New 8th grade site visit experiences

Southwest High School is excited to participate in the new high school tour program. This new program replaces shadowing and we think offers numerous advantages over the old shadowing experience.

Eighth grade students will visit Southwest on designated dates and times for a 90-minute visit. Some of the tours will be extended to include lunch. The 90-minute visits will include a short auditorium presentation that provides an overview of our athletic and co-curricular opportunities, our fine arts programs, as well as our academic program, including the opportunity for all students to earn the IB Diploma or Medallion. Additionally, we will have current students address each auditorium telling the eighth grade students why they chose SWHS and their experiences in their high school career.

After the short auditorium presentation, students will be matched with current SWHS students in small groups to tour the school. All students will be able to visit classrooms including science labs, art studios, technology classrooms, the media center, and the gym. Advantages over the old shadowing experience are many including less disruption to education both in the middle schools and here at SWHS. Additionally, students have the opportunity to hear about the wide range of opportunities and programming at SWHS, and to ask questions of staff and current students.

To view the schedule, please visit the link from the southwest home page http://southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us/

SWHS will also be participating in informational meetings at local middle schools. All of these programs begin at 6:30pm.
Wed. Nov. 4 Hmong Language Specific Hmong International Academy
Thurs. Nov. 5 Somali Language Specific Anne Sullivan School
Tues. Nov. 10 Anthony, Emerson, Field, Ramsey and Windom Burroughs School
Wed. Nov. 11 Spanish Language Specific La Escuelita
Thurs. Nov. 12 Anwatin, Barton, Jefferson and Lake Harriet Burroughs School

Finally our High School Open House is on Tuesday November 17, 2009 beginning at 6:30 at SWHS.

We look forward to meeting students and families throughout this important transition period.

Caroline Hooper
NBCT
IB Middle Years Programme Coordinator
Southwest High School
612-668-3082