By Lois Gould
Happy New Year! The new year is an exciting time to reflect on the past and look forward to what’s to come with a blank slate. For our seniors and families, this is typically even more exciting as it is only a short time until graduation, a year they have dreamed of for so long. But just as with any aspect of development, there can be a myriad of feelings, which can include concern, frustration, excitement, and enthusiasm.

Students and families typically begin the proactive stage of planning, researching and engaging in the post high school application process in middler year at LPS. However, self-reflection is an ongoing process that can extend from early on in high school to beyond graduation.

Within the Career Education classes and during the transition guidance meetings, students and families are reminded that post-high school planning is a process. Students grow and change, assess their goals, learning style and interests. Typical for students with language based learning challenges, this phase may progress at a slower rate.

Students are reminded often that while it takes a while to complete the many aspects of the application process, they do not need to make decisions at this point in the year. As a matter of fact, though the exploration process is essential, they are encouraged to keep “an open mind” to alternatives. It is not uncommon for a student to enter junior year absolutely certain of a particular career path with a singular vision of applying to one school to train for the chosen career. Similarly, it is not uncommon for that student to take a u-turn along the road and change the perspective plan.

We congratulate all of our students for a successful year so far and look forward to what’s to come in 2012.