Sioux City North
2019-2020 October Newsletter
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Message from the Principal
Children with engaged parents are more likely to :
- Earn higher grades or test scores
- Graduate from high school and attend post secondary education
- Develop self-confidence and motivation in the classroom
- Have better social skills and classroom behavior
Children with engaged parents are less likely to:
- Have low self-esteem
- Need redirection in the classroom
- Develop behavioral issues (1)
However, sometimes schools don't always make it easy for parents to be involved or engaged. We are guilty of that as well. We have increased the amount of communications we send. We automate information to reduce human error. We add banners and marquees. However, we all desire personal interaction.
Our leadership team is committed to enhancing parent engagement in student academics. This winter, we will be offering two opportunities for parents and guardians to take a closer look into the academic life of students. One opportunity will be to spend time with teacher leaders and administration on Monday afternoon discussion school goals, work done by teachers, and observing teachers during professional development. This will allow parents and guardians to see the level of care and thought put into the planning of instruction. The second opportunity will be opportunities to see that instruction in action. We will be inviting parents into the classrooms during the school day to observe teaching and learning in action.
We would like to gauge interest in these items to aide in planning. Here is a quick, three question survey: Click Here
We want to engage parents and guardians in the academic focus of our school. We know, to do that, we need to open our doors so that we can share the great things happening in our school. Keep a lookout for communications on this opportunity.
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Derek Hwang Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
Congratulations to Derek Hwang, son of Robert and Cathy Hwang, on being named as a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist. Over 1.5 million students were entered from 21,000 different high schools. The total number of semifinalists is just 16,000 or better described as the Top 1%! This opens the doors to many scholarship opportunities. Additionally, senior Quintin Greenwell, son of Dan and Gina Greenwell, was named a Commended Scholar by the National Merit Scholarship program.
To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. Over 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title. NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 400 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.
To be eligible for this designation and scholarships, students must take the PSAT (offered every year at North High). If interested in this, please see your counselor.
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HOMECOMING WEEK SCHEDULE AND EVENTS
Monday, October 14
Events: Coronation - Auditorium - 7:00 PM
Tuesday, October 15
Events: Volleyball v. Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, October 16
Events: PowderPuff Football - Leeds Field - 3:30 PM
Thursday, October 17
Events: Parade - Starting at Leeds Elementary (Floyd and Jefferson St to Floyd and Harrison St) in Leeds - 1:30 PM
Classes will be dismissed at 12:30 PM this day. An optional lunch will be provided.
Friday, October 18
Events: Football v. Ankeny - Olsen Stadium - 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 19
Homecoming Dance - North Middle School Commons - 8:00 to 11:00 PM
Tickets go on sale in the main office on
See below for eligibility requirements.
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Dance Eligibility Requirements
Homecoming eligibility attendance began after Labor Day. In order to be eligible to purchase tickets to the dance, all of the following requirements must be met.
- 90% attendance (Only 3 excused absences)
- No Truancies
- Less than 7 tardies
- Passing all classes
- No Suspensions
Attendance appeals can be made to an administrator beginning October 9th. All attendance appeals are made through Mrs. Swenson.
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Join Our Grassroots Advocacy Committee
The Sioux City Community School District needs your voice on the Grassroots Advocacy Committee. Would you be willing to be a volunteer for our school? There is VERY LITTLE time commitment and you NEVER have to attend a meeting. As a volunteer, you agree to receive email updates about important legislative events that have an impact on public education. Then, we ask that you take the information you receive and contact our local legislators to let your voice be heard in advocacy of good public education. Advice will be provided on how you can email, call, or write a letter to the legislators. Take a look at some of the past advocacy for reference: http://www.uen-ia.org/legislation.htm. You can also look at the Legislative Action Priorities set by our school board: https://www.siouxcityschools.org/legislative-action-priorities/. Please contact our school principal to ask questions or volunteer.
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We are reviewing the system that is in place and evaluating what adjustments should be made to make the system more effective and efficient.
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A Month in Pictures
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ACT Information
Visit here to sign up and log in!
Future Test Dates:
October 27, 2019
December 8, 2019
February 9, 2020
April 4, 2020
April 21, 2020 (Administered to all 11th grade students at the high school; no cost to students)
June 13, 2020
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Changes In Activity Ticket Prices
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North High School Food Pantry
North High School is proud to serve our parents and students with a stocked food pantry, in partnership with Food Bank of Siouxland and Sioux City First Church. 7 out of 10 North High Students qualify for Free or Reduced lunch.
This is open to any North High or North Middle family at no cost. The pantry is opne during regular school house as well. Contact North High School counseling office at 712-239-7007 for more information. The pantry is located within North High School in the the south gym hallways.
Dates:
- Friday, October 18th (3:00-4:00 pm), Thursday, October 24th (3:00-4:00 pm)
- Friday, November 15th (3:00-4:00 pm), Friday, November 22nd (3:00-4:00 pm)
- Thursday, December 19th (3:00-4:00 pm)
- Thursday, January 16th (3:00-4:00 pm) Friday, January 24th (3:00-4:00 pm)
- Friday, February, 14th (3:00-4:00 pm) Friday, February 21st (3:00-4:00 pm)
- Friday, March 20th (3:00-4:00 pm) Friday, March 27th (3:00-4:00 pm)
- Friday, April 17th (3:00-4:00 pm) Thursday, April 23rd (3:00-4:00 pm)
- May (by appointment or phone call)
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Yearbook Information
If you have ordered a 2018-2019 yearbook, they are currently being handed out to current students. Starting September 3, the yearbook team will be calling graduates to inform them of their arrival and set a pickup time.
2019-2020 NORTH HIGH YEARBOOK
The price of the yearbook is currently $70.00 until Sep.8th On Sep. 9th the price of the yearbook will raise to $80.
To purchase a yearbook visit the following link, or pick up an order form in the office.
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Attention 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.
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Parking Expectations
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Opportunities to Give
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Homework Help Tutoring
Transportation is provided for those who participate. A bus picks students up around 4:05 pm each afternoon and drops students off at Clark, Perry Creek, Bryant, Hunt, Irving, Boys and Girls Home, Leeds, and Evergreen Village.
"Saturday School" will be offered on the following dates:
October 5
October 19
November 16
December 7
December 14
January 11
February 15
March 14
April 18
April 25
May 9
May 16
Transportation is not provided to or from Saturday School. The hours are 9:00-12:00 pm.
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Uniquely North - Season 3
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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. Ruhrer 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.
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North High School Class of 2020 Graduation
Saturday, May 23, 2020, 11:00 AM
Tyson Events Center, Gordon Drive, Sioux City, IA, USA
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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.
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North High School is a Proud High School within the Sioux City Community School District!
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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