Elkhorn South High School
October 2023
From the High School Principal- Mark Kalvoda
From the High School Principal- Mark Kalvoda
The first quarter of the 2023-24 school year is well underway and we hope ESHS students are acclimating to the routines of being back at school. The year has been a flurry of activity as students adjust to being back on campus. I appreciate their efforts and perseverance as well as the efforts of our staff and parents in setting high expectations for learning. While our students seem to be busier every year, their ability to manage time and balance academics and activities is astonishing. Our student’s academic success has been and always will be our ultimate focus. We will continue to challenge our students with relevant and rigorous curriculum in order to fully prepare them for their remaining high school years, post-secondary education, and beyond. I look forward to seeing our students respond and succeed. While clearly our focus is academic achievement, I would be remiss if I did not mention how proud I am of the school spirit shown by this group of students. From rooting on friends at games, to actively participating in school activities, to creating posters of support, our students are showing school pride and representing their school with class.
Around mid-quarter progress report time, our students are in the routine of understanding classroom expectations with respect to homework and practice, note-taking, reading and writing, and critical analysis. Please encourage your student to do his/her best and to be prepared for classes by spending time studying and reviewing notes, assignments, textbook selections, and supplementary material. It is critical for students to develop favorable study habits that reinforce learning. I am very appreciative of the many hours our students designate for their schoolwork and for the high expectations that our parents set for students completing homework and being prepared for school. Undoubtedly, the habits they form today will serve them well in future high school classes, college classes, and beyond.
Elkhorn South High School faculty and administration continue to create and enhance school-wide intervention systems to support student learning. Our ongoing interventions are intended to maximize student achievement by monitoring student progress and creating accountability within the learning process. Homework is essential to the learning process because it reinforces practice of new knowledge and content. Homework and practice are researched best practices that positively correlate to increasing student knowledge. I would like to inform our parents about three of our school-wide intervention systems that will help encourage learning and homework completion. The After-School Academy, the Guided Study Programs, and the Peer Mentoring Programs are described below:
After-School Academy - The Student Assistance Team continues to offer a structured study environment after school, complete with tutors and teachers. Any student is welcome to stop by and seek help, get caught up on assignments, or form study groups. While students are encouraged to attend on their own, we are requesting help from parents to encourage or even require their student's attendance. If students get behind in their classes, attendance may become required by the school in an effort to hold students accountable for their learning. The After School Academy is held in the Media Center Monday-Friday from 3:30-4:30. In addition to After School Academy, Elkhorn South will often place students in Academic After Hours. Academic After Hours sessions run weekly on Thursday evenings from 3:30-6:30pm and Saturday mornings from 8:30-11:30am. This sustained block of time affords students a quiet, academic-focused area to complete missing assignments or prepare for upcoming assessments.
Guided Study Program - The Guided Study Program is an intervention for students who need additional academic support during the school day. The Guided Study program operates in addition to traditional study halls. Regular education students are placed in Guided Study after a student has received two or more grades of 5 on a mid-term, quarter, or semester grade report. Students may return to regular study halls after he/she is passing all classes with a 3 or better on a mid-term, quarter or semester grade report and express confidence in his or her abilities to be successful without the program. Certified teachers and a student assistant work with the guided study students to encourage them to organize their work and improve their study habits, monitor student progress by reviewing mid-term reports and grades via PowerSchool, monitor usage of the student agenda for assignments, insist that students are engaged in constructive work each day, communicate with classroom teachers regarding student progress, provide academic support and assistance as needed and reinforce the importance of education.
Peer Tutoring Program-
The ESHS counseling center provides 1-on-1 peer tutors before, during, and after school two times per week. Please contact Rachel Hoch at rhoch@epsne.org in the counseling center to request a tutor. The Counseling Center will work to find an appropriate match for students’ areas of need and available times.
Tutors help in the following ways:
Answer and discuss questions about daily assignments.
Strategies and tips on how to write an essay for the specific class.
Study preparation practice and strategies about how to prepare for the test/quiz.
Overall learning strategies about how to remember and understand content that is specific to the class.
Each year, hundreds of students receive tutoring through our program and we are grateful to have dozens of willing mentors who volunteer their time to assist students.
We greatly appreciate your attendance at Parent-Teacher Conferences last week. We value your partnership and look forward to working collaboratively this year for our students’ success. Also, we sincerely appreciate your generous donations for staff meals on these two evenings!
If you would like to contact me to discuss concerns, ask questions, or comment, please call me at 402-289-0616 or email me at mkalvoda@epsne.org.
I look forward to working together to maximize our students’ opportunities for educational excellence here at ESHS.
Mark Kalvoda
Principal
Elkhorn South High School
402-289-0616
Student absences and appointments
Please make sure you are CALLING the office for any absences and appointments for your students, we will not accept emails. If your child is leaving for an appointment, the sooner you can communicate that to the office, the easier it is to get a pass to the student as opposed to interrupting valuable learning time when we have to call the classroom. If leaving between passing periods, they will not receive a pass, they just need to go to the office to sign out.
Parents do not come into the building to get your child, the student will sign themselves out on our office computer. If it is for a Drs. appointment, please have the student bring a note from the Dr. upon their return.
Thank you so much for your cooperation with this.
Important dates
Oct 13-Picture retake day
Oct 19-End of first quarter
Oct 20-Teacher In-Service NO SCHOOL
Nov 22, 23 & 24-Thanksgiving Break NO SCHOOL
Dec 19 & 20-Semester finals STUDENTS MUST BE IN ATTENDANCE End of second quarter
Dec 21-Jan 2-Winter Break
Jan 15-Teacher In-Service NO SCHOOL
Feb 13 & 14-Conferences ONE HOUR EARLY DISMISSAL
Conferences will be from 4:30-8:00
Feb 15-Teacher In-Service NO SCHOOL
Feb 16-NO SCHOOL
Mar 14-End of third quarter
Mar 15-22-Spring Break NO SCHOOL
Apr 13-Prom
Apr 19-Teacher In-Service NO SCHOOL
May 15-SENIORS last day-graduation rehearsal in the afternoon
May 19-Graduation/3:00 p.m. Elkhorn Public Schools Stadium
May 23 & 24-Semester finals STUDENTS MUST BE IN ATTENDANCE
May 24-Last day of school. *The Last Student Day is based on an assumption of 4 or more days for inclement weather. 3 inclement weather days = one day earlier release. 0-2 inclement weather days = 2 days earlier release.
Update of Email, home address and phone number
Please contact Penny Rohl in the Counseling Center at 402-289-0616 #3 or prohl@epsne.org to make changes to email, phone, or home mailing address.
Anonymous online reporting system
- (531) 299-SAFE (7233)
- www.Safe2HelpNE.org
- Download the “Safe2Help” app from your app store
- Found on individual building homepages
Athletics
Performing Arts
Drama Department
Vocal Music
Singin' in the Storm - Pop/Rock Songs from the UK
November 4th @ 7 PM
Featuring auditioned soloists, all ESHS choirs + show choirs
Cubs, Activities, Organizations
Green Team
Elkhorn South Fall Craft Fair
October 28, 2023
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Yearbook Information
Graduation Class of 2024
Sunday, May 19, 2023 3:00 p.m.
Elkhorn Public Schools Stadium
1401 Veterans Drive
Elkhorn, NE
Josten's Cap and Gown ordering
Price will increase after October 21, 2023.
Link to order, cap, gown and tassel unit. A 2024 tassel is included in this link. There is an option to upgrade the tassel but is not required.
Reusing a Cap and Gown
You may reuse a cap and gown from previous years. Please email Tina Rohe at crohe@epsne.org to be taken off of the need to order list.
Picture retake day, Friday, October 13th
District News
District Information
EPS Text Messaging:
If you have not yet opted-in to receive EPS text messages, please text "Yes" to 67587 to ensure you receive timely notice of important information.
“Effects of Social Media on Student Mental Health”
Project SEARCH Business Advisory Council
Project SEARCH, an EPS partner program serving young adults with disabilities, is seeking additional businesses to be part of the “Project SEARCH Business Advisory Council”. The goal of the Business Advisory Council is to increase overall employment opportunities for continued on next slide
Project SEARCH Business Advisory Council
Project SEARCH interns by networking and promoting the goal of competitive employment for people with disabilities. If your business is interested in participating or you would like to learn more, please contact Andrea Street at astreet@epsne.org.
Community Resources
Community organizations exist that serve Elkhorn families in need of additional support and assistance. Review this linked flyer for additional information or contact your child’s school counselor for assistance.
Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation News
Make a difference with Elkhorn Public Schools
Student Meal Information
Does your child need health coverage?
Call toll free 1-855-632-7633 or visit http://www.ACCESSNebraska.ne.gov
Metro Conference Website
rSchool Today App
NSAA Website
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION – EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Notice of Nondiscrimination
The Elkhorn Public School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race (including skin color, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, sexual orientation or gender identity, or other protected status in its programs.
The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination
policies:
Students: Anne Doerr, Executive Director of Student Services, 20650 Glenn Street (402) 289-2579, ([adoerr@epsne.org]).
Employees and Others: Don Pechous, Executive Director of Personnel, 20650 Glenn Street (402) 289-2579, ([dpechous@epsne.org]).
Complaints or concerns involving discrimination or needs for accommodation or access should be addressed to the appropriate Coordinator. For further information about anti-discrimination laws and regulations, or to file a complaint of discrimination with the OCR at One Petticoat Lane, 1010 Walnut Street, 3rd Floor, Suite 320, Kansas City, Missouri 64106, (816) 268-0550 (voice), Fax (816) 268-0599, (800) 877-8339 (telecommunications device for the deaf), or ocr.kansascity@ed.gov.