AP examinations, grad ceremonies on tap this week
Students in Union County are continuing distance learning this week, while high schoolers will be taking modified Advanced Placement exams.
Here’s the latest school news:
AP Exams
AP exams are scheduled this week starting today and continuing through May 22. AP courses are offered at every public high school in Arkansas and the College Board has released guidance on taking the exams, which could garner college credit for students who pass, from home.
The schedule for El Dorado High School’s AP exams, according to the district’s website, is as follows:May 11, 11 a.m.: Physics C: Mechanics
May 11, 1 p.m.: Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
May 11, 3 p.m.: U.S. Government
May 12, 1 p.m.: Calculus AB
May 12, 3 p.m.: Human Geography
May 13, 11 a.m.: Physics 2: Algebra-based
May 13, 1 p.m.: English
Literature and Composition
May 14, 1 p.m.: Chemistry
May 14, 3 p.m.: Physics 1: Algebra-based
May 15, 1 p.m.: U.S. History
May 15, 3 p.m.: Computer Science A
May 18, 1 p.m.: Biology May 18, 3 p.m.: Environmental Science
May 19, 1 p.m.: Psychology
May 20, 1 p.m.: English Language and Composition
May 21, 1 p.m.: World History: Modern
May 22, 1 p.m.: Statistics Other districts in the county have not posted their exam schedules, but
they should be consistent depending on what AP courses are available. A full schedule of all AP course exams is available on the College Board website. Portfolio submissions for students in AP Art and Design: 2D, 3D or Drawing; or Computer Science Principles, Research or Seminar are due no later than May 26 at 10:59 p.m.
Two days before their AP test is scheduled, students should receive an e-Ticket to sign into the test by email; they may also access it by signing into their account on the College Board website. Students that are unable to test in May should save their tickets for the makeup tests in June.
When students log on to take their tests, they will view the exam questions in their web browser, then have the option to submit their answers either by pasting a typed response into the browser, attaching a typed response in the webpage or attaching photos of handwritten answers in the webpage.
Students are advised to check the device they plan to use to take the test in advance of their testing day. An online demo is available at cb.org/apdemo; if a student is unable to use the exam demo, they should try another web browser or device or contact their AP Coordinator or their district’s webmaster for assistance.
Students will need internet access to take the AP tests from home. They will be allowed to use their class notes, textbooks and previously-completed assignments for help. Some tests also have supplemental documents to use during testing (for example, a formula sheet for science courses) that are available on the College Board website.
Students should have received a confirmation email about AP tests last Monday. They should log on to the testing site half an hour before their test is to begin. All College Board testing guidance is available at apcoronavirusupdates.collegeboard. org.
El Dorado School District Bridge to College Algebra
Students who have completed Algebra II are eligible to enroll in the summer Bridge to College Algebra program, hosted at South Arkansas Community College, to prepare them for College Algebra, which they are able to take in high school for college credit.
The program will begin the week of June 6. Students will be accepted on a first come, first served basis due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Contact Tom Simmons at tsimmons@ esd-15.org for more information.
Registration
Registration for Kindergartners and new students entering the district for the 2020-2021 school year will continue this week on Friday. Open enrollment registration will be open in a drive-through format from 7 a.m. through 1 p.m. at El Dorado High School.
Parents should obtain a registration packet from the district administration office during business hours and submit that along with these documents on registration day: copies of their child’s birth certificate, Social Security card, shot records and a proof of residence dated within the last 30 days.
Miscellaneous
The ESD is continuing to provide free meals for students.
A full list of meal pickup sites is available at eldoradopublicschools.org.
EHS teachers held a socially distanced ‘Cat Caravan’ parade last week to say hello to their students, driving through residential areas and reminding their students that they’re thinking of them.
The ESD released a statement on the announcement of Murphy Oil Corporation’s closure of their El Dorado headquarters office. The company has committed to continuing the El Dorado Promise, which provides for up to 100% of a student’s college tuition depending on their length of time in the district.
“Murphy Oil has been our partner in education for decades. They have given generously to fund programs, providing resources and volunteers to recognize and support our students,” the statement reads. “… Thank you for allowing the Promise to remain in El Dorado so that your legacy will continue in the lives of students.”
ESD teachers are continuing to provide lessons online for students in subjects like physical education, art and music. They are available on the district’s Facebook page.
Parkers Chapel School District
Drop-off drive-through
Parkers Chapel has scheduled several drive-through drop off days for students who have completed all distance learning assignments to return schoolowned materials like textbooks and library books. Students will receive their locker contents when they drop off school materials.
Drop off days and times are:May 11, 10 a.m. to noon May 12, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. May 14, 10 a.m. to noon May 15, 10 a.m. to noon
Speech therapy
Parents of elementary speech or language therapy students should contact Sarah Ochs at ochss@parkerschapelschool. com to schedule a driveway speech therapy lesson this week. Social distancing restrictions will be in place.
Smackover-Norphlet School District
Registration
Kindergarten registration for students in the SNSD will be held in June. Any child that will be five years old by August 1 may register. Parents will need to provide the district with copies of their child’s birth certificate, Social Security card, a current immunization record and physical from a doctor and a utility bill showing proof of address.
AMI
Alternate Methods of Instruction continues this week. For Kindergarten through eighth grade students participating in online instruction, the district has issued a notice that Google Hangouts will end May 15. Students utilizing AMI online or through Arkansas PBS instruction are asked to continue their daily schedules through May 22. For preschool students, AMI should continue, but no written documentation will be submitted this week, according to the Buckaroo Blog.
Senior recognition
Smackover High School seniors will be recognized today with their portraits lining the SHS campus and the lights and scoreboard at the Buckaroo football field will be illuminated in their celebration from 8 p.m. until midnight. Families are welcome to drive through to see and honor this year’s graduates but are asked to stay in their vehicles. The district is also producing a senior video highlighting graduating seniors and their plans for the future.
Junction City School District
Graduation
The JCSD announced plans for a drive-up graduation ceremony to be held Thursday, May 14 starting at 5 p.m. on the porch of the new gym. Vehicles should pick up line up sheets and vehicle numbers at the Field House; vehicle order will be organized by graduates’ names. Grads are asked to limit the number of vehicles to five per student.
Graduates and their families will drive from the Field House to the gym and wait at designated holding areas. The graduate should be in the lead vehicle and they will be led to the graduation site. Once there, the graduate and five family members may leave their vehicles, with family members asked to stand at the exits or sit at the chairs provided. Other family members must remain in their vehicles.
When the graduate’s name is called, they will pick up their diploma from a table on-site and pose for pictures and video. The graduate and their families will then exit the site onto Highway-167. No trailers, ATVs or riders in truck beds will be permitted.
A finalized order and number and time schedule will be posted on JCSD social media this week.
Caps, gowns and Letterman jackets are available at the JCHS office.
The JCSD also announced that adopt-a-senior ads are available for sale for $25 from jostensyearbooks.com. Contact Ms. Hanry at hanryl@jcdragons.k12.ar.us for more information.
The district has recognized graduating seniors in a pinned post on their Facebook page.