At the end of the first two days of school, students and teachers are exhausted (from adjusting to being back to school AND the incredible heat the past few days!). As I walked around the classrooms, I was reminded how great it is to have the energy of students back in the building.
We celebrated our Seniors at our assembly yesterday, and also with “last first-day” photos and the Annual Senior Pancake Breakfast. We are also proud of our newest community members (7th-grade students) - who had regular classes yesterday and spent today team-building at Camp Echo Lake (HUGE thanks to Laurie Rinke and the Camp Echo Lake staff for making this happen!).
For more information, please read below the picture and upcoming important dates.
This Week:
- Monday, September 11th - Moment of silence at school
- Monday, September 11th - High School Band members perform at 9-11 Memorial Ceremony (7:00 pm at the Bandstand)
- Lots of home games - check the sports calendars!
Upcoming Events:
- Tuesday, September 26th - School photos
- Tuesday, September 26th @ 6:30 pm - Back to School Night (formerly Open House)
- Friday, September 29th - Superintendent’s Day (no classes)
We’ve ended each day during the first week of school with an assembly to review our goals for the year and highlight important values and expectations to ensure a safe, learning-filled year. I’ve attached the presentations here if you’d like to read them, or you can read the highlights below (you can also quiz your students!).
My job: to provide a safe, supportive environment with high, consistent and clear expectations to help them learn. Some key expectations we reviewed:
- Cell Phones - research indicates they are not good for learning or student’s mental well being, so we expect all students to have their phones silenced and in their bag or locker during class times. If it is seen or heard, it will be confiscated and returned at the end of the school day.
- Attendance - attendance is VITAL to student learning! Please be sure students are on time and present every day (unless they are sick).
- Dress Code - as a community, we follow certain rules (regardless of how we dress outside of school) including covering our undergarments at all times, uncovering our heads (no hats or hoodies), covering our belly and wearing appropriate slogans and images (no references to alcohol, drugs or offensive slogans or symbols).
We also reviewed our Academic Support Process. Each week we will check student grades, and if they are failing or put on Academic Support by a teacher, they will be required to see their teacher during ASP. If they continue a second week, they will be required to attend HW Club after school.
We are making modifications to our Parent Student Handbook, and will share with you the updated version when the edits and proofing are complete. We do aim to solve any issues as close to the source as possible - see our communication chart here (and the powerpoints above contain email addresses and contact information, which is also found on the school website).
Huge thanks to Mrs. Mossing and our incredible 7th Grade team for a great welcome picnic at Camp Echo Lake day and to all of our coaches for a great start to the sports season! I look forward to seeing you at games in the coming weeks.
Welcome to the 2023-24 school year - we’re looking forward to a great year!
Best regards,
Jeff Holcomb
Jr-Sr High School Principal