GRADUATION EXIT EXAM:  The LA Legislature and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education require that all students who are scheduled to graduate in 2011 pass Language Arts, Math, and Science or Social Studies.  Students who attended a public school in LA for the first time during their junior year must take the Science and Social Studies Tests only.  Students who attended a public school in LA for the first time during their senior year will not be responsible for any of the Exit Exams.  Seniors who have not passed or taken the required tests will have an opportunity to retake any test needed on October 24-28, 2011. and in March/April 2012. (Students will be notified of remediation opportunities throughout the year.)

INDEPENDENT STUDY:  The Brigham Young University Independent Study Program

(http://ce.byu.edu/is/site/ or 1-800-914-8931) offers one course (Health, HLTH 41) which has been approved by EBRPSS.  If you need to enroll in this independent study course, see Mrs. Collins in the Guidance Office for approval.   INDEPENDENT STUDY WORK MUST BE COMPLETED BY APRIL 1, 2012.  Students will not receive senior classification and may not participate in graduation ceremonies until ALL coursework has been successfully completed.

NIGHTLINE:  After hours courses are sometimes offered after regular school hours for high school credit at an area high school.  Mrs. Collins will announce and post information during 1^st semester exams or as soon as it becomes available.

CREDIT RECOVERY:  WHS offers an online courseware system designed to enable students to recover lost credits.  The following repeat courses are offered at Woodlawn High:  Engish I, II, II, IV; Algebra I, II; Geometry; W. Geography; W. History; US History; Civics; Free Ent.; Phy.Sci.,Env. Sci.,Chemistry, & Biology

LA VIRTUAL SCHOOL (LVS):  In order to increase opportunities for students to graduate on time, catch up with curriculum, and take courses for post-secondary preparedness, LVS will be piloting an additional block of course offerings called “Intersession”. All courses will be offered in a block format. This means that for a one credit course, students will be expected to work at least 90 minutes a day, and for a ½ credit course students should work at least 50 minutes a day to ensure successful completion of the curriculum.
Go to: http://www.louisianavirtualschool.net/ for more information.

COLLEGE/CAREER:  Seniors who will not attend the college fair are urged to contact colleges and career schools as soon as possible for admissions information.  (Web sites, addresses and phone numbers are available in the Career Center.)  Seniors are also encouraged to meet with College and Career School Representatives who visit Woodlawn.  Listen to announcements and check the guidance office bulletin board for visitation dates.

CAREER COMPASS of LA:   Representative will be in the career library every Monday to assist seniors with completing ACT/SAT, college, scholarship, and financial aid applications, etc.  ALL seniors will be called in.  Will meet with walk-ins during lunch.

TRANSCRIPTS:  At the last senior meeting in April, seniors will complete a transcript request form for Guidance to send their final transcript outside Louisiana.  LA colleges and universities will obtain transcripts electronically. Seniors who need copies of final transcripts or partial transcripts before graduation should see the Guidance Clerk before school or during lunch.

ACT:  If you are planning to go to college after graduation, you need to take the ACT if you did not take it as a junior.   ACT NATIONAL TEST DATES are Oct. 22, Dec. 10, Feb. 11, April 14, and June 9.  Registration information is available in the Guidance Office and should be picked up several months PRIOR to the test date in order to meet the registration deadline or register online at www.actstudent.org  .  (Check if your college requires the ACT Writing Test.)  ACT Fee Waiver Forms are available from Mrs. Collins in the Guidance Office during lunch or after your last class for students who meet eligibility requirements (free/reduced lunch).  TOPS code for ACT registration:  1595.

ACT/SAT CODE:  Woodlawn’s ACT & SAT Code is 190 250.

ACT EXAM PREP @ LSU:  For complete information and future sessions, call 578-2500 or go online to www.outreach.lsu.edu   (NOTE: ACT Prep class, 2^nd sem., ½ unit, Woodlawn High.)

SAT:  If you are planning to attend college in another state, the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) may be required.  You should check with the college or university that you plan to attend.  Go online to www.collegeboard.com for test dates and to register.  TOPS code for SAT registration:  9019.

ASVAB:  The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) will be administered on a voluntary basis to juniors and seniors this semester.  It will take about 3 ½ hours.  There is no charge and there is no military obligation. ASVAB results are helpful in making career plans.  Students interested in taking the ASVAB must pre-register in the Guidance Office.  (Pre-Registration: Nov 11/28 - 12/1.  Test Date: Dec. 6th)

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE:  Athletes, who plan to participate in Division I or II athletics in college, must be certified by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse.  Apply online at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net or www.eligibilitycenter.org.  Please turn in completed NCAA transcript release form to the guidance clerk to send first transcript.  NCAA will request final transcript.

COLLEGE ADMISSION, HOUSING:  Seniors who plan to further their education should contact the career school, college, or institution that they plan to attend in order to become familiar with important deadlines for applying for admission, as well as housing and financial aid. 

FINANCIAL AID:  There are several ways to obtain financial assistance to continue your education.  The four major categories are scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans. Do NOT submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) until after Jan. 1, 2012.  Your parent’s 2011 tax return will be needed to complete the application.  The FAFSA is also the application used to apply for TOPS.  For more information about state aid, including the TOPS Scholarship Program, contact the LA Office of Student Financial Assistance at 1-800-259-5626 or 922-1012 or online at www.osfa.state.la.us. (Mrs. Collins will conduct a financial aid workshop for seniors in Feb.2012.)

SCHOLARSHIPS:  Scholarship information is made available to students throughout the year.  Announcements of scholarship opportunities will be made during morning announcements. It is the student’s responsibility to listen for these announcements and to check the scholarship information posted on the bulletin board outside the guidance office.  You should also contact the Financial Aid Office at the school of your choice for more information.  Web sites, addresses and phone numbers of colleges and universities are available in the Career Center. NOTE:  LSU’s scholarship application deadline is Nov. 15^th and many other college scholarship deadlines are as early as Dec. 1^st.

APPLICATIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS:  Applications that require a letter of recommendation by a counselor or teacher must be received at least 2 weeks prior to the deadline.  Applications that do not require letters of recommendation but do require items to be completed by your counselor must be received at least one week prior to the deadline.  Please provide a copy of your resume to the individual completing the application/recommendation.  Before submitting applications, please complete & sign any sections which you are instructed to complete.  Deliver applications in person to Mrs. Collins during lunch or after your last class.

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES:  Students with certain exceptionalities may qualify for services and funding to further their education. For more information contact the Vocational Services Office (295-8900).

SELECTIVE SERVICE REGISTRATION:  A Federal law requires young men to register with Selective Service within 30 days of their 18^th birthday. You may register via the internet at www.sss.gov.  You must comply with this law in order to receive federal student aid and other benefits.

LAST DAY FOR SENIORS:  May 4, 2012

ADDITIONAL:  PLEASE SAVE THIS INFORMATION SHEET FOR FUTURE REFERENCE AND TAKE IT HOME TO YOUR PARENTS OR VIEW ON WOODLAWN HIGH SCHOOL’S WEBSITE AT http://woodlawnhigh.ebrschools.org/ .   Seniors may fill out an appointment request form to meet with Mrs. Collins for non-emergency conferences.  Mrs. Collins will be available to meet with seniors for urgent conferences before or after school or during lunch.  Please let the guidance clerk know if your conference request is urgent and you will be called from class.

Parents may contact Mrs. Collins (Senior Counselor) at 753-2665 (Woodlawn Guidance Office) for more information or to schedule a conference.