Pella High School Newsletter
April 2024
Happy Spring, Pella Families!
What a busy time of year for students! I can’t say it enough - we have such great kids here. I’m excited to see them all do their things this spring as we wrap up an awesome school year.
Sincerely,
Josh Manning, Principal
Derek Schulte
Assistant Principal
Matt Fouch
Activities Director
Dual-Enrolled Class Requests - Due April 8
The high school counselors are currently working on the master schedule. If your dual-enrolled student intends to take a class (or classes) at Pella High School during the 2024-2025 school year, please submit his/her class requests to one of the school counselors by April 8th.
rachel.vanzante@pellaschools.org
Leader in Me: Habits to Home
MRA Surveys - Permission Needed for Student Survey by April 9
What is the MRA? The Measurable Results Assessment (MRA) is a survey and reporting system designed to provide insights into the progress of our school's academics, leadership, and culture. We use this tool to help our school identify its strengths and weaknesses, develop goal-centered improvement plans, and monitor progress toward school improvement.
In order to provide a holistic picture of what is going on in our school, the MRA includes three different surveys; 1) one completed by all school staff, 2) one completed by students in grades 4 and above, and 3) one completed by the families of students in all grades.
Our school began administering the MRA with families on March 25.
We hope you will participate, so we can use the feedback to make our school an even better place for students and families. If you have any questions about the surveys or wish to see a list of questions, please contact the school’s front office.
STUDENT SURVEY- Permission Needed by April 9 (Permission FORM LINK)
WHAT: This survey will be completed by students during iLead on Wednesday, April 10
Survey typically takes 15-20 minutes to complete
Students privately answer questions about their attitudes and behaviors and can skip questions and stop anytime they choose.
Students who do not wish to participate in the survey, or whose parents choose to deny permission for their participation, will be provided with an appropriate alternative activity (e.g. quiet reading) while the surveys are being administered.
Iowa code this year requires us to receive parent permission for surveys like these unless they are required by the state of Iowa or the federal government. Please fill out the form in the link indicating whether or not you give permission for your child to complete this survey by April 9. Please know that your decision to deny permission will not impact your child’s grades or your relationship with any member of our school.
FAMILY SURVEY
WHAT: Online survey completed by one member of each household that does not attend school.
Survey typically takes about 5 minutes to complete
Questions relate to the experiences you and your child have at our school.
Answers are anonymous--to encourage people to be honest and open, no names and other identifying information will be collected.
WHEN: The survey is now available for you to take through April 10.
HOW: The survey can be taken from any computer, smartphone, or tablet with internet access.
Simply click on this link: https://www.leaderinme.com/s/pella-high-school-ia/families
Meyer Rounds up Friends to Package 1000 Meals
Thanks to Katie Meyer, Class of 2025, Pella High School student council led a service project that allowed our students to package 1000 meals to give back to our community and local food shelf. Meyer organized the event, and her peers helped to facilitate this great service learning opportunity.
College Planning and Financial Aid - Meeting April 15
Pella High School will be hosting a Financial Aid Night for junior students and parents to gain insight on the college financial aid process. On Monday, April 15th, please join ICAN at 6:00pm in the PHS Auditorium to learn more.
The planning for post-secondary education greatly hinges on financial aid for families, especially as educational costs continue to rise. The regulations within the financial aid world have occasional changes, so please come learn more. Families of seniors are allowed to apply for aid starting October 1st of senior school year. Visit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) website to begin.
The ICAN (www.icansucceed.org) organization is a fabulous resource for families.
It is a free resource in Iowa, for any assistance about the online filing process and policies, please contact them. Appointments are available to assist with any questions or concerns in regards to your family's financial aid process. Junior families, the best time to schedule an appointment for assistance will be in the fall.
Senior Day of Service - April 24
Senior Service Day is Wednesday, April 24. Seniors must sign up to participate, and will have the opportunity this year to choose their preferred service location. Students will meet at the school to start the day then spend the morning working on projects throughout the community, and are dismissed for the day when their site supervisor lets them go. Students are to report to the secondary gym by 8:10 am that morning. Students not participating are required to attend school. If you have questions, please contact Mr. Thorson at corey.thorson@pellaschools.org.
Senior Volunteer Hours - Due April 26
All non-Tulip Time volunteer hours for seniors doing our Distinguished Service Program are due on Friday, April 26. As a courtesy to our parent volunteer who logs the hours, please turn in your forms by the end of the school day that Friday. If you need Tulip Time volunteer hours to get to the 100 required for the graduation cord, submit all other hours by the 26th and then submit Tulip Time hours on Monday, May 6, by 3:30. We will not accept late submissions.
Students Participate in Trip to NASA
Fantastic PSAT Scores!
We're excited to announce that the PHS students who participated in this year's PSAT testing earned scores higher than the state and national averages!
The average score across the United States was: 976
The average score in the state of Iowa was: 1077
Pella High students scored: 1136
Congratulations, students!
Representative Miller-Meeks visits the CAP
Tulip Time is a unique and special event in Pella in which the help of students is needed to assure its success. In recognition of this need, school will be let out at 11:16 a.m. on May 4 & May 5. We understand there are special situations during Tulip Time where students must miss class. This “Work Excuse Form" is designed to help make communication easier. Parents and supervisors need to sign this form. Administration asks that a student be excused only if it is absolutely necessary. Please send the forms to the office with your student or email us at hsoffice@pellaschools.org.
Senior Awards Night - Wednesday, May 8
Senior Awards Night is scheduled for 7:00 p.m, in the Pella High School auditorium. Seniors who have applied for Dollars for Scholars and other scholarships will be recognized and celebrated for awards they have earned. Students who completed the application process for Dollars for Scholars will receive an email invite and should attend to receive their scholarship. Please dress appropriately; business casual is encouraged.
Outstanding Senior Fees Due
*Seniors will not be able to participate in the graduation ceremony unless their fees are paid.
Please log into your Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Click on "Fees" and pay online. Cash/Check payments will be accepted in the main office. Please also check your Food Service account balance to make sure there is no negative balance there as well. Any remaining funds in Food Service will be transferred to any other students you have in the district. If you have no other students, an email will be sent later to ask where you want the funds to go.
Senior Bulletin
Please continue to check the Senior Bulletin for important dates for seniors and for local scholarship opportunities; the bulletin can be found on our school’s web page under the ‘Counseling’ link.
Transcript Requests
If you need an official transcript sent to an educational institution, you must submit a request. Transcript Request Form
Second Semester Calendar of Events
Second semester high school dates:
March 29: No School - Good Friday
April 3: Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal
April 10: Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal
April 16: 12-week grades due @ 9:00 am
April 17: Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal
April 20: Junior/Senior Prom
April 24: Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal
May 2: Tulip Time - 11:15 Dismissal
May 3: Tulip Time - 11:15 Dismissal
May 7: 15-week grades are due @ 9:00 am
May 8: Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal
May 8: Senior Awards Night
May 15: Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal
May 16: Seniors Last Day
May 17: Grades due for GRADUATES @ 9:00 am
May 17: Graduation
May 29-31 (9th -11th) : Semester Assessment, Laptop Return, & Student Check-Out
May 31: Last Day of School
June 3: Teacher Work Day
June 3: Final grades due at NOON
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