High School Counseling Connection

November/December 2024

BLUEPRINT

NOVEMBER ACTIVITIES

11/13/24 - Grade 12: FAFSA Curriculum: in Naviance

11/13/24 - Grade 11: My Support Network in Naviance: in BluePrint

11/13/24 - Grade 9: Career Interest Survey & Clusters in Naviance: in BluePrint

BLUEPRINT

PARENTS' GUIDE

Here is a link to the BluePrint parents’ guide meant to complement your student’s BluePrint program materials. BluePrint helps students identify their strengths and skills, explore potential career paths, and create a roadmap for post-secondary success. The BluePrint parent guide gives you the tools and insights you need to assist your students through the process.

NOVEMBER EVENTS

11/6: 10th gr Pre-ACT, 7:45am
11/6: Board of Education meeting, 7:00pm
11/11: School holiday
11/13: NCSSM Information meeting at UNC Charlotte, 6:00pm
11/19: Senior trip parent meeting, 6:00pm
11/20: HS Financial Aid night, 6:00pm
11/25: LNC Serve & Play
11/26: Remote Learning
11/27-29: School holiday

HS COUNSELING WEBSITE

Our website is a good source of information on scholarships, financial aid, social-emotional resources, CPCC dual enrollment, Naviance, relaxation techniques and much more.

DECEMBER EVENTS

12/3: HS Chorus Concert, 7:00pm
12/4: Board of Education meeting, 7:00pm
12/5: HS Band concert, 7:00pm
12/17-20: HS exams; students dismissed after testing
12/19: Senior lunch, 11:30am
12/20: End of 2nd quarter
12/23-1/3: Winter break

JANUARY EVENTS

1/1-3: Winter Break
1/6: HS Alumni Panel
1/8: Board of Education meeting, 7:00pm
1/10: Report cards distributed
1/20: School holiday
1/31: Deadline to apply for 2025-26 school year lottery

GENERAL INFORMATION

FINANCIAL AID PRESENTATION WITH THE CFNC REPRESENTATIVE

Join us on November 20, 2024 at 6:00pm in the high school MPR to learn more about the updates and changes of financial aid and the FAFSA with our local CFNC representative, Timeka Ruffin. Please register here to attend this event.

WFU SUMMER IMMERSION PROGRAM

The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program empowers high school students to manifest their goals. Through meaningful real-world experiences, robust academics, an inclusive campus culture, networking and mentorship, students are able to discover their passions and clarify their future pathway. Applications open November 1 at Wake Forest University Summer Immersion Information.

GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL INFORMATION

Is your child interested in Governor’s School? Applications are available online now. Eleventh graders can apply for all academic and arts areas. Tenth graders can apply in arts-dance, choral music, and instrumental music areas only. There will be an informational meeting for students only later in October.

NC Governor's School Information

"The North Carolina Governor's School is a four-week summer residential program for gifted and talented high school students, integrating academic disciplines, the arts, and unique courses on each of two campuses. Learning focuses on the exploration of the most recent ideas and concepts in each discipline, and it does not involve credit, tests, or grades. Students are selected to attend through a competitive process after being nominated by their public school unit or non-public school."

*Please note there are minimum requirements a student must meet in order to apply. Please see the student application for this information. Applications are due December 3 to Ms. Van Buren.

Student Application and Teacher Recommendation

TECHNOLOGY UPDATE FOR SAT TESTING

The SAT has moved to a digital format now known as the "DSAT." Many of our students have taken their school-issued laptops to the testing site and encountered issues with the SAT's wifi configuration that ultimately prevented them from taking the exam. Therefore, we strongly discourage students from bringing their LNC-issued laptop to take the DSAT. Instead, students may either:

Request a laptop for test-taking purposes from the DSAT administrators ahead of time. Follow this link for more information.
Bring a personal laptop with them to take the test.

APPRENTICESHIP CHARLOTTE

Apprenticeships combine coursework with paid, on-the-job training at one company over one to four years. Central Piedmont is the educational partner of many apprenticeship programs. Occupations range from healthcare to manufacturing.

There are three components to a registered apprenticeship: on-the-job training, a progressive wage scale, and education. Workplace Learning can help connect you. Also, in some cases, you can get your Central Piedmont tuition and fees covered.

Check out the linked fliers and presentation if you are interested in learning more about the apprenticeship opportunities.

Apprenticeship Recruitment Flier

Apprenticeship Recruitment Presentation

https://apprenticeship2000.com/zwp/

CPCC Apprenticeship

UPCOMING COLLEGE VISITS

All college visits will be held in the multipurpose room during Knight Time and students must sign up to attend through Naviance prior to attending by following these steps:

Log into their Naviance Account
Hover over “College” and find “College Visits”
Select “College Visits” and find the schools they are interested in talking with.
Click “Register” beside the college name.
Make a calendar reminder so they are sure to attend!

11/5: Long Island University
11/12: Western Carolina University
11/14: Virginia Commonwealth University
12/5: Catawba College

This list is constantly changing, so students should check Naviance for additional schools and any changes to this schedule. If students have any questions on signing up, they should see their counselor.

SENIOR INFORMATION

FAFSA 2025-26 UPDATES

The 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form will be available to the public on or before December 1, 2024.

How To Prepare for the 2025–26 FAFSA® Form

Prepare now so you can complete the 2025–26 FAFSA form as soon as it’s available on or before December 1. Here are some ways you can get ready:

Create a StudentAid.gov account (if you don’t already have one)
Learn about the documents you may need to fill out the FAFSA form
Determine your dependency status and whether your parent(s) or spouse will be required to contribute information on your FAFSA form
If you’re a dependent student, use the Who’s My FAFSA Parent? wizard to identify which parent(s) will be a required contributor on your form.

NC COLLEGE CONNECT PROGRAM

NC College Connect is a new program that provides a simpler way to apply to college. The best part? If you’re a high school senior at a public high school with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above, you are eligible. Refer to the letter that was mailed to you in October for details on how you can secure your spot at participating colleges and universities.

https://www.cfnc.org/nc-college-connect

SCHOLARSHIPS BULLETIN

Check out the newest scholarship listings available to seniors!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17bdwi2VjqQNDMGTNEtAapID69X-p7CbiFPIKM9Ci2Lg/edit?usp=sharing

JUNIOR/SENIOR INFORMATION

CPCC/CCP UPDATES

Registration is now open for spring semester. Be sure to register for your classes now and then pay the fees. If you need assistance registering or have questions, please see your counselor.

**If you are in the Junior Cohort for English and/or History, you do not need to register for these classes. You will automatically be registered for them.

FRESHMEN/SOPHOMORE INFORMATION

NCSSM AND UNC-CHARLOTTE PRESENTATION-NOVEMBER 13 FROM 6-8 PM

Ninth and tenth grade students are welcome to attend this event to learn more about institutions, the programs offered and the application process. See the flier for more information and location details.

NCSSM/UNCC Flyer

Please email me if you have any questions:

Kimberly Van Buren

kvanburen@lncharter.org

Lake Norman Charter School

www.LNCharter.org