The guidance program
at Ludlow High School has been founded on the premise that each student is important
as an individual. By means of counseling and testing, the individual discovers
his/her interests, abilities, and potential to be able to make intelligent decisions
throughout his/her high school career. The choice of a high school program is
a major decision. As a further aid in this decision, the guidance facilities
include a comprehensive occupational informational center with college and school
catalogs which students may make use of during regular appointments.
The LHS Guidance Department has embraced the Massachusetts Model for Comprehensive
School counseling endorsed by the Commissioner of Education in October 2006.
The guidance counselors in grades 9-12 conduct workshops with their counselees
throughout the school year.
Homework assignments -Parent/guardian should contact the guidance counselor to obtain homework assignments only if student will be absent for more than 3 days.
The Standardized Testing Program is an essential part of the guidance program. Our battery of tests includes MCAS (state mandated), aptitude test and interest measurements. Analysis and interpretation of test results provide additional information to the student and counselor for sound decisions. In addition to our own testing services, Ludlow is a test center for the College Entrance Examination Board for SAT’s each November and May.
Counseling services are available to all students to discuss educational and vocational plans. Students and parents may request an appointment with a counselor at any time to discuss any problem or future plans.
College admission is a very complex process today and the counselors are well-versed on admissions policies and requirements. Many colleges and educational institutions send representatives to LHS to interview students. Among college criteria for selection are the high school record, teacher and school recommendations, scholastic ability, standardized tests, character, and potential of success at the particular institution.
Career Services -The guidance department will conduct career workshops. Career Inventory assessments will be administered to help the student discover interests and qualifications and match them with those needed in various occupations.
Scholarship Information
-materials on scholarship and financial aid are available in the guidance office.
Scholarship information is always available from admissions offices of colleges
and universities, and students should check each college website for updated
lists of available scholarships at each college.
DROPPING A SUBJECT OR CHANGING A COURSE
Permission to drop a course or change a course is granted by the school administration only for the following reasons:
-To amend the student’s schedule so it reflects accurate academic placement.
-To appropriately reschedule a course if a prerequisite course was failed or not taken.
-To meet college admission requirements or to participate in an alternative education program, which is part of the school curriculum.
-To eliminate a course conflict because two courses are scheduled in the same period.
-To reschedule because a course was cancelled and another course needs to be included.
-To conform to Instructional Support Services laws.
In the case of extenuating or unusual circumstances, the administration may decide a program change is necessary for the best interest of the student. In all requests to drop a subject or change a course, the final decision rests with the high school administrator.
To drop or change
a course, the student must first consult the guidance counselor and subject
teacher. Parental approval for level changes must occur before the request is
presented to the Guidance Director for a decision.
EARNING
CREDITS OUTSIDE OF LUDLOW HIGH SCHOOL
Any student who plans to take a course at an outside institution as a summer school option to make up high school credit must meet the same eligibility requirements as articulated for summer school in the LHS handbook. Students/parents must submit in writing to the Guidance Director a statement indicating why the student needs to attend an outside institution instead of the LHS summer school.
A student whose
class has already graduated and is not planning to return to LHS may petition
the high school principal to take a course or courses at an outside institution.
Such approval will allow those outside institution courses to be applied to
the LHS transcript.
PEER HELPER PROGRAM -Student tutoring services are accessed through your guidance counselor depending on the availability of student tutors through the National Honor Society. Students and parents may consult the chart near the flag in the guidance office lobby for the periods that NHS tutors are available to help students with class work.
Any student who plans to withdraw from school or transfer to another school must follow this procedure:
-Inform your guidance counselor.
-Obtain a withdrawal form from the Guidance Office to be signed by all teachers, administrators, and main office personnel, and the librarian verifying that all books have been returned.
-Give the completed form to your guidance counselor.
-If transferring to another school, please provide authorization for the forwarding of your transcripts and records.
- Any student who is absent 15 or more consecutive days will be sent a letter requesting a meeting to discuss withdrawal from LHS. The LHS withdrawal procedure will be followed. Special education students will withdraw through the special education team process.
| Entrance
Requirement |
Same |
| Hours of operation | 8-12:15 p.m., one session is 8 to 10; the other is 10:15-12:15. |
| Duration | 6 Weeks |
| Class meeting format | 5 times/week per class |
| Weekly hours in class | 10 hours |
| Total hours in each class | 60 hours |
| Completion requirement | Administer course final, and passing course grade |
| Attendance Requirement | Allow 2 absences |
The summer school program offers academic courses beginning shortly after the close of school. Each course meets for two hours Monday through Friday for 6 weeks. The hours of summer school run from 8 AM to 12:15 PM during the 6-week period of operation. LHS students are allowed only 2 absences from classes as an attendance requirement.
LHS students must achieve a year-end grade of 50% to 59% in courses taken during the school year in order to receive summer school make-up credit. Students who receive no credit (NC) due to the attendance policy may also make that credit up in summer school contingent upon achieving a grade of 50% or higher in the course taken during the school year. Additionally, in order to obtain Ludlow High School credit, students must pass the summer school course and also pass the LHS final exam comparable to the one given for that course. For example, if a student failed English 9, the student must have at least a 50% in that course to take it for credit and in order to earn that credit must pass the summer school course and must also pass the English 9 final comparable to the one given for that course in June.
Students who are granted approval by the principal to use outside institution courses as a summer school option must meet the same eligibility requirements for LHS summer school attendance, i.e. 50% minimum average, etc. (see above).
No credit will
be given for courses taken in summer school which have not been previously taken
during the regular school year. In extraordinary circumstances such as prolonged
illness, (when a student has been unable to
complete a course in which he/she has been doing satisfactory work for the greater
part of the school year), special permission may be given by the high school
principal for the student to receive credit for summer school work.
In the event that
a student goes to an approved institution to make up a course that he/she failed
at Ludlow High School, he/she must be advised that Ludlow High School will give
only the amount of credit that the failed course was worth.
Hours
The library media center will be opened as follows:
| Monday - Wednesday | 7:10-2:50 |
| Thursday | 7:10-3:30 |
| Friday | 7:10-2:10 |
LHS Library Media Center Web Site
You will find useful links on the Ludlow High School Library Media Center Web site at http://www.ludlowhighschool.org/lmc/lhs_library.html. Ludlow High School LMC's membership in the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System entitles LHS students to valuable Internet resources at home as well as at school. You may access from home the so designated links on the LMC Web site by following directions available either on the Web site or at the LMC.
Students will be held responsible for materials checked out in their names. A student has not officially returned an item until an adult LMC staff member processes it in. When returning borrowed materials, do not leave the LMC until you witness the adult staff member clearing you; otherwise, someone else might take your item while it is still in your name. Students owing money to the LMC will lose library media center borrowing privileges until debts are removed.
Students should assume their first due date notice is the one stamped on the date due card inserted into the borrowed item. Any outstanding debts for overdue, lost, or damaged materials, including fines and copy fees, will preclude a student's participation in extracurricular activities until cleared by the LMC and/or the office.
Individual and Group Study
The LMC is primarily a workroom for students and respects each student's right to a relatively quiet place in which to concentrate. Therefore, it is not to be used solely as a leisure-time discussion room. Quiet student conferencing for collaborative and group work is permitted in the library. However, with large numbers of students using the library, the noise level can quickly rise to unacceptable levels. Please be considerate of your fellow students, since everyone deserves a reasonably quiet atmosphere in which to do their work. Loud, disruptive conversation is not permitted. There are two tables in Al 05 reserved for silent work. The other tables will accommodate quiet student conferencing for collaborative and group work. Small-group study rooms may be used by a limited number of students with library staff permission.
Library Media Center rules will be strictly enforced and infractions will be addressed immediately.