BHS Course Selection
Agenda
People You May Talk With
Curriculum Directors
Guidance Counselors
Teachers
English - Lisa Hurtubise
Math - Jon Golden
Science - Liz Baker
Social Studies - Deb McDevitt
World Language - Marie Penner-Hahn
VPA - Arto Asadoorian
Jim Brown
Brittany King
Anya Huston
Paul Pitts
Sherri Turner
Krista Urquhart
Content Teachers and Special Education Liaisons
Course Selection Process
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2
3
4
Course Selection Website
Teacher Recommendations and Conversations
Conversations with Guidance
Conversations with Family and Friends
1: Program of Studies and Course Selection Website
Students and families should access the course descriptions on this website to get a sense of what each class will be like. This is a great starting point to begin to learn about a class and how it will fit into your overall schedule and workload for the following year. Following up with a teacher about any questions could be a great next step.
II: Teacher Recommendations and Conversationsersations
Teachers use their experience with a student this year as well as their knowledge of the next year's course to make these recommendations. We encourage you to utilize these recommendations in your thinking and reach out to teachers to have conversations if you're thinking about a different course or level.
What will I be recommended for? Core classes.
How do I see my recommendations? 8th grade - email on 3/22. 9-11 - in portals on 2/14
When should I talk to my teachers? Start having conversations now! Use Xblock. Email to find other times.
What if I want to take a different level then I’m recommended for? You should always start with a conversation with your teacher. If you’d like to take a level lower than your recommendation, you do not need additional steps. If you’d like to take a level higher than your recommendation, talk with your teacher and then complete a Course Placement Review Form.
III: Conversations with Guidance Counselors
Each student in currently in 9-11th grade, will meet with their guidance counselor 1-1 during the month of March. At these meetings, counselors will discuss a student's overall goals, course options, requirements, and ultimately arrive at a schedule individualized for that student. Students will finalize their course requests in the meeting with their counselor.
Current 8th grade students will have a Q&A with administration and guidance. Students will submit their course requests via Google Form later in March.
Schedule of Meetings:
9th Grade: Week of March 18th
10th Grade: Week of March 11th
11th Grade: Week of March 4th
IV: Conversations with Family and Friends
Having conversations with your family about what your life outside of school looks like, what your future goals are, and how all of that interacts with courses for next year can definitely be a really important part of this process. Speaking with friends and peers about their experience in certain courses can also be helpful.
Keep In Mind:
Forms:
For everyone:
In certain cases:
Advice from Guidance
Students in grades 9-11 heard from Guidance Counselors at the Course Selection Day on 1/26. We wanted to share some of that advice on balance again as we talk about the Course Selection Process.
What is Balance?
Things to consider:
Not all balance is the same. What does your balance look like?
Balance means enrolling in a variety of courses and maintaining a manageable selection of extracurricular activities that work for you.
Advice from Seniors
“Don’t focus on loading your schedule with as many AP’s as possible, instead focus on taking AP’s that you’re genuinely interested in!”
“For electives, choose classes you are INTERESTED in. At the end of the day, whether the class is easy or hard, your level of effort (interest) will determine how well you do in the class!”
“Don't choose classes only because your friends are taking them. Pick classes you are genuinely interested in.”
“Pick something you’ll actually like. If you’re only doing it for the AP credit, then chances are you won’t do as well as you would in a class that you like.”
Questions?
Put questions in the Q&A
For students/course specific questions, reach out to your child’s teacher, guidance counselor, or the department director