CHS Family Update
September 23, 2019
Sunny Weekend??
It looks like a great start to the weekend. My hip is feeling so much better I do believe I will tackle the lawn today. I also plan on watching a bit of college football and hanging out with my amazing kids.
I wanted families to know that on Fridays when we have early release teachers are meeting this year in a new system that is designed to support teacher professional development and increase levels of student learning. We call this time and work Professional Learning Communities. Staff meet in content like groups to discuss four essentials questions:
1. What is it that we want students to know and learn?
2. How will we know that they have learned it?
3. How will we respond when students haven't learned it?
4. How will we respond if students already know it?
While these questions might seem simple, they actually drive a continuous cycle of refinement and steadfast focus on three main ideas: student learning, results, and a collaborative spirit. Teachers are aligning their curriculum to ensure that it is guaranteed and viable, they are embedding contemporary research based instructional strategies, and analyzing student learning on a weekly basis. The outcome of this work is a more cohesive approach to building strong learning outcomes, engaging instruction and rigorous expectations that prepare students for success after high school.
I am supremely proud of the staff at CHS and how their collaborative spirit have approached this focus and their consistent disposition of doing what is best for students.
In The Know
Host Family Opportunity: 15 Japanese female students need host families from Friday, October 25 to Sunday, October 27. $50/student stipend will be provided. If you are interested in this opportunity, please e-mail Miiko Suzuki at suzuki@4j.lane.edu.
Student Exchange Opportunity - Welcome an Italian student into your home. Your son or daughter will be invited to Italy. Ergon Student Exchange seeks families to host a 16-17-year-old Italian student during the next school year, 2020-21, for either half the year or the full school year. Ergon’s program ensures a true cross-cultural opportunity: Italian families offer your son or daughter a direct exposure to Italian culture through an all-expenses paid summer vacation. Ergon sponsors the flight! Visit their website at www.ergon-se.org
Ergon specializes in a rigorous selection process and carefully matches students with host families. We’ve had students at Churchill and all 4J high schools. Our current and former Eugene host families are happy to share their experiences. Please email Kim O’Brien, Eugene coordinator, at kobrien334@comcast.net
Immunizations - Churchill students, have you got your flu shot yet? Check in with the health center to schedule getting your flu shot conveniently here at school.
Observed Religious Holidays - I wanted to make sure you knew that all the teachers at Churchill High School are aware of important observed religious holidays that will impact a number of our students. I believe it is important that we all have clear and concise information about how we are expected to respond to student absences due to observances of religious holidays. I think it is important to know this information so that you can plan accordingly and communicate broadly with your student(s) and their teachers.
Take a look:
Religious Holidays: District Administrative Regulation I1600: Separation of Church and State states that, “Students are to be excused from school, without any penalty, for religious holy days.” Schools should be sensitive about scheduling activities that may conflict with these observances.
1. Jewish Holy Days: Many Jewish children will not be attending school or school activities on major Jewish holy days. These days are as follows:
Rosh Hashanah, sunset on September 29 to sunset on October 1, 2019
Yom Kippur, sunset on October 8 to sunset on October 9, 2019
Passover, sunset on April 8, 2020 to sunset on April 16, 2020 (especially first days, sunset on April 8-9, and concluding days, sunset on April 15-16)
2. Christian Holy Days: You should also be sensitive about scheduling special events on Christian holy days. Many students have conflicts when programs are scheduled during Easter week.
Christmas, December 25, 2019
Ash Wednesday, February 26, 2020 Good Friday, April 10, 2020
Easter, April 12, 2020
3. Muslim Holy Days: In 2020, Ramadan will be observed sunset April 23, 2020 through May 23, 2020. Many Muslim children will fast from sunrise to sunset each day during this holy month. The final day is Id al-Fitr, a day of feasting to celebrate the end of Ramadan
While it is certainly true that there are more than three religions, with more days of significance than those listed above, these represent a list of days potentially impacting a large swath of our students and families. Ultimately, teachers should be flexible and work in good faith with students who miss time at school to observe holy days for their religion. I am hoping that by proactively providing information to you will be well positioned to communicate with your student(s) teachers as the dates approach. Teachers will work with you to avoid scheduling tests, major projects, essays etc... on these and the surrounding dates.
SCIENCE OPEN HOUSE @ UO - You and your student(s) are cordially invited to the 9th annual Science Open House at the University of Oregon. The purpose of the event is to help connect community families and educators to science outreach programs on campus and in the community. All activities are completely free and open to the public. There will be something fun for children of all ages.
Hands-on activities and demonstrations will include the Microwave Madness, the Egg Drop, and much more. Attendees can also sign up for the Science Pentathlon where they will complete five activities in the core science disciplines (biology, chemistry and physics).
Attached you will find flyers in English and Spanish. They will also be featuring tables from on-campus outreach programs like the UO Geology Club, ChemDemos, the Museum of Natural and Cultural History, and Team Duckling. Off-campus outreach programs have also partnered with the UO such as the Eugene Science Center, Nearby Nature, and others.
Ultimate Frisbee
Join one of the fastest growing and most exciting games of our era. If you are interested in playing Ultimate Frisbee regardless of experience level, a new high school league is being formed much like the Eugene Springfield Middle School league.
Register at: eugeneultimate.org/e/fall-high-school-league
Cost is $10/player for the entire season
Games will be held at Graham Fields 24th and Polk (Next to ATA)
Wednesdays 5–6:30pm. September 25–October 30 (only 6 sessions)
There will be training and games. Rain or shine! Please note: if you have problems registering, show up anyway - it will be worked out!
Any questions contact: wtaubenfeld@comcast.net
South Eugene Rowing Club
The South Eugene Rowing Club provides all local 8th-12th grade students an opportunity to learn and compete in rowing and are looking for new “novices” or first year rowers for the fall/winter season. We welcome everyone willing to show up and work hard - there are no cuts or tryouts and no prior rowing experience is required.
Athletes train at Dexter Reservoir in the fall and spring, and indoors at South Eugene High School during the winter. Like track, rowing has longer distance races in the fall and shorter sprints in the spring. Our team travels with in the Pacific Northwest for 3-4 regattas each season. Rowers practice 3-5 days a week through a combination of aerobic rowing, body circuits and weights in preparations for these races. Many athletes use rowing as cross training for other seasonal sports due to its high volume of aerobic exercise.
We offer a free 3-day trial, where a prospective athlete can attend and participate in practices to see if they enjoy the team and sport.
If you are at all interested or have question, email headcoach@southeugenerowingclub.org or visit our website https://www.southeugenerowingclub.org/.
Coach Gabe”
Looking Forward
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
Lunch — Northwest Christian University
7:00 pm — Welcome to Eugene IHS Parent Night at 200 N. Monroe St.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
7:00 pm — Rotary Youth Exchange/Study Abroad Info Night
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
3:45 pm — Site Council
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
9:30–10:40 am — Eugene IHS Opening Assembly (excuse students at 8:50)
NEXT WEEK
Tuesday, October 1, after 2nd period — Senior Photo at The Rock
Tuesday, October 1, 7:00 pm — IB Junior Parent Information Night at 200 N. Monroe St.
Thursday, October 3, 6:00 pm — Club Showcase
Thursday, October 3, 6:30 pm — Open House
Friday, October 4 — Advisory Schedule
Saturday, October 5, 7:30 am — SAT Testing
College and Career Center Happenings:
Northwest Christian University Admissions Visit, Monday, September 23rd at lunch in F39
Rotary Youth Exchange Overseas Study Program information meeting, Tuesday, September 24th at 7:00pm in the Library (fliers attached to post)
Kudos
Debbie Levy - Congratulations Debbie Levy for the wonderful interviewing with the Register Guard. If you haven't heard yet, our very own librarian Debbie Levy was recognized in a well written article which showcases how the roles of school librarians have evolved over the years. Our very own Debbie Levy has represented Churchill High School very well. Be sure to check out the article here: https://www.registerguard.com/news/20190915/beyond-books-school-librarians-now-tasked-with-teaching-technology-digital-citizenship
Friendly Parent Kudo - Many thanks to a family that took the time to write in and compliment our students section at the football game. "Just wanted to send you a quick note (that hopefully is passed to the students) about Friday nights football game. The student section & band were AWESOME! They supported and cheered those players on, in such a positive manner I might add, all the way to the very end of the game. Their positivity and support did not go unnoticed." Thank you so much for the positive feedback. It was great to get such a positive note.
You know you have a solid teammate when they cover for you while you are at a doctors appointment. Misael Flores is seen here (below) stepping in as Dumbledore during our opening assembly, which had a Hogwarts theme. Misael inducted the Freshmen and welcomed them to Churchill with great panache and flexibility. Thank you Misael for a job well done.
Churchill High School
Website: https://chs.4j.lane.edu/
Location: 1850 Bailey Hill Road, Eugene, OR, USA
Phone: 541-790-5100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChurchillHighSchool
Twitter: @CHSLancers