Weekly News and Notes

Having sent our March newsletter this week, there are only a few updates from UHS.

Scheduling Conversations

We hope that your students have had productive conversations with teachers this week regarding course selections for next year. Our teachers will be completing the inputting of recommendations by the beginning of next week, and students will input their course selections, including electives, next week, starting on Wednesday.

To that end, there have been some good questions raised. First, we want to clear up any confusion about World Literature, an English class offered to juniors and seniors. This class meets the English requirement - some had raised the question as to whether or not it was a core class. It is.

Also, some families have inquired about AP Environmental Science, which was offered for registration last year but did not run due to low enrollment. Students may register for the class for next year, with the understanding that they should have two credits of alternates identified. There may not be the flexibility in the schedule to run the class next year, nor do we anticipate particularly high demand.

Finally, we have had some questions about prerequisites for certain courses. If there is a question about a specific prerequisite having been met (or needing to be met), please reach out to your student’s counselor.

Seniors and Graduation

Seniors will soon be counting down the days to graduation, with prom less than two months away and graduation within 90 calendar days. As most seniors will be teeming with excitement over the prospects of commencement exercises and receipt of their diplomas, we also know that some seniors are “on the bubble” and will be challenged to meet all graduation requirements by the week of graduation.

If your student is in danger of not graduating, counselors and teachers in those required courses have been in touch. However, soon will come the day where final plans and decisions will be made regarding diploma eligibility, options for summer courses, possibilities for some seniors in need of a fifth year, and plans for the end of the school year. We have found that being transparent with the options is best. If you are concerned, please reach out to the school counselor or administration.

Junior Post-secondary Planning Nights

Our counselors are presenting on post-secondary planning for grades 10 and 11 on Thursday, March 23, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium. This will provide parents insight into the college search process and the programming shared with students in classes this year. All are encouraged to attend - and bring your students!

Additionally, we are sponsoring a Financial Aid Literacy Night for May 10, also beginning at 6:30. Talking with our partner presenters, parents/guardians should bring students to that event.

Students will receive email reminders next week.

Spring Athletic Registration

Just a final reminder that all student-athletes for the spring must be registered via FamilyID, with user fees paid and updated physical examinations on file, by Friday, March 17. Questions can be directed to Mr. Calarese.

Student Council Award!

Congratulations to our Student Council, earning a Top Ten Project Award and a Silver Council of Excellence Award at this week’s Massachusetts Association of Student Councils statewide conference.

Call the School!

We hope when you call the school you notice our new “voice” answering the phone. Senior Class President Dan Page is now the official greeting message for those calling Uxbridge High School.