The course selection process for the 2012-13 school year has started with distribution of Curriculum Guides, Course Selection Forms, and Personalized Education Plans in Advisory Groups. In the weeks following, Advisory Group leaders will work with students to complete their course selection form and to update their Personalized Education Plan. Parents are also encouraged to work with their students-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 the Advisory Group leader by mid-February. Be sure to re-enroll for 2012-13 by March 1.  

SAT & ACT 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.

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.

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 should contact the learning support staff to begin the application process.

Senior Presentations

Seniors are currently presenting their morning presentations in their Advisory Group. Later this spring, seniors will be giving their required, formal senior presentation on either March 5, 20 or 29. 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 their K-12 education.

First semester progress

With first semester coming to a close on January 12, it is important for students to stay focused as they begin to finalize projects and prepare for exams. Parents are encouraged to stay in communication with teachers, especially teachers of courses in which students may be at risk of failing. Students and parents are also encouraged to access grading information on Net Classroom.

Second semester

The second semester will begin Tuesday, January 17. Students second semester schedules will be available for them to print out on Net Classroom. Students should bring a printed copy of their schedule to the first day of the new semester on January 17. If students need to request a schedule change after January 17, they need to complete a yellow course change request form and return it to the guidance office. Counselors will attempt to honor as many requests as they can, but they cannot guarantee that every request can be honored. The number of open sections, class sizes, and teacher availability are factors that affect such requests.

Free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) workshops

All seniors applying for college who will apply for financial aid should complete the FAFSA as early as possible after January 1. Filing the forms online is strongly encouraged. Students filing online should apply now for a PIN (Personal Identification Number) at www.pin.ed.gov. Be sure to keep the PIN for future use. Often there are free workshops held to help students and parents complete the FAFSA. Available workshops will be posted on www.pheaa.org.

NCAA clearinghouse for high school athletes

In order to potentially play and participate in athletics in a Division I or Division II college or university, high school student athletes must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse and make sure their high school course selection meets NCAA initial-eligibility standards. Students are encouraged to see the NCAA memo at  

www.lancastermennonite.org/guid/forms for registration steps; they can download the worksheets from the NCAA website. Students also can see their school counselor for a packet of NCAA information.