Using this Catalog for Program Planning

Why Students Should Plan a Program of Study

The decisions you make about the courses you take in high school will affect you for the rest of your life. The teaching faculty, your school counselor, the school administrators and your parents can all advise you in the course selection process, but you should be fully involved in making the final decision and ready to bear the responsibility for those decisions. For this reason, we ask you to read this course selection book with considerable thought and care. In selecting your courses for next year, you should consider several factors. These factors include your previous academic success, state graduation requirements and your college and career goals.

Your post-high school or future career plans should influence your course selections in high school. Talk about your future with your parents, school counselors and teachers. In your junior year, attend a college fair, visit job sites and research or visit a college. Talk with the various college and career representatives when they visit your school. Only after you have done all these things will you be able to make sound decisions relative to course selection.

The Role of School Counselors

The school counselors of the Sewanhaka Central High School District extend their knowledge and expertise in assisting you in planning a successful high school experience. They are knowledgeable in the graduation requirements, changes in Regents requirements and changes in our district’s course offerings. Let them help you!

Parents and students should participate annually in review conferences and attend grade- level meetings with their school counselor. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the rigorous shift in curriculum requirements in New York State and the many courses and programs available to you in our District. At the same time, you can find out about school activities, college admissions requirements, career inventories and precollege standardized testing.

THE COURSE SELECTION PROCESS

•  Counselors will meet with students and parents, as necessary, to discuss the course selection process, dates and timelines. The scheduling process also provides an opportunity to review graduation and course requirements.

•  Placement in advanced and AP courses will be made according to Board of Education Policy No. 5121. Students will have small group or individual appointments to meet with their counselors and finalize course selections.

•  After all students’ requests have been tallied, courses will be tabulated and a master teaching schedule prepared.

•  Students who have schedule conflicts will be notified, and where possible, such conflicts will be resolved.

•  Students will receive their course listing for their final review. Students’ schedules will be adjusted accordingly after summer school, if applicable.

•  Please be careful in selecting courses. After June 27, a course may not be dropped except for extenuating circumstances as outlined in Administrative Regulation No. 5124. Second semester half-year courses may not be dropped after Oct. 16. Courses denoted by (w) will be weighted in overall average.

A FEW REMINDERS:

a.     In general, high school courses that meet one period per day, five days per week for a full year carry one credit toward graduation. Courses that meet five days per week for a semester (half year) or on alternate days for the entire year carry a half credit toward graduation. This does not include Academic Intervention Services, Resource Room or Skills Class, which carry no credit.

b. Students in grades 7 and 8 have a NYS Education-mandated academic program.

c.    Each student must be in regular attendance to earn credits according to District Board Attendance Policy No. 5502. Attendance is a strict requirement, and reporting to all classes on time is imperative.

d. Athletic and extracurricular activities are offered in each school.

e.     Each school has its own student handbook. Students and parents should become familiar with their school’s handbook. Most of your questions will be answered in that document.

*Important note about college credits: Credits may be applied to undergraduate degree programs at the sponsoring institution or transferred, by the student, to other institutions as determined by the receiving institution. Where and when possible, students should make early inquiries to those institutions to confirm the possibility of acceptance of those credits. It is not guaranteed that these credits will be accepted at another institution.