On Monday, the School Site Governance Team decided to move the starting time for the Class of 2021 graduation to 6pm. More information will come out about the plans for this event as we get closer to the date. Graduation will be on Tuesday, June 15, 2021. This plan is contingent on whether we are able to resume school on campus this spring.
For the Class of 2022, we have over 177 students who expressed interest in taking the PSAT/NMSQT on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. Some are taking the exam because they can compete for potential scholarships by earning National Merit Recognition. Each year we have around 15 students who have high enough test scores to qualify them to advance in the National Merit process. This is a great number, considering our students are competing globally. For our other 420 juniors, the exam is important because it provides feedback as to how they would do on an actual SAT exam.
This year’s exam will be different for most all involved. Proctors, staff for the exams, have to be willing to volunteer to come in and work on campus. Given the high caseload numbers of COVID in the state, we will be challenged to get more staff in to work on campus at this time. We will, however, still make it happen for our students. While this is the goal, we will need everyone working together, as we have to follow all health and safety guidelines.
The actual test on the 26th will be outside, weather permitting. Students will be separated and each will get a table and chair of their own. Students will be seated underneath the solar panels in the parking lot. District guidelines will not allow for more than 4 students in a classroom and at this point we would not have enough proctors to be in each of the classrooms. We will have mandatory meetings for students and parents prior to this testing date. The first meeting will be at 5:30 pm, on Thursday, January 21st and we will send out the zoom link later.
Also be aware, the College Board is allowing students to still take the practice PSAT and they do not have to come to school to do it. This means 10th graders and 11th graders can take the practice exam at home if they want. Those seeking to qualify for National Merit, however, must still take the test in person or use their results from their SAT to qualify them for National Merit ranking. We will send more information out about the SAT option later for our junior students and their parents. Here is the online link for the practice PSAT. If you have any questions, you can contact Mr. Malo at, [email protected].
Have a good day, Mr. O.