Lake Fenton High School
Newsletter - Building Updates
LFHS UPDATES
Hello Lake Fenton Families,
We made it! Winter break is upon us providing much needed time to unplug and reconnect with our families at home. This newsletter details important updates on our first semester final assessments and second semester programming. Please read on!
This weekend I read something that profoundly stuck with me that I would like to share. In Brene Brown's book, Daring Greatly, she references an article in the Harvard Business Review that outlined research on companies reporting high levels of employee exhaustion. They sent a team to investigate what was driving this increased sense of exhaustion. What they found was that even though their employees were in fact exhausted -- it was directly linked to loneliness. They were lonely...and it was manifesting itself in feeling exhausted, lethargic and having low productivity.
Sound familiar?
How many of us feel exhausted this year? More importantly, how many of us recognize when we are lonely or when our kids are lonely? It is easy for ALL staff, students and parents (and principals!) to feel isolated and exhausted this school year, especially being fully remote these past few weeks -- and for some of you, all semester long.
The steps we take now can greatly impact how we feel moving into 2021. How can we all work to build relationships and reach out to others? How can we create an LF community of inclusion and connection versus isolation and exhaustion? Every connection we create gives someone HOPE and decreases the sense of exhaustion and loneliness we feel. I HOPE we all work hard to make second semester a more connected and inclusive environment no matter what educational platform you choose.
I truly HOPE that every one of us takes time to reconnect with those in our very own homes over winter break -- increase our sense of connection and community -- connect with nature on a wintery hike filled with fresh air-- connect with other cultures and worlds through a good book -- and most importantly -- UNPLUG TECHNOLOGY.
One final note: Last week I asked all staff and students to submit ONE WORD to describe our year ahead. The collective graphic created a word cloud presentation of all the words that were shared -- the bigger the word, the more people submitted it. Our biggest word here at Lake Fenton High School describing 2021 is: HOPEFUL.
I am HOPEFUL you all take this time to rest, recharge and stay safe. I need you all back 100% ready to make 2021 the best year yet! My heartfelt thanks to all our Lake Fenton families for your patience, cooperation, kind words and continued support. Also a heartfelt thank you to our teachers who have worked so tirelessly throughout this semester. Thank you all.
This break is for all of you.
Filled with Hope,
Kate VanHouten Ed. S
High School Principal
Lake Fenton Community Schools
UPCOMING EVENTS/IMPORTANT DATES
- December 23-January 1 No Classes Winter Break
- January 4 Classes Resume
- January 11 Second Semester Student Schedules Available for Review
- January 11 First Semester Final Review
- January 12-14 First Semester Final Assessments (See link below for schedule)
- January 15 End of First Semester
- January 18 No Classes - Teacher Professional Development
- January 19 Start of Second Semester Schedule
LFHS FIRST SEMESTER FINAL ASSESSMENT - WHAT I NEED TO KNOW
- Semester Assessments will take place Tuesday, January 12th for class periods 1-3 and Thursday, January 14th for class periods 4-6
- These two days class periods will be 75 minutes long with a 30 minute lunch break midday
- All teachers will provide course review materials the week prior and cover testing expectations no later than Monday, January 11th
All assessments must be completed on district provided chromebooks unless approved by administration and students must have video on at all times showing students fully and clearly. Failure to do so will result in an alternative assessment (Exceptions made for select courses approved by administration)
- Families will provide authentic assessment environments at home that are free of distraction and allow students to test following our student code of conduct expectations for all academics
All student absences must be reported by a parent/guardian to the attendance clerk at 810 591-9403
All technical issues must be reported to the teacher and if necessary the technology department at 810 591-9408
- Any technical issues/absences/breach of assessment environment expectations will require students to test on makeup session days either Wednesday, January 13th or Friday, January 15th. This may include an alternative format of the assessment material
- Finals will be worth 10% of the overall first semester course
LFHS SECOND SEMESTER UPDATES - WHAT I NEED TO KNOW
As we prepare for second semester, these are the platforms we are planning to provide barring any limitations at the state or district level. As a reminder, students will remain fully remote from January 4th until January 19th, 2021. Student schedules will be available for review on Monday, January 11th. On Tuesday, January 19th we plan to begin our second semester schedule that includes the following learning platforms and key requirements:
Learning Platforms:
- Blended learning with social distancing and alternate remote learning days
- Face to Face learning without guaranteed social distancing
- Fully remote learning following our bell schedule from home
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Key Requirements:- All in-person attendance will require masks and will continue to follow all safety protocols instituted first semester
- Students will attend up to 4 days Monday through Thursday with Friday remaining an asynchronous learning day - although expectations for attendance may be increased for students requiring intervention and support
- Our bell schedule will remain the same as first semester from 8:30-2:00PM with an A and B lunch schedule
- Both our commons area and gymnasium will be used for lunches. This allows blended students the ability to socially distance but does not guarantee social distance for face to face learners
- Busses will run all routes regardless of East/West of US23. Busses will not be socially distanced but will require masks
- All learning platform selections will continue for the duration of second semester -- families can choose to go fully remote for the remainder of the semester at any time. Please contact our office at (810)591-9591 to make any changes
- Lockers will be made available for students requesting them. Details will be shared out after holiday break
- Classes may include a mix of remote learners, blended learners and face to face learners. If social distance cannot be guaranteed for our blended learners, they will be offered their second selection of either remote learning from an alternate location or face to face learning in the classroom
- Additional details will be shared in our January updates
Lake Fenton District Beliefs
We believe all students and staff work and learn best in a Positive school environment.
We believe all students and staff are responsible for creating a Respectful school environment.
We believe all students and staff thrive when demonstrating Independent thinking.
We believe all students and staff benefit from trustworthy and Dependable relationships.
Lake Fenton Mission
Learning For Continuous Success (L.F.C.S.)
Lake Fenton District Vision
Lake Fenton Community Schools through shared leadership, will educate all students to achieve their highest potential in a positive, safe and student-centered environment.
About Us
Kate VanHouten Ed. S
High School Principal
Lake Fenton Community Schools
810-591-9591
Learning For Continuous Success
Email: kvanhouten@lakefentonschools.org
Website: http://www.lakefentonschools.org/LFHS/
Location: 4070 Lahring Road, Linden, MI, United States
Phone: 810-591-9591
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lake-Fenton-High-School-116327769014255/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @LakeFentonHS