Dear Pella High School Families:

It’s that time of year where we reflect upon the many things we have to be thankful for. Here at Pella High, we are thankful for our supportive parents and families, amazing students, visionary community leadership, and our inspirational teachers and staff. At Pella High School, we continue to build caring relationships with students while striving to achieve at high levels. So far this year, we have seen gains in our student “Sense of Belonging” surveys and received impressive ISASP results that set a high bar for our continued growth. We have also experienced great success in our extra and co-curricular activities, none of which would be possible without everyone coming together.

We appreciate ALL of you!

Sincerely,

Adam Beckel, HS Principal

Derek Schulte, Assistant Principal

Semester assessments will be given in all classes. The students will be assessed in multiple ways by high school teachers. A student may be evaluated with a standard semester test, a project, a portfolio, a presentation, or an essay, etc.

1. There will be 80-minute assessment sessions on January 16 & 17.
2. Students are only required to be in school if they have a test. Students should be in the commons, the library, or leave campus if they do not have an assessment. Students are not to be in the academic areas of the building during semester assessments.
3. All students will eat during the same single lunch period.
4. Students who cannot take their assessments during the scheduled semester test days will be expected to make-up assessments on January 20. All make-up assessments must be coordinated with teachers. Students are not allowed to move any semester assessments.
5. Students are NOT to be dismissed early from assessment sessions.

January 16 & 17 Assessment Schedule (80 Minutes per Assessment)

THURSDAY, January 16 (PERIODS 1 - 4)

Period 1 - 8:15 - 9:35

Period 2 - 9:45 - 11:05

Lunch - 11:05 - 12:25

Period 3 - 12:25 - 1:45

Period 4 - 1:55 - 3:15

FRIDAY, January 17 (PERIODS 5 - 8)

Period 5 - 8:15 - 9:35

Period 6 - 9:45 - 11:05

Lunch - 11:05 - 12:25

Period 7 - 12:25 - 1:45

Period 8 - 1:55 - 3:15

Through the Infinite Campus portal, students and parents are able to view and print class schedules from the Reports tab. Second-semester schedules may have changed since the first semester, so please review student schedules on the campus portal. Also, please encourage your students to review their second-semester schedule before winter break.

At the beginning of each semester, students will be allowed five (5) school days in which to add or drop a course. After the tenth school day, dropping a course will result in an “F” for the class, unless an extreme circumstance exists.

We are quickly approaching the time of year where students and families begin to consider course options for the upcoming school year. Pella High School is excited to continue the apprenticeship programs offered at the Career Academy of Pella. Students may choose Culinary Arts, Engineer Technician, Nursing, or the Welding apprenticeship. PCSD offers students these four opportunities to earn while they learn. We are fortunate to be working with amazing local businesses to help create career pathways for our young adults. There will be a meeting scheduled in late January to provide more information on Apprenticeship programs, which will be a follow-up to the recruitment night held on November 25th.

Engineering Technician Apprenticeship Brochure

Welding Apprenticeship Brochure

Chef De Partie Apprenticeship Brochure

Nurse Assistant Apprenticeship Brochure

Students are always encouraged to plan ahead in regard to their class options and future plans. Our hope is that students choose classes that will help them explore a variety of fields and possibly even narrow down some future career options. If you would like to discuss your student’s four-year academic plan, please contact one of our counselors, Teresa Thompson or Jessica Manning, to set up a meeting.

Grades for Semester 1 are due January 20, 2020 by 9:00 AM. By the end of that week, report cards will be made available on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal under the REPORTS tab which will include the student’s term and cumulative GPA from the end of the first semester.

It is that time of year again where we have the possibility of closing school, starting late, or dismissing early due to weather issues. We will continue to notify parents/guardians by phone, text, and email. Below lists other avenues to see if school is delayed or canceled.

• Pella Community School District Website

• KNIA/KRLS

• KCOB/KRTI

• KBOE

• KCWN

• WHO Radio

• WHO TV: Channel 13

• KCCI TV: Channel

• LOCAL abc5 - We Are IOWA : Channel 5

To update your phone number and email address, log into the Infinite Campus Parent Portal and click on MORE tab. Your change request will sit in a queue until our staff can process your request.

Thank you to all of those who have made attendance and grades a priority first semester. So far this year the senior class’ attendance rate is around 96% and as a group, the seniors are passing roughly 98% of all their classes! Both of those numbers are outstanding and are both determining factors in senior release privileges. At the end of this semester, student records will be reviewed. Semester grades and attendance reports will determine whether a student is granted senior release to begin the second semester.

Again, thank you for a great first semester (so far), and encourage your students to finish strong.

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