Principal's Newsletter
Sam Barlow High School ~ November 2019
Sam Barlow High School
Website: https://www.gresham.k12.or.us/sbhs
Location: 5105 SE 302nd Ave, Gresham, OR, United States
Phone: (503) 258-4850
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sam-Barlow-High-School/106146596083423
Twitter: @BarlowPride
FROM PRINCIPAL BRUCE C. SCHMIDT, JR.
Is it really November? It is unbelievable how fast a school year can go. It seems like we were just welcoming students into the building, finalizing schedules, and enjoying fall sports in the warm sun of September. Yet here we are with the cold east wind kicking in at the dawn of winter. Time just flies.
November can be challenging months for students. The newness of the school year has worn off, school has become a “routine”, and sometimes that results in settling into patterns of procrastination and complacency. During this time, it is great to ask your student to show you what they are doing in class, to explain what they have learned, or to simply sit down in a relaxed environment without technology or distractions and have a conversation. While it often time seems they don’t want us around, that is not the case, our kids want us to ask those questions as it lets them know we really care. Our kids are only with us for a fraction of their lives, the time we spend investing in them now will have a lasting impact on their future. Remember, time flies.
Creating Connections for Students
Over the past two years Sam Barlow High School has been working hard to make connections between the world of work and school. Often times students find it challenging to see the relevancy of what they are doing in classrooms to what they will be doing in the “real world”. During the 2018-19 school year we had several great successes in making this happen with some quality partnerships between Barlow and industry. See below for some details.
Gavin Lund and Logan Masoupmanah participated in a Summer Carpenters Camp where the worked with Anderson Construction to see what it is like on a job site and the diversity working in the trades has to offer. With the help of the Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute this internship provided some great connections between school and work. To read more select this link: https://issuu.com/pnwsm/docs/buildingfutures_fall_book The article is featured on pgs. 13-18.
Evan Pugsley spent this summer working with Konell Construction learning about heavy equipment operation, excavation, and road work. He had the chance to learn while working at Sam Barlow High School and excavate and build back his own school
The Marketing program formed a partnership with Lease Crutcher Lewis, our General Contractor, to discover how marketing is used in the construction industry. They were able to visit their Portland offices, work with their marketing department, and design storefronts as a class project.
The Construction program formed a partnership with Lease Crutcher Lewis and in addition to consultation through a building project, they were also able to get multiple tours of the job site with various trades to learn about the variety of options available to them when they graduate. They also took part in the installation of “backer boards” that we use to mount our new interactive flat panel displays in our classrooms.
Our core mission at Barlow is to develop students that are college AND career ready. Through building key partnerships such as these, our students have the chance to see first hand how their classwork prepares them for both options. We are proud of these students and our business partners.
ParentVue
I am sure you have all received your student’s six-week progress report. However, we are now in the middle of the tenth week of the school year. Do you know if your student has improved their grades? Fallen behind? If the answer is “No”, there is a tool that you can use to find out about your student’s performance. ParentVue is a system that enables you to get up to date information on your student’s grades, attendance, and information about class assignments. This is an invaluable resource that can help you partner with your student and their teacher to monitor progress and set goals. I consistently use this application for both of my students, as well as for working with other students at Barlow.
You can find the free app in iTunes or Google Play. Simply go to those sources and search for “ParentVue”. Please send Teresa Juden an email that includes your student’s name at: juden@gresham.k12.or.us so she can send you an activation code for this information. Once your account is activated, you can access this information on either your computer or mobile device. If you have multiple students in the district you will be able to access all of their information from the same screen.
Parent Teacher Conferences
I wanted to personally invite all of you to our Parent Teacher Conferences that will be held in our gym on the evening of Tuesday, November 26th and the morning of Wednesday, November 27th. This is a great opportunity to meet our staff, talk to teachers who work with your student, to learn about our programs, and to pick up your student’s twelve-week grades. Also, this will give you a chance to see so many of the great changes that have taken place in the building. We hope to see you there.PARENTVUE APP (Check your students' progress)
You can download the ParentVue App directly to your phone for free. It’s very simple to do and we have included the step-by-step instructions for you below.
Go to your App store or Android Market and search for ParentVue.
Click ‘install’ and then ‘open’ when installation is complete.
You will have a screen prompting you to swipe left to find your district. If location is activated on your phone, our district should pop to the top. If not, type in Gresham-Barlow School District in the search bar.
Once you choose Gresham-Barlow School District, you will be asked to log in.
Once you have logged in, you will have access to your student's information, such as;
Class Schedule
Current Grades in all classes
Progress Reports
Attendance
Teacher communications
Access to update your contact information
Many more…
You can also select which language you prefer to use by clicking on ‘change’ at the bottom of the screen.
This is a great resource to have at the tip of your fingers. If you need assistance logging in or resetting your password, please contact Teresa Juden at juden@gresham.k12.or.us
School Meal Nutrition App
Sodexo has an app that will give you the nutritional value for school meals. This is especially helpful for those with diabetes. The app will tell you what's on the menu each day in the school cafeteria, including calories, nutritional information and allergens. You can also find this information on each school web page under breakfast/ lunch menus.
You can download the app in the app store & Google play, Just search "SO HAPPY SODEXO"
The one thing that may affect the menu and carb count is "if" there is a last minute change to a food item on the menu as it will not show up on the app. To address this issue, the cafeteria will provide a list of all the food items with their carb counts, so that you have this information on-hand.
Get Involved!
Become an ASPIRE Mentor:
If you would like to volunteer to become an ASPIRE mentor, no experience is necessary! Visit the following website to learn more:
https://oregonstudentaid.gov/aspire-becoming-a-mentor.aspx
Contact Patty Neuenschwander at 503-258-4890 or neuenschwander@gresham.k12.or.us
ATHLETICS
TEACHER CLASSROOM PAGES
WINTER SPORTS CLEARANCE TIME!
The online clearance forms for winter sports (Basketball, Wrestling, Swimming) are available on our school website. IF you prefer printed clearance forms, those can be downloaded from the website or picked up in the Athletic Office (Room 202). All winter sports clearance forms, physicals & Participation fees will be due by Friday, November 8 so that there is time to process all paperwork prior to practices & tryouts starting on Monday, November 18. If you have any questions at all, please call (503-258-4895) or email (dougharity@gresham.k12.or.us) Karyn Dougharity in the Athletic Department.
Children of a Lesser God
The Den Spotlight
By Jesse White, The Den Public Relations Specialist
The 2019-2020 school year at Sam Barlow High School might appear to be just another year of high school, but I assure you it’s far from it. With Lease Crutcher Lewis at the helm of the construction service for our school, things are looking brighter than ever. But maybe the brightest aspect of this year? The Grand Opening of the updated student store: The Den. Starting in October, we will be opening with a blowout sale, involving extremely hot deals on Last Year’s merchandise that you won’t want to miss out on. But that’s not all, in November The Den will be completely re-stocking their inventory with fresh new gear, accessories, and beverages that will leave you craving more! The Den provides the perfect opportunity for the entire community to look good while repping the Blue and Gold! Everyone can stay tuned by following The Den social media accounts listed below! Don’t miss out on the latest and greatest Bruin fashion. Stay in the loop and Go Bruins!
Instagram: @Thebruinden_
Twitter: @Thebruinden
Facebook: The Bruin Den
Snapchat: Sbhsden
Students taking Advanced Placement Classes
AP Students and Parents,
Thank you for registering with College Board for your AP class or classes. Barlow has more than 340 students scheduled to take more than 460 AP exams this year! Below is important information about the AP exam and the next steps you will need to take:
AP Exam Expectations and Return Fee:
-All AP students are required to take the AP exam for the class(es) they are taking.
-AP Exams for all students will be ordered on November 12th.
-After November 12th, if a student does not take the exam for an approved reasons, College Board will charge a $40 exam return fee, which the student will be required to pay. Withdrawing from the class is NOT an approved reason; withdrawing from Barlow to go to another school IS an approved reason.
Cost and Payment:
-The cost of each AP Exam will be $79. For students who qualify for free and reduced lunch, the exam cost is $10.
-Students can pay the exam fee to Bookkeeper Kim Simmons in the main office, or at the Bruin Webstore online.
-Payment is due by March 13, 2020.
-By November 18th, student accounts will show the AP exam balance. If your family made a $50 deposit at the start of the year, it will be applied to your account.
-If you need assistance with exam payment, contact your AP teacher or your Assistant Principal.
-If you have questions, please see Testing Coordinator Lynn Hollenbeck in Rm. 202 or contact her at hollenbeck5@grehsam.k12.or.us.
Why did College Board move up their registration and ordering to the Fall instead of the Spring? See this link.
Celeste Pellicci
Assistant Principal
Planning for College
Get Career Ready
How to Pay for College
Get College Ready!
SAT & ACT
UPCOMING SAT TEST DATES:
Dec. 7, March 14, May 2, June 6
UPCOMING ACT TEST DATES:
Dec. 14, Feb. 8, April 4, June 813, July 18
These are TEST DATES – you need to register 3 or 4 weeks before the actual test.
SAT registration online at www.sat.org/register
ACT registration online at www.actstudent.org/start
CSS Profile: Families applying to more than one private college or university may be requested to furnish a copy of the CSS profile, which charges registration and processing fees. The application is available online at www.collegeboard.com
Help for Seniors: Seniors are encouraged to attend College Application Week in room 204 during the first week of November. Various colleges will be here working on their admissions applications with students. We will also be working on completing the FAFSA/ORSAA and the Oregon Promise. Please encourage your student to complete these important forms immediately.
Career Opportunities!
We are lucky to have several visitors during the months of November and December. These community members are coming in to share about their careers with AVID classes and other interested students. We have a labor and delivery nurse, OB-GYN Dr., Dental Hygienist, Police Detective, FBI Agent, Business Owner, and Interior Designer. If your student is interested in any of these professions, please have them visit Mrs. Frazier in the College and Career Center for details.
Mt. Hood Community College is making lunch visits to highlight the certificate programs that lead to many different careers available to students. These visits give students a chance to see what can be achieved at MHCC and answer questions.
Career Experience Tours are headed to; Aveda Cosmetology Academy and a downtown salon on November 19th. We believe when you give students a chance to explore careers they become motivated to reach their goals, both here at high school and on to the training they need beyond Barlow! If you have a business or career you would like to share with students, please contact LindaLee Frazier in the College & Career Center.
More Financial Assistance Information for Seniors
The Oregon Promise: Go to college for almost free! The Oregon Promise application is open online! This is a funding bill available to Oregon students planning to attend an Oregon Community College. Funds will be available to students with a 2.5GPA or above, who have completed 12th grade in Oregon, have done their FAFSA and who apply before June 1. Funds will be a minimum of $1000 per student, up to a maximum of approximately $3400 per year and until a student earns 90 credits. To learn more about the Oregon Promise, go to: www.oregonstudentaid.gov
The OSAC Scholarship: Located on the same website as the Oregon Promise is the OSAC Scholarship. This is a list of over 600 scholarships open to Oregon students. They may choose up to 40 individual scholarships and apply with one online application. The OSAC Scholarship is open from Nov. 1 through March 1. There is also an earlybird deadline on Feb. 15, which allows students to possibly win an extra $1000 scholarship for early completion. Go to: www.oregonstudentaid.gov
Watch for Barlow’s OSAC Scholarship Info Night on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 6:30pm in room 204.
Paying for College, Help from ASPIRE
How Are You Paying for College?
ASPIRE helps all Barlow students learn how to pay for college.
ASPIRE is a FREE one-on-one mentoring program at Barlow that helps all students plan for life after high school, including paying for and applying to college. Joining ASPIRE is easy, just contact your College & Career Center and have a parent or guardian sign the permission form.
ASPIRE students work with a mentor to learn about grants, scholarships, loans, need-based and merit-based options for paying for college, and help determine their best options. ASPIRE mentors help students anticipate all the costs associated with attending a college or university, including the cost of living, books and tuition.
Learn more at: www.OregonStudentAid.gov/ASPIRE.
FAFSA/ORSAA
We’re thrilled that Sam Barlow High School is registered for the FAFSA/ORSAA Challenge!
As you know, we’ve set a statewide goal of increasing FAFSA and ORSAA submissions among the class of 2020 by 5% over last year’s class. Your participation in the Challenge will help us reach that goal!
When you registered for the Challenge, you set a goal of increasing your rate by 10%. Since your rate for last year’s class was 65%, your target for this year is 75%.
We’ve created the attached image for you to use in newsletter, on your website, on social media – anywhere you can think of to share your school’s goal more broadly. Please remember to use #seizetheopportunity on any social media posts about your challenge so we can see what you’re up to and help celebrate your successes!
Need planning tips and resources? Check out http://oregongoestocollege.org/ccc/fafsa-orssa. Questions? Email pay@oregongoestocollege.org.
Good luck – we can’t wait to see what you and your students accomplish,
FAFSA/ORSAA Challenge Planning Team
What is the FAFSA? (And who needs to fill it out?)
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form determines the amount of “free grant funds” for which students may be eligible and provides loans, if needed. Every senior considering higher education (2 and 4 year colleges/universities) or training (tech, art, beauty schools or apprenticeships) should file the FAFSA. The information from the FAFSA is required for schools to offer any kind of award/aid package – and many scholarships require filing of a FAFSA. US citizens and eligible noncitizens must use the FAFSA to apply for federal student aid programs, the Oregon Opportunity Grant, Oregon Promise, and many OSAC scholarships. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov
Some students will not be able to complete the FAFSA. You may be able to file the ORSAA if you are a DACA student or an undocumented student. If you are an Oregon resident who received a high school diploma or GED in Oregon, the ORSAA allows you to apply for the Oregon Opportunity Grant, Oregon Promise, and some OSAC scholarships. To complete the ORSAA, go to www.oregonstudentaid.gov
FSA ID-Seniors, have you applied for your FAFSA FSA ID? You must have one before you can submit your FAFSA. Go to www.fsaid.ed.gov to apply. (Students and parents both need to create this secure code and use separate emails.) Keep your information in a safe place. You will need it to file a FAFSA each year you attend college. If you have questions, please contact the College & Career Center at 503-258-4890.
Senior Pictures and Baby Ads for Yearbook
Please read the attached flyer with instructions for submitting your senior yearbook photo.
Senior Student and Parent Information
- December 13th: Senior Photo Replacement Deadline
- January 24th: Baby Ad Deadline
Senior "SANP2020" Meeting:
Parents of seniors, please join us for a meeting on December 2nd to help plan the Senior All Night Party. We will meet in the staff cafeteria at 6:30pm.
Jostens Graduation Orders:
You can visit the Jostens website for more information.
MAIN OFFICE FAQ's
What are the office hours?
7:00am - 3:30pm daily
Closed on holidays and some inservice days
What is the main office number?
503-258-4850
Can I leave a message for my student?
Yes. If necessary, we can take messages from a parent or guardian only. Messages will not be delivered to class except in an emergency, but will be held in the office. Students are paged during designated paging times, and it is the student’s responsibility to pick up the note.
Can I bring a present or send flowers/balloons to a student?
We are unable to accept gifts, flowers/balloons for students. We will refuse all attempted deliveries.
Can I deliver coffee/specialty drinks to my student?
No. We will not accept any Dutch, Black Rock, Country Coffee, etc.
Additional questions?
Please call us! 503-258-4850
Who Can Help?
If you have concerns about your child’s schedule or other issues, the following are the staff to contact. Email is a quick way to get answers to the questions you might have.
COUNSELORS
A-E Michelle Kahan kahan@gresham.k12.or.us
F-J Erin Boelow boelow@gresham.k12.or.us
K-Ra Oscar Rethwill rethwill@gresham.k12.or.us
Re-Z Molly Ninneman ninneman@gresham.k12.or.us
LICENSED SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER
Kimberly Louvin louvin@gresham.k12.or.us
HS SUCCESS COACH
Paul Quirke quirke@gresham.k12.or.us
ELL LIAISON
Karen Galicia galicia4@gresham.k12.or.us
ATTENDANCE LIAISON
Ryan Alexander alexander9@gresham.k12.or.us
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS
A-G Celeste Pellicci pellicci@gresham.k12.or.us
H-O Melanie Marrone marrone2@gresham.k12.or.us
P-Z Kelly Hart hart29@gresham.k12.or.us
SBHS Calendars
If you would like to subscribe to Sam Barlow calendars on your phone or other devices, use the links below:
Activities - SBHS Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/gresham.k12.or.us_73jhabthgqh7h2910qn0c6baq8%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics
Athletics -SBHS calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/gresham.k12.or.us_kv7l5hldmkp5s4cgp4dmg8fnls%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics
Sam Barlow Main Public Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/gresham.k12.or.us_4jj9ve163iticdogb11b6ggp1s%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics