Hooray!

You made it to the end of the school year... Congratulations!  (Definitely a thumbs up to summer break.)  At times it felt like it was a really challenging year, but it also felt like it went by quickly overall.  I hope that you have a wonderful and relaxing summer... but before you slip into total summer mode, I need to share some news with you.

Today just after 9:30am the administration at WKHS officially locked and handed over the class schedules to us which includes lots of schedule conflicts.  (Conflicts and tough choices between classes you wanted is definitely a thumbs down.)  I started calling for students like crazy to try to have you all make some really tough decisions regarding your classes for next year, but I wasn't even half way through before the day ended.  So, I am going to email students over the next few days with details about decisions or conflicts that I need you to share your thoughts, ideas or make decisions between classes so that you will have a schedule that works next fall.  Since I'm not sure if you will still be checking your school email I will also try to copy a parent on the message with the hopes that will help make certain you see the message.

I still have a few more days at school to deal with 2nd semester failures, help get students registered for summer school, and now to deal with conflicts... none of which would be anywhere near the top of my list of favorite parts of my job so know that I miss you already, but I do hope you have a well-deserved, relaxing, enjoyable, safe, and fun summer.

Summer School Reminder

Just as a reminder, if you fail a class in high school, you have to repeat that course before you can move on to the next level.  So, for example, if you fail Math 1 then you have to take Math 1 again before you move on to Math 2.  This is particularly challenging for students who fail English or Math since those courses each require 4 credits to graduate.  If this applies to you, PLEASE be sure to sign up for Worthington Summer School ASAP!  It will be held at WKHS, it is free and transportation is available if you need it.  Here is the link to sign up for credit recovery in Worthington Summer School.

Additionally, back in February when we were looking at your intended courses for next year many of you reported that you would be taking classes during the summer to get-ahead in your classes/ credits.  That is completely acceptable - you just need to make sure you are taking your classes through an accredited school and then transferring that credit back to us by bringing in a copy of your transcript.  Many students have found TRECA to be a cost effective alternative, but again, it can be any accredited school.

If something has changed in your plans and you will not be taking a class that you had previously indicated you were going to complete via summer school, please stop to see me or send me an email at school to let me know that so that I can adjust your schedule for next year.  (This goes with advanced classes and for classes that you have failed.)  I want to try to get as many of these adjustments made as possible before the school year ends so that your courses will be right in August when you pick up your schedule.

Congratulations Class of 2022

Congratulations to the Class of 2022!  Today was a great celebration and I am excited for all that is ahead of you in the future. I wish you all the very best of luck in all of your endeavors as you leave Kilbourne behind and now start chasing new dreams.  I hope you will look back on your high school years with pride for all you have accomplished.  

Honors, AP, IB Summer Work

Lately so much attention has been on seniors because of tomorrow's graduation ceremony and all of the end of the year events.  But, for the younger students, school is still in session and focusing on academics is still paramount.

As you start thinking ahead to next year it is important to remember that many students are planning  to take Honors, AP and IB classes for next year and so I wanted to remind you that many of those classes will have summer assignments.  Honors/ AP/ IB teachers have been working hard to prepare meaningful learning opportunities to help you get a jump start during the summer months.  Please pay close attention to the announcements each day because there will be meetings before/ after school for students to meet with the teachers for next year or Google/ Schoology classrooms for you to join, to learn about the summer requirements and expectations, and to understand what you will need to do if you have questions or need support. We have also posted copies of the summer assignments that teachers have shared with us on the Counselor Website so that you can have easy access to them there as well.

It is also important that all students are aware that there is a drop deadline of July 15th for all AP and IB courses.  Prior to July 15th students can drop the classes without penalty.  After July 15th the summer assignments are still required and the grades for the summer work will be transferred into the new class that you will transferring into for next year instead of your intended class.  So, it is important not only that you know what you will need to do, but also to start working on the assignments - at least enough to make sure you feel confident that you are going to enjoy the course - so that you will know by July 15th if you feel you are going to need to change out of that class.

Senior Recognition Night

Tonight's Senior Recognition night kicked off the festivities of honoring seniors which will conclude on Sunday at graduation.  I was thankful that so many of my students and their families were able to be there tonight.  I am exhausted, but excited.  As I listened to Mr. Thomas share about the unbelievable scholarship amounts you all have been offered, read some of the awards and recognitions you have received (which, by the way, it was really hard to limit it to 3), and reflected on the fact that 62% of your class was being recognized tonight, I simply keep thinking, WOW.

What an impressive class of students you are and what a great job you have done to contribute in positive and meaningful ways at WKHS.  And the reality is, even for those who weren't invited to attend tonight, each of you has made a positive difference at Kilbourne.  Whether it has been in the classroom, with a club, a sport, or simply being a friend to someone on a bad day, you help make WKHS such a special place.

I am grateful that I have been able to share in your journey through high school and tonight my heart is full as I celebrate and honor you.

Also, Mr. Crozier (Gavin's dad), shared an impressive closing speech that was a nice way to cap off a special evening.

And, although it didn't get announced tonight, a few students asked me about all of the regalia that you received and yes, you do wear that on Sunday.  So if you received a Celebration of Excellence medal, any cords, or stole, then all of those items are worn over top of your gown at the commencement ceremony.

Senior Reminders

Seniors, tomorrow is your LAST DAY of high school!  I have a few quick reminders about things you need to be sure that you take care of before graduation rehearsal on Friday.

Actually, I should probably start there.  You have graduation rehearsal at WKHS on Friday at 10am. You will be done around noon. This is mandatory if you plan on participating in the commencement ceremony on Sunday.  You do not need to dress up or where your cap and gown to the rehearsal.  I will be honest, the rehearsal isn't anywhere near as exciting as the actual graduation ceremony will be, but it will be worth it when everything goes well during the real event Sunday.  Because the practice can get boring, I suggest bringing something to help keep you occupied in your seat.  (Fully charged phone, book to read, etc.) 

Other events this week include Senior Teas at your elementary schools on Thursday.  Senior Recognition Night for those students who have earned awards/ scholarships/ recognitions.  If you will not be attending, please be sure to let Mrs. McDaniel know by stopping to see her in the Counseling Center or sending her an email to kmcdaniel@wscloud.org so that she knows you will not be there to pick up your recognition materials and can make arrangements to get them to you separately.  Baccalaureate is on Friday night at Worthington Christian Church and this is open to all seniors students and families and is always an awesome night each year.  And then, there is also this big event down at the Convention Center on Sunday at noon - GRADUATION!  :-)  It's going to be a busy and fun few days.

* Fees/ Fines: Some students still have outstanding fees and fines that you owe to the school. It may be a very small fee for an overdue library book or it could be a much larger fee for a lost textbook, but either way, please make sure that all of your debt is paid this week so that you will be able to participate in the commencement ceremony.

* Textbook/ Library Book Returns: You will need to turn in all of your textbooks as well as any library books that you still have. You can return your books to Mrs. Dominach in the Counseling Center or book room.

* Scholarship Thank You's: If you received a scholarship, don't forget the importance of writing a thank you note to the individual, group or organization who is providing you with the scholarship.

* Iron your gown: Ok, this isn't a requirement, but I'm hoping you have at least taken your gown out of the package already so that some of the wrinkles have fallen away.  But I do strongly suggest you consider ironing your gown because you will look much nicer in pictures if you're not a wrinkled mess.  (And, I say that fully acknowledging that I pretty much iron once a year and that is for this exact event to iron my gown for the ceremony each year.)

* Set a post-graduation ceremony meeting place: This is my many years of experience being down at the Convention Center for graduation giving this suggestion... I realize that most of you haven't been to the site of the ceremony, but after graduation you will want to meet up with your family and friends for photos and to celebrate.  Having a place where you know to go to find your family identified ahead of time will help more than you can imagine.  I can assure you that in the past, the worst place to be as soon as the ceremony is over is anywhere near the bottom of the escalator because everyone who attended the graduation ceremony will be trying to leave and coming out at the escalator.  So consider picking some other area where you can meet that is NOT near the escalators.

* Stop by and see me: Selfishly, I would like to also add this to your list as I would love to have a few more minutes with you while you are still in high school. And, I haven't received any senior pictures this year, so please know that I would still love to have one! :-)

Sending AP Scores

Seniors, I talked about the fact that if you have taken CC+ classes that you need to be sure that you send your CSCC or COTC transcripts directly to your intended college, but I realized that I neglected to mention that if you have taken an AP exam, you will also need to send those official scores to your intended college.

As you are likely aware, colleges each get to set their own protocol for what AP tests they will accept and what scores will result in earning credits at their school.  You can check out the AP Credit Policy using the search on CollegeBoard's website here: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/getting-credit-placement/search-policies

One great aspect about sending the AP Scores is that they will send your current and past scores to the college with one report so if you have taken 5 AP tests, you don't have to pay to send 5 different scores.  And, if you have taken an AP test this year, you can still request your scores to be sent to 1 school for free if you log into your account and select your intended college before June 20th.

Here is the page that explains everything you need to know about sending your AP Scores: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/sending-scores