Our team at Pella High School is excited to welcome you back for the 2021-22 school year! Last year we demonstrated that collectively we can thrive in difficult times. This year we will continue to build upon the many wonderful things that we have achieved. We will focus on our core values of Pella PRIDE as we work to foster a positive and productive school climate and culture. We also plan to implement new strategies through the Leader in Me framework form Franklin Covey. Leader in Me focuses on developing leadership skills in each student through the Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens. We begin laying groundwork this month with student and staff leadership teams.

We hope that you all enjoy the last few days of summer break. We also look forward to creating many memorable stories and unforgettable moments on our journey this year! See you soon! And GO DUTCH!!!

Sincerely,

Adam Beckel

Principal

Derek Schulte

Assistant Principal

“PRIDE”: We honor our traditions and are proud of ourselves, our school, and our community

P - Purpose: We discover our voice and pursue our passions

R - Relationships: We foster a sense of belonging that cultivates caring relationships

I - Integrity: We value honesty and good character

D - Determination: We overcome challenges and grow from adversity

E - Excellence: We do our best work individually and as a team

The deadline for completing the personal information portion of online registration was March 31st, but we have extended it for those who still need to register. Log onto your parent portal and click on MORE then ONLINE REGISTRATION.

School fees can be paid under FEES & lunch fees can be paid by clicking FOOD SERVICE on your Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Optional fees such as yearbook, parking passes, athletic passes, etc…can be found by clicking FEES then OPTIONAL PAYMENTS on the bottom of the screen.

Questions regarding registration or your Infinite Campus login, please contact Allissa Grandia by emailing allissa.grandia@pellaschools.org or by calling 641-628-9539.

The high school will be hosting an open house for all ninth-grade students, new students, and their guardians on August 19th. We will also be hosting two sessions for the Chromebook training which is required for new student laptop distribution. Returning 9th - 12th grade students will not need to attend that training session. The Chromebook training sessions provide the necessary information required for our laptop checkout process. The building itself will be open for all to walk through and become familiar with the layout before the first day of school. There will be several student volunteers to help navigate the building. School counselors and administrators will also be available to answer questions. Please preview and print schedules at home prior to this event. Student schedules may be viewed through Infinite Campus.

The schedule for that day is as follows:

9th grade and New Students to Pella Open House 5:00 - 6:30 PM

• 5pm: 9th Grade and New to Pella Students Informational Meeting - in Auditorium

• Computer Checkout

• Open house - walk your schedule

• Teachers in rooms by 5:15

• 4:30 Session 1 Chromebook Training in Library (New to Pella Only)

• 6:00 Session 2 Chromebook Training in Library (New to Pella Only)

10th - 12th Grade Returning Students Open House: 6:30 - 8:00pm

Checklist (to do)

• Collect Student ID

• Check locker and combo

• Drop off any items in locker

• Walk schedule and meet teachers

Student schedules will be available for viewing after August 13th. Have your son/daughter review their schedule to ensure that these things are in place:

1) required core classes needed for both semesters

2) check for electives that are preferred.

August will be the time to make changes desired by adding (if class sizes allow) or dropping courses. Students will not be able to move classes to have a specific i-study or teacher. Counselors will be available after the 14th to answer questions or address schedule issues.

Student Lockers

To find your student’s locker and combination, please refer to Infinite Campus in the Parent & Student Portals and find it under MORE then LOCKERS. Lockers and their combinations are also found on the student’s printed schedule which can be printed on August 14.

Returning Students - may stop by the high school between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. August 18th through the 20th to check out a laptop from the IT office (Room 1217).

Checklist for students when picking up their Chromebook:

• Collect Chromebook - IT Office (room 1217)

• Collect Student ID - Activities Office

• Review your schedule - View online and print at home

• Test your locker combination

• Get a parking pass - Main Office (10th - 12th grade only)

New Students & Parent/Guardian - Will need to attend a chromebook training session prior to being issued a chromebook during the Back to School Orientation on August 19th. There will be two sessions that night, one at 4:30 PM and one at 6:00 PM in the High School Library.

The high school supply list is very general. Students should have the following:

Notebooks, folders, #2 pencils, pens, and the math department recommends students have a protractor and a TI-84 calculator (not required).

Lobbyguard - In an effort to improve our visitor tracking and monitoring, and continue to develop building security, all visitors (including all parents) will need to check in with the office and will be required to produce a driver’s licence to gain access to the building. Guests without a driver’s licence may be denied access to the building and other student areas.

We will continue to enforce the personal cell phone and backpack policies that were established during the 2020-21 school year.

Personal Cell Phone Policy – The use and access to cell phones will be limited to before and after school, during passing times, and during the SMART lunch period. Any parent concerns or emergencies should be processed through the office.

Backpacks or Personal Bags – The use of backpacks or personal bags will be limited to before and after school only. A personal backpack is any apparatus used for carrying books, school supplies, etc. Students will be expected to keep backpacks or personal bags in their assigned locker during the school day. Handbags smaller than a school textbook may be carried at school (small purses, pencil pouches, etc.)

This year, to eliminate a common touch point, students will no longer use a touchpad to purchase lunch. Students will be issued a student ID, which will be scanned to purchase lunch. IDs will also be used to sign in and out of the building. Student IDs will be color coded with the grade level of the student (red = 9th, yellow = 10th, blue = 11th, and green = 12th). Students that forget their ID badge will report to the end of the line and will be asked to produce a pin number (student ID number) to the lunch clerk. To find this code, log onto your parent portal, click the student’s name, then click MORE then STUDENT CREDENTIALS and see the code next to STUDENT PIN NUMBER.

Q: What is an iLearn session and how do iLearn sessions work?

A: An iLearn session is structured TIME each week for teachers to offer various learning activities in addition to what happens during your regular class. This is targeted time to allow students to maximize their learning. Students can voluntarily attend an iLearn session with a teacher OR can be assigned to attend a session by a teacher or counselor. If a student attends an iLearn during A lunch, they will eat B lunch that day or vice versa.

Q: What happens if a student doesn’t show up to the check-in period?

A: Students who do not show up to the check-in period will be considered skipping and teachers should follow the same procedures as if the student skipped class. Attendance will be taken daily.

If you have any questions regarding i-Learns please contact Mr. Derek Schulte, Assistant Principal at derek.schulte@pellaschools.org or 641-628-3870

If students are applying for college and need high school transcripts sent to colleges this fall please follow the steps on the Pella District website: http://www.pellaschools.org/

high school home page > gray box on right hand side > counseling > transcript request form

Any student that is planning to take the ACT test for college admission requirements may visit this website for further details. www.actstudent.org. The ACT testing dates and locations as well as the online registration is on this website. There are also tips and strategies for test taking, plus Test Prep information. Another test prep resource is located at this link: http://www.doorwaytocollege.com/. This is the company that comes into Pella HS a couple times throughout the school year to host ACT test prep workshops for students. The first workshop is scheduled for Oct 6 & 7, from 6:30-9pm each night; more details about registration will be sent at a later date.

All parents are to drop off and pick up at the east entrance of the High School building. Parents may enter off of University street, proceed north to enter the parent drop off/pick up loop on the north end. Parents will exit the parking lot on University street after dropping off/picking up. Please refrain from using the south entrance (main entrance) as it will cause congestion with bus traffic. Thank you.

All students are to use either the east entrance OR main entrance to exit or enter the building during school hours. Students may use other doors when arriving to school and leaving the school at the end of the school day. All school doors will lock at 8:20 a.m. All students entering after 8:20 a.m. will need to use the east entrance or the main entrance and pass through the office(s)

1. The following are the expectations for students in relation to parking/driving vehicles to school. All students must register to obtain a parking tag in order to park on school grounds. Parking permits will be issued at the beginning of each school year at a cost of $5 and can be paid for online after July 1. Vehicle information should be entered in the transportation tab when registering students for school. Freshmen are not eligible for a school parking permit. A parking permit grants a student access to campus parking but does NOT guarantee a space, as parking is limited on campus.

2. Students are to park in designated areas only. All student parking is located south and east of the HS building in the designated student parking areas. There is NO student parking in the Career Academy parking lot. This area is reserved for faculty/staff, visitors, and students from neighboring districts enrolled for classes.

3. All students who are not issued a parking permit must park off of school grounds, off campus parking is available at Caldwell Park, Faith Church, the tennis courts, and legal street parking. For safety and security purposes, Faith Church does require students using their parking lot to register their vehicle and purchase a parking tag. The cost of Faith Church parking is $5 for the year.

4. Students who park in school parking lots without a permit or in “no parking” or “reserved parking” areas may have their permits revoked, be fined, and/or towed at their expense. Fines for illegal parking are $15 for each offense. If a student consistently parks illegally or does not pay their parking fines, then they may lose additional privileges (open campus, work release, parking, etc.) Students who drive in an unsafe manner may have their permits revoked, be fined, or other disciplinary actions including suspension.

Parking Areas Defined

• Student Parking (located South and East of the High School building)

• Lower East Lot

• Upper East Lot

• South Lot

• Northeast Parent Loop

• Faculty/Staff Parking

• SW Bus Loop

• Career Academy

• East Parent Loop

• Visitor Parking

• SW Bus Loop

• East Parent Loop

• University Street

• August 19th - Orientation Event / Meet the Teachers

• October 18th- Traditional Conferences and ParentU

• February 7th - Excellence in Education Night

• March 3rd - Traditional Conferences and ParentU pt2

Here is the link for the 2021-22 Student Handbook. All students are responsible for reading and becoming familiar with the policies in the Student Handbook. Parent should also review the student handbook.

Pella High School Distinguished Services Program is a program that encourages all students to volunteer in our community and school; all hours must be served in Pella. Participation is not required. Those who choose to partake and who serve 100 hours or more throughout their four years at Pella High School will receive a Distinguished Service Award and a special cord to wear at the graduation ceremony.

The Pella High School Student Support Services team is available to assist students and families in many life circumstances that could affect students’ schooling. The services include academic assistance and planning, career and college planning, and personal or social situations. Students and parents are also encouraged to contact the counselors to assist with situations that arise. It is beneficial to the students when the staff and families work together as a team. There are also many community resources the guidance staff can suggest for any further assistance needed. The Pella High School counselors are Mrs. Manning and Mrs. Thompson.

Board Policy(s) 501.9 - 501.10R1

A growing body of research illustrates that missing an excessive number of school days, regardless of reason, can place a child at risk of falling behind his or her peers academically. Additionally, some students may exhibit patterns of absence that foretell future attendance and academic problems. A report by John Hopkins University (Balfanz and Byrnes, 2012) highlights the association of chronic absenteeism (i.e., missing 10 percent or greater of the total number of days enrolled in the school year for any reason, which equates to 18 or more days/yr) to student academic achievement and high school graduation. Chronic absenteeism is also emerging as an early indicator of future academic difficulty. Children who are chronically absent in both kindergarten and first grade are much less likely to read proficiently by the end of third grade (Attendance Works, 2011). If chronic early absence is not addressed at the elementary level, then it may worsen in the higher grades (Chang and Romero, 2008). By sixth grade, chronic absence is a key early indicator of dropping out from high school (Baltimore Education Research Consortium, 2011). By ninth grade, attendance may be a better indicator of dropout than eighth-grade test scores (Allensworth and Easton, 2007).

Acceptable reasons for a student's absence from school are limited to the following:

• Religious observances;

• Illness, extended illness, and/or hospitalization/doctor's care;

• Death in the family or family emergency;

• Court appearance or other legal situation beyond the control of the family.

• Any school-related or school-initiated absence

The following absences are to be avoided

• Vacations or out of town for extended periods of time (It is strongly encouraged that families schedule their extended trips around scheduled vacations/breaks on the school calendar)

• Personal outings (shopping, haircuts, concerts, extended lunch breaks etc.)

• Work (only students with approved approved release forms are allowed this privilege)

• Childcare, babysitting siblings/relatives, oversleeping and transportation issues are typically considered unexcused absences

GENERAL STATEMENTS

• A parent must call the HS office by 9:00 a.m. each morning your son/daughter will be absent from school.

• Students are to provide written verification of any appointment attended during the day. (If a student is placed on a restriction to participate in PE/physical activities, a written note from the doctor should include; duration of the restriction AND alternative activities that could be performed during restriction (ex stationary bike, walking, light weight lifting etc.)

• Students MUST check in/out of the office any time they leave/enter the building once school has started.

Three levels of absenteeism concerns are:

• Excessive absenteeism (slight concern) is defined as 6 non-school related absences (excused or unexcused) in a semester - A notification letter is sent to parents when a child meets this criteria.

• Academic probation (moderate concern) is defined as 10 non-school related absences (excused or unexcused) in a semester - Student meets with administration and/or teachers to determine actions needing to be taken to remain in good standing in enrolled courses. A notification letter is sent and/or phone call is made to parents when a child meets this criteria.

• Attendance contract (severe concern) - is implemented when a student has missed 15 non-school related absences (excused or unexcused) in a semester. Student/parent meet with administration to discuss terms of contract. Loss of credit may result of contract is not upheld

* Refer to the Pella High School Student Handbook for more detailed information regarding school attendance policies.

In order for a student to participate in an interscholastic event he/she must attend all classes and study halls in a normal school day of the event. An approved absence the day of an event must be submitted to the office no later than 9:00 a.m. of the day of the event and must be approved by the administration. Failure to comply with this regulation may result in being ineligible for participation in any extracurricular event/performance on the day they were absent. Any student serving an in-school OR out-of-school suspension will be ineligible to practice or perform in an event for the day(s) they are suspended. A student serving an out-of-school suspension is not allowed on school property or allowed to attend school events, home and away until reinstated by administration.

A student must be a full time student to participate in interscholastic school-sponsored activities. A full time student is defined as one who is enrolled in at least six (6) courses . Students must be working toward a Pella High School regular diploma and be in grades 9-12 to participate in any High School activity/sport. The exception to this rule is 8th grade students are eligible to participate in High School softball and baseball.

Student Pass - $55

Allows students (K-12th grade) to enter any regular season, home event for middle school and high school level. There is no middle school only pass.

Family Pass - $250

Allows adults and children in the household (K-12th grade) to enter regular season, home events at the middle school or high school level. All immediate family members will be issued a pass. College age and above are not eligible to be included in the family pass.

Punch Passes

$80 punch pass allows for 20 admissions for adults or $60 punch pass allows 20 admissions for Sr. Citizens (65+ in age). Punch Pass must be presented at the gate, otherwise a ticket must be purchased.

All athletic passes can be purchased online, but the Activities Office will have to apply the Adult and/or Family pass to your account. You may contact the Activities Office at 641-628-7305 or email at sarah.treft@pellaschools.org with any questions.

Parents are asked to please inform their sons/daughters not to be on school property after dark unless it is associated with a school activity. Any student found to be defacing school property will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Please help the district build pride and respect in our schools, rather than the reverse. Your support is appreciated.

Drivers Education is provided by Street Smarts or Training Wheels Inc. Street Smarts is a company from Clive, Iowa and offers class sessions in Pella during the summer, fall, and spring. For more information go to their website Street Smarts Driver's Ed or call 515-279-1112. Training Wheels Inc. is a company from Knoxville, Iowa that offers courses based on level of interest. For more information, visit their website Training Wheels Driver Education or call 641-820-0234.

Board Policy 102

It is the policy of the Pella Community School not to discriminate on the basis of, and including but not limited to, age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status in its educational program, activities, or employment policies as required by Title VI and VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

It is also the policy of this district that the curriculum content and instructional materials utilized reflect the cultural and racial diversity present in the United States and the variety of careers, roles, and opportunities open to women and men in our society. One of the objectives of the total curriculum and teaching strategies is to eliminate stereotyping and bias on the basis of, and including but not limited to, age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status. The curriculum should foster respect and appreciation for the cultural diversity found in our country and an awareness of the rights, duties, and responsibilities of each individual as a member of a pluralistic society.

It is also the policy of this agency to provide a fair and supportive work environment for all employees regardless of, and including but not limited to, their age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status. Harassment of a sexual nature or with demeaning intent related to, and including but not limited to, age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status made by one employee to another is a violation of this policy.

Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX, Title VI, or Section 504 may be directed to Lowell Ernst, 212 E. University Street, Pella, Iowa 641/628-3870, or to the Director of the Region VII Offices of Civil Rights, Department of Education, Kansas City, Missouri.

Updated: 4/1/11

On our district website, there is a school calendar of events for the 2021-22 school year, events can be sorted by topic and printed. Click here for academic calendar. We hope this calendar will be helpful to you and your family.

August 17th: Teacher Quality PD Day

August 18th: Teacher PD Day

August 19th: District Meetings/Building Meetings

HS (P/T Conferences) 5:30 - 8:30

August 20th: Staff Meetings/Teacher Work Day

August 23rd: Begin 1st Semester

August 25th: 90 minute early dismissal for PD

September 1st: 90 minute early dismissal for PD

September 6th: No School - Labor Day

September 14th: 3-Week Grades Check

September 15th: 90 minute early dismissal for PD

September 22nd: 90 minute early dismissal for PD

September 27-October 1: Homecoming Week

September 29th: 90 minute early dismissal for PD

October 1st: Homecoming

October 5th: 6-Week Grade Check

October 6th: 90 minute early dismissal for PD

October 13th: 90 minute early dismissal for PD

October 18th: HS P/T Conference 4:30 - 8:00

October 20th: 90 minute early dismissal for PD

October 22nd: End of 1st Quarter

October 23rd: Begin Quarter

October 27th: 90 minute early dismissal for PD