Sioux City North
2019-2020 December Newsletter
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Message from the Principal
There is a proverb that says, “Art is not a thing, it is a way.” For many students, the fine arts are the reason they come to school every morning. Their best friend sits across the table from them in 3D Art. They catch a ride to 6:30AM Jazz Band practice with someone they have played music with for years. They spend hours together painting sets to ensure the play is perfect. A school without art is no school at all.
Growing up, I participated in choir, theatre, and speech. My best friends were in those classes and activities. Those classes and experiences shaped my life and helped make me the person I am today. Often on social media, we see stories about schools and districts cutting art and music programs. I am thankful that does not happen here. Our community values the arts. Our community has been named one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” for three years in a row. We have students represented in the Sioux City Symphony, perform with the community theatre and with private theatre troupes, join the Municipal Band, and sing in the Siouxland Youth Chorus along with a variety of religious choirs. We have students actively participate in organizations such as the Sioux City Conservatory of Music and the Sioux City Art Center. Art touches the lives of us all.
We want to take the opportunity this month to thank those students who put in the time to improve our school and community through the fine arts. Thank you to the parents and community members who support our students by attending concerts and competitions.
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All State Band, Orchestra, and Chorus
Choir
Finn Coughlin, Alto
Zachary Crawford, Tenor
Jacob Darrow, Tenor
Gerrit Nieuwendorp, Tenor
Grant Nieuwendorp, Bass
Colby Swan, Bass
Band
Reed Adajar, Baritone Saxophone
Michael Toben, Tuba
Orchestra
Eleanor Chalstrom, Oboe
Derek Hwang, Cello
In addition to being selected to perform at All State, Derek Hwang was named first chair for cello and Michael Toben was named second chair for tuba.
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Annual Fine Arts Assembly Held 12/4/19
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Congratulations Mayor Areeha Ilyas!
For more information on the Mayor's Youth Commission, click here.
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“The Golden Rule, Then & Now” What are you doing for others?
2020 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Art Contest
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day the NAACP and the Sioux City Community School District would like to invite all students in grades TK-12 to participate in expressing their views through art. The 2020 theme is “The Golden Rule, Then & Now” with the subtopic: What are you doing for others?. Entries will be judged on creativity and artwork that best fits the contest theme. Artwork may be submitted in any 2 or 3-dimensional form.
A minimum of 10 entries per building with an attached student art exhibit roster should be turned in to the Education Service Center at 627 4th Street, by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, January 13th, 2020. Schools can enter the contest; however, only individual submissions will be judged. There will be three (3) winners selected from each building level – elementary, middle school, and high school.
Art entries will be judged on Wednesday, January 15th, so that winners can be announced on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The winner’s artwork will be on display in the community and will be recognized at the NAACP Banquet in February.
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Vaping Is An Issue
We have noticed a major increase in the number of students carrying and using vapes. Here is what the student handbook says:
"The District maintains a drug/alcohol/tobacco/nicotine free environment for all District facilities, grounds, and vehicles. The policy includes the use of nicotine products that are not FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved for tobacco cessation. This requirement extends to students, employees, and visitors at all times. Persons failing to abide by this policy will be asked to extinguish their smoking material or dispose of the tobacco/nicotine product, or other product, or leave the District premises immediately."
If students are found to be in possession of vapes, the following will occur:
First Offense: Ticketed by Sioux City Police, placed in ISS for remainder of the day, and at least one additional day
Second Offense: Ticketed by Sioux City Police, OSS 1 day
Third Offense: Ticketed by Sioux City Police, OSS 3 days
We are also looking to require students in violation of this policy to attend an class on the health risks of smoking and stopping.
Here is some additional information about vaping:
E-cigarettes are the most commonly-used tobacco product among teens. In 2018, over 20% of high school students reported having used e-cigarettes in the last 30 days.
E-cigarettes contain a liquid solution that is usually flavored. Flavors, which are appealing to children, often are things like peach schnapps, java jolt, piña colada, peppermint, bubble gum, or chocolate.
Youth who use e-cigarettes are more likely to smoke traditional cigarettes in the future.
Children are exposed to e-cigarette advertising in the media, and in magazines and billboards.
Although it is illegal for e-cigarettes to be sold to youth under age 18, they can be ordered online.
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Will You Be the First In Your Family To Go To College?
Are you a First-Generation student who has questions about college?? If you are, there is a program that can help you figure it out. TRIO Talent Search is a federally funded grant program housed at Briar Cliff University that works with students in Siouxland, including North High. Currently Talent Search serves about 200 students at North High and 70 students at North Middle. During the school year students meet with an advisor once a month to work on career exploration, college preparation, scholarship assistance, ACT prep, and more. Students also have the opportunity to go on college visits – juniors and seniors during the school year and everyone during the summer. ACT prep sessions and practice tests, leadership events, and other college preparation activities are offered to students throughout the year as well.
Everything offered by the TRIO Talent Search program is provided FREE of charge. To sign up you must complete an application. They can be picked up in the counseling office, our advisor, Heather Nissen, is there most Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, or contact her at nissenh@live.siouxcityschools.com or heather.nissen@briarcliff.edu.
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We are reviewing the system that is in place and evaluating what adjustments should be made to make the system more effective and efficient.
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ACT Information
Visit here to sign up and log in!
Future Test Dates:
February 9, 2020
April 4, 2020
April 21, 2020 (Administered to all 11th grade students at the high school; no cost to students)
June 13, 2020
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Changes In Activity Ticket Prices
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North High School Food Pantry
North High School is proud to serve our parents and students with a stocked food pantry, in partnership with Food Bank of Siouxland and Sioux City First Church. 7 out of 10 North High Students qualify for Free or Reduced lunch.
This is open to any North High or North Middle family at no cost. The pantry is open during regular school house as well. Contact North High School counseling office at 712-239-7007 for more information. The pantry is located within North High School in the the south gym hallways.
Dates:
- Thursday, December 19th (3:00-4:00 pm)
- Thursday, January 16th (3:00-4:00 pm) Friday, January 24th (3:00-4:00 pm)
- Friday, February, 14th (3:00-4:00 pm) Friday, February 21st (3:00-4:00 pm)
- Friday, March 20th (3:00-4:00 pm) Friday, March 27th (3:00-4:00 pm)
- Friday, April 17th (3:00-4:00 pm) Thursday, April 23rd (3:00-4:00 pm)
- May (by appointment or phone call)
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Yearbook Information
2019-2020 NORTH HIGH YEARBOOK
The price of the yearbook is currently $80. To purchase a yearbook visit the following link, or pick up an order form in the office. WWW.YEARBOOKFOREVER.COM
If you have yet to pickup your 2018-2019 Yearbook, please email the Yearbook Advisor, Drew Gerch at gerchd@live.siouxcityschools.com
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Attention Junior (Class of 2021) Parents! Immunization Information
Iowa Immunization law requires that all students entering 7th grade have both a Meningococcal vaccination and a Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis/whooping cough) vaccination before school starts in the fall. Here is a link to specific requirements: https://idph.iowa.gov/ohds/oral-health-center/school-screenings
Iowa law requires that all students entering 12th grade have a Meningococcal vaccination. The requirement is 2 doses of meningococcal (A,C,W,Y) vaccine for students in grade 12, if born after September 15, 1999; or 1 dose if received when students are 16 years of age or older are required before school starts in the fall.
The Tdap requirement has been in place since the 2013/14 school year and requires a booster dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria, and acellular Pertussis containing vaccine for students entering 7th grade, regardless of the interval since the last Tetanus/Diphtheria containing vaccine. Pertussis (whooping cough) is a very contagious disease that causes violent coughing fits that make it hard to breathe.
The meningococcal vaccine has been required since the start of the 2017/18 school year. Meningococcal disease is a life threatening illness that is caused by bacteria that infects the brain, blood, and spinal cord. It easily spreads in crowded settings. The vaccine is required prior to both the 7th and 12th.
What does this mean for you? You will need to call your physician’s office to make an appointment for these vaccines. You will need to check your home records or call your physician’s office to see what your student’s status is. If you do not have insurance, you can contact the Siouxland District Health Department at 279-6119. Please send a copy of your student’s updated immunization record to the school nurse prior to the first day of school. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter.
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Parking Expectations
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Opportunities to Give
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Homework Help Tutoring
Transportation is provided for those who participate. A bus picks students up around 4:05 pm each afternoon and drops students off at Clark, Perry Creek, Bryant, Hunt, Irving, Boys and Girls Home, Leeds, and Evergreen Village.
"Saturday School" will be offered on the following dates:
December 7
December 14
January 11
February 15
March 14
April 18
April 25
May 9
May 16
Transportation is not provided to or from Saturday School. The hours are 9:00-12:00 pm.
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Uniquely North - Season 3
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Earn Your Silver Cord!
Who is Eligible?
All North High students who would like to help the community and others.
How Do I Qualify to receive the Silver Cord for Graduation?
Students must complete a minimum of forty hours of committee-approved community service in their sophomore, junior and senior years at North High School. You cannot average 40 hours over the three year span; forty hours must be completed within each school year. Our goal is to instill the idea of community service as a life-long pursuit. If students successfully complete the amount of hours necessary they will receive a silver cord to wear at commencement similar to the gold cords worn by academic award winners.
Important Details:
Documentation: Students MUST document all service activities on the Silver Cord Award Form provided by North High – one form for each site or project, signed by a supervisor at the site. (A note confirming the students’ service signed by the supervisor at the project is also acceptable. It must be attached to the Silver Cord Form). Forms can be submitted to Ms. Ruhrer at North High School at any time during the year. For sophomores and juniors: if you don’t turn in forms by the end of the school year, you may submit them at any time during the following fall. There is no specific deadline for underclassmen to submit forms, although it is best to turn them in as soon as they are completed. Seniors should submit all Silver Cord forms by May 2nd of senior year. Forms may be picked up from the office or can be printed using the links below.
Summer Service: Service hours earned during the summer after the academic year may be applied toward EITHER the prior or following year – student’s choice. (For example, the summer after the sophomore year can apply toward either the sophomore or junior 40 hour requirement or divided between the two as needed). It is recommended that all summer projects be pre-approved in writing by Mrs. Ruhrer or a principal to make sure they are acceptable. Summer service that complies with the Silver Cord criteria will be accepted even if students were not able to submit pre-approval forms. Students should pick up blank Silver Cord Award forms before the end of school to use for documentation summer service. Please keep completed forms until you return to North in the fall. The Silver Cord Adviser will be responsible for keeping students’ Silver Cord files.
Important details regarding the Silver Cord Award:
Acceptable service activities: Silver Cord hours must be for providing a SERVICE or meeting a clear NEED for a non-profit agency, church, school, park, charity program, fundraiser or community event. The service should be “above and beyond” one’s usual scope of involvement and could be part of required service for a program such as Scouts or religious education. While some organizations meet during the school day, only hours outside of school time could be applied to Silver Cord service. If there is any question about whether a specific volunteer experience meets the criteria of “providing service” or “meeting a need” students should get prior approval from the Silver Cord Committee by submitting a pre-approval form. The Silver Cord Review Committee makes final determinations regarding service.
Organizations/Activities that have been approved:
Blood Bank/Blood Drives
Food Bank
United Way
Gospel Mission
Friendship Connections
Beyond The Bell
Goodwill
Watchful Eye Foundation
Local church activities
YMCA
Red Cross
Peer Tutoring/Extended Day
S.T.A.R.S
Humane Society
Head Start
Local medical centers
Retirement Homes
Salvation Army
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Habitat for Humanity
Special Olympics
Ronald McDonald House
Junior League
American Heart Association
Art Splash
Ragbrai
Mid-Steps Service
Santa House
Political Organizations or Candidates
Important details regarding the Silver Cord Award:
Silver Cord hours CANNOT BE for a relative, or for pay or compensation of any kind. Other activities that would not be acceptable: NHS sports team managing, training or event timing or administration; most NHS music program events; concession stand or fundraising events in which proceeds benefit a NHS program; serving as a camp counselor while receiving free room and board (some exceptions made for camps for children with disabilities); performing in a musical, dance, or theater group unless related to a social cause or charity benefit; participation on committees in which the focus is on one’s own leadership development and does not include outreach to larger community. Court ordered community service hours are not eligible.
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Let's Talk
Communication and Preparedness
Focus 2022 Strategic Plan
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North High School Class of 2020 Graduation
Saturday, May 23, 2020, 11:00 AM
Tyson Events Center, Gordon Drive, Sioux City, IA, USA
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Statement of Non-Discrimination
The Sioux City Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas: Business & Marketing, Family & Consumer Science, Health Science, and Industrial Arts, Technology, & PLTW.
The Sioux City Community School District is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. It is an unfair or discriminatory practice for any educational institution to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information (for employment), national origin, religion, age (for employment), disability, socioeconomic status (for programs), marital status (for programs), or veteran status (for employment) in its educational programs and its employment practices.
Inquiries or grievances, including Section 504 grievances and grievances under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, may be directed to Jen Gomez, Director of Student Services & Equity Education at 627 4th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101, (712) 279-6075, gomezj2@live.siouxcityschools.com. Please see District Board policies 103 and 504.4 for additional information on available grievance procedures.
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About Us
Website: http://www.siouxcityschools.org/north-high-school/
Location: 4200 Cheyenne Boulevard, Sioux City, IA, United States
Phone: (712)-239-7000
Facebook: facebook.com/SiouxCityNorth
Twitter: @SiouxCityNorth