PHS April Newsletter
2021
Dear Pella High School Families
This is a busy time of year for students with a new season of sports well underway and several activities in place for the spring. Prom is coming up on April 17 at Central College, the music department will feature their band, orchestra and vocal students in the Carnaby Club event on April 30 and May 1 (7:00 PM), with Tulip Time is shortly following the next week.
Students and staff at Pella High School have recently completed the ISASP testing. During the testing days, one our events was a packaging event with Meals for the Heartland. Our student leadership raised $15,000 dollars for the event. The students met their goal of packaging 80,000 meals! See images of the event below.
It’s hard to believe we are already into the Fourth Quarter and the end of the school year is quickly approaching. This year has progressed much better than we could have hoped for. We continue to appreciate your efforts and support. GO DUTCH!!!
Thank you,
Adam Beckel
Principal
Derek Schulte
Assistant Principal
Senior Service Day
Senior Awards Night - Wednesday, May 12, 2021
College Planning - Financial Aid
The planning for post-secondary education greatly hinges on financial aid for families, especially as educational costs continue to rise. The regulations within the financial aid world have changed, and families of seniors are allowed to apply for aid starting October 1st of senior school year. Visit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) website to begin.
With the current Covid restrictions, we will not be hosting an in-person Financial Aid Night this spring. As junior families are exploring college options and financial planning, there are many unknowns about the process. The link below is a ‘Financial Aid Step by Step’ video:
https://www.icansucceed.org/about-ican/services/presentations/livestream-events/fafsa-step-by-step
The video is a great starting point as preparations are made for completing the FAFSA. Or if you have completed the FAFSA before and need a reminder on a few specifics.
The ICAN (www.icansucceed.org) organization is a fabulous resource for families.
It is a free resource in Iowa, for any assistance about the online filing process and policies, please contact them. Virtual appointments are available to assist with any questions or concerns in regards to your family's financial aid process. Junior families, the best time to schedule an appointment for assistance will be in the fall.
Senior Volunteer Hours
Any seniors collecting volunteer hours for our Distinguished Service Program should submit all the hours they have by Friday, April 30. If they are planning to accumulate hours during Tulip Time, they should still submit their other hours by the 30th, so we can try to complete the logging process before Senior Awards Night. Tulip Time hours will still be counted; just turn them in the Monday after. The final deadline for seniors’ hours will be Monday, May 10.
Conditions For Learning Survey - May 3rd in Homeroom
Pella High School is getting ready to administer an annual school climate and culture survey called Conditions for Learning to students in grades 9 through 12. This survey administration is required by the state’s plan to meet a federal law called the Every Student Succeeds Act. Our school will conduct the survey on May 3rd during Homeroom. All Iowa public school districts will use the Conditions for Learning Survey to improve safety, student engagement and the overall learning environment so that all Iowa students have optimum conditions for learning. Our work to improve safety, student engagement and the overall learning environment will have a lasting impact on the future.
We will ask your child to simply fill out a confidential Survey. The Survey will focus on issues ranging from student safety, to positive student relationships, to school rules and how they are enforced. A high rate of participation by students in completing the Conditions for Learning Survey is important for obtaining the most complete school climate data for our school. Support from you in communicating to your students that this is their chance to be heard and to be part of the effort to improve conditions for learning at their school is critical.
Thank you for partnering with Pella High School to improve conditions for learning in our schools throughout the state. Included is an overview of this opportunity, as well as:
An information summary about the Survey
A written refusal form if you do not want your child/children to participate in completing the Survey
Upcoming Calendar Dates
APRIL 14
Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal
APRIL 17
Junior/Senior Prom
APRIL 21
Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal
APRIL 21
Senior Service Day
APRIL 27
15 Week Grades Due
APRIL 28
Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal
MAY 6 & 7
Tulip Time - 11:15 AM Dismissal
MAY 12
Senior Awards Night (Format Pending)
MAY 12-14
Senior Assessments, Laptop Return, & Check Out
MAY 14
Seniors’ Last Day
MAY 21
Graduation
MAY 25-27
Grades 9-11: Semester Assessments, Laptop Return, & Check Out
MAY 27
Last Day: 12:30 PM Dismissal
May 28
Final Grades Due