The Goods from Guidance: Oct. 2021

This newsletter is for you. Every month through this newsletter, we'll be sharing timely information with you about all things guidance : academic planning, college and career preparation, social-emotional wellbeing, bullying prevention, student assistance, standardized testing, and more.

We want to hear from you too! Please share your comments and suggestions related to our communications with you by clicking here. Thank you to those of you who have already provided your feedback. It has been invaluable in the creation of this newsletter!

Please join us for a virtual financial aid workshop on Thursday, October 14, at 7PM and learn about completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The workshop will be presented by Ariel Matos, Associate Director of Graduate Admissions, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://ltps-info.zoom.us/j/3043031823

Meeting ID: 304 303 1823

Find your local number: https://ltps-info.zoom.us/u/acJzGp9Dy6

This is a busy time of year for our seniors and the guidance department. School counselors have been holding senior meetings, revisiting the college application process with students as appropriate, and assisting them with that process or other preparations for their lives after graduation.

If college is in your student's future, check out this college admissions timeline for more information about the process and review this LHS checklists and deadlines document.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Early-action deadlines are quickly approaching. Some are as early as November 1st! Please remember to complete the transcript release and transcript request cards (which are available for pick-up in the guidance office) and return them to Ms. Flynn in guidance ASAP! We do not know where students are applying unless these cards are returned to us. We cannot send universities your transcript, recommendation letters, and other information until we receive these cards. Although we do our best to get information to universities as quickly as possible, we do need a MINIMUM of 10 school days to send the information out. For example, that means we must receive your transcript release and transcript request forms no later than October 18th in order to meet a November 1 deadline.

NJ STRONG

For the past several weeks, we have been in the process of administering the STRONG assessment to students in accordance with orders from the NJ Department of Education. NJ STRONG START math assessments will be administered during the week of October 18th, the final week of this testing cycle.

PSAT

The PSAT will be administered to students in grades 10 and 11 on Wednesday, October 13th, free of charge, as part of their regular school day. Alternate activities are planned for 9th and 12th grade students. College-bound seniors are encouraged to use the time to tour a college campus (in-person or virtually).

SAT/ACT

Taking the SAT and/or ACT is recommended for college-bound students during late spring of their junior year and/or early in their senior year. Registration for the SAT or ACT must be completed through the organizations' web sites and is typically done months in advance of the test date. If your student has a 504 plan or an IEP and you believe they qualify for accommodations on these tests, please request information from CollegeBoard (SAT) and/or ACT and let your school counselor know how we can assist you.

Naviance is a resource for all LHS students. It contains timely information about universities that plan to visit LHS, information about scholarships, and much more. Students, please contact your school counselor if you need help signing in.

Attention Juniors and Seniors: Attending a college visit at LHS is a great way to demonstrate interest in a particular university, meet the admissions representative who may be reading your application, and get questions answered. Make sure you sign-up to attend in Naviance.

Additional scholarship opportunities abound! Here are some helpful scholarship resources:

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/grants-scholarships

https://finaid.org/scholarships/

https://www.fastweb.com/

https://www.cappex.com/scholarships

Mr. D’Angelo, our freshman academy counselor will be visiting 9th grade resource periods to provide valuable information about counseling procedures, credit and graduation requirements, athletic eligibility, attendance policies, and our approach to the prevention and treatment of harassment, intimidation and bullying.

The Big Brother/Big Sister program at LTPS is a partnership between LHS, Ben Franklin Elementary School and the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and we are currently seeking LHS students who are interested in becoming Bigs. Bigs act as mentors to their Little, talking to them about school, helping them with their homework, reading together and/or playing games. To be eligible, Bigs must be 15 years old by the end of October 2021, available on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 and have their own transportation to Ben Franklin Elementary School. The application process in already underway however, if you or your child is interested in learning more contact Alexa Gonzalez at agonzalez@ltps.org.

We have created a job board for LHS students and will be updating it regularly as more job opportunities come to our attention. Check it out here. Or go to the LHS homepage and select the "Local Jobs for Students" headline under the "QuickLinks" section.

October 4th through the 8th was the Week of Respect. The newly-formed Community In Action student group got busy brainstorming what it means to be respectful and came up with the idea that in order to give respect you have to have respect for yourself! This year's theme was respect yourself and pay it forward! Some of the activities they designed and implemented are pictured below.

We are happy to assist you. Parents/Guardians, please find your student's counselor in the chart below. Click here to locate their contact information.

Students ONLY, please complete this request form or email your counselor directly.

Website: https://www.ltps.org/Page/1351
Phone: 609-671-5510