CLASS OF 2011

This Month's Topics:

1. Listserv Logistics
2. Scheduling Process Update
3. Freshman Planning Guide, 2007-2008
4. Newsletter
5. Student Agendas
6. Student Activities Calendar
7. Useful Links

1. Listserv Logistics

The purpose of the listserv is to provide information to you as an active participant in your 9th grader's first year of high school. If there are any changes to the format, style, or content that would help us achieve this goal better, please feel free to share you thoughts with Mr. Nyhuis, the 9th grade assistant principal, jnyhuis@wcpss.net.

If you know other parents with freshmen at Middle Creek, please share news of this listserv with them.

2. Scheduling Process

In the past, parents have shared that coming into high school they were anxious about the course load that their student would have. The information below is our attempt to update you on what is happening now in the scheduling process.

Based on the course selections that students made, we have built a master schedule that allows us to meet as many of those course needs and wants as possible. We are planning to send schedules by mail to students by mid-August. In addition to receiving a schedule, students and parents will also receive information on the process of correcting errors in the schedule.

Some commons questions or concerns?

Will semesters be balanced with two core courses and two elective courses?
We are doing our best to make that happen for rising 9th graders. There are a couple of situations where it cannot happen. For example, if more than four core classes were chosen it is impossible to balance the schedule. In this case, we are doing our best to address sequencing issues (ex: Algebra I must come before Geometry, Spanish I before Spanish II, etc.) and academic vs. elective load each semester.

Will we be notified if the alternates we chose are used in the schedule?
No. If a primary elective does not fit into the schedule but an alternate does, we go ahead and put that alternate in the student's schedule. A counselor will make every effort to contact you if it is impossible to make a complete, appropriate schedule even using your alternates. Don't worry -- we will not enroll you in "Underwater Basket Weaving II" without you knowing!

What if there is something wrong with the schedule?
When you get a schedule in the mail, there will be directions on how to fix errors. By errors I mean that there are less than eight classes, there is a class that was not part of your course selection, or a course that the counselor decides is an inappropriate placement.

What should you look for when you get the schedule?
Most important, be sure you have the basics -- a math, a science, a social studies, and an English course. All freshmen should also have our Health / PE course, "Healthful Living" somewhere in their schedule. Next, ensure that there are 8 courses listed. Sometimes the schedule is confusing, but you can CLICK HERE and use this guide to help you read it. Very Important: Please be sure that the address, phone numbers, and emails are correct at the top of the schedule. If it is not, please call the front office and we will get it corrected.

The scheduling process is going very well. If an issue arises, we will be in touch before mailing out schedules.

3. Freshman Planning Guide, 2007-2008

A planning guide has been developed for freshmen and their parents. A copy will be given to each student either at Orientation or on the first day. You can download a copy of it by CLICKING HERE. This is a great resource to read through and discuss aspects of it with your student. As the year goes on, if you have suggestions of additional items to include for next year's freshman class, please let me know (bpittman@wcpss.net).

4. Newsletter

Click here for current newsletter release October 2007.

5. Student Agendas

In the past, PTSA sold Student Agenda books for $5. This year, the PTSA has raised enough money to provide a Student Agenda to every student for free! The agendas are personalized for Middle Creek High on the front and contain our student handbook and other bits of important information. Following that, there is a weekly calendar that is GREAT for writing down assignments. Students will receive this agenda on the first day of school.

6. Student Activities Calendar

In August of each school year, we publish a student activities calendar. Because we know that both students and parents have busy lives, we set dates for all "big events" for the year at the beginning so that people can plan ahead. Please mark your calendar for items that interest you.

7. Helpful Links

Below are just few links that you may find helpful.

• Freshman Page: http://middlecreekhs.wcpss.net/freshmen.htm
• Driver's Education: http://middlecreekhs.wcpss.net/driversed.htm
• MCHS Online Calendar: http://middlecreekhs.wcpss.net/calendar/index.htm

Middle Creek's Main Phone: 773-3838
Email for Ninth Grade Asst. Principal, Jeffrey Nyhuis: TBA