Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! As we begin the first few days of the new calendar year, it is hard to believe that we are almost half way through this school year. The end of 2nd quarter is a great time to talk to our students about their areas of success so far this year and opportunities for growth and improvement. I would encourage you to ask your students the following questions:

• In what course have you been the most successful and why?
• In what course have you struggled the most and why?
• What are your academic goals for the rest of this school year?
•  What are your academic goals for the rest of your high school career?
•  What are your college and/or career goals?

The final two questions above will hopefully generate some conversation about the upcoming course selection process (for current 9th – 11th graders); yes, it is that time already! The students will receive their course selection materials on Wednesday, January 4 (and they will be due back to their 6th period teachers by January 13). We encourage our students to talk with their teachers and families about their course selections for next year, and to make informed and purposeful decisions. These important decisions should be based upon future goals and interests while also making the most of the opportunities available here. To support all students in maximizing their potential in high school and thus graduating college and career ready, we encourage students to challenge themselves in their courses; we want all students to be challenged and to be successful. Please confer with your child about their selections and don’t hesitate to seek input from your child’s teachers and guidance counselor. While you know your child the best, the teachers and counselors are educational professionals; their recommendations and input are invaluable. It is important that the choices students make at this point in the process are firm decisions, as the master schedule for next year is built upon these course selections.

Please take note of the important dates and events related to course selection:

• January 4 – students receive course selection materials
• January 10 – Scheduling Orientation for parents of incoming 9th graders
• January 13– course registration forms are due back
• January 22-February 29 – guidance counselors will be meeting with all students to review their course selections; Graduation Requirement Checklists will be referenced during these conferences and given to each student.

Also coming up this month are mid-term exams; they begin on January 17. It is important for students to remember that mid-term exams do impact their final course grades – the exams are worth 1/10 of the final grade for a year-long course and 1/5 of the grade for a semester course. In addition to being a component of the course grade, the exams are also a great opportunity for the teachers to assess the students’ learning thus far; it is important, therefore, that the students take these exams seriously and do their best. The half days during exam week are scheduled to provide students with additional time to prepare for their upcoming exams while also getting adequate rest. Please encourage your children to use this time wisely. In addition to the time afforded during exam week, we encourage students to begin their preparation NOW for the upcoming exams. A great beginning to their exam preparation is for students to get their notebooks organized and class materials assembled; teachers will also be providing study guides and/or study guidance in the near future that will help students prepare for these inclusive exams (the midterms cover all of the material learned so far this year).

Mid-term Exam Schedule:

• Monday, January 16 – No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
• Tuesday, January 17 – students take their 4A exam (is a full school day and exam is taken during their scheduled class time)
• Wednesday, January 18 – students take their Period 1 and 2 Exams (students dismissed 11:10 AM)
• Thursday, January 19 – students take their Period 3 and 4B Exams (students dismissed at 11:10 AM)
• Friday, January 20 – students take their Period 5 and 6 Exams (students dismissed at 11:10 AM)
• Monday, January 23 – No School for Students (Professional Work Day)

Happy New Year to all – I look forward to continuing to partner with you to inspire excellence in 2012!

GO RAIDERS!