October 14th is a student day, even though only 10th and 11th graders are testing for the PSAT. Attendance for these students will be taken in the assigned testing groups. Testing will run from 7:25-11:10. Students will be able to go to periods 4, Lunch, 5, & 6.
The 9th graders will participate in the program Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges. The goal of the day is to connect with other students by building empathy and trust between students. One rotation involves small group discussions through which students will learn ways to respond to unkind acts. Another rotation focuses on a Q&A panel with teachers. The final rotation takes place in the gym where students will participate in team building activities. Attendance for these students will be taken in each rotation. Students will resume normal schedules for periods 4, 5, & 6.
The 12th graders have some important choices to make for this school day. Many elect to use a discretionary day for college visits; there is a form for this prearranged excused absence that should be completed. Others use this day for medical appointments so that they do not have to miss instructional time; for this date, students may bring in a note ahead of time to ensure this absence is excused. Finally, many Seniors take a health and wellness day to work on college applications; students should bring in a note on the day they return to school in order for the absence to be excused as illness. Any student who will be taking advantage of teachers' support for college essay review will sign in and out of the cafeteria for a pre-scheduled appointment time; a parental note for the absence from the school day is still necessary in order to document the absence as excused. Some 12th graders are volunteering service hours to mentor the 9th graders in their program and permission for their service must be granted in advance. Seniors who do not need to be absent will report to the cafeteria for the morning and will resume afternoon classes along with the rest of the student body.
October 14th is an important day for each grade level and students should plan to be on time and ready to fully participate in meaningful learning activities. As upperclassmen, Seniors are expected to make intelligent choices about their learning needs that day and parental notes are required in order for any absence to be excused.