Sioux City North
2019-2020 Summer Newsletter
Message from the Principal
We are excited for another year to begin. Our goal is to improve each and every year. One of our focuses is to ensure our communication is clear and information gets to our parents and families. In this newsletter, I want you to understand what to expect about our communications, where to expect to receive communications, and when to expect communication from North High School. This is the reason accurate online verification is important.
Daily Communications
- Attendance (Phone) - North High School utilizes an automated system to alert families of absences. This year, we will include text messages in the morning and afternoon. The afternoon phone messages will now include which periods your son/daughter missed. We do ask that all absences be excused by parents as soon as possible. Absences will be turned into truancies after 48 hours.
Weekly Communications
- General Information (Social Media) - A variety of information is shared multiple times throughout the week via social media. If you have not done so already, please take the time to follow us on Twitter at @SiouxCityNorth or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SiouxCityNorth.
- Attendance (Email) - Every Thursday afternoon, every parent and student will receive an email update of absences. This will include excused, unexcused, and tardies. This is to inform everyone on the expectations of attendance. The State of Iowa expects schools to have a 95% attendance rate. This means no student should miss more than nine days the entire school year.
- Grades (Email) - For students who are currently failing a course, parents/guardians will receive an emailed grade report on Tuesday morning. This will only go to students currently receiving a failing grade. The email includes a detailed grade report.
Monthly Communications
- Newsletter (Email, Social Media, Push Notification) - The school newsletter will be sent at the beginning of each month. We attempt to put in as much information as possible. If you ever have ideas or suggestions about what to put into the newsletter, please use Let's Talk to reach out.
Communication can be a tricky item. Sometimes we share too much, sometimes we don't share enough. One barrier to a large school is knowing who to ask the question to about the item you want to know more about. We encourage the use of "Let's Talk" to bridge that barrier. When you visit Let's Talk (https://www.siouxcityschools.org/lets-talk/) and select "North High School", your message will go directly to the four principals. From there, we will answer your questions or connect you with the person who can.
Register Online Now!
- Verify household information
- Pay school fees
- Add money to lunch accounts
- Sign agreements such as the viewing of the Parent/Student Handbook (Click Here) and Technology End User Agreement
How do I complete the verification?
Visit the login page (https://campus.siouxcityschools.org/campus/portal/parents/siouxcity.jsp). You will want to select "More" on the left hand side of the screen and then "Online Verification" in the menu. After that, follow the prompts for each screen/page. Please be sure to verify that the email and phone numbers are correct. This will ensure communication will get to each person.
What if I forget my password?
Visit the login page (https://campus.siouxcityschools.org/campus/portal/parents/siouxcity.jsp) and follow the procedures under the "Forgot Password" or "Forgot Username" links under the Log In button.
How do I pay my fees and add funds to a lunch account?
School Fees and Lunch account balances are payable online using MySchoolBucks. Click here (https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/login/getmain?requestAction=home) to visit the website. Fees can be paid in person on the registration days (August 13 and 14 from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm) by checks made payable to North High School. Debit/Credit cards are also accepted on site.
How do I apply for free and reduced lunches?
We encourage all eligible families to apply. Eligibility is based on household size and income. Those requirements are one of the first screens made available in the process. To apply, visit https://siouxcity.rocketscanapps.com/ and complete the process.
How do I get busing for my student?
Busing is requested through the district website. That site is available here: https://fs2.formsite.com/siouxcitycommschools/form2/index.html
Parents who complete the online verification will not have to accompany their son/daughter to the August 13 or August 14 onsite verification event. Students will come and take their school picture and then receive their laptop. Students will be required to log in on site and ensure their laptop is functioning correctly.
Schedule of Upcoming Events
- August 13 – Parents/Guardians will have access to class schedules using Infinite Campus
- August 13-14 – Onsite Registration, School Pictures, and Laptop Distribution: North High (10 am – 6 pm)
- August 22 - Back to School Night
- o Elementary School 4-6 pm
- o Middle School 5-7 pm
- o High School 7-9 pm
- August 23 – First Day of School
- o Elementary School Start Time 8:35 am
- o Middle School Start Time 7:45 am
- o High School Start Time 7:55 am
SAVE THE DATE: Back to School Food Truck and Street Dance - Friday, August 16. Dog Eat Dog will be with us from 5-7:00 with the dance from 7:00-10:00 pm. Parents and families welcome. We will hold this under the skywalks.
Senior (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. Here is a link to specific requirements: https://idph.iowa.gov/ohds/oral-health-center/school-screenings
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.
Curriculum Resource Fees
Curriculum resources are furnished by the school. These resources include items such as textbooks, digital texts and companion materials, software packages, and other items. There is a set fee for the use of curriculum resources. Fees are $34 for elementary school, $100 for middle school, and $100 for high school. Fees can be paid online. Visit the Parents section of the District website.
Students whose families meet the income guidelines for free and reduced-price lunch, the Family Investment Program, Supplemental Security Income, transportation assistance under open enrollment, or who are in foster care are eligible to have their student fees waived or partially waived. Students whose families are experiencing temporary financial difficulty may be eligible for a temporary waiver of student fees. This waiver does not carry over from year-to-year and must be completed annually. Fee waiver forms are available at each school or on the District website.
School Supply List
The list of items students need for the 2019-20 school year is now available online. Access the list for your student’s grade online at www.siouxcityschools.org/supply-lists/.
Opportunities to Give
Parent/Guardian Student Handbook
The 2019-20 Parent/Guardian and Student Handbook provides an in-depth description of many important topics relevant to a student’s education. Please review the handbook closely. You will be prompted to view the handbook during online verification. You can also access the handbook any time at www.siouxcityschools.org under the Handbooks and Guides page of the Parents section.
Acceptable Use Agreement Added to Handbook
New to the Parent/Guardian and Student Handbook this year is the addition of the Acceptable Use Agreement. Every student in the District now has access to technology and devices that help enhance learning. The agreement states that each student will follow responsible citizenship as it relates to technology. A specific list of expectations is included for students that check out laptops. Parents/guardians should take care in reviewing this agreement to understand the expectations of care and the penalties of lost or damaged devices.
Attendance and Calling Students in Absent
Student attendance is crucial to learning. There are also statutory requirements with which parents must comply. Please refer to the 2019-20 Parent/Guardian and Student Handbook to review the District’s attendance policy. Parents/guardians should notify a student’s school regarding an absence within the first hour of the school day. If an absence is not reported, and a student does not attend school, the student’s household will be contacted by the school office to report the absence home and inquire about the reason for the absence. Parents may be notified by phone call, email, and/or text. Limited information will be available by text message, so parents/guardians are encouraged to contact the school, review voice messages, and refer to email for extended information.
A parent or guardian must call the school within 36 hours of the absence. For example, if your student is absent Thursday, you will have until 4:00 pm on Friday to call. Messages can be left for excusable of absences. After 36 hours, students will be marked truant and may face consequences for them. Students who have any truancies will not be eligible for dances. Be sure to communicate absences with the main office at 712-239-7001. Students with unexcused absences will initiate automatic calls and text messages to inform parents/guardians.
Parents/guardians that download the Infinite Campus application available for Android and iPhone can also elect to get notifications pushed to a mobile phone with attendance updates from the school.
Parking and Driving Expectations
- Park in designated areas. All allowed parking spaces are indicated by white lines. All vehicles must be within two lines when parked.
- Students must park in the first main lot and spaces along the drive. The rear parking is designated for staff and visitors.
- Parking in the fire lane is not tolerated due to safety. This may mean visitors and students will need to walk a bit to get to the front door.
- The parking lot is filled with pedestrians. Speed should not exceed 10 mph.
- ADA entrances and handicap accessible parking is located in two places. They are along the commons beneath the skywalks and behind the building in staff parking.
- Parking permits are not required to park on campus.
Snow Days and School Calendar
Uniquely North - Season 3
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.
ACT Information
Visit here to sign up and log in!
Future Test Dates:
September 14, 2019
October 26, 2019
December 14, 2019
February 8, 2020
April 4, 2020
June 13, 2020
July 18, 2020
North High School Class of 2020 Graduation
Saturday, May 23, 2020, 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