Fife High News
Remote Learning and Shutdown Update Edition
FHS Info for this week 4/13/20
I hope you were able to find some mental rest over Spring Break. I know it wasn't the break any of us envisioned. Obviously, the news that we are closed for the rest of the year is a big blow to all of us. As I write this I'm so saddened, especially for our seniors. I've heard from some of our 12th grade Trojans, and understandable there is a lot of grieving going on right now. Grieving is healthy...it is completely okay for you to feel a level of initial despair.
Graduation
There are a lot of questions that are naturally being asked, most predominately, "what happens to our graduation ceremony?"
Seniors, we do not have definitive answers right now as there are still unknowns. We have already begun planning for different scenarios, keeping in mind that the governor did not rule out yet that graduation ceremony. My mindset is, "hope for the best, plan for the worst." We will continue to update our community as these decisions are made and as the state outlines guidance for schools and gathering/social distance policies. I want you to know from the bottom of my heart, that we want this to be special for you, and I will treat this situation as if my own child was involved.
There is no sugar coating this, or words that "make it better." This crisis, plain and simply put, is terrible and unprecedented. For now, just continue to worry about what you have control over, doing your best to win each day, trying to choose your attitude, working your hardest in your classes while you support your families at home.
This week we continue with Phase 2 of our plan: the review period. Students please be getting your work completed and submitted to your teachers. If you need to connect with a teacher, pay careful attention to their office hours this week, they have communicated to you the time and method that you can connect with them. Please take a few minutes and read through Fife High News.
Get 'em-
Mr. Bakke
The Virtual Fist Bump At the Gate with Mr. Bakke: 4/13/20 Week (4 min)
In This Edition
In this newsletter scroll down to:
1. Heart of the Trojan Award Nomination Form Now Open
2. Teacher Office Hours For the Week
3. How are Fife students helping the community? Check out Ryen Glynn
4. How can you help an Fife FFA student?
5. How to get support reminders and new FAQ website for Seniors
6. Phase 2 Outline
Heart of the Trojan Award Nomination Form Now Open... Due May 5!
Last year we debuted our Heart of the Trojan Awards. We are excited to continue this powerful tradition. Five Awards, presented in front of the entire school, given to people who exemplified aspects of the Heart of the Trojan. The Awards:
1. Community Support (given to a community member)
2. Staff (FHS staff member)
3. Commitment (given to a senior)
4. Courage (given to a senior)
5. Kindness (given to a senior)
Students and Staff, we need your nominations! Please include first and last name of individual nominated (who you want to win the award) and why you've nominated them. You do not need to nominate someone for every award. Please submit your nominations by Tuesday May 5th
Teacher "office hours" this week
This is Optional for students.
How are Fife Students Helping the Community? Check out Ryen Glynn
Help an FHS FFA student
The cancellation of the Puyallup Spring Fair has added to the difficulties caused by COVID-19. For our Fife FFA members that have been working hard since November, raising a pig, this outbreak could not arrive at a more difficult time.
Selling animals for profit becomes very difficult when there is no livestock show, no livestock judging competition, no interaction with the public, and no livestock auction at the Spring Fair. Members are now relying on you to help! Feel free to take a look at our STUDENT PROJECTS page to see what students have been working on all year.
To learn how you can help, Click Here!
Help scholarship a student using this link: https://wa-fife-lite.intouchreceipting.com/FFAPigSponsorship
Need Support?
Need Tech Support?
If you need help with a student Chromebook or with one of the online services being used for learning, you have several options to request help:
- Visit the Fife Technology Dept website and fill out an online form to request help (this is preferred). - or -
- Call the district at 253-517-1000 and leave a message with contact information and a description of the problem. - or -
- a member of the technology team will contact you.
- FHS staff will be calling or emailing those families who we have heard need tech support to follow up with you as well and can assist you with submitting the request form
Do you need to call to speak to a staff member?
Seniors! Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) website for you!!!
We are in Phase 2: Review Material
Date: 4/1-4/3 (off for spring break), then 4/13-4/17
Phase 2 purpose: The focus of Phase 2 remote learning will be on enrichment and reteaching.
- If students have makeup work or assignments that can still be done, this is a great time to work on those as well.
- During this phase students are not going to receive grades nor will they be penalized for not completing newly assigned work. That said, teachers will be providing feedback to students.
- Teachers will be sharing with students review learning opportunities via the teachers “Google Classrooms” or in an email to the students. This will focus on review material.
- Teachers are creating these assignments being cognizant to balance workload with “life circumstances” that so many of us are dealing with.
Is it required? Yes. Students should be participating as directed by the teacher.
How will this affect my grades and credits? The state school board is making final decisions on the requirements to earn credits and grades on April 8th. For now the guidance to us is that in order for students to earn credit they must meet standard. More on this to come.
Following spring break every teacher will have virtual “office hours.”
- Teachers will share with students when they will be available for quick response and feedback. This will allow students to ask any questions they might have as well as engage with the teacher.
- This is optional for the student, especially if they do not have any questions about the material assigned to them.
- Teachers will also be available as usual via email which they will respond to as soon as possible.
In Case You Missed IT!
In case you missed it... a letter to our students from Mr. Bakke
3/13/20
Dear Fife Students,
You are facing truly unprecedented events, and this will be something you will never forget for the rest of your life. I am so sorry you are going through it. I’m sorry that for so many of you, the rewards from the hard work you have put into your sports, concerts, and productions is being taken from you. I’m sorry that your education is getting temporarily compromised. I’m sorry for all the special events that were scheduled that have been canceled. These are memories you won’t get back. I am sorry if you are feeling fear. I know these events are going to impact us all in a lot of scary ways.
But to our beloved FHS students, do not lose hope! My grandparents generation was called, “the greatest generation.” A lot of people think this is simply because of the extreme sacrifice they made during World War II fighting for the freedom of the world, but that is only part of the story. This was the same generation that grew up in the depression, during the worst economic times in our history. They suffered tremendous loss and faced incredible adversity, when terms like “rationing” were everyday vocabulary. They never lost hope, and in spite of those hard times they went through, they went on to save the world.
Fife students, this is your time to show that you have the makings of also being a “great generation.” You are going through historic adversity, which means it's your opportunity to shine bright. Shine by showing others how you care, by your resilience, by being extra helpful with your family, and by showing empathy and encouragement with your peers, and community. Even yesterday you put together a rush food drive and collected hundreds of items in just one day. We continue to be so proud of you!
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I want you to again be reminded why we say “Get ‘Em Trojans.” In Fife it means that we will not back down, that there isn’t a challenge, adversity, competition, or tough test that will sway us...there is no such thing as insurmountable odds; in Fife we do not lose hope, and we do not quit. We Get ‘em Trojans!
I can’t wait to see you in a few weeks, when we finish the school year the way we are supposed to... together. Make good decisions today and in the few weeks ahead. And Get ‘Em Trojans.
Sincerely,
Mr. Bakke
Fife High School
Email: tgieck@fifeschools.com
Website: https://fhs.fifeschools.com/
Location: 5616 20th St E, Fife, WA, USA
Phone: 253-891-5500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fifehigh/
Twitter: @fifeHSTrojans