First, thank you all for your cooperation during today's Code 100. The hallways were quiet, the building continued to work, and the classes on task, for the most part, during what could be potentially disruptive. We did our best to keep the execution of the Canine Search efficient and timely, and many thanks can be extended to Officer Grimes for his coordination with the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council to bring in 10 canines, which searched the grounds and parking lots.
Doug posted an update on the high school conference, if you have not already seen it.
Course Selections
We understand that there is some trepidation on the part of the students regarding the course selections for next year, particularly the idea that schedule changes will not be permitted after May 1.
Now, we are not mindless gnomes. There will be some changes that will be permitted, pending certain standards are met. However, we had close to 200 requests for schedule changes last summer, ranging from students who wanted to make their schedules lighter, to those who wanted an additional study, to those who wanted to lobby for a specific teacher for a class - and drop a class when they didn't get that teacher.
In short, none of that is reasonable. None of that is fair. And none of that will be tolerated. One of the greatest problems we will need universal support for are the study halls here. Yes, most students got into their classes last year. But most students were selecting only 32 credits, which automatically inserted them into 10 studies every cycle. Some had more, some had less. But you would be hard pressed to find many students here who are "fully scheduled" into programs of 38 or more credits. They are there, but they are rare.
We have on obligation to educate our students in the most comprehensive a way possible, and that means by taking classes. Some classes may be there to exercise a different part of the brain, some may have more homework than other, but they are classes - they are classes that give students contact time with teachers. To that end, we expect our students in class. We do not want an average of 100 students per period, per study. And while we know that studies are inevitable based on the schedule and staffing, we don't want their existence - and students' "selection" of them - to drive course registrations. (And, for those of you who were in the assemblies, you will note that many of the students' questions were about how many studies, not how many classes, they would take).
We also know that you will all be thoughtful about course selections with your students - probably to a fault. Thanks for your thorough thoughtfulness and feedback on their behalf as we look to shape a schedule that meets everyone's needs!
So, now that I'm done waxing on the schedule selections...
Second Semester Dynamics:
Yes, these next few weeks, as the weather gets warmer and the sun comes out, tend to be more complex, and they tend to bring with them students who check out. As the coming weeks roll along, we hope that the students keep working until the end, but as a staff, we know that the weeks after April vacation can be trying.
We announced to the seniors that we will not be changing anything in terms of the senior exams, and a schedule for those will be forthcoming. For planning purposes, the exams are tentatively scheduled for May 21-24.
Student Organizations
I have heard a great deal these past few weeks about student leaders and their being spread to thin - and, on top of it, the lack of follow-through. To that end, some ideas as we head toward the end of the year with the student activities:
1. We will be holding a meeting next Tuesday, April 2 for ALL student leaders - of classes, clubs, activities, etc. - at 7:30 a.m. in the auditorium. A little conversation about accountability will be taking place.
2. In the coming weeks, we will be planning a workshop on leadership and management of student organizations, and part of that will be the transitioning of student leaders of clubs and classes from this year to next.
3. I think we need to discourage some involvement. It's great that so many students want to be part of activities - but we need more students to be ACTIVE and follow through with the responsibilities of their offices. Too much is falling to advisers and to me in terms of tasks that the officers and members should (and will) own.
Coming Attractions
Next week, the Microfinance Club is hosting an Acapella Night. It's scheduled for Friday, April 5 in the auditorium, beginning at 7 p.m.
The Senior Week schedule, for those who wish to have those events in the calendar, will be scheduled very soon. Stay tuned for all those days and times.
There are a number of field trips that are being submitted for approval. While some are great ideas, we really need to be sensitive to (a) cost and (b) time out of the building - particularly the underclassmen. Please remember to keep other classes in mind as these trips are planned!
Weekly Resources:
For those of you who teach the research process, there's a great piece on incorporating citations, and for those of you who are working on blended learning, there's a good article on the skills best for online students and teachers. Check them out, and more, at http://paper.li/MedwayHSDean/1346850266.
Enjoy your holiday weekend!
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