WELCOME TO THE LUDLOW HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT

The mission of the Ludlow High School Guidance Department is to encourage the development of each student's academic potential and promote growth in the areas of personal, social, and civic responsibility.

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ATTENTION: Students

GUIDANCE STAFF:

One of the primary purposes of the Guidance Department at Ludlow High School is to provide opportunities for the fullest possible development of each individual student. By means of counseling and testing, the students discover their interest, abilities, and potential, so that they are able to make intelligent decisions throughout their high school careers. Students should review their plans and goals on an ongoing basis and discuss them fully with their parents, teachers, and counselors, so that wisest possible choices are made to meet each individual's needs.

Our guidance staff is trained to help students make proper selections of their course work. In addition, they may assist students in analyzing test results, discussing strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately selecting those courses which best fit their abilities, and future plans. To this end, the counselors are dedicated to help students get the most out of high school, and to ensure that their long-range goals are accessible after graduation. Guidance services include the following:

The Career Center services offered include:

• Career Assessments
• Career Investigation
• Career Speakers
• Job Shadow Experiences (Grades 11 and 12)
• Internships (Grades 11 and 12)

For more information, contact the School-to-Career Coordinator, Mrs. Mathisen, at 589-9001 Ext. 3202/2405

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COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTING AND TEST PREPARATION

The Ludlow High School standardized testing program includes occupational interest inventories that are administered either in group workshops or to individuals for the purpose of career development.

State testing, the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), is mandated in Grade 10.

Most colleges/universities require examinations given by the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) or the American College Testing (ACT) program. The Scholastic Assessment Tests (SAT) are given at Ludlow High School each November and May. The ACT information/registration is available in the Guidance Office, as well as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) registration materials. Registration for this testing may be done through the companies issuing these tests.

All college-bound students should follow this recommended test schedule:

For more information regarding dates, registration,fees and preparation materials related to PSAT's and SAT's please go to www.collegeboard.com

For information regarding the ACT including registration information, dates, fees and preparation materials see www.actstudent.org

Students may also find free online test preparation for the SAT and SAT at www.number2.com

Ludlow High School's CEEB College Board Number is 221-250.

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COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS/GUARDIANS

Parents are informed through progress reports, report cards, and telephone calls of their son's and/or daughter's academic status throughout the school year. All students receive progress reports quarterly in every subject area. Progress reports and report cards are given to each student to bring home. Information noting all progress report and report card dates is posted here.

• Parent-teacher-counselor conferences may be initiated by any of the participants.
• Counselors and Student Support Staff assist in the implementation of Chapter 766 (Special Education) program.
• The Guidance Department publishes information quarterly in the LHS school newsletter to inform the community of testing dates, college representative visits, important academic schedule dates, and other matters of interest.
• The Guidance Department publishes scholarship, college/university open houses, important reminders, workshop information, and other pertinent guidance information on the LHS website - www.ludlowps.org.
• The Guidance Department schedules information sessions for students and parents regarding college planning and financial aid.
• The Guidance Department hosts representatives of colleges, career personnel, and the military.
• The Guidance Department publishes the school profile report annually.

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RECORD MAINTENANCE

The Guidance Department and the Office of Student Support Services keeps a complete academic record for each student. The student record shall consist of the transcript and the temporary record, including all information-recording and computer tapes, microfilm, microfiche, or any other materials-regardless of physical form or characteristics concerning a student that is organized on the basis of the student's name or in a way that such student may be individually identified, and that is kept by the public schools of the Commonwealth.

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COLLEGE PLANNING PROCESS

Colleges prefer a strong academic preparation in high school. A strong academic preparation includes taking challenging college-preparatory courses as well as earning strong grades in those courses.

The student should review the entrance requirements of college choices as early as possible and plan his/her high school program accordingly. The latest catalogs of many colleges, universities, and special schools are available in the Guidance Office and students may order any catalog not on file. Guidance counselors are available to assist students with post-secondary school plans.

Students may wish to write colleges directly for the latest information or search the college web site to obtain information on admissions or to obtain answers to questions not clearly answered in the catalog. Students should not depend entirely upon general requirements or upon the word of others. Changes in admissions policies are numerous and rapid. Students who take a rigorous, challenging program of a minimum of 5 college-preparatory academics each year will be able to compete at selective colleges throughout the country.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

Criteria for College Admission

• Difficulty of the 4-year curriculum
• Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Class rank
• SAT Reasoning Test (and Subject Test) scores
• Application essays
• Extracurricular activities including awards, talents, leadership, sports, clubs, and community service
• Letters of Recommendation
• Interviews (if required or recommended)
• Intangibles--i.e. personal qualities

For more detailed information on Admissions Standards for Massachusetts State Colleges and Universities click here.

STEPS IN THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS

Seniors should do the following in September:

1. Ask your guidance counselor for a letter of recommendation (2-week minimum notice), if you need a recommendation (not all colleges need a counselor letter)
2. Complete A Release of Records Form, if not already returned
3. Request official transcripts after Term 1 Report Card in November. The sign-up sheet is on the Guidance Office counter (2-day notice as minimum is needed)
4. Complete your resume and/or essay, if needed by the college
5. Finalize your college list
6. Males who are 18 years old must sign up for the selective service
7. NCAA Clearinghouse Form completed for student athletes planning to participate in Division 1 or 2 sports
8. Set up a college interview - if possible and if needed

Your guidance counselor sends out the following or will give to the student in sealed school envelopes:

1. The guidance cunselor letter of recommendation only if requested by the student and if
needed by the college, and if requested 2 weeks before college deadline
2. The guidance counselor evaluation form for each college if needed. The student gives this
college form to their guidance counselor from the college application packet at least two
weeks before the college deadline or 2 weeks before the student wants the recommendation
letter.
3. The college’s mid-year report, if needed by the college. The student gives this form to
the guidance counselor from the college application packet.

The student sends out the following:

1. The completed application, either in paper form or online
2. The college application fee
3. The essay and/or resume
4. The supporting documents, including the sealed official high school transcript
5. The SAT and/or ACT scores, sent directly by the testing companies: College Board or ACT

The teacher sends out the following:
1. The teacher letter of recommendation for the student, in a self-addressed stamped envelope provided by the student and given directly to the teacher (unless the teacher gives the recommendation to the student for the student to mail). Students should ask each teacher what the teacher prefers.

Essays

How important is the personal essay in college admission? What do colleges look for? How is it used? Who reads it?

First of all, the essay is important- to you and the college. According to one admission director, “It makes the facts in the student’s folder come alive for us. Because it is the student’s personal statements, no single piece of admission evidence gets as much attention and provokes as much discussion.”

This is the part of the application that you still have control over. The essay is your opportunity to take charge of the information the college receives about you, and to provide information that does not appear in grades, test scores, and other materials. It allows you to reveal your intelligence, talent, sense of humor, enthusiasm, maturity, creativity, expressiveness, sincerity, and writing ability- traits that count in the admission evaluation.

What do Colleges Look For?
Generally speaking, the admission staff will evaluate your application on three levels:
Level 1: Your ability to use standard written English that is correctly written (preferably typed), punctuated, with correct grammar, usage, and syntax.
Level 2: Content, substance, and depth of insight, reflecting your ability to think about yourself and to convey your true feelings or opinions about a topic.
Level 3: Creativity and originality. “It is at this level,” according to a dean of admission, “that students can position themselves as unique- as individuals who would bring a freshness of vision and viewpoint to the college that will enhance the quality of its academic and social life.”

In its essay directions, a college may ask you to do one or more of the following:
• Describe your uniqueness as a person, or tell something about yourself that can’t be learned from the information in your application.
• Discuss something that contributed significantly to your growth.
• Comment on your goals and aspirations and tell how you expect the college to help meet them.
Whatever the topic, the care and attention you give it express the level of your motivation and how much you care about college.

Essay-Writing Tips
Here are a few tips for developing an essay that conveys your personal qualities.
1. Plan your essays during the summer before your senior year, if you can, or early in your senior year. Allow yourself enough time for all the steps below, and write an individual essay for each college.
2. Be sure you understand the college’s topics, directions, and deadlines, and look in its catalog or guidebooks for descriptions of the personal qualities it is looking for.
3. Before you start your essay, jot down your aspiration and how you think the college will help you meet them. Then develop a personal inventory. Make lists of your civic and school activities, your travels, awards, honors, other accomplishments, work experiences, any academic or personal shortcomings, you are trying to overcome, and the personality traits you value about yourself. To focus your essay, develop a one-sentence theme from your inventory.
4. Think about the form you might use to convey your information. Straight prose is fine, but if your theme lends itself to another approach, try it.
5. Now write a draft. Set the draft aside for 24 hours, then read it to spot clichés, triteness, vagueness, dullness, grammatical errors, and misspellings. Is your essay focused on your theme, or does it ramble? It is confusing, or boring? Does the introduction “grab” the reader?
6. Rewrite your essay based on this evaluation and repeat step 5 as often as necessary to sharpen your essay.
7. Ask someone whose opinions you respect to read your essay and give his or her candid impressions. Ask for specifics: Tell me what you think I’m trying to say. How do I come across as a person? What parts confuse you? Where do you need more details? What parts bore you? Tell me the parts you like best. But do not let this person rewrite your essay.
8. If necessary, go back to step 3, 4, or 5. If this draft is the best you can do, polish it by checking again for spelling and grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, inaccurate usage, unnecessary words, or anything else that does not sound right to you. Read your essay out loud to locate the rough spots.
9. A word processed essay attached to your college application is acceptable. Make sure your name and address is on this separate sheet of paper. Proofread for errors.
10. Turn in to your counselor with your college application. Relax. If you have done all of the above, you can be relatively sure your efforts will be noted with appreciation.

STEPS IN THE NCAA ELIGIBILITY PROCESS

• Begin in your freshman year of high school, and check yearly, to make sure that you are taking courses at LHS that have been approved as NCAA eligible courses. Not all courses at LHS qualify.
• To be approved for Division I or Division II, start the Clearinghouse Eligibility process in September of senior year
• Do the process online and follow-up online at the Clearinghouse
web site
• See the charts for eligibility/rules for Division I vs. Division II
• Check again before senior year begins to make sure that you will have the minimum approved LHS classes by NCAA eligibility requirements
• Bring to the LHS Guidance Office the NCAA form requesting that your transcript be sent; do this again at the end of your senior year
• Don’t rule out NAIA or NJCAA scholarships, and look at eligibility requirements for NAIA or NJCAA

For students interested in playing a NCAA sport, here is a link to information for the NCAA Freshman-Eligbility Standards

CAREER EDUCATION

Students should meet with their counselor for complete information. It is never too early to think about their future career possibilities. Several guidance workshops are conducted throughout grades 9, 10 and 11 to help students continue the career exploration process.

Here are some useful links to aid students in career exploration:

Resource to help make career decisions

Explore health and medical career options

Career Information and Reviews provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Outlook Handbook Online

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SCHEDULING

1. Students are assisted in developing a course schedule that meets their needs.
2. The Guidance Director meets with incoming 9th grade parents in an evening workshop at Ludlow High School to discuss offerings. A Program of Studies is given to each 8th grade student prior to scheduling week at the middle school. Grades 9 - 11 will find the Program of Studies at the LHS website.
3. A course selection sheet is distributed to all students in Grades 9-11 in their English classes. Once the course selection sheets have been completed, they are returned to guidance for data entry into the computer.
4. Counselors meet with each student to review and evaluate the student's course selections/schedule. Together they resolve conflicts, make adjustments, and modify programs based on individual preference and needs.

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INSTRUCTIONS TO ALL STUDENTS ELECTING COURSES FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR

A. Students are to use the Program of Studies/course selection sheet to identify the appropriate course selections.

B. Classroom teachers will make recommendations for sequential courses. Parents/students in Grades 9-11 who disagree with the teacher's recommendation, may sign a waiver form to select another course. Waivers are not available to incoming Grade 9 students. Waivers will also not be allowed for Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

C. Students should then fill in the course selection sheet indicating the exact code number for the selected course.

D. Parents and students should sign the completed course selection sheet, which is to be turned into guidance to complete the pre-scheduling process. Parents/Students should make an appointment with the guidance counselor if there is disagreement or concerns about the proposed course selections.

E. STUDENTS/PARENTS/GUARDIANS SHOULD BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL IN SELECTING COURSES. STUDENTS WHO HAVE SELECTED COURSES AND HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED FOR THEM, MUST REMAIN IN THOSE COURSES. IF THE STUDENT'S ABILITY LEVEL AND THE COURSE ARE INCONGRUOUS, THEN THE DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE WILL RENDER A DECISION ABOUT COURSE CHANGE REQUESTS. HOWEVER, ANY COURSE CHANGE REQUEST MUST BE REQUESTED WITHIN 10 SCHOOL DAYS AFTER THE SCHOOL YEAR STARTS. NO COURSE CHANGE WILL OCCUR AFTER QUARTER 1 EXCEPT FOR THOSE SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS WHO HAVE A TEAM MEETING NECESSITATING A COURSE CHANGE OR CHANGES.

F. A counselor will resolve conflict courses with approval from the Director of Guidance.

G. EARLY ENTRANT PROGRAM - The Education Reform Act of 1993 authorized the Early Entrant Program (formerly known as the Dual Enrollment Program) that allows Massachusetts public high school students to take college courses and receive college credits. Individual high schools will determine if high school credit can be given for courses taken. Courses successfully completed through the early entrant program will be counted as honors level courses for class rank computation. Credits will be assigned similar to LHS's awarding of credits. A semester course at LHS is worth 2.5 credits. Semester courses taken in college will be worth 2.5 credits on the LHS transcript.

All tuition and fees for early entrants must be borne by the student/parent/guardian. Students must purchase their own textbooks, study materials, and must provide their own transportation.

Massachusetts public high school students in their junior or senior year who have a GPA of 3.0 or better and/or are approved by the Ludlow High School Guidance Director or Principal are eligible to apply. Parents/guardians must also approve the student's participation.

Students who are interested should discuss the possibility of participating in the Early Entrant Program with their counselors.

H. Students interested in experiencing a vocational/technical program have the option of enrolling in the Career and Technical Education Center (Career TEC) which is provided by the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative in West Springfield or Pathfinder Regional Vocational School. Enrolling at the Career TEC or Pathfinder is part of the process of course selection at Ludlow High School. Students interested in this option should meet with their counselor. Students who attend Career TEC must fulfill all LHS graduation course requirements including physical education.

I. Students interested in a full-time vocational education may apply to Pathfinder Regional Vocational-Technical High School if the vocational program requested is not available at Career TEC. Because funding must be appropriated for students attending Pathfinder, parents/guardians and students need to be aware that application to Pathfinder is time-sensitive. Applications are available from the student's guidance counselor. Final approval to attend Pathfinder is determined by the Ludlow Superintendent of Schools and the Pathfinder Regional Vocational-Technical High School Guidance Director.

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SPECIAL NOTICE

This communication is for the purpose of explaining three important pieces of legislation, which have been enacted: Chapter 622 of the General Laws, Acts of 1971; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and regulations pertaining to student records.

Chapter 622: No person shall be excluded from or discriminated against in admission to a public school of any town, or in obtaining the advantages, privileges and courses of study of such public school on account of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or sexual preference as amended. The Superintendent of Schools, 63 Chestnut Street, Ludlow, MA 01056, telephone number-583-8372, is the school department's coordinator for Title IX and Chapter 622.

Title IX: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

Student Records Law: These regulations were adopted "to insure parents and students the right of confidentiality, inspection, amendment, and destruction of student records." The following are a few of the highlights contained in the regulations:

1. Student records shall consist of the transcript and temporary record. School departments must keep transcripts for sixty years after a student's withdrawal, transfer, or graduation. Temporary records for each student enrolled on or after June 2002, will be destroyed no later than seven years after the student transfers, graduates, or withdraws from the school district.

2. Custodial parents have the right to inspect, amend, comment on, challenge, request interpretation of, control the dissemination of, and secure copies of information and data in their children's school records until the student becomes age eighteen. In accordance with Massachusaetts General Law c71 section 34H FERPA and 603 CMR 23.00 non-custodial parents will be provided with access to their child's (children's) records unless, a court has determined that the parent poses a risk. Therefore, non-custodial parents are entitled access to their childs information unless they are currently denied legal custody or visitation, are subject to supervised visitation, or are subject to protective orders. Non-custodial parents requesting informaiton must do so in writing to the school principal. The school will then search student records for evidence restricting parental access.

3. When a student becomes fourteen or enters grade nine, the student or parent may exercise rights with regard to student records. At age eighteen, the student may assume exclusive responsibility for exercising these rights by written request.

4. With few specific exemptions, no information in a student record shall be disseminated to a third party without the written consent of the eligible student and/or parent having physical custody of a student under 18 years of age. Two notable exceptions are:

Directory Information-a student's name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, weight and height of members of athletic teams, class, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, degrees, honors, and awards, and post-high school plans.

Recruiting Information for the Armed Services and Post-Secondary Educational Institutions-Upon request from the military recruiters and/or representative of post-secondary educational institutions, the Ludlow Public Schools will provide the name, address, and telephone listing for all secondary students.

If an eligible student and/or parent does not want DIRECTORY INFORMATION or RECRUITING INFORMATION released, he/she must notify the Ludlow High School, Office of the Principal, 500 Chapin Street, Ludlow, MA 01056 in writing, otherwise information will be released.

Third party shall mean any person or private or public agency, authority, or organization, other than the eligible student, his/her parent, or authorized school personnel.

5. Student and/or parent requests for access to records shall be granted no later than two consecutive weekdays after the initial request, unless the requesting party consents.

6. At least once during every school year, the school shall publish and distribute a routine information letter to students and their parents informing them of the following: a. The standardized testing programs to be conducted during the year. b. The general provisions of these regulations regarding parent and student rights and that copies of these regulations are available to them from the school.

The Ludlow School District is an equal opportunity employer that complies with the provisions of Chapter 622, Title IX, and the Student Record Law. Persons having questions regarding any aspect of these laws should contact the Principal or the Superintendent. Copies of the laws and regulations may be obtained from the Bureau of Equal Educational Opportunity, 21 St. James Avenue, Boston, MA 02111.

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SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

The Ludlow High School Guidance Department advertises a variety of scholarships for students. Students should determine which scholarships they are eligible to apply for. The scholarships available are posted in the Guidance Office and the senior section bulletin board of the cafeteria. A great website for national scholarships is www.fastweb.com. Students register and get an account and can serach for over one million scholarships online in their vast data base.

Another website to utilize to understand the financial aid process is www.mefa.org, a website from the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority dedicated to helping Massachusetts families pay for college. The website consolidates a wide range of state and national sites that direct families to financial aid options that are right for them.

SCHOLARSHIP SOURCES FOR COLLEGE

1. Federal and state governments – biggest source of $$$
2. Colleges – 2nd largest $$ amount - get info from each college web
site and by talking to each college financial aid office
3. Do national scholarship searches – www.fastweb.com,
www.finaid.com, and www.collegeboard.com, and others
4. Check out the scholarship applications that arrive at LHS and are
stored in the Guidance Office lobby; most locally posted
scholarships are available from late November through early May
5. Watch for scholarship deadlines, and complete applications well
before the due dates
6. Attend the annual Financial Aid Night in early December at LHS
7. Attend any scholarship/financial aid workshops at local area colleges

Here are several other links for useful scholarship websites:

Scholarships.com

Collegescholarships.com

Community Foundation of Western Mass

Avoiding Scholarships Scams

Unusual Scholarships

Prestigious Scholarships

Scholarships for Average Students

Community Service Scholarships

STEPS IN THE FINANCIAL AID PROCESS

• Complete FAFSA by Feb 15 of senior year (look for each college deadline)
• If the college also requires their own college financial aid form, complete the form before the college deadline
• If the college also requires the CSS Profile form as an additional financial aid form, begin to complete that paperwork in September of the senior year
• Review SAR (Student Aid Report) when you receive this in the mail, after completing the FAFSA, and correct any mistakes
• If there are some financial extenuating circumstances that the FAFSA cannot fully explain, make an appointment before March 1 with each college’s financial aid office
• Receive Financial Aid Award Letters/Packages in March or early April of senior year; call Fin Aid Offices, if needed for an appt.
• Decide if need college loans and begin to explore sources of funding
• Make the final college decision in late April and send in tuition deposit before May 1

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