November 21, 2011 Dear Parent/Student Students will take end-of-course exams in each subject at the conclusion of the

first semester. The information contained in this letter will help you in preparing for a successful experience. As a parent, you can assist by helping your student set aside time to study and making sure your child gets a good nights sleep and eats a good breakfast in preparation for the examination sessions. GENERAL POLICY SEMESTER EXAMS Semester exams will be given to all students in grades 9-12 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, December 13, 14, 15 & 16. Exam grades will be given in every subject. Students are required to complete an activity for an exam grade. Exams will be of various types including paper and pencil, demonstration, performing skills, and other evaluation methods appropriate for each subject. In the case of a student with a prolonged illness or who enrolled extremely late, the administration may deem it appropriate to excuse the student from the exam. However, without an exam grade, the final grade will be based upon the first and second quarter grades. EXAM SCHEDULE Monday, December 12, 2011 Regular School Day Dismissal: 2:15PM Tuesday, December 13, 2011 Period 10 Exam Dismissal: 2:15PM Wednesday, December 14, 2011 Period 1 and Period 2 Exams Dismissal: 10:55AM Thursday, December 15, 2011 Period 3 and Period 4/5 or 5/6 Exams Dismissal: 10:55AM Friday, December 16, 2011 Period 6/7 or 7/8 and Period 9 Exams Dismissal: 10:55AM SCHOOL DAY & BUS SCHEDULE Buses will operate to transport students to and from school. After the general dismissal, students may remain to complete make-up exams. Arrangements must be made with the teacher in advance. Students must provide their own transportation from the make-up session. A limited lunch menu will be available on all days for students staying for the exam make-up session. ABSENCE FROM AN EXAM If a student is unable to attend the examination period, the parent/guardian must inform the attendance office of the reason for the absence no later than 11:00AM on the day of the exam and request an excused absence. Students who have a verified, excused absence from an examination will be permitted to make up the exam on December 14-16 during the exam make-up period. Students must make arrangements with the teacher to take make-up exams December 14, 15 & 16, between the hours of 11:45AM-1:20PM. Students with an unexcused absence from an exam forfeit the right to take the exam and will receive an exam grade of F. The Attendance Office will be open from 7:00AM to 11:00AM to receive parent calls requesting an excused absence. (continued on back)

November 21, 2011 Page Two During exams, students will not be excused early except for emergency situations. The objective is to create a strong testing environment for all students. Students should use any remaining time to study for other exams. Please make every effort to schedule appointments after school hours. OFFICE/TEACHER AIDES OR INTERNS Forms are available in the attendance office and the administrative offices to request late arrival or early dismissal on exam days if you are scheduled as an Office/Teacher Aide or Intern. Students who are arriving late for an exam must not be in the hallways during class time. These forms must be on file by the end of the day on Thursday, December 8. TARDY TO AN EXAM Students must be in the classroom on time in order to complete the exam. After the start of the exam, the classrooms will be closed to late arrivals. Students who arrive after the classrooms have been closed are to report to their grade level office for instructions. If the tardiness is unexcused by the administrator, the student will be sent to PIC and receive an exam grade of F. WEIGHTING OF EXAM GRADES Exams account for 20% of the semester grade, while each quarter grade accounts for 40% of the semester grade. The policy states that students must pass two of the three components of the semester grade. For example, first quarter grade is C and second quarter is F; the exam grade must be at least a D. INCLEMENT WEATHER The first day of exams is December 13, 2011. In the event school is closed on that day or any other day during exam week, the order of exams will be followed by exam periods. For example, if school is closed on Wednesday, then on Thursday we will have the period 1 and period 2 exams. All vocational schools will be in session on a normal schedule during December 12-16 with bus service as usual. If you need additional information, please contact a counselor or an assistant principal by calling 8641500 and asking for your contact by name. Sincerely,

William T. Sprankles, III Principal