Financial Aid Workshop

Attention Seniors and senior parents/guardians!

A financial aid workshop is scheduled for January 22, 2013 at 6 p.m. in the Landrum High School cafeteria. A financial aid representative will present information about applying for financial aid. You don't want to miss out on this workshop! You'll receive lots of helpful tips on how to apply for financial aid and how to complete the FAFSA (free application for federal student aid). Please be sure to attend!

Employment Trends

Medical jobs are among the best-paid jobs for the future. According to an article on msnbc.com, jobs with the most projected growth for the future are jobs in the health care profession. And, many of them, do not require a four-year degree.  Radiologic technicians, dental hygienists, and registered nurses are among the fastest growing jobs. Other technical fields that require a two-year college degree which are in demand include: electrical technicians, computer specialists, paralegals, and hospitality workers. Skills and further education are vital to securing employment in this challenging market. For more information about schools offering two-year degrees, visit: www.sccsc.edu and www.gvltec.edu.


Sources: msnbc.com and foxbusiness.com

Fish and Game Warden

Mr. David Fox, a fish and game warden in South Carolina, spoke to students about his career. Fish and game wardens help protect wildlife, enforce fishing, hunting, and boating laws, and patrol water areas including lakes and beaches.

To be a game warden, you need a four year college degree. The average salary is $56,030. Many game wardens work long hours outdoors. Mr. Fox stated that as a game warden, "you'll work on holidays, too."  Many fish and game wardens are required to wear a uniform and may carry firearms.

For more information about this career, click here:

 http://oedb.org/fast-track-careers-criminal-justice/fish-and-game-warden

Seniors get a dose of Reality at SC Telco Federal Credit Union's Reality Fair

Landrum High School was featured in the Spartanburg Herald Journal for the 2nd annual Reality Fair. The event was sponsored by SC Telco Federal Credit Union. Seniors were assigned a career and given the task to set a budget while trying to afford everyday expenses such as rent, transportation, and food. For more information about the event, click here:

 http://www.goupstate.com/article/20121108/ARTICLES/121109688/1085/news06?Title=Landrum-students-get-taste-of-life-with-reality-fair

Converse College

Forty-eight Landrum High School female students were treated to a campus tour of Converse College. Converse personnel coordinated a fun-filled, educational experience for the girls. The students attended an admissions information session and then participated in a mock classroom. This gave the girls the opportunity to experience first-hand what it feels like to be in a college class taught by a college professor. After the mock class, they were treated to lunch and then toured the beautiful campus.  We thank Converse for their support of our students and for the beneficial event!  For more information about Converse College, visit www.converse.edu.

Upcoming Events in Guidance

There are a lot of events upcoming in the Guidance office:

On October 29th, Mr. Andy Ray from North Greenville University will be here during SSR to discuss admissions requirements and other important information about NGU. To attend, sign up in your class room or in the Guidance office.

On October 30th, a representative from the United States Marine Corps will be here during SSR to discuss requirements for enlistment in the Marines.

On October 31st, a representative from the United States Navy will be here during SSR to discuss requirements for the Navy. Sign up in your class room or in Guidance.

On November 2nd, more than 50 female students will attend a field trip to Converse College. This scheduled event is full.

On November 5th, Mr. David Fox, a SC Game Warden, will be here during SSR to discuss his career. Sign up in Guidance.

On November 8th, SC Telco Federal Credit Union is sponsoring the 2nd annual Reality Fair. This event gives seniors a taste of reality. It allows them to see what it means to pay bills, budget, and why ehaving further education after high school is so important.

Also on November 8th, all juniors will take the ASVAB test and all sophomores will take the PLAN test (a practice ACT).

As you can see, there are a lot of events taking place within the next 2 weeks!

Polk County Scholarships

Seniors! If you live in the city of Landrum High School and are planning to attend a college or university out of state, please stop by the Guidance office to get an application.

PSAT

There's still time for juniors to sign up for the PSAT. The cost is $14. They can sign up in the Guidance office.

All 10th grade students will take the test at Landrum HS and do not need to register.

Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities

There will be an information session for the Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities on Thursday, October 11th at 6:30 p.m. in the Spartaburg Public Library located on Church Street. Contact Lauren Maxwell at laurenmaxwell@scgsah.state.sc.us for more information.

The Governor's School for Arts and Humanities will also be at Landrum High School on Monday, October 15th during SSR. Students who are interested in attending this meeting, can sign up in Guidance.

PSAT

Any 11th grade student interested in taking the PSAT (practice SAT), should sign up in the Guidance office this week. The cost for the test is $14.  The PSAT is a practice test for the SAT. All 11th grade students are encouraged to take the test.

USC, College of Charleston, and Clemson

Landrum Guidance attended a USC, College of Charleston, and Clemson University information session. Here are some important dates to keep in mind when completing applications to these institutions:

USC deadlines - October 15th early answer deadline, November 15th - scholars deadline and Honors College deadline, December 1st - regular admission deadline. December is the last month to take the SAT or ACT!

College of Charleston deadlines - November 1st - early notification deadline, December 1st - scholarship deadline, February 1st - Regular notification and all documents due.

Clemson deadlines - Priority deadline - December 1st, all credentials (test scores, transcripts and other materials) due February 1st.

*If you are applying any of these schools, you will need to take the ACT and/or SAT no later than December 1st, have your official scores sent to the institution, and make sure you sign up for ACT plus writing when registering for the ACT.

College Application Day

College Application Day is scheduled for Friday, October 19, 2012 at Landrum High School. College representatives and school staff will be available to assist all students in completing their college applications.

Senior Night

The Guidance Department is hosting a Senior Night for all seniors and parents on September 11, 2012. This informative session is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the auditorium. Please plan to attend!

Exploring College Options

Harvard, Duke, Georgetown, Penn State, and Stanford admissions representatives will be in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, September 9th at 7:30 p.m. at the Greenville Marriott located at One Parkway East Greenville, SC. To register, go to www.exploringcollegeoptions.org These information sessions are for parents and students.

School Starts Soon....

Welcome back students!The first day of school is approaching. I'm sure you're anxious to see your friends and meet your new teachers.

Some things to keep in mind for the first day (which is August 20th): 1) Arrive early. School starts at 8 a.m. Be prompt. You don't want a tardy on your first day.
2) Bring pens, pencils, papers and folders. You'll learn about the other school supplies you'll need once you meet your teachers. 3) Stay in dress code. 4) Make sure your phone is off once you are in school. 5) Remember to bring money for lunch or bring a lunch. 6) You'll go to homeroom to get a copy of your schedule.

Welcome back. We look forward to seeing you this school year!

Things to do this summer

1. Make sure you do your required reading for your English Honors class.
2. If you're a rising junior or senior, sign up to tour college campuses this summer.
3. If you're a rising senior, study for the SAT/ACT - sign up for the free course through South Carolina Virtual School. Rising sophomores and juniors, South Carolina Virtual School offers free PSAT prep, as well.
4. Volunteer (many agencies actively seek high school students. Volunteering gives you job experience).
5. Study for the ASVAB if you are interested in joining the military. Use military.com to take practice tests.

Free SAT/ACT Help

South Carolina Virtual School is offering a free SAT and ACT preparation class. You can register at anytime. Studies show that studying for these tests will help your scores increase. To register, follow these 3 easy steps:
1) Go to www.scvspconnect.ed.sc.gov

2) Click on course information tab
3) Click on test preparation - Follow the starter guide to Getting your Schmoop On

Les Mis with The Foreign Language Club

On April 19th, several members of Landrum High School's Foreign Language Club attended a special field trip to the Peace Center in Greenville, SC. Organized by Mrs. Laurin Baker, the students first ate at the Trappe Door, a restaurant in Greenville offering Belgian cuisine, and then ventured over to the Peace Center to watch the play - Les Miserables. Overall, the evening was a success. The students had a wonderful time. For many, it was their first time seeing a musical at the Peace Center.

Is Diagnostic Medical Sonography the career for you?

Visit this web site to learn more about this fast growing career. If it's the career for you, speak with your Guidance Counselor and visit  Greenville Technical Institute's web site to receive educational information.

Dental Hygienist

http://careerplanning.about.com/library/quiz/career_quizzes/bldentalhygienist_quiz.htm


Take this quiz to find out if dental hygiene is a career for you.

United States Airforce

Sgt. Walker from the U.S. Air Force spoke to several classes about his travels abroad and careers in the Air Force. Students learned about the requirements for entry into the Air Force, job opportunities, and about different cultures and customs. For more information about the Air Force, visit http://www.airforce.com/.

Air Force Careers

Sgt. Walker from the United States Air Force spoke to students about careers in the Air Force. Here are the enlistment requirements.

Spartanburg Methodist College

Spartanburg Methodist College (SMC), located in Spartanburg, SC, is a two year private college offering Associate of Arts degrees and six specialized majors. Housing is available for students who want to live on campus. Students who graduate from high school with a 3.0 or higher grade point average can qualify for the Life Scholarship, which will pay full tuition. For more information, click here.

Pharmacy Career

Have you ever wondered if pharmacy was the right career for you? Take this quiz to find out more.

For more information about this career, click here.

Transitioning into the Real World

Seven former graduates spoke to Landrum seniors offering tips for success in post-secondary education. The former graduates represented technical college, community college, and four year colleges or universities. Some of the tips they offered were complete your FAFSA now, make sure you are taking the right courses (meet with your advisor and read the catalogue), stay out of trouble, join clubs, and study. The former graduates also discussed opportunities to earn money while in college like being a resident advisor and applying for foundation scholarships at the college you are attending.

Free ACT and SAT Prep

South Carolina Virtual School is offering a free SAT and ACT preparation class. You can register at anytime. Studies show that studying for these tests will help your scores increase. To register, follow these 3 easy steps:
1) Go to www.scvspconnect.org
2) Click on course information tab
3) Click on test preparation - Follow the starter guide to Getting your Schmoop On

Engineer's Day

Engineers from CH2M Hill visited Landrum science classes to discuss careers in engineering. Students were given activities to complete, showing them how engineering relates to their science class. To become an engineer, you need a four year college degree in engineering. There are a variety of engineering fields including mechanical, civil, electrical, and much more. The average starting salary is $50,000. For more information about engineering, click here.

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapists are healthcare professionals that diagnose and treat people of all ages. They work with people who have injuries that limit their ability to move and perform daily life activities. Each person is examined and then given a treatment plan to follow to improve their movements and function.

Katie Rhodes, a physical therapist from Shriners Hospital, spoke to students about careers in physical therapy. To be a physical therapist you need a Master's degree in Physical therapy. Typical starting salary is $52,000. There are a variety of physical therapy specialities including pediatric, geriatric, sports injury, neurologic, and many more.

There are also Physical Therapy Assistants who work under the supervision of a physical therapist. You need a two year college degree in physical therapy assistant and pass the National Phyiscal Therapy exam.

To find out if physical therapy is the career for you, click http://careerplanning.about.com/library/quiz/career_quizzes/blphysicaltherapist_quiz.htm.

Spartanburg Methodist College

Spartanburg Methodist College (SMC) is a two year, private college located in Spartanburg, SC. At SMC, you can earn a two year Associate of Arts (AA) degree. The AA degree allows you to transfer to any four year college or university in the state of SC. If you have a 3.0 grade point average by the time of graduation, you can receive free tuition at SMC through the LIFE Scholarship.

Interested in learning more about SMC and want to see the campus for yourself? Sign up to attend the field trip to SMC, scheduled for March 23rd. Sign up with Ms. McCrimmon no later than February 29th.

IGP Time

It's IGP time. IGP's are individual graduation plans. During an IGP meeting, you and your parent discuss your plans after graduation, choose courses for the following school year, and select courses that will compliment your cluster/major of interest. Your Guidance Counselor will also discuss your SAT/ACT and PLAN/PSAT results. Expect to receive a letter with your IGP date/time in the mail soon.

Financial Aid 101

Here's a link to information on how financial aid works. Remember, to fill out your FAFSA. This is the only way to determine if you are eligible for financial aid.

Financial Aid - $ For College

Now is the time to complete the FAFSA. This is your free application for federal student aid. This form must be completed in order for you to receive any grants and loans, and some scholarships. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to complete the form. You will need to get a pin number for both you and your parents. It's important that you complete this form soon!

National Job Shadow Day

February 2nd is National Job Shadow Day. Job Shadow Day gives students the opportunity to "shadow" an employee in a field of their interest. Landrum High School students shadowed employees from businesses around the upstate of South Carolina.

SC Telco Federal Credit Union Reality Fair

The South Carolina Telco Federal Credit Union gave seniors a glimpse of reality on January 18th. The Reality Fair, coordinated by the Credit Union, allowed seniors the chance to see if they could afford to pay their bills and other expenses. A survey was given to seniors prior to the event which asked them to choose a career. Based on their career choice, seniors were assigned a salary. Additionally, they were given a credit score, student loan debt and credit card debt. At the fair, seniors were asked to choose housing, automobile choices, and other necessities for life. The goal was to teach them how to live within their means. Mostly all the seniors succeeded.

Financial Aid Night

Financial Aid Night is scheduled for January 23rd at 6 p.m. in Landrum's cafeteria. All seniors and their parents are invited to attend.