New Requirements, Honors, and Scholarships for our Students - February 2005

Dr. William C. Skilling, Superintendent

 

Last June the Board of Education passed new requirements for graduation. Starting with the class of 2008, students will need 30 credits to graduate and will need three years of science and math. The Board also established an honor points system for students taking AP classes, honor classes, and pre-approved dual enrollment classes through Lansing Community College. Classes that fit one of these three categories will be weighted on a 5.0 scale verses a 4.0 scale. For example, a student taking a regular class in which they receive an “A” equals 4 honor points. A student taking an AP class receiving an “A” would receive 5 honor points. As a result of these changes, we will start to see students graduating in the top ten of their class who have grade point averages of over 4.0. This is common practice in that it encourages and rewards students for taking a rigorous college prep curriculum.

 

Another change that was made was adding the eighth semester in calculating final class standing for top ten. Hence, graduating seniors will not know until two days before graduation where they are in their class rankings. The top ten students will be announced and honored at the annual awards night which this year will be Tuesday, May 24th, 2005. Students will also be honored for graduating with honors. Students graduating with a 3.3 to 3.49 GPA will graduate cum laude and will receive a silver cord to wear at graduation. Students receiving a 3.5 to 3.74 will graduate magna cum laude and will receive a white cord to wear at graduation. Students receiving a 3.75 and higher will graduate summa cum laude and will receive a gold cord signifying their accomplishments. All of these honors will be announced at Awards Night..

 

We will have eight (8) new local scholarships available this year as well. The Webberville Area Merchants, organized by Jeff Crandell, sponsored a golf outing last summer to raise money for four (4) scholarships. The goal is to eventually offer four scholarships worth $1,500 each. This year the scholarships are worth $1,000 each. Students pursuing higher education, technical education, or apprenticeship programs will qualify if they have a 2.5 GPA or higher. The other four scholarships are being underwritten by the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Michigan. We will honor the male and female athlete of the year. The criteria will be based on athleticism, sportsmanship, leadership and citizenship. These two scholarships will be worth $250 per awardee. The other two scholarships will be awarded to two outstanding fine arts students pursuing higher education.

 

The Awards Night, which will now be an annual event, will recognize students for academic excellence, scholarship recipients, and career athletic achievements. All students receiving one or more of these honors will receive a letter of invitation to attend this recognition event. Parents and family will be invited and the public is also welcome. Please mark your calendar to attend this special evening on Tuesday, May 24 th, at 7 p.m. Even if you only have younger children now, it would be good for them to attend to see the opportunities that await them for excellent performance in school.

 

Please contact Mr. Friddle, high school principal, or Mrs. Kephart, high school counselor, if you have any questions regarding the new graduation requirements, honor point system, and/or scholarships available.