2005-2006 SENIORS - Class of 2006

2007-2008 SENIORS - Class of 2008

Summer Newsletter Mr. Welch, Counselor E-mail: twelch@fvlhs.org

An electronic copy of this newsletter is available on the main page of the Guidance link in the FVL web site (www.fvlhs.org).

One More Year! Your senior year is key to helping you develop your professional goals. Finalize your planning now:

Talk to your counselor about course requirements for completing high school preparation.
Visit the Career Center to explore career options, and learn more about the skills you should develop during your senior year. Next year, instead of sitting bored during study hall, view some of the videos or look over the excellent books or college materials available to you.
Explore opportunities for career-focused academic activities such as job-shadowing, internships, part-time jobs and co-ops.

TENTATIVE DAILY SCHEDULES FOR 2007-2008 Along with this newsletter, you are receiving a tentative copy of your daily schedule for next near. “Tentative" means that changes may still be made regarding assigned courses and the daily schedule. IF THE WORD CONFLICT IS WRITTEN ON YOUR SCHEDULE, YOU SHOULD CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY. A change in your schedule will need to be made. Other changes may need to be made based on final grades you earn in such classes as math, foreign language, and English. Failed required courses must be retaken and will likely change this schedule. Prerequisites must be fulfilled in some cases before senior courses can be taken.

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION CONCERNING YOUR DAILY SCHEDULE FOR NEXT YEAR, SEE ME THIS WEEK.

The following reasons for changing your class schedule probably won't "cut it":

To have periods 1 or 8 changed to have a study hall for personal reasons.
To change to a different teacher who is teaching the same course or section of a course.
To be in a class with specific friends.

Summer School Are you going to pass all your courses? I hope so, too. If you think you may need to re-take a course (especially in math or English), perhaps summer school is your best option. If you pass the summer course, you'll earn non-GPA credit. Or you may take an enrichment course. Please see me as soon as possible for information. The Fox Valley Summer School Consortium (www.aasd.k12.wi.us/sumschool) runs from June 11 – June 29, for Semester 1 and July 9 - July 27, for Semester 2. Class hours are usually from 7:45 AM to 11:45 A.M. daily. Summer school dates and times for other school districts may differ. Please check the Guidance office for details or the website. Go to www.fvlhs.org, click on "Guidance" then "Summer School and Other Coursework." Registration deadlines vary among school districts. Attendance is mandatory for receiving credit.

Cocurricular Ineligibility Alert If you receive a Cocurricular Ineligibility Alert form with your report card, follow the instructions carefully and meet all deadlines. This is especially important if you are involved with cocurricular activities from June 4 through the first weeks of school next fall. Ineligibility status determined after Semester 2 ends continues until Wednesday, October 3, when the Academic Committee for Eligibility (ACE) meets to discuss appeals from Midterm 1 grades next fall. An FAQ sheet regarding academic eligibility for cocurricular activities is attached to this newsletter.

FINAL EXAM SUGGESTIONS:

Know what will be covered and how much the exam will count toward a final course grade.
Study in a quiet place.
Concentrate study times in segments of time 20-60 minutes at a time. Cramming is useful in emergencies; it is not effective for long-term learning.

For an excellent source to assist students in preparing for tests, see any of the following sites. Access all of them from the FVL web site. Click on "Guidance" then "study skills."

Day of Exam

Pray (Ask that your test score and final grade accurately reflect the amount of effort given to the class.)
Prepare yourself with a good night's sleep and a nutritious breakfast.
Bring any needed materials (texts, extra pencils, paper, etc.)
Don't spend too much time on a difficult question. If you don't know the answer, mark the question and come back to it later.

CAUTION!! REGARDING INCOMPLETE WORK (Grade "I" or "F")
Because of the risk of retaking a failed class, late work should be avoided at all costs. After June 8, all courses with INCOMPLETE assignments become a permanent "F." Exceptions will be made only if unusual circumstances exist. If you foresee being unable to meet the requirements for a course, please communicate with your classroom teacher immediately and make every effort to have all course work completed before final exams.

INELIGIBILITY STATUS If you receive a Cocurricular Ineligibility Alert with your report card, follow the instructions carefully. Ineligibility status determined after Semester 2 ends continues until Wednesday, October 4, when the Academic Committee for Eligibility (ACE) meets to discuss appeals from Midterm 1. An FAQ sheet regarding academic eligibility for cocurricular activities is attached to this newsletter.

REPORT CARDS Report cards should be checked over carefully when received in early June. It will contain your cumulative grade point average. Contact the teacher first then your counselor if you have any questions concerning your grade.

HONOR ROLL AND CLASS RANK Honor roll for Semester 2 will be posted by the end of June. Your cumulative class rank will also be available at that time. Honor roll certificates will be available in August or at the beginning of the school year.

GUIDANCE WEBSITE The FVL website contains much useful information some of which is described below. To access it, go to the FVL web site (www.fvlhs.org) and click on "Guidance."

Career Center: Contains links to occupational information, job interviewing guidelines, resume and cover letter tips, job search tools, and more.

Colleges and Universities: Find any two or four-year college/university's home page with links found in this site. Also available are direct links to our Synod's Martin Luther College (MLC) in New Ulm, MN, for teacher and pastoral training, and Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC) in Milwaukee.

Financial Aid: Sources of financial assistance, investment advice, and scholarship information are available here. Valuable information!

Study Skills: (See sites on page one listed under Final Exam Suggestions.)

JUNE ACT TEST RESULTS If you are registered to take the ACT test on June 9, your results will be mailed to you by the middle of July. The first testing in fall will be October 28. Registration deadline for the October test date will be September 21.

SUMMER COLLEGE CAMPUS TOURS You and your parents might wish to check out potential colleges this summer by visiting the college campuses. Such visits are welcome by the colleges. However, appointments are appreciated. A guide for planning your college visit is available in Guidance. Contact personnel and telephone numbers are also available.

CAREERS Want to know what will be the top careers for the next ten years? Pick up this information sheet in Guidance. Don't overlook the rewarding calling of being a teacher/pastor. Talk to one of your teachers or your pastor about their reasons and experiences as a full-time called worker.

AUGUST ORIENTATION August 23, is the date for orientation for next year. Pictures will be taken, and items will be sold (e.g., locks, planners, etc.)

SUMMER GUIDANCE HOURS On most days this summer, I will be in the Guidance office between 9:00 A.M. and noon. Please call the school 739.4441 to talk or to set up an appointment. Leave a voice mail message for me if I don't answer. Email works, too (twelch@fvlhs.org).

Have an enjoyable summer as you prepare to enjoy your senior year of high school! As thoughts of high school graduation, college and career planning become more of a reality for you with each passing month, consider how the Lord might use you for the good of His kingdom, already now as a student or later in your career.

God bless your summer! Mr. Welch