Nine Mile Falls School District, Welcome!

News from the College/Career/Counseling Center

PRE-REGISTRATION FOR 2008/2009
Students at Lakeside High School will be pre-registering for classes for the 2008-2009 school year March 17th – 21st. It is always our hope that parents will be actively involved in their teen’s course selection. Our updated course description guide is available now on our website. (www.9mile.org/lakeside; Click on the “C/C/C Center” button, then click on the “Course Descriptions” hot link). The guide also includes helpful information regarding required coursework, academic policies, considerations for college-bound students, and the like.

On March 3rd, we mailed home a credit analysis to further assist parents in talking to their children about the classes they plan to request. The credit analysis lists LHS course requirements on the left side of the page and then catalogues the classes each child has actually taken in these categories on the right side of the page. It provides parents with information as to their child’s progress toward graduation. If you haven’t received a credit analysis for each of your high school-aged students by March 7th, please notify Colette at 340-4209 immediately.

ALL LHS REPORT CARDS ARE ONLINE THROUGH PASS
The PASS program will allow you to access midterm and quarter progress reports, as well as semester grades from the comfort of your own home!

When you log into the PASS program, simply click on “Current Marks” and you will see your student’s formal grades, complete with teacher comments. We will update this portion of the PASS program eight times annually: at the end of midterms, quarters, and semesters. We will no longer mail semester grades or have your teen carry home midterm and quarter progress reports.
Those of you that have Internet access, please contact Colette Maus to get set up on the PASS program if you have not already done so. The whole process takes less than five minutes. Colette can be reached at 340-4209 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every week day.

If you do not have Internet access, simply call Colette at the above number and let her know. We will then continue to send quarter and midterm reports home with your teen and mail you the semester grades.
As always, we welcome your comments and concerns. Please let us know if you have ideas on how we can better serve you and your teen.

ACADEMIC ORIENTATION NIGHT
We will also be hosting an academic orientation night for parents of incoming 9th graders on Tuesday, March 11th, at 7:00 p.m. in the LHS library. We encourage parents of all District eighth graders to attend.

DATES TO REMEMBER
MARCH:
10th - 13th: Registration for Running Start and Skills Center
11th: Academic Orientation for all District 8th graders, LHS library at 7 pm
17th-21st: Pre-registration for LHS 2008-09
26th: Midterm progress reports released

SKILLS CENTER AND RUNNING START
Students who are planning to attend the Skills Center or Running Start need to pick up application packets for those programs. They are currently available in the Career Center. We encourage students to talk to Mrs. Kassa if they would like more information and begin the application process as soon as possible. Completed packets are due in the Career Center by March 13th in order for students to pre-register for either of these programs.

2008SUMMER ACADEMY AT THE SKILLS CENTER
The Summer Academy at the Skills Center has openings but is filling quickly. Remember that your teen would be attending 12 full days. The dates for this year’s academy are pending due to snow days taken by School Dist. 81. There is a $35 non-refundable registration fee due when you enroll. Successful completion of a class will result in receiving a .5 elective credit. Classes will be offered in Computer Programming, Computer Graphics, Welding, Cosmetology, Broadcast Media, Veterinary Technology, Criminal Justice, Automotive Collision Repair, Hospitality and Culinary Arts, and Medical Science. See Mrs. Kassa for an application or call 354-7440.

JUNIOR YEAR PRE-COLLEGE CHECKLIST
Spring vacation is an excellent time to make college visits. To plan a college visit, call the admissions office several weeks ahead of time. Explain that you are the parent of a high school junior and that you are interested in setting up a college visit.
Making the most of your college visit.
A. Prepare for your visit by learning as much as you can about the college. Look over their catalog; visit their Web site, etc.
B. Take a tour, noting the cleanliness, atmosphere, and size of the campus. Also note how the students look and act.
C. Meet with an admissions counselor, and if possible, attend a group information session.
D. Sit in on a class, and talk to someone in the department your son or daughter is considering as a major.
E. Visit a dorm, and if possible, eat in one of the student cafeterias. Also, check out the freshman dorm option.
F. Verify the cost of the college.
G. Double check admission requirements. To find out how your son or daughter compares academically, ask what the average GPA and ACT/SAT scores are for incoming freshmen.
H. Pick up a catalog and a campus newspaper.

SENIOR YEAR PRE-COLLEGE CHECKLIST
*Look for your Student Aid Report which contains Federal Pell Grant Program Information.
*Submit tax forms, if requested to the financial aid office. Contact each office to make certain that your application is complete. Find out what else you need to do to establish and maintain your eligibility for financial aid.
* Contact colleges to make sure they’ve received all application materials.
Making Your Final Choice
*By May 1, 2008, you must tell each college that has offered you admission whether you accept or decline their offer.
*Send a deposit to the college you choose.

SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITES
www.freschinfo.com Free scholarship search.
www.collegescholarships.com College Connection-listing free college scholarship information.
www.collegeplan.org/cpnow/pnwguide/pnwguide.htm Pacific Northwest Scholarship Guide.
www.scholarshiphelp.org/index.htm How a scholarship application is evaluated.