Governor Walker signed into law a restriction on the use of cell phones by driver's with instructional permits or probationary licences. First-time violators face a fine of $20 to $40. Repeat offenders face fines ranging from $50 to $100.

Notice:  Sophomores and Juniors:  The NCAA Clearinghouse no longer accepts technical Writing as an English course that will make you eligible to play Division I or Division II  athletics in college.  If you aspire to play Division I or II sports in college you need to select other English options.                                      

AP Testing

AP Testing will be conducted in May.  The tests have to be ordered right away in April.  Therefore, tomorrow we will be sending home information on the AP exam with students.  The deadlie for ordering tests will be March 30th. The cost of each AP exam is $87.  If a student orders a test and then decides not to take the test, they will be billed $13 rather than the full $87. The $13 represents our cost for returning an unused test.

If you have questions about your student's prospects for success on the exam, please consult with the AP Teacher.

AP scores range from 1-5, with credit in the UW System being awarded for a grade of 3 or better. However, some UW System schools might require a grade of 4 or 5 to earn credit that counts toward a specific major.  Confused?  Put another way, a grade of 3 will get you at least general academic credit at all UW System schools. If it is a course that counts for your major, it may require a 4 or 5. 

Internet Safety 

Internet safety continues to be a concern. Student Facebook accounts are often not monitored by parents, yet the use of these accounts can often lead to problems for students.  Within the past couple of weeks, I have intervened with a couple of students who posted harrassing content on their accounts that could have resulted in charges by the police. Fortunately for the account owners, the victims did not want charges, rather they wanted the posts removed.  This was handled discreetly. The second issue I have intervened in a couple of times this month is students befriending sexual offenders on the Sexual Offender Registry. This happens when students accept friends that they do not know.  For your information, I will provide three links below.  One will provide access to a 2008 newsletter summarizing internet safety concerns raised by Special Agent eric Szatkowski of the Wisconsin Department of Justice during his presentation at Lancaster High School. The second will be to the Family Watchdog site that allows you look up sexual offenders in communities by zip code.The third will be to a newsletter on cyber-bullying.

Spring Newsletter Updated Dark Side of the Internet    

Family Watchdog 

LHS Newsletter Final 08 Cyberbullying           

 Transcripts

     Updated transcripts are available.  These transcripts include class ranks after first semester.  We are handing out these transcripts to Freshmen and Sophomores this week and will give them to Juniors next week during a presentation on ACT.  Please ask your child to see their copy or you can contact the guidance office for this information.

Career Planning        

  On February 1st and 2nd, Sophomores will be participating in career planning classes provided by the Guidance Department.  Activities will include an interest inventory, career and college searches and an overview of the labor market as a whole.  Sophomores will also be encouraged to Job Shadow throughout their high school careers.  Job Shadowing opportunities are coordinated by the Guidance Department and allow students to see the worksetting and daily requirements of professions in which they have an interest.  

                                                          ACT Test Preparation    

  In early February, I will be going in to American Government classes and talking to juniors about ACT test registration, what to expect on test day and test-taking tips specific to the ACT exam.  I will also provide them with a retired ACT test with the answers in the back.  This will give them a wonderful idea of the types of concepts they will be tested on and give them ample time to do some review.

On April 5th, 2012, LHS teachers will provide a free ACT Test Prep Workshop during the school day for any junior who would like to attend.  Participants will rotate through workshops provided by math, English and science teachers to get reviews and strategies specific to test content areas.

Cyberbullying Presentation

Sgt Deb Reukauf and I will be conducting a joint presentation on Cyberbullying to freshman who did not receive this presentation in the fall.  Our tentative date is February 8th and we are looking at presenting in Computer Basics classes

     College Tours   

Juniors and Seniors are encouraged to tour colleges as part of their college selection process.  If you would like assistance in scheduling a tour, please contact he guidance office.

Academic Success

I recently did a presentation to freshman on Academic Success.  We gave them a "class rank", to show them how they would be ranked based on their first quarter gpas. Note only semester grades count officially so the freshman will not be ranked until after first semester is completed. I did want, however, to give them an idea of what kind of academic start they are off to.  I discussed how semester grades are calculated and gave them some academic tips for success.  I also shared important life skills they have the opportunity to learn in addition to the academic content, skills such as attention to detail, the ability to struggle and succeed, the ability to adjust to your environment, etc.. Lastly, I emphasized that while they are learning, we are also learning about them.  Teachers, employers and community members observe their attendance, their work ethic, their behavior, etc..  These observations matter as these are the people who nominate for awards, hire for jobs, select scholarships etc..  I want students to know that are entering stages of their life in which their choices will have continually greater impacts on their future opportunities.  Click on the link to see the powepoint -- Powerpoint

  Guidance Fall Newsletter

Test-Taking Strategies

Good test-taking strategies are important not only for success in high school, but on high stakes testing that students will take that will affect their future opportunities.  These include the ACT(four year college), TABE or COMPASS (technical colleges) and/or the ASVAB(military).  In a classroom presentation, sophomores were given information on test taking strategies and given an opportunity to practice them on a quiz made up of obscure and made up material.  Yet, each question could be answered correctly by using good test-taking strategies. Click here for more information: Strategies

 Red Flags For College Admissions

College admission's offices evaluate a number of pieces of information on transcripts, including grades, rigor of courses taken, ACT scores, and grade trends. During this evalutation, they look for "red flags" that suggest you may not be a strong candidate for success in college.  Click here for more information: Red Flags

Seniors:  Essays on the UW System admission application are very important as about half of these universities now use the admissions applications for scholarship selections.  Be thoughtful in your responses and edit your writing.

College Visits - Representatives from colleges, universities and trade schools schedule times to meet with interested seniors and juniors throughout the school year.  The current list of representatives have scheduled meetings in the guidance office conference room on the date and at the time set out below:

                    Northeast IA Comm./NICC   Thursday, November 17 ........ 9:00 a.m.

Free 24/7 Crisis Counseling

Job Shadowing -- Sophomores, juniors and seniors are allowed to job shadow careers in which they have interest. Mrs. Berry in the Guidance Office will make the arrangements. Job Shadowing is a great opportuinity as it allows students to see a fuller picture of a career by spending a half day with someone who does a career they are considering pursuing by seeing the work day atmosphere and job responsibilities as well as the opportunity to talk to an experienced professional about the positives and drawbacks of the profession.  There is no such thing as a bad job shadow!! If students enjoy the experience, terrific!  It reinforces that it is a possible career for the student.  If the student does not like the experience, at least he or she will not spend money on a degree to pursue that career.  Students may job shadow more than once as they narrow their career choices.

                   UW System Online Application:

 www.apply.wisconsin.edu

persons who oversee y 

Upcoming Events

Senior Award's Night

May 17th

7:00

Graduation

May 27th

1:30 pm

ACT

June 9th