Good morning.
Please see the update that Dr. Finkbiner has received regarding IB exams from Ms. Vigue - - who is the Director of Advanced Studies.
She has been receiving multiple communications from parents and scholars:
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Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding IB Exam administration in Pinellas County Schools. It has undoubtedly been a challenging year and I certainly understand your frustration and angst regarding the upcoming exams. However, to clarify, Pinellas County Schools did not have the option to choose whether to continue with exams or cancel them. The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) made that determination for every district. Our district was informed by the IBO Regional World School Manager that all schools in Pinellas County have been designated to administer the IB exams for the May 2021 session. The IBO has also informed us that they have adjusted some exams this year to account for the disruption in learning caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
We are doing our best to ensure that our students' and staff's safety and well-being are considered in this undertaking, including staggering the exam times to provide for smaller groupings, sanitizing the exam room between use, and holding many of the exams off-site to prohibit the need to co mingle with the rest of the student body. Your IB Coordinator also shared the FAQs IBO shared with us in a letter he/she sent to families recently, as I am sure you are aware I have attached those FAQ’s in the chance that you may have missed it.
I know this is not the response you are hoping to hear, but I do want you to know that we value your feedback, will share it with IBO, and we sincerely care about your well-being. I am confident your IB Coordinator would welcome meeting with you to address your specific concerns to the greatest extent possible and to answer any questions you may have.
Respectfully,
Judith Vigue
Director, Advanced Studies & Academic Excellence
Pinellas County Schools
There is a meeting on April 6th with all seniors to go over the exam procedures. Ms. Wolfe will be leading the meeting, and Mr. Liem will check in virtually as well.
We will do our very best to answer as many questions and concerns as we can.
Thank you
Dr. Finkbiner
