| Guidance Page | Lake Region Home |

1....How do I see my counselor? If you wish to see your Guidance Counselor, you will need to come to the Guidance Office. If the counselor is available they will see you at the time you arrive. However, if the counselor is not available, then you will need to thoroughly complete a “Request to See a Counselor” form and leave it with the secretary. The counselor will call you down as soon as possible.

2....How do parents/guardians schedule conferences with teachers? Parents/Guardians may schedule conferences with their student’s teachers by contacting their student’s Guidance Counselor at 297-3194. Due to teaching schedules most conferences are scheduled after school.

3....How do parents/guardians contact teachers? You may contact a student’s teacher by calling the Main Office at 297-3099 or you may email them by going online to www.lakeregionthunder.com and clicking on the staff link. You will then see a list of the school staff. Click on the teacher’s name which will take you to their webpage. On that page you will find their email address. You may either click on their email address which opens a window where you may type your email, or you may use the email address to email from your own online service provider.

4....Can I get my schedule changed and how do I get my schedule changed? During July, prior to the start of the new school year, the Guidance Office provides a schedule of dates and times students may come to get their schedules changed. Students are encouraged to take advantage of those schedule change dates. After these dates, we do not change schedules unless there are extenuating circumstances. These circumstances may include: --a blank in the schedule --a student may have been scheduled for classes they have already taken --a specific class is needed to meet specific requirements --class size balancing.

5....How do I check my student’s attendance and/or grades? To view student’s attendancean or rades you will first need to complete the application for the Parent Portal.. You may do this by downloading the application at www.lakeregionthunder.com , completing the application and having it notarized, or you may complete the application in the Guidance Office. You will then need to use your student’s ID number and your password (which will be emailed to you) to access your student’s information. You may check your student’s attendance online at www.lakeregionthunder.com and click on the Parent Viewer link. You may also contact the Attendance Office at 297-3099 if you wish to check your student’s attendance or the guidance office at 297-3194 if you wish to check your student's grades.

6....Who’s responsibility is it for my child to have all requirements needed to graduate high school? Although the Guidance Counselors make every effort to monitor students’ graduation status and requirements it is the student’s and the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to make sure that all graduation requirements have been met.

7....What are the graduation requirements? You may go to www.facts.org for information regarding your graduation requirements. You may also contact your guidance counselor.

8....How do I enroll my student at Lake Region High School? Prior to registering for classes, students must be enrolled at Lake Region High School. Enrolling a student at Lake Region High School means a student must have all enrolling paperwork completed and be activated on the computer system. If your student is “zoned” for LRHS we will be able to enroll them when the following documentation has been provided. Different situations require different information, so please read each category to determine which is appropriate. After the student is enrolled and activated on the computer, an appointment may be scheduled with the appropriate counselor to complete the registration process and answer questions you may have regarding attending school at Lake Region High School. ****Enrolling Documents for First time students in Polk County PUBLIC schools: 1) Birth certificate 2) School physical (less than 1 year old unless coming from another Florida school in which a previous one will suffice) 3) Current shot records on the Florida “blue card” **4) 2 current proofs of residence in the Enrolling parent or LEGAL guardians name. You must choose 2 different categories out of these 4: ..........a) Voters ID ..........b) A current utility bill (cable, electric, phone, gas – for home use) ..........c) Lease agreement, Rent receipt (with the name, address, date, and signature on it), Mortgage, Deed, Closing paperwork, FEMA, housing authority, or Joe Tedder, Tax Collector. ..........d) Proof of government benefits such as social security, disability, children and family services, child support letter. ..........e) If you are living with a relative or friend and cannot provide your own proofs see the last section of this note below ****Enrolling Documents for Students returning to Polk County PUBLIC Schools: 1) Current shot records on the Florida “blue card” 2) 2 current proofs of residence in the Enrolling parent’s or LEGAL guardians’ name (See **4 above for list) ****If you are NOT “zoned” for LRHS you must do the following: 1) You must apply for a Transfer (every year!) by stopping at any Polk County Public School and asking for the transfer application. When you complete the application it MUST be have the required 2 proofs of residence attached. Send it in via us mail, fax, or had delivered to the Polk County School Board office in Bartow. Applications will be accepted starting on April 1st. Returning the transfer application to the school office may cause a delay. 2) When you receive your letter of Transfer Approval, you may bring it to the LRHS Guidance Office to enroll the student. The letter is a substitute for the 2 proofs in LRHS zone. Do this as soon as you receive it. 3) You must also bring in the appropriate enrolling documents listed previously to the LRHS Guidance Office. If you cannot provide the 2 proofs of residence in the parents name because the parent is residing with a relative or friend the following must be done each year also: 1) An affidavit must be picked up at any school and notarized. This form states you are all living in the same household but the relative/friend is the one who must now prove they live in our zone and you are his guest. 2) The relative/friend supplies the 2 proofs of residence (see choices above in first section **4)

9....Who is my counselor? ESE:Mrs. Horton All 1st year 9th graders:Ms. Beikrich-Godwin If your last name begins with: A-D: Mrs. Salary E-Li: Mr. Fitzgerald Lo-Ra: Ms. Wheeler Ra-Z: Ms. Farese

10...Q: Who is the College and Career Facilitator? A: Mrs. Pilkey is our College and Career Facilitator. The College and Career Room is located in the Guidance Office. A student may fill out a “Request to See a Counselor” form located in the Guidance Office. Mrs. Pilkey is available 4th period only. 11...Q: What do I do during my junior year if I am planning to go to college? A: August/September • At the end of sophomore year check with your counselor to make sure your course credits will meet college requirements. Colleges look for challenging coursework and strong academic GPA’s. • Attend the AP Parent nightt. • Make sure you register with Florida’s online academic tracking service at www.facts.org. • Check Bright Futures scholarship eligibility requirements and your current status at www.facts.org. • Be sure you are involved in one or two extracurricular activities. Colleges look for leadership positions. • Update and maintain your portfolio of achievements (a file or folder of any materials that document your successes during high school). • Visit the College and Career Center and familiarize yourself with the resources available. • Contact the Lake Region High School Guidance Office for local college fairs. • Attend the county-wide College Fair Night. • Register for the PSAT. • Get involved in a community service activity. October • FCAT Retakes • Take PSAT. • Investigate guidance publications, college catalogs and websites. Start learning about the colleges you are considering. • Register for the ASVAB November • ASVAB • Strive to get the best grades you can. Junior year is critical! A serious effort this year will provide you with the most options during your application process. December • Review PSAT score report and evaluate strengths and weaknesses. • Begin to study for the SAT and/or ACT tests. You may wish to log on to the SAT (www.collegeboard.com) and ACT (www.act.org) websites for information, practice and registration of these tests. January • Decide when to take the SAT I (www.collegeboard.com) and/or ACT(www.act.org), and SAT II subject tests (needed for more selective colleges). Know when to register for the tests. It is recommended that you take the SAT and/or ACT at least once during the spring of your junior year. BE SURE to put your school code(100436) on the registration. • Keep your grades up! College put heavy emphasis on junior year coursework and academic grades. • Continue investigating colleges and the process of applying. • Attend the College Financial Planning Night. February • FCAT Writing (10th grade) • Plan a challenging schedule of classes for your senior year. • Think about which teachers you will ask to write recommendations. • Check www.nacac.com for schedules and locations of national college fairs. • Develop a preliminary list of 5 to 10 colleges and universities and search for information on them. Keep all your information organized. March • Meet with your counselor or college and career specialist prepared to discuss college choices. • Review your transcript and test scores to determine how competitive your list of choices should be. • Start scheduling campus visits and interviews. When school is in session (but never during final exams) is the best time. Summers are OK but will not show you what the college is really like. If possible, save your top college choices for the fall. Be aware, however, that fall is the busiest visit season, and you will need advance planning. (Don’t forget to write thank-you letters to your interviewers.) April • FCAT / EOC Exam • Take any standardized tests you have registered for. • Create a list and individual files for your potential college choices and begin to record personal and academic information that can be later transferred to your college applications. May • AP Exam / EOC Exam • Structure your summer plans to include advanced academic work, travel, volunteer work, or a job. See www.Petersons.com/summerop for help. • If planning on applying to Florida schools, check Bright Futures status on www.facts.org. • Take AP exams (if applicable) • Apply for NCAA Clearinghouse certification (if applicable) Summer • Begin working on your application essays and resume (information you will give to those who will be writing your recommendations). • Write or email any colleges on your list and request application forms and brochures (many are now online). • Identify sources of financial aid and scholarships. • Read a wide variety of books and review your math skills to help prepare for the ACT and/or SAT.

12...What do I do my senior year if I am interested in attending college? August/September • Update your personal portfolio and resume to assist you in completing applications and those writing recommendations for you. • Review and update individual college files where you plan to apply. Include special requirements, applications, deadlines, dates when materials were sent, etc. • Register for SAT I (www.collegeboard.com), ACT (www.act.org ), and SAT II, as necessary. Take them early in fall in case you need to retake them. Make sure our high school code is on the application (100436). • Check with the Guidance office for the fall visiting schedule of college reps and the date for the fall college fair. Attend the local College Fair Night. • Apply for NCAA Clearinghouse certification (www.eligibilitycenter.org), if applicable. • Ask appropriate teachers if they would write recommendations for you (don't forget to write thank-you letter). Always allow a minimum of a two week notice. • A senior conference will be scheduled to make sure you are on track for graduation and for the Bright Future Scholarship (if applicable). Review your status on www.facts.org. • Look for scholarships online at www.fastweb.com or www.collegeanswer.com and check in the Guidance office for additional information and scholarships. • Check priority deadlines for admission (some are as early as October). October • If applying for early decision or early action, mail or send your applications electronically after carefully checking them to be sure they are neat, accurate, and complete including transcripts, test scores and recommendations. • Photocopy or print extra copies of your applications to use as a practice, before completing the actual application. • Wait at least 2 weeks to call the admissions office to verify that your application is complete. • Register for the CSS/Financial Aid Profile on www.collegeboard.com if required by the college (mainly highly selective schools). • Study for and take the tests you have registered for. Make sure you take all necessary materials and your photo ID • Don't be late! Keep track of all deadlines for transcripts, recommendations, etc. November • Be sure that you have requested your ACT and SAT scores be sent to your colleges of choice. Retake tests as necessary. • Complete and submit all applications by deadline. Print or photocopy an extra copy for your records. • Wait at least 2 weeks to call admissions to verify that your application is complete. • Apply for scholarships! Watch deadlines! December • Take any necessary ACT, SAT I, and SAT II test. • Before winter break review your college files to make sure the application process is on track • Apply for the Bright Future Scholarship Program and all other Florida financial aid programs online during registration with the Guidance Counselors. January • Prepare and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available at www.fafsa.ed.gov, as soon as possible after Jan 1. The sooner you apply for financial aid, the better your chances. Make or print copies for your records!!. • Continue search for scholarships and fill out the applications. Check with your prospective colleges about additional financial aid application forms and requirements. February • Be sure your midyear report was sent to the colleges to which you've applied (if necessary). • Let your colleges know what any new honors or accomplishments not in your original application if you have not received an admission decision. •After submitting your FAFSA, you will receive your SAR (student aid report) immediately. March • Register for any Advanced Placement (AP) tests you might take. • Be sure you have received a FAFSA acknowledgement. • Keep applying for scholarships. • Contact the financial aid offices at colleges to make certain your application is complete. April • Review the acceptances and compare the financial aid offers you receive. Note all reply deadlines. • If possible, revisit one or two of your top college choices before making the final decision. • Notify your college of choice that you have accepted its offer and send in a deposit before deadline (usually May 1). • Check on details for signing and returning the financial aid award letter from your college of choice. • Notify the colleges you have chosen not to attend of your decision. • Watch for important deadlines at your chosen college (housing, orientation, etc.) May • Take AP test. • Complete exit form to have final transcripts sent to your chosen college. Be prepared to report all scholarship money received to date. • Send thank-you notes to scholarship programs that have given you aid. • Graduate! Congratulations and best of luck! 13...What is dual enrollment? This is a part-time early admission program which can be done in one of two ways: 1) the student spends part of the day on the high school campus and part of the day on the college campus or 2) the college courses are brought to the high school campus. Students must meet regular graduation requirements as listed in the Polk County Student Progression Plan. Polk County’s requirements for entry into this program are as follows: 3.0 cumulative unweighted GPA or a 3.0 unweighted GPA in the subject area in which college courses are to be taken; the student must meet freshman-level criteria established by the college with regard to placement (pass the PERT test). Students must discuss course choices with their counselor to determine whether they meet high school requirements and dual enrollment criteria. Grades earned under dual enrollment will be included in the students cumulative GPA to determine honors or high honors. Final approval must be obtained from the Director of Secondary Education through your Guidance Counselor. What if I am interested in attending Ridge or Traviss Vocational Schools? High school students who are 16 years of age or older may choose to enroll in either Ridge or Traviss Technical Center. Enrollment for high school students is on a space-available basis in order to obtain vocational training that is not available at the home high school. Programs provided may include agriscience, business technology, marketing, health science, public service, family and consumer sciences, diversified industrial and technology education. Students may receive a career and technical certificate of completion in a specified program at the same time they receive a high school diploma. All students interested in attending Ridge or Traviss will have to take the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) and meet the requirements for enrollment. As a high school student, if you are interested in attending Ridge or Traviss Vocational School, you need to speak with your Guidance Counselor, or you may contact the school directly and speak with their high school counselor. If you are interested in attending Ridge or Traviss Vocational Schools after you graduate high school, you may contact them directly and ask to speak with their Adult Counselor. Contact information: Traviss Career Center (863) 499-2700 http://www.traviss.edu Ridge Career Center (863) 419-3060 http://www.ridge.edu 14...Should I do community service? Community service is not required for graduation from high school. However, it is required for Bright Fututrres and other scholarships. Also, many colleges may use it in the admission process. A student may earn one elective credit towards graduation.