Solon High School
Monthly Update-November 2023
Happy Fall SHS Families
We are off to a great start here in quarter 2! Please take time to read through all of the information below as it will keep you as up to date as possible with all things Solon High School. As a reminder, the Big Board is available for you to view at anytime. It is a great resource to ensure you are on the same page as your child regarding assessments each week.
As we shared earlier this year, our district has identified 8 skills that we want all students to become proficient in when they walk across that stage every May. Below you will see the graphic that highlights those skills. Recently our departments selected one of the skills to infuse into the content they teach. They will be working on ways to reinforce, connect, and even assess these skills at times throughout the remainder of the year. We are looking forward to the continued growth your son or daughter will develop in these areas.
Enjoy the month of November!
-Zach
Don't want to read all of this? Click the video below.
Solon High School Performance Profile
The most recent Iowa School Performance Profile was released, and I am happy to report that SHS saw growth from the 2022 report. If you want to take a look, please click HERE. Overall, that magical number of 58.25 was up just over a full point from the 57.15 in 2022 to keep us in the “commendable” category. As you can see in THIS breakdown, growth in Math and ELA are weighted the heaviest, and we saw an increase in the raw score in both of those as well compared to 2022. Another area of great growth was in our Conditions for Learning Survey. We went up from 53.47 in 2022 to 57.2 in 2023. Obviously we still have room for improvement, but overall it was a positive report!
Dates to ADD to your calendar
Early Outs: 11.2, 11.9, 11.16, 11.21, 11.30
Musical: 11.4 and 11.5
Election Day: 11.7
Veteran's Day: 11.10. Assembly starting at 11:15.
NO School: 11.22, 11.23, 11.24 - Thanksgiving Break
Just in Case we need the 2 hour delay schedule :)
Parents of Juniors- WE NEED YOU FOR POST PROM!
Thanks!
Families in Need
Best Buddies has Re-Launched!!
Solon High School has re-launched BEST BUDDIES. It is the largest organization where people globally aim to create opportunities for one-to-one friendships, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Any Solon high school student is welcome to join Best Buddies.
For more information about Best Buddies click this link or reach out to
Ivy Nielson, Carol Ann Richards, or Kate Richards
From the Counseling Office
From Mike Thompson, Solon HS Counselor
Contact Information:
Phone: (319) 624-3401 extension 1117
Email: mithompson@solon.k12.ia.us
Website: https://sites.google.com/solon.k12.ia.us/solon-hs-counseling/home
From Katie Anderson, College and Career Transition Counselor
Contact Information:
Phone: (319) 624-3401 extension 1116
Email: kanderson@solon.k12.ia.us
To Schedule an appointment: https://calendly.com/katie-anderson-3/30min
From the Solon HS Counseling Office ...
SOCIAL - EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL)
Student Stress/Anxiety and Learning
When students experience either stressful situations or anxiety, their thoughts become muddled. They might be less clear in their thinking. My primary role is to assist students with their social/emotional development. And within that role, my number one job is to listen and help students manage stressful and anxious situations (i.e. see things more clearly). Parents, if you sense your student is a bit more stressed, I want you to know that I can help. You can reach me either by phone (624-3401 ext. 1117) or email (mithompson@solon.k12.ia.us).
FINANCIAL AID PLANNING INFORMATION
FAFSA
Below is the link that Mrs. Anderson shared at the senior meeting for ICAP (10.24). Please make sure to create your FSA ID early!! At least 3-5 days before you want to fill out the FAFSA. You will not be able to fill out and complete the FAFSA without your FSA ID and your parent's FSA ID.
https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out
As a reminder, you and one parent will need to have an FSA ID in order to complete the FAFSA. I will send out information about it as soon as I have it. For now, we are looking at it being released sometime in December.
As a heads up, during our January 25th Parent/Teacher Conferences, we will have an ICAN representative here to help with students and their parents to file the FAFSA. You MUST have your FSA ID if want help from them that evening. More information on that and a sign up will be sent out closer to that date.
Scholarship Information
Any scholarship information that comes to the Counseling Office is made available on the Scholarship Page of the Solon HC Counseling Website. Scroll to the 2023 - 2024 Comprehensive Scholarship List. There you will find links to view scholarship information with deadlines in the designated month. These pages are continually updated. Check back frequently to get the latest information.
WORK-BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCE:
Spring 2024 Internship Opportunities
Workplace Learning Connection has transitioned our internship program into a college credit course through Kirkwood Community College. The course is (WBL-200) Practicum/Field Experience course. Students will now have the ability to receive both high school credit (two elective credits) and one (1) college credit. WBL-200 is a designated CTE course.
Through the internship experience, “Interns learn new skills, apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting, develop employability behaviors that better prepare them for the workplace, and gain insight that will help them make more informed career choices.” (TWLC)
What types of internships are offered? Good question! Explore internship opportunities here.
Students receive three (3) elective credits for successfully completing an internship.
The portal is still open but it soon closes! Applications are due – Friday, November 3, 2023 @ 3:00 p.m.
Fall II Job Shadow Opportunity #2!!!
After a very successful Fall I job shadow launch,Workplace Learning Connection team is excited to offer our students a NEW Fall II Job Shadow opportunity! Job shadows are open to 10th-12th grade students. Explore the broad array of in-person and virtual shadow opportunities available and find details on how to apply. See below for important information and resources:
Fall Job Shadow #2:
What types of job shadows are offered? Explore job shadow opportunities here.
How do I apply? Go to the WLC Job Shadow Page to complete the application.
Application portal will close @ Friday, November 17, 2023 @ 3:00 p.m.
Future Planning: The next job shadow application portal window will be open January 8, 2024 and close on January 26, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.
POSTSECONDARY PLANNING INFORMATION
SPRING 2024 COLLEGE COURSE REGISTRATION
Students can now register for spring semester college courses @ Kirkwood CC.
You can now view and request Kirkwood Alternative Concurrent Enrollment classes for the Spring Semester. Please click Kirkwood Community College
for a step by step guide to walk you through the process. In Dual Enroll, select Spring 2024 - Alternative Credit in the drop down menu to view the correct semester.
Please complete your request in the Dual Enroll system by December 21st to still have a chance of getting in the class you would like. Questions? See Mrs. Anderson for assistance
Students can now register for Spring (2024) semester college courses @ The University of Iowa. For more information about the process of taking a course at UI please refer to this link. The University of Iowa
SOLON HS COUNSELING WEBSITE
Mr. Thompson is continuing to update his website. You can access the High School Website here.
Fall Musical
Solon Drama’s
Grease: The Musical
Saturday November 4th @ 2:00pm
Saturday November 4th @7:00pm
Sunday November 5th @ 2:00pm
Solon Community Families, it is time for another Solon Drama Fall Musical Production! We are presenting Grease: The Musical, very soon and are super excited to share it with the community! This Fall has been so fast, that it is almost time to purchase tickets! All tickets will be purchased online, otherwise, if still available, can be bought in person at the door, on show days! Tickets prices are as follows: $7, $10 & $12, depending on where you are seated!
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR TICKETS? Online of course!
Tickets can be found at https://sc4a.ludus.com
-Click on the show you are wanting to attend.
-Choose your preferred seats.
-Pay online and email/text your tickets to yourself!
GREASE
Again this year, the Solon Drama Department is offering a special showing of GREASE - the musical for those families with children having special needs (i.e. sensory issues, high-anxiety, autism).
On Thursday, November 2nd at the Center of the Arts, doors opening at 5:45, a dress rehearsal performance starting at 6pm will offer your special needs family a flexible seating environment with low crowd attendance.
You are encouraged to come, give a cash donation, and enjoy the show, a family friendly version of Rydell High.
Reach out to Carol Richards (special education teacher) or Sami McAtee (musical director) if you have any questions.
From the math Team
We repeatedly hear “How will I ever use this?” in our math classes. So, we are looking for your help! How do you use math in your job or at home? Ideally, we’d love for you to submit a short video explaining the real-life math you use, so that we can share this with our students. But, if you are camera shy - we’ll accept an email explanation that we can read to our students. The HS courses cover everything from using percents and proportions to advanced calculus - we are interested in all these topics. Feel free to share this request with friends and family members as well. We plan to create a library of stories to share in our courses. Send your info to kroskopf@solon.k12.ia.us.
Thanks in advance for your help!
HS Math Team
Solon Optimists Club
YEARBOOK BABY AD for Seniors
Activities Schedules
Thanks!
Solon High School
Email: zwigle@solon.k12.ia.us
Website: https://www.instagram.com/solonhighschool/
Location: 600 West 5th Street, Solon, IA, USA
Phone: 319-624-3401
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SolonHighSchool/
Twitter: @wiglezac