Fall Semester Wrap Up
Click the Student Success Center Staff tab above to connect with your Northwest School Counseling Team!
Upcoming Activities/Events
- December 9 – Money Monday kicks off! (see below for details)
- December 16 – Final Money Monday of the semester
- January 13 – Money Monday returns
- January 14 – Course request for the 2025-2026 opens (see below for details)
- January 21 – FAFSA Family Help Session, 5:30-7:30, LNW Cafeteria
- January 23 – Bay High Focus Program lunchtime visits
- January 27 – Final Money Monday of the season
LPS Focus Programs – NOW is the time to apply!
Did you know that LPS students have access to ten different focus programs within our district? Each of these programs offers the opportunity to engage in deeper learning experiences and possibly even earn college credit. Check out the LPS Focus Programs website at https://home.lps.org/focus to learn more about any of these programs, or contact Brooke Sharpe (bsharpe@lps.org) with questions. Now is the time to apply to participate in a focus program next year!
Advanced Placement/Dual Enrollment Update
If your child is enrolled in an Advanced Placement (AP) class next semester, the registration window for the AP exam, which will be taken in May, opens in late January. Many of our AP classes are also offered as dual enrollment options, providing students with the opportunity to earn credit through a local college (tuition assistance is available). Please watch your email for more information coming soon! Contact Brooke Sharpe (bsharpe@lps.org) if you have questions about these opportunities for your child.
Course Request for the 2025-2026 School Year
It’s hard to believe that students will soon be requesting classes for the 2025-2026 school year! All current freshmen have already met with their counselor to begin exploring their strengths/interests, learn about how these relate to potential career interests, and begin their Course Plan in Synergy. If you have a 9th grader, please ask them to show your their Course Plan and encourage them to complete this assignment (posted in their Class of 2028 Google Classroom) over Winter Break.
When we return in January, we’ll be busy working with current 10th and 11th grade students, as well as meeting with our future freshmen in their middle schools, to help all students make informed decisions about the classes they hope to take next year. Families are an important part of this academic planning process! Please ask your child about their plans and be sure to review their Course Request in Synergy before that window closes at the end of January. More information will be coming next month!
Senior Information
ICYMI, the FAFSA is open! Winter break is an excellent time for students to focus on post-secondary planning activities, like completing the FAFSA, applying for scholarships, and getting those college applications submitted. If your student is still unsure of where to start, please connect with their Northwest school counselor so we know they need help! On a related note, Money Monday kicks off next week with our first-ever workshop during 3rd block on December 9th. Students are encouraged to drop in during their lunch (or with permission from their 3rd block teacher) for help with scholarship applications, questions about the FAFSA, or general college planning assistance. Money Mondays will continue throughout January (but no workshop during finals week this month).
Select Senior Dates/Deadlines
This represents a small selection of local opportunities – be sure to check deadlines for your top college/scholarship choices as well!
- UNO Walter Scott Jr Scholarship – Deadline December 29th
- UNK Honors Program – Deadline January 7th
- Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools Scholarships – Deadline January 29th
- UNO Honors Program – Deadline February 1st
- Doane Hansen Leadership Program – Deadline February 21st
- Doane Honors Program – Deadline February 28th
- UNL Honors (includes College of Business and Raikes School) – Deadline March 7th
**Please note that school counselors do not work over Winter Break or Spring Break. Be aware of deadlines that fall during these times and adjust accordingly if you will need anything from your school counselor!**
