Thurston Colt Round-Up
Bi-monthly Student and Family Newsletter
From the Principal
September 11, 2022
Dear Thurston Students and Families,
Our thoughts have been with our students and families who've been navigating this weekend without power. We're grateful our community was safe during this stressful time.
The first days of school are in the books. On campus, it's been busy! Students are excited for all of the activities and experiences that make Thurston High School a great place to lead and learn.
Our goal is for every student to feel connected to our Thurston High School community. One opportunity for students to connect to campus life is by joining an activity or club. On Friday, more than 23 student groups were represented at our club rush. Our theater department is preparing to hold auditions for the fall play. Athletic contests are underway and our athletes are working hard on and off the field. The band played the first home football game of the season. It’s been great to see students and families on campus and supporting our students.
Our first school dance of the year is this Saturday, September 17th from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. in the Thurston High School courtyard. Tickets are $7.00 at the door or can be purchased in advance at lunch (pre-sale price: $3.00 with ASB; $6.00 without).
I want to thank you and recognize the work it takes for families to get our students into the rhythm of a new school year. Thank you families and students for all of the support. We're glad students are back.
Principal Pelster
In this Newsletter:
Free Meals Continue
Freshman Lunch - closed campus
Student ID Card - pick up in main office
School-Issued Technology - bring daily
Schoolwide Grading Policies - save-the-dates for schoolwide deadlines
Driver’s Ed
We added new sections from the Student Services Office and the Family Resource Center!
Connected
Engaged
Supported
Need to step out of class? Students can grab this creative teacher pass from Ms. Adams' class and sign-out. Every class will have a sign-in/sign-out procedure to support students in keeping track of their time.
Month at-a Glance
- 9/12 - A-Day
- 9/23 - Early Release
- 10/7 - Early Release
Newsletter
Free Meals Continue!
All students receive free meals on campus this year. Students can pick up FREE meals in the cafeteria. Breakfast is served before school from 7:35 a.m. - 7:50 a.m. and lunch is served from 11:20 a.m. - 11:55 a.m.
Freshmen Lunch - Closed Campus
To support a better understanding of campus, of our rules, and to encourage positive friend groups, our 9th grade students are expected to remain on the THS campus for lunch. 9th grade students will have the opportunity to earn the privilege of off-campus lunch during the 2nd semester. We look forward to getting to know our freshmen students.
Student ID Cards
Does your student still need their student id card for the 2022-23 academic year? School IDs are available for pick-up in the main office. Students will need to show their student ID to exit campus at lunch, and to enter school events like the Hello Bash!
School-issued Technology
With classes in session, students will continue to use school-issued chromebooks to access google classrooms and other digital content to enhance their learning. Students should bring their device to each class. Students who do not yet have a school-issued Chromebook can check-out devices from the library before school, at lunch, and after-school.
Schoolwide Grading Policies
Your student will be academically challenged at high school in many ways. Demonstrations of skills and learning may require any combination of labs, tests, homework, projects, and writing; each class will be different. As a school, we are focused on seeing students show their understanding of course material, and allowing students the chance to show growth and improvement over time. For this reason, we have two school-wide grading policies for all courses:
Students may complete re-takes on all assessments and assignments attempted.
Assignments completed by the school-wide late-work deadlines will have the opportunity to receive full-credit.
Semester 1 Late-Work Deadlines: October 7th, November 2nd, December 9th and January 27th
Thank you in advance for supporting your student in managing their time wisely.
Driver’s Education Course
We heard last year that there was an interest in THS hosting Driver’s Ed course on campus. The Community Defensive Driving Institute will be hosting sessions on campus starting October 14th. For information you can go to their website at https://www.cddinstitute.com/driver-ed-student-registration
From the Student Services Office
Thurston Student Services - Attendance Hotline (541-744-5027)
Attendance 101 - Do I need to call? Yes!
Student attendance matters. Students who attend regularly (no more than 1 absence per month) have the best chance of academic success. This year, automatic calls will be made when students are absent. Families are encouraged to proactively communicate with the school attendance office at 541-744-5027. We reviewed schoolwide policies around tardies and absences with students.
Here’s what students heard:
Attendance Expectations - Thurston High School Students will:
*Be in class on time!
If more than 10 minutes late to class, pick up a tardy pass from the attendance office and give it to your teacher upon entering the classroom. It is your ticket in the door.
*If absent from class or for the entire day:
Parent/guardian should excuse absence by phone/note within 48 hours of returning to school.
Ask teacher how to make up missing class work and assignments.
*If student will be absent in the future for an extended period of time:
Parent/guardian should excuse absence by phone/note at least a week ahead of time.
Student will pick up a pre-arranged excuse slip in attendance office to get signed by teachers and ask for homework and assignments that they will miss.
From the Counseling Department
Counseling Department (541-744-5193)
Last Names A-De - Moria Golub moria.golub@springfield.k12.or.us
Last Names Df-K - Stacy Tindall stacy.tindall@springfield.k12.or.us
Last Names L-Re - Jordan Magill jordan.magill@springfield.k12.or.us
Last Names Rf-Z - Amy Stranieri amy.stranieri@springfield.k12.or.us
Schedules are viewable online. These schedules are subject to change. Students grades 9 - 11 are expected to be fully scheduled unless they are enrolled in an advanced course - such as an AP or College Now class. Students have until 9/20 to complete add/drops.
From the Family Resource Center
Our FRC is open and abuzz with the smell of fall and students in the halls. We have some backpacks, school supplies, hoodies and shoes. For families that need more resources outside of THS Angie is here to help provide resources and help you learn how to access them. Please call the Resource Center (541-744-5145) or email (Angie.Roser@springfield.k12.or.us) with requests or donations. Together we can lift each other up.
Thurston High School
Thurston Office (541-744-5000)
Kimberlee Pelster, Principal - kimberlee.pelster@springfield.k12.or.us
Jerami Campbell, Assistant Principal - jerami.campbell@springfield.k12.or.us
Jeffrey Thompson, Assistant Principal - jeffrey.thompson@springfield.k12.or.us
Leslie Watson, Assistant Principal - leslie.watson@springfield.k12.or.us
Jared Taylor, Dean of Students - jared.taylor@springfield.k12.or.us
Email: kimberlee.pelster@springfield.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.springfield.k12.or.us/ths
Location: 58th Street, Springfield, OR, USA
Phone: 541-744-5000
Facebook: facebook.com/ThurstonHighColts
Twitter: @THSColts