WHS Guidance News
April 2024
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This newsletter contains information about:
- Course Selection
- Scholarship Booklet
- Special Opportunities & Scholarships
- AP Exams
- Staffing Update (Ms. Orpen's Caseload)
- Previous Newsletters
Course Selection for 9th, 10th, and 11th Graders
9th, 10th, and 11th grade students are now able to view their preliminary course requests for the 2024-25 school year in PowerSchool. These requests are based on teacher recommendations and student elective selections. Students and families are asked to review these requests using the instructions below. Once course requests have been reviewed, a caregiver must complete this short form by May 3 indicating that the course requests have been reviewed. If this form is not completed, we will assume that the student's course requests have been reviewed and that no changes are required. Students should expect to be scheduled for the courses that they see listed in PowerSchool.
If a student wishes to appeal a core academic course recommendation (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, or World Language), they should begin by speaking with their current teacher. Their teacher and school counselor will support them in beginning the course appeal process if necessary. If a student wishes to change an elective course request, they should indicate their change requests on the form noted above or by contacting their school counselor by May 3.
Course requests will continue to be reviewed by school counselors to ensure students are meeting graduation requirements. WHS school counselors are available to meet with any students who have questions, concerns, or changes, or who were unable to complete the elective selection previously.
A student’s courses for next year may still change based on any appeals process, end-of-year grades, and/or availability of space in an elective. Final schedules will be available on PowerSchool at the end of August and will be distributed on the first day of school. The WHS Guidance Department returns in late August and will be available to meet with students who have questions about their schedule or wish to discuss the possibility of a schedule change prior to the first day of school. Please review the Add/Drop procedure found at the end of this section for more details regarding course changes.
Instructions for Accessing Course Requests
Please use a web browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.), not the PowerSchool mobile app.
1. Log in to the Student Portal (https://powerschl.watertown.k12.ma.us/).
2. After logging in, click on the "Class Registration" option in the lefthand ‘Navigation’ bar to view your current requests.
If you have trouble accessing the PowerSchool Portal with your username and password, please contact Ms. Hope Sulzman (hope.sulzman@watertown.k12.ma.us) or Mrs. Linda Tracy (linda.tracy@watertown.k12.ma.us).
Add/Drop Procedure
Students are expected to choose preferred courses and alternates carefully. Alternatives will be chosen for students if they do not do so themselves during the course selection process. Should a student desire to change a course, the student must request this change prior to the first day of school or during the appropriate Add/Drop period (see below). During the Add/Drop Period, changes to student schedules will be made under the following conditions:
1. Student receives written permission from the teacher, the curriculum coordinator, and the parent/guardian. Students should obtain the appropriate form in Guidance.
2. The courses being exchanged occur during the same scheduled block during the day.
3. The courses being exchanged will not be over/under-enrolled due to the student's departure or arrival in the course.
Add/Drop Period for Semester 1 and Full-Year Courses:
Prior to the first day of school OR between the 8th and 14th day of school.
Add/Drop Period for Semester 2 Courses:
Prior to the first day of 2nd semester OR between the 1st and 5th day of Semester 2.
Changes to any course will not be allowed after the Add/Drop Period unless:
- a recommendation for a level change is made by the school
- an error has been made in inputting a student’s course choice
- a change is necessary for a Grade 12 student in order to meet graduation requirements
- an authenticated health or education plan issue necessitates the change
- an approval has been granted at the discretion of the principal
Students who withdraw from a class within two weeks of the end of the quarter will receive a grade for that course. Students who withdraw more than two weeks before the end of the quarter will receive W as a grade for that marking period.
Elective Descriptions
Descriptions of all courses being offered can be found in the Program of Studies located on the WHS website. Descriptions are also available by clicking on the following links:
Scholarships and Special Opportunities
The Guidance Department receives information about scholarships and special opportunities throughout the year. Information about previous and current scholarships and programs can be found on our Special Opportunities and Scholarships Hub. Please see a member of the Guidance department for additional details.
AP Exams
Students taking AP exam will receive information following the April break regarding testing times and locations. Students taking morning exams are expected to arrive at school by 7:30AM for testing. Students taking afternoon exams should expect to continue testing until about 3:45PM. Please plan accordingly.
Staffing Update
As previously shared with students and families on Ms. Orpen's caseload, Ms. Kathryn Kearney is covering for Ms. Orpen during Ms. Orpen's leave. Please contact Ms. Kearney (kathryn.kearney@watertown.k12.ma.us) with any questions.