Little Elm High School
Weekly Newsletter - December 8, 2019
New LEHS Principal Named!
Countdown to the End of the Semester
Finishing Strong
The next two weeks are an important time for students to stay focused on finishing out this semester as strong as possible. Finish Strong! These are two words that can create a powerful attitude for achievement. Dan Green a successful power-lifter and author states “Regardless of what came before, or what is yet to come, what’s important at this moment in time is how you chose to respond to the event before you. Will you fight? Or will you lie down?” Now is the time to Finish Strong! Nine school days can make a big difference.
With the end of the semester comes many stressors for teens. Whether it is end of semester assignments and projects, semester exams, a busy schedule of holiday activities, worries about finding that perfect gift, lack of sleep due to a busy schedule, or the uneasiness of the many events that require interacting with large groups of people. Everyone deals with stress. It is an unfortunate reality of life. There are expectations that aren’t always met and events that occur outside of our control. Teens deal with many sources of stress. Tests, homework, parents, siblings, friends, job, body-image, money, peer-pressure, and extra-curricular activities are just some of the pressures that create stress for teens. Not all stress is bad, there are stressors that activate the right hormones to enhance and quicken our responses to stressful situations. A car that pulls out in front of you will power up your fight or flight response and help you to slam on your brakes. Poised at the starting line at a track meet and your nervousness will initiate your body to become taunt and ready for action. Stressors can really help you out in a pinch, however, when stressors are a constant draining part of your life, then you need to learn how to control and combat them. Adolescence is an important time to learn to deal with stress because teens can then deal with it better in college and in their adult lives.
How do parents and teachers create the right kind of environment for teens in which they are preparing for the stresses of life but aren’t killing themselves in the process? Parents can help their kids cope and find balance, even in their most stressful times, by encouraging them to schedule down time and helping them find coping strategies that work for them. Sometimes, parents who address their child’s stress head-on find themselves reevaluating their family values buy asking, “What is really the most important thing for my child?” Teens especially need to make time to sleep. Sleep deprivation affects your ability to cope with stress and parents can help teens by insisting they get enough sleep. Teachers can help teens learn to deal with stress by intentionally teaching skills such as time-management, goal-setting, role-playing, collaboration, and the importance of healthy habits such as nutrition and exercise.
The mission of Little Elm ISD is to Equip, Engage, and Empower each student to realize their full potential. Teaching students how to cope with stress is one way we are equipping them to become the best that they can be.
Renee Pentecost
Principal
Little Elm High School
Girl's Basketball In The News
Attendance Matters: Semester Exam Exemptions
Fall Exams are Almost Here!
2019-20 LEHS Exam Exemptions
- Students are eligible to earn semester final exam exemptions based on academic performance, attendance, citizenship and community service.
- The start date for exam exemption eligibility was August 19, 2019.
- US History courses are excluded from Fall exam exemptions. Dual Credit, OnRamps, AP and Online Languages courses may also be excluded from exam exemptions in order to meet their program requirements.
- The final eligibility report will be run through the house offices and posted by December 13, 2019.
- It is extremely important that all parent and doctor notes be turned in to your house office by December 6, 2019. Notes turned in after this date will not impact students’ eligibility for exam exemptions.
- Students wanting the FamiLE exemption must turn in their documented 30 hours to house offices by December 6, 2018.
- House offices will generate the official list of students eligible for exam exemptions.
- House offices will provide exemption cards through 3rd period classes to students listing the number of exam exemptions for which they are eligible.
- Students choose which class(es) they want to request an exemption and notify the teacher. Exemption cards will have eligible classes printed on the card.
- Teachers will have final approval of exemptions if the use of the exemption could result in a failing grade.
- ANY absences after exemptions have been printed can void the exemption. Teachers will verify eligibility if absences occur December 13 - December 19.
- Students must be present on exam days even if they are exempt.
- Each teacher will initial the exemption card to verify the exemption has been used and collect exemptions used in their class. Cards will be turned into Mrs. Chesnut's office on January 6.
- A MISSED EXAM will be averaged as a zero and can impact whether a student earns credit for the course.
- Transfer students must attend school in district for a minimum of one full quarter to be eligible.
Attendance on Exam Days -
- Monday, December 16th and Tuesday, December 17th are FULL attendance days. You may leave after 5th period if you are exempt for your exam on that day and if you have transportation (walk, drive, or parent pick-up). If you stay on campus to wait for a ride, you must still report to scheduled classes.
- On Wednesday, December 18th ALL students must attend 1st period (7:20 AM to 7:25 AM) for attendance purposes. If you have exemptions for the remainder of the day (3rd, and 5A periods) you may leave after 7:25 AM if you have transportation (walk, drive, or parent pick-up). If you stay on campus to wait for a ride, you must still report to all scheduled classes and should bring something to study or read. Late Arrival Students will report to 3rd period (8:40 AM to 8:45 AM) for attendance purposes and may leave if exempt from 3rd and 5A exams.
- On Thursday, December 19th ALL students must report to 2nd period (7:20 AM to 7:25 AM) and if you have exemptions for the remainder of the day (2nd, 4th, and 5B periods) you may leave after attendance has been taken if you have transportation (walk, drive, or parent pick-up). If you stay on campus to wait for a ride, you must still report to all scheduled classes and should bring something to study or read.Late Arrival Students will report to 4th period (8:40 AM to 8:45 AM) for attendance purposes and may leave if exempt from 4th and 5B exams.
- On any exam day a student may leave when they have finished the exam period of their last exam for the day if they have transportation (walk, drive, parent pick-up).
STAAR EOC Testing
December 10-13
Please make note of the Fall STAAR Retesting dates that are this week. Parents, if your LEHS student will be retesting please avoid any appointments that could cause your child to miss their testing date. Our testing window has been reduced by the state so it is extremely important for students to be in attendance on the day of the scheduled test. There are limited opportunities to take the STAAR EOC's which are a graduation requirement. It is not only important for students who need to retest to be present on the day of testing but it will also help students to do their best if they are well rested and eat a healthy breakfast.
Mrs. Davis' Pharmacology Students Create Bath Bombs
Mrs. Davis' classes have been talking about compounding and conversions in pharmacology. So this past week pharmacology students used their compounding skills to make bath bombs! It was a super fun activity that they all enjoyed.
TSA Students Compete At Bell Vertical Robotics Competition
2nd Annual LEHS Dinner Theatre Tickets on Sale NOW!
Driver Education Course - Enroll Now!
A driver’s education course will be offered second semester at LEHS, starting on January 8th. It will include classroom and behind the wheel instruction. Successful completion of the course will enable the student to apply for their driver’s license. Enrollment will be limited so it will be on a first-come first-serve basis. Classroom instruction will be after school from 3:00 -5:00 pm Monday -Friday. The driving instruction will be on a schedule of your choosing. More details to follow. Students must be 15 years of age or older as of January 20th to enroll. Fee for the class is $400 made out to Little Elm High School. Print the registration form linked above. Bring the completed registration form and payment ASAP to Coach Rhoades in room 2212 as this class fills up very fast.
New Podcast available! Denton County experts share information about how our children and parents can recognize, resist, and report potential online dangers. Take a listen!
Tuesday Talks is an in-person session that has also made its way to podcast format. We believe the information shared at these evening meetings should be heard by more of our Lobo famiLEs!
Healthy Habits Lead to a Healthy Life
Teens and Vaping
American Cancer Society Warns About Risks of Vaping for Youth
CDC Warns Against Vaping During Lung Illness Investigation
Report: Vaping Up, Smoking Down Among Teens
What Do We Know About E-Cigarettes?
The Teen Vaping Trend – What Parents Need to Know - Where ...
Talk with Your Teen About E-cigarettes: A Tip Sheet for Parents
How to Talk With Teenagers About Vaping - The New York Times
Getting Through to your Teen About the Dangers of Vaping
How to Talk to Your Teen About the Dangers of Vaping
Teen Vaping Linked to More Health Risks
Do You Need Some New 19-20 Spirit Wear?-
Also don't forget to download the official Little Elm Lobos App. We hope every Lobo Fan will download the app which allows live streaming, access to online schedules, news, and push notifications for scores for all of your favorite Lobo teams! See graphic below on all that the app has to offer!
- Reduced device protection fee to use a district issued laptop.
- Fee waiver to take the SAT and/or ACT for free
- Dual Credit tuition for free at NCTC
- AP Exam Test fee reduction
High school students often do not want to participate in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program. The Federal Free/Reduced Lunch Program is the standard used by many programs to qualify students for financial assistance. Even if a student never uses their eligibility in the lunchroom, they can benefit greatly in other areas if they qualify for the Lunch Program. Eligibility has to be reestablished each year. You can fill out the application here. We highly suggest that all families fill out an application to see if you qualify.
Girl's Basketball Action from Last Week
Varsity Wins BIG Against Sanger 50-35 at Home
Varsity Defeats Garland HS 54-35 in Garland Tournament
Varsity Defeats Highland Park 53-50 in OT at Garland Tourny
LEHS Boys Varsity Have a Successful Week of Hoops
Prosper Tournament -
Friday 1:30 PM - Win against Frisco Wakeland 62-51
Friday 6:00 PM - Hard fought loss in overtime against Lake Highlands 68-72
Saturday 12:30 PM - Big win against Lovejoy 50-36 to advance to Consolation Championship game
Saturday 3:30 PM - Tough loss against Wylie HS 59-70
This team is getting better with every game. Come out this week and support them against Plano Senior High at home. Freshmen play at 4:30 PM, Junior Varsity play at 6:00 PM and Varsity plays at 7:30 PM. GO LOBOS!
December and January Student Athletic Trainers of the Month
Students, Parents, Coaches, & Administrators:
Please congratulate the December & January Student Athletic Trainers of the Month: Claire Stevens, Andreya Garces, Delaney Miller, Aja Washington, and Evelin Torres.
SATs casted their votes on Rookie & Veteran Student Athletic Trainers to be recognized. Please check out what their plans are for the upcoming Holiday Season, their favorite things about Winter, & their New Years’ Resolutions.
The LESMD-LC (Little Elm Sports Medicine- Leadership Council) coordinates monthly to send out themed questionnaires to the winners of the Student Athletic Trainers of the Month’s votes. This month Senior Ashlyne Smith (LESMD-LC 4th year Rep) designed the questions & presentation for the December and January winners and did an extraordinary job! Thank you Ashlyne!
Thank you Claire, Andreya, Delaney, Aja, and Evelin for your hard work and commitment to the LE Sports Medicine Program -“The Pack Behind The Pack”!
Coach Cox & Doc Stine
Time to Order Graduation Products!
List of Fall Senior Events
Class of 2020 Graduation at UNT
Thursday, May 21, 2020
10:00 AM
Report Harmful, Harassing, and Bullying Behavior
LEISD has an on-line tool called "Anonymous Alerts" that students, parents, and teachers can use to report harmful, harassing, and bullying type behaviors. Anonymous Alerts bullying reporting mobile app helps combat bullying and other negative activity in schools by empowering students to speak up. Social and peer pressures are some of the hardest obstacles for students to overcome. Anonymous Alerts encourages students, parents and staff to quickly, easily, and anonymously report bullying, cyber-bullying, gang-related issues, and other sensitive topics through private messages to school officials by building. All reports remain completely anonymous even during a two-way email conversation, although submitters have the option to reveal their identity if they prefer to have a person-to-person discussion.
To send a report from the Web/Internet go to: www.anonymousalerts.com/littleelmisd/
To send a report from your phone:
- Download the Anonymous Alerts® app for free from the Apple Store, Google Play store, and the Chrome store
- Start the App, enter login: leisd and password: leisd
- Send important reports to school officials
- Add a screen shot or photo about the incident
https://www.littleelmisd.net/domain/1726
College Readiness Newsletter
Scholarship Opportunities
Eligibility
The Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers is available to prospective teachers who are currently in, or plan to enter, an eligible teacher preparation program at a Raising Texas Teachers partner university. Aspiring Teachers can apply in the fall of any year between their senior year of high school and junior year of college. See below for the list of eligible programs at each university and the application deadline for each university.
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be committed to teaching in a majority-economically disadvantaged school or in a shortage subject area (in a school where more than 50% of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch, or as a math, science, bilingual, or special education teacher) in a Texas public school. Preference is given to Texas residents.
Click on the partner universities listed below to view eligible programs:
Texas Student Housing Scholarship
Click on the link below for the fallible application.
Current National Honor Society Members - Scholarship Opportunity
Terry Scholarships
For more information: https://terryfoundation.org/future-scholars/freshman-scholarship/
Selection Criteria
- Academic Achievement
- Demonstrated Leadership
- Financial Need
Affiliated Universities
- The University of Texas- Austin
- Texas A&M University
- University of Houston
- Texas State University
- The University of Texas- Dallas
- The University of Texas- San Antonio
- Texas Tech University
- University of North Texas
- Texas Woman’s University
- Texas A&M University- Galveston
- Sam Houston State University
- The University of Texas- Arlington
- The University of Texas- El Paso
Scholarship Search Site - Provided by College Board
College Covered
While you are there, check out the website College Covered. Do you want to know what you need in a winning college essay, what college entrance test score you need, or what makes a top notch college application? Get what you need to help get into the college of your dreams with the help of College Covered.
An App Matches Students with College Scholarships They Can Use
Little Elm High School
Misty Chesnut - Academic Dean (mchesnut@littleelmisd.net)
Michelle Gentry - Lead Counselor (mgentry@littleelmisd.net)
Gerald Muhammad - House Principal A - E (gmuhammad@littleelmisd.net)
Michael Absher - House A - E Counselor (mabsher@littleelmisd.net)
Ruben Molinar - House Principal F - Li (rmolinar@littleelmisd.net)
Kaitlyn McGuire - House F - Li Counselor (kmcguire@littleelmisd.net)
Kyle Heller - House Principal Lo - Ri (kheller@littleelmisd.net)
Amy Chamberlin - House Counselor Lo - Ri (achamberlin@littleelmisd.net)
Terilyn Thomas-Monday - House Principal Ro - Z (tthomas-monday@littleelmisd.net)
Juan Schmidt - House Ro - Z Counselor (jschmidt@littleelmisd.net)
Adriana Beck - Intervention Counselor (abeck@littleelmisd.net)
Ana Kibbe - CIS Site Coordinator (akibbe@littleelmisd.net)
Marisa Flores - Parent Liaison and Translator (mflores@littleelmisd.net)
Website: http://www.littleelmisd.net/Domain/9
Location: 1900 Walker Lane, Little Elm, TX, United States
Phone: (972) 947-9443
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Elm-High-School/736775073135970?notif_t=page_fan
Twitter: @LittleElmHS