FROM THE DESK OF THE DIRECTOR OF ACADEMICS: DR DEMPSEY

My message to you at this time of the year is threefold.

1. The scheduling process is part of re-registration and will be starting shortly. The choices students make although not life and death are important in the overall planning toward your daughter’s graduation and can have an effect on the courses taken in college. I encourage each student to take the most rigorous courses (colleges weigh rigor of program sometimes more than QPA), get involved in your school and seek the Advanced Regents Diploma.  If you have the grades and can handle an AP course, go for it. Respect your ability and feel free to talk with your daughter’s guidance counselor. Don’t be afraid to push yourself, you’ll be surprised what you can do!

2. As we push toward the 2^nd semester, it is important that students continue to lay the foundation to successfully complete this year. Below is a list of recommended do’s and don’ts for parents to know which may be helpful in guiding your daughters:

a. Do take the rest of the year seriously no matter how good you are doing. Developing your mind is like developing your body; you need to stay in training. Don’t rest on your laurels.

b. Do maintain good attendance. End of the year activities contain new material, a wealth of excellent opportunities for review and tips for doing well on final exams.

c. Do meet all deadlines established for end of the year projects. Each year some student’s grades suffer because of not meeting the deadlines prescribed by their teachers. Meet the deadline and avoid the problem.

d. Do Work with other students and help each other toward success. One of the best ways to learn material is for you to teach it.

e. Do avoid detentions. Enough said.

 f. Do plan for next year seriously with proper and rigorous course selections  and extra curricular activities in your schedule. Be aware of dates for sports physicals.

g. Don’t give up on yourself.  If you are not doing well, you would be surprised what a month of hard work can do for YOU!

h. Don’t  rest on your laurels, Don’t get caught up in senioritis or Don’t let your friends take precedence over your future.

3. We are trying to keep the Key Bank parking lot as safe as possible for your daughters. Sometimes at dismissal, things can be confusing. My sincere thank you to everyone for being aware of the difficulty and parking in the lot to wait for  your children rather than waiting in the driveway. Please know your actions are very much appreciated and promote a safer SHA dismissal!

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