The Patriot Post
BACK TO SCHOOL EDITION ~ Week of August 15-19, 2022
Notes from Mrs. Spillane and Announcements
Dear Patriot Families,
We are just days away from welcoming our students back in the building! Our staff returned this week and are recharged for a fantastic year here at North Pole High School. A big thanks to our staff and our senior class sponsor, Ms. McFetridge, for hosting our first annual Senior Stakeout last week. Over 75% of our seniors were able to attend the evening activities to prepare for the year ahead. A thank you to our sponsors, Army National Guard, Summit Church, and Napa Auto Parts for their support.
I want to make sure our families know what events are coming up and if you have questions, who to contact. Please note that August 17th is for freshmen and new students only. There is a detailed flyer below. The first day for all students, new and returning, is August 18th. Below you will find important announcements that will help prepare students for a successful start. If you don't see what you are looking for, please call our front office. We are here to help!
Lastly, I want to invite you to attend our Open House on August 24th, from 5pm-7pm. You will have the opportunity to meet your student's teachers, support staff and administrative team. A chili dinner will be served at 5pm with donations going toward our school activities. We will have a variety of booths to visit as well, including PTSA, athletics & activity opportunities, nutrition services, military connected resources, parent powerschool portal help, and much more.
I will be sending two principal newsletters a month this year that include important events and an overview of school announcements. For daily bulletin announcements, please check out our website! https://www.k12northstar.org/northpoleH
Have a wonderful week,
Mrs. Spillane
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Important Dates
August 16- Tennis @ NPHS
August 17 - Ignition Day, Freshmen and New Students Orientation, see details below
August 18 - First Day of School for ALL Students
August 24- Open House 5pm-7pm
Back to School Information
What bus do I ride? The district has designed bus routes that run every day. The bus pick up locations have been modified so we do not have alternating scheduled routes. Please take time to look at the transportation page. If you have questions, please call 452-2000, option 4.
What is the Bell Schedule? Please find that here. Please see the information about Extension times and upperclassmen options in the announcements below.
Is lunch free for everyone this year? No. The grant providing free lunch has expired. In order to receive free or reduced lunch, you must complete an application. Students eligible for free or reduced lunch will also see a reduction in class fees. To apply for Free and Reduced Lunch or put money into your student's account, click here.
What school supplies do I need? On the first full day of classes, teachers will let students know what specific class supplies are needed (binder, folder, paper, notebook, etc.). For the first day back, students can bring basic materials (pens, pencils, paper) and then complete their supply shopping for the specific classes they are enrolled in. Students will not need school supplies on Ignition day.
Is it true that we can't bring our backpacks to class this year? That is correct. We expect to have full classrooms this year as our student numbers are increasing. There is simply not a lot of room in classrooms for backpacks/large bags and they can be tripping hazards. All students will be expected to utilize their locker for bags and backpacks. Students WILL be able to carry a small bag or purse for personal items (think similar size to a pencil bag).
I looked on Powerschool and my schedule is wrong or missing classes. What do I do? Our counselors are hard at work shifting schedules to balance class size so you can expect to see some changes. If you/your student see a period with no class listed, contact your counselor via email.
Is it true we will have a school wide cell-phone free classroom rule? Yes, that is correct. We are making classrooms cell-phone free.We want to make the most of the time students are with their teachers. Students are welcome to have their cell phone or personal electronic device on their person, but it needs to be placed in a purse, small pencil bag or pocket, and not in use, during class time. They will be allowed only with explicit teacher instruction. Personal electronic devices may be used before school, during passing periods, lunch, and after school. This expectation will be posted on classroom syllabus and in our Student Handbook.
Who is my counselor?
Ms. Innarelli has stepped away for the time being and is focusing on other professional goals.
Here are our current counselors:
A-Gi : Richard Wiley
Gj-O: Andrea Wade
P-Z: Kathy Doyel
What is "Extension period"? Extension is similar to a homeroom. This class meets 3 days a week for 45 minutes (this is shorter than last year). Every student will be placed in an Extension class prior to the first day of school. Students will receive .25 credit each semester for this pass/fail class. Some days will have specific lessons. Other days there will be time for homework and test make up. We also utilize this time for assemblies and class meetings. Juniors and Seniors who are on track to graduate can request a waiver for this class period by filling out this form. You also need to bring this waiver to the counseling office with your parent/guardian signature.
When do I get my Chromebook? Students will check out Chromebooks during class and times will be scheduled between the classroom teachers and the librarian. Every student needs a device (school chromebook or bring your own laptop).
I have a friend/relative who wants to enroll at North Pole High School, what do they do? Students wanting to enroll should complete the online enrollment form. Once that is done, call us and we will schedule a time to meet with your counselor to set up classes. If you do not live in the North Pole High attendance area, you will need to apply for the OAA (out of attendance area) lottery.
Student Schedules
Message from Administration and Counseling Regarding Schedules
Schedules are not finalized - Classes still need to be balanced which may result in schedule changes. Keep in mind when requesting schedule changes, they are not guaranteed. Otherwise, your schedule will reflect the classes you requested last spring. Please see below the list of priorities we follow when dealing with schedule change requests:
- Student has an incomplete schedule.
- New student enrollments.
- Change is needed for senior missing graduation requirements and/or college and career entrance.
- Student has been scheduled into a course out of sequence (i.e., Spanish 3 before Spanish 1).
- Student did not pass a class that was a prerequisite for another.
- Student has been scheduled into a course previously passed.
- Class sizes must be balanced.
Please understand that all of these priorities come BEFORE requested changes based on preferred teachers, periods, or classmates.
Senior Stakeout Event : Activities
Senior Stakeout Event : Games
Senior Stakeout Event : Food, Door Prizes and Paint
Message from our Nurse
Just a reminder that High School students do need their 10 year booster of Tdap, this vaccine is often missed but it is required by the State of Alaska for attendance in school. The school needs a copy of current vaccine records or a religious exemption form.
See your child's Healthcare Provider or attend one of the Back to School Immunizations Clinic on Thursday, August 18th from 3-6 pm at the North Pole Fire Department.
For more information about other Immunization Clinic dates call Fairbanks Public Health at 907-452-1776.
Activities
All students involved in sports will need a sports physical and to complete all paperwork on www.planeths.com.
2022-2023 NPHS Cell Phone Free Classrooms
North Pole High School
Email: michelle.spillane@k12northstar.org
Website: https://www.k12northstar.org/northpoleH
Location: 601 NPHS Boulevard, North Pole, AK, 99705
Phone: 907-488-3761