LHS Counseling Weekly Update

In an effort to be more efficient in how we disseminate information from the Counseling Office, we will be sending out weekly emails with any important and timely information. BOTH STUDENTS AND PARENTS are receiving these newsletters. Parents: please encourage your child to read these messages, and take any appropriate action themselves. It is developmentally appropriate to get high schoolers in the "driver's seat" when it comes to tending to their academic, career, and emotional needs.

The topics are all listed below, with a link to the pertinent information so that you can quickly scroll through to see if any of the topics pertain to you. There are 3 sections:

• Mental/Physical health support and resources
• Academic/Career information and resources
• Just for Seniors

• How to Support Kids Who Are Lonely
• WSD Mental Health Resources Hub: Find a variety of mental health resources available to families in the WSD in our Mental Health Hub.

Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors are able to sign up for college rep visits to Liberty. There are already OVER 20 schools coming for a visit!

• Click HERE for a current list of colleges who are visiting LHS.
• Before signing up, do some research on whether or not the college is a good fit.
• Click HERE to sign up for a college. Only one college per submission. You must submit a separate sign-up request for EACH COLLEGE.
• You must sign up no later than 2:30 on the school day prior to the visit.

Upcoming Visits:

• Kansas State University - 3/12
• Webster University - 4/15

About 120 students took advantage of this awesome opportunity. We had reps from 20 colleges who shared information with these students and then visited with the students in a college fair. Below are some photos from the event.

On April 30th, Liberty will be participating in the "Build My Future" Construction Career Showcase. Build My Future is a one day, interactive, construction career day targeting students in the 9th - 12th grades. Build My Future is an opportunity for students to get their hands dirty and to explore a wide variety of career opportunities in the construction industry. Check out this video to learn more. Spots are limited, and students will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to attend, fill out permission form and return to Mrs. Gomillion in the Student Center NO LATER THAN MARCH 23rd.

The Missouri Rotary Youth Leadership Academy is a 4-day, 3-night leadership academy for diverse incoming high school sophomores, juniors and seniors who exhibit a desire for community service. The curriculum is designed to identify and enhance the qualities of servant leadership. Tuition is paid by the Wentzville Rotary Club.

RYLA Academy Dates:

• Session 1 — Sunday, June 22, 2025 - Wednesday, June 25, 2025
• Session 2 — Sunday, July 13, 2025 - Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Applications are due on April 15th.

Check out the list of Outside Experiences, many of which happen during the summer. Some have application deadlines and many have fees associated. As always, do your homework before spending any money. These experiences are purely for your own personal enrichment. Generally, these types of experiences would NOT be considered for college admissions or scholarship consideration.

WSD offers juniors and seniors several options to get out of our building and participate in "experiential learning" programs and/or to begin their college-courses early. Instead of just taking random electives, students can take part in programs that will help them check out potential future careers, get real-world experience, create professional connections, and get a head start on their post-high school plans.

Check out the Special Programs that WSD offers (Special Programming Slideshow). Most programs require an application. We are accepting 25-26 school year applications for most programs RIGHT NOW. So, don't delay!!

There will be an informational meeting in early April for Dual Enrollment. Stay tuned for more details about the meeting. Dual enrollment gives juniors and seniors with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher a chance to get started early on "general education" college classes that can be transferred to most universities. Even students who intend to go to a technical college can begin dual enrollment and get a headstart on their courses.

Counselors will update course schedules for students who are selected for special programs and/or sign up for dual enrollment in late spring or summer.

Special Programs provide content in the following areas:

• Building Trades/Carpentry
• Electrical Trades
• HVAC
• Brick and Stone Masonry
• Welding
• Precision Machining
• Power Equipment Technology (small engine repair)
• Computer Information Systems and Cybersecurity
• Health Professions
• Law Enforcement
• Early Childhood Education
• Dental Assisting
• Technology Solutions & Creative Media
• Entrepreneurship and Business Solutions
• Certified Nursing Assistant
• Pharmacy Technician Certificate
• Industrial Careers Exploration

If you are interested in a technical career, State Tech is widely known as "The Employers' Choice!" They take the A+ Program Scholarship, are only 2 hours away, and have a 99% job placement rate. They offer programs in:

• Accounting
• Agriculture Operations
• Automation & Robotics Technology
• Automotive Collision Technology
• Automotive Technology
• Aviation Maintenance
• Biomedical Engineering Technology
• Business Administration
• Civil Engineering Technology
• Commercial Turf & Grounds Management
• Computer Application Development
• Computer Networking & Cyber Security
• Dental Assisting Technology
• Diesel Technology – CAT Dealer Service Technician
• Diesel Technology – Heavy Equipment
• Diesel Technology – Truck
• Digital Marketing
• Drafting & Design Engineering Technology
• Electrical Distribution Systems
• Electrical Technology
• Electronics Engineering Technology
• Facilities Operations & Management
• Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning Technology (HVAC)
• Heavy Equipment Operations & Management
• Medical Radiologic Technology
• Nuclear Technology
• Nursing (Practical Nursing Technology)
• Nursing (Associate Degree in Nursing RN)
• Physical Therapist Assistant
• Powersports Technology
• Precision Machining Technology
• Utility Construction
• Welding Technology

** Some colleges do NOT require test scores for admission; do your research. ALL COLLEGES accept either type of test score.**

ACT

• At LHS
• Next Test: April 5
• Deadline to register: March 16

SAT

• At LHS
• Next Test: May 3
• Deadline to register: April 18

10th, 11th & 12th: Sign up for A+ Training for Monday 3/10 during Red Soar Time (1st lunch) to get started on your hours this year.

9th: Keep up your attendance and your GPA this year!

ALL GRADES: You can do up to 12.5 of your A+ Hours through Job Shadowing. Here is the A+ Job Shadowing Form.

Special Tutoring Opportunities:

• Crossroads is having an "Art and Literacy Night" on March 6th. They need A+ tutors to work with students that night. Contact info for sign-ups: jillsmith@wsdr4.org
• Parents as Teachers (PAT) has events for preschool children: babysitting during Parent Group events and "Cruising to Kindergarten" skill building events. Sign up on the PAT A+ Opportunities page.

• DATE & TIME CORRECTION: The WSD STEAM Festival is April 26th from 8:30-1:45. We have opportunities for students to help with the Festival and earn volunteer/A+ hours. Fill out this SIGN UP FORM if you'd like to volunteer from 8:30-10:30 or 10:30-1:45. This time includes set up and clean up. Or, you could volunteer for both parts of the event to earn 5 hours of volunteering.
• Prairie View PTA babysitting and Trivia Night Babysitting; email Lesley Stuart lmstuart19@gmail.com

  Tuesday, Mar 11th 5:50pm-7:30pm PVE PTA Meeting

  Tuesday, Apr 1st 5:50pm-7:30pm PVE PTA Meeting

  Tuesday, May 13th 5:50pm-7:30pm PVE PTA Meeting

• Discovery Ridge PTA babysitting, beginning at 6pm; email Emily Zoellner emilyzoellner@wsdr4.org: April 17, 2024

Each year, local businesses and organizations support WSD Seniors by offering scholarships. We had an informational meeting earlier this week, but very few seniors attended. Please check out the SCHOLARSHIP NEWSLETTER to get the information that was presented, a link to the LHS Scholarship webpage, and a link to the Local Scholarship handout (which includes descriptions and deadlines).

Unofficial transcripts can be downloaded from Xello for the scholarship applications. The error on transcripts has been corrected... TRANSCRIPTS ARE READY FOR DOWNLOAD!

If you would like to be recognized at graduation and get a medal of completion for completing a WSD Pathway, please complete the Survey in your Xello portal BEFORE Spring Break!!

• St. Louis Community College offers SHORT-TERM Career Training Programs. These noncredit courses provide fast-track, concentrated opportunities to upskill and enter in-demand jobs quickly – in three to 36 weeks, depending on the selected program.
• Many programs are eligible for full funding. Students demonstrating need may have an opportunity to gain credentials with little or no out-of-pocket cost.
• View the flyer of upcoming classes or find more details at stlcc.edu/accelerated or call 314-984-7777 with questions.

Please take a moment to double-check your transcript. These are your new 7-semester transcripts that include your first semester grades, with updated GPA and Class Rank. This is the first time we have generated transcripts from Focus. So, we need your help making sure everything looks accurate. They have been loaded into your Xello account. You can view your unofficial transcript in Xello by going to College Planning -- View My Applications -- scroll down to the Transcripts section (just under Important Dates; see image below). There is a link to view your transcript.

MID YEAR REPORTS:

Most colleges do NOT need your mid-year transcript. But, if your schools do, you will need to request them:

• If you applied on the college website, click on "Resend Transcript" in Xello and choose "Midyear Transcript." (College Planning -- View My Applications -- scroll to college in list and click on it -- click on Options)
• If you applied through Common App, please come see Mrs. Gerringer in person. She will need to complete your Common App Mid Year Report, which includes your transcript.
• DO NOT SEND YOUR UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT TO COLLEGES FOR ADMISSION; you must request an official transcript through Xello.

TRANSCRIPTS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS:

Most scholarship applications require you to include a transcript. You will download your 7-semester transcript from Xello to your device and then upload it into your scholarship application.

Come see Mrs. Gerringer. You don't have to figure it out alone! We can discuss some career research resources and come up with strategies to pursue potential careers. The best time to come see me is during Soar Time (lunch).

Follow the steps below to get your 2025-2026 FAFSA submitted ASAP!

If you missed the in-person Cap and Gown ordering, you can still access Josten's order form online:

Use this link: http://thegraduationcenter.com/

• Please enter the state (Missouri), the city (Lake St. Louis) and the school (Liberty High School) to access the ordering information.
• Jostens will not be coming back to Liberty to take orders, so all orders will now have to go through that website.
• Caps and gowns will not be delivered until May and will be handed out at graduation practice.
• Apparel will be mailed directly to you from Jostens.
• Contact Jostens directly at showmetraditions@jostens.com or by calling 573-442-2855.

Last names

A-E: Mrs. Alicia Sheffield (aliciasheffield@wsdr4.org)

F-K: Mr. Chad Cunningham (chadcunningham@wsdr4.org)

L-R: Mrs. Mary Ellen Riley (maryellenriley@wsdr4.org)

S-Z: Mrs. Paige Blackford (paigeblackford@wsdr4.org)

College/Career/A+ Program: Mrs. Shelley Gerringer (michellegerringer@wsdr4.org)

Educational Support Counselor: Mrs. Collin Miller (collinmiller@wsdr4.org)

Website: https://sites.google.com/wsdr4.org/lhsacademics/home
Phone: (636) 561-0075
Twitter: @lhscounselors3