Letter to Parents, October 8, 2009
Dear Parents,
It’s hard to believe that the first grading period of the year is already over! Report cards will be given to students at school between October 13th and 17th. If you do not receive a report card by October 17th, please let me know.
All sophomores took the PLAN test on September 17th. The PLAN is made by the makers of the ACT and is formatted almost identically. This test is our most reliable predictor of how students will perform on the ACT. We expect to have the scores back by January. These scores will help us identify strengths and weaknesses so that we can better prepare students for the ACT and college. Once we have the scores, we plan to have a parent session to explain how to use the scores to plan for the future. Before the test date, I visited all sophomore classes to help them set personal goals for the PLAN test based on their performance on the test last year. I promised to check in with them in January to see if they met their goals, and I know many of them will.
On October 22nd, all sophomores will be attending the Reality Store. This event is designed to give students a glimpse of the real cost of living in today’s world. Students will choose a career and will have to support a family based on the income of the career. Hopefully, students will walk away from the experience with a desire to pursue higher education. In 2008, the average high school graduate in the state of KY earned $2,100 per month before taxes, while the college graduate earned $3,400.
We will be having a school-wide college week from November 16th to 20th. We’re still in the planning stages of this event, but I think it will be a great opportunity for our students. We also have several field trips coming up. Later in the month, I’ll be taking a group of girls who are interested in math and science careers to visit Murray State University. In November, sophomores who are interested in Ag careers will be visiting Murray as well. I am also planning a visit to WKU and Bowling Green Technical College in November for students interested in Health Science careers.
When I visit sophomore classes later in the month, I plan to give them a chart that outlines what types of tests, classes, and opportunities they can expect over the next 3 years. The chart also lists what students can do each year to prepare for life beyond high school. One of the important things that I will stress to them is keeping a folder or file at home containing all awards, report cards, records of community service, volunteer hours, etc. This information is vital later in high school when students begin to apply for scholarships and other programs. It is helpful if they have a detailed record of the activities they have been a part of and awards they have received. I’m including this chart at the bottom of this email.
When I visit classes, I often use a booklet entitled “Getting Set.” It contains great information that is targeted specifically to Kentucky sophomores. You can view/print this booklet online at http://www.kheaa.com/pdf/pubs/ky/kygset.pdf .
As always, please let me know if there is anything I can do for you and your family. You can reach me by phone or email. Also, you can check the guidance department website at www.lchsguidance.com or the school website at www.lchs-cougars.org for more information.
Have a wonderful day,
Mrs. Robbie Davis
Counselor - Freshmen and Sophomores
Logan County H.S.
Learn Challenge Honor Succeed
The mission of LCHS: "Our learning community exists to
challenge students today to be responsible leaders tomorrow."
| Grade | Required Classes | Tests | AP / Dual Credits Offered | Other |
| 9th | English I Algebra I Biology World Civ PractLiving | PLAN |
| · Choose a career cluster of interest in the ILP · Begin a file containing all of your awards, volunteer hours, community service, report cards, etc (also add to ILP) · Choose at least one organization, group, club, or sport to join |
| 10th | English II Geometry Chemistry Int. Soc. Std. | PLAN (Sept) CATS (?) |
| · Begin career academies (ACE, CLASS, or STEAM) · Begin requirements for graduating with Honors · Apply for Gatton Academy of Math and Science · May “double up” in math (take Geometry and Alg II in the same year) in order to be prepared to take AP Calculus as a senior |
| 11th | English III Algebra II Earth /Space Sci US History Humanities | PSAT (fall -optional) ASVAB (fall) ACT (March) CATS (?)
| AP US History/His 240 SPAN Chem I SPAN Chem II Psych 100 | · Research colleges/schools and begin checking requirements · Apply for Governors Scholars (fall) · Need to have started taking a foreign language to ensure being able to take 2 credits · Prepare for the ACT · Make sure you’ve taken classes that will be necessary if you want to co-op as a senior · Make sure you’re on track to graduate with Honors |
| 12th | English IV 4th math | On-Demand (Sept) ACT (as needed) SAT (as needed) | AP Spanish AP Biology AP Calculus AP English IV Western Civ 119 SPAN Chem I SPAN Chem II Math 116 Speech Comm 161 Intro to Edu 250 Psych 100 English 100 | · Continue to take ACT to obtain highest possible scores · Take SAT if required for desired college · Visit colleges to narrow choices · Apply for colleges and tech schools · Complete scholarship applications · Complete the FAFSA (Federal Application for Student Aid) · Make sure you’re on track to graduate with Honors
|