February 2012

The second half of the school year has begun. As educators we encourage our students to take the time and reflect on their work in the classroom. Mid-term exams are an opportunity to deter-mine if students are retaining their instruction from the first two quarters of the year. Teachers and administrators use these results to assess the understanding of students. Our analysis leads us to adjust instruction to insure that all students are learning.

As you review your child’s report card, please identify areas of learning your child can improve upon. I ask that you contact teachers and/or administrators so that we may plan together to assist your child in areas that require improvement.

The mid-term exams and semester grades are an opportunity for all of us to pause and reflect upon the progress of our students.

Programming for 2012-2013

Mid-year examinations have been completed. Now that the second semester is beginning, it is time to start the program planning and course selection process for the 2012–2013 school year. This process is essential for each student and will require considerable time and thought. Par-ents and students are encouraged to work closely with counselors, teachers, supervisors, and hall principals during the programming and course selection process. Phase I will conclude during the last week of April.

Preliminary enrollment counts from this phase will be used to confirm faculty staffing needs for 2012-2013. They will also be used to identify courses which will or will not be taught in the coming year. Therefore, it is imperative that students select the courses in which they wish to enroll for the coming school year during Phase I.

The second phase begins May 12 and ends the first of July. This time period should be used to review, verify , and if necessary, change course selections. It is essential that the July 1 deadline for all course selection changes be observed because after that date the procedures for completing the Shaker High School master schedule will have begun. After July 1, course change requests will only be made under unusual circumstances.

During the second semester, two important parent/student meetings will be held. The first is the Eleventh Grade Parent/Student Night, which is scheduled for March 1. The second is the Eighth Grade Parent/Student Night scheduled for March 15. I am using this opportunity as a re-minder that your involvement and support in the programming and course selection process is essential to your child’s success at Shaker High School. Please carefully review all of the avail-able options and recommendations so that your child’s final request will challenge them, as well as meet their future objectives. Remember school personnel are available to assist you during each phase of the programming course selection process.