FROM THE DESK OF THE DIRECTOR OF ACADEMICS: DR JAMES DEMPSEY

As the 2007-08 school year progresses, we continue to stress to students the academic goals of aiming for the MINIMUM of 85% on all assignments, take the RIGOROUS courses and seek the ADVANCED Regents Diplomas. We stress that decisions about their future are sometimes made from information on a piece of paper (their transcript and recommendations from teachers), being ready for this by doing your best at all times will be very helpful to them. However in my 37 years of experience in schools, I have developed a some beliefs which I feel effect the academic and overall development of the student. Some of them include:

-Getting involved in your school is important. Service, religious activities, club events, music department activities, the arts, athletic teams and leadership activities are all important factors in the development of the well rounded individual.

-Making new and lifelong friends is a positive part of the SHA tradition. Peer relationships are very strong among teens. The better the quality of individual with whom your child associates, the better the influence.

-The SHA tradition is a strong one. Being an “alumnus” is an honor and something that upon graduation can never be taken away. The pride and benefits of a SHA diploma can never be totally measured but have been shown to produce intangible benefits in the long run.

-Being employed on a part-time basis helps to build real life experiences, provides income for the teen and helps to foster individual responsibility. However when the job interferes with academic progress, the choice must be re-examined. Last year a student rushed out of two exams earlier then she normally would to be on time for work. She failed both exams. Were the hours of work worth the expense of failing????

We thank you for the opportunity to work with your children. As a faculty and staff, we will give our best to guide them toward making decisions that will hopefully benefit our students in their future. Academics continue to be my focus but I also appreciate the necessity for a well-rounded education and the need to have high school be a positive experience. Our best to you for a happy, interesting and safe holidays.

 NB If there are any issues which you would like me to address in future editions of HEARTBEAT, please contact me.

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