Sandpoint High School
March 2023
Message from the Principal-
Dear Bulldog Students, Families, and Friends,
We have had so much excitement recently celebrating our Girls’ Basketball State Champions, Coach Will Love, our pep band led by Aaron Gordon, and wins for our Business Professionals of America, led by business teacher Melinda Nieman. We are now looking forward to softball, baseball, tennis, and track to get us outside after a long winter. I see busy thespians working daily on the spring Mamma Mia production, Aca Deca students studying for state, choir students preparing for the large group choral festival, HOSA students refining their skills for state, and so many more activities here at SHS. There are truly so many opportunities for students to be involved and so many students who choose to do so! Thank you for encouraging your child to participate in high school activities.
The counselors are updating the course catalogs and preparing for registering students in the next few weeks ahead. Please look for your student to bring home a four-year plan to discuss courses they will sign up for as they create their schedule for the 2023-2024 school year. Current Juniors will also begin taking the Idaho state ISAT tests before and after spring break to show their competence in English, math, and science classes. Please be sure to check in with your child about which classes they are interested in signing up for and to encourage them to finish strong in all areas of testing.
While it has been a wonderful-white-wonderland this winter, I am looking forward to spring, all the excitement the end of the school year holds, and all of the continued celebrations of students' success. Please always feel free to reach out to me, the SHS administrative team, counselors, and teachers if you have questions or input.
Sincerely,
Principal Jacki Crossingham
"People may forget what you say. People may forget what you do. But people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou
Girls Win At State, first time ever!
- Photo by Loren Orr -
Elk Students of the Month
CARE Student of the Month -
Staff of the Month-Meagan Hofmeister
Meagan Hofmeister
- She's a very fun and caring teacher.
- She is the best teacher.
- She's amazing, helpful, funny, has a great sense of humor, and all around personality.
- She's so helpful and kind as well.
- She makes sure her students are invested in everything they do and takes time to realizes her mistakes when she gives us to much work for her class and understands that we have other classes that need work done as well.
- BEST TEACHER EVER!!!!!! #1 #1 #1!!!!!!!!
- She's helpful when I ask her for help on something and she's really nice and emails back fast.
Athlete of the Month
February Coca- Cola Athlete of the Month
Sylvia Becker
From the Coach - Valerie Johansen
BPA Brings Home State Awards!
Awards earned and which qualified for BPA Nationals which will be held in Anaheim, California April 26-30 are:
Rachel Aylward - 4th place in Fundamental Word Processing, 5th place in Basic Office Systems & Procedures
Kyla LaFountain - 3rd place in Advanced Spreadsheet Applications
Owen Miller - 2nd place in Database Applications
Owen Miller and Hannah Bennett - 2nd place in Administrative Support Team
Austin VanCorbach - 1st place in Computer Network Technology, 5th place in Computer Security
Next Stop Nationals! Congratulations!
Physical Science Learns about Static Electricity and Charge
Counseling Corner
Counseling Department Mission: We will ensure and empower every student at Sandpoint High School to achieve academic success, strengthen personal and social growth, and develop achievable post-secondary plans.
Students are assigned to counselors by their last name:
A-G: Shannon Kerrigan; 11-12 A-F
H-O: Sara Gosling
P-Z: Tavi Brandenburg; 11-12 G
Post Secondary Transitions Counselor: Jeralyn Mire
College and Career Mentor: Angie Dail
Counseling Office Coordinator/Registrar: Amanda Skinner
Counseling Office Coordinator: Erricka Brownell
The counseling department and senior English teachers recently worked together to get seniors thinking about their path after high school: college or career. Jeralyn and Angie came into each senior class and discussed the local scholarships that are available for students to apply for. Seniors then choose which path they would be pursuing after graduation and completed relevant assignments: College Path: local scholarship pre-write and essay or Career Path: activity inventory, resume and budget worksheet. Feedback from students has been positive as they got time to focus on their future and get help with their next steps. The counseling department is grateful for their partnership with the senior English teachers to have this time with students and look forward to more collaborative projects.
Next Steps Night is Tuesday March 14, 5:00-7:00 pm in the SHS Gymnasium.
This event is a Career and College Fair all rolled into one!
This is an opportunity to speak with area business owners to find out how they got into their industry. Come and learn about the different paths that could be taken to get you to your dream career. Students can ask about internships and apprenticeship opportunities, as well as look for summer jobs.
There will be three break out sessions:
College Bound? -Believe it or not, the college discussion needs to start before your freshman year, are you ready?
College Athletics- Are you hoping to play college sports? This session is for you!
Apprenticeships- Learn about the apprenticeship programs through the state of Idaho.
We will be drawing for prizes and scholarships!!
Planning for 2023-2024
Yep, that’s right! We are starting to plan for next school year and that means it’s time for students to review their four-year plans and forecast for the courses they will take next year. Here are some important dates for SHS families to keep in mind:
March 15
Letter home to families with forecasting and four-year planning information
Presentation during Connections so students have information to guide their course requests
Students receive four-year planning worksheets with available courses listed per grade level and their transcripts
March 22
Students return with completed four-year planning worksheet
Students enter course requests directly into PowerSchool
Teachers collect four-year planning worksheets with parent signatures
April
School counselors will meet with all students for academic advising.
Counselors will review four-year plans and course requests with all students individually
FREE Eye Exam and Glasses
Eye care is essential to help children succeed in school, yet 1 in 4 students experience vision problems that can cause permanent vision loss and challenge learning.
VSP Vision Eyes of Hope gift certificates provide students in need with access to eye exams and new glasses at no cost through a local VSP network doctor. Gift certificates provide coverage for a comprehensive eye exam and a complete pair of prescription glasses with single vision or lined multifocal lenses. LPOSD has paired with Sandpoint Optometry to provide this service.
Student Eligibility
To use the Eyes of Hope certificate, the student must:
- have a family income at or under 200% of the federal poverty guidelines
- not have used a VSP program certificate in the past 12 months
- not have coverage through a private insurer or government program for the eye care services or prescription eyewear covered by this certification
We have 25 gift certificates for use until 1/2024. Lost, stolen, or broken glasses received through a certificate will not be covered or replaced. The nursing department will screen students for eligibility, complete the certificate if they qualify, and review the process with parents/guardians.
Please contact LPOSD nurses Kristina.Gavin@lposd.org or Renee.Dunn@lposd.org for more information.
Tech Tip
PowerSchool vs Schoology
As we approach testing season for ISAT, AP, and others, it is important that students regularly update their devices. Our Chromebooks make it easy, often just needing to turn off and then back on. Closing the lid of your Chromebook doesn't turn it off even though it seems like it. Do not hold the power button to turn it off, not only does this make the device skip the update it also is hard on the device and can make you lose data and even break the device.
Why should you update your device? Tech companies are constantly identifying bugs and issues in their programs, and the bad guys are trying to find them. Updating your device not only ensures the latest and greatest features work, but also that hackers and others cannot take advantage of known vulnerabilities.
Thank you,
Dalton Hawkins
Computer Science Teacher - SHS
Technology Integration Instructional Coach - LPOSD
SHS Lacrosse Club News
Sandpoint Lacrosse Club 2023 Spring Registration is now open!
Girls lacrosse season is starting! Last season our ladies placed second in the Eastern Washington Girls High School division, and we are looking forward to another great season. We are currently welcoming and registering new players who are looking for a fun, fast-paced spring sport. No prior lacrosse experience is necessary. Interested girls may contact sandpointlacrosse@gmail.com for details on practice times and locations.
The high school boys season kicks off with a Tri-Cities tourney on March 11 for both Varsity and JV teams.
For high school girls and high school boys registration information, please visit:
https://www.sandpointlacrosse.org/programs or email sandpointlacrosse@gmail.com
Safety Reminders
Safety Update
- In February SHS conducted a safety hold drill and fire drill.
- During the month of March we will be conducting a lockdown drill.
- Staff attended a Move Secure Defend Staff Training in Building.
- The controlled access entry is in effect. You will need to push a buzzer and let the receptionist know what business you will be conducting with SHS at the time of entry. Be prepared to show ID. Students must show their studet ID cards.
- ALL visitors must check in at the front office.
- The Raptor technology system is currently in effect. Visitors may be asked to sign in with an identification card. Parents/guardians who are checking students in and out, or dropping off items will not be checked in/out through this system.
- Reminder it is still winter and snow and ice are a real concern, please be careful!
Schoology Guide for Parents and Guardians
Having trouble getting information from your student? Then this is the guide for you! Schoology for parents will provide you with important information. You will be able to see grades, course information and assignments. Please click the link below for complete instructions. If you need assistance with the password, please call the front office. 208-263-3034
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gCpclQoooqUVM0prJeWJazB9Df5gs7lTfu_mdHkJH7Y/edit?usp=sharing