Welcome Sophomore Parents/Guardians! December 7, 2009 Southwest High School

This Evening’s Agenda The Journey for Sophomores registration PLAN test results information. PSAT/NMSQT: College Entrance Tests. Know How To Go: College Access Information The Next Steps: Planning for the Junior Year.

LPS Graduation Requirements Arts: 15 credits Fine Arts: 5 Applied Arts: 5 Fine or Applied Arts: 5 Economics: 5 Economic Perspectives Economics AP Macro Economics Oral Communications: 5 Oral Communications Oral Communications D Technology: 10 Human Behavior: 5 Human Behavior Psychology AP Psychology Sociology Sociology D Families & Crises Health : 2.5 Career Ed: 2.5 PE: 7.5 Science: 20 Geoscience (Earth Science): 5 Physical Science: 5 Life Science (Biology) : 10 Social Sciences: 30 Civics/(D): 5 Geography/(D): 5 Global Studies: 5 World History/(AP): AP Human Geography US History/(AP): 10 Government & Politics/(AP): 5 English: 30 Math: 20 Total Credits: 230

The Journey for Sophomores. 9 th grade: Marked the transition to high school - focusing on academic and social skill development. 10 th grade: Focuses on career exploration, progress toward graduation and future academic planning. Career Education is required for high school graduation. Teachers and counselors provide information and experiences for students.

In Career Education, students research post high school opportunities. Speakers from various career areas as well as vocational/technical schools, the military and colleges/universities come to classes. Career Cruising – Username: southwest - Password: silverhawks Student ID & Computer Password= access Library & internet resources are identified. Counselor led Career Interviews take place.

Where is your student headed? TO THE NEXT LEVEL - POST SECONDARY PLANNING. Students are assigned to counselors who assist them with planning for high school graduation and preparing for their future after high school. Academic, personal/social and career information is provided. A – G: Mrs. WinterSPED/504/ SAT Plans: H – R: Mrs. VolkerMs. Tegeler S – Z: Ms. Lehn

th Grade Registration Registration will be on line. The online registration window will be open from January 26 th at 8am until February 1 st at midnight. Counselors will be available during group registration sessions on January 27 th and 29 th, 2009 from 3:30-6:30 pm on a first come, first served basis.  Planning Guide and registration information are available on the LSW web site home page at lsw.lps.org  Schedules will be available on May 7 th. The deadline for schedule change requests will be Friday, May 15 th.  Please choose your classes wisely as your registration is a contract between you and our school.  Late schedule changes will occur because of misplacements and failures.

Using the PLAN Test to chart your course.

PLAN Test information. PLAN shows strengths and weakness in English, math, reading and science. PLAN shows whether students are on target for college. PLAN matches interests and careers. PLAN helps students prepare for the ACT. More information is available at

PSAT/NMSQT An Indicator of College Readiness Saturday, October 17, 2009 Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test(PSAT). National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). The PSAT is a practice test for the SAT. The Reasoning Test contains Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing Skills sections. Juniors that take the PSAT are eligible for National Merit Scholarship consideration.

Additional PSAT Information The PSAT will be given on Saturday, October 17, Students will receive information at the Fall junior meeting in September. Information will also be available on the LSW web site. Registration will occur at Southwest. The 2008 test fee was $18.00 and could be subject to change in More information and practice questions are available at

Know How to Go College Access Information Be a pain – in a good way. Push yourself and don’t stop. Find the right fit. Put your hands on some cash. More information is available at: KnowHow2GoNebraska.org

Junior Timeline Summer: Begin collecting information on select and Ivy League colleges/ universities. 1 st Semester Early August : Junior Locker Check-out – no schedule changes will be processed - August 21 – First Day for Students in grades September : Fall Junior Student Meeting. Parent Meeting after P/T conferences. October 17 - PSAT October 18 – Lincoln Area College Fair.(tentative) November – Registration for 12 th Grade. December - College Financial Aid Meeting.

Junior Timeline 2 nd Semester February: ASVAB Spring Junior Meeting Spring – –College Prep Workshops –College Visits to UNL, Wesleyan, SCC –College Admissions Tests – ACT, SAT, AP Exams All Year – College and Military Representative Visits to LSW

THE NEXT STEPS Read the Counseling Center Newsletters in The Talon. They contain important information for the school year. Check the Counseling Center ’ s website throughout the year for updated information. Mark important school activity dates in your planner or personal calendar.

Grade 11 Counselors A – H: Kelley Winter: H – R: Peggy Volker: S – Z: Joyce Lehn: SPED/504/SAT Plans: Becky Tegeler:

THANK YOU for your time and commitment to your student!