After every Christmas break, students are always looking forward to the week of midterms. Although we have not taken midyear exams for two years, it is time to get back into the groove of things. Midterm exams will be held on January 24th – January 27th, but these exams will not be the same as they were prior to the pandemic.
Principal Cavanaugh writes “this year, we are approaching mid-years in a way that deeply considers the impact of the pandemic on our community. Teachers will be taking the opportunity to help our students reflect on the first half of the year, and to ensure that they have an understanding of the key skills and concepts they need moving forward.”
| January 24 | January 25 | January 26 | January 27 | January 28 |
| 8:30-10:00 A Block 10:30-12:00 B Block | 8:30-10:00 C Block 10:30-12:00 D Block | 8:30-10:00 E Block 10:30-12:00 F Block | 8:30-10:00 G Block 10:30-12 Make-ups | Last Day of Term 2 Day 3 Schedule |
Most of the students were wondering how the exams would be different from previous years, and the majority of us are still unsure of what to expect. Teachers have begun handing out midyear study guides, and they do not seem to be any different from before. Although some teachers are taking a different approach by having students work on projects and slideshow presentations, others are formatting their exams the same as before the pandemic.
Senior Lyla Ingalls states “I believe midterms should be a smaller percentage of our final grade because many students were not given proper learning conditions to properly absorb and retain the information”. She adds “absences due to Covid have been through the roof, and it would be unfair to test those students in the same way as kids who were given the proper learning time.”
Concerns continue to rise as we inch closer to the exams. Students feel underprepared and stressed about the exams, but they will be happening regardless.
Maddy Palm expresses “I feel good about the exams, but we have not talked about them in some of my classes, so I do not know what to expect going into them. Additionally, I do not feel prepared in some of my classes because we are spending our time working on other projects instead of focusing on the upcoming exams.”
Principal Cavanaugh eased some of those concerns in her email by stating “they will be offering extra help sessions and extensions on term work for students who have had extended absences. Our goal is not to have students take many sit down exams, but to get the opportunity to reflect and show what they have learned in a variety of ways.”
If you are unable to attend teacher help sessions, extra help will be offered after school in the library for students who need that extra push before exams. The late bus will be available for students as well. Do not hesitate to contact your teachers or counselors if you need guidance or help before the exams. Good luck everyone!