Little Elm High School
Weekly Newsletter -December 3, 2017
End of Semester - Finish Strong!
The end of our first semester is only two and a half weeks away now. Thirteen school days are still available for students who are struggling in one or more class. There is still time to turn in missing work, redo a summative assignment or attend tutorials for extra help in preparing for semester exams. Students, especially Freshmen, need to understand that it is never too late to make a positive change. Most classes are year- long which means that the first semester grade averages with the second semester grade. For example, if a student currently has a 55 in a full year class it would take an 85 second semester to average the two for a year end average of 70 which would mean credit would be awarded for both semesters. So any improvement students can achieve now can mean less is needed in the Spring to pass for the year.
Next week some students will be taking STAAR EOC exams. These exams are a state graduation requirement. This is an important opportunity especially for any senior who still needs to pass one or more EOC exam. There will be only one more opportunity to take these exams before graduation. The Spring administration of STAAR EOC’s will not provide results until the week of graduation meaning if a senior still needs to pass an EOC in the Spring, we will not know until the last minute whether they will be able to participate in graduation. It is important to successfully complete this graduation requirement now so that in the Spring semester seniors can just focus on completing credits needed and not have to worry about an EOC exam.
Semester exams will be Friday, December 15 (7th period), Monday, December 18 (6th period), Tuesday, December 19 with early release ( 4th, 5A, and 5B periods), and Wednesday, December 20 with early release (3rd, 2nd, and 1st periods) . Please see exam schedule below.
Students who are exempt from a semester exam may leave campus if they have transportation. If a student is exempt and must stay on campus, they will report to their regular classes and should bring something to work on (such as an exam review for another class) or bring something to read. Students who are exempt from all exams on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 19-20 still must report at the beginning of the day for the attendance period and then may leave.
The next two weeks are an important time for students to stay focused on finishing out this semester as strong as possible. Finish Strong! These are two words that can create a powerful attitude for achievement. Dan Green a successful powerlifter and author states “Regardless of what came before, or what is yet to come, what’s important at this moment in time is how you chose to respond to the event before you. Will you fight? Or will you lie down?” Now is the time to Finish Strong! Thirteen days can make a big difference.
Renee Pentecost
LEHS Principal
Vist the site linked below for tips on reducing stress.
DEADLINE TO PURCHASE IS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8!
Senior yearbook ads may be purchased now through December 8.
1/8 page = $40
1/4 page = $80
1/2 page = $150
Full page = $250
You may purchase online at www.jostens.com or by sending cash/check to room 1229. Online purchases may be paid by credit or debit card, and payment plans are available for online orders only.
Regardless of the method you use to order the ad, content (pictures/text) must be emailed to swhite@littleelmisd.net no later than Dec. 13. There is no required number of pictures for each ad size. We will send you a proof once your ad has been designed, and we will contact you for feedback if we are unable to fit all pictures or text in your ad.
The number of ads sold will determine how many ad pages will be in the book, so only ad orders placed by the deadline may be included. Please email me at the above address with specific questions.
Thank you,
Sherri White
Yearbook Adviser
Semester Exams Are Almost Here!
2017-18 LEHS Exam Exemptions
- Students are eligible to earn semester final exam exemptions based on academic performance, attendance, citizenship and community service.
- The start date for exam exemption eligibility was Sep. 6, 2017.
- All courses including EOC and PreAP courses are eligible for exam exemptions. Dual Credit, AP, and OnRamps courses must meet their program requirements.
- The preliminary eligibility report will be run through the house offices by Dec. 8, 2017.
- It is extremely important that all parent and doctor notes be turned in to your house office by Dec. 9, 2017. Notes turned in after this date will not impact students’ eligibility for exam exemptions.
- Students wanting the FamiLE exemption must turn in their documented 30 hours to house offices by Dec. 8, 2017.
- House offices will generate the official list of students eligible for exam exemptions.
- House offices will provide exemption cards through 3rd period classes to students listing the number of exam exemptions for which they are eligible.
- Students choose which class(es) they want to request an exemption and notify the teacher.
- Teachers will have final approval of exemptions if the use of the exemption could result in a failing grade.
- Students must be present on exam days even if they are exempt.
- Each teacher will initial the exemption card to verify the exemption has been used.
- Students will turn in their exemption cards to the last teacher of their last final exam for the semester.
- Teachers will turn in exemption cards to house offices at the end of each final exam day.
- Transfer students must attend school in district for a minimum of one full quarter to be eligible.
STAAR EOC Exams - Next Week
Dec. 4th - English I
Dec. 5th - Algebra
Dec. 6th - English II
Dec. 7th - History & Biology
Parents, if your student will be testing please help us make sure they have a strong start with getting plenty of rest and a nourishing breakfast. This is a very important opportunity to complete a graduation requirement.
Blue Angels in the 2017 Dallas Christmas Parade
Little Elm Light Up Parade
Winter Wonderland Marketplace
Christmas Shirt Now Available for a Limited Time
A driver’s education course will be offered beginning in the second semester. We will begin January 8th. It will include classroom and behind the wheel instruction. Successful completion of the course will enable the student to apply for their driver’s license. Enrollment will be limited so it will be on a first-come first-serve basis. Classroom instruction will be after school at 3 pm Mon-Fri. The driving instruction will be on a schedule of your choosing. Students must be 15 years of age or older as of January 15 to enroll. Fee for the class is $400 made out too Little Elm High School. Interested individuals need to contact Coach Cousins (mcousins@littleelmisd.net) .
Report Harmful, Harassing, and Bullying Behavior
LEISD has an on-line tool called "Anonymous Alerts" that students, parents, and teachers can use to report harmful, harassing, and bullying type behaviors. Anonymous Alerts bullying reporting mobile app helps combat bullying and other negative activity in schools by empowering students to speak up. Social and peer pressures are some of the hardest obstacles for students to overcome. Anonymous Alerts encourages students, parents and staff to quickly, easily, and anonymously report bullying, cyber-bullying, gang-related issues, and other sensitive topics through private messages to school officials by building. All reports remain completely anonymous even during a two-way email conversation, although submitters have the option to reveal their identity if they prefer to have a person-to-person discussion.
To send a report from the Web/Internet go to: www.anonymousalerts.com/littleelmisd/
To send a report from your phone:
- Download the Anonymous Alerts® app for free from the Apple Store, Google Play store, and the Chrome store
- Start the App, enter login: leisd and password: leisd
- Send important reports to school officials
- Add a screen shot or photo about the incident
Scholarship Opportunities
While you are there, check out the website College Covered. Do you want to know what you need in a winning college essay, what college entrance test score you need, or what makes a top notch college application? Get what you need to help get into the college of your dreams with the help of College Covered.
An App Matches Students with College Scholarships They Can Use
National Honor Society Scholarship
2017–18 Program Timeline
October 6—Application available.
January 30—Deadline for student applications.
February 5—Deadline for adviser and principal recommendations and certification. One other faculty recommendation is also due.
Early May—Recipients and their schools will be notified by letter and email.
Late May—Nonrecipients will be notified by email.
June—List of 2017-18 NHS Scholarship recipients posted on the NHS website.
July 1—Deadline to accept, decline, or defer award.
Early August—Scholarship checks mailed to recipients’ home addresses, made payable to the recipient's designated college or university.
2017–18 Award Distribution
475 national semifinalists - $2,850 scholarship
24 national finalists - $5,150 scholarship
1 national winner - $22,650 scholarship
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
All NHS members also have access to NHS Scholar Dollars, a scholarship search tool powered by College Board. This tool expedites the scholarship search process, offering filtered results based on the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Use the tool at www.nhs.us/scholardollars.
BETTIE DOROTHY REMEMBRANCE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
This scholarship is to honor Bettie Gonzalez, mother of six, who lost her battle with cancer at the age of 38. The scholarship is available to any college bound girl who is motherless for any reason. We believe that every young woman should have a chance at achieving her goals and fulfilling her dreams. We would like to be a part of empowering her on that journey toward her education goals. We are looking for that young woman who is motivated to do all she can to achieve her dreams!
Amount
The $1,000 Scholarship will be divided equally between semesters in the first year. Mentoring will also be provided if desired.
Payment
Funds will be released upon proof of enrollment. It is the responsibility of the recipient to send documentation confirming enrollment for each semester. The check will be made out jointly to the recipient and junior college, college, or university of the student’s choice.
Eligibility
- U.S. citizen or legal, permanent resident with a permanent resident card
- Graduating high school senior
- Motherless daughter who is motivated to achieve her dreams
Application Process
Applications are available Nov. 1, 2016 and may be downloaded from www.BDGhope.org
To be considered, applicants must send or email completed application by March 15th , 2017 to: Bettie D. Gonzalez Foundation of Hope 1472 Sandstone Dr. Frisco, TX 75034 Or email to: scholarhip@BDGhope.org
Application can be downloaded from here.
Students whose parents or family are on the Bettie D. Gonzalez Foundation Board of Directors are not eligible for this scholarship. For questions, please contact: info@BDGhope.org
The School of Health Professions at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center would like to announce that we are accepting applications Dec. 1, 2017 – Jan. 19, 2018 for the Summer Program June 4 – July 20, 2018.
For more information visit our web page (http://bit.ly/SHP-HS-Summer). We are looking for students interested in the allied health professions that could benefit from our 7-week educational experience. Our faculty and staff will provide them with lectures and laboratory activities to showcase our undergraduate programs, to demonstrate to the students how each field relates to the fight to end cancer, and to make the students aware of career opportunities in healthcare.
Students will receive a scholarship to help defray living expenses during the program. Participants living outside a 20-mile radius from our campus will have the choice to stay at a Rice University college (residence hall).
No new applications will be taken after January 19. We hope to choose the students by early April.
Whether through essays or multimedia, you've used your voices to share visions for a better world. So here's your chance to put them to action! Submit a proposal for how you'll better your community. Because this will be a much more rigorous process with multiple rounds, we're also raising the bar for tuition awards: from five $1,000 tuition awards to five $10,000 tuition awards! We will also fund the top project up to $5,000.
The PROCESS:We will be breaking the process into 3 rounds, using the principles of design thinking:
- Read the Rules and Terms & Conditions (below)
- Design and submit your ROUND 1 proposal:
- First 3 stages of design thinking Launch cycle
- Students submit overall proposal based on the Ford Institute community building principles
- We select applications based on their completion, seriousness, and viability, offering feedback for those approved to move on to round 2.
- Deadline: February 11, 2018, 11:59 MST
- Design and submit your ROUND 2 artifact:
- Next 3 phases of design thinking launch cycle (all but the final launch)
- Students submit an artifact representing their progress and learning
- We give additional feedback
- Deadline: March 18, 2018, 11:59 MST
- Design and submit your ROUND 3 reflection:
- LAUNCH phase of design thinking launch cycle.
- Students submit a final reflection that shares how their project is doing one of the following: 1) increasing connections, 2)building capacity, or 3) taking community-led action. They also share their ideas for acquiring further funding, in addition to the $5,000 from HGU if selected as the top finalist.
- Include a video of yourself working on your project
- Deadline: April 15, 2018 at 11:59 MST.
- We select 5 winners to receive $10,000 tuition scholarships to their colleges, with the top one receiving $5,000 funding to launch their project into the design thinking cycle once more during the summer of 2018 to maximize impact.
CLICK HERE for more details and FAQs on each round.
Student Champion* Application
The ACT College and Career Readiness Student Champion is tenacious and persistent, no matter the challenge, and is prepared for life after high school with a goal in mind and a plan in place.
- A student who has overcome challenges and can articulate education and career actions
- Students must have a composite ACT score of a 22 on a single test date or a 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale
- Preference will be given to underrepresented or first-generation college students.
Students will fill out their own applications.
*Applicants must be members of the graduating class of 2018 who have taken the ACT.
The application deadline is December 31, 2017.
Little Elm High School
Chris Reza - Associate Principal (creza@littleelmisd.net)
Alen Palislamovic - White House Principal A - D (apalislamovic@littleelmisd.net)
Ruben Molinar - Grey House Principal E - K (rmolinar@littleelmisd.net)
Kyle Heller - Blue House Principal L - Ra (kheller@littleelmisd.net)
Terilyn Thomas-Monday - Gold House Principal Re - Z (tthomas-monday@littleelmisd.net)
Website: http://www.littleelmisd.net/Domain/9
Location: 1900 Walker Lane, Little Elm, TX, United States
Phone: (972) 947-9443
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Elm-High-School/736775073135970?notif_t=page_fan
Twitter: @LittleElmHS