Christine Mattson

Welcome Back!

Hello,

My name is Christine Mattson. I am the Lester Prairie School K-12 School Counselor. I am ending my 18th year at Lester Prairie School. Prior to coming to LP I was a In-Home Family Counselor working with youth at risk. I graduated from Lester Prairie High School and attended college at Minnesota State University for 6 years. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Professional School Counseling K-12.

I love working with the students and families here at Lester Prairie School and look forward to working with you and your child! Please contact me if there is anything that I can assist you with in regards to your child’s academics or well-being!

Contact Information for Mrs. Mattson
Email: mattson@lp.k12.mn.us
Phone: (320)395-2521 ext. 1141

Contact: Christine Mattson

Resources for McLeod County

McLeod County Mental Health Crisis Response Services 24/7 320-864-2713

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

NAMI Information and Hotline 1-800-950-6264 or text “NAMI” to 741741
https://www.nami.org/Home

Mental Health Resources

Testing Schedule and Other Testing Resources

ACT/SAT Testing
Students with a disability may qualify for accommodations for college entrance exams, such as the ACT/SAT. For details, talk to the counselor or visit the following websites: www.act.org; www.collegeboards.com.

MCA Testing Schedule and resources can be found below.

Testing Schedule

Information for Juniors and Seniors. It is recommended that Juniors
take it in April of their Junior Year or in the Summer between Junior and
Senior Year.

ACT offers a number of resources to help examinees prepare to take the ACT^®, including the opportunity to take a practice test and use ACR Academy’s free personalized resources.:

Other online practice tests can be found at:
www.march2success.com
www.crackact.com

Also see Mrs. Mattson for free practice book.

Please contact Mrs. Mattson if you have any questions.

ACT Information

Lester Prairie Scholarship Fund Scholarship Application will be available to students in January

College Scholarships

Below you will find .pdf versions of the scholarships that are available.

Also, here are some other places you can search for available
scholarships.

www.fastweb.com
salliemae.com/scholarshipsearch
www.scholarships.com
www.finaid.org/scholarships/
http://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_ss/welcome.jsp

https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarships-by-state/minnesota-scholarships/

Other helpful financial aid related websites:
www.studentaid.gov
www.studentloans.gov
www.fafsa.gov
www.mafaa.org/public/students_families.php

If you have any questions, please let me know.

College Scholarships

10 Suggestions for Putting Together an Excellent Application
Workforce Scholarship/IT Scholarship
September Scholarship Newsletter
October Scholarship Newsletter
B. Davis Scholarship (Due May 21, 2024)
November Scholarship Newsletter
Horatio Alger Scholarship (Due 3/15/2024)
December Scholarship Newsletter
Coolidge Scholarship (Due 01/28/2024)
2024 Ridgeview Heath Care Scholarship (Due 3/15/2024)

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY LINKS

Take a Virtual College Tour
https://www.youvisit.com/

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
www.mnscu.edu

Minnesota Private Colleges
http://www.mnprivatecolleges.org/index.php

Office of Higher Education
http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/

Financial Aid Help
www.fafsa.ed.gov

University Of Minnesota Campus
http://www1.umn.edu/twincities/index.php

*COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES VISITING LESTER PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL*

North Dakota State University-September 27th @ 2:10
University of Wisconsin River Falls-October 13th @ 12:20

PLEASE SIGN-UP TO VISIT REPRESENTATIVE WITH MRS. MATTSON!

Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) Information

Please note that by March 1 of each year, a district must provide up-to-date information on the district’s website and in materials that are distributed to all pupils and their parents in grades 8 through grade 11 about the program, including information about enrollment requirements and the ability to earn postsecondary credit. To assist the district in planning, a pupil shall inform the district by May 30 of each year of their intent to enroll in postsecondary courses during the following school year. A pupil is bound by notifying or not notifying the district by May 30.

Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program that allows 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade students to earn both high school and college credit while still in high school, through enrollment in and successful completion of college-level, nonsectarian courses at eligible participating postsecondary institutions. Most PSEO courses are offered on the campus of the postsecondary institution; some courses are offered online. Each participating college or university sets its own requirements for enrollment into the PSEO courses. Eleventh and 12th-grade students may take PSEO courses on a full- or part-time basis; 10th graders may take one career/technical PSEO course. If they earn at least a grade C in that class, they may take additional PSEO courses.

There is no charge to PSEO students for tuition, books or fees for items that are required to participate in a course. Students must meet the PSEO residency and eligibility requirements and abide by participation limits specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09. Funds are available to help pay transportation expenses for qualifying students to participate in PSEO courses on college campuses. Schools must provide information to all students in grades 8-11 and their families by March 1, every year. Students must notify their school by May 30 if they want to participate in PSEO for the following school year. For current information about the PSEO program, visit the Minnesota Department of Education’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) webpage.

PSEO Information

PSEO Reference Guide

Night School/Summer School Information

NCAA Clearinghouse Information

NCAA Eligibility Information

NCAA Eligibility Center
NCAA Eligibility Center Quick Reference Guide
NCAA Eligibility Center Brochure

Every three years Minnesota schools are asked to participate in the Minnesota School Survey. This survey has been collecting data regarding Minnesota students for the past 30 years. The survey is administered to students in grades 5, 8, 9, and 11 and asks the students questions related to their health and well-being. The Lester Prairie Public Schools intends to participate in this survey in March of 2022. The general results of this survey will help improve our programing at Lester Prairie Public Schools.

Minnesota Student Survey (Minnesota Department of Education website)

Families may opt out of the survey by submitting the form that will be included in the notification letter that will. be sent to families with students in grades 5, 8, 9, & 11. Contact Christine Mattson at mattson@lp.k12.mn.us or 320-395-2521 for more information.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Minnesota Student Survey (MSS)?

The Minnesota Student Survey (MSS) is one of the longest running youth surveys in the nation. It is a triennial survey that began in 1989. The survey is an anonymous statewide school-based survey conducted to gain insights into the world of students and their experiences.

Why is the survey important?

The MSS is the primary source of comprehensive data on youth at the state, county and local level in Minnesota and is the only consistent source of statewide data on the health and well-being of youth from smaller population groups, such as racial or ethnic groups. It provides valuable information about issues vital to the health, safety and academic success of young people. The survey results have proven to be a dynamic vehicle in bringing the youth voice into decisions made by youth programs, schools, communities and state agencies.

How is the information from the survey results used?

School districts, local public health agencies and community nonprofits use local data to hold community forums and stimulate discussion about the needs of youth, to plan programs and to obtain grant funding. State agencies use the results to monitor trends, to assess the extent of disparities among population groups, to obtain federal and state funding and to assist local communities and schools.

Who administers the MSS?

The survey is a collaboration between local schools and four state agencies: the Minnesota Departments of Education, Health, Human Services and Public Safety. The state agencies develop the survey content, monitor data quality, analyze data and report results. Schools administer the survey to their students.

Who takes the survey?

All schools are invited to participate in the survey. This includes public, non-public, charter and tribal schools. It also includes alternative learning centers and juvenile correctional facilities. Fifth-, eighth-, ninth- and 11th-grade students take the survey, but schools may add additional grades, if desired.

Do all schools participate? Do all students take the survey?

The survey is voluntary for school districts and students. School districts have the option to not participate in the survey. Parents can choose not to have their children participate. Students themselves can decide not to take the survey. In every survey administration, at least 84 percent of school districts have participated in the survey.

How many students took the survey in 2019?

In 2019, more than 170,000 public school students participated in the survey, including 66 percent of fifth-grade students, 68 percent of eighth-grade students, 66 percent of ninth-grade students and 54 percent of 11th-grade students. The next MSS will be administered between January and June 2022.

What questions are included on the survey?

The survey asks students about their activities, opinions, behaviors and experiences. Students respond to questions on school climate, bullying, out-of-school activities, healthy eating, emotional health, substance use and connections with school and family. Questions about sexual behaviors are asked only of high school students. All responses are anonymous.

Are the same questions asked every three years?

Yes and no. Some questions are asked every three years in order to identify trends in student responses over time. However, as new issues emerge and old issues become less relevant, questions are reviewed for their usefulness. The MSS Research Team carefully examines all survey items every three years and gathers feedback from stakeholders. Since the MSS is already a lengthy survey, new items must have clear rationale and purpose.

How is the survey given?

In 2019, the MSS will be administered entirely online. Students may complete the survey on a desktop computer, laptop, tablet (e.g., iPad) or netbook (e.g., Chromebook). The online survey meets federal and state accessibility requirements and will include a text-to-speech option. This will ensure the survey is inclusive of more students.

How are the results reported?

State, county and district data are available on the Minnesota Department of Education website in an interactive format. PDF tables are distributed to participating districts and schools, as well as by request. Individual level data files can be requested by those who want to do their own analysis.

Distance Learning Page of Supportive Resources

If you have questions or need support during this time please reach out to me via email at mattson@lp.k12.mn.us or 320-200-2354. I will be available from 9-11:30 and 12:00-3:00 Monday through Friday. You can reach me through email, phone, Zoom, or Google Meets. Please be patient with me and with this whole process; we are embarking “uncharted waters” and are doing our best.

We miss you Students!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccpD-0_3pE4&feature=youtu.be

A GREAT Calming Resources Page
https://sites.google.com/wayzataschools.org/virtualcalmingroom/home?fbclid=IwAR2WxzSuaFDe8xHbMmqR57OMPU9m-nwHyBk2C6Lj8Gl0ly5wgPhckFsiAqo

Parent Resources
https://www.swwc.org/Page/2188

Mental Health Resources for Students and Families
Mayo Clinic Article
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/kids-coping-with-the-covid-19-pandemic/

National Alliance on Mental Health in Minnesota
https://namimn.org/support/mental-health-support-and-information-on-covid-19//

Mental Health & Wellness Tips
https://energyresourcing.com/blog/mental-health-wellness-covid-19/

Academic Resources
Tips on Creating a Productive School Workspace at Home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCk9SILTo1g&feature=youtu.be

Study Tips for Online Students
https://edtechtimes.com/2015/12/09/5-study-tips-online-students-infographic/?fbclid=IwAR1ImNPzr546iuZ6JSgVKhhMFkuSBNB3Mzg6r-qkqRM0b2U8d8ZClT7Qoyw

Resources for College Bound Students
https://www.imagine-america.org/covid-19-resource-page/

Take a Virtual College Visit
https://www.youvisit.com/

Talking to Your Children About COVID-19

*Families with Elementary Aged Children
https://youtu.be/iNVFXBGAw2Y

*Families with Junior High/High School Aged Children
https://youtu.be/tKiBuYq6Kt0

The Child Mind Institute’s Talking to Kids about Coronavirus
https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/

***There is also handout found below to help guide families in their discussions about the virus.

Variety of Resources
Local Resources in McLeod County
https://www.co.mcleod.mn.us/government/departments/administration/covid-19/index.php

Resources for Families During the Corona Virus
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/resources-for-families-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic

Family Activity.Food, Fun, and Conversation
https://thefamilydinnerproject.org/

Distance Learning Supportive Resources

Christine Mattson

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