DEER ISLE-STONINGTON HIGH SCHOOL Launching lifelong learners and responsible citizens able to keep our island community vital. Todd West, School Principal Mike Wood, Assistant Principal Martha Jordan, Student Services Director Matt Larsen, Athletic Director February 2009 Dear Students and Parents: Welcome to the 2009-2010 Deer Isle-Stonington High School Program of Studies. We hope that the Program of Studies will serve as a guide as you select the courses that you are going to take in the 2009-10 school year at DISHS. Scheduling for the 2009-2010 school year will begin in early March and conclude in early April. Students can expect to have a preliminary schedule before June. However, please realize that this document is prepared several months prior to the start of the school year. Every course listed here may not be offered because of enrollment or registration patterns and staffing assignments. If you have any questions, please contact Martha Jordan or Roberta Johnson in our Student Services Office for clarification. They will be happy to assist you. The 2009-10 school year will mark the beginning of some significant changes to the academic program at Deer Isle-Stonington High School as we begin implementing a “standards-based diploma.” Put simply, a standards-based diploma means that, in addition to earning 23 credits and 40 hours of community service, students will have to demonstrate achievement of DISHS's school-wide academic expectations in order to earn a diploma. Our school-wide expectations, “Creative and Practical Problem Solver” and “Clear and Effective Communicator,” represent achievement of essential skills that we feel students need to master in order to be prepared for whichever post-secondary options they choose to pursue. DISHS students will demonstrate achievement of the school-wide expectations through a Graduation Portfolio that is complied through coursework in grades 9 - 11 and a Senior Exhibition prior to graduation. Please see page 12 of this document for more information. I encourage students to consider their options fully and plan to take advantage of the course offerings contained in the Program of Studies. We are lucky that DISHS can offer such a broad offering of courses in such a personalized learning environment. The Deer Isle-Stonington Schools strategic plan encourages students to graduate from high school “prepared to succeed at whatever they choose.” At DISHS, you will find courses as well as extra- and co-curricular activities that will truly prepare you for any future road you intend to travel. My advice is to choose the challenging or interesting extra class and make the most of your studies at Deer Isle-Stonington High School. Here's to a successful and rewarding 2009-2010 school year! Sincerely, Todd West, Principal |
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