Is it true that I only have to participate in intersession for three years?

Nope.  Not true.  Totally false.  Wrong in every way.  This is a rumor started somewhere eons ago.  Students need to participate in intersession for all four years.  Not participating will result in a Failed Participation on a student’s transcript.  Starting with the class of 2018, senior class trip will run in place of Intersession.

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Seniors don’t have to do intersession, right?

Starting with the class of 2018, seniors will participate in the senior class trip.  

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How are students assigned to activities?

This is an often-asked question. If you want to watch a video about this one, click here. A lot of student feel that it is unfair that they didn't get to go on a trip.  We have, over the course of many years, developed a system that provides a system that is as fair as we think we can make it.  To start, it goes by seniority.  Seniors are put into activities first, then juniors, followed by sophomores and freshmen.  Seniors have waited three years to get first pick, but they do eventually get first pick.  Does this mean that freshmen may not get their first couple of choices?  It is possible, and maybe even likely.  But in a couple of years, the freshmen will no longer be freshmen and will have a much higher likelihood of getting their first choice.  As a result, we enourage freshmen to consider carefully their choices.  That is also why we ask for so many choices--be sure to list some day or in-school activities! After sorting the students into grades, we then sort by advisory.  We randomly select advisories to then sort instead of alphabetically (that way Mr. Warzyniak's won't always be last and Ms. Ariel's won't always be first!).  From there, we randomly pull student names.  Please remember that it is a difficult process for us, and we try our hardest to get everyone what they want.  And for the most part, we are successful.  

 

Do we only have to be here for 2 days?  

Another pesky rumor!  You need to participate for all three days! 

 

I can't afford the intersession I want.  Are scholarships available?

Yes.  Administration will give a portion of the cost to families that can demonstrate a need.  Inquries are to be submitted to the BHS administration in writing.  As part of our three-year intersession plan, we are looking at other ways to generate scholarships and fundraising for intersession and other student activities. 

 

How do families pay for the costs of intersessions?

Families pay for intersession in different ways.  A couple of ways we've heard about that have been effective are as presents (birthday, Christmas, etc.), as rewards (make high honors for an entire year), and some parents are willing to only pay for half, and other parents set ground rules of only one larger trip at BHS.  But every family is different.  We encourage students to think and plan ahead.  Set some goals: You may not be able to afford a trip every year, but you should be able to mow some lawns or get a job during a summer to save up for one of the bigger trips the following year.  So think ahead and make some long-range plans.  Please also remember two things: The BHS staff works very hard to provide a variety of activity costs, and we try to keep the costs as low as possible.  Second, a lot of wonderful activities happen right here at school for much less cost.  

 

What if I want to take a trip with my family somewhere instead?

Possibly.  Educational experiences occur in many ways. For more information, be sure to check out the  alternative intersession page.  Make sure you submit all that paper work on time! 

 

 

Do college tours with parents count?

We often run at least one college touring intersession.  But there is an alternative intersession.  Please submit all the paper work early so we don't have complications.  Seniors, however, should already have their college career planned out by April, so we don't allow that.  Thanks!     

 

Can I work on something else that I’m missing?  Make up exams, senior project, get caught up on hours, do something else instead?

Intersession isn't make up work time.  Intersession is about gaining a new experience and learning something new while working with people in the BHS community.    You can submit for an alternative intersession experience.  Click here to learn more.  

 

How do athletics impact intersession?  And how does intersession impact athletics?

Head to our page about attendance to read up about this.  

 

I participate in the Concord Vocation program.  Can I still do intersession?  How does attendance for this work? 

Head to our page about attendance to read up about this. 

 

Does intersession go on my transcript?

Yes!  It does!  It goes in as one of four options.  Note that intersession does not impact a student's GPA; however, it is on the transcript and visible to colleges and other people or agencies who will be viewing transcripts.  

SP-Successful Participation

EP- Excused Participation (must recieve administrative approval)

NP-Non Participation

UP–Unsuccessful Participation

 

What do I need to know about lunches?  Can I still get hot lunch?  Breakfast? 

The school cafeteria will be open during intersession.  Sometimes, an intersession group may choose to plan their own menus with a pot luck or something special organized through our school cafeteria program. Some groups may be eating off campus as part of a field trip.  Breakfast will also be served during a break time.    

 

What are the hours of intersession?

Regular school hours: 7:30am to 2:50pm!  Some intersession activities may require flexible hours; for example, a group studying professional theater may need to see a show in Boston that only runs at 8pm.  They may have recieved permission to have that day run from 4pm to 11pm.  If so, it will be noted in the activity description with any necessary information.  Other intersessions may have overnight components.  Check the descriptions--any changes from the 7:30 to 2:50 schedule will be marked there.  So plan for 7:30 to 2:50!  And yes, busses will run as usual.  

 

I’ve heard there are no free intersessions.  I don't want to spent a lot of money.  Are all intersessions expensive?

There are free intersessions!  Check the packet.  It will tell you costs.  Many intersession will be lower cost--under $100.  The BHS staff works very hard to keep prices as low as possible.  

 

What if I have to work in the afternoon and leave school early?

Make sure you sign up for something school based. Then follow school procedures as you normally would.  

 

Is there credit given? Will intersession impact my transcript?

Yes, students will have notations on their transcript regarding intersession.  Intersession will not impact a student's GPA; however, college will find four assessments--one for each year.  The notations include SP (successful participation), EP (excused participation) for students who have medical reasons for not participating, FP (failed participation). 

 

Can a student be refused participation because of behavior or academics?

Overnight trips, day trips and in-school activities have been arranged for any BHS student who is in “good standing” demonstrated by positive effort in classes, school attendance, and good citizenship in the school and community.  Students are considered ineligible for overnight and some day trips if they have been involved in any major or repeated violations of BHS Code of Conduct.  Head to our page about concerns of behavior and discipline for more information. 

 

 

Why is intersession important?

We, at BHS, believe that experience is crucial to becoming a well-rounded adult.  Learning can occuring in many different ways, including outside the classroom.  Check out the page about intersession to read up more about why intersession is a beneficial part of our curriculum.  

 

 

Who do I make a check out to? 

Please make the check out to Bow High School.  Then write in the intersession name in the memo; for example, "Castle Building" or "Dude Ranch" would be enough to allow our staff to figure out in which account the money should go.