Wheeler High School Guidance Office

Wednesday 12/17/25 Full Day of School

Period 1 FINAL 7:45 - 9:15

Period 2 9:19 - 9:39

Period 3 FINAL 9:43 - 11:13

Period 4 11:17 - 11:37

Period 5 11:41 - 12:01

Lunch 12:01 - 12:45

Period 6 FINAL 12:49 - 2:19

Period 7 2:23 - 2:45

Thursday 12/18/25 Half Day of School

Period 2 FINAL 7:45 - 9:15

Homeroom Resource 9:20 - 9:45

Period 4 FINAL 9:50 - 11:20

Bus Departure 11:30

Students who would like to receive a sack lunch to take home can pick up in the cafeteria

Friday 12/19/25 Half Day of School

Period 5 FINAL 7:45 - 9:15

Homeroom Resource 9:20 - 9:45

Period 7 FINAL 9:50 - 11:20

Bus Departure 11:30

Students who would like to receive a sack lunch to take home can pick up in the cafeteria

It's final exam time and that means it is time to study!

This link is an excellent resource about how to study:

https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/studying-101-study-smarter-not-harder/

This link has a learning style questionnaire that allows you to see what study habits might work best for your learning style.

https://www.educationcorner.com/learning-styles/

Need tips on how to make your study environment more productive?

https://www.scholarsed.com/study-tips-for-the-five-senses/

Do you want to know what you need to get on your final to get an A in the class for the semester?

This grade semester predictor allows you to see what you need on your final to get a particular grade in your class.

You will need your Q1 report card grade percentages and your current grade percentages to enter into this predictor. Click the link below and it will ask you to make a copy of the tool for yourself

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1js8pcrWDVeW0cv2wN6wiiOR5OUYqMX7enJqyBv0Br4k/copy?usp=sharing

The holiday season & shorter periods of ANY sunlight can take a toll on your mental health. Indiana Center for Recovery has some resources in this article that can help if you are feeling the holiday/winter blues.

https://www.treatmentindiana.com/check-in-and-reach-out/?utm_campaign=press_release&utm_medium=media&utm_source=EIN_newswire

The South Shore Indiana chapter of the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) in partnership with Ivy Tech Community College – Valparaiso Campus and local industry sponsors offers a training program that allows students to earn a livable wage as they learn skills in electrical maintenance, mechanical maintenance, robotics, machine tooling, or welding.

In Fall 2026, selected students will:

• Earn while they learn: Work with local employers (e.g., Konrady Plastics, Hitachi, Winndeavor, Michigan City PaperBox, Mikropor, BNutty) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and attend Ivy Tech classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Complete 1,800 hours of paid on-the-job training and 60 college credit hours, leading to an Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Technology.
• Gain skills in electrical and mechanical maintenance, robotics, machine tooling, welding, and employability skills.
• Earn up to 9 industry-recognized certifications (including OSHA, MSSC, and SACA).

Who should apply?
Upcoming or recent high school graduates interested in hands-on technical training and a career in advanced manufacturing.

Important Date:
Application deadline is January 31, 2026.

https://fame-usa.com/fame-program-locations/indiana-fame/south-shore-chapter/

The ALBAT Line Apprenticeship Program Applications are available at https://albat.org/ from January 1 to January 15, 2026. A lineman is a particular type of electrician. Lineman work on power lines or may work at power plants, focusing on lines and generators used for electricity distribution. They install and maintain the overhead distribution and transmission lines that move electrical power from power plants to local consumers such as businesses, homes and factories. Outside Linemen are often climbing poles or working in bucket trucks, installing or repairing electrical power lines out-of-doors.

Applicants must be 18.

High School Transcript is needed showing proof of graduation.

A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) A License or Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) A Permit must be valid at the time of application and interview.

Are you interested in taking career focused classes with the Porter Country Career & Technical Center? Current 10th and 11th grade students: The Porter County Career & Technical Center CTE Program Applications for the 2026-2027 school year is OPEN! The priority deadline to be considered for your first choice program is February 2, 2026. Students who are currently in career center courses and plan to return next year need to fill out the application by December 5, 2025. You can browse programs here: https://pccte.org/programs/

Fill out your application here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0yjVHmK5nu-_zMwJp9sunAeQh23FUJE4Ichvpe9gQty4u6g/viewform

The last Open House date is January 22, 2026, 5:30 pm to 7 pm. Students and parents should plan on visiting if a student is applying!!! Open House schedule is available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RGBR1clINEUdPejlUpoaYvD345lTs8lz/view

The Grand Lodge Knights of Pythias will select 35 recipients across Indiana in the Class of 2026 for $1,000 awards. The deadline to submit your application is January 31, 2026. GPA of 3.0 is required. There are two essays required that are 600 words are less. Topics are

Essay 1: What are your goals after Graduation?

Essay 2: Why do you think you need Financial Assistance?

The application can be found at: https://form.jotform.com/242393117788062

Share your college admission offers, military signings, post high school career offers, and apprenticeship acceptance here!

https://forms.gle/B8Ku8GudbtVnChYw8

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that can be prepared annually by current and prospective college students (undergraduate and graduate) in the United States to determine their eligibility for student financial aid. The FAFSA calculates what a student will qualify for in grants (money that does not have to be repaid), loans (money that does have to be repaid), and scholarship. Some colleges require students who qualify for scholarship money to fill out a FAFSA even if the family would not qualify for additional financial aid. High school seniors are required to file the FAFSA or actively opt out per state law (see FAFSA Requirement and Waiver) It is highly encouraged that all senior students fill out a FAFSA regardless of what the student plans to do after high school at this time. Plans can change and a student might decide to take college courses at the last minute. If no FAFSA has been filed for that academic year then the student will not receive financial aid to assist in paying for coursework. Past students have enlisted in the military and then been injured in boot camp and unable to finish so then decided to pursue college coursework. Students have planned on joining apprenticeship programs but then were not selected after the interview process and needed to change plans. Students have decided to go into the workforce but discovered that more training was needed to get a higher paying job. Filing a FAFSA does not commit a student and their family to taking out student loans. The FAFSA just allows a student to have funding reserved if they should decide to pursue college coursework.

Once you submit your college applications you need to check the email you used to apply OFTEN. The primary way colleges will contact you is the email you provide. You should have used a personal email address for your college applications. If you used your school email you can update your email address by contacting the admissions office of the college.

*Each college you applied to will email you instructions to set up your portal. You will be able to see your application status, financial aid status, and next steps in each college portal.

*File your FAFSA! See info above!!!

*Once you have been offered admission be sure to check the financial aid/scholarship page for each college you applied to. There are scholarship opportunities you can apply for even if you are not committed to the college yet.

*You do not have to commit to a college now. You can wait and get financial aid packages and scholarship awards back before you decide. Commitment typically isn't required until housing contracts are due and orientation days are scheduled. Check your portals for due dates on housing, official admissions offers acceptance steps, required placement testing instructions, and orientation dates.

*Tell us where you've been accepted! Share your college admission offers, military signings, post high school career offers, and apprenticeship acceptance here!

https://forms.gle/B8Ku8GudbtVnChYw8

• Colleges award merit scholarships based off of your transcript and test scores when you apply. You are considered automatically for these scholarships. Most colleges have a scholarship consideration deadline of November 1.
• Once you have been offered admission to a college then you can search the financial aid page on the college’s website for other scholarship opportunities. Some are related to majors.
• National Scholarship Searches: You can use any of these but I would only use 1 or 2 of these since they pull from the same pool of scholarships. There’s a list at this link 10 Sites to Kick Off Your Scholarship Search | Paying for College
• College Board Opportunity Scholarships: Deadline February of your senior year https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/bigfuture-scholarships
• Local scholarships that are advertised through our school are posted in the Class of 2026 Canvas page and on the Guidance Board in main hall. It’s a little slow in the fall but there will be more January through March.

Legacy Foundation’s Universal Scholarship Application is now open. Applications must be SUBMITTED by January 15, 2026.

Students can check out the website & apply here: https://legacyfdn.org/scholarships/apply-for-scholarships/ With one online application, students can apply to all scholarships for which they meet the eligibility requirements. The Legacy Universal Scholarship application asks specifics questions regarding the eligibility for each of the scholarships. The system will automatically determine which scholarships they qualify for. You can view the Scholarship Booklet HERE which details eligibility requirements for each scholarship.

ANY MAJOR and ANY COLLEGE!

• The John W. Anderson Foundation Scholarship - One (1) scholarship to a Porter County senior for $10,000 a year ($40,000 total)
• Peoples Bank Scholarship – Two (2) $1000 awards, One (1) $500 award
• Schrage Family Enrichment Scholarship – One (1) $2000 award
• Crossroads Chamber Scholarship – Three (3) $1000 awards

Major - Specific Scholarships

• Dream Catcher Scholarship - senior who will be studying the STEM Field (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) – $3000 renewable ($12,000 total)
• Arts & Music Scholarships- minimum award of $1000
• Scott Campion Special Education Teacher – student who wants to become Special Education teacher – one (1) renewable for $4,000 ($16,000 total)

Tutoring will run from 2:45–3:15 PM, with scheduling based on their availability. Volunteers can earn service hours and receive a letter of recommendation. There is a call out meeting on October 20, 2025 at 2:45 pm in the middle school commons. It will be a short meeting! Contact Mr. Hanaway with questions at ahanaway@union.k12.in.us

Join the Band app to get announcements, events, and schedule for tutoring!

https://band.us/n/a2a6b8N6Q03fI

WeBuildNWI.com is a resource for students interested in union trade careers. This website links to all the union apprenticeship programs so you can check out application dates and deadlines, union trade descriptions, and program requirements. Did you know many of the apprenticeship programs offer an associate's degree from Ivy Tech in partnership with your training?? You can walk out of your apprenticeship program as a trained union worker WITH a degree!

Student athletes who are interested in playing their sport in college must register with the athletic eligibility association that governs that school. NCAA would like their prospective athletes registered by the end of junior year at the latest. NAIA is more flexible with registration. Many students wait until they are sure they are playing for an NAIA school before they register.

NCAA: Register Cost $100 The NCAA has very specific academic eligibility requirements based on what division you plan to play in. Please see the Academic Eligibility Brochure

NAIA: Register Cost $100 Students with a 2.3 GPA are eligible or must meet 2 of these 3 requirements:

• 2.0 GPA
• Class rank top 50%
• 970 SAT score or 18 ACT score

Your student can submit athletic interest forms or prospective athlete questionnaires to colleges they would like to play for. This gets your students name out to the coaches for the programs.

You can find these forms by visiting the college's athletic page and entering Prospective Athlete or Interest Form in the search bar. These forms can sometimes be hard to find so reach out if you have trouble!

Exploring Engineering at Purdue October 20, 2025 Program for high school juniors, seniors, and their parents

Introduce Engineering Day at Purdue February 21, 2026 Program for 9th & 10th grade students interested in careers in Engineering

Purdue University Youth Programs

Purdue Summer Courses for High School Students Application is open & due in December

Boiler Vet Camp

Seminar for Top Engineering Prospects (STEP) Purdue This program is for the summer between junior and senior year. Application will open in January

Saturday Morning Astrophysics from Purdue Learn about astrophysics topics from home!

Purdue University Northwest Summer Camps This list will update in the spring

IUN Arts on Campus IUN hosts art shows and theatre productions. Upcoming events are listed here

Valparaiso University Summer Camps Camps for youth and high school students

Rice University Precollege Program for students age 13 & up

Dartmouth Precollege Online Program for students age 13 & up

Notre Dame Pre-College Online Program for students age 13 & up

Summer Scholars | Office of Pre-College Programs | University of Notre Dame On-campus courses for current sophomores & juniors