Little Elm High School
Weekly Newsletter - August 4, 2019
Geared Up & Ready for 19 - 20
Fostering a Safe, Healthy Learning Environment
A healthy, safe, and supportive learning environment enables students to learn in powerful ways. LEISD administration and LEHS staff have been working together to ensure our students feel safe at school. While our society grapples with recent tragedies such as shootings, suicides and natural disasters, our school community has continued to refine our policies and procedures to ensure that every student and staff member in the district will be safe.
How can you help? There are several ways you can help us in this area. First we ask that all visitors to our campus check in through the main front office. This helps us make sure that we know who is in our building at all times. If you will need to enter areas outside of the front office, please bring your driver's license to check in. If you are picking up your LEHS student, please be aware of our dismissal time (2:55 PM). We will not be able to facilitate student check out during the last 15 minutes of the day (from 2:40 - 2:55 PM) to ensure all staff can be ready and in place to assist with dismissal. We have over 2100 students who all release at the same moment - some make their way to their bus that leaves within 10 minutes of dismissal, some enter the busy dismissal traffic by driving their own car, some begin the walk home, while others make their way to the student pick up line. This is a huge undertaking every day and requires many adults in critical duty stations to ensure a safe dismissal. Thank you for your flexibility and efforts to schedule appointments according to our dismissal procedures.
Another area we are asking for your help and support is with cell phones. Cell phones have increasingly become a distraction to learning and a tool for harassment and bullying in schools. As a staff we have been following a lot of research that indicates that cell phones especially social media apps are a significant factor in teen stress that can lead to depression and bullying because teens do not believe they can escape from it. In an effort to make sure that our classrooms are safe learning environments, we will work together to consistently enforce the cell phone policy found in the district Student Code of Conduct. (see page 12) and the district Student Handbook (see page 48). We will meet with all students the first full week of school to explain the importance of following the district policies and procedures in regards to cell phones. Please note that if a student's phone is picked up for violating the cell phone policy there will be a $15 fee when picked up by a parent. Please begin now by talking to your child about the importance of putting away their phone during instructional time. There will still be time before and after school as well as between classes and at lunch that students can check and return messages as needed.
Thanks in advance for your help and support in these areas. We look forward to partnering with you to provide the best learning environment possible.
Renee Pentecost
Principal
Little Elm High School
Congratulations Mrs. Vericker - LEISD Secondary Teacher of the Year!
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?
Dear Little Elm High School Students and Parents,
The beginning of the new school year is right around the corner, and we are so excited to welcome students to LEHS!
Beginning, July 25, students will be able to see their courses for 2019-20 in Focus. A click-sheet with parent instructions for accessing the information is attached below. Please note the course list does not reflect specific class periods or teacher names. Course enrollment is based on final student selections from the spring, along with applicable prerequisites, graduation/endorsement requirements, and course availability. We appreciate your participation in the course selection process in preparation for this year, which included individual meetings with counselors and opportunities to adjust your selections prior to May.
At this time, course change requests may only be made for the following reasons:
Student is enrolled in a class for which he/she has already received credit
Student is enrolled in a class for which he/she has not met the prerequisite
Student would like to move UP from an on-level course to an advanced course (if space is available in receiving course) Ex: switching from biology to PreAP biology, from English III to AP English III, etc….. Please note that moving from an advanced course to an on-level course requires the SAVE process. SAVE applications will be available in House Offices when school begins.
Allowable requests may be made between July 25 and August 1, in order for schedules to be finalized by the first day of school. The course change request form is attached and may be completed, scanned, and emailed to the appropriate house counselor (listed below) or printed and dropped off in the front office. Blank copies will also be available at the front desk.
Students are encouraged to check their student email accounts regularly for information from their counselors regarding courses and schedules.
We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer break and look forward to seeing you on campus!
LEHS Counseling Team
A-E: Michael Absher mabsher@littleelmisd.net
F-Li: Michelle Gentry mgentry@littleelmisd.net (Temporary Contact, Lead Counselor)
Kaitlyn McGuire kmcguire@littleelmisd.net (Returning mid-September)
Lo-Ri: Amy Chamberlin achamberlin@littleelmisd.net
Ro-Z: Juan Schmidt jschmidt@littleelmisd.net
Transition Specialist: tsmith@littleelmisd.net
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.
Freshman Orientation - Class of 2023
LEHS invites you to join us on the evening of Monday, August 12, 2019 for Freshmen Orientation. We will start at 6:30 PM and there will be sessions for students and parents, an opportunity to tour the building, organization booths to explore how you can get involved at LEHS, and a mini Pep Rally to get everyone pumped up for the year! Mark this event on your calendar and join us for an evening of Lobo hospitality!
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!
Football Is Just Around The Corner
Volleyball Scrimmages Held at LEHS Saturday
Coach Foutz and his freshmen team at the Scrimmage Extravaganza on Saturday.
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