We are beginning to look towards the end of the year, and graduation. For our seniors that means making sure that all of the requirements for graduating and receiving a diploma are complete. Passing the essential skills requirement in reading, writing and math means either passing the state tests in these areas or successfully completing work samples. The other major requirement is having 24 credits and meeting the requirements there as well i.e. 4 credits of language arts, 3 math, 3 science etc. It's a great time to review transcripts which should be coming home with semester grades this week. For the remainder of our students it will be time to select courses for next year soon. We will be forecasting for next years classes, in March and April. Those seeking the Honors Diploma will need to pay close attention to the requirements and their course selections. It's a very busy time of year from now until the end of the year, but it's also an exciting time with the fun of graduation just around the corner.

We are starting the second semester on Tuesday January 26th. For seniors, the count down towards graduation begins. We will work with all seniors to help them complete all of the many requirements that are required by both the State and the District. the biggest deterrent to being able to graduate has always been attendance at school. Seniors who do not attend regularly, for any reason, put themselves at risk of not graduating. Please make sure that your senior student has regular attendance.

The end of the first semester is Friday January 22nd. There is no school on Monday January 25th. That is a grade day for teachers. The new semester starts on Tuesday January 26th. Students received their second semester schedules last week on Wednesday and Thursday. If they did not pick it up, they can come to the office this week and get their copy. The Winter Formal dance is Saturday January 23rd at 7 PM. It will be at the World Forestry Center which is up next to the Portland Zoo. The dance ends at 10 PM.

The end of the first semester is two weeks away. Please make sure that your student is aware of this end date and that they are working at passing all of their classes with the highest grades possible. Making good progress towards graduation is critical. We are looking at the possibility of making the ASVAB test optional starting next year. This test is given by the military and is a good tool for gauging student interest for college and career preparation. Students will still have an opportunity to take it if they would like, however it would not be mandatory as in the past. Another announcement regarding testing has to do with state academic testing. Parents were sent an opt-out form that they will need to complete if they would like their 11th grade student not to take state testing this spring. State testing in science, math and English language arts is mandatory for 11th grade students unless parents opt-out their student. Forms Requesting an opt-out are due by February.

After the long break, school esumes tomorrow morning. it's snowing pretty good right now so it would be best to keep an eye on the weather and TV station reports. It is just three weeks until the end of the first semester now. Semester grades are the ones that will go on to transcripts and be permanent. We will be handing out second semester student schedules in a few weeks. Welcome back to the second half of the 2016 school year.