Well,
this is the mid-point in the school year and we have just finished the "Benchmark" Tests
for the second marking period. Those grades will be averaged with the other
classroom grades for the second marking period.
Our Seniors are busy getting out those college applications and many have already
received acceptance letters.
Please encourage your senior year student to apply for the scholarships available
in our Guidance Office. Every year thousands of dollars are not awarded to students
because they did not bother to apply for them. You should also be aware that
many colleges check on student grades through the month of May. Seniors should
not treat the third and fourth marking periods lightly.
Our various teams are heading into the final month of the winter sports season.
Boys' Basketball has qulaified for the playoffs. Overbrook will again be hosting
the District 30 Wrestling Tournament on February 22 and 23. After a very successful
Marching Band season, the Overbrook Jazz Band will be showcasing their talents
in the months ahead as their season gets rolling. After a very successful Fall
Play, "Shakespeare in Hollywood", our Theater Arts and Music Departments
are in rehearsal for the Spring Musical, "Guys and Dolls". This vintage
show should prove very popular for everyone. Additionally, our African American
Culture Club is hard at work on their presentation in celebration of African
American History Month.
It won't be long before students in grades 8 - 11 are choosing their courses
for next year. Be sure to ask your son or daughter about their choices and discuss
their choices with them. The all-important HSPA will be given to eleventh grade
students in March. This is the State test that makes a student eligible for graduation.
The test is administered over three days and every effort should be made to assure
that your child is present for all three days of testing. This year, the State
of New Jersey is requiring every student who has a Biology or Life Science course
to take a standardized end of course test in May. We will be providing more details
as we receive them from the State.
Please be advised that the Parent Report Card Conferences for the second marking
period have been changed to Wednesday, February 13, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
This change was necessitated by the long Presidents' Day weekend, February 15,
16, 17, and 18.
Paul J. Harmelin, Principal
