Godwin Heights High School
Weekly Newsletter February 11, 2022
Upcoming Events:
2/14 - Feeding America Food Truck - 4-6 PM - High School
2/14 - Board of Education Meeting - 6 PM - High school Collaboration Center
2/16 - Early Release - 1:15 pm dismissal - schedule C
2/18 - Half Day - Dismissal at 11 am
2/19 - Varsity Boys Basketball Tournament 1-7:30 PM in the PEB
2/21 - No School - Mid-Winter Break
2/23 - Middle & High School Band Concert - 7-8 PM - HS Auditorium
3/2 - Early Release - 1:15 PM Dismissal
3/9 - Middle & High School Choir Concert - 7 PM - HS Auditorium
WIDA
WIDA testing for ELL students will begin on Tuesday the 15th.
- 9th and 10th graders will be testing:
- 1st and 2nd hour: Tuesday 2/15, Wednesday 2/16, and Thursday 2/17.
- 11th and 12th graders will be testing:
- 1st and 2nd hour: Tuesday 2/22, Wednesday 2/23, and Friday 2/25.
It is crucial that students arrive at school at 7:30 in order to start the WIDA at 7:40.
Solo & Ensemble
Solo & Ensemble is an event where students prepare music for solo instruments or small groups that they work on outside of the ensemble class time. Students perform, then receive feedback from highly qualified adjudicators (typically collegiate professors or professional performers who teach applied instruction on their instrument).
Fernando garnered praise for his preparation of his music, his execution of difficult technical passages, and his musicality in performance. He was given feedback to continue to working on his tempo transitions and build on his vibrato. In total, Fernando revived a rating of I or Superior (one or first division). Fernando is the first student to represent Godwin at Solo & Ensemble in over 10 years.
When you see Fernando, please give him a hand for his tremendous achievement!
Parent Letter on Earbuds/Electronic Devices & Tardies
February 7, 2022
Dear Parent(s) and/or Guardian(s),
We wanted to provide you with important winter updates for both Godwin Heights Middle & High School.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Electronic devices continue to be a major issue in all secondary schools across the state and country. In an effort to support our students and teachers, I am reaching out to parents and asking for your partnership in supporting your child’s education. As phones, smart watches, airpods, and other wireless headphones continue to be brought into the school, they are a significant distraction to our students in the classroom.
Listening devices are incredibly tempting and students continue to place them in their ear; this can be very difficult for teachers to notice due to hats, hoods, masks, and long hair. Unfortunately, there have been too many times over the past few months where teachers are calling on students in class and they are not responding due to personal technology use. Earbuds are distracting students from paying attention to important content that will allow them to be successful in class and in their future. I am asking each of our parents to speak to their students about this issue and to request them to leave any earbuds at home or in their backpacks and not to be taken out during the school day.
In addition, cell phones are not to be out in any classroom and students should not be accessing their wireless device during instructional time. Cell phones are equally distracting in the learning environment and cause major challenges for teachers to deliver content and for students to engage. Our educators at Godwin Heights do a tremendous job of planning and delivering lessons that provide entry points for all of our students in the classroom. However, it is very difficult for any teacher to compete with Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and text messaging when it is at the tip of our students' fingers with access to their cell phone. We greatly appreciate students following our electronic device policies to best support their learning. Please remind your students that cell phone use is prohibited in all classrooms at Godwin Heights.
ARRIVAL TO SCHOOL/TARDIES
The next major issue we are facing is students continually arriving late to school and being tardy to class. On any given day, we have 50-75 students arriving after 7:30 AM when class has already started. We have tremendous teachers who go above and beyond to prepare important lessons and maximize every minute of class for your child. It is very challenging for our staff to support our students who consistently walk into the building late on a daily basis. We greatly appreciate students and parents who are ensuring arrival to campus on time. As a reminder, school doors open at both buildings at 7:20 AM. Please make sure students arrive at that time or earlier then go straight to class once the doors open. Class begins promptly at 7:30 AM.
If we can support parents in any way, please reach out to us. We hope, by working together, we can prevent future issues and ensure the success of your child.
Sincerely,
Chad Conklin
Godwin Heights Principal of Secondary Schools
Social Emotional Learning
Hello Families! This week in our Lion's Quest Curriculum - our High School students began learning critical communication and relationship building skills around resolving conflicts. Students grades 9-12 began to discover and connect skills such as empathy, responsible decision making, and restorative practices that will help them analyze the emotions related to resolving conflicts and building and maintaining positive relationships. Please consider using the following resources to continue their learning on these important skills.
Marine or Atmospheric Science
If any of you are interested in Marine or atmospheric science, the University of Miami has a pretty cool virtual experience that you can participate in on February 19th. All you have to do is register and then choose the time slot that interests you! This is a free virtual event.
Track & Field Conditioning
Athletics
Godwin Heights High School
Email: cconklin@godwinschools.org
Website: godwinschools.org
Location: 50 35th Street Southwest, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Phone: (616) 252-2050
Facebook: facebook.com/Godwinschools
Twitter: @GodwinSchools