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Senior News

Senior Principal – Ms. Emily Brandenburg    BucBeat

School-Wide Responsibilities
Scheduling
Observation Matrix
Summative Evaluation Schedule
Curriculum

Administrative Liaison to
Athletics and Physical Education
English Department
Library/Media
Student Services Department
Academic Boosters

 
Senior Class Advisor – Mrs. Jan Smith

Class Officers  
Gage Mace, President
Bret Batchelder, Vice President
Erin Lewchuk, Secretary
Hunter McGee, Treasurer

Welcome to Class of 2009! - Mrs. Jan Smith

Please see Mrs. Smith in room 108 with any ?’s. 

Junior/Senior Prom
Date: May 17, 2008
Time: 8 - 11
Place: UNCW - Burney Center
Tickets: $30 April 28 - May 1
$40 May 5 - May 8
$50 May 12 - May 15
NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD ON FRIDAYS!!!

Upperclassmen Guide Book
Part I
Part II

Transcript Requests – Mrs. Lynn Rabon (350-2089 ext 213)
Transcript Requests (2003 graduates or earlier) or 910-254-4234

                        Do you have SAT scores that total 1600 or above??  Do you want to be recognized at the Academic Awards program, get a free shirt, and be named on a permanent plaque at Laney??  If so, please fill out this form and submit it to Mrs. Williams in guidance with a copy of your scores.  SAT Score Recognition Request Form

Read the BucNews

Now available:  Computers have been set up for use by seniors applying to college or preparing scholarship applications; Mrs. Williams will assist when needed.  Come to the Guidance office and see for yourself!

The senior year of high school is possibly one of the busiest and most exciting times in anyone’s life.  Last year we were extremely proud that nearly ninety percent of the Class of 2007 chose to pursue further education.  Hopefully, everyone is thinking about what he or she wants to do after graduation, but experience has shown me many students and parents do not know where to begin in order to reach their goals.  I hope this information will be helpful to you as you work you way through the decisions you and your senior will make throughout this school year.  If you plan to attend a university or community college, you will need to read this information carefully and often to make sure you are on the right track.  If you are undecided about a career and wish to enter the work force or the military, you may want to speak with Mr. Jerry Thomas, Career Development Coordinator at Laney.   Also, the CFNC website has a wealth of career information.  You can answer questions and be matched with careers, find out about training, salary and job opportunities, and also be matched with NC colleges who could provide the necessary education.
Please feel free to contact Student Services with any questions you may have.  I can be reached at 350-2089 ext. 212 or at jhwillia@nhcs.net
Good luck to each of you.
Julie Williams, Senior Counselor

Senior Information and Responsibilities

A.  Planning for Graduation

1. You should double check to make sure you have all of the courses needed for graduation within your chosen course of study or pathway, as well as the total number of units (28).  Look on your transcript mailed to you at the end of last year and pair it with your schedule for this year.  If you have any doubts, see Mrs. Williams in guidance immediately. 
2. All course requirements must be met before the ceremony.  You cannot march in May if you are missing any necessary credits.
3. Additionally, all seniors must pass four tests to receive a diploma at graduation: the math competency test, the reading competency test, the computer skills performance test and the computer skills multiple choice test.  Some students will not have to take these tests in high school if they have passing scores from the eighth grade that qualify them for an exemption.  All of these test results are found on your transcript.  If you have not taken one or more of these tests, or if you have not passed them, you will be notified of the test dates throughout the school year.  If any of these tests are missing or not passed by graduation, you will receive a certificate rather than a diploma.  If you have any questions, see Mrs. Williams in the Student Services office or Mrs. Boulding-Martin in the main office. 

B.  College applications and transcripts

1. I cannot stress strongly enough that you must apply for college early in your senior year.  I would recommend you set an October deadline to have your applications completed.  There are several reasons for my saying this.  Although colleges have published deadlines for applications, many schools are filled to capacity well before the deadline!  Also, the vast majority of financial aid comes directly from the college itself, so it is only reasonable that you must be one of their potential students to receive an offer.  Do not let the “sticker price” of a college or university prevent you from applying somewhere you truly want to go.  At this point you do not know what you can afford, as financial aid is not calculated until the early spring.
2. You do not have to have taken the SAT or ACT or  have your scores back to begin the application process, although you will not receive a decision until the scores arrive.  Go ahead and fill out your applications even without the scores, and let the colleges begin their process of putting you in their computer system.  Do not wait until after mid term time thinking your GPA and rank will improve.  Most improvements are modest, and if the schools feel they need to see your mid term grades they will let you know.  Again, APPLY EARLY.
3. There are two ways to apply for admission to a college.  Most schools have on line applications (check www.cfnc.org or through the school’s own web site), although some students still prefer to apply on paper.  If you choose to complete the paper application there are several ways to obtain one.  You may pick up applications in the Student Services office, you may call or write the school and ask them to mail one to you, or you may get one from the college representatives during their visits to Laney. 
4. Most schools require a fee to process an application.  If you apply on paper, mail the fee with the application.  If you apply on line, either provide a credit card number or follow the instructions for printing the signature sheet and mailing the application fee.  Fee waivers are available in certain circumstances and must be obtained from Mrs. Williams.
5. When you send your application, you will also need to send a transcript.  Transcripts can either be printed and mailed, or sent electronically.  To send a transcript electronically, follow the directions on CFNC.org.  Requests to have transcripts printed on paper must be made in writing in room 101.  Transcripts can be returned to you to be mailed with your application or sent directly from guidance, whichever you prefer.  Please indicate your preference on the request.  Two transcripts are provided without charge, and additional transcripts will cost one dollar each.  All transcripts for scholarships are free. 
6. Very few student activities are recorded on the transcript.  This is set by county policy.  If you wish to inform your college of your extracurricular activities you must prepare a resume on your own.  Sample resumes are available in student services from Mrs. Williams. 
7. Potential college athletes must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.  Print out the two supplemental transcript requests and bring them to the Student Services office.

C.            Taking the SAT and/or ACT

1. If you plan to attend a college or university you need to take the SAT  Reasoning test or the ACT plus writing.   Schools in North Carolina will accept scores from either test.   If you are unsure about which test would be best for you, I recommend you stop by student services, pick up a study guide for each test and determine which one feels more comfortable to you. 
2. You may register for either test by mail, phone, or on line at www.collegeboard.com. Or at www.actstudent.org.   Instructions, deadlines and costs are found on the back of the registration bulletin or on the website.  You will register for the SAT Reasoning Test, although some of you will take the SAT Subject Tests in the spring.
3. Fee waivers are available in certain circumstances.  See Mrs. Williams for details.
4. The school code for Laney High School is 344349.  If you do not enter this code when you register, we will not receive a copy of your scores and they will not be placed on your transcript. 

****Special notes****

1. You do not need the SAT or ACT to attend Cape Fear Community College.  Even if you plan to transfer later, it is not necessary at this time.
   Repeating tests  will not raise your scores.  Only practice and preparation can make a significant difference!!!!!  The best practice comes from the College Board, ACT or CFNC’s websites

D.  College Visits

1. Any school you are sincerely interested in deserves a campus visit.  You will receive two days of code nine absences if you bring back a letter from the college’s admissions office saying you were on campus for the day. 
2. Call the admissions office of the school you want to see and make an appointment.  This will give you a comprehensive tour and will allow someone in that office to meet you personally. Prepare your questions in advance and write them down so your mind doesn’t go blank.
3. Try to visit on a weekday when classes are in session.  Weekdays are quite different from the weekends on college campuses.  Plus, a weekday visit will allow you to peek into classrooms and observe interaction between faculty and students.  What do you see?  Are the classes in auditoriums with over 400 students, or are they taught in smaller groups?  Are there professors teaching or graduate students?  Do the students and teachers seem to enjoy each other?
4. Visit dormitories, look in bathrooms and eat in the cafeteria.  Talk to students, they will tell you what they really think about their school, and will tell you things you won’t hear on a standard tour.  Remember, you will LIVE here, not just attend classes.
5. Take pictures and make notes!  Your experiences will start to get confusing after a while and it helps to have things documented to refer back to.
6. Most importantly, trust your instincts!  If you have a bad feeling about a certain campus, it is usually something you should pay attention to. 

E.             Scholarships and financial aid

1. At this point, your first priority should be admission.  Many scholarships are awarded from the individual colleges and are based on your application.  Make certain your application is as strong and complete as possible.
2. All scholarship information received at Laney will be bound in a black notebook and kept in student services for seniors and their parents to view.  Monthly updates will be sent to all classes, put on the Laney web page, and sent home via BucNews. 
3. Many scholarship programs do not send information to every high school – you must search for it on your own.  If you do not have the internet, the public library is a good resource.  If you do have internet access, you can search on your own or visit these websites:

        www.collegeboard.com
        www.cfnc.com
        www.collegeispossible.com
        www.wiredscholar.com
        www.scholarships.com

1. Other scholarship sources are your or your parent’s place of employment, your church, any civic or fraternal organizations with which your family is affiliated, credit unions, or individual school’s financial aid offices.  Gathering this information is time consuming, but definitely worth it.
2. Most colleges require only the FAFSA (free application for federal student aid) which is not available until January.  This single form covers all federal financial aid and grants, as well as a variety of campus assistance.  An evening presentation in January will help you with the process of submitting the FAFSA.  It would certainly be in your best interest to ask your college choices if they require additional forms, because some supplemental forms can be submitted in the fall.
3. Again, and this bears repeating, do not let a school’s “sticker price” keep you from applying.  Often the most expensive schools have the most generous financial aid opportunities.  You don’t know what you can afford until the school makes you an offer.
4. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER PAY for scholarship information!  Many scams are circulating now, and with the economic uncertainty many people face, it is often tempting to believe companies that “guarantee” scholarship funds.  This is simply not true, and letters you may receive this school year should not be believed.  Any legitimate scholarship can be found with a little digging and will NOT charge you a fee.
5. The Golden Rule of Scholarships:  APPLY FOR EVERYTHING!

D. So what do I do now?

Visit as many schools as you can.
• Sign up for the SAT or ACT.
• In September or October complete your college applications even if you have not taken the necessary tests.  You will be notified with a decision much sooner if you are already in their data base when the test scores do arrive.
• Begin investigating all scholarship opportunities.
• Keep copies of everything you send out.

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