Seniors utilize options for classes second semester
by Jaylea B., journalism student
January 21, 2010
For many seniors, the second semester of the senior year is the best part. The opportunity of not having to be to school at 8 a.m., and leaving by 1:37 p.m. is a nice thought to many students. The option of reduced scheduling is in favor by many students wishing to escape the mundane school day.
In order to get the option of reduced schedules, seniors must be in good standing with all of their courses. The schedule can be reduced to five classes from their seven classes.
Seniors are only able to have a reduced schedule the second semester of their final year. The students must submit a form to drop the classes, which has to be signed by the student’s parents, unless he or she is 18.
Another option for seniors who are ready to move beyond high school is semester graduation.
“In order to graduate at semester, the students must have all requirements for graduation completed prior to their first semester senior year,” Joni Clark-Leiker, counselor, said.
Seminars will be empty of most seniors after December, as seminar is one of the hours many students drop.
The percentages for drops for this year are as follows: 55 percent of the senior class kept only five classes, 21 percent kept six classes and nine percent kept seven classes. Two percent kept five classes and seminar, two percent kept six classes and seminar and 11 percent kept seven classes and seminar.
“I totally love having a reduced schedule. I come to school later, and I get to leave earlier,” Michelle S., sr., said.
There are positives and negatives to every action a student takes. Positives of reduced scheduling are the options of working during the time the students have off and free time for other activities. A negative of reduced schedules is the lack of drive students must have and the availability of laziness.
“If it’s abused it will hurt instead of help. The drops need to be used wisely. You need to use your time wisely,” Gunner G., sr., said.
The process for semester graduation is more than having the classes completed. The student wishing to graduate early must submit a letter to the Board of Education in October, verifying he or she has completed the requirements for semester graduation. At the November B.O.E. meeting, the application for graduation will go through the approval process.
Advice for those students who wish to apply for semester graduation is to make sure they meet the requirements before the first semester senior year. The Career Center is an excellent resource to see whether or not a student would be eligible for early graduation.
Three students chose to graduate at semester this year. All three are working and taking college classes with their free time.
“I had all of my credits and I was ready to move on to the next chapter in my life,” Jill W., sr., said.
