JAGUAR JOURNAL
Ankeny Centennial High School - October 2022
Message from the Principal
Hello Jag Families!
Being a Centennial Jaguar calls us to live the Jaguar Creed, a set of beliefs developed by students when Centennial opened ten years ago. We believe that an Ankeny Centennial Jaguar:
Cares first for others.
Respects the diverse natures and opinions of their peers and their teachers.
Pursues excellence through hard work.
Creates a welcoming environment so every person feels valued and important.
Brings honor to themselves and their school through character and integrity.
Collaborates with peers to accomplish common goals.
As we stay the course in living the creed, I’m excited to share a student-focused model we are gradually implementing in our Advisory class: Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP). One of the aims of MVP is to help students of all backgrounds develop the skills to become leaders and mentors to others on the issues of violence prevention and increasing empathy. At its core, the goals of MVP are to:
Inspire and develop student leadership and action for positive change.
Increase awareness of verbal, emotional, technological, physical and sexual abuse and all forms of bullying.
Challenge thinking and help individuals consider how they may respond in situations of harm.
Create safe/brave spaces for open dialogue and discussion.
Help equip our students for post-secondary life with skills for navigating relationships and responding in various situations.
We are embracing the concept of, “Move slow now to move fast later,” in regards to MVP implementation. In other words, intentionality with each step and ensuring everyone has the resources needed for success will help us create sustained implementation. Last June, a number of teachers, counselors, and administrators from the 8-9 and 10-12 buildings in our district attended MVP training. Our Centennial team was fired up and ready to serve our building in leading implementation, much due to the power we see in MVP on ensuring a positive school culture for all. Since July, a number of our CHS students have been trained as Mentors, and they will be facilitating conversations in 10th and 11th grade Advisory. During our 2022-23 school year, we plan to deliver a total of five MVP lessons, the first one scheduled for October 28, 2022. Our long-term goal is to build capacity among our student body and train more and more students for this important leadership role. And, as Northview Middle School implements MVP, students will eventually come to Centennial already trained as mentors. We will reach a day when MVP is just what we do around here.
When I reflect on the power of MVP, especially hearing from students and staff from other districts who have been implementing it over time, I can’t help but think of how we have the opportunity to transform our school culture, ensuring every student feels valued and connected to our Centennial community. I’m grateful for our current students who have stepped up in advocating for MVP as they are leaving a legacy when they graduate.
If you are interested in learning more about MVP, you can access information on our district website here: https://www.ankenyschools.org/district/mentors-in-violence-prevention/ Also, for each week when we are scheduled to deliver an MVP lesson, you can expect an email with specific information on the MVP topic as well as discussion questions you can ask at home. Be on the lookout for your first email during the week of October 24th.
If you have any questions about MVP, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jill Urich
Principal
From Administration
PSAT on Wednesday, October 12:
An adjusted schedule will be in place on October 12th to accommodate for PSAT testing. 10th and 11th grade students who will be testing should arrive at school at 7:45am. Students need to be in their testing room by 8:00am. Testing room assignments are hung outside the counseling office, please ask your student to locate which room they are assigned to test in prior to October 12th.
Important items for students testing
Bring #2 Pencils
Bring a Photo ID
Bring a non graphing calculator
Cell Phones, Smart Watches and bluetooth headphones or devices will not be allowed in the testing room
Wednesday October 12th Schedule
Parent-Teacher Conferences on Thursday, October 13:
Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held at Centennial High School on Thursday, October 13th from 4:30pm - 8:30pm. Conferences will be offered in 10 minute increments and can be scheduled in-person or virtually. Families can schedule conferences with teachers today through Tuesday, October 11th via THIS LINK.
If you have specific questions for a teacher, please contact them directly. Otherwise, direct all general questions regarding conferences to your student's counselor.
Katelyn Fischels (A-E) Sarah Thorsbakken (F-K)
Laura Chapman (L-Q) Ashley Wilson (R-Z)
From the Nurse
Per our District's handbook, "the primary mission of the school nurse is to remove health barriers to learning." Based on the nurse's assessment and nursing judgment, it will be determined if the available over the counter medications or other nursing interventions would be beneficial in removing any health barriers to your student's learning experience. Then, per our handbook, "if it is necessary for a student to go home, the parent will be contacted and arrangements will be made for the student to go home."
What is stocked in the nurse's office at ACHS?
Our nurse's office has over the counter medications including acetaminophen and ibuprofen (both tablets and chewable), Tums, and cough drops. Due to a limited supply for all students, these medications are not for regular use. If your student requires over the counter pain relievers on a more frequent basis, please provide your own bottle from home along with the District’s Request for Giving Medication at School Form.
While Benadryl is also available, this is for emergencies such as allergic reactions. This medication will not be given in the school setting for environmental allergies; the nurse's office does not stock routine allergy medications such as Zyrtec or Claritin. Please take these medications routinely, or as recommended by your healthcare provider, at home. We do not stock over the counter cold medications (Dayquil, Nyquil, Sudafed, Mucinex, etc) or Pepto-Bismol and Imodium.
Please reach out to our building’s nurse, Krystal Stanford, via email at krystal.stanford@ankenyschools.org with any questions!
News from the Counselors & Social Worker
FUTURE READY WEEK INFORMATION 2022-23
Look for more details on the Annual Ankeny Future Ready Night that will be held on November 7th from 5:30 to 8:15. The purpose of the event is to provide parents and guardians with the information they need to support their child’s future planning and annual course selection; this night is intended to serve parents/guardians of students in the class of 2024, the class of 2025, and the class of 2026.
ACT Registration
The regular registration deadline for the December 10, 2022 ACT is November 4, 2022.
To learn more about the ACT and how to register go to actstudent.org.
SENIOR PARENTS: FAFSA OPENED OCTOBER 1ST
If your student is planning to go to college next year, there are some important steps in the financial aid process that your family needs to complete. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is available on October 1st.
Every college or university has their own deadline for the FAFSA -- some as early as November 15th -- so check out www.ICANsucceed.org/priority to find the priority dates for the schools you are applying to. You will use your tax information from 2021 to file the FAFSA for the 2023-24 school year. The FAFSA is solely based on 2021 tax information, so you won’t have to update the FAFSA with 2022 taxes.
Visit www.fafsa.gov to file the form.
If you have questions about paying for college, or would like free help filing your FAFSA, ICAN offers free resources for college planning and financial aid. You can visit their website, www.ICANsucceed.org, to schedule an appointment, or call their toll free number, 877-272-4692 to talk to an advisor.
DMACC DISCOVERY DAYS
Students who are interested in the upcoming DMACC Discovery Events this fall should register at DMACC Career Discovery Events. Parents may choose to excuse their student to attend. Participants will learn about DMACC educational programs, do hands-on activities, and connect to future careers and professionals by touring a local related business.
News from the Media Center
Open Mic’ Night - Our first Open Mic’ Night was held at Ankeny High School on the 6th. It featured staff and student performers and we had a variety of entertainment! Thank you to those who shared their talents!
3D Printing - If you student would like to learn more about 3D printing, have them stop by the library. We have software that serves a variety of skill levels. As technology evolves, these tools are becoming more common each year.
Misinformation - Many people share misinformation unknowingly and sometimes with good or altruistic intentions — whether to articulate their perspectives, warn others away from danger or join others in trying to make sense of the world around them. This guide can help! Information provided by the News Literacy Project.
News from the Athletics & Activities Department
Winter Sports Practice Dates
Girls wrestling practice starts October 31. Girls basketball, boys and girls bowling and boys swimming all begin practices November 7. Boys Basketball and wrestling begin practices November 14.
Marching Band & Color Guard
Centennial Marching Band and Color Guard have been competing throughout the months of September and October with wins for best color guard and best drum majors. The Centennial Marching Band placed 2nd out of 22 bands and Best Color Guard at Valleyfest Marching Band Competition. The Mid-Iowa Band Championship will be held at Ankeny Stadium on October 15, beginning at 4:00 p.m. Enjoy an evening of marching bands scheduled to attend
Marching Band & Color Guard
Centennial Marching Band and Color Guard have been competing throughout the months of September and October with wins for best color guard and best drum majors. The Centennial Marching Band placed 2nd out of 22 bands and Best Color Guard at Valleyfest Marching Band Competition. The Mid-Iowa Band Championship will be held at Ankeny Stadium on October 15, beginning at 4:00 p.m. Enjoy an evening of marching bands scheduled to attend.
Boys & Girls Cross Country
The boys cross country team held their annual Red Ribbon Run Friday, October 7. This year the team ran from Waukee NW to the Ankeny Stadium to present the game ball prior to the football game. This year the team raised over $4,000 for Blank Children’s Hospital.
The boys and girls cross country teams continue their success into October. The girls team is ranked fifth and earned a first place finish at the Ft. Dodge Invitational. The conference meets for both teams will be October 12 and the state qualifying meets will be Wednesday, October 19.
Girls Swimming & Diving
The swim and dive team will compete in the conference meet being held at Trail Point on Saturday, October 22. The state qualifying diving meet is on November 3 and swimming is on November 5. Location to be announced.
Volleyball
The volleyball team will celebrate Senior Night Tuesday, October 11, and will play Waukee NW. The Jaguars will begin regional play on Thursday, October 20, 7 pm at Centennial.
Football
10/14 Jaguars are at SE Polk. Online tickets only HERE.
10/21 Jaguars return home vs DM East for Senior Night.
By the morning of Saturday 10/22, we will know who and where we play for Class 5A Playoffs Football. Watch for the brackets to be released by the IHSAA or social media.
Reminders
Friendly reminder that postseason ticket sales will be electronic per the IGHSAU and IHSAA. We encourage you to buy your tickets for playoffs and postseason events in advance. QR codes will be on-site to help if needed.
Go Jags!
Additional Important Information
Senior Class Meeting This Friday
Seniors, we have an important senior class meeting this Friday, October 14th, in the auditorium during Advisory. Jostens will be here to provide information on caps/gowns and graduation announcements. As a friendly reminder, this Senior Calendar keeps you informed of important dates throughout 2022-23, leading to graduation.
Employee & Family Resources (EFR)
As a member of our school district - whether you are a student, parent/guardian, or staff member - you are provided services through EFR. Check out their website to learn of free counseling services and other available supports: www.efr.org
22-23 AP Registration & Payment
This message is to inform you about some important information relating to Advanced Placement Exam registration for the 2022-2023 school year. This year, the institution that runs the Advanced Placement exams, The College Board, will have students register in the fall to take the spring exam (official testing will take place in May). Therefore, as a school we must submit our completed order for exams to the College Board by October 28th.
To ensure that our order is submitted on time, we will open the Registration for exams on Monday, October 3rd, and it will remain open until 4:00 on Friday, October 28th.
In order to ensure accurate ordering, here are the steps to take to register your student for an AP exam:
Parents will select and pay for the exams the student is planning to take by utilizing the District’s online payment system, Touchbase . Touchbase is accessed by going to the district website, and clicking “Online Payments” on the top of the homepage.
Each exam is $97, with a reduced fee if your student receives free/reduced lunch.
If you are unable to access the Touchbase system for any reason, you can also send a check with your student to the main office at Centennial, and we can help sign them up for the exam(s).
If paying via check, please have your student bring a check to the counseling office. In the memo portion of your check, please write the AP exam you plan to take.
Your student will log in to their class AP site and select “Yes” for the AP exam.
Your student’s status is automatically defaulted to “Undecided”, so it is important that they change this to “Yes” if they plan to take the AP exam.
*Any student taking a second-semester only course will register for their exam in the spring. More info will come later regarding the registration.
Click here for further instructions on how to sign your student up for an AP exam: AP Parent Payment Instructions
If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact:
Katelyn Fischels, CHS Counselor: katelyn.fischels@ankenyschools.org
Dr. Jeffry Grassmeyer, CHS Associate Principal: jeffry.grassmeyer@ankenyschools.org
Upcoming Calendar of Events
October
10/12: PSAT Tests 7:00-11:00am
10/13: Fall Conferences 4:30-8:30pm
10/14: Josten's cap & gown and announcement presentation to the Senior Class
10/14: Josten Order Day - Sophomore Class
10/19: Late Start - 9:25am
10/20: Josten Order Day - Senior Class
10/21: No School - Fall Break
10/24: No School - Professional Learning Day
10/26: Late Start - 9:25am
November
11/02: Late Start - 9:25 am
11/03: Picture Retake Day - 8:15 am to 12 noon
11/07: Annual Ankeny Future Ready Night - 5:30 pm to 8:15 pm, Location: TBD
11/09: Late Start - 9:25 am
11/17: Late Start - 9:25 am
11/23-25: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Holiday Break
Important Future Dates:
Prom: April 15, 2023
ACHS Commencement: June 3, 2023
Ankeny Centennial High School
Website: https://achs.ankenyschools.org/
Location: 2220 Northwest State Street, Ankeny, IA, USA
Phone: 515-965-9610
District Equity Statement
District Equity Statement
Confidentiality Notice: This email and any attachments are covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§2510-2521 and contain privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the individual or entity named. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you should not review, use, disclose, distribute, copy or forward this email. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete/destroy any and all copies of the original message.
Equity Notice: Ankeny Community School District does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, military affiliation, socioeconomic status, or familial status. Inquiries or grievances may be directed to Kenneth Morris, Jr., Equity Director, 306 SW School Street, P.O. Box 189, Ankeny, IA, 50021-0189, (515) 965-9600, kenneth.morris@ankenyschools.org; or the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office Building, Des Moines, IA, 50319-0201, (515) 281-4121; or the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661.