November News
Elkhorn High School
From the Desk of Mark Schroeder Principal
Dear EHS Parents,
As we move into the start of the Second Quarter, I find it a great time to reflect on our strong start to the 21-22 school year, and my excitement for the months ahead. I continue to be impressed by the character and determination of our students as well as their balancing of activities, curriculum, volunteering, work, and more. Their positive outlook and relentless work ethic is a testament to their families and a great indicator of their success down the road. The season ahead is challenging: semester finals, the winter season, demanding classes, and the like. Just the same, their diligence is inspiring, and this perseverance will serve them well when they leave the halls of EHS.
On our end, EHS counselors and administration will be checking our students’ grades with a mid-quarter grade progress report and talking with our students daily who are struggling academically. We will continue to serve our students with many opportunities that will help them become the adults they aspire to be. Our goal is a well-rounded educational experience with a focus on academic rigor - and our staff as well as your support at home will help them to navigate this.
I am frequently reminded there is much to celebrate here at EHS. Here is a very quick list of accomplishment from our first quarter:
-EHS Senior Alexa Knott was named as a National Merit Semi-Finalist
-NSBA State Band - 2nd Place
-Arsenic and Old Lace, our school play, had four strong performances.
-State football playoffs, including a state Quarterfinals this Friday (11/5)
-All State Band and Choir students perform November 17-19th
-State Softball appearance
-Strong showing at Girls and Boys State Cross Country
-Two qualifiers in Girls’ State Golf
On Thursday and Friday, 11/11-11/12, EHS will recognize students on the honor roll for quarter 1 at EHS as well as our Elkhorn Excellence Winners (students nominated for character and grit by staff) with Elkhorn Excellence t-shirts provided by the EPS Foundation. The EPS Foundation supports our mission by recognizing students for academic success and helping with classroom grants, scholarships and partial subsidizing of AP Tests.
We have much to be grateful for. These successes did not happen by accident. They were achieved through collective vision, effort and commitment of staff, students and parents. Clearly, we all have the same goals in mind- Excellence in everything we do. I appreciate your support of everything at Elkhorn High. I challenge students and staff to stave off the fatigue, and encourage others to do the same. Focus on what we can control and look for opportunities to serve others.
To this end, students will soon begin their initial interest surveys for courses in the 2022-2023 school year. The topic of rigor and college preparedness has been frequently discussed this quarter. Periodically, I hear the conversation framed in a manner of “what students will need for college”. When engaged in this conversation with students, parents or colleagues, I often respond with some questions, “Can the student honestly state that he/she has done everything possible to be prepared for college? Have they taken advantage of rigorous levels of curriculum in order to prepare for college?” Clearly, I want our students to be successful in college and in life and have a vested interest in their future. Thus, I would contend it is far better for students to be challenged to their utmost potential in high school, where they have built-in support systems of caring parents and educators at their side. I believe that as educators, we are morally obligated to ensure that our students are prepared for life after high school. I fear that if students leave here without being challenged and find their first real academic challenges in college, they will struggle in isolation, away from caring adults, and become overwhelmed. Our guidance department, teachers and administrators will continue to encourage our students to take the rigorous coursework in preparation for college. We look forward to continued conversations with our parents and students regarding college preparedness. I would encourage all of our parents to thoughtfully encourage their students to take the most rigorous courses possible during all four years of their high school career.
A note on gradebooks: EHS is trying something new this semester. If you look at your student’s grade on powerschool you will see both a Q2 grade and a S1 grade. The S1 (semester 1) grade will indicate the cumulative grade for the semester which will determine GPA. The Q2 (quarter 2) grade is more of a progress report for how your student is doing recently, and it will allow us to honor students who achieve a Q2 honor roll at the conclusion of the semester.
Thank you for your continued support of EHS, and Go Antlers!
Upcoming Dates:
Th-F 11/11-11/12: Honors Convocation during TA
W 11/24: Junior Practice ACT during School; 2:20 Dismissal; ALL STUDENTS attend
Th-F 11/25-26: Thanksgiving Break
W 12/1: EPS Foundation Scholarship Applications open for Seniors (over $400,000 to EPS Seniors Annually)
F 12/3: NHS Blood Drive - HERE is a link to sign up if you are interested
M-T 12/20-12/21: Fall Semester Finals - Students are not permitted to take finals early - please contact me with any questions.
M 1/3: Teacher in-service
M 1/17: Teacher in-service
Looking Ahead! Please mark your calendars.
November 24, Practice ACT for 11th graders, regular school day for 9th, 10th, 12th graders.
November 24, 1 hour Early Dismissal
November 25 - 26, Thanksgiving Break, No School
December 22-January 3, Winter Break, No School
January 3, Teacher Inservice Day, No School
January 17, Teacher Inservice Day, No School
April 5, ACT for 11th graders, Pre ACT for 9th and 10th graders.
Caps and Gowns - 12th Graders
- ALL seniors must purchase a cap/gown
- Ordering announcements and other memorabilia from Jostens is up to individual families.
- Click the link below to get directly to the Jostens - Elkhorn High School page for the basic cap/gown unit that includes a tassel:
- https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productDetail/1058908/Elkhorn-High-School/Cap-and-Gown/1617310120/CATALOG_REPOSITORY/REGALIA/Cap-and-Gown-Unit/1621391631/
- For quality assurance, Jostens recommends ordering online. If you would prefer to order by paper and not online, please email Judith Bustard @ jbustard@epsne.org to make arrangements for a paper order form.
- Teacher Assistants for the 2021-22 school year. If you're looking for a position with a family-friendly schedule that follows the school year calendar, a supportive work environment, and competitive pay starting at $15.65, apply today at https://bit.ly/3gJox9Q.
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION – EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The Elkhorn Public School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race (including skin color, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, sexual orientation or gender identity, or other protected status in its programs.
The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Students: Anne Doerr, Executive Director of Student Services, 20650 Glenn Street (402) 289-2579, ([adoerr@epsne.org]).
Employees and Others: Don Pechous, Executive Director of Personnel, 20650 Glenn Street (402) 289-2579, ([dpechous@epsne.org]).
Complaints or concerns involving discrimination or needs for accommodation or access should be addressed to the appropriate Coordinator. For further information about anti-discrimination laws and regulations, or to file a complaint of discrimination with the OCR at One Petticoat Lane, 1010 Walnut Street, 3rd Floor, Suite 320, Kansas City, Missouri 64106, (816) 268-0550 (voice), Fax (816) 268-0599, (800) 877-8339 (telecommunications device for the deaf), or ocr.kansascity@ed.gov.