Laker Link December 2020 - Updated
The Detroit Lakes High Newsletter for Parents and Guardians
Happy Holidays!
It has been a difficult year to manage all of the changes that have happened. I know the changing learning modes have been challenging for students and families. The most important thing is for our students and their teachers to be able to connect with one another. Research shows that the best learning happens when students and teachers are connected. The challenges we face this year make the ability to connect easily more difficult. It is still very important for that to happen.
A majority of our Lakers are connecting and doing the best that they can. I have had the opportunity to look in on "classes" recently and good things are still happening with our teachers and the virtual classroom. The most important thing is for your child to attend synchronously and try to continue to build those connections with their classmates and their teachers. It is still possible, and we can all learn to get better at it. My encouragement to all of you is not to give in to the difficulty of the current situation, but instead to figure out how to be more successful with it. Helping your child set up a schedule and sending emails to teachers when they are confused or need help is so very important.
Teachers are reaching out and inviting students to come in for help. Teachers are trying to engage ALL of our students. We need you to keep encouraging your child to find a way to connect and the teachers will help them with the rest.
As always as you have questions or need help please reach out to us at the school. We wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!
Parent-Teacher Conferences
NEW CHROMEBOOKS for 9th Grade Students
9th Grade Lakers and Parents
We just received the new chromebooks we ordered for the 9th Grade students! (They were ordered in May) Usually each fall 9th grade students get a brand new chromebook to start their high school career. It's time to swap out your current chromebook for these sweet new chromebooks!
Here is what you need to do ---
Come to the bus entry door with your old chromebook and power cord (keep your case). We will exchange the one you have and get you a new one.
Tuesday, December 8
7:45 AM - 9:00 AM
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday, December 9
7:45 AM - 9:00 AM
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Thursday, December 10
- 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Mid Semester Reports
The P1 grade is for the first 5 weeks of the semester.
The Q1 grade is for mid-term or mid-semester grades which is 9 weeks into the semester. The Q1 grade would be the most up to date at this point.
There is a picture below of what the mid-term report cards look like. Please let the office know if you did not receive the report. We only mail out mid-term reports.
Distance Help Center
The Distance Help Center uses the current main gym as a work/study area for students that need additional academic support at DLHS. A small number of students will be assigned on different days of the week to provide assistance and connection to staff.
The Process to attend:
1. HS Staff sets up an appointment. Students and/or parents may contact the teacher to set up an appointment. Click here for contact info for teachers: LINK
2. The student reports to the Main Gym at date/time and either attends class in person or via Google Meet.
3. Students will email their teachers to alert them they are in the building working.
5. Staff in the Main Gym will assist students with any issues with logging in, organization, Work Completion Plan for the day, etc.
6. The school health clerk will verify that the student is not on the quarantine list. The student should not come to school if they have any symptoms the morning they are scheduled.
Rules for attendance:
1. Students are expected to use this time for work.
2. Students must be masked the entire time they are in the building.
3. We want students that attend to be free from ANY COVID symptoms, or have not been exposed to a person that has a positive test for COVID in the last 14 days.
4. We want students to come prepared with their Chromebook and textbooks and other learning materials.
5. We want students to come with a willingness to work hard and get help from teachers and staff.
6. We want students to be cooperative and advocate for their needs in a positive manner.
Distance Learning
We are in our third week of distance learning. As I stated in the last newsletter we have adjusted both our bell schedule and the days we are meeting. The bell schedule and calendar are below. Mondays and Wednesday will now be periods 1, 3, 5, 7 and Tuesdays and Thursdays will be periods 2, 4, 6, 8. We will continue this schedule while we are still in the distance learning model as a building.
Check out our Monday Morning Announcements
Note to Families about COVID 19
Since we are beginning to allow a few students into the building for additional help, parents, please make sure that you report any illness and/or COVID exposure to the school office. It may not seem important while we are in distance learning, but if your child needs additional help, we want to keep all other students and staff safe as well.
Attendance
Students are expected to connect with their teachers synchronously (live-streamed) during distance learning. Teachers will take attendance each period. If a student is sick and unable to be in attendance they should contact the school attendance line, listed at the bottom of this page. If a student has technology issues or has some other reason why they cannot attend synchronously, they should contact their teacher that day and notify them of the situation.
Link to info from the Health Office related to attendance: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1I4jLi30L2obvrKeQ8JbM3LY18FwSVbAGQKH0pbbtRJ4/edit?usp=sharing
Link to Covid screening tool: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wu-3yN8FQ6FQLDvcxfu4-PsW3ZqTxDFo/view?usp=sharing
MDH Letter to Parents regarding Attendance in a Pandemic: Attendance
ACTIVITIES
As you heard from the Governor, starting Saturday, November 21st we are ‘Pausing’ all activities, practices, performances and events for four weeks until at least Friday, December 18. Rob Nielsen, DLHS Activity Director will be sharing more specific information with coaches and students about what the Return to Play may look like as he gets more information.
If you need additional information
Contact info
Email: dwolf@detlakes.k12.mn.us
Website: hs.dlschools.net
Location: Detroit Lakes High School, Roosevelt Avenue, Detroit Lakes, MN, USA
Phone: 218-847-4491
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DetroitLakesPublicSchools
Twitter: @DetLakesHigh
Other important contact information
Student Attendance: 218-847-4491 * 2152
Activities Office: 218-847-4491 * 2196
Student Services Office: 218-847-4491 * 2217
Principal's Office: 218-847-4491 * 2191
Media Center: 218-847-4491 *2113