Class of 2029 - How's 10th Grade!?

Class of 2029,

Just like that, you're already a couple weeks into 10th grade! I hope you've had a great start to the new school year. By now, you know the Lakeland values and routine pretty well—and you're officially one of the upperclassmen! Sophomore year is a great time to get involved, settle into your high school experience, and start thinking about what comes after graduation.

I wanted to reintroduce myself as your school counselor and make sure you know where to find me and some key resources at Lakeland. In this newsletter, you'll find:

• Start of 10th Grade Survey – Take a few minutes to let me know how things are going so far!
• Sept. 18th Student Activities Fair – Learn how you can get involved in our school community.
• Anxiety 101 & Mental Health Resources – Learn more about stress and anxiety, and when it's a good idea to reach out for support.
• How to Meet with Me – Use my scheduling link to add yourself to my calendar if you need anything.

One more reminder: your first quarter grades matter! They can have a big impact on your overall grades for the year and will become part of your high school transcript. Start the year strong, ask for help when you need it, and remember that your teachers and I are here to support you!

Cheers to 10th grade,

Mrs. Wengert

Please click the link below and take a few minutes to complete the 10th Grade Check-in Survey. September is a busy time and I'm focusing a little more on the seniors right now, but I am still very interested to know how this year is going for you! Especially if you just started at CTC, this year feels a lot different than 9th grade.

On September 18th, Lakeland activities and clubs will have tables set up in the Commons to tell you about what they do, and they'll be actively recruiting new members for the year! *Note: The list below is a prediction based on which clubs/activities had a table at last year's fair.

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)

Student Council

Aevidum

Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS)

Drill Team

National Honor Society (NHS)

Chess Club

Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)

Academic Team

Yearbook

Reading Team

Unified Tribe

Getting involved in clubs and activities is not only a great way to feel more connected to our school community, but it is also a great way to build your resume. When you apply to colleges as a senior, college applications will ask you to list the activities, clubs, and sports you were involved in and what kinds of leadership roles, if any, you held.

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns among adolescents. Understanding how common it is can help students and families recognize when it may be time to seek support.

• How common is it? According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), about 1 in 3 adolescents (31.9%) ages 13–18 experience an anxiety disorder at some point. About 8–11% experience an anxiety disorder that causes significant impairment.
• Differences by gender: Anxiety disorders are more commonly reported among adolescent females than males. Data estimate lifetime prevalence at approximately 38% among females compared with 26% among males.
• Anxiety can change with age: Anxiety symptoms and disorders can become more common during adolescence, particularly as young people navigate increasing academic, social, and personal pressures. (You're navigating a lot!)

Important takeaway: Anxiety is common, and experiencing anxiety does not mean a student is "broken" or that something is wrong with them. When anxiety begins interfering with school, relationships, sleep, activities, or daily life, reaching out for support can make a meaningful difference.

No matter what our students are experiencing—at home, in relationships, in the classroom, or elsewhere—the school counseling office is always open. Supporting students’ mental health and social-emotional development is a central part of our work, as these are closely connected to academic success and college and career readiness.

When a student would benefit from more consistent, long-term support, we encourage connecting with a community-based counselor. Please follow the link below to our Lakeland School Counseling webpage about where you can find school- and community-based mental health resources.

I serve 8th, 10th, and 12th grade this year, and I'm going to be honest, the seniors will take up a lot of my time and bandwidth! However, I am your school counselor too and I am more than happy to meet. You can schedule a meeting with me in any of the ways below:

• Click on the scheduling link below (I'll pull you from class for 15 mins. at a time of your preference. Please be mindful of missing assessments and core classes, etc.!)
• Talk to Mrs. Davis in the Counseling Office
• Email me! ewengert@lakelandsd.org

Sophomore year matters more than you might think. While there's still plenty of time before graduation, the habits you build this year can set you up for a strong junior year and beyond. Use this year to challenge yourself, get involved, explore your interests, and figure out what you're capable of.

There will be busier days and new challenges, but remember that every big goal is reached one small step at a time. Stay curious, ask questions, seek help when you need it, and make this year count.

You've got this!

Mrs. Wengert

Mrs. Wengert - ewengert@lakelandsd.org

Classes of 2027, 2029 & 2031

Make an appointment with Mrs. Wengert

Mrs. deQuevedo - ddequevedo@lakelandsd.org

Classes of 2028, 2030 & 2032

Make an appointment with Mrs. deQuevedo

Website: http://counselingatlakeland.weebly.com/
Location: 1355 Lakeland Drive, Jermyn, PA, United States
Phone: 570-254-9485
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lhscounselors/