Planning Your Next Move… Counselors-Students-Parents Working Together Southwest High School

Moving toward the future… “There you are in your cap and tassel Ready to make the world your castle. It seems just like yesterday You were a kid watching everything I did.” ~ Joanna Fuchs

Moving forward… LPS Graduation Requirements Grad Requirement Report Government & Politics Community service hours Avoid Senioritis Appropriate schedules Stay involved in school/community activities

The Counselor’s role… Conducts individual meetings with seniors Checks seniors’ progress in completing graduation requirements Assist seniors with clarifying goals Provide information about college &/or career planning process

Communication updates… Counseling Center’s web site Handouts from senior meeting Bulletin boards Daily bulletin Auto dialer

Making Post Secondary Decisions is a Process Every student and family will be at a different place at a different time in the process. DO NOT get caught up in the frenzy of what others are saying and doing. Trust that it will be fine in the end.

Preparing for options…  Employment  Military  Two-year college  Academic Transfer  Four-year college Tonight we will be focusing specifically on the college process

The student’s role… Use resources well Bring questions to senior meeting Counseling center resources Computers College guides Scholarship file Counselor web site Check calendar regularly

Register for admissions tests Complete college applications Request teacher recommendations Provide registrar with transcript requests Search & apply for scholarships Work with parents to file financial aid applications by deadlines Student responsibilities…

Resources for seniors… Visit with college reps at LSW & College Fair Participate in college campus visits Attend Open Houses on campuses Conduct scholarship searches Research financial aid opportunities NCAA student-athlete information

Senior year countdown… Fall Retake the ACT &/or SAT Narrow your college selection Complete 3 to 5 college applications Apply for scholarships Update your Activities Resume Winter Prepare for FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Apply for Financial Aid Pin # Complete FAFSA on-line between January 1-March 1 stwww.fafsa.gov Select college Expect acceptance letters Spring Expect Student Aid Report (SAR) Notify college of choice Send final transcript Make housing deposit Summer Apply for student &/or parent loans if needed Attend summer orientation at college of choice

Online assistance… LSW Counseling Center isite.lps.org/rtegel/guidance/index. html Career Cruising username: southwest id: silverhawks National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) er/student/index_student.html ACT SAT FastWeb LPS Scholarships EducationQuest FAFSA Military careers

Suggestions for parents… Believe in your child’s abilities Take an interest in what your child is studying Encourage your child’s academic success Stay in contact with your child’s teachers Promote your child’s participation in school & community activities Plan for your child’s future Develop realistic goals Give your senior responsibility

Parent/Guardian responsibilities… Expect stress as seniors deal with current responsibilities & post-secondary planning Balance supporting & letting go Consult rather than control Explore options that are the “right fit” “Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve.” ~Roger Lewin

Thank you for attending! Post-Secondary Counselors Kelley Winter (A-I) Peggy Volker (J-R) Joyce Lehn (S-Z) Becky Tegeler (SPED/RTI) “If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.” ~Abigail Van Buren ~September 5, 2007