MONTGOMERY — Sycamore High School students today will get their first crack at online registration for classes.

        “It's not a common thing yet, and I know it's not very common in the Tristate,” said Vince Rahnfeld, a Sycamore guidance counselor. “I wouldn't say everybody is going to jump on this bandwagon. Some will look at districts who try it to see where the glitches are; the positives and the negatives.”

        By switching to online registration, school counselors hope more parents will be more involved in the process. They also hope they'll have more time to visit with students about their choices and goals.

        In homerooms this week, the school's 1,900 students are viewing videos created by each department, highlighting courses. Students will receive information about registering online, graduation requirements and the types of classes they'll need.

        “It's something most of the students will be doing from home,” Mr. Rahnfeld said. “We're hoping and really encouraging families to get involved. They really have a better opportunity to share with their parents the kinds of things they're looking at and the choices they're making.”

        Online, students can find descriptions of the core courses and 138 electives. Every time a student chooses a class, the computer lists how many more courses are needed to meet requirements.

        After students register, counselors will still meet with them, but instead of spending time on paperwork, Mr. Rahnfeld said, there will be more time to talk with students.

        There may be some disadvantages. Some might not have access to computers, and some might not be computer savvy.

        “We think our students have fairly easy access to Internet computers either at home, the library or at school,” Mr. Rahnfeld said. “We think we're going to have close to 100 percent of students who are going to be able to do this without a problem.”

        Kirsten Roberts, a 17-year-old junior, got a sneak peek.

        “At first, I wasn't too sure about it because some people aren't that good with computers,” she said. “If they're at home and mess up, there's nobody to help them.”

        But after getting a look at the Web site, she decided it's easy to use. And everything the student needs is on the computer.

        Nancy Sage, mother of two Sycamore High School students and president of the Sycamore High Association of Parents and Educators, likes the idea.

        “To me, it makes total sense. I'm not sure how accepted it will be right away because not everyone is computer literate,” she said.

Taft to review plight of retarded
Families say grave sites jeopardized
Gas costs drop for Cinergy customers
Louisville's biotech success leaves Cincinnati far behind
Charges dropped in buyout scandal
City empowerment zone targeted
Teachers get 5% raise
Transplant program reactivated
Council committee votes to void Restoc contract
GOP's Davis proving serious
Hamilton Co. to settle suit involving fallen tree limbs
Howard: Some Good News
Kentucky AM report
Man charged in eatery stabbing
Noontime snowstorm brings rash of crashes
Norwood man is one of 13 charged in interstate drug bust
Nurse faces more drug theft charges
Organ fund aided in Ky.
Sailor thanks kids for support
Sycamore sign-up goes online
Tristate AM report
Year-round planned for school in Cincinnati