Pope New Schedule Information

New Schedule Posted

Click below to see a version of the new schedule with an explanation of the X-Block (Teacher Collaboration Period) and Academic Opportunity Period!

Exciting Stuff!

Click Here for the Schedule

Schedule Change Deadline Passed

Due to time constraints and the logistics of building the schedule, we can no longer honor requests to make changes in courses requested for the 2009-2010 school year.

Thank you for your help and support

Explanation of Electives

Just a quick note about picking electives:

On the block schedule, many students picked one elective for first semester and another elective for second semester.  As each class period was 90 minutes long, we were able to award one full credit for the elective.

On the new schedule, please understand that classes during the first semester last 40-55 minutes.  This means that, at the end of the semester, you are only award a.5 credit. So, in order to receive a full elective credit for a class, you have to take the first ("A") and second ("B") part of the elective.

Have no fear- we are planning to allow students to revisit their elective choices (not academic classes) in October of 2009 to make sure every student has the right electives for the second semester of the 09-10 school year.

Thanks

9th Graders Recommended for Math I Support

We have received several requests for Rising 9th grade students to be taken out of Math I Support, a class recommended by the student's 8th Grade Teacher.

Unfortunately, we can not honor these requests.  Experience this year with the new Math curriculum has taught us that the Math Support class is crucial for some students.

If 9th grade students do well their 9th grade year, they may be removed from Math II Support their 10th grade year.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Robert Shaw @ Pope.

Thanks

Academic Night @ Pope High School

Students will receive their registration materials for next year in Homeroom on March 5, 2009.

That night, from 7-9 in the cafeteria, will be an Academic Night where parents and students can ask questions about the courses available for next year.

There will not be a formal meeting beforehand-just drop-in to the cafeteria between 7-9 on Thursday and we will do all we can to answer your questions.

Looking forward to seeing you there......

Curriculum Flow Charts-Incoming Freshman Class (Class of 2013)

See attached

Thanks (Updated in the Science section 3/3/09; Updates to Math and CTAE added)

Download All Flow Charts

New Course Guide-10th-12th: 09-10

Please use the link below to view the new course guide. You may also access it via the "Academic" tab on http://www.popehigh.com.

Thanks

Download Master Course Booklet & Course Numbers SY 09-10

AP Gov/AP Econ-REVISION

After discussions with the teachers, the decision has been made to bundle the AP Gov/Econ courses.  The reason for this is because we realized that a one semester class would result in a loss of classroom time.  The teachers feel confident that they can be more effective if they have the students all year long, even though the amount of class time does not changes.

What this means is that students who sign up for AP Gov will also be taking AP Econ.

I apologize for the confusion. Obviously, when implementing a new schedule, there are going to be some bumps in the road. 

Thanks

Freshman (Class of 2013) Course Guide for 09-10

Please click the links below to download the course-guide as a .pdf.

It is also available at www.popehigh.com under the "Academics" tab.

Thanks

Download Draft Version Freshman Handbook SY 09-10 v 2

Class Meetings with Students

Last Wednesday (2/11/09), we held class meetings with all of our students to review class expectations and explain the new schedule.  The students asked great questions and the meetings went very well.  Please be sure to ask your student about their impressions of the new schedule.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask us!

Thanks!

New Graduation Requirements

At our meeting this morning, several parents indicated that they were having a difficult time finding the new graduation requirements.

We aim to please--see below!

Thanks

Graduation Requirements

 

In September, 2007 the State Board of Education passed a new set of graduation requirements that will go into effect for students enrolling in the ninth grade for the first time in 2008-2009 (Class of 2012).  The rule was revised in conjunction with the implementation of the new Georgia Performance Standards in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, as well as electives. 

 

All students will be required to complete a total of 23 units for graduation.  All students must complete:

·         4 units of English

·         4 units of Science

·         4 units of Mathematics

·         3 units of Social Studies

·         3 units from :  Foreign Language* and/or CTAE and/or Fine Arts for all students

·         4  units additional electives

·         ½ unit health

·         ½ unit personal fitness

 

*Students planning to enter or transfer into a University System of Georgia Institution MUST take at least two units of the same foreign language.

Answer-Advanced Placement (AP) Government and Economics for 09-10

On the 4x4 Block Schedule, one of the concerns with AP courses was that the AP tests are only administered in the spring.  So, if a student took an AP course during the first semester, they would have to wait an entire semester to take the test.  For AP Econ/AP Gov, we attempted to solve this problem by "bundling" the courses into one course that students took every other day.  So, while still only semester courses, these classes were taught during the entire academic year.

As we change schedules, we have looked at continuing to bundle the courses.  The problem is that 5 or 6 sections of a bundled course is a tremendous workload for our teachers and not feasible.  So, they will not be bundled on the new schedule.

Each course will be offered both semesters as a semester class.  What this will allow students to do is pick and choose which courses they want to take.  For instance, a student could take Honors Government and AP Econ.

However, if a student chooses to take AP Econ or AP Gov first semester, they still have the issue of not being able to take the AP Econ test until the spring.  We hope to help these students by offering tutoring and review session after school and during the AO period.

Answer-Rise for 09-10

RISE is a program for approved students where they travel to the elementary schools to read to students.  A question was raised about how the new schedule will affect this program.

After some debate and discussion, the following was decided upon.

The RISE students next year will go directly to the elementary schools at 8:25.  They will tutor one student from 8:30-9 on M, T, W, and F.  They will return to school in time for the next period which starts either at 9:20 or 9:25.  On Thursdays, they will report directly to the elementary school at 9:40 and return in time for the 10:30 class.

Thanks

 

PowerPoint from Meetings

Please find attached a copy of the (short) Powerpoint presentation shown to the Junior Parents last Wednesday evening.  This will also be shown at further upcoming information meetings.

Please feel free to download.

Thank you!

Download NewSchedulePresentationVersion2

Meeting With Juniors (1/28)

Thanks to all of the parents and students that attended the meeting last night in the theater.

Some of the questions that were asked include:

• AP/Gov Econ
• .5 versus 1 Credit Classes
• How will Rise work?
• How will Teacher Apprenticeship work?

Stay tuned to this blog in the days ahead for answers to these questions.

Thanks

New Schedule Frequently Asked Questions Brochure

The Pope High School School Based Leadership Team {SBLT} has prepared a brochure to help answer questions regarding the new 09-10 Bell Schedule.

In addition to posting this information on this blog, this brochure will be distributed to help share information about the new schedule and answer questions.

The brochure can be downloaded in .pdf format by clicking below. This brochure is available from the Pope High School Front Office and Guidance Office and at both Hightower Trail and Dodgen Middle Schools.

Thank you

Download Schedule brochure Final

Here It Is.....

Please find attached a .pdf file of the new schedule.  This has been approved and is the final version for next year.

Thanks to all of the Faculty, Staff, Students, and Parents who helped.  More information will be posted soon....

Download New Schedule  

Information Meetings

Dear Pope High School Stakeholders:

As Pope begins to move to the new schedule, we would like to meet with parents and students to present the schedule and answer any questions. 

 

Please note that there are opportunities during the day and in the evening.  Please also note that the evening meetings are specific by grade. 

 

If you have any questions, please contact Robert Shaw, Assistant Principal at robert.shaw@cobbk12.org.

 
Daytime Q and A with Administration
10:00 AM in the Theater (Please check in with the Front Office)

February 2, 2009
February 9, 2009
March 18, 2009

Evening Information Meetings (Specific to Grade)
7:30 PM Theater

January 28, 2009-Class of 2010
February 11, 2009-Class of 2011 and 2012
April 13, 2009-Class of 2013

Please stay tuned to this blog for more information!

So Now What?

Now that the decision has all but been made to go to a 7-period hybrid, the leaders of Pope High School have a lot of work to do!

You may not get a whole lot of information from the school regarding the new schedule between now and the end of the semester. Do not despair---communicating with our stakeholders is the central part of implementing the new schedule!

We believe that we need to be able to answer all of the questions posed to us by our students, parents, and teachers.  To do this, we are going to spend November and December working to develop:

• Course offerings
• Zero period
• Enrichment Period
• A Plan for the Early In Period
• Curriculum Flow-Charts
• A section of Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQ's) in both hard-copy and electronic format

This will take a lot of work from the Department Chairs, Teachers, Administrators, Guidance Counselors, Special Education Teachers, CCSD Central Office Personnel, and others.  Parent input is needed and valued in this process.  Please do not hesitate to send an email using the link to the left.

Before we begin meeting with our students, parents, and teachers, we want to have sound and accurate answers to all potential questions!

Once we return to school in January, be on the look out for a lot of information. To communicate the new schedule, we plan on implementing the following:

• Guidance Counselors visiting the classrooms
• Updates to this blog and the Pope website
• Evening meetings with junior parents and students, freshman and sophomore parents and students, and rising 9th grade parents and students
• Close collaboration with Dodgen and Hightower Trail to ensure our 9th graders are registered and ready!
• Daytime "Lunch and Learns" with parents, students, and school administrators
• Regular visits with the "Greyhound Connection" and other student leadership organizations to answer questions and share information
• Regular meetings with Pope School Council and the Pope PTSA General Membership and Executive Committee
• Of course, constant communication with Pope faculty and staff
• ....and more!

Change is difficult, but our hope is to make the change to this new schedule as flawless as possible. Please stay tuned to this blog as more information becomes available.

Thank you for your support.

New Schedule Recommendation

The following email was set to the Pope Faculty Wednesday Afternoon:

 

Dear Faculty:

 

Today in our School Based Leadership Team meeting, a long and lengthy discussion was held regarding changing the bell schedule for Pope High School.

 

The discussion was frank, honest, and forthright.  Many issues were brought to the table and each member of the SBLT had the opportunity to speak.

 

The current recommendation of the SBLT is to move to a hybrid schedule which will consist of a seven period day, opportunities for enrichment during the school day, and an early-in time for uninterrupted teacher collaboration (This is the one presented during the faculty meeting on Tuesday morning).

 

This decision is not final as it is still subject to review by the school and District administration. Our hope is to have approval soon.

 

Thank you for your help, advice, and support.  As always, my door is open to meet with you.

 

Sincerely;

 

Rick Beaulieu
Pope High School
Principal
770-578-7900

 

Please stay tuned to this blog and the Hound Highlights for more information regarding course offerings, parent meetings, an FAQ section, and much more information.

 

 

The types of schedule being considered can be viewed by clicking below: 

Download blue_schedule.xls

Schedule Development Update

A big thank you to the administration, faculty, staff, and students of Morgan County High School in beautiful Madison, Georgia.  They really rolled out a red carpet welcome to a large group of Pope staff, students, and parents as we went to see their innovative hybrid schedule.  MCHS is a great school and they are on the forefront of many ideas to help their students achieve.  However, after an exhaustive visit and a lot of discussion, the determination was made that their schedule would not be a good fit at Pope.

On Wednesday, October 29, 2008, the School Based Leadership Team (SBLT), met with Area Assistant Superintendent Alice Stouder and recently retired former Cobb County School District Chief Academic Officer Jill Kalina to discuss schedule alternatives for Pope.

The choices basically come down to:
1. Continue on the 4x4 Block in its current form
2. Modify the Block extensively to suit the unique needs of Pope students and teachers
3. Adopt some version of a Traditional 6 or 7 period day (similar to what exists at our sister schools, Walton and Lassiter).

On Tuesday, November 4, 2008, Mr. Beaulieu and the administrative team is going to meet with the faculty (during breakfast) to discuss where we are in the schedule adoption process and get input from the teaching staff.

I know there are many rumors about a new schedule for next year.  Please keep in mind that no decisions have yet been made.  The Pope SBLT is committed to openly communicating the schedule change process and being transparent in all we do.

That being said, we hope to have a decision made within the next month.  Once this occurs, there will be an Open Forum for our parents to get more information and ask questions.  Please stay tuned to this blog for more information.

Once again, your input is needed and welcomed.  Feel free to contact any member of the PHS administrative team to ask questions or offer your comments or suggestions. (Our email addresses can be found at www.popehigh.com)

Thanks!

Teacher/Parent Feedback

As the Pope SBLT continues to assess the priorities of our stakeholders, the parents and faculty were encouraged to participate in a survey that ranked the 5 five priorities that the SBLT developed that we would like to see in a bell schedule.  The survey was accessible for two weeks.

The survey results and the questions are attached.

 Download ballot_reports_for_parents.xls

Download ballot_reports_for_teachers.xls

Download pope_high_school_interest_survey_questions_parents_and_students.doc

Thanks!

School-Wide Change Model

I have received some emails asking great questions!  For example, "Why does Pope feel the need to change the schedule" and "Is there a plan for implementing the new change?"

I have posted our school-wide change model and the first part of it answers the question "Why change!"

Please feel free to visit that page by clicking here.

Thanks and keep the emails coming!

Teacher/Parent Survey Access Extended

Due to the fact that the Hound Highlights was distributed to parents on Thursday, October 9th, 2008, access to the Parent/Teacher interest survey has been extended to Friday, October 17, 2008.  Please see posts below for information on how to access the survey.

Thanks!

Trip to Morgan County High School

On October 23, 2008, the administration and faculty of Morgan County High School in Madison, Georgia, will host a contingent from Pope that will be investigating their bell schedule.  Morgan County High is using a "hybrid" of the Block and Traditional Schedule.  In addition, Morgan County's schedule includes time for remediation and acceleration and also has a period once a week for students to meet with groups and clubs.

The group going to Morgan County includes parents, students, administrators, teachers, and others.  Please keep in mind that this trip is to gather information and see if this type of schedule will work for Pope.  No decision about a new bell schedule has yet been made.

Please bookmark this blog and check back after the 23rd of October for information obtained during this visit.

If you have some other schedules that you think the Leadership Team at Pope should investigate, please email them to me by clicking the link on the left.

If you wish to learn more about Morgan County High School, you may do so by clicking here.

Thank you for your continued support and please continue to email any questions or comments you may have.

Student Survey Results and Parent/Staff Survey

Please find attached to this post the results from the online student survey. Again, the purpose of this survey is not to vote on a type of bell schedule. The Pope School Based Leadership Team (which consists of Department Chairs, Administrators, and others) have worked to outline the five highest priorities that we would like to see in a new bell schedule. The purpose of these surveys is to determine how our stakeholders value these same priorities.

Thank your for your time and support!

Download parentteacher_survey_directions.pdf

Download report_for_student_survey.pdf

Student Interest Survey

Over the last three weeks, the Pope Leadership Team (Department Chairs, Administrators and others) have worked to come up with a list of 5 priorities for a new schedule.  Using these 5 priorities, we have developed an online survey that will allow Pope Stakeholders to rate these priorities on a scale of 1-5.  The students will participate the week of September 30-October 3 while teachers and parents will participate the week of October 6-October 10.

Click here for the online voting portal

Directions for student voting are attached as a .pdf

Download survey_flyer.pdf

Thank you for your help and participation!

A New Schedule for Pope High School?

Greetings All:

First off, a little history.

Last year, the administration, students, faculty and parents worked to develop a new bell schedule for Pope High School.  The plan was to implement the new bell schedule for the 2008-2009 school year. Basically, the schedule would be what is known as a "hybrid."  This would be a combination of the block schedule Pope currently uses (four classes a day for 90 minutes each) and a more traditional schedule (six or seven periods a day for 45 minutes each).

Last spring, the incoming administrators, working with the current administrative team, realized that the new schedule was not ready to be implemented. 

Therefore, the decision was made to remain on the block schedule for the 08-09 school year.

Our new principal, Rick Beaulieu, sent a letter home to parents.  You can read a copy of it here (not linked yet).

The purpose of this weblog is to keep all of our stakeholders abreast of where we are as begin the process of deciding whether Pope needs a new bell schedule.  Please bookmark this link and check back often for more information.

As always, thank you for your continued support of Pope High School.