March 2, 2016

Important Parent Information:  PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND THOROUGHLY AS WE HAVE NEW PROCEDURES IN PLACE!

Scheduling for Next Year

Dear Parents:  

        It is that time of year when we begin to plan for student courses for next year.  Please note that this week, I invite you to go to our website and view our course catalog for school year 2016-17 as student scheduling will also begin this week.  This year, there will be some changes to our process.

         Current freshmen will be going to the Computer Lab with their guidance counselors to register online for their courses.  Teachers have already determined their placement levels.  They will see these online and have a chance to discuss this with their guidance counselor, if needed.  They will also select any electives for which they have room in their schedule.  CAUTION:  Sophomore year is a very intense year with required courses from the State of Maryland's defined curriculum so students have little space for electives.

HOW CAN PARENTS HELP?   It is extremely helpful if parents review the course catalogue with their daughter and become aware of what still needs to be taken and what electives can be taken.

HOW DO I FIT IT ALL IN MY SCHEDULE?  In recent years, I have had several parents tell me that their daughter would like to take 3 electives to continue studies they have already taken.  For example, parents may say:  "My daughter wants to continue in LEAD, music, and Spanish:  how can she do this?"  When your daughter, meets with her guidance counselor, please let the guidance counselor know the situation.  If a student wants to take 3 electives in courses she has already been studying, we will look at several options.  The guidance counselors will also make a note of this and tally this information so that we can see how many girls and what courses are affected in this way.  Often times, we offer creative solutions to the problem, like an 8th period which is taught from 7:30-8:10 or the possibility of taking a class online.  Often times, we can create avenues that parents and students can't see, so it is very important to let your guidance counselor know your thoughts.

 IF ONLY, WE HAD AN EIGHT PERIOD DAY - HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF THAT?  The discussion of an eight period day has been considered several times by a committee of faculty members and the administration.  Formerly, an in-depth survey was completed to see how many students were affected by this.  At that time, an eight period was day was not cost effective and would have increased tuition significantly.  However, the faculty continues to discuss this and will further discuss this as we need to continually evaluate the program.  At this point, there will not be an eight period day in 2016-17, but I will keep you informed as to the results of our study.  

This is why I urge students to talk to their counselors.  I also highly recommend that parents send their daughter's guidance counselor an email and copy me on the email only when their daughter is looking at continuing 3 courses that she has already been studying.  I may not be able to help everyone, but I will do my best to consider schedules, classes and additional offerings we can make.

        As we look to next year, please allow me to offer you many details about tuition and fees and the process for re-registration. Please read everything carefully.  Students re-register in the cafeteria on assigned days.  After students have re-registered, we officially start to build the schedule that they created with their guidance counselor.  Students who re-register on time have the best opportunities to get the classes that they wanted. Students who re-register after the class date, may have a difficult time getting the courses they want and could be placed in electives that were not their preferred classes.