|
SCHEDULING PROCESS FOR 2006-2007 BEGINS
Berkeley High has begun the massive challenge of scheduling over 3,200 students and 162 teachers into six separate programs, a six period day with two extra periods (zero and seven), and an average class size of 28 for the 2006-2007 school year.
The master schedule is built on student choices and the first steps in the process are a series of information meetings. Most freshmen will have already met with counselors Susan Werd and Stephen Chang who are helping the 9th graders create a college-bound plan for the remaining three high school years. And, on March 1 the administration was scheduled to meet with the families of incoming 9th graders to go over the six program choices available to next year's freshmen as well as information on the new Berkeley International High School.
Parents of current 9 through 11 grade students should plan on coming to an information Meeting on March 16 where the administration will answer questions about math sequencing, language placement, the Advanced Placement classes, Physical Education Requirements, science courses and new courses which will be offered next year including AP Art History, AP Music Theory, Drawing II, Film Theory and Mandarin Chinese.
Between March 20 and April 28 students, with their English classes, will begin the process of on-line scheduling. At this point they will list their preferred choices, with second and third back-up choices where appropriate. By May 1, these initial choices, along with an unofficial transcript, will be mailed to students' homes so parents/guardians may see what their students have selected. Changes in requested courses will be completed by May 12.
Once the first step of on-line scheduling is completed, the administration will have the information to create the Master Schedule and to begin hiring new teachers if necessary. Working with computer software, which includes a "conflict matrix," the goal is to give every student the classes they have requested — though in the past there have some unavoidable disappointments. For instance, while Film Theory is being offered, it will not actually be taught unless a minimum of 18 students sign up for the class.
Mandarin is another example. In this case however, 70 students must sign up for the initial offering (at least two classes) so that, taking into account inevitable attrition, a sufficient number of students will be available for third and fourth year Mandarin.
Because the school is staffed based on students' preferences, schedules cannot be changed if students decide they do not like their choices a few months later. Students will only be allowed to change for extraordinary reasons. Teacher preference or schedule preference is not considered an extraordinary circumstance. Students, please select your courses carefully!
The actual class schedule with teacher's names and room numbers will be distributed to students shortly before classes start in August.
Amy Frey
|
