First Year Experience 

Lauralton Hall recognizes the importance of strengthening students’ connections to their school community and laying the foundation for student success during their  first year. Freshman year brings challenges that require students to learn and develop the skills needed to negotiate their new environment and discover a successful pathway to their future that fits  their talents and needs. The First Year Experience (FYE) course, a signature program developed by Lauralton Hall,  addresses academic and personal dimensions of student development with a focus on:

• Practical competencies (time management, study skills, leadership skills, access to school resources)
• Emotional wellness (stress management, healthy relationships, mental health, social media)
• Physical health (substance abuse, nutrition, exercise, team building)
• Academic planning ( Four- year Plan, college & career, Naviance, scheduling)

This learning- centered experience encourages students to take ownership of their plans and develop solid goals for their education, while making an empowered transition to the LH community of learners and compassionate stewards of our Mercy tradition. This seminar is required of freshmen and meets once a cycle.

Freshman Guidance Appointments

Mrs. Chamberlain or Ms. Hutchinson will notify students of their guidance appointments by sending passes via student email. These passes will be sent out a few days prior to the appointment. It is the students’ responsibility to check their email for these passes. If the student misses an appointment, it is her responsibility to reschedule with her assigned counselor. Guidance appointments are scheduled around the student’s free periods in order to prevent missed class time.

Students also have the option to schedule their own appointments with their assigned counselor.

Individual and Group Meetings

Students and their School Counselors will meet periodically throughout the school year. At times these meetings will be one-on-one or in a small group setting.

Sophomore Guidance Seminar Schedule

Sophomore Guidance Seminars are scheduled during the assigned class time or during students’ free periods as drop in sessions. If materials are needed for the seminar, they will be posted on the Guidance Haiku Page. In addition, if any information is needed from the students, an email will be sent to the class as a whole. It is the students’ responsibility to check Haiku and email on a regular basis.

September– Introduction to Sophomore Year - SMART GOALS, Introduction to PSAT

October – Mental Health Awareness, Identifying Strategies for Stress Relief

December– Identifying Core Values and Linking to Future 

January - PSAT Review,  Junior Course Selection Information Sessions

February - Naviance Lesson, Personality and Career Exploration and Interests 

March-Course Selection for Junior Year

April - Activities List, Awareness of Self-representation in Digital World 

May - Reflection of Sophomore Year, Introduction to Junior Year, Summer Plans 

Sophomore Guidance Appointments

Mrs. Hanson and Mrs. Chamberlain will notify students of their guidance appointments by sending passes via student email. These passes will be sent out a few days prior to the appointment. It is the students’ responsibility to check their email for these passes. If the student misses an appointment, it is her responsibility to reschedule with her assigned counselor. Guidance Appointments are scheduled around the student’s free periods in order to prevent missed class time.

Students also have the option to schedule their own appointments with Mrs. Bernier at the front desk of the Guidance and College Planning Center.

Individual and Group Meetings

Students and their School Counselors will meet periodically throughout the school year. At times these meetings will be either one-on-one or in a small group setting.

Junior Guidance Seminar Schedule

Junior Guidance Seminars are scheduled during the second semester, as part of the academic schedule. Students are assigned to meet one first period block per eight day rotating schedule. Attendance is taken and students are responsible for meeting with their College Counselor to obtain information missed. All topics covered in seminar, are also addressed with students in one-on- one meetings with their College Counselors.

Cycle One: Introduction to Junior Guidance Seminar: Naviance - Building a College List, Application Deadlines, and the different factors that go into a solid college application

Cycle Two: Standardized Testing and Timeline Seminar (College Planning Timeline)

Cycle Three: Grade 12 Course Selection Seminar: Career Exploration, College Major Exploration

Cycle Four: Resume Seminar

Cycle Five: College Essay Questions & Mock Interview Seminar

Cycle Six: Teacher Recommendation Letters & Summer To Do List Seminar

Junior Guidance Appointments

Students and their College Counselors will meet periodically throughout the school year. At times these meetings will be either one-on-one or in a small group setting.

Ms. Fosse-Previs and Mrs. Fracker will notify students of their guidance appointments by sending passes via student email. These passes will be sent out a few days prior to the appointment. It is the students’ responsibility to check their email for these passes. If the student misses an appointment, it is her responsibility to reschedule with her assigned counselor. Guidance Appointments are scheduled around the student’s free periods in order to prevent missed class time.

Students also have the option to schedule their own appointments with Mrs. Bernier at the front desk of the Guidance and College Planning Center.

College Planning Meetings

Juniors and their parents are invited to meet with their College Counselor to discuss the college process in depth during second semester.

Senior Guidance Seminar Schedule

Senior Guidance Seminars are scheduled during the first semester as part of the academic schedule. Students are assigned to meet one first period block per eight day rotating schedule. Attendance is taken and students are responsible for meeting with their College Counselor to obtain information missed. All topics covered in seminar are also addressed with student in one-on-one meetings with their College Counselors.

Cycle 1: Introduction to Senior Seminar: Updating College List, Review the Importance of a Solid Application, Review Deadlines and Student Responsibilities

Cycle 2: Common Application Bootcamp Seminar

Cycle 3: Transcript Request/Early Decision Signing Seminar

Cycle 4: Financial Aid, CSS Profile & Scholarship Seminar

Cycle 5: Final Senior Seminar - Review of Next Steps, Request of First Quarter Grades for Early Action Institutions, and How to Make a Conscientious Decision in May

Senior Guidance Appointments

Students and their College Counselors will meet periodically throughout the school year. At times these meetings will be either one-on-one or in a small group setting.

Ms. Fosse-Previs and Mrs. Fracker will notify students of their guidance appointments by sending passes via student email. These passes will be sent out a few days prior to the appointment. It is the students’ responsibility to check their email for these passes. If the student misses an appointment, it is her responsibility to reschedule with her assigned counselor. Guidance appointments are scheduled around the student’s free periods in order to prevent missed class time.

Students also have the option to schedule their own appointments with Mrs. Bernier at the front desk of the Guidance and College Planning Center.

For more college related information please see College Planning Events for a detailed description of programs.