Summer School PE and Pre-calulus

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Janice Luszczak

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Feb 12, 2009, 11:17:48 PM2/12/09

to MLHS IBPO

To our parents:

The SJUSD school board approved the plan that allows for PE and Pre-calculus classes in summer school for students in certain programs, including IB. It is critical that our parents realize that the board was able to piece together funding for this summer only. Enrollment in summer school is scheduled to begin at the end of March. You and your students will be notified about the registration process at that time.

Two years of PE is required for a high school diploma. Universities will not admit a student without a high school diploma, regardless of other qualifications. The state requires that freshmen take PE during the school year. The problem for us is how to fit the second year of PE into a schedule that is filled with MYP and IB requirements. Our families should make the effort to complete the PE requirement as soon as possible since options from the district, which are limited by state regulations and availability of funds, may not fit into your student's schedule or suit your family's needs. In addition, the state's budget problems may result in the loss of some of the existing options for meeting the PE requirement.

One of the options for the high school PE requirement has been to take three PE classes at a community college, not the best option for most families since it takes a great deal of time. Yesterday, the Bee reported that the state is looking at reductions in funding for community college PE classes, which would make them less accessible for our students. Another option has been to take PE through the district's Options for Youth program, but PE classes were not meeting state standards and are not being offered. There are other options, and you should contact the IB counselor, Joan Adams, if summer school will not work for your family. However, the very best option that meets both SJUSD and state standards is to attend summer PE classes.

The new Superintendent and Board members have indicated that they support the IB program, which they recognize brings prestige and ADA monies to the district and serves a deserving student population. However, every time I open the newspaper, I am reminded that the state's budget problems this year are very different from previous years. SJUSD made the effort to find a way to fund summer PE and pre-calculus for our students, even while they are looking at making staff cuts, including teachers, at every school for coming school year. Because of the depth of the economic crisis, it is not certain that money for summer PE will be as easily found next year, so I strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity.