This week I want to provide you with more information about the supports currently available through the College Corner.

Seniors

Currently, the College Corner is continuing to meet with students to assist with submitting college applications, provide support with essays, and help our students develop a path and plan if they are not sure what is next.  Additionally, our College Corner is busy collecting information about scholarship and financial aid offerings.  Each year students at Lamar are offered scholarships and financial aid dollars to make college more affordable.  As a school District, and as a campus, we track those offers as one measure of our effectiveness in making college a reality for our students.  As your senior begins to receive college admissions, scholarship and financial aid offers, please bring those award letters to Ms. Trendell in the College Corner.  It is important that we are able to track offers students receive, even if students do not intend to accept the offer. 

I also want to remind current seniors to complete the FAFSA or TAFSA if you have not already done so.  We currently have just under 50% of seniors who have completed the FAFSA or TAFSA.  Our goal is to have the process completed, or an Opt-Out form on file, for 100% of our seniors.

Juniors

Junior Neighborhood meetings are happening this month and next month to provide information about how to prepare for the college admissions process.  After class meetings, parents and students will have the opportunity to sign up for one-on-one meetings with College Corner held later in the spring.  You will receive information about how to sign up for time with our College Corner during your Student-Led Conference. 

Understanding the Attendance Guidelines

Most everyone understands the reasons that may be approved for excused absences, as well as those reasons that may be considered unexcused.  But, do you know that there are other reasons a student may not be at school but could be considered in attendance?

Fieldtrips/School Activities.  Students who are attending a field trip, competition or other events with the supervision of certified district personnel may be considered “in attendance”. The teacher will provide a list of students participating.

Mentorship/Internship.  Students participating in an approved mentorship or internship to serve as one or more of the advanced measures needed to complete the Distinguished Achievement Program for graduation may be considered in attendance”.  Teachers will provide a list of students participating.

Religious Holy Day.  Students who miss school for the purpose of observing religious holy days identified in the Interfaith Calendar, including one travel day to and one travel day from, may be considered “in attendance”. Parents should provide a written note with the request for consideration for the religious holy day being observed.

Court Appearance. Students who miss school for the purpose of observing a required court appearance, such as proceedings for adoption or a traffic ticket, may be considered “in attendance”. Parents should provide a written note as well as the court document requiring the appearance.

Election Clerk. Students who miss school for the purpose of serving as an election clerk may be considered “in attendance”. Students should request permission in advance with the appropriate form, and submit a verification document from the election site after the duty.

Citizenship/Naturalization.  Students who must miss school for the purpose of appearing at a government office in connection with citizenship or taking part in a United States naturalization oath ceremony may be considered “in attendance”.  Parents should provide a written note along with the verification document from the government agency.

Medical Appointments. A student who misses part of a school day for a medical appointment with a health care practitioner may be considered “in attendance” if the student is at school prior to the appointment, or returns to school after the appointment.  Full-day absences are excluded from this provision. Parents should provide a letter from the health care providers that states the date/time for the visit.

College Visits. Students in their junior or senior year who miss school for the purpose of visiting an institution for higher education may be considered “in attendance”, however, this provision allows for only two days of absences in the junior year and two days of absences in the senior year.  Students should request permission in advance from the school principal via email, print the email and submit it, along with the verification document from the university or college after the visit.

• The student is observing religious holy days when it is required of their faith that they be absent from school.. A written request for the absence, in advance, is not required but is encouraged. A school district must excuse an absence to observe a religious holy day. Excused days for travel shall be limited to not more than one day for travel to and one day for travel from the site where the student will observe the holy days. The principal may elect to excuse additional travel days, but the student would be considered to be absent for the additional travel days for attendance accounting purposes. School districts are required to provide make-up work, along with adequate time to complete it, to students who have been excused to observe religious holy days. 
• The student is temporarily absent due to an appointment with a health care professional. A note from the health care professional is required to excuse the absence. 
• The student is participating in a mentorship approved by district personnel to serve as one or more of the advanced measures needed to complete the Distinguished Achievement Program. 

Highlighted Events 

• Fri. Jan. 24th- Debate Tournament (LHS) 4:30 pm
• Sat. Jan. 25th- Debate Tournament (LHS) All Day
• Tues Jan. 28th- FFA Parent Booster Meeting (J112) 6 pm
• Wed. Jan. 29th- 10th - 12th ASVAB Testing (LHS) TBA
• Wed. Feb. 5th- PTO Meeting (Grand Hall) 6 pm
• Wed. Feb. 5th- Voter Registration for Students (LHS) Lunch