Wednesday, August 29, 2012

August 29, 2012 - Important Back-to-School Information


Greetings Families:
I am writing to provide updates regarding back to school.
Staffing Update 
Our new Special Education teacher is Mrs. Jill Huntington.  She comes to us from Beaverton School District and will be teaching elective classes as well.  Our Humanities teacher, Ms. Laura Pridmore-Brown (PB), comes to us via Clackamas High School and brings with her the ability to provide PSU credits through the PSU Challenge Program.  Ms. Heidi Welnick is serving as our Music teacher.  She is new to the Portland area. A highlight of her experience is the building (from scratch) the music program at Grand Canyon University.  I am pleased to provide your children the opportunity to work with such strong teachers.
Registrar Update
Unfortunately, we were unable to make our timeline in order to mail student schedules prior to the start of school.  The new student information system is going to be welcome, however, the transition is taking more time than anticipated.  Mrs. Teeter is proficient and student schedules will be complete for the first day of school.
We do understand that there will be need for students to make schedule changes and Mrs. Teeter is prepared for that.  Especially when you read further!
Curricular Opportunity Update
As mentioned above, Ms. Pridmore-Brown is positioned to provide a college credit course.  Below is the course description, benefits and how to access this new class offered this trimester.  Please contact Ms. Teeter immediately if your student would like to take advantage of this opportunity.  We need a full class in order to offer this course this trimester.   
Through the Challenge Program, a cooperative program between Portland State University and your school district, you have the opportunity to enroll in a first-year PSU course before you begin full-time college study.  By completing a Challenge course, you can earn PSU credits while you are still in high school.  Your teacher, Laura Pridmore-Brown, has an Adjunct Instructor appointment from the History Department at PSU and will teach your PSU course on the Riverdale High School campus. Currently, the following course is being offered through the Challenge Program at PSU: The History of Western Civilization:History 102 (Renaissance through the Enlightenment).
What is the tuition cost for this Challenge Program course?
Qualified students (PSU requires a 3.0 GPA) who wish to enroll in Challenge courses pay a reasonable Program Fee.  The fee is reviewed annually.  For the 2012-2013 year, students will pay $226 for History 102, a 4 credit class. If a student were to take this same class on the PSU campus, the cost would be $734.
Who can register to take this class through the PSU Challenge Program?
Course offerings are normally restricted to qualified high school seniors.  However, students in their junior year are sometimes permitted to enroll in Challenge Program PSU courses with approval from the University faculty coordinator and the Challenge Program administrator.
When I register for a course, what is my official status at PSU?
When you enroll through Challenge at the University, you are a part-time Portland State University student. You will have the privileges of any other part-time student: you may get a PSU ID card; you will be eligible for a computer account; you will have full access to the Library, including access to all the databases subscribed to by the University.
When you complete your Challenge Program course, you are entitled to an official Portland State University transcript.
Drama Club update
New this fall is an extra curricular activity, the dramatic production of All in the Timing. Students should look out for information right away regarding auditions.
Principals message
NOTICE: It was brought to our attention that the district calendar states the first day of school is 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.  This is not true.  School is 9:00 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.  Our apologizes for any confusion.
Students, I am anxious and excited to have you back in our halls!  We have a great year ahead of us.





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