The Cardinal Letter
Winter 2019/2020
Dear Parents and Students...
I hope this letter finds everyone enjoying the holiday vacation with their families and friends. We are half-way through the school year, and it’s time to reflect on the past year and push the reset button for round two.
The month of December was full of holiday spirit at Chippewa Falls Senior High School. We started off the month with a jazz band concert, followed by the orchestra and Madrigals entertaining the community at the annual Torte Theater at the Heyde Center, the band concert followed, and finally, the choir concert ended the holiday tour. To kick-off vacation, all eight musical ensembles performed at the the holiday concert. All 1498 students, community members, alumni, and district cabinet members enjoyed the alternating musical group performances. The musicians worked very hard to prepare and the payoff was tenfold.
In our Principal Advisory Committee this month, we focused on three areas that we want to improve: Building a Culture of Belonging, Motivational Incentives for Academic Growth, and Improving Student Mental Health. This group of students have given a voice to the student body at Chi-Hi. We partner together to make this school a great place to belong and to create a positive high school experience for all of our students.
Sources of Strength is a group of students that are vital to the mental health and support of our student body at Chi-Hi. This is the third year of Sources of Strength. It is a proactive group of students who work collaboratively to carry out their mission: Our mission is to spread Hope, Help, and Strength into every corner of our community. Our mission is to help students and staff turn to their strengths and their supports that are all around. We are connectors to help and strengthen others. The week of January 6-10 is Sources of Strength week including dress-up days and activities for students to discover their strengths.
This month, Officer Brian Flug, took time to educate our freshmen about school safety procedures to be proactive in the case of a school threat or emergency. We both emphasized the consequences of making a threat against the school or student body. These threats may not be made to intentionally cause harm, but our district takes these threats seriously. The consequence will result in a hearing with the school board for a recommended expulsion. These threats are a federal offense. They will result in criminal consequences with the police. If a student is 17, they could receive from 3-5 years in federal prison. We want to reiterate the importance of how serious we take these threats to protect our students and to lessen the frequency of these unsafe behaviors.
When we return from break, we will be practicing our safety procedures for our intruder alert drill. It is a state mandate that we engage in these safety protocols twice a year. I would like to take this opportunity to inform parents and students of the reasons why we might have a hold in school.
We could ask staff to “hold” students in class in case there is a medical emergency in the hallway, and we would need to keep the hallways clear.
We may use a secure hold if there is an intruder alert or DRILL, to keep students safe if someone unsafe has entered the building.
We may use a hold to complete a drug dog search in our building. These are unannounced. Students are required to stay inside their classrooms during these searches.
We may run a hold if we are investigating a threat and it remains unresolved. The police or school officials may need to keep students in their classes due to the perceived threat that was found by authorities.
In order to alleviate parent, student, and staff anxiety, our district has made a commitment to communicate the message of the events that are happening in a timely manner. Student safety is our number one priority. We will do all that we can to ensure your children are in good care while at school.
We want to thank you for understanding that emergencies, tragedies, and things out of our control can happen daily. But know that we are doing the best we can at Chi-Hi to make our school a safe place to learn and grow.
We look forward to working with all of you in 2020!
Respectfully yours,
Donna Goodman
Chippewa Falls Senior High School Principal
Aspire Mid-Year Testing Check
We will be taking our mid-year academic growth benchmark using the Aspire Interim tests during Prime Time the week of January 21-24, as well as using January 27 as the make-up testing day.
The order of exams is below:
Tuesday (1/21): Reading
Wednesday (1/22): English
Thursday (1/23): Science
Friday (1/24): Math
Monday (1/27): Test Make-ups
Remember this mid-year check is only for freshman and sophomores. However, we will be holding our homerooms during Prime Time without using FlexiSched during these dates because our homeroom teachers will be unavailable, and we want to maintain a quiet testing environment during Prime Time.
There will be no club meetings during those five days of testing. There will be limited travel for athletics, except for Tuesday, January 21. Those students and any others missing school will need to take those tests on Monday, January 27.
Homeroom time will be used for students to finish up test sessions from the day prior. This helps reduce anxiety before starting a new test session because it gives closure on the last test session, and it keeps testing on track. The longer it takes to test 95% of the students, the longer we need to stay contained in our homeroom groups for Prime Time. We want to provide students enough time to do their best, but to also finish testing in a timely manner.
After we collect the test data, these results will be shared with students to show their growth. Also, these results could be used to set a homeroom goal for the actual Aspire exam in April. Students will get those results in the mail during the summer. Our goal is to show our homeroom growth from ninth grade to tenth grade, and show students their predicted score on the ACT.
I want to thank you for investing in your academic growth, for putting in your best effort on the interim tests, and for contributing to our school growth goal.
Mrs. Goodman
Finals Update
This year, we are running a normal daily schedule during the last week of the semester, January 13-17. By giving assessments throughout the week instead of on the last two days, it will eliminate the number of assessments given on one day. It will be up to the discretion of the teacher on how they will assess student learning of the standards and when they will be evaluating students during that week.Teachers will be communicating these expectations.
Last year, when we ran the 3 day finals schedule, only 60% of the students attended school. Many families took vacation time, and our staff accommodated 524 students to provide finals at a different time. Staff lost two days of instructional time, and students lost two days of learning to prepare for their finals per semester. Since we have the block schedule, we have 80 minutes within each block to give sufficient time for assessments.
From our observations, there was a low percentage of students who actually came in early to work with their teachers at the beginning of the day for support. We will still maintain Prime Time, so students have access to teacher support.
Teachers will be assessing student learning and growth in semester classes to wrap up the course learning. So expect your son or daughter to be studying at home or preparing their final projects.
If your student needs to take their assessment at a different time due to medical needs, please provide a doctor’s note and your son or daughter will then be responsible for rescheduling their make-up final exam if needed.
Graduation Info
Order packets are still available in the office and you can place your orders online or through the mail. Please have your student stop in and pick-up a packet so you can place an order!
All-Night Graduation Party Plans Underway!
Have you heard about Chi-Hi’s All Night Grad Party? This lock-in event has been taking place for over 35 years as a safe way for seniors to celebrate graduation. The event starts following the graduation ceremony and lasts until the following morning.
Seniors purchase a ticket for the event at the low cost of $20 (which includes event t-shirt, activities, food, gift basket and door prizes). During the event, students are able to play casino-style games, carnival games, and sing karaoke. There are also large inflatables, tricycle races, and 4-square. Food is served all night including pizza, subs, chicken, snacks, and breakfast items. Students are able to win prizes throughout the evening while playing the various games, and larger prizes are raffled early in the morning before the event ends. Prizes and monetary donations come from various businesses in the community, and it takes over 100 volunteers to make this event happen. Our community is extremely fortunate to have this celebration available for our graduating seniors, and we would like to see it continue for years to come!
This year’s event will take place on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. Please watch for emails starting in January asking for volunteers.
Chi-Hi Hosts the 2019 Veterans Day Program
Chi-Hi Seniors Currently Enlisted
Air Force: Maxwell Brunner, Joshua Canziani, William Johnson
Army: Teagan Anderson, Matthew Jeffries
Army National Guard: Zachary O'Connell, Jason Thoe
Marines: Liam O'Connor, Kianna Prince, Tyes Vokovan
Navy: Cora Knight-Hamm, Daniel Moucha
Posting of Colors
Pledge of Allegiance
Presentation of Wreath
Principal Goodman
Speaker Steve Gilbertson
Speaker Stephen Gilbertson
CF Patriotic Council Honor Guard
Invited Guests
Poetry Reading
Choir Performance
Orchestra Performance
Band Perfomance
Order Your 2020 Chi-Hi Yearbook NOW!
There are two ways to order a yearbook this year. The first way is to pick up an order form located in the Main Office at Chi-Hi. Completed forms can be dropped off to Mr. Sikkink in room 139, the yearbook drop box outside room 132, or mailed to:
Chi-Hi Monocle
735 Terrill St.
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
The second method is to place your order online using the following link:
Order your Yearbook before February 21 and save $10.00 off of the distribution day price of $75.00! But you better hurry because at the time of printing there were only 300 books left available for purchase! Go online or get your order form and reserve your copy today! Once these remaining books are sold there is no guarantee that any will be available for sale on Distribution Day! It is important to pre-order your book as early as possible to ensure that your student will have their copy at the end of May!
Senior Farewells
All Senior Parents have been mailed a Senior Farewell order form to commemorate the accomplishments and memories of their student. If you have not received one or need another copy there are two ways to get another one.
- Pick up a form from the yearbook wall outside room 132
- Email Mr. Sikkink
If there are any questions on the order form please contact Mr. Sikkink. All SENIOR FAREWELL orders have a firm deadline of January 17, 2020!
Please feel free to email me with any questions you may have!
Scott Sikkink
Yearbook Advisor
715-726-2406 ext. 1327STEAM Open House
STEAM Open House Tuesday, March 10 from 5pm – 8pm at Chi-Hi
The Science, Math, Tech. Ed. and Art Departments are proud to host the 6th STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Open House on Tuesday, March 10, 2020. Our goal is to connect students to STEAM careers in the Chippewa Valley and to share how STEAM is a critical part of Chippewa Valley economy.
*New this year* We hope to have the new STEAM addition open and ready to showcase. We’re thankful for the community support and are excited about the new opportunities this addition will afford our students.
To register, go to https://qrgo.page.link/gwsCB or scan the QR Code (above right corner)
PURPOSE:
to promote what Chi-Hi’s science/technology/engineering/math programs do to enhance post-secondary readiness and close the skills gap.
to showcase STEAM-related post-secondary options and careers in the Chippewa Valley.
to connect our students to employers and the community at large.
For more information please contact:
Nick Gagnon
STEAM Coordinator
715-726-2406 ext. 1244
Dance Team Honors Laile Vang
On January 24, 2020 the Dance Team and Color Guard are teaming up to celebrate a young life that was taken away too soon at the hands of another. Laile Vang was a 2013 graduate of Chippewa Falls Senior High School. She was a good student and a great friend to many. She was on the Dance Team for four years and Color Guard for three years. Laile brought leadership in a quiet, gentle way but also wasn’t afraid to say what she felt. Laile’s loss impacted many lives. To celebrate and remember Laile as the beautiful person she was, we are doing a very special performance for her and her family on January 24 during the Varsity Girls Basketball game. The Dance Team and Color Guard including some alumni will be performing during half-time. In conjuction with this performance, we are doing a fundraiser for the Dollar Club with Central Lutheran Church. They help out local families, our community and local schools. Laile was always about helping others. Please come on JANUARY 24, 2020 at 7:00 PM. We will support our girls' basketball team and Laile’s memory. Everyone is welcome.
Agriscience Department is Expanding!
With the new STEAM addition in the high school completed, the Agriscience department has expanded. It now features a two-sided classroom, the Animal Learning Lab, the Sustainable Systems Growing Lab (greenhouse), and the tank room. With these expanded facilities we will be able to house small animals for the school year, large animals as visitors, grow produce using hydroponics and aquaponics, and will farm raise fish (aquaculture). These facilities will provide a safe environment for students to learn more by doing the actual hands-on activities, instead of just learning about them sitting in a chair.
Check out this list of course opportunities for students to take next year below! Full course descriptions are in the online coursebook. If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Burgan at burganjm@chipfalls.org
Cardinal Market
We have an exciting new resource at Chippewa Falls Senior High School: Cardinal Market. We are partnering with Feed My People to offer food for students to take home each week. Cardinal Market replaced The Weekend Meals Program. Each week there is a new order form for students to fill out and choose the items they would like to take home. This is emailed to all students every Monday.
Anyone is welcome to participate in this program. The food is at no cost to you or your child. Once the completed form is submitted via google forms, the bags will be packed and ready for pick up on the day chosen by each student.
If you would like more information, please reach out to Teresa Wahl, School Social Worker at wahltm@chipfalls.org or 715-726-2406 ext. 3549.
From the Chromebook Repair Team and Tech Department
- For parents of high schoolers, remind your son or daughter to charge their device every night before they go to bed.
- Make sure they completely turn their device off instead of just closing it. Why? Well, the Chromebook needs a break and needs to be able to capture weekly updates to run efficiently.
- Do not leave the device in a car or in a cold area.
- If the device is dirty, clean it. Use any type of non-bleach solvent or water and a microfiber cloth to wipe it down.
- Also, if the device is not working perfectly, bring it to the library so it can get looked at by our ACER Certified Student Technicians.
January School Board Meeting
Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Time: 7:00 pm Public Session
Place: District Office - 1130 Miles St - Chippewa Falls WI 54729
This meeting is a meeting of the Board of Education in public for the purpose of conducting the School District's business and is not to be considered a public community meeting. There is a time for public participation during the meeting as indicated in the agenda.
The public can access the School Board Agenda for this meeting by going to the School District website 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
Upon request to the School Board Secretary, submitted twenty-four (24) hours in advance, the District shall make reasonable accommodation including the provision of informational material in an alternative format for a disabled person to be able to attend this meeting.
A World of Opportunities This Year in FBLA
The start of the 2019-2020 school year has been filled with several activities and service events for the Chippewa Falls FBLA chapter. Our chapter has expanded our membership, from 81 students to 102! This is amazing and so many of our new and returning members have gotten involved in our FBLA activities. We have done so much already so far this year, here is just a highlight of some of the things we’ve done:
Chippewa Community Bash: FBLA members took the Chippewa Cardinal through the park in downtown Chippewa to take pictures with elementary students. This was a great opportunity for them to get involved in the community. The students had a great time with our community members.
Trick or Can: FBLA partnered with DECA to go door-to-door collecting non-perishable food items for Halloween. The students were able to collect over 500 cans to help fill the school food pantry.
CTSO Business Tours: Chippewa Falls CTSO students took time on a Saturday in November to learn more about our local businesses. They toured Farm and Fleet, Nordson EDI, Olson’s Ice Cream, and Dove Healthcare. While at each business, they learned about the business and industry, their employees, how to be successful employees, and how to interview and prepare for future career areas. We are thankful to our local businesses for their support and sharing this information with us.
Wisconsin Fall Leadership Conference: Current and aspiring leaders in our chapter attended a two day conference in Stevens Point in November. At the conference, the students prepared for competition, networked, worked together to develop chapter projects, and attended workshops to help them grow as leaders.
Cancer Care Basket Fundraiser: During one week in December and at various sporting events, FBLA members, along with HOSA, worked together to collect donations and give out ribbons. They raised over $700.00 to put towards preparing care baskets for cancer patients at the Marshfield Cancer Center in Eau Claire. This fundraiser was a huge success and it was all made possible by the many FBLA members that got involved and the Chippewa Falls community.
Reach Out and Read: A group of our freshmen members volunteered in Mr.Papierniak’s first grade class to take time and read with the students. They also developed a used book drive to collect children’s book for our local hospitals. The drive was a success and we were able to donate 3 boxes of children’s books to our local hospitals. “When the day came that we got to go over to help at Hillcrest I couldn’t wait to meet all the 1st graders. The time we spent there was even more than I hoped for and I am looking forward to when I can do something similar to this in the future. FBLA has so much to offer and I can't wait to experience more of the great things that are a part of this program." -Emma-Lyn Stephenson
Chippewa Falls FBLA members accomplished a lot in 2019 but giving back to the community and working with our local businesses. They are looking forward to 2020 with more opportunities planned to give back, learn from our business partners, and compete in a variety of events and career pathways.
Travel to Spain in 2021
School Parking
During the school day, please use the visitor parking spots in the front loop and if those are full, you can park along the curb in the loop. Just be aware that the loop is off-limits when the buses need to drop students off in the morning (they are usually gone by 8:15) or when they come back for after school day pick-up. They usually start to line up around 3:10.
A/B Calendar
HS Events
Clock Schedules
Attendance Policy Information
Five unexcused absences equal habitual truant status - Further action must be taken per statute. There is no actual number of maximum excused absences per statute or policy.
The only way absence can be excused per policy and statute:
Illness or Injury (medical note may be required for frequent or extended *no day limit required*) Also, per student handbook, students can be placed “on medical” for excessive absences due to illness, which would require a medical excuse for all future “illness absences”
Dental, Medical, Optometry, Psychological, Social Services, Military Personnel appointments. (Should be scheduled outside of school hours if possible)
Death, Funeral, Wedding (immediate family)
Family Emergency
Court Appearance
Appointment with Post-Secondary schools
Family Vacations (must notify in advance AND is limited to 10 excused days under this category)
Questionable requests can be denied based on students' academic performance, as well as the nature of the request, and other reasons. In other words, we have the right to refuse an excused absence.
BARR - Building Assets, Reducing Risks
Frequently Used Links for Athletics and Activities
- Dorais Field Livestream
- Chi-Hi Main Gym Livestream
- Save money with the All Season Sports Pass
- Chi-Hi Athletics & Activities Website
- Photos of Events happening at Chi-Hi taken by Dan Loomis