Sherwood High School

March: A Busy and Exciting Month
March 12, 2007

March is a  busy and exciting month for our students, staff, and families.  As we begin the spring sports season, we are celebrating the successes of our winter sports teams as   March also brings with it our annual Rock and Roll

Throughout February, our students registered for courses for the 2005-2006 school year.  The school held orientation meetings for the parents of our upcoming sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students.  School staff also met with students in their classes.  I met with each grade level during an assembly.  In each meeting, we stressed high expectations for teaching and learning.  We explained the courses that students may take next year and emphasized the importance of a rigorous program of studies that will prepare students for the challenges of high school and beyond.   As we prepare for the next school year, it is important that students challenge themselves to take the most challenging program they can handle.  Students who are ready for gifted and talented courses and advanced level programs should speak with their teachers and counselors and register for them. 

The effort that students and school staff put into developing goals will have a great impact on the academic program.  In February, the registration process for the next school year begins.  Students will learn about academic opportunities at our Course Fair.  Guidance counselors will visit classes and meet with students to discuss course offerings.  Teachers will enhance these initial discussions with further explanations about courses and school programs.  Two weeks after the initial presentations, students will register for courses.  However, before they register, students need to evaluate their goals.  Students must review their long-term goal for life after high school.   They need to know what they want to be able to do once they leave high school, as well as the requirements to do it.   This long-term goal drives their four-year educational plan.  Before students register for next year, they need to back-map.  Students need to know the requirements for their long-term goal in order to map out their senior, junior, sophomore, and freshmen courses.  Once they do that, they are ready to determine their courses for the next school year.  This is a lot of work.  However, it is vital that students develop an educational program and take appropriate courses that lead them to the next phase of their lives.  Throughout the registration process, guidance counselors and teachers will be available to help students with their goals, their four-year plan, and their course selections for the next year.

As I mentioned in the last newsletter, our senior class has increased achievement on the SAT in both participation and performance of our current senior class.  As of November, 70.7% of the seniors took the SAT at least once.  This is an increase of 7.1% over last year’s class.  At the same time, student performance increased from an average of 1607 to 1626.  The SAT and other college entrance exams are important to students because they are one standardized criterion colleges use to review student applications.  I congratulate our seniors, their families, and school staff on this wonderful accomplishment.

Over the next several weeks, students will be completing their work for the third marking period.  The marking period ends before spring break 

Sincerely,

William M. Gregory, Principal