@HMom16 Yes, each student gets one of the 3 general clubs and a crew club. If you have a family member that went to SPS, you are placed in the same clubs so legacy continues in the club. So, my two were competing for the same club. Makes it fun. 
@HMom16 @copperboom Can you explain the phone security administrator thing? Sounds weird to me. The phone is kinda personal.
Iām curious. DD has SPS email on her iPhone but didnāt have to do any of that. How come?
@GoatMama @sunnyschool We havenāt figured it out yet but the permission is required because there is an option within the webmail system that allows you to wipe your phone remotely in case it is lost. There doesnāt seem to be a way to turn this off (or at least we havenāt found a way yet.)
We are working with an Android phone. It could be that Apple doesnāt ask for permission since its my understanding that their new phones automatically come with the ability to be remotely wiped. Or, perhaps your daughter just accepted the permissions without thinking about the implications.
How hard is Physics 310 vs. Physics First? My son will be taking Algebra 2 and is considering asking to be placed in Physics 310. It sounds like the classes are very similar but 310 has more math and is a bit accelerated.
@HMom16 Is your son entering in 9th grade? I honestly have no idea as my kids both took Physics First. Honestly, Iād ask the school about what placement would be better for your son and trust them to do the right thing by him. I doubt it would make any difference in terms of college prospects. You want him to be challenged (but I think Physics First is deemed to be challenging enough) but you also want him to get off to a good start and adjustment which means not being overburdened and having time for a social life and extracurriculars. If the school suggests it, though, go for it.
@doschicos Heās entering in 9th. He went to the Physics First class during revisit and thought it seemed easy. Iāll ask the school but thought I might get some feedback first. I agree with your thoughts regarding the adjustment and having some free time, this is totally coming from him.
Iām not even sure who Physics 310 is targeted toward since you canāt take it once youāve taken Physics First and it isnāt a prerequisite for anything (that I can seeā¦)
I think it is targeted towards students who join SPS after 9th grade - incoming 10th and 11th graders who havenāt had physics yet. Not all school districts do the upside down science that SPS does. Many still do the sequencing that was popular when I was a kid - bio, chem, physics instead of physics, chem, bio. So, student entering in older grades who came in not having taken physics as freshman need a course to take. I think Physics First is solely for 9th graders. Itās also nice because it gives the students another all 9th grade class like Humanities.
That makes sense. It sounds like he should stick with Physics First, thanks!
DD is taking Algebra 2 and Physics First in 9th grade. Itās hard enough. Physics 310 is for kids who are admitted to SPS after 9th grade as @doschicos said.
Thanks! We discussed it last night and he will be sticking with Physics First. He had thought the other Physics was an honors class but it doesnāt sound like it is. Iām sure he will be challenged with his current schedule. He isnāt used to having to work at anything academically.
I want to let worried new parents know that SPS does a great job of looking out for your kids! Donāt let the news coverage and big HADES school environment freak you out too much. Its not an easy place at time. This past week my DD best friend was asked to leave for health reasons- it was a VERY stressful, and traumatic situation. Especially when you are 1200 miles from your child! SPS could not have handled it better. Her house parent emailed me several times, drove her to Manchester to pick up pointe shoes āto help us out and check in with herā, her advisor called, Clark House required her to make a visit and then followed up with a phone callā¦ ALL of her teachers reached out to her- they offered her extensions if need be. Again- my daughter was NOT the one who was leaving. We also felt like SPS handled a tough situation very well- obviously there are privacy issues involved and they can not disclose what occurred to another student- itās like trying to play a games of charades over the phone. Anyway, as newbie parents still, we were very appreciatve of the SPS staff- their ability to step up when needed- and support our child. Sometimes in the application process we forget that they are still children. That they are still going to high school. That some of them are still going through puberty. That divorce happens and death of loved ones. That life is not easy and for many of them these will NOT be the easiest of years. Having a supportive network is critical and what we saw this past week was impressive.
@HMom16 did new app work for android? We have a divided family of iphone/android users so hopefully we can still figure it outā¦
Our DD has a iphone and we had no problems but my husband has an android and he was looking into stuff for Hmom16 and found that the āaccessā requested" really was from the programmers and not from SPS. trying another program/Ap could help circumnavigate the issue-
@Calimex @ HMom16 DD hates physics first but others love it- we wished we had skipped it entirely. She took high school biology last year- I would have rather her take chemistry this year but Iām old school. DD not going into a science field so in the long run not gonna stress about taking as many sciences classes- HOWEVER, if your kid is
Super science based or has a strong foundation of physic before I would not take physics first- Two friends of my DD did skip it and went to chemistry- they had to take a placement test over the summer.
FYI, SPS Admissions posted a ton of Field Day/Formal pics on their Facebook page. Looks like the kids had a lot of fun - I especially love the muddy puddle in the center! Quite a range of outfits at the formal - from very dressy to very casual.
@copperboom We havenāt been able to bypass the admin security permission thing on the phone. According to SPS Tech Services, SPS doesnāt monitor anything on your phone but the permission thing is a requirement of Microsoft Exchange.
Also, thanks for the info on Physics First. My son is a STEM kid but hasnāt taken Physics yet so it probably wouldnāt be a good idea for him to skip it.
First years shouldnāt skip Physic first. Its a good class to teach labs, and basic physics- just limited math.
Three school sponsored ādressyā events a year- fall ball, winter formal and last nights spring fling! Whatās interesting is that they fall on unusual nights- not always on a saturday and the next day they get āoffā by having a day of volunteering or Field Day. Just when things at sps start to get dullā¦
Kids dress up for sit down meals and holiday dorm parties tooā¦ (they swap clothes too)
Donāt forget Cricket holiday! And Mish - not a semi-formal event but a costume event. Both result in a day off from classes and a chance to catch up on much needed sleep and relax a little. They are good at scheduling things at regular intervals to give a nice little break and pick-me-up.
students did a 20 mile hunger walk in Boston on Sunday before the Spring Fling! Then had their field day Monday! Oh to be young! ( and quite possibly why some of the fellow spring flingers were not so, eh formal in the pictures? I would have been in pjās!)
I have a question about course selection. My DD will be a 4th former this fall. She already took Biology (8th grade summer) and is completing Chemistry (9th grade) now. We are trying to figure out what science class she has to take. She is not a STEM person at all. She does not want to take Physics at all if possible. She is currently takaing Alegebra 2 and she does not like math. She thinks that she will struggle in physics class which requires heavy application for math. Sheād rather take advanced biology or chemistry classess to complete science requirements at SPS. Are all SPS studuents required to take physics before graduating?
She will be majoring humanities or social socience in college. Do you know if colleges would like to see all three core science classes (chem, bio and physics) taken during high school? Is there any disadvantage to not taking physics?
Thank you in advance for kind feedbacks and comments.
Welcome, @bsnewbie1050!
I think it is highly recommended to take Physics although Iām not sure if it is required. Hereās the handbook and academic info starts around page 98 or so: https://sps.myschoolapp.com/ftpimages/36/download/download_1770212.pdf
I do think there is expectations from selective colleges these days that students will have take the 3 core science disciplines. I would talk to the school about concerns and placement. However, it sounds like your daughter is advanced in math for her age so I donāt see her having challenges from that angle with Physics.
You really need to look at college requirements to determine whether they would like to see three core science classes. My daughter only took Freshman Science and AP Physics BC and had no issues being admitted to multiple schools; however, every kid/application is different.
Perhaps you can contact the Science Dept. head and ask for his recommendation. It sounds like your daughter will be ahead of her peers in science.