[BHS Etree] INCOMING FAMILIES: Frequently Asked Questions

[BHS etree]

PLEASE do not reply to this email, contact Janet Huseby jhuseby at pacbell.net 

 

On Wednesday night thousands-literally-of incoming students and their
parents attended the 2011 8th grade Information Night. It was exciting and
we hope satisfying for those who attended. But, as with all events of this
nature, many left with questions. Below are some of the questions (with
answers) that we have already received. If you have more, please let me
know. 

 

1. Lottery:  

*	Last year, 80 percent of students received their first choice
placement for a learning community at Berkeley High,  and an additional 10
percent were assigned their second choice. However, there is no guarantee
that any one person will get their first choice. Students coming to Berkeley
High must be happy with - or  at least make peace with the possibility of -
a second choice or even a third. The commitment is for one year.
*	For a detailed explanation of how the lottery works, please go to:
http://www.bhs.berkeley.net/index.php?page=lottery-selection-process-2 
*	Whether you are already enrolled in a BUSD middle school or are a
non-BUSD student enrolling in the district in February, you will enter the
BHS lottery at the same time. As long as you are enrolled in the District by
2/17/10, you will be given the same priority in the BHS lottery. 

 

2. King, Willard, and Longfellow students:  8th Grade Students who are
already enrolled in BUSD will be automatically rolled over into Berkeley
High.  There is no need for students from King, Longfellow, or Willard to
contact either the Admissions office or Berkeley High School.  A BHS
Administrator and counselor will go to the Middle School sites to meet with
parents and gather student course and learning community requests. These
meetings are for parents from BUSD middle schools only. During the school
days following the parent meeting, BHS counselors will go to the Middle
Schools to gather course and learning community requests. 

 

Parent meetings will take place from 6:00-7:00 on the following nights:
(Spanish translation will be available)

Longfellow, March 1

Willard, March 8

King, March 15

 

3.  Families new to the BUSD: Below is an abbreviated time line for
enrolling in the BUSD for fall of 2011. 

*	Pre enroll at http://berkeley.enrollments.us/StudentAdmissions.aspx
before Feb. 13
*	Parent or guardian comes to the Admissions Office  at 1835 Alston
Way the week of Feb. 14. to register with the district 
*	Parent and Student attend evening meeting to sign up for classes and
state small learning community preferences: Feb. 28, (A-L) March 7 (M-Z),
March 14 makeup.

 

4. Questions for current BUSD AND new to BUSD families: 

 

a. When do we sign up for school preferences? 

Current BUSD students sign up for their preferences in March in their school
computer lab. New to BUSD families fill in their preferences on Feb. 28,
March 7 or March 14. Students will not only indicate learning community
preferences but electives including language choice.  BHS counselors will be
helping all students with this process.  Berkeley High  will mail choices
home in hard copy for a last parent check before the lottery runs. 

 

b. How many small learning community choices may we list? 

Your child may list as many as six or as few as two.  Students MUST list AC
and BIHS, the two large programs, in the preferred order.  If the student
only wants those two then s/he only lists those two. If s/he wants one of
the small schools s/he lists the small schools desired, in the preferred
order, and then finishes off with AC and BIHS, in the preferred order.

 

c. Lottery results?

We will mail you the  results of the lottery in late May or early June.  

 

d. Parent Preference Form?

If you are new to BUSD  do not be confused by a reference to a Parent
Preference form.  This is for incoming elementary parents. 

 

e. What if we are going to miss the lottery and arrive in the summer?

Roughly 200 new students register for classes at Berkeley High in late
August. You will enroll your student at the district (1835 Allston Way) and
then register at Berkeley High. After an English language test (if the
student speaks a language other than English at home) your student will have
an appointment with a counselor to select classes. It is a four step process
and it does take a few weeks so as soon as you  arrive or are settled you
should start.  Don't worry, it will work out and your child will have many
good classes

 

5. A final word:

There are six excellent options at Berkeley High School. All six offer the
courses necessary to fulfill the University of California a-g
requirements--that is, the requirements for the most selective colleges and
universities in the United States.  All six offer access to Advanced
Placement or International Baccalaureate courses--college level classes.
(This is important because studies have indicated that a student that takes
at least one AP or IB class in high school are more successful in college.)
All six have committed parents and enthusiastic students. And, finally, all
six are part of greater Berkeley High sharing the same clubs, sports and
performing art programs.  It is a good all-around school.

_________________

Diane Douglas, Marguerite Fa-Kaji and Pat Anderson are the parent-volunteer
facilitators of the etree; please direct any questions to them at
<mailto:bhs-owner at lmi.net> bhs-owner at lmi.net. 

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