The Virtual Pirate Ship
The Spring 2020 Newsletter from Drake High School
Counseling Update By Kyle Kassebaum and DHS Counselors
The Drake Counseling Team misses you all and would like to make sure that everyone knows that we are still here for you. If you have questions regarding your schedules, future planning, academic concerns, mental health or anything else you would typically come see us about, please send us an email so we can answer your question or coordinate a time to chat. Lisa Neumaier is also available by email if you have college/financial aid/scholarship questions.
Starting this week (of 4/20) the counselors will be holding drop-in hours Monday through Thursday. There will be links coming shortly in a separate email. The counselors will be rotating on these days, so the purpose of this is for general questions, referrals for counseling or any other need that would not be counselor specific. THE DROP-INS ARE FOR STUDENTS ONLY. Parents should email their student’s individual counselors with questions and concerns.
Monday – 12:30 – 1:30
Tuesday – 1:30 – 2:30
Wednesday – 12:30 – 1:30
Thursdays – 1:30 to 2:30
Also starting this week, the counselors will be holding workshops for juniors via Zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 3. These workshops will be for junior students only. The topic and link will be sent on Mondays.
We are still in the process of gathering information from the many universities about how COVID-19 will affect their admissions process and requirements. The best information you can get right now for a specific university is to go to that school’s website. As we learn more, we will be passing that information along. Please read the emails from Lisa Neumaier. Many of the college updates she has received are linked here:https://www.tamdistrict.org/Page/12647
For parents –
Please reach out with any questions or concerns. We will be holding a college Q&A workshop for junior parents in May, so please be on the lookout for more information.
We are noticing that when we use our email system from home the messages are going through your junk filter. Please check your junk filter often to make sure you're not missing information from us. Although we are trying to limit the amount of emails going out there have been some from our Administration, Counseling Staff, Wellness Staff and District Staff.
We look forward to working with you in any way that we can, please reach out!!!
The Drake Counselors
TUHSD Lunch Program for All
Textbooks!!
We will be collecting all text (and literature) books back from students. While this may not happen until fall, it is essential that we collect books. We issue out close to $200,000 worth of books annually and we need every one of them back. Thank you for keeping tabs on them and know we will bill for lost texts. Thanks Pirates!
DHS Community Compass
For our weekly Community Compass, please find it linked under Pirate News on or homepage, or the link here. This communication will be used to provide information from the larger Drake Community. The Virtual Pirate Ship will be the weekly newsletter for students and parents during our distant learning time.
Student Distant Learning Protocol
The district has developed a protocol for all distant learning meetings for teachers and for students. The following is our meeting protocol for all TUHSD students. Thank you for reading and adhering to these in your virtual classrooms.
Tamalpais Union High School District Virtual Meeting Protocols - Students
Students must adhere to the following guidelines when video conferencing in your classes:
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● Communication during video/virtual meetings should be as if you are in class on school grounds. The same behavior that is expected of you on campus is expected during virtual and remote meetings and communications.
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● You must use your Tam District login name in order to be granted access to the virtual meeting.
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● Do not enter virtual classrooms other than those issued by your teacher directly to you.
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● Do not share virtual classroom session invitations with anyone who is not in the same
class period.
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● Ensure anything in the sight line of your webcam is appropriate for a classroom setting,
including the background.
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● Dress in appropriate attire (teacher must be able to see your face, no sunglasses,
inappropriate logos, t-shirts, etc.).
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● Any harassment or bullying of a sexual nature or based on a student or staff member’s
real or perceived race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation will not be tolerated and will result in immediate dismissal from the classroom session and referral to school administration.
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● Use appropriate classroom language. This includes being respectful to all other students and the teacher.
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● Students may not record virtual meetings.
All rules of conduct are in effect during Distance Learning and students are still subject to potential disciplinary action for misconduct.
Please be aware that in a Distance Learning environment, just like in a classroom at school, teachers are mandated reporters. Any actions or conditions that teachers witness that they believe rise to the level of abuse or neglect must be reported per State sanctioned mandated reporter lawFailure to adhere to these guidelines may result in parent and Assistant Principal notification, documentation in a student’s discipline record and in serious cases, suspension.
The Senior Scoop By Liz Seabury
Senior Awards: There will be some sort of recognition event for our Class of 2020. Again, we are thinking of different ways to celebrate our amazing seniors. We know we want it to "shout-out" our dazzling seniors and be as condensed as possible. It is comforting to know that award ceremonies all around the globe are also struggling with this....and we are not alone. Again, thanks for your patience.
Last Chapter Dinner: In our conversations, the idea eating together on Zoom just is not too appealing. There is some talk into creating a senior celebration of some sort but not quite sure what this could be. If you are interested in having a performance (speech or musical performance) in this type of an event, please email Liz Seabury at lseabury@tamdistrict.org.
How to Snap Out of a Funk By Jolie Jacobs
I am no stranger to getting stuck in a negative thought process. We all have ups and downs, but sometimes it’s harder to get out of it. It’s ok to not feel great all the time, but what if you want to feel better, or you need to feel better in order to focus on school work? One thing that has worked for me is taking a cold shower or bath. It may sound awful, but it’s not just for athletes and once you get through it, you feel energized and refreshed.
At the end of your shower, set the water to 100% cold for one minute (or as long as you can tolerate). The cold forces you to BREATHE DEEPLY while it increases circulation and decreases inflammation. Your thoughts instantly move to the moment. If you’d like to try taking a cold bath, make yourself a hot cup of tea to go with it. I challenge you to try this at least once this week and let me know how it goes! jjacobs@tamdistrict.org
Sir Francis Drake High School
Email: lseabury@tamdistrict.org
Website: tamdistrict.org/drake
Location: 1327 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, San Anselmo, CA, USA
Phone: 415-458-3411
Twitter: @drakehighschool