Waukesha South High School
Blackshirt January Newsletter
Learning, Growing, Succeeding Every Person Every Day
Principal Message
I hope everyone had a wonderful break with your child/children at home. I enjoyed the time with my four kids at home over the break. As a family we enjoyed playing board games together, building puzzles, watching movies, and sports. This year we were able to get outside more and enjoy the warmer weather as well.
Now that school is back in session the students are beginning to wrap up first semester courses. The final exam days are coming up on January 22, 23, and 24. If you child needs extra support please encourage them to attend the JIT (Just in Time) support in the mornings Tuesday-Thursday 7:35am-8:00am. If that isn't possible, all teachers are willing to find another time to support your child's learning.
The counselors are beginning to look at the class numbers and there may be some minor adjustments to some student schedules for second semester as classes are being balanced. In the near future, registration will begin for the 2020-2021 school year.
I will be hosting another Evening Chat with the Principal on Thursday, January 23 at 5:00pm. I will also share the same information at Coffee with the Principal at 8:15am on Thursday, January 23. This month's topic will be around math curriculum. Dan Keyser, the Director of Secondary Learning, will be presenting on this information and answering questions. The dates for the Evening Chat with the Principal are February 19, March 11, April 22, and May 13. All these chats will start at 5:00pm in the auditorium conference room. The Coffee with the Principal dates for the rest of the year are February 20, March 12, April 23, May 14. These chats will begin at 8:15am and will be in the auditorium conference room.
I wanted to share this Day Calendar link as well that is also on the South website. This is a document of what schedule is run such as all classes with homeroom, all classes without homeroom, or what classes are skipped on certain days. I wanted to provide the link and make sure everyone knew this is also on our website. It is helpful if we have a short week like this week and your child is not sure what schedule is being run. Additionally, here is the Daily Class Time Schedule link with all those schedules on one page.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to me anytime. I am excited to be here at South High School, and I look forward to continuing to partner with staff, parents/guardians, and students to make South safe and successful learning environment for all students.
For the most current information please visit our websites:
https://sdw.waukesha.k12.wi.us/southHS
https://sdw.waukesha.k12.wi.us/WAHP (Health Academy)
https://sdw.waukesha.k12.wi.us/WEPA (Engineering Academy)
Go Blackshirts!
Kevin Kitslaar
January Calendar
January 21 - All Classes No Homeroom
January 22 - Final Exams for Periods 1, 2, 3
January 23 - Final Exams for Periods 4, 6, 7
January 23 - Coffee with the Principal
January 23 - Evening Chat with the Principal
January 24 - Final Exams for Periods 5, 8, and Make - Up and End of Semester 1
January 27 - No School/Staff Development Day
January 28 - Second Semester Begins
Final Exams
Jostens Graduation Cap/Gown Presentation
Jostens will be here to meet with ALL seniors and Foreign Exchange students for their Cap & Gown presentation in the Auditorium on Monday, Jan. 6th at 9:15 a.m., which is during homeroom.
National Honor Society
There will be an informational meeting for all Juniors or Seniors interested in applying for the National Honor Society. Interested juniors and seniors should plan on attending a meeting during one of the following times: 1/14/20 at 7:15 AM or 1/16/20 at 3:15 PM in room 117. Dates, deadlines, and application information will be explained at this meeting.
2020 Seniors Picnic
A long-standing tradition at South has been to have a Senior Picnic after graduation practice. The picnic for our graduating seniors will have catered food, games and a DJ. In order to keep the tradition alive, Mrs. D'Angelo, Assistant Principals Secretary and Senior Class Advisor, will be collecting $10.00 per Senior throughout the year to make this happen. Please get your $10.00 in as soon as possible! More information to come throughout the year.
Safety Reminders for the New Year E-mail
Below is an email that was sent out to all families.
January 3, 2020
Dear Waukesha Families and Staff,
The School District of Waukesha is committed to providing a safe, supportive learning environment for all students. The safety of students, staff and our school community continues to be our top priority.
As a follow up to the November 27, 2019 district letter to all of our families and staff pertaining to safety, and in light of incidents at Waukesha South and North High Schools on December 2, 2019, we would like to again ask for your assistance in our efforts to make our school community as safe as possible.
We respectfully ask parents and staff to do the following:
Remind students that the items they bring to school must be appropriate for school. Wisconsin State Statute 948.61 (1) forbids students from bringing dangerous weapons (including but not limited to BB Guns and Pellet Guns) to school. We urge parents to routinely check their child’s backpack.
Remind students that threats, both direct and indirect, towards our students and schools will not be tolerated, even if intended as a “joke.” Any student found to be making a threat against the school or the district will be disciplined utilizing Board Policies 5600 and 5600.01. These steps may include the issuance of a 5-day out of school suspension and a pre-expulsion hearing, which further may result in a scheduled expulsion hearing with the Board of Education.
Remind students to use social media and the internet wisely. Students should not share anything on social media that they would not want their teachers, college admission officers, future bosses, and grandma to see.
Remind students to treat others with respect and kindness. Teach students that it is wrong to ridicule differences (e.g., race, religion, appearance, special needs, gender, economic status) and try to instill a sense of empathy for those who are different.
Remind students that “if you see something, say something.” Talk to kids and let them know that if they see suspicious activity, they should report it to a person of authority.
As always, the district will continue to drill, review, and refine our safety procedures. Thank you for your support in our efforts to maintain a safe and supportive environment for all of our students.
Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Joe Koch, PhD
Deputy Superintendent
School District of Waukesha
Parking Permit Reminder
Notes and Reminders
Students are not allowed to use cell phones in the classroom and students are not allowed to be using a backpack in between classes unless they have a backpack pass.
In order to maintain an academic environment, parents and students are not allowed to order food for students. This includes, but is not limited to Uber Eats, Grubhub, pizza delivery, etc. Thank you for your support in this matter.
In an effort to keep attendance records accurate the School District of Waukesha requires all absences, late arrivals and early departures be logged in our Safe Arrival reporting system. Please follow these instructions for easy set up and use.
Academic and Career Planning
I also wanted to share with you another resource that was shared with me from Mollie Haubenschild, Career and Technical Education Coordinator for the District, on how to open the door to critical college and career conversations with your children. If you would like more resources on Academic and Career Planning (ACP) feel free to visit the District ACP website section.
Athletic Events
For information about athletics please visit: www.goblackshirts.com
Student Service Team
Here is a caseload breakdown for each of the counselors:
Maricela Deleon- last names A-J
Sue Paulson- last names K-R
Paul Darling- last names S-Z + WEPA
Sara Dood- AVID and WAHP