Hello Parents and Students!
The end of the third quarter is only 4 weeks away. Please encourage your student to make use of Tutorial and to keep up on their day-to-day work and studying. Success is usually the result of consistent, proactive work!
Topics included in this article are:
- Tutorial as an Added Bonus
- Graduation Requirements for Class of 2020
- Planning Ahead for 2020-2021
- PSAT and Khan Academy
- First Semester Honor Roll
Tutorial as an Added Bonus
Tutorial is an amazing opportunity for students to obtain more individualized help from the teachers who are conveying the content and creating the tests for their respective classes.
However, Tutorial is typically a very underutilized opportunity - unless it is the day before a test. Many afternoons during Tutorial, I walk around campus and observe that classrooms are near empty. If your student is struggling, they should be attending Tutorial and engaging with the teacher and material while they are there. It is not uncommon for students to walk into a classroom, sit at a desk, and when the teacher asks if they need help, the student says “no”. While having quiet work time is important, the student has not taken advantage of the opportunity to work with his/her teacher.
Graduation Requirements for Class of 2020
Dear Parents of Seniors, please help your student remain engaged with our St. Francis High School campus and the learning opportunities available to them! Looking ahead to college and the difficult decisions that go with planning the future can be an exciting distraction, but the skills and content taught during the spring semester of their Senior year are also critically important.
Please also confirm that your student has submitted all the hours for their Christian Service Program. Additionally, if they have taken any courses at a school other than St. Francis, it is worth the time to ensure that OFFICIAL (unopened) TRANSCRIPTS have been submitted to St. Francis. It is also important to have those official transcripts forwarded directly to their college.
Finally, each year either myself or one of my peers has witnessed a student whose college acceptance(s) was revoked. I personally know of examples where it was the result of a student not passing a second-semester class or two, or students who posted inappropriate pictures/messages on social media, or who, for one reason or another, were no longer eligible for admission to that particular college. There are so many good reasons to share regular reminders with your son or daughter about the importance of finishing their high school career strong!
I look forward to celebrating the Class of 2020 Commencement Exercises with the St. Francis High School community in May!
Planning Ahead for 2020-2021
The Academic Departments are beginning conversations regarding the course catalog, textbooks, and courses to be offered during the 2020-2021 school year.
- The course catalog will be included in the Academics Handbook and will be available to students and parents when we return from Winter Break. Class selection for returning students will also begin following Winter Break.
- Stay tuned for information regarding the process and its deadlines.
PSAT Results & Khan Academy
Students in grades 9th -11th should have received a digital copy of their PSAT scores via their College Board account. Please take the time to look at the information provided by the College Board regarding the PSAT. They have a tremendous number of resources to help you and your student understand the data provided with the test results.
Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the collaborative work between Khan Academy and the College Board. The two companies have joined together to focus on students’ practice skills where most assistance is needed to reach “mastery” levels. There are many examples of students who took advantage of the dedicated and FREE practice available and significantly improved their scores on subsequent PSAT or SAT tests.
Fall Semester Honor Roll
Congratulations to all of the Honor Roll students. I had the privilege to read every single final exam. St. Francis High School students have the opportunity to learn a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum. Earning first or second honors is an impressive accomplishment!
Students who earned a 4.0 or better were also invited to celebrate at the 4.0 Luncheon. They were treated to lunch, served by the Administration, and given their 4.0 certificates and a pin that can be worn on their gown during graduation.
Finally, the spring semester goes very quickly, so thank you for all you do to help students remain engaged. It’s also important to stay healthy, so please do not underestimate the importance of a good night’s sleep and healthy meals.
Associate Principal