LM-Feruary2011 Newsletter

CAT News

Counseling Program Update…

The school year is passing quickly and things at LMHS are going well (other than the bulletin board project I have undertaken that is…but that’s another story). Time is definitely of essence when trying to get everything done while I am here on Monday’s and Thursdays, but it has been enjoyable nonetheless. In December, I really started to make it a point to get into the classrooms on a regular basis. Topics that have been covered thus far include test taking skills & Career Clusters Interest Inventory (7^th & 8^th), value recognition (8^th), Importance of high school GPA & information on the State Scholarship Program (9^th), PLAN testing & Interpretation (10^th), Post-Secondary Planning & tracking progression of graduation and State Scholarship requirements (11^th), and tons of scholarship tips on detecting scams, writing essays, lists of available scholarship programs, and the how to’s of submitting a quality scholarship application (12^th). In the midst of it all, it has been a joy getting to know many of the students here at LMHS and I am looking forward to the months ahead. Please take a look at some of the important upcoming events and dates below and mark your calendars accordingly.

FAFSA-Free Application for Federal Student Aid

·         Priority deadline for ND is March 15 at Midnight—if you want a chance to receive “gift aid” you don’t want to miss this deadline!

·         Make sure to check with the college/university you plan to attend—many have earlier deadlines and missing these will affect your eligibility to receive institutional scholarships, work-study, and grants.

·         For one-on-one help with the FAFSA, and for a chance to win a laptop or a $500 scholarship, attend College Goal Sunday on February 13^th—visit www.collegegoalnd.org for more information and to find the nearest location

·         A Financial Aid Night will be held February 3^rd starting at 6:30pm at Marion School. Junior & Senior parents & students are encouraged to come

February & March Scholarship Opportunities

*** Indicates scholarships open to high school junior & senior applicants

To find out if you qualify for a listed scholarship, for application requirements & application forms… see me or visit the provided websites.

·         Barnes County Soil Conservation District Scholarship—Feb. 1^st Deadline

·         Colonel’s Scholars Program—Feb. 9^th Deadline—www.kfcscholars.org

·         Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative—Feb. 11^th Deadline

·         AXA Achievement Community Scholarship—Feb. 15^th Deadline—www.axa-achievement.com

·         Chevy Scholar Program—Feb. 20^th Deadline—www.chevyscholar.com  ***

·         Dakota Central Telecommunications—Mar. 1^st Deadline—www.daktel.com

·         Ernest Swinney Master Mechanic Scholarship—Mar. 1^st Deadline  ***

·         AgCountry Farm & Credit Services Scholarship Program—Mar. 1^st Deadline—www.agcountry.com
·         U.S.Bank Scholarship Program—Mar. 31^st Deadline—www.usbank.com/scholarship

Cyber Safety & Etiquette Awareness Week

With the help of Mrs. Irey and the Character Counts Group, I am putting together an awareness week to help students learn and understand the importance of keeping themselves safe while online and the impact that issues such as cyber-bullying and sexting can have on themselves and others. This is planned for the week of February 7^th. Here are a few things students can expect throughout the week:

·         A presentation by Mary Sundby on a variety of issues regarding teen internet and cell-phone use

·         If available, a police officer may be present for the presentation to offer another perspective on these  important safety issues

·         An activities fair will follow the presentation to provide hands-on learning experiences about issues presented

·         Q & A’s will be given by classroom teachers throughout the week based on statistics displayed around the school