Lower Merion High School Guidance Newsletter …

            Lower Merion High School Guidance Newsletter
                          March-June 2007
                     9/10 office: 610-645-1921
                    11/12 office: 610-645-1838
                      Office fax: 610-645-9625

                                 Lower Merion Counselors

Mr. Dermot Anderson 9/10 ext. 1818         *Mrs. Colleen Miller/Robin Marks ext. 1836
Mrs. Jennifer Engler 9/10 ext. 1841        Mr. Paul Petrillo 11/12 ext. 1844
Mrs. Natalie Kail 9/10 ext. 1848           Mrs. Marsha Rosen 11/12 ext. 1840
Ms. Bridgett Hull 11/12 ext. 1843          Mrs. Barbara Serratore 11/12 ext 1842

*Mrs. Robin Marks will be with us for the entire month of March and Colleen Miller will
be with us from the end of spring break through the end of the school year.

11th and 12th Grade Guidance:

Dates to Remember

SAT's:

Sat. March 10, 2007: 7:30am SAT Reasoning Test, L.M.H.S.
Sat. May 5, 2007: 7:30am SAT tests, L.M.H.S.
Sat. June 2, 2007: 7:30am SAT tests (not offered at L.M.H.S.)

*ACT National Test Dates:

Sat. April 14, 2007, Deadline March 9, 2007, late fee Deadline dates March 10-23, 2007
Sat. June 9, 2007, Deadline May 4, 2007, late fee Deadline dates May 5-18, 2007

Evening Programs:

Thurs. March 15, 2007 7:30-9:00pm Special Needs: College Adm. Night, L.M.H.S
Auditorium
Thurs. March 22, 2007 7:30pm Cash for College: A Senior's Parents Guide to Paying
For College, L.M.H.S. Auditorium
Wed. April 11, 2007 7:30pm College Transition Night, L.M.H.S. Auditorium
Tues. May 1, 2007 6:30-9:00 Mainline College Fair, Villanova University



*Please be sure to register for the ACT Plus Writing test


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Attention Senior Parents:

Penn State University Park Creates Wait List:

        The admissions office at Penn State University Park has notified our Lower
Merion Guidance Department that they will be, for the first time, establishing a Wait List
for admissions. The number of students interested in attending the university is at an all-
time high this year! The University Park Wait List will be limited to high achieving
students who have submitted completed application materials after November 30, which
was Penn State's recommended application filing date, and these students will receive an
informative letter about the Wait List in the coming week.
        The Wait List approach will allow the Penn State undergraduate admissions office
to continue working with the select group of students and keep them under consideration
for University Park if space becomes available. The admissions office will also consider
working with students to find an alternative starting campus within the Penn State
campus system. Placement on the wait list is determined by the Undergraduate
Admissions Office. Students may not request placement on the wait list for University
Park.


Senior Guidance and Transition Experience (G.A.T.E.):

       Beginning the week of March 20th, the counselors will return to the American
Government classes to present our spring semester Transition from High School to
College program to seniors. Some of the topics will include "Rights and Responsibilities
of Turning Eighteen," "Fiscal and Financial Responsibility," "The Difference Between
high School teachers and College Professors," and "When to Call Home."

Graduation:

The Commencement ceremonies for Lower Merion High School will be held on June
6th, 2007; 7pm at Villanova University. This is a change from LM's originally
scheduled date of June 7, 2007.

Important Dates for Seniors:

March 16, 2007 - The third quarter ends
May 1st through May 4th - Senior Exams
May 4, 2007 - ends the 4th quarter.
May 5, 2007- Senior Prom



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May 7th through May 18th - A.P. exams
May 7, 2007 ­ Senior Project Start Experiential Phase
May 29, 2007-June 4, 2007 Senior Project Presentations
May 31, 2007 ­ Senior Brunch
June 5, 2007- Senior Awards Assembly 8:00am and Senior Picnic 9:30am
June 6, 2007 ­ Graduation, 7pm, at Villanova University

Scholarships: (Please see Mrs. Campli for an application for the following scholarships)

Lower Merion Township Scholarship- Need-based, must be a graduate from Lower
Merion School District. The Deadline has been extended from February 15, 2007, but
please apply ASAP!

Edward H. Snow Memorial Scholarship ­ Need-based, 4-5 scholarships. Open to any
deserving student planning to attend an accredited college. Students must apply for the
Lower Merion Township Scholarship in order to qualify.

Esther Poncz Memorial Scholarship ­ A $3,000 one-time, scholarship for a college-
bound senior at LMHS with outstanding academic and personal achievements. The ideal
male or female candidate will have demonstrated school spirit, a sense of humor, and a
zest for life as exemplified by Esther Elana Poncz. The application is due in the
Guidance Office by April 20, 2007.

The Beverly and Barry Brooks Scholarship Fund ­ There are three scholarships
available in the amount of $3,000.00 based on financial need, academic performance and
participation in school activities and community service. Applications should be
submitted to Mrs. Campli in the guidance office by April 30, 2007.

The Jonathan Bryan Fisher Scholarship Fund ­ This $500.00 scholarship is not based
on academics or popularity, but on consistent kindness and consideration to classmates,
teachers and the community; the deadline date is also April 30, 2007.

Attention Junior Parents:

The 11th Grade Reading and Mathematics PSSA testing will take place on Tuesday
(3/13), Wednesday (3/14), and Thursday (3/15). The 9th, 10th, and 12th Grade students
will have delayed openings on these days. We will follow an abbreviated 8 period (28
minute periods) schedule each day. I will have a complete testing schedule, class
schedule, and assignments by Wednesday (3/7).

Monday - March 12
      Regular day for all grades
Tuesday - March 13
      Grade 9 - Delayed opening - report to school at 10:00 AM
      Grade 10 - Delayed opening - report to school at 10:00 AM
      Grade 11 - Regular start time for PSSA testing ­ 7:30 AM



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      Grade 12 - Delayed opening - report to school at 10:00 AM
Wednesday - March 14
      Grade 9 - Delayed opening - report to school at 10:00 AM
      Grade 10 - Delayed opening - report to school at 10:00 AM
      Grade 11 - Regular start time for PSSA testing ­ 7:30 AM
      Grade 12 - Delayed opening - report to school at 10:00 AM
Thursday - March 15
      Grade 9 - Delayed opening - report to school at 10:00 AM
      Grade 10 - Delayed opening - report to school at 10:00 AM
      Grade 11 - Regular start time for PSSA testing ­ 7:30 AM
      Grade 12 - Delayed opening - report to school at 10:00 AM
Friday - March 16
             Normal day for all grades


Junior G.A.T.E. (Guidance and Transition Experience)

        During the months of February and March, the 11th and 12th grade counselors are
continuing to come into the 11th grade English III classes to give GATE presentations and
talk about preparing for college. The counselors gave each student a "Peterson's Get a
Jump! Your Guide to College and Career Planning" book as a helpful tool, which is the
same book that the counselors use as a teaching aid in the classrooms. The purpose of
beginning this program in the students' junior year is to enable students to have timely
access to pertinent information in order to make informed decisions about colleges,
universities, technical schools, etc. This is accomplished through interpretation of results
of standardized testing, self assessment of strengths, weaknesses, interests, needs; visits
and contacts; and collaboration with parents and counselor.
        During the first and second quarters, the school counselors talked to students
about PSAT, SAT, PSSA, ACT and AP testing, and the introduction of the college search
process. Now that we are in our third quarter, we started talking to students more in
depth about the college selection and application process. We are beginning to show
them how to narrow their college search, compose a personal resume, how and when to
ask teachers to write letters of recommendation, and inform students about the
advantages of going on college visits and how to make the most of them. The counselors
also give each student a junior questionnaire and give their parents/guardians a "brag
sheet to complete. These questionnaires allow the counselors to gain a more personal and
better understanding of each student when they write their recommendations.
        When discussing post-secondary plans, the process can become very
overwhelming for students. There are so many things that they need to think about during
their 11th and 12th grade years. The LM GATE program is designated to help guide
students through this important transition.
        We continue to encourage parents and students to meet individually with their
guidance counselors. If you have not already done so, please make an appointment
through Mrs. Campli at 610-645-1838. This meeting should take place during the
student's free or lunch period if at all possible.




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Attention Freshman and Sophomore Parents:

       On March 21, 2007 there will be a field trip to the Center for Technical Studies.
       Students who are interested need to see their guidance counselor to get a
       permission form. For detailed information about various programs offered log on
       to: http://mciunix.mciu.k12.pa.us/~mcavtweb/

       This spring semester, the 11/12th grade guidance counselors will meet with the
       sophomores in small groups to introduce themselves and explain the Junior
       G.A.T.E. program and other expectations and requirements for junior year.

   Alphabetical Counselor Assignments for 2007-2008:

   Ms. Hull:                         Abrahams       --     Eisenberg
   Mrs. Rosen:                       Eisenhard      --     Irving
   Mrs. Miller:                      Medina         --     Segal
   Mrs. Serratore:                   Jacobs         --     McKnight
   Mr. Petrillo:                     Seitel          --    Zucker


Reminders:

All change requests for courses next year must be submitted by June 1, 2007. Please
provide a signed letter with necessary changes to your child's counselor.

Summer School:

The 2007 brochure is now on-line and available on the websites of all four secondary
schools. Registration is from April 9th ­ April 27, 2007, please contact the guidance
office for an application

Summer Planning:

It is very important and advisable to plan a productive summer. The Guidance Office has
information regarding college summer programs, travel and study experiences, etc. Most
colleges have summer courses as well as special programs available for high school
students. It is also a good idea to gain experience in areas of interest through summer
employment and/or community service.


Have a great remainder of the school year and enjoy your summer!




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