The Bird Call
November 2022
It's a Learning Experience
We did it. Pat yourself on the back and walk a little taller. In the span of 6 days, we survived Halloween on a Monday night and the end of daylight savings time. Am I wrong in thinking that if Thanksgiving can be the 4th Thursday in November then Halloween can just as easily be the last Saturday in October? Just a heads up, it's a Tuesday next year! I digress...
November always sneaks up on me. Before I know it, the weather is changing, holiday music is playing in stores, and we are making plans to wrap up another semester. It becomes an extremely hectic and chaotic time that seems to carry through the new year. It is also a season of the year that centers on fellowship and gratitude. It is at the same time stressful and joyful. Finding balance is crucial to making it through the holiday season. That is often easier said than done.
Our students face this dilemma on a daily basis. Many of our students are involved in several clubs, sports, and/or activities. On top of that, more and more students are employed and working upwards of 20 + hours per week. Combining those commitments with their academic demands makes time management and the ability to effectively prioritize a crucial skill.
In Stephen Covey's book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, he identifies the need to put first things first as the third habit. It is the notion of being driven by the principles you value most, not by the agendas and other influences surrounding you. Sounds great, but, how can this broad idea become a usable concept?
One resource that I have found very helpful is The Eisenhower Matrix. Made famous by the 34th President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, the matrix helps prioritize tasks based on both urgency and importance. As you can see below, the matrix is broken into four quadrants. The horizontal labels (urgent and not urgent) along with the vertical labels (important and not important) create a framework that can simplify even the most difficult "to-do" lists. The first step in prioritizing is being able to identify which of your tasks is most important and urgent. This systematic approach does just that.
As I navigate these next few months, I know I will come back to this framework. There will be times when I have to put off the things I would rather do for the things that I need to do. There will be times when I have to distinguish between which two important tasks are the most urgent. There will be times when I need to rely on others to help me work through all that needs to be accomplished. And, there will be times when I need to stay disciplined and focused which might result in eliminating some tasks entirely. All the while, I hope to constantly be present in each moment and not anxious about all that still lies ahead.
My hope for each of you is that this holiday season brings a renewed sense of normalcy after several years of uncertainty. And, through it all, a heart full of appreciation for the people and activities in your life that might also drive you a little crazy from time to time.
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. I hope you find the information helpful and, as always, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out.
Go Jays!
Joe Casey
High School Principal
Email: caseyj@cleverbluejays.org
Remind: Text "@clever9-12" to 81010
Twitter: @CleverPrincipal
Hickman's Happenings
Character Education in the HS
Our character word of the month for November is Trustworthy. A trustworthy Clever Bluejay tells the truth and is sincere - They say what they mean and mean what they say. These students keep their word and are reliable and dependable.
Attendance Incentives
Our attendance goal is for each student to have 95% for the year. This would equate to about 7.25 full days missed (excused or unexcused absences) for the school year. In order to work towards this goal, we will be offering attendance incentives each quarter throughout the year for those students meeting that 95% goal. On Friday, October 28, each student who had 95% attendance or higher for the first quarter (only missing about 1.75 days) was treated to a cup of hot chocolate at lunch. In December, we will offer another incentive for students achieving 95% or higher for the 2nd quarter/1st semester. We appreciate everyone making it to school and making it on time!
A+ News
Seniors:
If you have not met the math requirement for A+ (advanced or proficient on the Algebra I EOC), then the requirement can still be met by receiving a qualifying score on the math test of the ACT or by retaking the Algebra I EOC. We will offer seniors the opportunity to retake the Algebra I EOC in December. Please see Mrs. Waisner or Mrs. Hickman if you’d like to sign up for the retake.
ACT - Taking the ACT and getting a qualifying score on the math test will also satisfy the A+ requirement. The next ACT date is Saturday, December 10th. The late registration deadline is Friday, November 11th. You will have to pay a late fee. You can register online at www.act.org.
FAFSA - Just a reminder to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This is one of the requirements to be eligible for the A+ scholarship. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Waisner or Mrs. Hickman.
Students and parents should first set up a FSA ID: https://fsaid.ed.gov
File the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. This is a free website - beware of other sites which may charge a fee!!
Help Spread the Word!
Re-Take Date: November 17th
Counselor's Corner
From Mrs. Waisner
November 3 - Air Force Visit
November 9 - Missouri Western State University
November 17 - OTC visit
Seniors make sure to file your FAFSA. Go to https://journeytocollege.mo.gov/pay/file-a-fafsa/ for more information.
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the FAFSA, is the first step to qualifying for most forms of financial aid.
The FAFSA offers access to:
- Federal financial aid, such as Pell grants, Work-Study, and student loans
- State financial aid, such as the Access Missouri Grant and A+ Scholarship
- Financial aid from colleges, universities, and other postsecondary schools
- Some private scholarships and grants
The information you provide on the FAFSA helps determine the types and amounts of financial aid you may be eligible to receive.
FAFSA filing contest for all seniors - Submit your FAFSA by November 30th for your chance to win one of four $50 amazon gift cards. The drawing will take place on December 1st.
From Mrs. Kirkbride
Looking for more???
Absent Work & Re-Do Policy
Absent Work
The number of days allowed for making up/turning in work due to an absence will be equal to the number of days missed. For example, a student who misses two days of school will have until the end of the school day on the second day he/she is back to turn in missing assignments.
Assignments not completed within the allowed timeframe will be recorded as Incomplete ("I") and will then follow the guidelines for missing assignments.
Missing Assignments & Re-Do Procedure
All Formative and Summative activities not turned in on time will be recorded as an Incomplete ("I") in the grade book. This will be calculated as a zero in the student's overall grade. For assignments completed on time, the original grade will be recorded. Turning in incomplete work or re-doing an assignment will be allowed and the new grade will be recorded as long as the following timeframes are met. If the timeframes are not met, the grade will remain an Incomplete or the original grade will be the final grade.
Formative: Due no later than the beginning of class the following Tuesday*.
Summative: Due no later than the end of the school day 7 calendar days* from the original due date (missing) or the day the graded assignment was recorded in Lumen (re-do).
*If the final due date is a day that school is not in session (inclement weather, breaks, etc.), it will extend to the next day school is in session.
It is recognized that unforeseen hardships will arise which might result in the need for flexibility within this policy. In those circumstances, individual exceptions will be considered at the discretion of the teacher or building administration as long as the student or parent/guardian communicates in a proactive manner.
Eligibility Policy
Academic eligibility checks will take place once every three weeks beginning on the fourth Wednesday of each semester. If a student has two or more failing grades at the time of an eligibility check, he/she will be academically ineligible until the following eligibility check at the earliest. Ineligible students will not be permitted to participate in or attend any extracurricular activities. This includes all athletic events, clubs, and activities as well as attending any school-sponsored events outside of the school day, such as Homecoming or Prom.
Eligibility checks will take place on the following days during the school year:
September 14, 2022
October 5, 2022
October 26, 2022
November 16, 2022
December 7, 2022
January 25, 2023
February 15, 2023
March 8, 2023
March 29, 2023
April 19, 2023
May 10, 2023
Clever High School
Email: caseyj@cleverbluejays.org
Website: www.cleverbluejays.org
Phone: 417-743-4830
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clever-High-School-107961380555502/