Dear Brookwood Parents and Guardians,

Registration for the 2014-15 school year will begin on February 3.  Why so early?  By talking to students now about the courses they want and need, we can have qualified staff, available classrooms, and technology resources ready when school begins.  We also try to minimize high-demand courses being "sold out," keep classes balanced, and class-size as small as possible.

The class choices at Brookwood may seem overwhelming.  Besides core curriculum, student electives like Fine Arts, Yearbook (applications in A23), Newspaper (applications in E9), and many Computer and Technology classes give students opportunities to explore areas of interest.

In the coming weeks, teachers will be consulting with students and making recommendations about courses for next year.  In addition, the Brookwood counseling and curriculum offices will host three information nights to help students and parents better understand their options.

• Information night topic:  Dual Enrollment for rising junior and senior parents and students.  January 23, 7:00 p.m. in the Commons Area. What's covered: Dual enrollment offers college credit and allows students to be enrolled in high school and college simultaneously.  Courses are taught by college instructors at participating institutions or virtually, during the regular school day or beyond regular hours.  Counselor Varieta Benjamin is the BHS team leader for Dual Enrollment.  Dr. Benjamin, along with representatives from Georgia Gwinnett College and Gwinnett Technical College, will present the programs available to Brookwood students.
• Information night topic:  AP Courses for all grade level parents and students.  February 3, 7:00 p.m. in the Commons Area.  What's covered:  AP courses allow students to receive college credit while they are still enrolled in high school.  Classes are taught by Brookwood teachers at Brookwood during the regular school day.  Any student may take an AP course on the recommendation of his or her teacher and parent.  In addition to several speakers, members of our Curriculum Office and AP teachers will be on hand to speak with parents and students.
• Information night topic:  Course planning info for current 9th and 10th grade parents and students.  February 19, 7:00 p.m. in the Commons Area.  What's covered:  Hal Wilkerson, a representative from the Georgia Student Finance Commission, will be on hand to answer questions about the HOPE Scholarship Program. Brookwood counselors will speak to parents about the registration process for 2014-15 and summer enrichment opportunities.

In addition to these three meetings, both Grayson Technical Program (at Grayson High School) and Maxwell High School of Technology will host Open Houses for students interested in the programs offered at these two schools.  Rising juniors and seniors may choose to attend Grayson or Maxwell for a half-day each school day to explore careers paths like culinary arts, early childhood education, healthcare science, criminal justice or music recording.  The Grayson Open House is January 23 @ 6:00-8:00 p.m.  The Maxwell Open House is February 13, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Whatever the courses chosen, we want students to challenge themselves, master the material, and get ready for college expectations.

Sincerely,

Dave Cashman