Schedule Changes

Welcome to the 2017-2018 School Year! Our scheduling software completes all student schedules based on classes that students have requested. As counselors, we do have the ability to adjust those schedules on a limited basis. We have two equal responsibilities when it comes to making schedule adjustments: 1. To place students into the classes that they requested (as much as possible) and 2. To ensure safe and equitable class sizes (as much as possible). As all classes at the high school level are designed to be rigorous, we do not take into account where a student's class falls in relation to his or her chosen activities. Students do have the ability to request changes to a schedule based upon sections that have open seats. A request is not a guarantee of enrollment. Any changes that are made will be reflected within PowerSchool. High School students do have the ability to change courses without parental permission, however, it is strongly encouraged by the School Counseling Office that all schedule changes are discussed with parents prior to a change being made. School Counselor's will ensure that schedule changes are not made that will be a detriment towards high school graduation. When the master schedule is developed, priority in scheduling is given to 12th graders first, and then 11th, 10th, and 9th based on the classes that students signed up for during the previous year's registration. Once the master schedule is released in Mid-July, then schedule changes are made on a first-come, first-served basis determined by course availability.

Seniors- Open periods are determined by Dr. Bieschke and are in your current schedule. Discuss any potential open period changes with him prior to communication with the school counseling office. Dr. Bieschke can be reached at jbieschke@benton.k12.ia.us.

PE- The state of Iowa requires that all students are enrolled in at least one PE or Fitness class each year that they are in school. A student can enroll in a maximum of 2 PE's/Fitness's per year (one per semester). A student may not have both a fitness and a PE class in the same semester. Any questions or concerns (including medical/academic waivers) should be directed to Dr. Bieschke. Medical/Academic waivers will require Dr. Bieschke's signature prior to a schedule change being made. Please see the PE waiver form at the bottom of this page.

Study Hall- You may have a maximum of 2 Study Hall periods per year in order to stay on pace for graduation. You can decide if you want 1 study hall each semester, or if you want 2 study hall periods during 1st semester and 0 study hall periods during 2nd semester.

Lunch Assignments- Your schedule will indicate if you eat A lunch or C lunch. If you eat A lunch, you go to lunch after 4th hour and then you go to Bobcat Time. If you eat C lunch, you go to Bobcat Time and then you go to lunch at the end of 5th hour.

All Schedule Change Requests must be submitted to Mr. Cretin (grades 10-12) or Mrs. Nesbitt (grade 9) electronically by emailing Mr. Cretin at acretin@benton.k12.ia.us or Mrs. Nesbitt at nnesbitt@benton.k12.ia.us. Electronic submission allows for your request to be time-stamped, and we will process requests in the order that they are received. As courses do have a limited number of seats, classes sometimes "fill up" prior to your request being processed. If your request is granted, it will be reflected within PowerSchool.

So-I want to change my schedule. What should I do?

You need to look at the list of classes that have openings below, and then look at your schedule and determine what class you would like to add in place of a class that is currently listed on your schedule. We encourage you to write out your current schedule on a sheet of paper, and then to the right of that schedule figure out what classes you can move around in order to make your schedule work for you. Once you have determined what to "drop and add," then you need to send an email to either Mr. Cretin (grades 10-12) or Mrs. Nesbitt (grade 9). Your email should look something like this:

Mr. Cretin,

I want to try and change my schedule.

1st Semester:

1-American History (Leave as is).

2-Drop Fitness and Conditioning. Add PE.

3-Freshmen English (Leave as is).

4 -Biology (Leave as is).

5 -Drop Intro to Business. Add Computer Tech.

6 -Spanish 1 (Leave as is).

7 -Algebra 1 (Leave as is).

8-Drop Foods 1. Add 2D Art.


2017-2018 School Year Course Openings:

  • 2nd Semester:

1st Period- Advanced Photography, Algebra 2, Biology, Computer Applications 1, Geometry, Intro to Manufacturing, Junior English, Pre-Calculus, Service Learning, Sophomore English, Study Hall, World History.

2nd Period- Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Calculus, Chemistry, Composition 2 (College course), Concert Choir (11th and 12th grade), Fitness, Foods 2, Foundations of Science 2, 9th English, Geometry, Human Biology 2, Junior English, Service Learning, Spanish 1, Spanish 2, Spanish 3, Study Hall, World History.

3rd Period- 11th Honors English, Algebra 1, American History, Business Law, Calculus, Chemistry, Computer Applications 1, Fitness, Foods 1, Fundamentals of Oral Communication (College Level Speech), Geometry, Government, Intro to Technology, Painting, Physics, Senior English, Service Learning, Spanish 1, Spanish 2, Spanish 3, Statistics, Study Hall, World History.

4th Period- 11th Honors English, 2D Art, PE, Advanced Chemistry, Algebra 2, American History, Foundations of Science 2, 9th English, Intro to Business, Physical Health and Safety, Senior Applications in Math, Service Learning, Sophomore English, Spanish 1, Spanish 3, Study Hall.

5th Period- 3D Art, Ag 4, American History, Biology, Chemistry, Creative Foods, Fitness, Geometry, Junior English, Modern America, Senior English, Service Learning, Spanish 1, Spanish 2, Study Hall.

6th Period- 3D Art, PE, Accounting 2, Ag 3, American History, Fitness, Foundations of Science 2, Geometry, Pre-Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Service Learning, Sophomore English, Spanish 2, Spanish 4, Study Hall.

7th Period- PE, Algebra 1, Biology, Chemistry, Drawing, Government, Intro to Business, Intro to Drafting, Intro to Ag, Junior English, Physics, Pre-Algebra, Service Learning, Spanish 4, Study Hall, World History.

8th Period- 2D Art, PE, Chemistry, Child Development 2, Composition 2 (College Course), Foundations of Science 2, Geometry, Global Affairs, Human Biology 2, Pre-Calculus, Service Learning, Sophomore English, Spanish 2, Spanish 3, Study Hall.