A quick glance ahead...

I hope you enjoyed the long weekend because we have a busy few weeks ahead of us.  This week we will begin the registration process where you will have the chance to select the classes that you want to take for next school year.  I know that it always seems like this is way too early, but because of all of the layers and complexity involved in creating the master schedule and trying to come up with a schedule that will work for as many students as possible, the administrators need to start in January.  I can assure you that the next few weeks will have (seemingly) endless blog posts about all things registration because whatever questions students are coming to ask me are the things I try to blog about.  I do this so that any kids who have the same questions can get them answered in an easy way.  I will also remind you that all of the information related to registration including the link to the video, extra copies of the forms, etc. will all be posted out on the Counselor website as soon as the process starts Wednesday.

But, before we get going with the actual nuts and bolts related to registration, I want to remind all students and parents that it is important to try to pause and relax.  You are going to submit your requests, but I will also be meeting with EVERY student 1:1 to look at what you have selected, to discuss any questions that you have and to make sure that your choices sound like they make sense.  Please know that I can still make changes later when we meet even though the online system will be locked.

I stress this because each year, as soon as registration information is distributed, students STREAM to my office with the hope of setting up a time to meet in addition to our individual meeting.  I promise that I am more than happy to meet with you and we will work to find a time that is convenient, but it does NOT need to be before you register online because I can still go into the system and make changes to class requests throughout most of February. So please, when you get your registration information, go ahead and register with your best guess on classes that you would like to take and then when we are able to meet if changes are needed I can make them at that time.  I am here to help you, but I do beg for you to try to be patient with me as having more than 350 students makes it hard to get to everyone all at the same time.

Because of the importance of the 1:1 meetings with all students, there will be several days over the course of the next few weeks when I will not be available for walk in meetings.  I hate doing that, but I need you to understand that this is the one time a year when all of the focus is on academics in my office.  HOWEVER, if you or a friend are faced with a crisis, there are lots of adults available to help you!  Please either tell Nurse Julie, an administrator, a dean, a teacher you trust, or one of the secretaries and they will help connect you to immediate support.  I cannot stress how important that is to me because your well-being, physically, mentally and emotionally, is always our top priority.

Aside from emergencies, for planning purposes it might help you to know which days are going to be completely booked with meetings for me so that you can come on some of the other dates to chat about school, life, etc...  I will NOT be available on the following dates:
- Thursday, January 30th
- Monday, February 3rd
- Tuesday, February 4th
- Thursday, February 6th
- Monday, February 10th
There will be other days that are hit or miss based upon meetings, but you are probably used to that with my typical crazy schedule and meetings.

Looking ahead at the 2020-2021 school year is going to be fun and it all kicks off on Wednesday.