LHS November Update
November 5, 2026
Click on the picture of Mr. Kaplan for a video version of the newsletter.
Huge congratulations to Coach Cox and our amazing LHS Girls Varsity Cross Country Team for crushing it and bringing home the MHSAA Regional Championship trophy! We are so incredibly proud of them and wish them the absolute best of luck as they head off to run at the State meet! Looking ahead, we want to help our seniors cross their next big finish line: paying for college. Join us for a hands-on FAFSA Night on Tuesday, November 17th at 6:00 PM (Room B108), where we'll serve up free pizza and pop while experts help you tackle the financial aid application—just make sure to fill out the RSVP form ahead of time so we buy enough slices! Beyond graduation prep, your students also have access to awesome new career planning tools through the GISD website and a completely stress-free, application-free college admission pilot program via the Michigan College Access Network. Finally, don't forget to mark your calendars for some big upcoming dates: our hilarious staff Holiday Follies talent show is coming up on December 3rd, our Spring State Testing window will run from April 5–9, 2027, and we will wrap up the year celebrating our students' incredible dedication at the Academic Awards Program on April 27, 2027!
But first- let’s slow down and enjoy the month of November. Take time to be with your family and loved ones and celebrate those moments together with family.
It is an honor serving you and your families each and everyday!
Happy Thanksgiving,
R.J. Kaplan
Co-Principal
810-591-0412
Nov. 5 - NHS Induction Ceremony
Nov. 11 - Veterans Day
Nov. 12 - Loose Senior Dinner
Nov. 17 - FAFSA Parent Meeting 6-7PM
Nov. 19 - Young Women & the Workforce
Nov. 20 - Young Men & the Workforce
Nov. 25-28 - Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 1 - Sr. Pictures Due
Dec. 2 - 1/2 Day Teacher PD
Dec. 3 - Linden faculty Follies
Dec. 9 - Student Council Blood Drive
Dec. 18 State Assessment opt out letter going to parents
Dec.21-Jan 1 - Christmas Break
Jan. 4 - Classes Resume
Girls Varsity Cross Country
Congratulations to Coach Cox, and the LHS Girls Varsity Cross Country Team for winning their MHSAA Regional this past weekend! Good luck at the State meet.
ThE Linden Community Schools Sinking Fund was approved on November 3rd. Our school community is looking forward to the opportunities of bringing the best technology, safest facilities, and best learning environments to our students. Thank you for voting!
FAFSA NIGHT
WHEN: Tuesday, November 17th at 6:00 PM
WHERE: Linden High School, Room B108
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Seniors and parents/guardians who have NOT submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?
- Your child’s Social Security number
- Your spouse’s date of birth and email address, if you’re married
- Tax return documents, including federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned from work
- Records of child support received
- Bank statements and records of investments
- Records of businesses and income-producing farms (if applicable)
Pizza and pop will be provided. If you plan to attend, please complete the following form so we know how many pizzas to buy: https://forms.gle/Ydu8WN2V6i4gLxJz6
If you have any questions, please respond to this email.
Click the link below if you want to get started on the application before the parent meeting on November 17th!
LHS will utilize the following schedule during the State Testing window this Spring:
- Monday, April 5, 2027 - PSAT 9 (all 9th grade students)
- Tuesday, April 6, 2027 - PSAT 10 all 10th grade students
- Wednesday, April 7, 2027 - SAT (all 11th and untested 12th grade students) This year's test no longer includes the essay portion.
- Thursday, April 8, 2027 - WIN Readiness: Wondering what WIN Readiness is? The WIN test itself is new to the state's high school curriculum. Starting in Spring 2026, the WIN Work Readiness Assessment officially replaced the ACT Work Keys exam as the mandatory employability skills component of the Michigan Merit Exam (MME). Because of this switch, many educators and students are transitioning from calling it ACT Work Keys to WIN Readiness. (It is for all 11th and untested 12th grade students). Students will have the opportunity to OPT OUT of the WIN Readiness State assessment with completion, and submission of a waiver. The State issued waiver will be provided to students the week of Christmas Break, and MUST be returned no later than February 28, 2027 if choosing to OPT OUT.
- Friday, April 9, 2027 - MStep (all 11th and untested 12th grade students)
All Spring State testing will be conducted in the Multi-Purpose Building (MPB). We test in the MPB because Michigan requires state testing to take place in a quiet, distraction-free environment under the strict supervision of trained school personnel. To ensure equity and test security, all instructional materials-such as word walls, maps, and mathematical formulas-must be removed or covered prior to the assessment. Additionally, students must be seated to enhance test security, and they are strictly prohibited from accessing personal electronic devices like cell phones or smartwatches. On their designated test day, students will meet at LHS, and be escorted to the MPB beginning at 7:35 am. All testing will begin around approximately 8:00 am.
The Academic Awards Program will take place on Tuesday, April 27, 2027 beginning at 6:30 pm in the LHS Auditorium. The program will recognize the hard work and dedication that our students have demonstrated throughout their academic careers. It is our hope that this combined Academic Awards Program will become a cornerstone of our students academic achievements, and a tradition that future students will strive to attain.
We look forward to sharing in the joy of success, and fostering the spirit of academic excellence that have always been at the heart of Linden High School. Your presence will make the event even more special.
Please save the date, and join us for our Academic Awards Program. Further program details will be shared in the near future. Thank you for your continued support, we are eager to celebrate our students' success.
The Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) launched the website to help Genesee County students plan for careers and college after high school. Information available:
- College and Career Planning
- Interactive Activities
- Network Support
The traditional admissions process can be lengthy and complex for students, requiring months of studying for standardized tests, writing essays, and securing recommendation letters. To help mitigate these barriers, MCAN is implementing a direct admit program for CBMI sites as part of Michigan College Month 2026, powered by Match. Students will create profiles on Match and share their favorite classes, hobbies, and dream job, as well as their grades from the past three years of high school. They also list their university preferences, such as whether they want to stay close to home or explore the world, and what they want to study. Through partnerships with colleges and universities, students can receive nonbinding admission and scholarship offers without submitting a single application.
- No Stress: Student profiles are anonymous to universities until they indicate interest in the university.
- No Applications: Universities send real admission offers to students based on their Match profiles.
- No Rejections: Students are only notified of acceptances, creating a more positive experience.
- No Cost: Match is offered at no cost to students, counselors, and high schools.
- No Sign-Up: CBMI school sites will be automatically added to Match
During the first year of implementation, Match will only be available to CBMI school sites.