8th Grade Student and Parent Orientation

Principal - Jerald Holtgren

Assistant Principal - Mike Vota

Athletic Director - Greg Younger

Student Advocate - Mr. Partee

Counselor - Nicole Kaiser (A-H)

Counselor - Krista Elkins (I-P)

Counselor - Michael Clark (Q-Z)

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Orientation Agenda

1. Website Resources

Parent Newsletter

Program of Studies

Scheduling Resources Location�LHS Website>Our School>School Counseling>Academic Resources

• Michigan Merit Curriculum
• Advanced Placement (AP) Classes
• Early/Middle College

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5. STEM Programs and Classes

6. Alternative Pathways to Graduation

• Career and Technical Education (CTE)
• Personal Curriculum

Parent Homework: Student Course Selection Form (Due March 4th) and Four-Year Planning (optional)

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Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC)

4 Credits of English

4 Credits of Mathematics

3 Credits of Science

3 Credits of Social Studies

2 Credits of Foreign Language

1 Credit of Physical Ed./Health

1 Credit of Visual, Applied, or Performing Arts

*18 total credits required to meet the MMC

*22 total credits required for LPS graduation

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Alternative Pathways to Graduation

• MMC Options
• Personal Curriculum
• Career and Technical Education

Four-Year Planning

In the Program of Studies, you will see a chart that looks like this.

Study Skills Seminar Topics:

• Planning / Organization
• Asking good questions
• How to understand lectures
• Taking good notes / Reorganizing notes
• Effective strategies for studying for tests / Making study guides
• Test taking strategies
• Learning from setbacks
• How to read difficult texts
• Handling anxiety

Elective Course Options

Click here for a full description of each course, listed by department & how it fulfills the MMC - Program of Studies

9-12 Grade Electives

Intro to Medical Careers - DeVries (145)

Dance- Graziano (Dance)

Band - Pagel (Band)

Law - Schroeder (247)

Physical Education - Winkelmann (120)

Parenting - Winkelmann (120)

Healthy Development - Winkelmann (120)

Online Learning - Michigan Virtual University - Holtgren (Media)

Dual Enrollment at College- Clark (Counseling)

Engineering Drafting/CAD - B. Smith (154)

Art Foundations (pre-req)-Art 2D/3D - Ingle (149)

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Computer Science - Whitelaw (131)

Accounting -Vroon (248)

Drama/Acting - Ring (249)

Spanish 1, 2, 3, and 4 - Plichta/ Sanchez (110)

French 1, 2, and 3 - Hurdle (142)

Chorus - Gailey (Choir)

Digital Multi Design/Website - Vroon (248)

Woods - Heil (152)

Wood Technology - Heil (152)� �Tech Explorations - Heil (152)

Into Engineering & Design - Klunder (144)

Welding - Schmidt (151)

Marketing 1, 2, and 3 - Jahnke (108)

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Career and Technical Education

Earning College Credit - Enrolled at LHS

CTE Courses at LHS

• Marketing 1, 2, and 3
• Welding 1 and 2
• Autos 1 and 2
• Mechanical Drafting and CAD 1 and 2
• Machine Tool
• Introduction to Medical Careers
• Certified Nurse’s Aide / Allied Health
• Electrical
• HVAC

CTE Courses Off-Campus �Approx 20 offerings in a variety of pathways

• Sports Medicine
• Construction Trades
• Professional Healthcare Academy

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Opportunities for College Credit

• Direct Credit
• Dual Enrollment
• Advanced Placement (AP)
• Michigan Virtual AP Classes
• Early/Middle College

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Dual Enrollment and Direct Credit Partnerships

• Lake Michigan College
• Southwestern Michigan College
• Andrews University

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Early/Middle College

1. Opportunity to earn an Associate’s Degree or Certification
2. LHS covers tuition for all classes.
3. Student Commitment:
1. Commitment is made at the end of the sophomore year.
2. 5th year of high school
3. Students take classes at LHS and LMC during their junior and seniors years. During the 13th year, all classes are taken at LMC.
4. 60 credits at LMC
5. Application - paper application, student and family interview, summer boot camp
4. Application takes place winter of Sophomore year.

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Advanced Placement (AP) Classes

• U.S. History
• English Language
• English Literature
• U.S. Government and Politics
• World History
• Macro and Microeconomics
• Biology
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Calculus AB
• Art

Advanced Placement (AP) Classes

Advantages of AP classes:

1. AP classes are open to all students
2. Rigor of a college class
3. High-Stakes Testing
4. Potential for college credit
5. Test Scoring = 1 2 3 4 5

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UofM = 4 credits

MSU = 8 credits

WMU = 6 credits

How to earn CREDITS!

Quarter 1 - 40%

Quarter 2 - 40%

Semester Exam - 20%

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Example:

Q1: 85%

Q2: 55%

E1: 72%

S1: 70.4% (C-)

Tips for Parents

• Figure out drop off / pick up locations with your kids before school starts
• Attend back to school night and conferences
• Encourage your child to get involved with school events
• Read emails and newsletters
• Connect with our Facebook page
• Teach your child how to advocate for themselves
• Have frequent conversations with your child about goals and their future.

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Closing Comments

Monday, March 4th: Student Course Selection Forms Due - You can turn them into the box in the Middle School Office. Mrs. Pallett and Mrs. Archer can help you if you have any questions regarding where to turn in.

Scheduling: Teachers, class hours, and lunches are randomly selected by PowerScheduler.

If you have further questions or concerns, please email the High School Counselors:

• Students with Last Names beginning with A-H, contact Mrs. Nicole Kaiser - nkaiser@lpslancer.net
• Students with Last Names beginning with I-P, contact Mrs. Krista Elkins - kelkins@lpslancer.net
• Students with Last Names beginning with Q-Z, contact Mr. Mike Clark - maclark@lpslancer.net
• Any in person scheduling meetings will take place after Spring Break as we are currently in classrooms and meeting with upperclassmen parents. Still turn in schedule selection sheet and we can make changes later if needed.�

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