Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Southwest May Term Guidelines

May Term Common Understandings for Students in Grades 11 – 12
·         All AP/DP Curriculum should be covered by Friday, April 14th in preparation for the exams starting on Friday, April 28th
·         No new homework or large projects will be assigned during May Term in AP/IB courses. This time is for review and studying for exams.
·         Students who are excused from class for exams will be exempt from classwork assigned for those dates during excused periods or days.
·         Students will not be released from examinations until the official time is over to ensure that all students do their personal best on each exam.

Who is excused when?
·         Diploma Candidates and 12th grade students with a large number of tests will be excused from class and assignments on the days they are testing. The lists of who these students are will be coming out soon.
·         Students in Grade 11 will only be excused for the days and times of their exams since they do not typically have more than 2 or 3 exams total.

Assassins Common Understandings
·         Teachers please speak to student leaders regarding the Assassins game which was initially designed to reduce the stress of students; yet had resulted in increasing the anxiety of students during exams which may impact successful results.
·         A plea for students to not play the Assassin Game during May Term or at all will be made through:
§  Discussions with student leaders
§  Email/letter to communication from administration to parents/students
§  Remind student council and student leaders of the reasons why this game is not appropriate on school grounds, at or near examination sites, or during May term.
·         Possibly explore an alternative option for students to participate in such in an activity in a safe way and during an appropriate timeframe
·         Do not release students from examinations until the official time is over to ensure that all students do their personal best on each exam and do not give up for ulterior reasons such as peer group or due to the assassin game.
·         Resources on the Assasin game:
Thank you,
Lisa Ledman
Advanced Academics Coordinator
IB DP, AP, and Concurrent Enrollment

Southwest High School
612-668-3060


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