LEAD Innovation Studio
Vol. 4, Issue 8 - October 9, 2020
NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
We have just 3 weeks left in the 1st quarter - that is really hard to believe! Time is going by so fast. This is a great time to do a deep dive into your student's progress. See below for details on how to access their grades to monitor progress. Reach out with questions or requests for additional support. We are always looking to partner with our families to support our students.
THANK YOU PARENTS!!
A BIG THANK YOU to all of our parents who donated snacks for our 110 Seniors who were here on Tuesday taking the ACT exam! Jeanne Gordon and Lisa McNearney made individual bags for each Senior to enjoy during a much needed mid-morning break. We are so appreciative for your generosity!
- Shari Waters
Grades/ Checking Progress for your Student
In-Person: to check your student's progress for in-person learning, please go to Summit to see your student's dashboard. If you do not have log on information - please let us know and we can get that to you. You can also ask your student to show you their Summit dashboard - the "year" view gives a great snapshot. To learn more about what to look for (and questions to ask your student) view the brief parent onboarding videos below.
Online: to check your student's progress for online learning you need to view student grades in Infinite Campus. Some select classes have had some technical issues with grades posting from Schoology - we are working to resolve that. If you don't see grades entered in Infinite Campus, you can see progress in Schoology. We can support with parent access to both Infinite Campus and Schoology if needed - in the meantime, your student can show you their Schoology and Infinite Campus information.
As always - please monitor your student's progress, ask them about their goals and plans, and reach out with questions or concerns to your student's facilitator, mentor, counselor, or administrator. Mrs. Graham can support with questions regarding access to any of the platforms (grahamt@parkhill.k12.mo.us).
Facebook Updates
LEAD CLUBS
LEAD clubs start next week!
New this year, if your student wants to ride the bus home from LEAD clubs, they may sign up the day the club meets for the ride home. They no longer have to sign up a full week in advance. We are offering some amazing clubs this year and we hope we have great student participation.
LEAD clubs will meet on the following dates:
- Oct 13 and 15
- Nov 10 and 12
- Dec 8 and 10
- Jan 12 and 14
- Feb 9 and 11
- March 9 and 11
- April 13 and 15
- May11 and 13
Club meetings will last until 4:15 pm on the days listed above. If you are a car rider please have your ride here by 4:15 pm. If you need to take the bus, you will sign up by using this form https://forms.gle/o8jnCTBunC1uo6oCA.
The bus will not be at LEAD until 4:50 pm on those dates (they are still running their elementary routes). You will come to the commons at 4:15 pm to wait for your bus to arrive.
To sign up for a club, please contact the sponsor and tell them you would like to join. See below for the sponsor’s name and a description of the club.
- Freshmen Leadership Club- Freshmen can participate in the Chick-fil-a leader academy where they focus on learning how to become a better leader through monthly sessions, and will design and implement service projects at least once each semester. See Mr. Blanton to join!
- Yearbook-We will produce and publish the LEAD yearbook (May need teacher recommendation to join.) See Mrs. Farber for more information.
- Literary Magazine-We will produce and publish the LEAD literary magazine. See Mrs. Farber for more information.
- GSA-Student-Run organizations that unite LGBTQ+ and allied youth to build community and organize around issues impacting them in their schools and communities. See Ms. Van Bleisem to join!
- AP Research-Students enrolled in Spring Semester AP Research to get started on their Research projects, practice skills, and getting things done in preparation for final paper and presentation by April 30, 2021. See Mr. Motta to join.
- Gaming-We meet to play video games, board games, and card games. See Mr. Motta to join!
- Interact Club-Within this service club students will have the opportunity to interact and give back to the community. Ideas include: pen pals with nursing home, adopt a spot on school grounds, and hygiene products drive collection. See Ms. Carter to join!
Schedule Week of 10/12 - 10/16
Monday: In person day for last name A-K
Tuesday: In person day for last name L-Z
Wednesday: Distance learning day for all
Thursday: In person day for last name A-K
Friday: In person day for last name L-Z
NCC STUDENTS - NO SCHOOL AT NCC ON MONDAY, 10/12/20.
AP TEST INFO
If your student is taking an AP class this semester it is time to sign your student up for the AP test. The two home high schools do this differently so please read the following for your students home high school. We are only signing up for AP classes that are taking place this semester. If you student is taking an AP class second semester the sign up will take place during second semester.
- Park Hill South: Please have your student bring a $95.00 check for each AP test they want to take to Sarah Eisenmenger (LEAD Assistant Principal). South requires students to pay in advance. If your student does not turn in a $95.00 check to Mrs. Eisenmenger by Nov. 2nd they will not have a test ordered.
- Park Hill High School: Students fill out a commitment form (deadline TODAY 10/9) . Students will get the form from their AP Teacher, this form has also been emailed. If the student does not fill out the form, they will not take the AP test. Park Hill High School then adds the $95.00 fee to the students Infinite campus account.
If you have any questions or need financial assistance please contact Mrs. Eisenmenger at eisenmengers@parkhill.k12.mo.us
PSAT
A+ SUPPORT AND HELP
Hello, my name is Melody Villalobos and I am the A+ Liaison for our A+ LEAD students. All of the A+ documentation and volunteer hours go to home high schools and are documented there, but I am here at LEAD to make sure that all families get the information they need, and that any paperwork your student brings to school gets to the home high school efficiently.
To get access to important documents and updated A+ information from both schools, please encourage your student to join the A+ LEAD group on Schoology. To join, please do the following:
- Open Schoology
- Click Groups
- To the right, click My Groups and then click Join
- Enter this Code GCJ4-52XD-8975F
- I will approve and then you and your student will have access to the group and the information.
Freshmen A+ families, after you have signed and returned the A+ agreement, your student will need to sign up for a training with their high school. They must complete the training before they can begin their volunteer hours. You will find information and links to those trainings in the A+ LEAD group. You can also find that same information at your home high school's website.
For more information:
Please feel free to reach out to me at villalobosm@parkhill.k12.mo.us with questions.
SENIORS A+ DEADLINES!!
Here is a list of important "To-Do" items for Seniors who are planning on receiving an A+ scholarship. Depending on first or second semester graduation, these items should be done no later than December (fall graduate) or late April (spring graduate). For any of the items that need to be submitted, please submit them directly to your home high school's A+ coordinator and NOT Ms. Villalobos at LEAD. Ellen Reys at PHHS: reyse@parkhill.k12.mo.us or Dr. Owens at PHS: owensj@parkhill.k12.mo.us
ASAP: Parents will need to help with this step and use last year's tax return. Students need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms due . All FAFSA information is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
December or April: A+ Attendance appeals & documentation due (if necessary)
December or April: ALL Mentoring and Tutoring hours (50) due
December or April: Final Senior Reflection due (will be sent to your school e-mail)
December or April: Complete Final Transcript Request through Naviance (transcript & A+ funds will be delayed if not completed)
How to get A+ hours in the time of Covid 19
As the school year gets underway, many students and parents are starting to stress a little bit about how to acquire the necessary 50 A+ hours needed to receive the A+ scholarship at the end of Senior year. Below are some suggestions to help students and parents plan:
- Check the postings from PHS (Dr. Owens) and PHHHS (Mrs. Reys) weekly. Although there many not be as many opportunities right now, checking weekly will help your student sign up quickly when they do become available. PHHS students should check their PHHS A+ Scholarship program COURSE in Schoology, and parents of PHS students should be receiving emails from Dr. Owens about A+ opportunities. Please email Melody Villalobos if you do not have access to those things.
- A quick way to get 12.5 hours is to do a Job Shadow! Approval of the job shadow must occur before the student participates. Information about Job Shadow requirements can be found on the LEAD A+ schoology group.
- As a Junior or Senior, students can accumulate 40 hours if they participate in the following programs, so you may want to plan on enrolling in one (or more) of these courses!
- Child Growth and Development : 10 hours
- Aspiring Educators: 40 hours
- NCAPS/Aspiring Professionals: 12.5 hours (this counts as a job shadow)
Also remember that there are many more summer opportunities to work within the elementary schools and with Adventure Club. Those hours will be posted in the spring.
Again, if you have any questions or concerns, you can email me at villalobosm@parkhill.k12.mo.us.
Melody Villalobos
Missouri Options and English Facilitator
LEAD Innovation Studio, Park Hill School District
LEAD RESOURCES
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult time for many families. There are a number of resources available to students and families to help support you. If your family could benefit from resources at this time, please fill out this resource request form- https://forms.gle/yA9BPKqY9CzUwwqQ8 . I am happy to provide a paper form by request. All information received and any service provided is kept strictly confidential. You may contact Betsy Chociej, LEAD School Social Worker, at ChociejE@parkhill.k12.mo.us or at (816) 359-6417. I look forward to working with your family!
Thank you,
Betsy Chociej, LCSW
School Social Worker
PSAT
The PSAT will be offered October 14th at the home high schools. This test is an optional test for sophomore and junior students looking for an opportunity to earn national recognition as a merit scholar. You will receive information by email from the home high schools on how to sign up. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Eisenmenger at eisenmengers@parkhill.k12.mo.us.
PARKING PASS
Parking violation warnings/tickets are now being issued for students who do not have a LEAD parking pass displayed on their vehicle. If you are a student driver without a LEAD pass, please provide the following:
- Copy of drivers license
- Copy of Missouri registration
- Copy of proof of insurance
- Payment ($30/year or $15/semester)
All documents should be submitted to Mrs. Graham in the front office. If you have electronic copies of the above documents, please email them to grahamt@parkhill.k12.mo.us.
In order to pay for a LEAD parking sticker, please do the following: Go to Infinite Campus: select Fees → My Account→ Optional Payments → Add to Cart.
DRIVING TO OFF-CAMPUS CLASSES/PROGRAMS
To drive to off campus classes, LEAD students must submit the following permission slip. This includes music classes at the home high schools and other programs such as NCC, NCAPS, and MCC-BTC. This school year, LEAD students will not be allowed to transport other students at any time in their cars to any of these off campus classes or programs. Please email the completed form to OffieldA@parkhll.k12.mo.us
LEAD PICTURE DAY
Seniors who have not yet had their senior portraits taken, please call Reed Portrait Group at 816.436.5550 to schedule an appointment. These must be done by November 30 in order to make it in the yearbook. You can also have cap and gown pictures taken at this appointment.
If you would like to order pictures you may bring your order on picture day payable with cash or check. You may also order online through Monday, Oct. 22.
Please note the following info:
· Color backgrounds are not available to purchase online
· Add-ons are only available by purchase of a portrait package
· If you have more than one student at this school, you will need to complete each child's order with payment info each time
To order online, click here or download the form (below).
Parent Advisory Meeting
Our 1st quarter meeting will be held at 7pm on Monday Evening 10/19. The current plan is to hold that meeting via Zoom (link to be shared).
If you would like to submit topics or questions, please use this link: Parent Advisory Topic/ Question Form. You will need to submit requests by 10/15. An agenda will be shared in the 10/16 newsletter.
Parent Onboarding
Upcoming Dates
- October 14th: PSAT
- October 19th: 7pm Parent Advisory Committee
- October 19th/ 20th: Picture Day at LEAD
- October 29th: End of First Quarter