January 10, 2012

Dear Palisades Students and Parents,

It is hard to believe, but we are quickly approaching the midpoint of the 2011-12 school year!  I would like to remind you of many important upcoming dates.  These dates include student holidays, the first semester exam schedule, the 2012-2013 course selection process, the Advanced Placement application timeline, and the Dual Enrollment course offerings for next school year.

·     Please note that January 16^th and January 23^rd are student holidays.  No school for students on these dates.

• The first semester will end on Friday, January 27^th.  High school exams have been scheduled for Thursday, January 26^th and Friday, January 27^th.  Please see the attached yellow sheet for specific exam dates and times.
• The course request process will soon begin for the 2012-13 school year.    THE 2012-13 CURRICULUM GUIDE WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE ON-LINE.  The curriculum guide can be accessed on the high school’s main page after January 19, 2012 at the following website: http://www.palisadessd.org/palisadeshs/site/default.asp    Please go to the high school’s main page and click on the link for the 2012-13 Curriculum Guide (left-hand side).  If you do not have access to the internet, please send a note with your child or an email to the guidance office (lmednis@palisadessd.org) to request a printed copy.  It will then be sent home to you with your son/daughter.  Please take time to review this extremely informative document. 
• On Tuesday, February 7^th, school counselors will begin meeting with each student to select their courses for next year.  Research has demonstrated the single greatest indicator of student success after high school is directly related to the quality of the curriculum students take in high school. 
• I encourage those junior and senior students who are able to take one or several of our 13 Advanced Placement (AP) course offerings to do so.  An accelerated AP application timeline has been put in place.  The timeline is also posted on the high school’s website.  The link is available on the high school’s main page (left-hand side).  Please encourage your child to take these courses and strictly adhere to the established application timeline.
• In addition, we will continue to offer college courses during the regular school day at Palisades High School.  These courses are taught by college professors from Bucks County Community College.  This Dual Enrollment Program offers junior and senior students the opportunity to acquire college credits and high school elective credits toward their graduation requirements.  The 2012-13 Dual Enrollment course offerings include the following courses:  Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, and at least two other courses which are being identified.  If your child is interested in any of these courses, they must inform their counselor during the scheduling process.

Once again, please use this opportunity to discuss next year’s program with your child and encourage them to make the best selections for their future.  Again, thank you for your cooperation and support of the programs we offer at Palisades.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Heffernan, Jr.

Principal