From The Counseling Department
Monthly Update - October 2026
Senior Meetings
Senior Meetings are starting! The 12th grade school counselors visited Senior English Classrooms the last week of September to present important information. During that presentation, students were asked to sign up for their individual senior meeting through their counselor's booking link. Senior Meetings will include a transcript review with a full graduation check and post-graduation plan discussion. School counselors will offer support to students as they finalize their post-graduation plans. Senior Meetings are scheduled for 25 minute blocks and it is the responsibility of the student to show up for their appointment. All appointments should have given the student a confirmation email and a scheduled event on their google calendar. Students will also receive a reminder email one day before their scheduled meeting. If your student has not signed up for their Senior Meeting, please make sure they do so, during a free period in their day, at one of the links below!
Counselors in Sophomore Classrooms
School Counselors will be going into Sophomore English classrooms October 19th - 21st. Students can expect to view a copy of their current high school transcript, learn about graduation requirements, and the various pathways that LHS offers. Students will learn about the Career Tech opportunities and timeline for visits and applications. Counselors will also work on scheduling Sophomore Meetings for students who did not meet their Algebra 1 testing requirements. These meetings will start in early November.
FAFSA Help Night
On Thursday, October 22nd AND Thursday, November 5th at 5pm in cafeteria, LHS will be hosting a Financial Aid Help Night for students and parents. This event is meant to be an information session and a workshop for students to complete their FAFSA, the financial aid application for college. A representative from Ohio University will be in attendance as well to assist with any questions and provide information to students. Students do not need to attend both nights.
If you and your student are planning to attend, please do the following:
1. Register for FAFSA Night using this link.
2. Create FSA IDs for both students and parents 3-5 days before the event in order to be able to access the application that night. Students should plan to attend the October 6th Activity Period FSA ID Help Session to do this. Students must know their social security number to create their FSA ID.
3. Bring your chromebook or personal laptop and writing utensil the night of the event.
4. Know or have access to the student's social security number and personal email for verification.
If your student is not able to attend, they can complete the application on their own, connect with their school counselor, or contact Holly Elick, the College Access Advisor, for assistance. Her email is h_elick@lcsschools.net.
For more information about the October 22nd date and tips, please see the flyer below.
College Visits
School Counselors will be taking four field trips to local college campuses this fall. The four college destinations are Hocking College, Ohio University-Lancaster, Ohio University-Athens, and The Ohio state University-Newark. These organized campus visit field trips are only open to Senior students. Students must sign up and turn in a signed permission slip for each visit. Sign ups are posted in the Class of 2027 Google Classroom and on the LHS Counseling Website.
All visit information and sign ups can also be found on the LHS Counseling Website:
Any student who is planning an individual visit to a college campus will need to fill out the Postsecondary Visit Form, which can be found in the Counseling Office, and must return it to the Attendance Office at least 2 days prior to their absence in order for it to be excused.
SOS Prevention
Lancaster High School is conducting Signs of Suicide (SOS) presentations for students throughout the school year. This is an evidence-based training that teaches teens in grades 9-12 the skills they need to recognize and help their friends with mental health and substance use challenges and crises, as well as how to get ahold of an adult quickly. (This does not tell a student how to diagnose.)
- 9th grade students can expect to receive this information in their Health class during their assigned semester.
- 10th grade students can expect to receive this information in their Financial Literacy class during their assigned semester.
- 11th grade students can expect to receive this information in their Government class this fall.
- 12th grade students can expect to receive this information in their English class this fall.
Extended Opportunity
Although Quarter 1 doesn't end until the end of the month (October 30th), it will be here before you know it. We want to provide you with information about the Extended Opportunity Program that is running from November 16th - December 4th in case your student may benefit.
The LHS Extended Opportunity Program is offered to all students who earned a failing grade (F) on a report card in a core subject area (English, Math, Science, Social Studies). Students who complete the Extended Opportunity session can potentially raise their first quarter grade from an 'F' to a 'D.'
Now, why is this important? One of the requirements for graduation is that students need to earn 21 credits, and many of those earned credits come from core classes. If a student fails a core class, it can impact their eligibility for Career Tech programs and College Prep courses as well as their overall progress toward graduation. Extended Opportunity also allows for students to potentially remediate a core class credit, and do so at a cost of $0.
Extended Opportunity is offered for 15 days (November 16th - December 4th) from 2:45-3:45pm. Students must attend in-person sessions after school for the first five days and they will be completing online assignments and should therefore come with a charged chromebook and headphones/earbuds. Students must complete the required instruction for the core they failed. Content teachers are also available for in-person support.
There is an Extended Opportunity session after Quarter 1, after Quarter 2, and after Quarter 3. Parents or students will be able to enroll by calling (740) 681-7500 (select Main Office option four).
Class of 2027 Ordering Information
If your senior student needs to order their cap and gown or order additional senior items, please use the following link: https://gradmidwest.com/my-account/
If your student is not a senior but you are still interested in viewing information about class rings, jewelry, or jackets, this information is also available at the above link.
Holiday Assistance
The holiday season is just around the corner; if your family would benefit from some assistance with gift giving, please consider reaching out to The Salvation Army! See the flyer below for more details.
Google Classroom
Class of 2027 code to join: qngoucn
Class of 2028 code to join: 25gloav
Class of 2029 code to join: mzf4i52
Class of 2030 code to join: cqbytupk
Upcoming
Here are some upcoming events for October:
- October 15th-16th No School - Fair Break
- October 22nd: FAFSA Help Night
- October 19th-21st: Counselors in Sophomore English Classes
- October 27th & 28th: ACT (must have pre-registered)
- October 27th: Ghoulish Gales!
- October 28th: Gales Grub Fundraiser
- October 29th: PSAT (must have pre-registered)
- October 30th: End of Quarter 1
- October 31st: Halloween Parade During Activity Period
