HS Guidance Office Notes

Guidance staff responsibilities:

We are excited about the new structure that is being implemented in the guidance office this year. The student body has been divided up and assigned to one of four school counselors. Each counselor will build relationship with and walk alongside their students during their time at LMS. Below are other responsibilities for which each school counselor is taking leadership. For more information, please contact Mrs. Chris Grosh in the guidance office at ext. 315.

• Kirk Benner: Communication Coordinator, Master Schedule Facilitator, Group Testing Leader
• Dorcas Lehman: Campus Pastor, Special Services Coordinator, Advisory Group Facilitator, Chapel Planner
• Stacy Shenk: Middle School and High School Counselor, Career and Technology Center Coordinator, HACC Coordinator
• Lois Whitcraft: High School Counselor, Support Group Coordinator, PALS Leader, Learning Support Counselor

College Admissions Testing:

For dates and testing sites for upcoming SAT and ACT tests, please visit www.collegeboard.com. Lancaster Mennonite does not administer SAT and ACT tests. Students register to take the tests at local schools near their home. We recommend that college bound students take the SAT or ACT in the spring of their junior year and again in the fall of their senior year. Colleges generally give students the benefit of their highest scores, whether they are the most recent ones or not.

High school testing day:

The following tests will be given on October 15:

Grade 9—Terra Nova measures the student’s level of development in key academic areas (reading/language arts, math, science and social studies).

Grade 10—PLAN is 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.

Grade 11—PSAT/NMSQT is a shortened form of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Students need to register in advance in Advisory Groups for this test and will be expected to pay $13.00 on the morning of the test.

For each of these tests students will receive an information bulletin one or two weeks before the test date. Parents are encouraged to review the information in these bulletins. Score reports for all these tests are given to students in December and January.

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. Students are encouraged to look at the extensive schedule of colleges and universities that are planning on visiting LMS in the next few months. This schedule is posted on the bulletin board outside the guidance office.

Tips for seniors planning for college fall of 2009:

• Take the SAT or ACT in October, November or December.
• Visit colleges and speak to college reps who visit LMH from now through December.
• Send college applications during October, November and December—before Christmas is strongly recommended. During the application process, please 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.

You may request Mrs. Grosh in the guidance office to send transcripts at least 10 days before they need to be sent. A Transcript Release Form needs to be filled out with both student and parent signature. A form can be picked up in the guidance office or downloaded online at the forms section of the website.

In a September 3 class meeting all seniors were given packets of information regarding transcripts and college applications. The packet includes a paper to be completed by parents, to be returned to the student’s adviser.

Web sites available with career, college and financial aid information for seniors and parents.

• www.collegeboard.org—comprehensive info on SAT, colleges and financial aid; includes a helpful parents’ page.
• www.act.org—comprehensive info on ACT, colleges and financial aid.
• www.educationplanner.org—comprehensive info on careers and colleges.
• www.careercruising.org (user name: lmhs; password: careers)—excellent career information.
• www.fastweb.com—general college and financial info.
• www.campuschamps.com—info for student athletes.
• www.schoolsoup.com—extensive database of scholarship information.

Mennonite College Day
We encourage students to consider opportunities available at Eastern Mennonite University, Bluffton University, Bethel, Goshen, Canadian Mennonite and Hesston College. Representatives from these schools will be on our campus for Mennonite College Day on Thursday, October 16, to meet with prospective students and/or parents. To schedule an appointment, call Mrs. Chris Grosh at ext. 315.

College Fair

There will be a College Fair at Conestoga Valley High School on Monday, November 3, 6:30–8:30 pm. This will be a time to meet and interact with college representatives from over 200 colleges and universities.