Wednesday Weekly
4/12/2023
Principal's Note
After the long weekend, we have entered the final stretch of the school year. This Friday evening our students get to celebrate the Junior & Senior Prom at the Mill and Mine, and next week we begin State Testing. See below for further detail, and for several new announcements.
-Mr. Long
"Dedicated to Excellence"
Students of the Week
Student Citizen of the Week
Karlee Poteet is nominated this week because of her work ethic and ability to shuffle many responsibilities while keeping a positive attitude. She has been working as an Academic Peer Tutor in the mornings before school starts and then goes to her clinicals off campus before returning back to school to do her core class work. She also takes the opportunity when she can to help out the front office staff. Congratulations Karlee!! Keep up the good work!
Girls Student-Athlete of the Week
Student-Athlete of the Week
Congratulations to boys student athlete of the week, Nick Curry! Nick batted 9 for 18 this week with two doubles and 7 RBIs.
New Announcements
KCS Attendance Policy & Absences
Attendance is a key factor in student achievement; therefore, students are expected to be present each day that school is in session. Parents have both a legal obligation and a moral responsibility to see that children are present every day that school is in session.
Absences shall be classified as either excused or unexcused as determined by the school leader or his/her designee. Excused absences shall include:
1. Personal illness;
2. Illness of immediate family member;
3. Death in the family;
4. Extreme weather conditions;
5. Religious observances;
6. College visits;
7. Pregnancy;
8. School sponsored or school endorsed activities;
9. Military active duty/deployment (as outlined below);
- a) An excused absence for one (1) day when the member is deployed;
- b) An excused absence for one (1) day when the service member returns from deployment; and
- c) Excused absences for up to ten (10) days for visitation when the member is granted rest and recuperation leave and is stationed out of the country.
11. Circumstances which in the judgment of the school leader create emergencies over which the student has no control.
Any absence not complying with the above reasons for excused absences will be considered as unexcused. Examples of unexcused absences are (a) family vacations taken during the school year and (b) Senior Skip Day.
Students shall be present at least fifty percent (50%) of the scheduled school day in order to be counted present.
Excuses for absences must be made in writing to the principal or administrative designee (debbie.woodall@knoxschools.org) by a parent or guardian and must be submitted within five (5) days of the student's return to school.
PTO Officer Nominations
TN Ready Testing Approaching
Parents and Students:
As testing approaches next week, here are some reminders regarding TN Ready Testing:
- Tennessee is required to administer a state assessment aligned to academic standards under the Elementary Secondary Education Act (ESEA) §1111 (b)(3). Neither federal nor state law provides for a parental opt-out policy from state assessments. Furthermore, states are required to ensure a 95% participation rate on assessments for the purposes of accountability under ESEA §1111(b)(2)(I)(ii).
- Tenn. Code Ann. §49-1-617 states that student performance on the state assessment will count as a portion of a student’s final spring semester grade. Further, State Board rule 0520-01-03- .06(d) states that student performance on end-of-course examinations will be factored into the student’s grade. Knox County Schools requirement is 15% of the student’s grade.
- If a student is absent on the day of the assessment and does not return prior to the end of testing, independent of the reason, will be marked absent, and the district’s policy governing excused or unexcused absences will be implemented.
- If the student cannot make up the test within the testing window, the absence will adversely impact the district and school’s participation rate.
- If the student cannot make up the test within the testing window, the student will have to complete the exam on Edgenuity. This exam method is based on the raw score and not the conversion chart.
- If the student is in the building on the day of the state administered assessment, the student should attempt the test. Attendance is important since the state has cut the testing window in half. Punctuality is important because the tests are timed.
- If the student refuses to test, the district will complete a Report of Irregularity (RI) and mark the student as a ‘Refusal/Did not Attempt’. A student that refuses to take the assessment does not adversely impact a district or school’s participation rate or achievement data. The student receives a 0 for assessment on both the quick score report and the Individual Performance Report (IPR).
- Students must have a Knox County Device to take their state, local, and building level exams.
- Students should charge their Chromebook nightly during the testing window.
- Students should have a charger cord with them during the test.
- Phones are not allowed during testing. Students will be asked to turn them off and place them out of view.
- If a phone rings, buzzes, or is visible during the test, a Report of Irregularity is made which in turns affects the student’s grade and school’s participation rate or achievement date.
If you have questions, issues, or concerns, please email trina.polston@knoxschools.org.
Prom 2023
Prom will be held this Friday, April 14th, at the Mill & Mine 227 W. Depot Avenue Knoxville, TN 37917 from 7:00pm - 10:00pm.
The Mill & Mine has several parking options within walking distance. The closest public parking lot is under the I-40 overpass at the corner of E. Magnolia Avenue and Williams Street. This lot is a 3-5-minute walk from the venue. If you use A Dopo Pizza’s address 516 Williams St. Knoxville, TN 37917 the parking lot is just beyond the restaurant.
Do not park in the Blue Slip Winery & Southern Railway parking lot. They close the gate for this lot and you won’t be able to remove your vehicle at the end of the night.
General Rules
- All attendees must adhere to all Knox. Co. school rules while attending prom
- All attendees must be on the guest list to enter prom.
- No alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, or other controlled substances. Attendees may be subject to disciplinary actions.
- Students will be allowed on the back patio; however, once students exit past the front entrances, they will not be allowed back into the event
- All tickets are non-refundable
- Please be aware there will be strobe lights that may be sensitive to some.
Senior Caps & Gowns
College & Career Planning Night
Halls High's College and Career Planning Night will be on April 25th from 6:00-7:30. This is an opportunity for 9th-11th grade students and their families to meet with representatives from colleges, the military, and local businesses. It is a drop-in meet-and-greet event and will be a great way to get more information about local post-secondary opportunities.
Confirmed guests (so far):
- University of Tennessee Knoxville
- UT Medical Center
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT)
- Lincoln Memorial University
- Carson-Newman University
- The National Guard
- JTV
- Roane State Community College
- Ortho Tennessee
- Pellissippi State Community College
- King University
- Middle Tennessee State University
Ride and Decide Trades Event
Recurring Announcements
Important Senior Information
Class of 2023 Families:
Please see the information below regarding the Senior Awards Ceremony that was given to Seniors in Advisory on April 5th.
Friday, May 12th is Senior Awards Day. At the ceremony, students from the Class of ‘23 will be recognized for outstanding achievements in academics, athletics, and community service.
Seniors - it is YOUR responsibility to complete the Senior Survey in Advisory on April 5th. When asked, “Will you have a presenter at Awards Day?”, please check “yes” if someone from your college or scholarship committee will be coming to present your scholarship at Awards Day.
The HHS Counseling department is not always aware of every scholarship that students will be receiving, and the Senior Survey is the method in which students officially inform HHS of their scholarships.
The Survey must be completed by ALL Seniors no later than April 28th.
Link to Senior Survey: https://forms.gle/jRKjyQGXFdBNBN7y9
Additionally, there is a mandatory advisory session on April 26th for all seniors in the cafeteria.
Here is the link to the Senior Information Presentation that is on Canvas for the class of 2023. Review the slideshow carefully and email the respective person in charge of each event if you have questions.
Cross Country Summer Fun Run
The Cross Country Team is hosting a summer run fundraiser. Please see the attachment for more information. Children of all ages are welcome to participate!
Halls High Idol
Youth Health Board 2023 - 2024 Application
Knoxville Youth Health Board is looking for students who demonstrate strong leadership skills, a commitment to the community, an interest in health-related issues, and a desire to grow these skills. Youth Health Board is a collaborative effort between the Knox County Health Department and Coordinated School Health that serves as an opportunity for youth to gain skills and to affect the health and well-being of our community. This youth-driven effort provides opportunities to partner with health professionals from the Knox County Health Department and other community groups to explore and act on a variety of health issues. Youth Health Board is made up of a diverse group of young people from across Knox County.
We encourage all Knox County Residents including homeschool students and students that go to schools outside of Knox County to apply.
Students who are selected to serve on Youth Health Board will be able to explore the field of public health and expand their knowledge by working with numerous health professionals. Members will work with their community to address issues that interest them.
Youth Health Board applicants will need to commit to:
• Serving a one-year term, May 2023 – April 2024 (plus tentative fun summer activity July 2023)
• Attending monthly meetings held on the following dates from 5:00 – 6:30pm at the Knox County Health Department (4th Tues. of the month): August 22, September 26, October 24, November 28, January 23, February 27, March 26, and April 23
• Attending a minimum of two Social Focus meetings held on the following dates from 5:00 – 6:30pm at various locations: September 12, November 7, January 9, March 5
• Serving a minimum of 15 hours through various volunteer and public health community events planned by the membership of the board and facilitators.
To increase chances for consideration, please submit your application as soon as possible.
***TWO REFERENCES ARE REQUIRED WITH EACH APPLICATION***
See the link below for more information:
http://s.alchemer.com/s3/Youth-Health-Board-2023-2024-Application
Hiring Expo
On Thursday, April 20, Knox County Schools is hosting a Hiring Expo for 11th- and 12th-grade students. The Expo will be held at the Bridgewater Place event center during the school day, and transportation from [School name] and back will be provided for every student who registers to attend.
This event will feature dozens of vendors, who will conducting on-site interviews for:
Temporary / Seasonal jobs;
Full-time and part-time jobs;
Youth apprenticeships;
Registered apprenticeships;
Work-based learning; and
Internships.
KCS students who register for the Hiring Expo will attend the event with their school sometime between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
From 3 – 6 p.m., the event will be open to students from other counties and to members of the Knox County community.
In order to attend, students must register at this link. We look forward to seeing your student at this event!
Halls Rummage Sale & Vendor Expo
HHS Athletics Road to Fame Nominations
The Halls High School Athletics Road to Fame has been established to recognize selected nominees who have demonstrated qualities that identify them as champions throughout their career in athletics. Please complete this form to nominate former Halls High School athletes, coaches, or others involved in HHS athletics who have demonstrated excellence.
Each nominee shall have been out of Halls High School for a minimum of 7 years. Once a person has been officially nominated, his/her name will continue to be eligible for selection by the Board for a period of 5 years.
The deadline for this form to be submitted is April 30th, each year. Online nominations can be submitted using this Google Form: https://forms.gle/7s4kCV8HUGU81gGU9
Paper nomination forms are available at the Halls High School main office, the Hallsdale Powell office, Home Federal Bank in Halls, and Phil Nichols State Farm Insurance.
To be eligible for induction into the Road to Fame, the applicant:
1) Must be on an official nomination form,
2) Must have displayed characteristics of integrity, sportsmanship, and good citizenship during and after high school,
3) Must have attended Halls High School for 3 years of high school, and
4) Must have been a major contributor to Halls High School for a period long enough to establish as a Halls High School Red Devil if he/she is a non-athlete, coach, or other non-alumnus.
For further information, contact Spencer Long at spencer.long@knoxschools.org
Spring Semester Tutoring
Driver's Permit Forms
From the Counseling, College & Career Office
College & Career Planning Resources
Halls High School
Website: www.knoxschools.org/hallshs
Location: 4321 East Emory Road, Knoxville, TN, USA
Phone: 865-922-7757
Twitter: @HallsHighTN