Sehome High School - Mariner Memo -
Week of May 4 - 8
Message from the Principal
Last week, we landed our district grading policy. Below are a few of the key pieces of the policy. See the district website for the entire document.
- We have decided to temporarily suspend the traditional grade-marking of A-F and use the grade marks “A” or “Incomplete” for high school courses.
- Students are expected, to the extent possible, to remain engaged in learning activities assigned by their teachers; at the end of the semester they will receive an “A” for their semester grade.
- Teachers will assign activities and lessons that are aligned to the adjusted academic standards and learning outcomes that are identified for each course/subject area.
- Teachers will provide feedback to students on their learning to promote student progress, growth, and engagement.
- An “A” signifies that a student has engaged to the extent possible in activities and/or learning.
- An “Incomplete” will be used only in rare circumstances.
In the coming weeks, each student will receive a copy of the classes they are enrolled in for next school year. It will not include the teacher or class period- just a list of the classes. We are asking that each family review those requests and ensure that the schedule reflects the needs of the student and achieves the level of balance that the student is looking for in the coming school year. We know that your thinking may have shifted due to recent events, so we want students and families to have an opportunity to revisit their selections.
Many of our classes are sequential and build on one another. We do not want students or families to think that they need to repeat their current classes or to change their selection because they do not feel prepared. Our teachers know that students will not be at the same place they have been in years past or would have been if we had been in the brick and mortar school building for the entire semester. Teachers are working to adjust the system. The students do not need to change to fit the previous system. Our teachers have already begun working on how to fill in gaps and reinforce learning next school year within the sequential classes.
If you have questions or are concerned about the course selection, please reach out to teachers or our counseling staff. They are skilled at providing recommendations and can help guide students in their course selection.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Sonia Bell, Principal
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
- Simply make a video or take a photo of yourself thanking a teacher who has made a difference in you or your child’s life, or just thank all teachers or supporting our nation’s students each and every day
- A picture of yourself with your favorite teacher, past or present
- A picture of your child with his or her teacher
- A picture of yourself holding a piece of paper with a simple message saying Thank You to a teacher and why you’re thanking him or her
- Send an email thanking our Sehome teachers
- Participate on our Sehome Instagram celebrating our Sehome staff
MORP WEEK
Sehome Presents MORP our first “Backwards Prom Virtual Experience” This isn’t your typical year and this certainly isn’t your typical prom, but let’s honor a tradition by flipping it upside down.
This week’s events are for the entire Sehome community: Freshmen – Seniors, family, and friends alike. This week we will still continue our Instagram challenges by celebrating some pieces to prom.
spirit week
MONDAY: MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU
TUESDAY: TIME TO WAKE UP
WEDNESDAY: BRING YOUR PET TO PROM
THURSDAY: THROWBACK
FRIDAY: MORP DAY
Send in pictures of your group Zoom dinner parties.
Friday is MORP Day
This is an opportunity for us all to connect with your friends and peers (and Sehome teachers and staff) by putting together your own virtual dinner around 6-8 pm Friday evening. The idea is that you can make dinner at home or order take out to support one of our local restaurants, or you could even purchase a dinner for a friend or date and have it delivered to their house. Then get on Zoom or other video chat platforms and eat dinner and hang out with your friends.
Then at 8 pm coming together to listen to some great music from Sehome Alumni, DJ Rem, that we will be streaming live through the Sehome YouTube channel. That link will come out later this week and be sent to all Sehome students, families, and staff.
CLASS OF 2020 UPDATE
- The last day for seniors is June 11.
- There will be no final exams for any high school student.
- We will come up with a way to celebrate our senior class of 2020.
- Graduates will receive a cap and gown that they will be able to keep. It will be the same green gown that we had prior to the rental gowns.
- We are working with Jostens to set up a time for graduates to pick up their cap, gown, honor cords, AVID stole, etc.
- We will have yard signs for each graduate that they can pick up with their cap and gown.
WHAT WE DON'T KNOW... YET:
- The date to pick up caps and gowns.
- What the graduation ceremony will entail.
- What pick up of the diploma will look like.
- When seniors will drop off their devices and return books.
SEHOME STAFF SCHOLARSHIP
Please complete the application for the $500 Sehome Staff Scholarship by May 5th.
Career Connect at Home
Explore real world jobs and imagine future WA careers from home. Join employers each school day in May at 3:30 to learn about jobs and industries across Washington.
First session, Monday May 4: careerconnectathome.org.
Week 1 (May 4 – May 8): "Technology and Innovation Week:" Technology and Information, including how graphic design, pharmaceuticals, and real estate companies stay connected.
Each session will be hosted live on YouTube where students can ask questions about what it’s like to work in technology, auto repair, journalism, health care, and more. Each day’s session is at 3:30 p.m. PST and will last less than an hour. The content will be developed for students in grades 7-12 in collaboration with the employers and teachers. CTE includes every type of industry and organization, which can benefit all SPS students who are thinking about their future careers. In order to ensure that the programming is secure, only employer hosts will have access to the audio and video stream.
Virtual Conference and College Fair
Three days of live-stream presentations will help students and families understand:
- The impact of COVID-19 on the admission process
- Financial aid and financial award programs
- How to balance the application: test scores, essay, extracurriculars, etc.
- Multicultural, first generation, and accessibility/disability resources on college campuses
- How to find the best college fit/choose a major
- What to expect the first year on campus
...and so much more.
May 4-6 - 9am - 5pm
Sehome Tutor Zooming
Tutor/Staff Supported
Daily 9-12 & 2-5
Starting 5/6/20
Study Groups
· Study groups of 1-8 students
· Booked by subject/time windows
· Visit anytime during window
· Staff/tutor supported
· Confirmation email with meeting link
· Zoom with friends
· Stay on top of your skills!!!
Student Zoom Technology Help
New Zoom Student Technology Help Meetings
Zoom Student Technology Help meetings will be held weekly on Wednesdays from 4:00 to 5:00 pm!
If you are a student who needs technology support, please fill out this survey!
Sehome Challenge
It has been really fun to see students, staff, and families participating in the challenges. Keep it up!
Multi-Language Message Line
Sehome Points of Contact
Sonia Bell, Principal: sonia.bell@bellinghamschools.org
Mike Couto, Assistant Principal: A - K mike.couto@bellinghamschools.org
Bethany Barrett, Assistant Principal: L - Z bethany.barrett@bellinghamschools.org
Kimberly Kirk, Dean of Students: Kimberly.kirk@bellinghamschools.org
Jeff Smith, Counselor 9th Grade: Jeffrey.Smith@bellinghamschools.org
Amy Hjelt, Counselor A - G: amy.hjelt@bellinghamschools.org
Hana Schutz, Counselor H - M: hana.schutz@bellinghamschools.org
John Vandermolen, Counselor N - Z: john.vandermolen@bellinghamschools.org