Sandwich High School News
February 2021
Greetings, SHS Community.
Welcome to February.
As you read this newsletter, please take note that registration is open. The sooner you have this complete, the sooner we can get you ready to go for next year. Remember that registration is not the same as choosing classes. These are two different processes. Current students are allowed to pick classes without having their registration done; however, on June 1, students who have not registered will be removed from their schedules until they complete registration. Please take time to register now and get that requirement out of the way.
We have been given approval to begin some, but not all, sports and activities. Please note that students without physicals will not be able to participate. In addition, seniors who have not received their meningococcal vaccine will not be able to participate.
Hopefully we can keep the snowstorms away from February and get our students in-person as many days as we can. I want to see all of you as much as possible.
Mr. Sodaro
FULL REMOTE LEARNING
For those students ahead of target, if you finish early then your summer break begins early. If you have questions or need help, email Mr. Sodaro.
2021-2022 Registration is open
Registration for the 2021-2022 school year is open in the Tyler Parent Portal. If you have forgotten your username or password to the portal, do not hesitate to call the office at 815-786-2157, ext. 2.
Please take about 35 minutes and complete your student’s registration before Feb. 28, 2021.
When all forms have been successfully submitted to the school, you will receive a confirmation email.
Note that course selection and class placement for the 2021-2022 school year will not be secure until student registration has been uploaded through the parent portal in Tyler.
If you have any questions, call the office at 815-786-2157, ext. 2.
Illinois Valley Vocational Center Outstanding Winter Students
Caleb Gomes--Auto Technology
Certified Nursing Assistant-Saray Lopez
Computer Programing-Jacob Zeiter
Culinary Arts-Carey Coakly
Emergency Medical Services-Emma Paveza
Health Occupations-Akhaia Thurmond
Teaching Methods-Madison Johnson
SPORTS UPDATE
All of these sports will have a shortened season and both Girls' and Boys' Basketball will not have a state series, but Competitive Cheerleading will have a virtual state competition.
The number of fans we are able to have in attendance will be limited to both home and visiting teams to a combined maximum of 50. The amount of tickets per team will be decided by the conference.
We are happy to make headway in providing our students these opportunities.
eLearning Days for "Snow Days"
While students, staff and families have been engaged in full remote learning, we all know there is no substitute for in-person learning. We also know that winter weather in the Midwest can be a hindrance when traveling to and from school.
In the future, when in-person learning is scheduled, whether it is A/B days or “back to normal,” using an eLearning day will be considered should there be inclement weather.
Since Sandwich CUSD #430 is now 1:1 and students and staff are familiar with remote learning, please be prepared to shift to eLearning on so-called “snow days.” Note that this will require everyone taking the responsibility of having their school-issued personal device available for use at all times. Once decided, eLearning days will be communicated via the district webpage and school messenger.
Unlike previous years, eLearning days do not need to be made up at the end of the school year.
NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT
The week of May 10, Sandwich School District will be conducting an external review with a team of Cognia evaluators. Cognia (formerly AdvancED) is a nonprofit, third-party organization that assists schools and districts in their continuous efforts to improve teaching and learning. External reviews take place every five years and are conducted by a team of enthusiastic educators from around the nation. During our five-year improvement cycle, Sandwich Schools have been focusing on the following six improvement priorities:
Utilize data from a variety of sources to drive purposeful professional development at the district and building level.
Work continuously to create and formalize a process to document and track our improvement efforts at the district and school levels.
Create a formal student improvement plan (MTSS) based on a comprehensive evaluation of student support services and programs.
Evaluate, revise, update and communicate grading policies and practices throughout the district.
Work with a safety consultant to continuously improve upon processes and practices at the building level to ensure our students, staff and stakeholders' safety.
Work collaboratively with stakeholders to develop and implement a blended and remote learning plan for the 2020-2021 school year based on guidance from the CDC, ISBE and IDPH. **Priority added Spring of 2020
COUNSELOR CORNER
Contact the Counselors
Email or call us with your questions and concerns!
815-786-2157
Mrs. Norton, A-K – anorton@sandwich430.org
Mrs. Docherty, L-Z – jdocherty@sandwich430.org
Course Selection
Freshmen, sophomores and juniors should have chosen their courses for the 2021-2022 school year. Counselors are in the process of following up with them individually to make sure all courses requested meet graduation requirements. Students should contact their counselor if they have any questions.
If you haven’t had a chance to choose your courses yet, please follow the appropriate link:
Current Freshmen: https://www.smore.com/s482e
Current Sophomores: https://www.smore.com/edarv
Current Juniors: https://www.smore.com/rcthb
Incoming Freshmen: Counselors will be meeting with small groups of incoming freshmen and their parents/guardians in February. Incoming freshmen packets that were not picked up at the high school were mailed home. Further instructions for completing the paperwork and signing up for your appointment time will be emailed this week.
IVVC Registration Forms
IVVC registration forms will be electronic this year. IVVC registration information will be emailed this week and the electronic registration form must be completed by Monday, Feb. 15. Students MUST list a first- and a second-choice IVVC program.
Gustafson Scholarship Interviews
The following students will be interviewing with representatives from Waubonsee Community College for the chance to be awarded the Lucille Gustafson Scholarship: Jamie Larson and Morgan Ross. The Gustafson Scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship for two years, during which students also participate in leadership skill-building opportunities.
Senior Scholarship Information
Seniors planning to attend college next year should attend the All About Scholarships session during Senior Advisory at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5. Our ISAC rep, Lauren Waitt, will share all kinds of helpful information about applying for scholarships. The Zoom link will be emailed to you and also will be available in the Counselors Class of 2021 Google Classroom and on Remind.
SAT/PSAT
Juniors will be taking the SAT with Writing on Tuesday, April 13, during the school day. They can practice on www.khanacademy.org on an unlimited basis at no cost.
Hybrid A freshmen and sophomores will take the PSAT on Wednesday, April 14, during the school day.
Hybrid B freshmen and sophomores will take the PSAT on Thursday, April 15, during the school day.
WHAT'S NEW FROM THE LIBRARY
IMPORTANT FEBRUARY DATES
Feb. 9---Board of Education Meeting
Feb. 12---Progress Reports
Feb. 15---Remote Planning Day--No SchoolFeb. 16---Remote Planning Day--No School