Churchill HS Breakfast April 24, 2012

Dr. Siebert welcomed some 30 parents attending the April 24 Churchill High School Breakfast. He began the meeting with introducing the two newly appointed co-high school principals Lynn Settlow and Jason Wallin. Another change Dr. Siebert announced was that the current college guidance counselor Bill McBrien will retire as of June 30, 2012. His assistant Deborah McEntee, a certified guidance counselor, is a strong candidate to succeed him. In addition, outside applicants are being interviewed and Dr. Siebert expects to have a top contender ready by the middle to end of May.

As a result of feedback from parents and prodding by current 10^th grade parents, Churchill has updated and expanded the college guidance section of its website and intensified its work tracking the progress of Churchill alumni after graduation, Dr. Siebert said. The new college guidance counselor will work closely with HS teachers and students on the transition process to life after Churchill.

Lynn and Jason spoke about changes planned for next year. The school day will began promptly at 8:15 am with a subject lesson, and advisory will move to a later period of the day. The dean positions will be eliminated in an effort to streamline the communication flow. Starting the 2012/2013 school year, Churchill will have a full time technology person who will assist individual students, among other duties. Next year the honor program will expand to include 10^th grade (currently honor classes are only available to 11^th and 12^th graders). More detailed information about the honor program will be disseminated later this spring.

Churchill 12^th graders who have completed chemistry, biology and earth science will have the option to choose between physics and forensics. Those who take Regents physics will also study calculus. A less math intensive physics class may be offered to students not interested in studying calculus.

Parent questions included the honor program, the science and math curriculum, executive functioning support, SAT & ACT prep, and information about non-college alternative career paths.