Little Elm High School
Weekly Newsletter - August 11, 2019
Geared Up & Ready for 19 - 20
Unlocking the World with a Passport to Freedom
With another school year quickly approaching, teachers and staff have been working hard preparing to welcome back our Lobos. We are excited about the 19-20 school year and are looking forward to building on the momentum from last year. Whether academics, athletics, or fine arts, LEHS students continue to set goals and push to set new standards and records. There are no limits to the heights that LEHS students can reach and the staff at LEHS are ready to help them reach their full potential!
Our campus has received some additional upgrades this summer. Our Engineering classrooms are now a combined suite with a robotics pit in between. This is a great space for our Engineering students to launch our new Drone program! DECA and LEHS Marketing students will be excited to see their new store front and window showcase that will provide more visibility for their marketing activities. Health Science students will enjoy an expanded and updated Health Science Lab and Pharmacy Lab. Additionally, we are welcoming a new Special Programs unit Flite from another campus. Our students will be welcomed to a newly expanded and specially designed learning space just for them.
The first day of school is always full of excitement and hope. It's a new start with a clean slate and we are ready to help all LEHS students fill their 19-20 slate with new experiences, challenges and accomplishments. In the words of Oprah Winfrey, "Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom."
Renee Pentecost
Principal
Little Elm High School
First Day Need to Knows!
First period teacher lists will be posted by the cafeteria and auditorium. Students should check this list and report to their designated 1st period class. You will receive a schedule printed on colored paper that will be signed by the teacher in each class.
Student aides should report to the Library.
Students with late arrival (no 1st or 2nd period class) should report to the Auditorium on the left side (facing the stage) to receive their printed schedule. ***Please do not depend on schedule in focus. The colored printed schedule will be your ticket into class.
Traffic will be heavy the first few days until everyone adjusts their schedule. Please refer to the map linked below for designated areas for parent drop off, bus drop off, student and staff parking.
Freshman Sneak Peek - Class of 2023
We would like to open our doors to you on Monday evening from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM to take a sneak peak at your new campus. We will have important information for you to take home such as bell schedule, school calendar, campus map, etc. We will also have plenty of current Lobos ready to show you around. Parents and students can take a tour or simply walk their schedule. We will also have a computer lab set up to help parents create their parent portal account. LEISD Transportation is also hosting an informational night on this same evening at Lakeside Middle School from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM. Our event will be a come and go informal night so you will have time to make both back to school events!
Make sure to check out the flyer below to learn about our Freshmen College Tours. Mrs. Keisha Brown our Coordinator for College Readiness organizes a college tour for all LEHS freshmen each Fall. Don't miss this opportunity to begin your planning for post-secondary opportunities! Mrs. Brown will be set up Monday night to take the required field trip form and $10 fee to join this unique and fun college experience.
LEHS Athletic Trainers to Receive "Team Behind the Team" Award
LEHS Yearbook Staff win First Place!
The theme/ title of the upcoming yearbook is, "The Little Things." Staffers started hashing out ideas for the theme well before the last school year ended. The group finalized the theme, and came up with a concept drawing of the outside of the yearbook during camp.
Another crucial part of the yearbook camp was the yearbook staff bonding together as a family. These group of students will spend the next year working long hours together and according to yearbook sponsor Sherri White it is important that they all work together, cohesively.
The long hours of camp, which included working from 8:30 in the morning till 8 p.m. at night, mediocre cafeteria food, the summer heat, and two false fire alarms were just a few of the things the staff endured during their time on the TWU campus. The hard work paid off with the staff earning a Gold Status award at the camp, a first for the yearbook staff. Along with the Gold Status, the staff received a first place trophy for their efforts when completing a series of 17 tasks in preparation for the upcoming yearbook.
Volleyball Season is here!
LEHS Picture Day for Grades 9-11
Little Elm High School
Picture Day Date: Tuesday, August 27
Picture Day ID: TX129090Q0
LEHS is now a Certifying Organization
In 2003 the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to recognize the important part that America’s volunteers play in our country’s strength and national identity. This award honors those citizens whose commitment to service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires others to give back. Starting with the 2019-2020 school year, Little Elm High School is recognized as a Certifying Organization for this award. Little Elm High School is proud to be able to recognize our students who are committed to serving the community as well as assisting them with the opportunity to achieve such a prestigious award as the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
See the attached details on how to earn the President's Volunteer Service Award.
The Denton County Office of History and Culture is looking for high school students to join the Denton County Junior Historians program!
Denton County Junior Historians is an opportunity for high school students (grades 9-12) to work together to discuss and engage in local history in new and interesting ways. Members attend meetings twice a month on Tuesday evenings, volunteer at special events, and work together on group projects. The projects include designing exhibits and working with historical artifacts from the museum's collection. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to develop leadership skills, to give back to the community, meet new people, and engage in local history.
Denton County Junior Historians is designed to benefit both the students and the Office of History & Culture! As a historical organization, we understand the importance of engaging the youth of our community. We want the students to have a lasting appreciation for local history and carry the torch for future generations.
Students will cultivate important life skills such as: teamwork, cooperation, conflict resolution, time-management, organization, communication, public speaking, and negotiation skills. Students will also be exposed to professional museum practices, taking on the role of curator and historian through special projects.
Last November, Denton County Junior Historians received its official charter as Chapter No. 933 of the Junior Historians of Texas from the Texas State Historical Association. If you visit our website, you can see past student projects. We can’t wait to meet the 2019-20 Junior Historians!
Parents and Volunteers
On June 28, 2018 all volunteers were deactivated. Volunteers must reapply for the 2019-2020 school year using the link below. All volunteer applications must be done through App-garden.
How do you know if you need to complete a Volunteer Application?
If you will be working with any of the the Parent Booster Clubs such as Athletics, Band, Choir, Theater, etc. or if you would like to assist by serving as a chaperone on field trips or if you plan on volunteering on campus - these are all reasons why you must fill out a Volunteer Application before you serve. Our students benefit from the many volunteer hours that our parents and community members invest in our schools. For the safety of our students, we require all volunteers to complete a volunteer application and we run a name-based, state-wide criminal history record check on all applicants. The background check must be completed and approved before volunteering.
For the safety of our students - requiring a background check on all adults who work directly with students is just another example of how LEISD puts the safety of students first! The application just takes a few minutes to fill out but this small investment of time will avoid any delay to your ability to be involved at your child's school.
Do You Need a Parking Pass?
2019-2020 LEHS School Supplies
19-20 Bus Information Now Available in Focus
- Reduced device protection fee to use a district issued laptop.
- Fee waiver to take the SAT and/or ACT for free
- Dual Credit tuition for free at NCTC
- AP Exam Test fee reduction
High school students often do not want to participate in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program. The Federal Free/Reduced Lunch Program is the standard used by many programs to qualify students for financial assistance. Even if a student never uses their eligibility in the lunchroom, they can benefit greatly in other areas if they qualify for the Lunch Program. Eligibility has to be reestablished each year. You can fill out the application here. We highly suggest that all families fill out an application to see if you qualify.
Lobo Marching Band
Our Marching Band is working hard to put together a fantastic show this year and they need someone to drive their semi-truck to and from games and competitions. This important job is for someone who can drive once or twice a week mostly on Thursday night, Friday Night, or Saturdays. Even if we have a couple of drivers who can rotate, that would be great! If you have a Commercial Driver's License, love football season and all the pageantry that marching band brings to the field, and want to feel truly appreciated for what you do - then please apply!!
Greetings Class of 2020 Seniors,
Welcome to your senior year! Students, this is your opportunity to really prepare for the next phase of your lives, seriously thinking about the kind of student or employee you want to be and become in the future.
It no longer matters who you were in the past and the mistakes you have made; this year is about establishing who you will be.
So choose wisely and get ready to jump in with your full being to the learning journey you are about to embark upon. Traditionally, students think that senior year is supposed to be an easy one that can be dialed in, after the work put forth since freshman year, but the habits you establish this year can carry you onto the road of success whether you choose to go to college, enlist in the military or join the workforce.
This will be a busy year - a year of lasts. The last Pep Rally, the last game, the last Homecoming, the last concert, the last play, the last yearbook, the last Prom, but it can also be a year to leave your mark on LEHS. What will your legacy be? The last four classes have left LEHS with traditions that will have a positive impact for years to come. The Class of 2016 was the first class to participate in the Lobo Legacy Walk. This tradition gives seniors one last opportunity to tour the district schools that have invested in their future as well as giving current students the opportunity to see what the end goal, graduation, looks like. The Class of 2017 was the first class to participate in the LEHS Senior Days of Service. This tradition provides seniors the opportunity to give back to their community. Students who participate in community service learn that they can actually make a difference which leads to a better understanding of their own competence, leading to more self-confidence and a can-do attitude that can spread to their work and academic pursuits. The Class of 2018 was the first class to graduate more than 500 seniors.The Class of 2019 were the first to be able to follow their progress on being College, Career, and Life Ready from their Focus Dashboard. This unique tool helps students and parents better plan for post-high school goals. The Class of 2019 also were the first to hold a Senior Sunrise and Sunset providing seniors a special occasion to come together and celebrate their last year of high school. So Class of 2020 Seniors, it is your time to shine! We are looking forward to seeing how you as a class choose to make a difference at LEHS and beyond.
Here are a few dates to mark on your calendar:
Friday, August 16, 6:30 AM - Senior Sunrise gathering hosted by the Class of 2020 Senior Class officers. More details in next week's newsletter
Thursday, May 21, 2019 - Graduation 10 AM at UNT
Please note that graduation will be on a Thursday this year. This is the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend so let your family and friends know early so they can plan accordingly. The Saturday time slot that we had for a few years was not available when we were allowed to book several months ago. We had to take the next best date so that we did not have to hold graduation a week or more after the last day of school. The good news is you and your family can celebrate graduation and then have the entire holiday weekend for other plans.
Looking forward to your leadership in 19-20!
Renee Pentecost
LEHS Principal
List of Fall Senior Events
Class of 2020 Graduation at UNT
Thursday, May 21, 2020
10:00 AM
Class of 2020 Senior Portraits
One of the first items on the senior year to-do list is to have official senior portraits taken for the yearbook. All yearbook portraits must be taken by our approved photography company, Prestige Portraits. Please note that you may choose whichever Prestige location is most convenient for you. Prestige will send the photos to the yearbook staff directly, so you do not need to worry about getting a copy to submit for the yearbook.
In order to guarantee that we have the photos in time for our yearbook deadline, and to ensure that you get to choose the pose you'd like for us to include, please have them taken BEFORE school starts on August 14.
A few other things to keep in mind:
The sitting for your formal yearbook (tux/drape) and cap and gown pose are FREE. The portrait studio will provide the apparel for all of these shots -- you do not need to bring a tux, etc...
Please note that school dress code applies to senior portraits, so be mindful of things like piercings, etc...
You may pay to have additional poses with other outfits taken for your personal use. Obviously, you do not have to use Prestige for these personal shots, but ONLY Prestige photographs may be used in the yearbook.
We look forward to a memorable year!
Save the Date: LEHS Meet the Teacher
Report Harmful, Harassing, and Bullying Behavior
LEISD has an on-line tool called "Anonymous Alerts" that students, parents, and teachers can use to report harmful, harassing, and bullying type behaviors. Anonymous Alerts bullying reporting mobile app helps combat bullying and other negative activity in schools by empowering students to speak up. Social and peer pressures are some of the hardest obstacles for students to overcome. Anonymous Alerts encourages students, parents and staff to quickly, easily, and anonymously report bullying, cyber-bullying, gang-related issues, and other sensitive topics through private messages to school officials by building. All reports remain completely anonymous even during a two-way email conversation, although submitters have the option to reveal their identity if they prefer to have a person-to-person discussion.
To send a report from the Web/Internet go to: www.anonymousalerts.com/littleelmisd/
To send a report from your phone:
- Download the Anonymous Alerts® app for free from the Apple Store, Google Play store, and the Chrome store
- Start the App, enter login: leisd and password: leisd
- Send important reports to school officials
- Add a screen shot or photo about the incident
College Readiness Newsletter
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarship Search Site - Provided by College Board
College Covered
While you are there, check out the website College Covered. Do you want to know what you need in a winning college essay, what college entrance test score you need, or what makes a top notch college application? Get what you need to help get into the college of your dreams with the help of College Covered.
An App Matches Students with College Scholarships They Can Use
Little Elm High School
Misty Chesnut - Academic Dean (mchesnut@littleelmisd.net)
Clint Miller - White House Principal A - E (cmiller@littleelmisd.net)
Ruben Molinar - Grey House Principal F - Li (rmolinar@littleelmisd.net)
Kyle Heller - Blue House Principal Lo - Ri (kheller@littleelmisd.net)
Terilyn Thomas-Monday - Gold House Principal Ro - Z (tthomas-monday@littleelmisd.net)
Website: http://www.littleelmisd.net/Domain/9
Location: 1900 Walker Lane, Little Elm, TX, United States
Phone: (972) 947-9443
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Elm-High-School/736775073135970?notif_t=page_fan
Twitter: @LittleElmHS