If you are not aware, the Portsmouth High School is looking to end the 9th grade honors program in English and Science (for the 2017-18 school year). They plan to offer honors in grades 10-12, but are strongly pursuing the idea of stopping it in 9th grade.  Many parents of past and upcoming PHS students are concerned about this decision.  At the heart of the concern is the need to ensure hard working middle school students can be recognized and receive a rigorous 9th grade curriculum.  We have some opportunities to help influence this decision and any plan that is developed.  See the calendar below to learn how you can make a difference and show your support to ensure a rigorous 9th grade curriculum is available for hard working eighth graders.  If you have questions or would like to be added to an email distribution with updates regarding these activities, please email [email protected].
Due to the voices of several parents and students who have been expressing their experiences to the administration and school board in Portsmouth, the Portsmouth administration realizes they need additional input into this decision.  They have scheduled an input session on December 5th, so that parent ideas can be considered before a teacher committee develops a plan for next year — a plan they will be presenting to the school board on January 24th.
December 5th 4:00-5:00pm @ PHS – your chance to provide input to the recommendations being developed by the teacher committee
An opportunity for anyone interested to give your input to the Superintendent and Principal, that they will then bring our suggestions to the working teacher committee.  The teacher committee is responsible for developing a plan to modify the 9th grade honors program and present the plan to the school board on January 24th.
January 10th 6:30pm @ PHS – an evening to learn more about the proposed plan
As part of the January PHS, PAC (parent advisory committee) meeting, there will be a discussion of the proposed 9th grade honors program changes. Another chance to voice your input, but by voicing input on Dec 5th (the above meeting) it can be used before the committee develops their plan.
January 24th 7:00pm @ PHS Library – the school board meeting where the teachers’ plan will be presented
At this school board meeting the plan will be presented by the teacher representatives to the board.  Prior to the presentation, as part of public comment, individuals will be able to voice your input/concerns.  Hopefully we will have an idea of the plan before it’s presented that evening.
