Upcoming March Events:

March 14 - DAC meeting at 6pm - contact Michelle Burkhart for more information.

Spring break will begin March 20 - March 23, 2023; return to school will be Monday March 27, 2023.

March 27 - School Board Meeting

March 28 - GT parent meeting in the High School library starting at 4:15-5pm

March 30 - Antibullying presentation for secondary 3-4pm in the auditorium.

SARGENT FFA DISTRICT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT EVENTS:

In Creed speaking, we had Jayce Capron take second place.

In Extemporaneous Speaking, Jessica Buser placed third, Ellaree Rockey placed second and Westen Burkhart placed first, qualifying for state in June.

HIGH SCHOOL KNOWLEDGE BOWL:

HS Knowledge Bowl Team placed 1st in 2A at the regional meet on Jan. 24th. This qualifies them for the State Tournament in March.

REGIONAL HISTORY FAIR:

Congratulations to the following students for placing top 3 at the Regional History Fair on Saturday, January 28. This qualifies them to compete in the state competition in April: Junior Individual Exhibit:

1st - Durae Naranjo

Junior individual documentary

1st - Parker Mitchell

Junior Paper

1st - Liam Griffin

Senior Group Documentary:

1st - Josiah Yocom and Makayla Brown

Senior Group Exhibit:

1st - Steph Johnson and Megan Peterson

2nd - AJ Garcia and Vinny Vitale

Senior Individual Exhibit:

1st - Jessica Buser

3rd - Emma Sewell

Senior Individual Paper:

1st - Liz Krattli

SPELLING BEE:

Congratulations to Madeline Mitchell who is Sargent’s Top Placer in the district Spelling Bee. She is headed to State.

2023 San Luis Valley Regional Science Fair Winners:

SARGENT JR. HIGH SCHOOL:

Makenzie Consaul: 1st Place Botany

Colorado State Science and Engineering Fair Award Winner

International Science Fair Jr. Observer Award

Jason Romero Memorial Award for Perseverance

Potato Research Award

Middle School Agriculture Award

Jr. Innovator Award

Early Inventors’ Award

Rylee Shirley: 2nd Place Botany

Maddi Mitchell: 3rd Place Behavioral Sciences

Best Display Board-Honorable Mention

Benjamin Voutsalath: Honorable Mention Behavioral Sciences

Jaylee Rodriques: 1st Place Biomedical Sciences

Colorado State Science and Engineering Fair Award Winner

Jason Romero Memorial Award for Perseverance

Most Original Project Award Winner

Health and Science Award

Jr. Innovator Award

Catie Deacon: 2nd Place Biomedical Sciences

Colorado State Science and Engineering Fair Award Winner

Jason Gonzales: Honorable Mention Biomedical Sciences

Tami Torgler-1st Place Chemistry

Colorado State Science and Engineering Fair Award Winner

Kinleigh Hathorn: 1st Place Consumer Sciences

Colorado State Science and Engineering Fair Award Winner

Jr. Innovator Award

Parker Mitchell: 1st Place Earth and Space Sciences

Colorado State Science and Engineering Fair Award Winner

Honorable Mention Best Paper Award

Jason Romero Memorial Award for Perseverance

Jr. Innovator Award

Durae Naranjo: 2nd Place Earth and Space Sciences

Colorado State Science and Engineering Fair Award Winner

Best Interview Award

Jason Romero Memorial Award for Perseverance

Soil and Conservation Award

Rio Grande Soil and Conservation Award

Soil and Conservation of America Award

SLV Ecosystem Award

Bryan Paulson: 2nd Place Engineering

Novice Newton Award

Donovan Heineman: Honorable Mention Engineering

Sylvia Daughtery: 1st Place Environmental Sciences

Colorado State Science and Engineering Fair Award Winner

Honorable Mention Best Display Board Award

Naval Research Award

REC Energy Award Winner

Jr. Innovator Award

Liam Griffin: 1st Place Mathematics and Computer Sciences

Colorado State Science and Engineering Fair Award Winner

1st Place Best Paper Award

Jason Romero Memorial Award for Perseverance

Soil and Conservation Award Winner

Friends of the Dunes Award

Jr. Innovator Award

Brayden Norris: Honorable Mention Physics

Nathen Smith: Honorable Mention Physics

Kandace Pargin: 1st Place Zoology

Colorado State Science and Engineering Fair Award Winner

Best Interview Award

Jr. Innovator Award

Kimberly Pargin: 1st Place Zoology

Colorado State Science and Engineering Fair Award Winner

Best Interview Award

Jr. Innovator Award

Judah Stephens: Air Force Award

Kyler Jones: Novice Newton Award

Jacob Price: Novice Newton Award

SARGENT HIGH SCHOOL:

Addison Roepke: 2nd Place Environmental Sciences

1st Place Best Display Award

Jason Romero Memorial Award for Perseverance

Soil and Conservation of America Award

Stockholm Water Award Winner

STUDENTS REPRESENTING SARGENT SCHOOL AT THE

2023 COLORADO SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR:

• Makenzie Consaul

• Jaylee Rodriques

• Catie Deacon

• Tami Torgler

• Parker Mitchell

• Durae Naranjo

• Liam Griffin

• Sylvia Daughtery

• Kandace Pargin

• Kimberly Pargin

• Kinleigh Hathorn

STUDENTS REPRESENTING SARGENT SCHOOL AT THE

2023 INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR:

• Makenzie Consaul

2023 OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARD:

• Terri Rae Paulson

2023 OUTSTANDING SMALL SCHOOL AWARD:

• SARGENT JR. HIGH SCHOOL

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING:

March 10 - in Sierra Grande at 8:30apm

March 17 - in Centauri at 9am

March 18 - at Adams State University - Regionals TBD

March 24 & 35 - in Denver - State RMN TBD

March 31 - in Antonito at 9am

(*Subject to change without notice)

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL:

March 14 - at home with Centauri TBD

March 18 - Nothing scheduled

April 1 - Nothing scheduled

April 4 - in Sierra Grande at 4pm

April 8 - in Center at 10am

April 15 - in Trinidad at 2:30pm

April 22 - at home with Custer County at 10am

April 29 - in Ignacio at 10am

May 6 - at home with South Park at 10am

May 13 - at home with Del Norte at 10am

May 16 - at home with Monte Vista TBA

May 21 - Nothing scheduled

May 26 & 27 - Regionals TBD

June 3 - State TBD

(*Subject to change without notice)

According to the National Institute of Health, "A new survey found an alarming rise in the number of American teens who tried vaping last year. The study suggests that vaping may be driving an increase in nicotine use for teens.

In vaping, a battery powered device called an e-cigarette heats a liquid into a vapor that can be inhaled. The vapor may contain nicotine (the addictive drug in tobacco), flavoring, and other chemicals. E-cigarettes can also be used with marijuana, hash oil, or other substances.

Vaping may pose serious and avoidable health risks. Exposure to nicotine during youth can lead to addiction and cause long-term harm to brain development. The vapor can also contain toxins (including ones that cause cancer) and tiny particles that are harmful when breathed in.

More than 44,000 students took part in the 2018 annual survey of drug, alcohol, and cigarette use in 8th, 10th, and 12th graders. About 37% of 12th graders reported vaping in 2018, compared with 28% in 2017. Vaping of each substance that was asked about increased. This includes nicotine, flavored liquids, marijuana, and hash oil."

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/Quick-Facts-on-the-Risks-of-E-cigarettes-for-Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults.html

As a parent myself, I have been concerned with the content that our students are being exposed to within the social media and Tik Tok world.

Our children's integrity, accountability, and responsibility are being replaced with promiscuity, acts of destruction to school property, and acts of harm to animals and humans as being the "cool" things to do. Now, these are just to name a few that Tik Tok is influencing our youth with.

However, my expectation for all our staff here at Sargent, is for us to be role models that exhibit and expect character traits that will combat the values that Tik Tok stands for.

I encourage you to do your own research on the dangers that Tik Tok has on your student.

We encourage you to continue to check your student(s) portal for grades to make sure your student is eligible to compete and participate in extra-curricular activities.

If a student has two D's or one F, they are NOT eligible.

School Policy:

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY RULES AND WEEKLY ELIGIBILITY

A student’s ability to participate in any district‐sponsored extracurricular activity is a privilege, not a right. Those district students who participate in extracurricular activities serve as role models to other students.

Eligibility lists will be given to teachers and coaches by Noon on Tuesday. A student who has 1 F or 2 D’s will be considered ineligible. All student work is due to teacher by noon on Monday in order to be included in the eligibility period. The eligibility period runs from Wednesday through Tuesday night for the designated week or period, one‐week or longer. Students who are ineligible cannot participate in an event until they are reassessed for the next eligibility period which begins on the following Wednesday. Students receiving “Incomplete” are eligible to compete when the “I” is converted to a passing grade prior to the competition (and is passing 3.5 Carnegie units). Period exceptions: At the end of the nine weeks the eligibility period is 2 weeks, and Thanksgiving week stays the same as the previous week. At the beginning of each nine weeks the eligibility period is 2 weeks based on the final grades for the previous nine weeks (Policy JJJ).

Students who are not eligible cannot participate in an event until grades are reassessed for the new period, which begins the following Wednesday after new eligibility is determined.

Ineligible students will not be allowed to miss class for any extra-curricular activity held during the school day. (This does not include curricular activities). Ineligible students will be allowed to practice with the team but will not be allowed to travel with the team or sit on the team bench. Ineligible students will not participate in any other school functions such as Knowledge Bowl, Spelling Bee, or other competitions or school sponsored activities.

If a student misses school the day of an extracurricular activity, he/she will not be allowed to participate in the activity. Exceptions will only be allowed through parental contact and prior approval from the principal. A student must attend at least three (3) class periods on the day of the competition in order to compete (Policy JJJ).

STUDENT ATTENDANCE

Students who attend school regularly derive the maximum benefit from the instructional program. The primary responsibility for attendance falls on the individual student and their parent(s). The Colorado School Attendance Act 22‐33‐104 (5)(a), C.R.S. states, “The general assembly hereby declares that two of the most important factors in ensuring a child’s educational development are parental involvement and parental responsibility. The general assembly further declares that it is the obligation of every parent to ensure that every child under such parent’s care and supervision receives adequate education and training. Therefore, every parent of a child who has attained the age of six years and is under the age of seventeen years shall ensure that such child attends the public school in which such child is enrolled in compliance with this section.”

In the interest of the Sargent School District maintaining accurate records regarding attendance of a school as mandated by the Colorado Compulsory School Attendance Act, (C.R.S. 22‐33‐107), parents are required to excuse the absence of their child from class, either orally or in writing, within 48 hours of the class(es) missed. This includes students who are 18 years of age. Failure to do so will result in the absence permanently being classified as unexcused.

EXCUSED ABSENCES

One criteria of a student’s success in school is regular and punctual attendance. Student absences interfere with the learning process. As per attendance policy JH, the maximum number of unexcused absences a student may occur before judicial proceedings (habitually truant status) are initiated to enforce compulsory attendance is ten (10) during any school year. In addition, the school administrator may deny grade promotion if the student has accumulated ten (10) or more absences for the school year.

At 7:55 am, all outside doors will be locked down with the exception of the front entrance. After 7:55am, please enter through the main office doors. Please contact the office by 8:30am (by email or phone) to report your child’s absence.

Reasons that will be “excused” include:

1. Temporary illness

2. Injury

3. Funeral/Death of a family member

4. Medical/Dental appointment with note

5. Court appearance

6. Out of school suspension

7. Work study program approved by the district

8. Observing a religious holiday/celebration/event

*Note: School‐sponsored activity(ies) of an educational nature are NOT counted as absences.

As applicable, the district may require suitable proof regarding the above exceptions, including written statements from medical sources (Policy JH/JH-R).

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

An unexcused absence is defined as an absence that is not covered by one of the foregoing exceptions. Each unexcused absence shall be entered on the student’s attendance record. Parents/Guardians of students will find a record of their student’s excused/unexcused absences online on the “Parent Portal.” The Sargent School District encourages parents, guardians, and students to check attendance weekly.

In accordance with law, the district may impose appropriate penalties that relate directly to classes missed while unexcused. Penalties may include a warning, school detention, school-community service, in-school suspension at the discretion of the building principal.
Reasons that will be considered unexcused include:

1. Vacationing/trips out of town

2. Caring for younger sibling or relative

3. Transportation difficulties

4. No communication regarding absence with school within 48 hours

5. Reasons other than those mentioned under excused absences (Policy JH/JH-R)

CONSEQUENCES FOR UNEXCUSED ABSENCES (DAY OR PERIOD)

2nd Unexcused Absence: Warning and a letter will be sent to parent/guardian.
3rd Unexcused Absence: Parent/School/Student meeting to discuss a solution. Students will serve one hour of detention or community service.
4th Unexcused Absence: 2nd Parent/School/Student meeting to create an attendance contract. Student will serve two hours of detention or community service.

5th Unexcused Absence: After a cumulative of five (5) unexcused absences, the student will be considered habitually truant and the administration may pursue judicial proceedings to enforce Colorado’s Compulsory Attendance Laws. Excessive unexcused absences could also result in academic probation and/or disenrollment.

As a reminder, students may not accumulate more than five (5) absences in any one semester or more than ten (10) in an entire school year, per Colorado Compulsory Attendance Law.
NOTE: We no longer honor discretionary days in order to be compliant with the Colorado Compulsory Attendance Law.

NOTE: Sargent Schools are NOT an online schooling/distance learning platform. In-person schooling is the platform we are qualified to teach.

REPORTING ABSENCES

If a student is unable to attend school, a parent or guardian must call the school at

Household members do not need to isolate if there is a positive in the house. Only the positive person should stay home. Family members should monitor symptoms with an exposure. There is no more quarantining or contact tracing.

If you have questions, please call Sargent Nurse, Kristin Lane at 852-4025 ext. 0109.

JUNIOR HIGH

ATHLETICS: Football, Volleyball, Cross country, Basketball, Wrestling, Track, Baseball

ACADEMICS: JH Knowledge Bowl, JH National Honor Society, Science Fair, History Fair, Spelling Bee, Art Club, Student Council, Leadership Team

SOCIAL: Dances, Lock-ins, Caroling, Ski Days, Field Trips, Game Nights

HIGH SCHOOL:

ATHLETICS: Football, Volleyball, Cross Country, Basketball, Wrestling, Track, Baseball, Swimming, Cheer/Dance Team

ACADEMICS: Student Council, FBLA, FFA, Spanish Club, Aviation Club, Art Club, Science Fair, History Fair, Drum line (Mrs. Hefner) and Guitar lessons (Mr. Paulson), community service projects

SOCIAL: Dances: Prom/Homecoming/Sadie Hawkins, Field Trips, Rowdy Crowd - Fan section at sporting events

Come one, come all! The District Accountability Committee of the Sargent School District meets throughout the school year to complete wide range of school board directives. Reports are provided by the superintendent and both principals from the elementary and the secondary to keep parents and community members up-to-date concerning the school district.

Meetings are currently held every other month in a restaurant setting and generally last less than an hour and a half. Opportunities abound to share and receive input on items that matter most to you.

For more information contact Michelle Burkhart at 1-719-588-1594.

Booster Club:

We are an organization that supports all the athletes and sports at Sargent High School.

We meet when needed. If you would like to join please contact:

Michelle Burkhart at 719.588.1594 or mburkhart@sargent.k12.co.us

Nicole Rockey at 719.588.4732 or nrockey@sargent.k12.co.us

ABC - Academic Booster Club:

The Sargent Academic Booster Club is an organization that works to encourage, support and recognize the academic achievements, successes, and competitions of the Sargent secondary students as well as providing recognition and support of their amazing teachers.

We recognize students who achieve the Honor Roll each semester, we sponsor the Student of the Month program, organize send-offs for students who earn their way to state competitions in Science Fair, History Day, FBLA, FFA and Knowledge Bowl. We also host the Teacher Appreciation Lunch in May, provide meals for the teachers during Parent/Teacher Conferences throughout the year, and give teachers and staff appreciation gifts at various times throughout the year. We also will support funding any academic items, if requested and funds are available.

As you can tell, we do our best to give our hard-working students and staff the recognition and support they deserve. However, this isn’t done with the wave of a magic wand or the saying of some magical phrase. It’s accomplished with monetary support, dedication, organization, and help from parents and staff.

The Academic Booster Club meets quarterly or more often, if needed. We generally keep our meetings to an hour or less. We need parents who are willing to serve on the committee to assist in making decisions, planning, helping out when needed and/or monetary support. We would like as many parents, teachers, and staff to participate to hopefully have 7th-12th grades represented. Please consider becoming an active part of the Academic Booster Club (ABC). You can help make a positive impact on Sargent JH/HS and our students and staff!

If you have any questions, please contact Shon Davis at 719-580-5229 or Tonya Wenta at 850-1960. Thank you for your continued support!

If you have any questions on lunches/rates contact Val Bonsall at veichner@sargent.k12.co.us or at 852-8863, Monday - Thursday from 6am - 2pm.

Thank you!

Dear Parent,

Spring break is right around the corner. Is your student ready to take the first step toward a Colorado permit? Students 14 ½ and older can start taking classes for a Colorado permit. When you choose the online program hosted through our school you can help your student become a safe driver for life and support our school at the same time… all while balancing your family’s busy Spring schedule!

Why take driver’s education through Sargent High School?

• Our online program increases the confidence and knowledge of your student in a variety of driving situations.
• The program is designed to be equivalent to an in-person classroom experience. Your student will learn all the content of the classroom from the convenience of your own home.
• The curriculum is based on knowledge, not fear! We focus on defensive and safe driving habits to help your student become a safe driver for life.
• Interactive games and videos make the learning experience fun and engaging.
• Your student can access the online program anytime, anywhere! It works on all devices. All you need is a working Internet connection.
• Everything is self-paced. When life gets busy, your student can pick up the course at any time.
• After you enroll in our online program, we receive a donation to help fund school programs.
• Enroll today to support our school! https://sargenths.bedrivingus.com/enroll

All students are encouraged to enter their most current report card into the “Pay for A’s” contest at their local Sunflower Bank. On a date to be determined, each local Sunflower Bank will randomly draw five winners, and winning students earn $10 for each “A”. Additionally, Sunflower Bank matches these totals with a corresponding donation to the student’s school.

B: Bucks for our schools.

Customers that use their debit card can designate a participating school to receive a five cent donation each time that they swipe and sign for a transaction! Custom debit cards with your school name are also available.

C: Cash for your school.

Don’t have a Sunflower Bank debit card yet? Well, this is the perfect time to get one! New customers to Sunflower Bank can earn up to $100 when opening a new account, with a matching payment made to your school.

The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is a uniform, planned, and practiced response to any incident. This is the foundation of a safe school, business and community. The SRP is action-based, flexible and easy to learn. It rationally organizes tactics for response to weather events, fires, accidents, intruders and other threats to personal safety. Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.

Sargent School District implements the the “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP). Students and staff will be training, practicing, and drilling these protocols.

Download the handout below for more information.