall in his/her schedule, that would be an ideal time to schedule an appointment. Students should see Mrs. Grosh in the guidance office to schedule an appointment with their counselor.

High School Testing Day for students in grades 9, 10 & 11

On Wednesday, October 12, students in grade 9, 10 & 11 will be given tests while seniors enjoy a half day social on campus.

• Grade 9 - The TerraNova tests student achievement in key academic areas.
• Grade 10 - The PLANis a practice test for the ACT college admissions test. In addition to measuring student achievement in key academic areas, it includes a career interest survey. Sophomores will receive a flyer with more information.
• Grade 11 - The PSAT is a shortened form of the SAT test. Students need to register in advance in an upcoming advisory group meeting for this test. A fee will also be expected to be paid prior to the test. Juniors will receive a flyer with more information.

Net Classroom for parents

Beginning September 6, you will be able to access Net Classroom to see your student's assignments, grades, notes, documents such as a syllabus, report card and transcripts. Your parent user id was given to you in the back-to-school letter that included student schedules. The following are some features of Net Classroom that we hope increase communication between home and school.

• Long-term assignments will be listed with advance notice.
• Students will be informed of upcoming tests at least 3 days ahead, posted on Net Classroom.
• Grades will be updated weekly for classes that meet daily.
• You will receive an email or phone call from the teacher if your student is struggling with performance in that class. This will serve as a progress report.
• Report cards are assessable online and you will receive email notification when they are ready to view.
• If you are not able to access report cards, please request a paper copy from the guidance office.
• Students may be asked to submit assignments to a teacher through Net Classroom.
• Students in grades 6-12 will be able to access Net Classroom using their school identification number.

For technical support, you may email your questions to netclassroom@lancastermennonite.org.

Career and College Day for juniors

On Thursday, December 1, LMH will host a Career Day and College Fair for the junior class. In the morning, students will hear career presentations based on their interest areas, and learn about hiring trends, educational requirements, and job descriptions. In the afternoon, students will attend a college fair in Gym A. Representatives from over 40 schools will be in attendance to answer questions and interact with students. Parents are invited to attend the college fair. Following the fair, students have the opportunity to attend workshops of their choice such as: financial aid and scholarships, admissions criteria, vocational / technical training opportunities, and choosing a major. For questions, please contact Erin Hill, guidance counselor, at 299-0436 ext. 318.

MennoniteCollege Day - Thursday, October 20

Students are encouraged to consider opportunities available at Eastern Mennonite University, Bluffton University, Bethel College, Goshen College, Canadian MennoniteCollege, or Hesston College. Representatives from these schools will be on campus for Mennonite College Day on Thursday, October 20, to meet with prospective students and/or parents. The reps also will be available after school to meet with students and/or parents.

College visitations on campus

The guidance office receives information regarding college and other post high school training opportunities. In addition, college representatives frequently visit our campus to meet with students in our career and guidance center. Students are encouraged to look at the extensive schedule of colleges and universities that are planning on visiting LMH in the next few months. The schedule is posted on the bulletin board outside the guidance office, included in morning announcements, and posted on on our website. The list will continue to be updated throughout the fall as appointments are made.

SAT & ACT Testing for juniors and seniors

It is recommended that students take the SAT or ACT in the spring of their junior year and again in the fall of their senior year. Test and registration dates are available for the SAT at www.sat.collegeboard.org  and for the ACT at www.actstudent.org/regist/dates. There are also practice tests and other resources available on these sites. To find a comparison of the and the ACT, click here.  

Christian College Fair - October 13

A Christian College Fair is scheduled for October 13 at Lancaster County Christian School from 7-9 p.m. There will be 30-40 Christian colleges available to talk with students and parents, as well as a financial aid seminar. For further questions, please contact Lancaster County Christian School.

Preparing seniors for life after high school

Senior interviews

During the next several weeks, seniors will be invited to participate in their senior interview with their school counselor. These interviews are intended for reflection, planning and prayer. Along with making sure graduation requirements and credits are in place, school counselors will find out how they can help students plan for their future after high school. It is a pleasure for the counselors to meet one on one with each senior as they reflect and prepare for the future.

College planning calendar for seniors

A month-by-month calendar for college-bound seniors is posted on the school's website. Seniors are encouraged to access this calendar so they can stay on track in the college admissions process. The calendar can be found at www.lancastermennonite.org/guid/college.

Senior class meetings

A few senior class meetings are planned for the beginning of school and others will be scheduled throughout the school year. At a September 7 senior class meeting, all seniors will be given several papers of information regarding transcripts and college application procedures. At a September 14 senior class meeting, seniors will receive information regarding senior presentations.

SAT & ACT testing this fall for seniors

College-bound seniors are encouraged to take either the SAT or ACT in October, November or December. For registration and testing dates, please visit the College Board website or www.act.org. It is beneficial to have an SAT score available when applying to colleges and universities.

When should seniors apply for college?

Seniors are encouraged to send college applications during October, November and December - before Christmas is strongly recommended. During the application process, students should check carefully the application deadlines and requirements for specific programs. Programs that require screening interviews, auditions or portfolios (like music or art programs) may have earlier application deadlines. Students interested in early decision programs will also need to apply early.

Students will need to request their high school transcript be sent to the colleges that they apply to. A Transcript Release Form needs to be completed with both student and parent signature, and the guidance office requests 10 days for processing. This form can be picked up in the guidance office or found online at www.lancastermennonite.org/guid/forms.

How can counselors help seniors with their college application?

Counselors are available to help seniors who have questions about completing their college application. No question is a bad question. Often, colleges request that a school counselor complete a recommendation form or write a recommendation letter. Counselors are very willing and look forward to completing forms and letters for students in an effort to help seniors get acceptance into the college of their choice. Seniors should allow guidance counselors and teachers at least two weeks to complete recommendation forms and letters.