November 2, 2009
What a whirlwind the last week in October was at Burke’s! The beginning of the week found the eighth grade marking a milestone in the high school admissions process as they sat for the SSAT. I was incredibly impressed with their calm demeanor as well as their diligence throughout the test. Wednesday the girls were off on their second official visiting day, which meant that on Thursday I was bombarded with amazing feedback. I so enjoy listening to the girls’ impressions of schools, especially when they have the “a-ha” moments when they can really see themselves at a particular high school. Friday, Burke’s annual Halloween costume parade and celebration, was a time for the girls to be girls, to don spectacular costumes, play games at lunch, snack on a little extra sugar, then carve pumpkins with their advisories at the end of the day. On days like Friday, I am reminded of the essence of single-sex education and why I so value Burke’s.
I greatly appreciate the earnest effort all have made to utilize the visiting days to see schools, work on applications or get caught up on schoolwork. Wednesday will be the final official day off to visit schools. I know many will be wrapping up the majority of their visits at this time so it is the opportune time to turn attention to the applications. Refer to the Monday Note of October 5 for extensive application guidelines.
Today is the deadline to turn in recommendation forms! If girls have not yet turned in teacher recommendation forms to their math and English teachers, please do so by tomorrow at the latest. Counselor recommendation forms and transcript release forms need to be turned in to me.
The application period for Lowell is November 9th to December 11th. If you are applying to Lowell, you will need to carefully read the requirements and expectations for applications and adhere to the application deadline of December 11th. An application to Lowell requires two forms, the SFUSD common application form along with the Lowell application form. If Lowell is your first choice among public high schools, you must write Lowell as your top choice for a public high school on the SFUSD common form! This is a critical step! You will also need to hand deliver the application packet by the 11th. I urge you to get your forms in well before the 11th of December if possible—the few days leading up to the deadline usually find the SFUSD office laden with long lines!
Remember to also include the rank order of other public high school on the SFUSD common application form if public high school is a priority or a possibility for your family. If your daughter is not admitted to Lowell and fails to put other schools on the list, she will be assigned randomly to any public high school. I recommend filling this list out completely.
I will receive application packets for SFUSD and Lowell and will give them to your daughters as soon as they arrive at school. Application materials will also be available at the School Enrollment Fair at Concourse Exhibition Center—East Hall on Saturday, November 7. The Concourse Exhibition Center is located at 620 Seventh Street, and the fair is from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM.
Girls applying to Lowell must take their entrance exam, which is offered on either Saturday, January 9th (8:00-11:00 AM) or Wednesday, January 13th (6:00-9:00 PM). Note, if girls are applying to SI, SHCP, or Mercy, January 9th is also the date for the HSPT which is the entrance exam required by these schools. Be sure to plan calendars accordingly.
Next week, we will begin a new aspect of the admissions process, Lunch at Burke’s! After piloting the idea with a number of schools last year, I have decided to make it a regular part of our process this year. In November and December, admissions directors will join girls in the lunchroom, for lunch, and to field questions about their schools and get to know the girls a little better. This is intended to be an informal “event” which is for the girls only. Sorry parents! I will post in each of their advisories as well as outside my office a calendar for these lunches as soon as it is finalized. It is not mandatory that girls attend these lunches. It will not impede the admission process for her if she is away on a visit or home sick so please do not feel pressure to attend if it is not feasible.
I know that many families have signed up to see me during conferences. Twenty minutes have been allotted for these meetings, which should give us plenty of time to talk. Girls are welcome to participate.
If you would like to meet but are unable to attend conference days, please let me know so that we can arrange a time that is convenient. I look forward to hearing from each family as you check-in on how things are going thus far.
Best,
Lisa
