LHS Counseling Weekly Update
Friday Nov. 3, 2023
GREETINGS!
The topics are all listed below, with a link to the pertinent information so that you can quickly scroll through to see if any of the topics pertain to you. There are 3 sections:
- Mental/Physical health support and resources
- Academic/Career information and resources
- Just for Seniors
MENTAL/PHYSICAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND RESOURCES...
- Supporting the Emotional Needs of Kids With Learning Disabilities: Supporting the Emotional Needs of Kids With Learning Disabilities.
- WSD Mental Health Resources Hub: Find a variety of mental health resources available to families in the WSD in our Mental Health Hub
ACADEMIC/CAREER INFORMATION AND RESOURCES...
Counselor Walk-In Appts for students during Soar Time!
Field Trip to State Technical College of MO
On November 17th, I will be taking 20 LHS students to visit State Tech. State Tech is an AMAZING 2-year Technical College about 2 hours away in Linn, MO. They accept the A+ Program Scholarship, which would cover tuition and standard fees. They have dorms and off-campus housing, as well as student clubs and activities. They have consistently been rated as a top college in the US. State Tech has earned their nickname, "The Employers Choice" with a 99% Job Placement rate. State Tech grads are known for being highly skilled, and are immediately earning high wages upon graduation. Below is a list of the programs they offer. If you are interested in attending, please turn in a signed permission slip ASAP; spots are limited. PROGRAMS:
- Associate of Science in Business (Transfer degree)
- Accounting
- Agriculture Operations
- Automation & Robotics Technology
- Automotive Collision Technology
- Automotive Technology
- Aviation Maintenance
- Biomedical Engineering Technology
- Business Administration
- Civil Construction Technology
- Civil Engineering Technology
- Commercial Turf & Grounds Management
- Computer Application Development
- Computer Networking & Cyber Security
- Dental Assisting Technology
- Diesel Technology – CAT Dealer Service Technician
- Diesel Technology – Heavy Equipment
- Diesel Technology – Truck Digital
- Marketing
- Drafting & Design Engineering Technology
- Electric Power Generation Technology
- Electrical Distribution Systems
- Electrical Technology
- Electronics Engineering Technology
- Energy Technology
- Facilities Operations & Management
- Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning Technology (HVAC)
- Heavy Equipment Operations
- Medical Radiologic Technology
- Nuclear Technology
- Nursing (Practical Nursing Technology)
- Nursing (Associate Degree in Nursing RN)
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Powersports Technology
- Precision Machining Technology
- Utilities Technology
- Welding Technology
Video: Why State Tech?
1/2 Day Career Based Programs: CAPS and Lewis & Clark
Representatives from Lewis & Clark already came (see info below). A CAPS representative will be here in next week. If you'd like to learn more about attending these career-focused programs next school year (see list of programs below), please review the information below and sign up to attend the CAPS informational session:
Lewis & Clark: Priority deadline to apply is December 13th; see Mrs. Gerringer to sign up for a shadow day, if interested.
- L&C Open House flyer (for students and families; pick between 11/16 or 11/20)
- L&C Online Application
- L&C Website
- L&C Promo Video
CAPS:.
- Prospective Student Night for Students and Families Sign-Up
- CAPS Website and Promo Video (on main webpage)
- CAPS Online Application (deadline is 2/25/24)
- Sign up for a CAPS Shadow Day (must use non-WSD device to sign up)
WSD Presents: Exploring Special Programs
Come learn more about all of the student programs offered at WSD:
- Lewis and Clark
- CAPS
- CNA
- Dual Enrollment / Dual Credit
- AP
- Internships
- SCC Welding & MegaTech
ASVAB Test Sign-Ups
On Nobember 14th, we will be offering the ASVAB test to interested students.
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery:
- Provides feedback on both civilian and military careers.
- Students' scores are NOT shared with military recruiters.
- Administered on Nov. 14th, during the school day.
- There is no charge.
- Can be used to qualify for Honors Graduation
Students in grades 10-12 who are interested must sign themselves up to take the test; click here to sign up for the test ASAP. Seats are limited. A parent-signed permission slip (parents can print this out) will be required to take this test.
If you are taking the test for possible military enlistment, you can do some test prep in advance. A great free tool is on Learning Express Library. In the search bar, type ASVAB to access ebooks and practice tests.
College Rep Visits at Liberty
- Click HERE for a current list of colleges who are visiting LHS.
- Before signing up, do some research on whether or not the college is a good fit.
- Click HERE to sign up for a college. Only one college per submission. You must submit a separate sign-up request for EACH COLLEGE.
- You must sign up no later than 2:30 pm on the school day prior to the visit.
- College Reps visiting Liberty in the next two weeks:
Missouri Valley College
Missouri Western State University
Drury University
U.S. Navy
University of Missouri-St Louis
9th and 10th grade
- Work on your GPA (need 2.5 unweighted GPA)
- Work on your attendance (need 95%)
- It's too soon to start your tutoring hours
- You can do Job Shadowing
- Sophomores will get info about tutoring hours 2nd sem
Tutor Training
- Students must attend a one-time training before beginning their hours.
- The training scheduled for Nov 13th has been rescheduled to Monday, Nov 20th.
- Juniors and Seniors can Sign up for A+ Training in Nov or Dec during Red or Blue Soar Time to get started on your hours this year.
11th and 12th grade
Opportunities after attending Tutor Training:
- Chautauqua Application
- Special Opportunities (Evening & Sat events)
- Elementary Classroom tutoring (Instructions on A+ Contact List)
ACT and SAT
ACT (at THS, Holt, or FZW)
Next Test: Dec 9; Deadline to register (w/late fee) Dec. 1
SAT (at LHS)
Next test: Dec 2; Deadline to register (w/late fee) Nov. 21
- Fee waivers available for students on Free/Reduced Lunch
- Colleges have no preference between the two tests
- Some colleges don't require test scores
- Make sure to list LHS as your high school when signing up
ACT/SAT Prep Workshop
The Counseling Department is offering an ACT/SAT Workshop during Nest Time on Thursday, January 18th. This is to equip you with strategies and time-saving tips. You do not need to sign up if you are already in ACT Prep Class. Anyone 10th-12th grade who wants to sign up must fill out THIS FORM by Wednesday, January 17th at 12pm.
Say Hello to Xello
Xello helps students explore post-secondary options, create plans, construct resumes, and plan future course work. Watch this Xello for families video for a program overview, or check out their website: https://xello.world/en/
Xello Lesson #1
Future Xello Lessons
Lesson 2: November 9th-17th
Lesson 3: January 11th-19th
Lesson 4: April 4th -12th
Student Presentations
- LHS 9th grade Fall Meeting
- LHS 10th grade presentation
- LHS 11th grade Slideshow
- WSD Planning for College Event (9th-11th) see WSD College/Career Hub
- See below for Senior presentations
JUST FOR SENIORS...
Planning to graduate with honors?
Click HERE for full information on Academic Honors and Cum Laude Honors. Seniors will get an honors graduation application to fill out in March.
Jostens Meeting
Need interview practice?
Many of you are in the process of submitting college admissions and scholarship applications--congratulations on completing an important step in the process! Another step may be participating in an interview as part of the process for admissions or awarding scholarships. Mentors 4 College has volunteers who will help you prepare for these interviews. Go to mentors4college to sign up to be paired with a volunteer to do mock interviews so you are ready for your official interviews with college personnel. When you fill out the contact form, be sure to indicate that you want to practice interviewing skills.
If you want help with other aspects of the college search and application process, check out the free resources on our website: mentors4college.org
We are happy to help--and it's all free!
FAFSA for 2024-2025
UPDATE: Seniors and parents: while we are waiting for more information about the launch of the new 24-25 FAFSA, you should register for your FSA IDs (this is your secure login and electronic signature for the FAFSA). The FAFSA Hasn't Opened, But You can Already Get Started - article about how to take the first steps to be ready for when the FAFSA opens in December. ((Hint: Students planning to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA can go ahead and create their FSA ID by creating an account at StudentAid.gov)).
The 2024-2025 FAFSA was delayed (due to reformatting of the form). It will open "some time in December." You can read more about the delay and change in format HERE.
** For students who are graduating in December, and planning to begin college in the Spring Term, or for any senior who plans to take college courses next summer, you must submit the 2023-2024 FAFSA which IS open now.
SCC Be Ready
The next step in the process is that I will send your transcripts after 1st semester grades are added (in mid-January). Then, SCC will be here on January 30th to administer their placement tests (for English, Reading, and Math) to students who don't have a high enough ACT score to place them directly into their classes. I will send passes for the students who need to take a placement test that morning.
Who should sign up for the SCC Be Ready Program?
- Seniors planning to attend SCC full time the fall after graduation
- Seniors who want to take 2 courses the summer after graduation and then transfer those credits to other universities (if using A+ Scholarship; this saves @ $4,000)
- Seniors who think of SCC as their "back-up plan"
- Complete application together in October
- SCC comes to LHS in February to administer placement tests
- Field trip to SCC campus in March to learn about programs and services
- SCC Advisors register "Be Ready" students for fall classes in April
- Signing up for Be Ready does not obligate students to attend SCC
College Rep Visits
College Reps come to Liberty to share information with interested students. You can see the list of schools on the calendar on the link below, and then sign-up on the Google Form if you'd like to attend. You must sign up by 2:30 on the school day prior to the visit.
Coming the next 2 weeks:
Missouri Valley College
Missouri Western State University
Drury University
U.S. Navy
University of Missouri-St Louis
Sign-up Link (one college per form submitted)
Scholarships
- Check college websites for competitive Scholarships. Also, are you close to the next tier of automatic/merit scholarships? Keep trying to raise your GPA and ACT/SAT test scores to bump up your scholarship amount; don't leave any money on the table.
- LHS Scholarship Webpage (some scholarships listed are still for last year; they will be updated throughout the year as the organizations send updated information)
- Scholarship Search Websites (create a free account, and get matched to scholarships):
IMPORTANT EVENT: College-bound Senior Seminar - 9/27
In case you missed it, you can find the slideshow presentation from Wednesday's presentation on the WSD College and Career Hub under Parent Event Presentations.
Senior Meeting Recap
You can also read a recap of the content presented at the meeting HERE
Xello Resources:
- To login to your Xello account, find Classlink in the WSD Bookmarks. Once you are on the Classlink page, click on Xello. Then login with your WSD google account.
- How to Request a Transcript (quick guide) (we will begin sending transcripts on 9/15)
- Student Guide for Common App and Xello
- How to Request a Letter of Recommendation in Xello (make sure you are ASKING teachers at least 2 weeks in advance of the deadline; also provide them with a Brag Sheet)
Seniors in the "Driver's Seat"
Seniors, you should be the driving force behind your career exploration, college research, and applications. Your parents should remain actively involved in your decision-making, and are a good resource when you have questions or need guidance. But, it should be YOUR fingers on the keyboards when it comes time to apply for college, scholarships, jobs, tests (ACT, SAT, ASVAB), internships, job shadowing, A+ tutoring, etc. The only way to become responsible is to take responsibility. You can do it, and we are here to help!
I would recommend saving this email; it contains so much information, and you may need to refer to it later. Remember that we are here to answer questions and help you work through the process of planning for life after high school. Let us know how we can serve you.
LHS Counselors
Last names
A-E: Mrs. Alicia Sheffield (aliciasheffield@wsdr4.org)F-K: Mr. Chad Cunningham (chadcunningham@wsdr4.org)
L-R: Mrs. Mary Ellen Riley (maryellenriley@wsdr4.org)
S-Z: Mrs. Paige Blackford (paigeblackford@wsdr4.org)
College/Career/A+ Program: Mrs. Shelley Gerringer (michellegerringer@wsdr4.org)
Educational Support Counselor: Mrs. Collin Miller (collinmiller@wsdr4.org)
Email: chelseamccain@wsdr4.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/wsdr4.org/lhsacademics/home
Phone: (636) 561-0075
Twitter: @lhscounselors3