Parent Conference Day Planned
Parent Conference Day will be held on Monday, November 28, 2011. Please remember that conferences will be fifteen minutes long and are held between the hours of 1:00-4:30PM and 6:00-8:30PM. If you were unable to schedule a conference with a particular teacher during those times, please contact Mr. Phillips at (610) 240-1067 so that the teacher can be informed to contact you to schedule an appointment at a mutually agreeable time. We look forward to this opportunity to meet you.
On conference day, we ask that you:
· Arrive a few minutes early; appointments will be very tightly scheduled.
· Enter the building through the main lobby.
Observe the fifteen-minute time frame; others will expect to meet at their scheduled times.
Report Card Distribution
Marking Period 1 ends on Friday, November 4, 2011. Report cards for all grade levels will be distributed in Homeroom on Wednesday, November 16. Should a student be absent on that day, the report cards will remain with homeroom teachers through Homeroom on Thursday, November 17 for distribution to students. After that date, remaining report cards will be returned to Data Processing.
Mid-year Exam Schedule Announced
Barring snow days or other emergency school closings, mid-year exams are slated to take place on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, January 18, 19 and 20, 2012. Additional information will be mailed home in early January 2012.
2011 - 2012 Schedule Change Modifications
Over the past several years, we have implemented practices to help students minimize stress and maximize their success on midterm and final exams. These practices include: 1) reading days prior to exams, 2) quiet study rooms for free period students, 3) in-class lessons on exam prep, time management, and study skills and 4) provision of study guides to help students with individual preparation. In addition to the above practices, course level changes can be made until December 23, 2011 (the last school day prior to winter break) and will resume on January 23, 2012 (the first day of the second semester).
New Option For Culminating Project Every student in Pennsylvania must complete a culminating project. The purpose of the project, which may include completion of a college application, research, writing, or some other appropriate form of demonstration, is to assure that the student is able to apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information and communicate significant knowledge and understanding. As a result of recent changes by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, most CHS students will fulfill this requirement through completing a college application prior to leaving for their senior internship.
Completion of the project will be recorded on the student’s transcript. Please direct questions to Mr. Boyle at 610-240-1029 or contact a guidance counselor. Also, please consult the Conestoga Culminating Project web page.
Pass-Fail Reminder Under certain circumstances, students may request Pass-Fail grading for one of their courses. Pass-Fail grading is an option designed to encourage students to explore new areas of interest without fear that carrying too heavy a course load will hurt their overall performance. There is still time to apply for Pass-Fail grading for a full-year or second semester course. The application deadlines are as follows:
October 14, 2011 for a First Semester Course January 6, 2012 for a Full-Year Course March 5, 2012 for a Second Semester Course
To qualify, students must be enrolled in six major courses. The course may not be a graduation requirement. Applications and full details concerning Pass-Fail grading are available from Mr. Fagan in the Main Office.
Extended Experience The fall Extended Experience Physical Education application period ended on September 16, 2011. For those students who have EEPE on their schedule and have turned the application form in by this date, Extended Experience should appear on your 1st marking period report card with an S, signifying that the appropriate paperwork has been submitted. Failure to return a completed application form in a timely fashion will result in removal of Extended Experience from the student schedule. Fall verification forms will be posted on the web in early December, 2011. These forms verify that the experience has been completed and are due back to Conestoga's main office January 13, 2012. Failure to return a completed verification form will result in a U on the report card.
Spring Extended Experience applications will be posted on the web by January 6, 2012. These second semester forms are due back to the Conestoga main office on or before February 3, 2012. Seniors who do not have a completed application in by that time will be placed in a gym class. Sophomores and juniors will have extended experience removed from their schedules and will have to add an additional gym in the coming school year. Please remember that Conestoga's graduation requirements include credit for eight physical education courses.
CHS Seniors Honored
Congratulations to thefifty one(51) Pioneers recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and The College Board based on their performance on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Tests.Twenty six(26) seniors were named National Merit Semi-finalists,twenty four(24) were recognized National Merit Commended Students,five (5) were named National Hispanic Scholars and one (1) was named National Achievement Scholar.
National Merit Semi-finalist recognition places students among the top 1% of students nationwide. Best wishes to the Semi-finalists as they go on to compete for Finalist status and for possible scholarships. Commended students are among the top4% of students nationwide. The National Hispanic Scholars are among the top 2% of PSAT takers of Hispanic descent.The National Achievement Scholars program recognizes the 1600 top scoring African American Students.
2011 AP Scholars
As of October 25, 2011, College Board has recognized two hundred and eighty three (283) Conestoga students for their achievement in Advanced Placement testing. Eighty (80) Conestoga students were recognized as AP Scholars, which is granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams. Fifty-nine (59) students were named Scholar with Honor, which is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
One hundred and twenty (120) students were named Scholar with Distinction,which is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. Twenty-four (24) students were named National Scholar, which is granted to students in the United States who receive an average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.
Tri-M Music Honor Society Inducts New Members
On October 5, 2011, fifty-eight (58) students were inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Taking its name from Modern Music Masters, this international society awards membership based upon academic achievement, musical ability, leadership, service, character and participation in at least one of Conestoga's music performance groups.
‘Stoga Showcase of Sound
The Conestoga High School and the Marching Pioneers will host their Second Annual Cavalcade of Bands competition, 'Stoga Showcase of Sound,on Saturday, November 5, 2011 starting at 4:30PM and ending by 10:00PM.More thantwelve high school bands from Pennsylvania and New Jersey are already scheduled to perform on our very own Teamer Field at Conestoga. It will be an extravaganza of music and color guard performances, bringing over 1,000 people into the stands. Tickets are available now at stogamusic.com. If you or your organization would like to place an ad, make a donation, sponsor a trophy or any of the activities for the evening, OR if you would like to help out in any way, please contact Co-Chairs Joan Capolupo at or Janet Fell at . Mark the date on your calendar and plan to bring the whole family for an educational and enjoyable evening of musical entertainment.
Stoga Theatre presents…
The Shakespeare comedy, Twelfth Night
Thursday, November 17 – 7:30 pm
Friday, November 18 – 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 19 – 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
Join us for one of Shakespeare’s most memorable comedies, Twelfth Night. The classic tale combines the Bard’s priceless wit, gift of jest, and romance fused with some of his most memorable characters. Stoga’s take on this classic includes an updated setting that will appeal to both Shakespeare novices and scholars alike.
Tickets are on sale now all seats reserved - $10. Special discounts - $8 for Students (age 19 & under), Seniors (62+) and TESD Staff and $6 for Groups of 15 or more. To purchase TICKETS or for more information, visit www.stogatheatre.com or call 610.240.1022.
Counselor Update
The fall semester is a busy time for counselors and the 2011-2012 year is no exception. Counselors have been meeting with twelfth graders to finalize post-high school plans.
o Seniors should submit their college applications by the posted deadlines.
o Juniors and their parents will be invited to schedule a post-high school planning meeting. Letters of invitation will be mailed in December. Counselors will be visiting eleventh grade homerooms to discuss college testing, college conferences, college fairs and the college selection process.
o Sophomore “get-to-know-your-counselor" meetings will be scheduled in the spring.
o Freshmen individual and small group "get-to-know-your-counselor" sessions are almost completed.
Students who are absent for any of the above should contact their counselor for an update and follow-up session.
Counselor Assignment By Student Last Name
Mrs. Laureen McGloin (ext. 1008) A - BR
Mrs. Rachelle Gough (ext. 1011) BU - DH
Mrs. Misty Whelan (ext. 1007) DI - GAI
Mr. Brian Samson (ext. 1012) GAL - JA
Mrs. Melissa Lieber (ext. 1051) JE - L
Mrs. Jennifer Kratsa (ext. 1010) MA - NA
Mr. Andy Mullen (ext. 1009) NE - R
Ms. Leashia Rahr (ext. 1038) S - TE
Miss Megan Ryan (ext. 1013) TH - Z
College Admissions & NCAA Night
Don't miss one of Conestoga's most popular evening programs on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 7:00PM.College admissions officers from regional colleges and universities will present vital information on the admissions process. Representatives will be on hand from the following school categories: Highly Selective (Columbia University), Small Private (Gettysburg College), PA State System of Higher Ed (West ChesterUniversity), Penn State University, and Delaware County Community College. Representatives will speak on the differences and similarities of their types of institutions and the admission process at each college. An invaluable question and answer session will be held where parents and students have the opportunity to hear it from the experts! Prior to the admissions program, a session for COLLEGE BOUND ATHLETES will be held in Room 142 at 6:00PM. Coaches and students will be on hand to discuss college admissions for the student athlete.
Financial Aid Night/FAFSA Evening
Financing a college education is a tremendous undertaking. Conestoga’s counselors understand that paying for college can be complex and that knowledge of the options is key, and so they invite parents to attend a comprehensive, informative seminar on financial aid on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 7:00PM in the CHS auditorium. All are welcome.
Selective Service Registration
Young men seventeen years of age or older are reminded to register with the Selective Service within 30 days of their eighteenth birthday. There are several penalties for failure to register, including denial of financial aid for college. Registration materials are available at any U.S. Post Office or online at www.sss.gov.
Requesting a College Application Transcript
All seniors must notify their counselors fifteen school days prior to an application deadline in order for the counselor to meet the college deadline. Seniors must turn inaCollege Application DataSheet with their counselor to officially request their transcript and letters of recommendation to be sent.
College Testing Times
All college testing programs will begin between approximately 8:15 and 8:30AM. Therefore, it is advised that students arrive no later 7:45AM. Students will not be permitted to enter the testing room after testing has begun. Ending times vary from test to test. Juniors and seniors taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test should finish by 1:00PM. Ending times for the SAT subject tests (given simultaneously with the SAT) vary with the number of tests an individual takes. Students taking only one test are normally dismissed by approximately 9:45AM, while those taking two or three tests are dismissed by 11:15AM or 12:30PM respectively. Students must present photo identification at the test centers. They should report to the CHS Main Lobby for room assignments.College Board and ACT no longer permit cell phones in the test centers during SAT and ACT exams.
Senior Alert
The time is upon us… Seniors will be able to place orders for caps, gowns, tassels, as well graduation stationary ON-LINE this year at www.bit.ly/conestoga. Seniors will be receiving information about the ordering process during homeroom the first week of November. Students who do not wish to order on-line may elect to use a paper order form (which can be picked up in the main office).
This year all orders from Student Services Company will be completed on-line with the exception of those families that wish to use the paper order form. All on-line and paper forms are due no later than Tuesday, November 15th, 2011. Students using the paper form can return their order to the main office. The cost of the cap, gown, and tassel is $23.60 plus tax for a total of $25.00. Payment can be made via credit card or check. EVERY SENIOR MUST PURCHASE A CAP, GOWN, AND TASSEL IN ORDER TO WALK AT GRADUATION. All of the other products in the packet are optional and involve a service charge and shipping fee. Please make sure to look for ordering information beginning in November and place your orders by November 15th!!! Questions regarding order forms or the process should be directed to Senior Class Advisors Mrs. Lydia Hallman () or Mrs. Amy Hawkins ().
Attention All Winter Athletes
Please make note of the following important dates:
October 26, 2011 – Winter Sports Parent meeting, 7:00PM, starting in the Auditorium and followed by break-out sessions. November 4, 2011 – LAST day to turn in all paperwork for students participating in a Winter Sport. Please see the Athletics page of the Conestoga website for more details.