Thurston Colt Round-Up
Bi-monthly Student and Family Newsletter
From the Principal
September 26, 2022
Dear Thurston Students and Families,
We have completed two full weeks. This short time has been full of opportunities to build Colt Pride. Students connected at our first all-school Pep Assembly. Students played games, competed for loudest class cheer, and we had the immense honor of recognizing our very own Oregon Social Studies Teacher of the Year, Mr. Tyler Nice. This next week is the culmination of our “Front Lawn” advisory projects - where students worked with their A-Day advisory group (3rd period) to design a welcoming display with their classmates.
Campus feels focused. Students are settled into the classes they’ll have for the rest of Semester 1. In class, students are engaged in learning. Our tutoring center is open everyday from 8:30 - 3:30 p.m. Students are stopping by to prepare for tests or to get homework help. Before we know it, it’ll be time for progress reports.
Thank you for helping your student build a healthy routine so that they are here on-time and ready to learn each day.
Go Colts!
Principal Pelster
In this Newsletter:
Academic Goals - Schoolwide Late-Work Deadline 10/7
Financial Aid Night - Sept 29th at 6:30 p.m. in THS Library
Electronics Policy
Attendance Matters
Absent? Call 541-744-5027
Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up
SPS Transportation - Lost Your Bus Pass
Driver’s Education Course
First Pep Assembly of the Year #ColtPride
Celebrating #ColtExcellence
Colt Pride Cup
Our current Class of 2023 (Seniors) won the Colt Pride Cup for their showing from the first assembly. Students will compete next at the Homecoming Assembly. Who will earn the pride prize?
Month at-a Glance
9/30 Final Door & Lawn Judgment Day
10/4 Student Cohort Meeting (Assembly Schedule)
10/7 Schoolwide Late Work Deadline
10/7 Early Release (all students released at 12:40 p.m.)
10/11 ALICE Lockdown Drill
Week of 10/17 Spirit Week
10/21 Early Release
Newsletter
Academic Goals - Schoolwide Late-Work Deadline 10/7
With two full weeks of school complete, students are completing their first assessments and receiving feedback. Encourage your student to stay ahead by submitting their assignments on-time. Our first schoolwide late-work deadline is coming up on October 7th. Students can retake a test with a low score, or re-do any assignments that do not reflect the high quality work expected. Use ParentVue to monitor your student’s progress.
Financial Aid Night - Sept 29th at 6:30 p.m. in THS Library
The College search season has begun. Understanding the financial aid process is a key part of finding a good fit. Seniors and senior families, mark your calendars. On the evening of September 29th from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the THS Library we will be hosting an event where students and families can learn more about all things college financial aid. We hope to see you there!
Electronics Policy
Teachers have worked hard to set a culture for learning in their classrooms. The nonacademic use of personal electronic devices is not consistent with our mission of ensuring that students use instructional time to pursue academic success. For this reason, teachers will expect students to use SPS provided devices and personal electronic devices during class only at appropriate times as designated by the teacher for academic purposes. For more details on individual teacher policies, please review the class syllabus.
Students using an electronic device during instructional time without prior permission by staff, or who use the device in ways that cause a disruption to the educational process, will face disciplinary action. This could include a verbal warning, or confiscation of the electronic device.
Attendance Matters
There’s a close connection between attendance and school success. Did you know students who miss more than 18 school days (it doesn’t matter whether they’re excused or unexcused) are much more likely to struggle in school and even have more trouble graduating. It makes sense because every day builds on the one before, and missing days makes it easier to fall behind. Get tips on how to improve your child’s attendance at every-day-matters.org.
Absent? - Call 541-744-5027
If your student misses school due to illness, encourage them to communicate with their teachers via email, to utilize google classroom to access assignments, and contact our tutoring center for support (Shelby.Wiedenmann@springfield.k12.or.us). And please don’t forget to call our attendance hotline in the event of a student absence. Attendance Hotline (541-744-5027)
Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up
For those of you who drive your student to school, you have noticed the congestion that occurs in the front (Horseshoe) in the morning and in the afternoon. Here are some helpful tips you may find useful:
Morning Drop-Off
The earlier you can drop off, the better. The cafeteria opens at 7:30 a.m.
When you enter the horseshoe, form two lanes.
You can exit in two locations, the horseshoe and the north end of the parking lot.
Be sure your student looks as they walk between traffic.
Look out for students crossing the lane from the LTD stop.
Afternoon Pick-Up
Be patient - The horseshoe is typically clear in less than 15 minutes. (It seems like forever).
If your student is taking a long time, please pull into the visitor spots in front of the auditorium to allow traffic to move through.
You can meet your student across the street at the Church.
It is not advised to exit at the north gate. There is a student lot back there and the line to exit is long as well.
The front campus gate closes at 4:00 p.m.
SPS Transportation - Lost Your Bus Pass
We are seeing many students lose track of their school issued bus pass that allows them to ride our Springfield Public Schools yellow buses. The first time a bus pass needs to be replaced it’s free. All future bus passes result in a $5 fee. Parents request these replacements from Transportation. LTD bus passes are free through student services.
Driver’s Education Course
We heard last year that there was an interest in THS hosting Driver’s Ed course on campus. The Community Defensive Driving Institute will be hosting sessions on campus starting October 14th. For information you can go to their website at https://www.cddinstitute.com/driver-ed-student-registration
From the Student Services Office
Thurston Student Services - Attendance Hotline (541-744-5027)
Attendance 101 - Do I need to call? Yes!
Student attendance matters. Students who attend regularly (no more than 1 absence per month) have the best chance of academic success. This year, automatic calls will be made when students are absent. Families are encouraged to proactively communicate with the school attendance office at 541-744-5027.
From the Counseling Department
Counseling Department (541-744-5193)
Last Names A-De - Moria Golub moria.golub@springfield.k12.or.us
Last Names Df-K - Stacy Tindall stacy.tindall@springfield.k12.or.us
Last Names L-Re - Jordan Magill jordan.magill@springfield.k12.or.us
Last Names Rf-Z - Amy Stranieri amy.stranieri@springfield.k12.or.us
Schedules are viewable online. These schedules are subject to change. Students grades 9 - 11 are expected to be fully scheduled unless they are enrolled in an advanced course - such as an AP or College Now class. Students have until 9/20 to complete add/drops.
From the Family Resource Center
Our FRC is open and abuzz with the smell of fall and students in the halls. We have some backpacks, school supplies, hoodies and shoes. For families that need more resources outside of THS Angie is here to help provide resources and help you learn how to access them. Please call the Resource Center (541-744-5145) or email (Angie.Roser@springfield.k12.or.us) with requests or donations. Together we can lift each other up.
Thurston High School
Thurston Office (541-744-5000)
Kimberlee Pelster, Principal - kimberlee.pelster@springfield.k12.or.us
Jerami Campbell, Assistant Principal - jerami.campbell@springfield.k12.or.us
Jeffrey Thompson, Assistant Principal - jeffrey.thompson@springfield.k12.or.us
Leslie Watson, Assistant Principal - leslie.watson@springfield.k12.or.us
Jared Taylor, Dean of Students - jared.taylor@springfield.k12.or.us
Email: kimberlee.pelster@springfield.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.springfield.k12.or.us/ths
Location: 58th Street, Springfield, OR, USA
Phone: 541-744-5000
Facebook: facebook.com/ThurstonHighColts
Twitter: @THSColts