Racer Review
February, 2020
Message from Superintendent Melonie Hau
Newcastle Families,
At a special board meeting on January 31, the school board voted to approve two bond propositions seeking community approval for capital investment projects, instructional materials, and bus security cameras for a total of 1.1 million dollars.
The bond election for these two propositions will be Tuesday, April 7. Because passing a bond requires a 60% majority “yes” vote from our community and because these bonds will create a slight tax increase ($24 per year on a $100,00 home), we do not approach these bond requests lightly. It was only after much thought and discussion we came to the conclusion a bond investment is the best way to approach the list of projects.
The projects for this bond include
Needed social studies textbook adoption and additional reading materials
Playground equipment for 4th grade expansion and special education at the elementary school
HVAC system for the high school gymnasium to ensure safe play during summer and early fall seasons
Field turf to ensure safe play on the high school field during football, soccer, and track seasons for over 450 students, including community little league and club teams
Security cameras to view the interior of route buses to ensure safer riders to and from school
Cameras to view the exterior of buses which monitor activity to enforce the stop arm safety law
This small bond request will allow us to take care of a few urgent needs now. We know this bond is only the beginning of a larger, long-term plan to meet the needs of our growing student population. There is still much work to do in the areas of updated technology and instruction materials. We also know planning now for growth is critical.
Our strategic plan includes forming a working group of school employees and community members to plan for long term facilities needs. That group will begin working as soon as the board adopts a completed strategic plan in May. We are already gathering data such as enrollment trends and bond projections to help that group get off to a running start.
In the next few weeks, I will visit with multiple community members and organizations about this bond and future facilities planning. In addition, Newcastle Public Schools will host community forums in March to explain the need for the request.
If you would like me to speak to your small group or organization, please reach out to let me know. No living room is too small or community organization too big for me to come speak about the importance of investing in our students.
This is the beginning of a great journey for NPS. Join me in being All N for Bond 2020!
All the best,
Melonie Hau
Follow NHS on Social Media
Newcastle High School's social media accounts are updated on a daily basis. Following us on social media provides students, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles with student recognition, upcoming events, etc.
Follow us on Instagram at: nhs_racers
Follow us on Twitter: @nhs_racers
Substitutes Needed
We are currently in need of substitutes at the high school. Please contact Darla Allen at the Administration building if you are interested, 405-387-6262.
Health Corps Update from Addison Jendza
National Night of Conversation: Vaping Edition
Every year, HealthCorps participates in a yearly event called the National Night of Conversation (NNOC). The NNOC began as a way for parents and students to talk about addiction specifically about the opioid crisis, but this year, with youth vaping as such a large, prevalent issue, we decided to make the conversation about that this year. Classes have had the opportunity to watch videos, read an article, and express their thoughts and opinions about vaping.
As parents and guardians, I highly encourage you to continue this conversation at home. Vaping is not a safer alternative to smoking tobacco cigarettes. Vaping has not been around long enough for scientists and doctors to know the long-term effects of its continuous use. As smoking cigarettes was once considered “cool” with no one knowing how sick they made people, vaping is now taking center stage. There are currently 2,291 cases of injury and 48 deaths caused by vaping (CDC, 2019). I am urging you to talk with your student and help prevent them from trying it, or if they are already users, help them quit.
As always, please reach out to me at addison.jendza@healthcorps.org for more information or questions. I am here as a resource for you and your student!
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office on Smoking and Health. (2019). Outbreak of
lung injury associated with the use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html
Reading Proficiency Test
The Reading Proficiency Test for students who need to improve their 8th grade reading score for their driver's permit should sign up with Mrs. Burchett (sburchett@newcastle.k12.ok.us).
Exam Dates:
Wednesday, March 4, 3:30
Wednesday, April 1, 3:30
Wednesday, May 6, 3:30
Microsoft Office Suite Available for Students
All students are now able to access the Office 365 portal on almost any Internet connected device. Students have access to their OneDrive, Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. To install, students should follow the steps below:
1. Open a browser and enter Office.com in the address bar.
2. Enter your school email address and click sign in.
3. Enter your Windows/Network Password (normally not your email password)
4. You might get a message about staying logged on, answer how you choose.
5. You will now see the Office 365 Portal. You will have the option to install Office 365 onto your device if the device is supported.
Access to the Office 365 Portal is only available to current Newcastle Public School students.
Parent Education
What are Dab Pens?
Dab pens, or wax pens, are different from vape pens in that they are only used to ingest concentrated THC substances, called “dabs” (see images below). These pens are virtually undetectable because they are often made to look like writing pens or mechanical pencils. Dab pens are also odorless and dabs are sold in a variety of flavors.
Students across the nation have been known to be mix dabs and THC concentrates in lip balms, like Carmex. Students are reportedly rubbing the wax/balm mixture on their lips and gums during class. The odor of the Carmex masks the odor from the THC extract.
Course Registration for the 20-21 School Year
Our Enrollment Conferences/Parent, Student, Teacher Conferences will be held Thursday, February 20 from 2:30-8:30. Students and their parents are encouraged to meet with their assigned advisor to review course registration information. All conferences will be held in the auditorium of the Administration Building. Parents should sign up for a conference by using PTCFast by clicking the following link found below.
Advisory Program for the 20-21 School Year
Enrollment in Concurrent Classes for the 20-21 School Year
Prior to enrolling in concurrent classes, students are highly encouraged to read pages 17 and 18 of the NHS Course Description guide (below).
Newcastle Virtual Learning
DRIVE (Dedicated Racers for Individualized Virtual Academy
The DRIVE Academy was created for Newcastle students who have been unsuccessful in the regular education program. The DRIVE Academy is for students in grades 9-12 who are enrolled at Newcastle High School. Students will attend classes at NHS. This is not a punishment program instead it is intended to lead students toward success using innovative teaching techniques which include online learning, greater access to counseling services, more individualized instruction, and flexible scheduling. Students must apply for acceptance to the DRIVE Academy. There are a limited number of seats available. Applications will be available during enrollment.
The goals of the program include:
- An increase in the number of academic credits earned
- A decrease in the number of classes failed
- A reduction in absences
- An increase in grade point averages
- A reduction in behavioral referrals
- A reduced drop-out rate
Options for students in the DRIVE Academy:
- Attend elective classes (including athletics and fine arts courses) in the regular education setting at NHS
- Participate in a work/study program
- Attend classes at Mid America Technology Center
- Flexible schedule
The following criteria is used when enrolling students into the DRIVE Academy:
- Teacher and administrator observation
- Poor academic performance in traditional school setting
- Attendance problems
- Social stressors/anxiety brought about the traditional school setting that impacts grades and/or attendance
- Need for Credit Recovery
Blended Flex Learning
The Blended Flex Learning environment allows students to move on fluid schedules among learning activities according to their needs. Students enrolled in this environment will obtain the majority of their instruction in an online environment. The Blended Flex Learning option is available for some of our upper level courses for Juniors and Seniors. Students must apply for acceptance to course that offer the Blended Flex Learning environment. Applications will be available during enrollment. Students accepted to take a Blended Flex Learning course will be notified before the end of the school year.
Requirements:
- Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Juniors may take up to 2 courses
- Seniors may take up to 3 courses
- Home computer with Internet access is recommended
- Students must attend at least one class per week at the teacher’s discretion
- Students with a grade below a 70% will be required to attend class each day until the grade is at or above a 70%.
- Students will not be allowed to enroll in Blended Flex Learning after the first four days of the semester
- Enrolled in Newcastle Public School System
Blended Flex Learning Classes offered for the 20-21 School Year:
- English III, English IV
- US Government
- US History
- Chemistry
- Pre-AP Algebra II
- Pre-AP Calculus
- Algebra II
Racer Cafe
High School
$1.50 Breakfast
$2.75 Lunch
Reduced prices-all sites
$0.30 Breakfast
$0.40 Lunch
Every meal includes milk, juice & unlimited fruits & vegetables (sides & salad bar).
Click Below for the Newcastle High School Athletic Website
High School PTA
E-Racers and More Student Store
Mrs. Treu's Entrepreneurship Class opened E-Racers and More student store in the Racer Pit Stop located in the West Building. A Grand Opening was held a few weeks ago. The store is open before school, during breakfast to go, all of 4th hour (both lunches) and after school. Students can buy pencils, paper, as well as snacks, drinks, lanyards and various other items.
They also have a plan to sell any club or organization's fundraiser items in the store. Sponsors/coaches or booster club members who are interested, should contact Mrs. Treu (ctreu@newcastle.k12.ok.us). She will contact a student in the class to discuss the commission terms with you.
Scholarship Applications
UCO Prospective Teacher Academy
Hello Future Teachers!!
Students are invited to the University of Central Oklahoma’s Prospective Teachers Academy on Friday, March 6th. This is a great opportunity to learn about the Teacher Education Program and so much more. Please take time to check out our flyer for details, see below!
We are able and willing to count this as a College Visitation Day for you! You are welcome to attend as an individual or with a group from your school with a faculty/administer/staff member.
Seating is limited so register early. Check out our attached flyer for more information.
Registration: Prospective Teachers Academy 2020
This event is sponsored by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the College of Education and Professional Studies
Volunteer Opportunities
Super Kids Day, May 14
Super Kids Day, May 14
Students are needed to help with Super Kids Day at the ECC. Art students are needed for face painting as well. There are 3 sessions, and they need 30 kids per session. Please contact Nikki Gayler by email ngayler@newcastle.k12.ok.us if you are interested!
Newcastle Senior Center
Consider serving as BINGO Callers for the Newcastle Senior Center. For more information, contact Gayla Riddle, Newcastle Chamber of Commerce
2020 Academic All State Nominations
Mason Brasel, Cale Greenroyd, Jordan Hites, Jayson Lantis, Madison Leger and Amanda Withrow have all been nominated for the 2020 Academic All State Award. Nominee's will be notified in March. Students are nominated based on grades and ACT/SAT test scores. We contragulate these student's for demonstrating academic excellence during their time in high school.
All State Nomination Criteria:
Participants must be Oklahoma public high school seniors, and eligibility must be verified by their principals or superintendents.
To be nominated for Academic All-State, students must meet one of the following criteria: an American College Test (ACT) composite score of at least 30; a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) combined evidence-based reading & writing and math score of at least 1370; or be selected as a semi-finalist for a National Merit, National Achievement (African American) or National Hispanic Scholarship.
Once nominated, recipients are selected on the basis of academic achievement, leadership experience, extracurricular activities and community involvement, as well as an essay submitted by each nominee.
The selection committee, chaired by retired Tulsa attorney Teresa B. Adwan, works independently of all other foundation activities. The committee members are a diverse group of business, education and civic leaders, as well as Academic All-State alumni and former Medal for Excellence-winning educators.
Math Tutoring Available
We are pleased to announce a new tutoring program for our students who may need some extra assistance in math. All tutoring sessions will be held in the library. Juniors and Seniors who would like to volunteer to tutor should sign up with Mrs. Cisneros.
Mondays
Riley Coffee
11:55-12:25, Second lunch
Algebra I
MacKenzie Hunt
3:30 p.m., Starting on Feb. 24th
Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry
Tuesdays
Shadd Holmes
11:55-12:25, 2nd lunch
Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Pre-AP Calc, Pre-AP Algebra II
Thursdays
Clayton Freeman
11:55-12:25, 2nd lunch
Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II
Racers Got Talent
Our 4th Annual Racers Got Talent show will be held on March 12 at 10:00 in the NHS Auditorium. Parents are welcome to attend, but will need to arrive early and check in at the main office. Students interested in participating in the show should complete the application below and return to Mrs. Stancil in the choir room. We have extremely talented students and this show is always a big hit!
Library News
Sequoyah Book List
The Sequoyah Book Award is a set of three annual awards for books selected by vote of Oklahoma students in elementary, middle, and high schools. The award program is named after Sequoyah (c. 1770–1843), the Cherokee man who developed the Cherokee syllabary—a writing system adopted by Cherokee Nation in 1825. The awards are sponsored by the Oklahoma Library Association.
Students who want to vote will need to read or listen to at least 3 books from the 2020 High School Sequoyah list. Students can vote in the library until March 12th.
The following is a list of our current Sequoyah books:
- A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti
- Votes for Women!: American Suffragists and the Battle for the Ballot by Winifred Conkling
- I Have Lost My Way by Gayle Forman
- How We Roll by Natasha Friend
- Everless by Sara Holland
- Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
- Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
- Isle of Blood and Stone by Makiia Lucier
- A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
- Very, Very, Very Dreadful: The Influenza Pandemic of 1918 by Albert Marrin
- Boots on the Ground: America’s War in Vietnam by Elizabeth Partridge
- After the Shot Drops by Randy Ribay
- Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman
- What the Night Sings by Vesper Stamper
- The Beauty That Remains by Ashley Woodfolk
Share the Love Food Drive
Statistics in Schools and the 2020 Census
The 2020 Census will be available to complete on April 1.
The Census determines how much federal funding and services our towns, cities and schools receive each year for the next decade.
Each undercounted person means an estimated $1,675 less per year (or $16,750 per person in Oklahoma over the next 10 years) in lost funding, grants and support for our communities – so accurate representation is important!
For example, in 2015, the following U.S. Department of Education state aid programs received funding based on census data:
- Federal Pell Grant Program
- Title 1 Grants to Local Educational Agencies
- Special Education Grants to States
- Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants
- Improving Teacher Quality State Grants
- Career and Technical Education - Basic Grants to States
- English Language Acquisition Grants
- Adult Education - Basic Grants to States
- Special Education Grants for Infants and Families
- Special Education Preschool Grants
- Rural Education
- Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities State Grants
- Supported Employment Services for Individuals with Significant Disabilities
- Program of Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights
- Rehabilitation Services Client Assistance Program
- Independent Living State Grants
- SNAP (not a USDE grant, but still contingent on the census)
These programs would be hurt by an undercount on the census.
The 2020 Census takes less than 15 minutes to complete, and the impact it has on our communities is far-reaching and long-lasting.
Students will be participating in activities to help them learn about the 2020 Census during their history classes the week of March 2-6. See below for more information about the program.
Newcastle Education Foundation
Newcastle Education Foundation is a 501c3 organization fostering Academic Excellence in Education at Newcastle Public Schools.
Our goal is to support our school in a manner, which will allow for state of the art equipment, inventive curriculum, and creative and innovative programs. Through careful and studied allocation of funds donated by community, our dream is to give a foundation for educational excellence in Newcastle Public Schools.
In 2004, a group of alumni met to explore ideas of a way to give back to their alma mater. They decided to form a formal education foundation, creating a platform to financially support the students and staff of NPS. Since the first teacher grants of 2005 until today, volunteers have worked faithfully year after year to support NPS.
Don't miss out on upcoming events:
Senior Scholarships are open. Applications can be found online at:
https://www.newcastleeducationfoundation.com/programs
20% off the Bricks for 2020 sale will end on Feb 29, 2020. This is the last chance to order for this school year. Order online at:
https://www.newcastleeducationfoundation.com/programs
Car Show Fundraiser: April 4, 2020. Free Family Event, $25.00 Car Register Fee, Corporate booths and sponsorships available. See flyer below. Additional information can be found online at:
Class Updates and Upcoming Dates
Class of 2020 Information
Class of 2021 Information
2020 Prom and Promendade Information
"Enchanted Evening"
It is with great excitement that we announce a new tradition for Newcastle High School: Prom Promenade! Promenade is a pre-prom event in which family and friends are invited to share in the enjoyment of prom with our juniors and seniors. In the past, only parents could attend prom for a short time in order to take photos of their student with various prom backdrops and decorations. With Promenade, parents won't have to do that; in fact, parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, friends, and community members are all invited to take photos and send well wishes with their prom goers before they are individually announced and "walk the runway" as they leave for dinner. It is not required to attend Promenade; however, it will be a fun event, and we encourage all to attend.
Promendade, 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Location: Newcastle High School Gym
Backdrops will be available for beautiful and well-lit prom pictures. At 5:00 students will beign walking the red carpet.
Prom, 8:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
Location: The Skyline on the Bricktown Canal
The Skyline is located above Zio's along the Bricktown canal. Things to keep in mind for this venue:
- Bricktown curfew is 11:00 p.m. every day. The exception to the law includes traveling to and from school activities. It is expected that as students leave prom, they go directly to their transportation and leave the area.
Our students have requested that parents not be allowed into prom unless they are an official junior class parent chaperone. Those interested in serving as a chaperone should contact Alisha Duncan, aduncan@newcastle.k12.ok.us
- Limos and party buses will need to drop off at the venue and pick up at an arranged place and time.
- Parking at the venue is an extra cost-the Streetcar in Bricktown stops at the end of the canal (where the Skyline is located). Students who par by the theater or Bass Pro can ride the streetcar for $3.00 a person. Due to events downtown, parking is expected to be approximately $25 per car.
- A limited number of parking spaces will be available at an additional cost.
Ticket Sales will be held in the E-Racers and More Student Store:
March 9-April 13
March 30-April 13 (after school)
Ticket price: $45/per person
Parking: TBD
All outstanding fees such as activity fees, class dues, library fines, parking tickets, etc. must be paid to purchase Prom Tickets.
Math Meeting, Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m.
Parents who have students enrolled in Mr. Marinko's Algebra I or Geometry courses are invited to attend an informational meeting on Thursday, February 20, at 6:30, in the NHS Auditorium. The purpose of the meeting is to allow parents to learn more about the Edgenuity curriculum and grading practices. Mrs. Hau and Mrs. Beer will be available to answer questions.
Newcastle High School
Adam Hull, Assistant Principal
Website: newcastle.k12.ok.us
Location: 100 N. Main Street
Phone: 4053873321
Facebook: facebook.com/NewcastleHighSchool
Twitter: @nhs_racers