The Cardinal Connection

Welcome to the first edition of The Cardinal Connection: Preparing Every Student for Their Future! Our goal is to keep families, students, and staff connected to the comprehensive resources, opportunities, and supports that empower every Cardinal, including our expanded special education and inclusive programs, to thrive.

Each month, we’ll share key updates from the counseling and student services departments, highlight upcoming events, and provide actionable tips for academic growth, personal wellness, and post-secondary planning. Whether your child is navigating daily high school life, utilizing tailored learning supports, or exploring college and career pathways, our team is dedicated to fostering an environment where every student belongs and is fully prepared to be Future Ready.

PUPP

LHS students continue to thrive in our 20-year partnership with PUPP (Princeton University Preparatory Program), a one-of-a-kind, very selective program which offers a 3-year mentorship to our most exceptional freshman every year for college readiness and cultural enrichment. See Mr. D'Angelo for more information.

Hope Squad

Hope Squad is in its 2nd year at LHS and is thriving! Student leaders promote mental health and spread hope to the school community. Thank you students and advisors for all you are doing to start off the school year strong!

The PSAT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is a standardized test for high school students to practice for the SAT, qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program, and connect with colleges and scholarships. It is not required for college admission but provides valuable feedback on a student's readiness for the SAT and identifies areas for improvement. The test assesses skills in Reading and Writing and Math and is co-sponsored by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Please read this letter for important details about actions students and families will need to take prior to test day to ensure a smooth testing experience.

Did you complete the Free and Reduced application yet? Not sure if you are eligible? Learn more on the Genesis parent portal parents.ltps.org

Applying for free and reduced-price school meals isn't just about discounted lunches—it unlocks crucial benefits for your family and your entire school community.

Here is why you should submit your application every school year:

• Direct Family Savings: Approved applications can save your family hundreds of dollars per child on breakfasts and lunches throughout the school year.

• Extra Meal Benefits: Eligibility often qualifies your family for additional support, such as summer meal programs (like Summer EBT) and discounted internet or utility services.

• Waived Fees: Qualifying for free or reduced lunch can lower or waive other school costs, including exam fees (SAT/ACT/AP), college application fees, and fees for sports or extracurricular activities.

• An Annual Requirement: Meal eligibility resets at the start of every school year. Even if you qualified last year, a new application is required to ensure your benefits continue uninterrupted.

Be sure to apply at parents.ltps.org today!

Mercer County Technical Schools (MCTS) is coming to Lawrence High School on October 15th, during resource periods, to present their Shared-Time Programs. Learn about the exciting career-tech options they offer, how to apply, and get your questions answered!

What to Expect:

• Overview of all the shared-time programs available
• Details on application eligibility, timelines, and deadlines at mcts.edu
• Q&A with a MCTS representative

AP Exam Registration

Believe it or not, AP Exam Registration is right around the corner! The registration portal will open on October 3rd at 8:00 AM.

A presentation was emailed to all AP students and families with a step-by-step guide on how to register for your exams. Please take some time to carefully review the instructions, important deadlines, payment schedule, and refund policy.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Ms. Komaniecka or Ms. Peto in the Guidance Office.

Below is the list of Lawrence High School courses that qualify as a dual-enrollment class through our partnership with The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC). This program gives families the option to earn official college credit in addition to the high school credit already being awarded.

Registration will be available starting October 1st. Emails will be sent to all eligible students about each school's program with the registration process, cost, and credits offered.

TCNJ Dual Enrollment Courses

AP Calculus AB

AP Calculus BC

AP African American Studies

AP Microeconomics

AP Macroeconomics

RCBC CAP Courses: (LHS course name followed by the equivalent RCBC course name)

AP 2D Art and Design - ART 110

AP Computer Science A - CSE 135

AP English Language and Composition - ENG 101

AP English Literature and Composition - ENG 102

AP Environmental Science - BIO 130,131

AP European History - HIS 104

AP French - FRE 101,102, 201, 202

AP Mandarin Chinese - CHI 101,102

AP Statistics - MTH 107

AP Spanish - SPA 101,102, 201, 202

AP US Government and Politics - POL 101

AP US History - HIS 101, 102

AP World History - HIS 103

RCBC English 101/102 - ENG 101 and ENG 102

History and Film- CIN 109

Honors Wind Ensemble - MUS 141

Honors Orchestra - MUS 131

Madrigal Honors Choir - MUS 150

You and the Law - CRJ 106

If registration steps are not completed by the deadline, the registration will be abandoned. We do not process any registrations after the deadline has passed. Reach out to your counselor with any questions.

We are looking for students 15 years and up who are interested in being a Big Brother or Big Sister to students at Ben Franklin Elementary School. The time commitment for this program is two Mondays a month from 3:45-4:45 and students must be able to get themselves to BFES for the bimonthly meetings. This is a wonderful and rewarding opportunity that also serves as community service hours! Please click here or on the image below for more information.

You can also reach out to Alexa Gonzalez, school counselor at LHS, at x2625 with questions.

More information and a link to join will be sent closer to the event. This event is geared towards SENIOR parents and families that are actively applying for colleges for next year.

Remember to save this date!

Early-action deadlines are quickly approaching. Please remember to complete the transcript release and transcript request cards and return them to Ms. Flynn in guidance no later than 10 school days prior to the colleges' deadlines.

Only after receiving these cards, can we send universities your official transcript, letters of recommendation, and other information that is essential to complete your applications.

Please contact your school counselor with questions.

Have you checked out the LHS Scholarship Bulletin online?

Students can access the bulletin on their Naviance Account - in the right hand box it will say Click Here to Access the LHS 2026 - 2027 Scholarship Bulletin - this is constantly updated with scholarship options. Revisit to see what new opportunities are available!

https://student.naviance.com/main

College admission representatives continue to make time to meet with our students during the school day, here at LHS. We strongly encourage our college-interested juniors and seniors to take advantage of the opportunity to meet the person who will be reading their application, learn more about the university, and ask questions.

To see the schedule and to sign-up for a college visit, students need to log-in to their Naviance account, click on "Colleges" and then click on "College Visits".

Contact your school counselor if you need help logging into Naviance.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a free online application used to determine a student's eligibility for federal, state, and college financial aid for higher education. It is the largest source of financial aid and can provide access to grants, scholarships, federal work-study programs, and federal student loans. The FAFSA also provides financial aid information to states and colleges to award their own aid packages.

This article talks more about what you will need to complete the FAFSA.

Under P.L.2023, c.25 to receive a high school diploma, a student in the graduating class of 2027 must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA). The FAFSA application opens October 1st at https://studentaid.gov/ This form will give you more insight as to what financial aid is available for your student.

To be exempt from this requirement, you must complete the form attached below:

New Jersey Financial Aid Application Graduation Requirement Waiver Form

View the Junior College Planning Night recording here at this link.

View the slideshow from the evening here at this link.

View the handout from the evening here at this link.