PAUL D. SCHREIBER HIGH SCHOOL
COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
PORT WASHINGTON UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK 11050
KATHLEEN A. MOONEY, Ed. D., Superintendent
IRA S. PERNICK, Principal
HANK J. HARDY
Director of Guidance & Counseling Services
516-767-5814
January 27, 2014
To the Parents/Guardians of Incoming 9th Grade Students:
We have started the scheduling process for the 2014-15 school year. School counselors will shortly be meeting with eighth
grade groups to discuss the course offerings available at Schreiber High School.
In September 2014, all ninth grade students will be enrolled in either Biology or Biology Honors. All students will take the
Living Environment (Biology) New York State Regents examination in June 2015.
In order to be considered for the Biology Honors program, students must participate in a review and screening process. One
of the instruments being used is a one-period Honors Biology Qualifying Examination which will be administered on Friday,
February 14th in your child’s classroom during their science period. This exam will consist of two parts. The first part
will concentrate on science content from the 6-8 grade curriculum. The second part is comprised of questions that test critical
thinking and analytical skills. Students who wish to be considered for the high school honors biology placement must take
this qualifying examination.
Other components to be considered are as follows: First and second quarter grades from the five major subject areas (8 th
grade) and the 7th grade overall final average of all academic courses. The overall score will result in a recommendation
being made regarding your child's placement. An 85 or higher will mean automatic qualification for Honors Biology. An 80
to 84 will allow parents and students to opt into the course. Any students who have a score of 79 or lower will be placed in
Regents Biology. For these students to consider waiving into the course, the procedure is outlined on page 6 of the
Schreiber Program Planning Guide: Freshman Edition (which will be posted on the Guidance section of the Schreiber
website later this month).
Past students who have been successful in the Biology Honors course have had a strong aptitude for science, read at an
advanced level, and are able to write extensively. This is a demanding and rigorous course.
The qualifying exam will be administered to every 8 th grade student. However, if you wish to have your child opt out of
the examination and be placed directly into Regents Biology, please complete the tear off section below and return it
to his/her science teacher no later than Thursday morning, February 6th, 2014.
If you have any questions, please call your son/daughter’s guidance counselor at (516) 767-5540.
Sincerely,
Hank J. Hardy
Hank J. Hardy
District Director of Guidance
_________________________________________________________________________________
I, ____________________________, DO NOT wish to have my child, ______________________________,
(Please Print)
(Please Print)
take the Honors Biology qualifying examination being administered at Weber Middle School. I have read this letter and
understand that my child will not be considered for placement in the Honors Biology curriculum.
_____________________________________
(Signature)
Science Teacher: ______________________________
Phone# _______________________
House:___________________