First HSA and senior exam review day tomorrow

The administration announced yesterday that tomorrow will be a review day for the upcoming High School Assessments (HSAs) and senior exams The schedule for senior finals has already undergone changes this year – the tests were moved back once to accommodate last-minute changes in the graduation date.

Originally, on Wednesday, May 23, the only day without an HSA, an all-period day had been scheduled to ensure that most classes would meet twice during the week, according to assistant principal Linda Wanner. However, this set-up would allow the two senior exams periods on Wednesday, third and fourth, only 45 minutes for their exams.

With the new schedule, next Wed. will be a regular odd day. Additionally, tomorrow, May 18, teachers will be able to review for HSAs and exams.

The Biology HSA team suggested the idea of the review day to give students last minute reminders and pointers for the HSA tests next week, according to Summer Roark, Science Department Resource Teacher. This is the first year that sophomores taking the test will need to pass to graduate.

Teachers teaching HSA classes have been emphasizing the importance of HSAs and motivating their students, according to English Department Resource Teacher Vickie Adamson. English teachers have been keeping "individual accounting plan[s]" to map out each student's strengths and weaknesses, Adamson said

Government teacher David Swaney said that he has been in his portable for both lunches reviewing with his students for an entire month. Biology classes have been doing a "biology blitz," a comprehensive study-session, to prepare students. The review day will act as "a crunch to get the kids ready," Roark said.

The HSA testing and senior exams bell schedule is as follows: