Sioux City North
2018-2019 October Newsletter
Message from the Principal
It is that time of the year where students and teachers really get to work and dig into learning. Homecoming is over, schedules are set, routines are in place, and we will be blessed with school days with fewer interruptions and a stronger focus on learning and growth. The major focus this school year is literacy.
Literacy is defined as "the ability to read and write." When we look at literacy at North High School, we consider it to be the students ability to read, write, speak, and listen. These four components improve a student's ability to elaborate when communicating with others. It is that elaborated communication that ensures students can express a conclusion about a concept, problem, or procedure and give their support for their conclusion through a coherent explanation or reasoning.
In fact, we have already had many great pictures taken this school year. My favorite is the one below of students working (disclaimer, if you are viewing this from a mobile device, the first image will be of me! That is not the best picture!):
In this picture, you see students engaging with their first Open Response of the year. This article happened to be about cell phone usage. One can see the students' pages are "marked up." They are utilizing their graphic organizer to make sense of the article and develop arguments regarding their reading. Some use different colored markers and some simply use a pencil to highlight the information they need. The goal is to teach students strategies that they can use to create for deeper understanding.
At North High School, we are committed to educating our students in written literacy through these three strategies:
Open Response - A writing strategies where students are presented a document to read and a stated problem or prompt. Students must use information from the article to defend their thesis statement.
Close Reading - A reading strategy that has the reader look critically at the information within the text to identify deeper details and meanings behind the writings.
Daily Writing - Each day, students must be challenged to put their thinking in writing. Through the use of pre-planned Higher Order Thinking (HOT) questions, teachers push learning deeper by asking challenging questions.
We just finished our first Open Response cycle last week. Our building goal, of which we are measuring our success, is with the Open Response. Our goal is to increase the percentage of students who score proficient on the Open Response by 10% when they write their final Open Response in May. We will use a variety of strategies, including those above, from now through the end of the year to achieve that goal.
Writing is one of those pieces that takes practice. For anyone to become a great writer, they have to continually practice. We are pushing our students to practice their writing ability each and every day. It isn't always easy and it isn't always the most exciting part of the lesson. Our teachers know that one of the best ways for students to make their learning visible is to have them write each and every day.
North High School Updates Phone Services
All teachers now have a phone in their room. Each teacher will have their own extension and voicemail system. Previously, each hallway had a phone that relied on an after market voicemail system. This does not mean teachers will be stopping class to answer and talk on the phone. A system of calling into the rooms will be monitored by the office to reduce distractions.
Better access to communications for emergency situations. Although most everyone has cell phones, we know that they don't always get the best service. With teachers having access to classroom phones, they are better connected in the event of an emergency situation. From receiving messages to making calls, the teachers have one more tool to connect with the office and outside resources.
Streamlined protocol for main line answering. At North High, we were able to reduce 39 lines in to the building to streamline services and reduce confusion. This allowed us to create appropriate call flows for access and answering. It is our goal that someone answers each call coming into the school. With 1,534 students at North High, we receive approximately 130 attendance and appointment calls per day. Peak call times are from 7:00-9:00 am and 2:00-3:00 pm.
Direct Lines
Main Office: 712-239-7000
Attendance: 712-239-7001
Counseling: 712-239-7007
Registrar: 712-239-7021
Full-scale Active Shooter Drill Planned for October 10th
On October 10th at 4 pm, North High School will participate in a city-wide full-scale active shooter drill. The drill is being hosted at North High School, but all emergency agencies from Sioux City will be actively engaged in the full-scale drill to emulate an actual active shooter scenario response.
This drill is happening outside the normal school day, therefore instruction time will not be interrupted. Still, at 4 pm, there are activities happening at the school, which allows for staff and student participation to still occur. The purpose of the Sioux City Community School District having an active role in this city-wide drill is to create an educational experience for all involved to apply the S.A.V.E. training skills that have been taught in the Sioux City Community Schools.
S.A.V.E. training has empowered our staff to lead students and peers in the event of a crisis by using the S.A.V.E. tactics: Shelter In Place, Awareness, Violence Stops Violence, and Evacuation. S.A.V.E. training was provided to all staff at the start of the school year and is something we continue to practice with staff and students on a consistent basis.
This drill is designed to stress our systems and test all involved to ensure that proper preparation is taken to plan for the unfortunate possibility of an active shooter in a school setting. The Sioux City Community School District will work closely with all emergency agencies in Sioux City, including the Sioux City Police Department, to reinforce our coordinated approach to counteracting potential threats.
We appreciate your support as we plan for this drill. If you have questions in advance, please contact Mandie Mayo, director of communications, at 712-224-7471.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paul R. Gausman
Superintendent
Sioux City Community School District
HOMECOMING 2018
WINTER ACTIVITY PARENT MEETING
Financial Aid Support for College
Just a reminder that ICAN provides many different appointments/services for high school students and their families. They are available for FAFSA Completion Appointments, of course, but there are also many other appointment topics available by appointment as well. Mary Joan Dougherty is the NW Iowa Student Success Advisor. Her main office is in Sioux City at Western Iowa Tech (Kiser Bldg, Room A327). She also has limited office hours in Orange City and Sheldon.
The ICAN Offices are open Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:30. Services include appointments for: FAFSA Completion, Career Exploration, Career Assessment, College Exploration, Paying for College, Scholarship Process, CSS Profile, FAFSA/Award Letter Review, Covering College Costs – Understanding Your Options, FSA ID Appointment, FAFSA Follow-Up (Corrections or Verification), College Selection/Applications. You may schedule an appointment yourself by going to: www.icansucceed.org/apt or call 877-272-4692. (Mary Joan’s direct line is:
515-402-4211, but the toll free number can also be used to schedule appointments or ask questions) If you do schedule your own appointment, be sure to click BOOK IT or the appointment will not be scheduled.
Remember the 2019-2020 FAFSA will open online October 1. Mary Joan’s October schedule is open and available for appointments. November appointments will be opened up in early September. (ICAN advisor schedules are “opened” approximately 60 days in advance.)
Yearbook Orders and Senior Pictures
Yearbooks are now for sale on https://yearbookforever.com/
Or
Students can pick up a yearbook form in Room 329 or the Main Office.
Prices are $75.00 and on sale until May 15th.
Senior pictures can be submitted (electronically or hard copy) to Mr. Gerch's email (gerchd1@live.siouxcityschools.com). The last possible day to submit a senior picture will be December 31st, unless otherwise communicated with Mr. Gerch.
The yearbook staff will start announcing and advertising around the school this coming week.
Uniquely North - Season 2
Uniquely North Leader board! Nine students have already earned their medallion!
Earn Your Silver Cord!
Who is Eligible?
All North High students who would like to help the community and others.
How Do I Qualify to receive the Silver Cord for Graduation?
Students must complete a minimum of forty hours of committee-approved community service in their sophomore, junior and senior years at North High School. You cannot average 40 hours over the three year span; forty hours must be completed within each school year. Our goal is to instill the idea of community service as a life-long pursuit. If students successfully complete the amount of hours necessary they will receive a silver cord to wear at commencement similar to the gold cords worn by academic award winners.
Important Details:
Documentation: Students MUST document all service activities on the Silver Cord Award Form provided by North High – one form for each site or project, signed by a supervisor at the site. (A note confirming the students’ service signed by the supervisor at the project is also acceptable. It must be attached to the Silver Cord Form). Forms can be submitted to Ms. Larson at North High School at any time during the year. For sophomores and juniors: if you don’t turn in forms by the end of the school year, you may submit them at any time during the following fall. There is no specific deadline for underclassmen to submit forms, although it is best to turn them in as soon as they are completed. Seniors should submit all Silver Cord forms by May 2nd of senior year. Forms may be picked up from the office or can be printed using the links below.
Summer Service: Service hours earned during the summer after the academic year may be applied toward EITHER the prior or following year – student’s choice. (For example, the summer after the sophomore year can apply toward either the sophomore or junior 40 hour requirement or divided between the two as needed). It is recommended that all summer projects be pre-approved in writing by Mrs. Larson or a principal to make sure they are acceptable. Summer service that complies with the Silver Cord criteria will be accepted even if students were not able to submit pre-approval forms. Students should pick up blank Silver Cord Award forms before the end of school to use for documentation summer service. Please keep completed forms until you return to North in the fall. The Silver Cord Adviser will be responsible for keeping students’ Silver Cord files.
Important details regarding the Silver Cord Award:
Acceptable service activities: Silver Cord hours must be for providing a SERVICE or meeting a clear NEED for a non-profit agency, church, school, park, charity program, fundraiser or community event. The service should be “above and beyond” one’s usual scope of involvement and could be part of required service for a program such as Scouts or religious education. While some organizations meet during the school day, only hours outside of school time could be applied to Silver Cord service. If there is any question about whether a specific volunteer experience meets the criteria of “providing service” or “meeting a need” students should get prior approval from the Silver Cord Committee by submitting a pre-approval form. The Silver Cord Review Committee makes final determinations regarding service.
Organizations/Activities that have been approved:
Blood Bank/Blood Drives
Food Bank
United Way
Gospel Mission
Friendship Connections
Beyond The Bell
Goodwill
Watchful Eye Foundation
Local church activities
YMCA
Red Cross
Peer Tutoring/Extended Day
S.T.A.R.S
Humane Society
Head Start
Local medical centers
Retirement Homes
Salvation Army
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Habitat for Humanity
Special Olympics
Ronald McDonald House
Junior League
American Heart Association
Art Splash
Ragbrai
Mid-Steps Service
Santa House
Political Organizations or Candidates
Important details regarding the Silver Cord Award:
Silver Cord hours CANNOT BE for a relative, or for pay or compensation of any kind. Other activities that would not be acceptable: NHS sports team managing, training or event timing or administration; most NHS music program events; concession stand or fundraising events in which proceeds benefit a NHS program; serving as a camp counselor while receiving free room and board (some exceptions made for camps for children with disabilities); performing in a musical, dance, or theater group unless related to a social cause or charity benefit; participation on committees in which the focus is on one’s own leadership development and does not include outreach to larger community. Court ordered community service hours are not eligible.
Attention Junior (Class of 2020) Parents! Immunization Information
Iowa Immunization law requires that all students entering 7th grade have both a Meningococcal vaccination and a Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis/whooping cough) vaccination before school starts in the fall.
Iowa law requires that all students entering 12th grade have a Meningococcal vaccination. The requirement is 2 doses of meningococcal (A,C,W,Y) vaccine for students in grade 12, if born after September 15, 1999; or 1 dose if received when students are 16 years of age or older are required before school starts in the fall.
The Tdap requirement has been in place since the 2013/14 school year and requires a booster dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria, and acellular Pertussis containing vaccine for students entering 7th grade, regardless of the interval since the last Tetanus/Diphtheria containing vaccine. Pertussis (whooping cough) is a very contagious disease that causes violent coughing fits that make it hard to breathe.
The meningococcal vaccine has been required since the start of the 2017/18 school year. Meningococcal disease is a life threatening illness that is caused by bacteria that infects the brain, blood, and spinal cord. It easily spreads in crowded settings. The vaccine is required prior to both the 7th and 12th.
What does this mean for you? You will need to call your physician’s office to make an appointment for these vaccines. You will need to check your home records or call your physician’s office to see what your student’s status is. If you do not have insurance, you can contact the Siouxland District Health Department at 279-6119. Please send a copy of your student’s updated immunization record to the school nurse prior to the first day of school. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter.
North High School In the News
Snow Days and School Calendar
Take a Seat - Northside Activities Association
ACT Information
Next Test Date: October 27, 2018
Registration Deadline: September 28 (Go Online for Late Registration and Charges)
Visit here to sign up and log in!
Future Test Dates:
December 8, 2018
February 9, 2019
April 13, 2019
June 8, 2019
July 13, 2019
Homework Help Tutoring for 2018-2019
Transportation is provided for those who participate. A bus picks students up around 4:10 pm each afternoon and drops students off at feeder school locations.
North High School Class of 2019 Graduation
Saturday, May 25, 2019, 11:00 AM
Tyson Events Center, Gordon Drive, Sioux City, IA, USA
Statement of Non-Discrimination
The Sioux City Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas: Business & Marketing, Family & Consumer Science, Health Science, and Industrial Arts, Technology, & PLTW.
The Sioux City Community School District is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. It is an unfair or discriminatory practice for any educational institution to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information (for employment), national origin, religion, age (for employment), disability, socioeconomic status (for programs), marital status (for programs), or veteran status (for employment) in its educational programs and its employment practices.
Inquiries or grievances, including Section 504 grievances and grievances under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, may be directed to Jen Gomez, Director of Student Services & Equity Education at 627 4th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101, (712) 279-6075, gomezj2@live.siouxcityschools.com. Please see District Board policies 103 and 504.4 for additional information on available grievance procedures.
About Us
Website: http://www.siouxcityschools.org/north-high-school/
Location: 4200 Cheyenne Boulevard, Sioux City, IA, United States
Phone: (712)-239-7000
Facebook: facebook.com/SiouxCityNorth
Twitter: @SiouxCityNorth