[HenleyMatters] Henley Updates

[thashi at adelphia.net]

Friday, December 15 - SCA Holiday Dance 7:30 - 10:00 PM 
Tuesday, December 19 - 7 PM - Winter Concert at Western Albemarle High School - There will be a brief PATSO meeting prior to the Concert 
Friday, December 22 - Tuesday, January 2 - No School 
Monday, January 8 - 7 PM PATSO Meeting in the Conference Room 
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8th Grade Exams - Students have received the schedule for 8th grade exams. If you have an 8th grader please open the attachment to find the dates of the exams.
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Internet Safety - Resources on internet safety and good cyber-citizenship can be found at the following websites: 
www.whoswatchingcharlottesville.org 
www.wiredsafety.org  
www.netsmartz.org  
www.isafe.org  
www.cybersmart.org 
Just a reminder that a great place for students to find online resources is at the school library website go to www.k12albemarle.org/henley  then go to the library/media center page. The students will need to obtain the usernames and passwords from Mrs. Guerrant or their English teacher to access the online resources. 
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Inclement Weather - For announcements about school closings, delayed openings or early dismissals, call 296-5886 or check the website at www.k12albemarle.org/closings. 
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High School Program of Studies 
The School Board received the High School Program of Studies at their meeting on Thursday night, December 7. It is important to note that the recommendations concerning the following items have not yet been presented to the School Board. 
1) GPA - Weighted Grades and Class Rank 
2) Levels in Core Classes 
3) Grading Scale 
4) Exams and Exam Options 
Below is a summary of the recommended changes and updates. The link to the county website concerning the High School Program of Studies is schoolcenter.k12albemarle.org/hspos.
Executive Summary

High School Program of Studies recommended changes and updates for 2007-08

In August 2006, a steering committee was formed to conduct a
comprehensive review of the High School Program of Studies. The meeting
structure included two groups: a principals group, including Sue
Sheffield and the high school principals and a steering committee
composed of principals, Sue Sheffield, representatives from CATEC,
coordinators, guidance, teachers, students and parents. The principals
group worked through the major issues and suggested possible changes /
solutions. The steering committee reviewed the work of the principals
and provided input for any of the revisions / recommendations to move
forward to the superintendent.

Steering Committee Membership:

Parents 1 from each school

Guidance 1 from each school

Teachers 1 from each school

Students 1 from each school

Other 2 instructional coordinators

1 Middle School Counselor

1 Middle School Principal

Prior to each steering committee meeting, the principals met to discuss
the agenda and bring forward possible recommendations on topics for
discussion. The steering committee provided direction and feedback that
was taken back to the schools through the principals and committee
members for additional discussion and feedback. This looping process was
utilized through a series of five steering committee meetings.

Overview of the task to review the Program of Studies

a) Conduct a comprehensive review of the High School Program of
Studies

b) Decide on the common core of offerings (both in core and
elective classes)

c) Simplify and reorganize the document for clarity and ease of use
by students and parents.

d) Review and make recommendations for the topics listed below:

Graduation Requirements
Verified Credits

Scheduling Procedures
Levels in Core Courses

Homework Policy
Grading Scale

Promotion to Grade Levels
Rank in Class, Weighted Grades, and GPA

Transcript Evaluation of Foreign Study Grades
Attendance

Exams/Exam Exemptions
Athletic Eligibility

Student Portfolio
Service Learning/Community Service

Career Families and Pathways
CATEC

Common Core Electives
Cleaning out courses no longer taught 
Internship / CO - OP
Year Long Credit / Semester Credit

Steering Committee Goals:

1. Recommendations will increase rigor of instruction.

2. Recommendations will increase access to high level
curriculum and instruction for all students.

A majority of the committees work time was spent on the following
topics:

GPA - Weighted Grades and Class Rank
Levels in Core Classes

Grading Scale
Exams and Exam Options

Summary

As a result of the significant feedback and engagement of our staff and
community with reference to these four topics, additional research and
data is being collected. Any recommendations brought forth must be
supported by:

1. Literature, Research and Achievement Data,

2. Best Practice as demonstrated by other high-performing
school divisions,

3. Action Research.

No recommended changes in these four areas are being brought forward at
this time. The Program of Studies document will clearly indicate that
these areas are under review and that any potential changes will be
communicated to parents / students prior to the beginning of the school
year.

In addition to work in these four major areas, work has been completed
to bring forward revisions and updates to the High School Program of
Studies. In general each section has been reviewed and language updated
to be in line with current practice and policy. Sections have also been
reorganized placing like topics on consecutive pages. (ex: all
graduation requirements together on consecutive pages.) Tables have been
updated and courses / course numbers added, combined, deleted as
recommended by the combined review from school departments, guidance
counselors, principals, instructional coordinators, and executive
directors.

Section I: General Information for All County High Schools:

*The tables for Graduation Requirements have been updated to
reflect current information from the Standards of Accreditation.
*All diploma types including the alternatives to the standard or
advanced studies diploma have been moved to the same section.
*The table for verified credits has been updated to include new
information about CTE program completers.
*The section on Diploma Seals and Enriching your High School
Experience has been updated to reflect new state requirements and
programs such as the Governor's Seal for Advanced Studies Diploma, the
Commonwealth Scholars Program and the Senior/Junior Internship Program.
*The section on Scheduling Procedures has been reorganized and
combined in the same location.
*The section on Placement Levels in Core Courses has been updated
and reworded. The level descriptions now use the same language for
courses offered at all high schools including updating the language for
the academic level at Monticello High School being consistent with the
advanced level at the other high schools.
*The section on Career Planning has been updated to reflect the
new language for Albemarle County's six career pathways as related to
Virginia's sixteen career clusters including new tables and a sample
career plan form.
*New tables have been added for each high school matching
Electives and Career Pathways.
*The CATEC section has been updated to reflect changes as a
result of the work completed from their strategic planning process. The
table on CATEC programs indicates the changes in program offerings. A
new section on NOCTI - National Occupational Competency Testing
Institute has been added and the table for academic programs offered has
been updated.

Section II: Course Descriptions:

In general, course descriptions have been revised or updated. The
notation about which schools offer a particular course is only indicated
when a course is not offered at all three high schools and duplicate
courses with different names have been combined. Course numbers have
also been updated and courses with the academic level and advanced level
have been given the same course number. Additional editing in format and
language will continue until the booklet goes to press in late December
or early January.

* The Career and Technical Education section has been updated to
articulate specific information on courses to take to be a "completer"
and to fulfill sequential elective requirements for each course
description. New courses offered include:

o Exploring Entrepreneurship

o Sports, Entertainment, and Recreation Marketing II

o Smart Money Management (Financial Literacy)

o Introduction to Interior Design and Housing

o Computer Aided Drafting and Design - PVCC dual credit

o Digital Imaging Technology

o Videography and Video Editing I

* The English section has been updated - new course offerings:

o English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) for Newcomers.

* The Fine Arts section has been updated with minor language changes,
additional course numbers added for consecutive years, and the combining
of duplicate courses. There are no new courses being offered.

* The Health, Physical Education and Driver's Education section has
been updated- new course offerings:

o African Culture, Music and Dance I and II offered at WAHS.

o Fitness / Yoga offered at AHS

o Fitness and Weight Training II and IV

* The History / Social Sciences section has been updated deleting World
Geography, Asian Studies, and Twentieth Century History. No new courses
have been added.

* The Mathematics section has been updated - new course offerings:

o Probability and Statistics - advanced level

o Math 174: Calculus II Dual Enrollment PVCC (replaces 132 at UVa)

o Math 275: Calculus III Dual Enrollment PVCC (replaces 221 at
UVa)

* The Science section has been updated deleting Astronomy and Nuclear
Issues. No new courses being offered.

* The Special Education section has been updated including the Modified
Standard Diploma table. New course offerings:

o Communication Matters

o Home Improvement and Maintenance

o Reading Skills for College and Industry Certification

* The World Languages section has been updated and Latin IV AP has been
separated from Latin IV honors as an offering.

* A new section titled Additional Courses has been added. This section
includes:

o AVID - new pilot program offered in 06-07

o Independent Study - relocated to this section

o Mediation Training - relocated to this section

o Teaching Fellows Program -relocated to this section


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