PHS - Welcome Back 2020-21
Students and Families
Hello Pella Students and Families,
As principal of Pella High School, I am excited to welcome you back for another great year of learning at Pella High. The staff and administration are ready for students to light up the halls with energy, enthusiasm, and school spirit! It is our mission to ensure that all students feel welcome and safe as we return. We do recognize that there will be some apprehension and nervousness, so let's take a moment to review some of the safety and sanitation measure that we will be taking to keep staff and students as safe as possible. The most prominent measure will be the requirement for staff and students to wear a mask (see examples below). We have also installed 25 hand sanitizing stations in various locations throughout the halls. There will also be an increase in the frequency of surface cleaning. The custodial staff and teachers will be sanitizing surfaces regularly throughout the day.
To accompany our many sanitation efforts we will have some adjustments to our lunch process. Lunches will be served in a grab and go fashion. Meals will be pre-packaged for students to reduce common touch points. We also look to use student IDs and a scanner to eliminate the need to touch a key pad. Lastly, during our lunch time, students will be able to sign up to be in specific zones throughout the building. Some zones will be reserved as quiet study spaces, some will be social zones, and others will be active zones.
Lastly, I would like to say that I am honored, and humbled to serve as the principal of Pella High School. It is truly a privilege to be a part of such a supportive community that cares for the social and academic growth of our students. I have been thoroughly impressed with how our staff has responded and risen to the challenges of the past several months. It is evident that we have a strong team that cares deeply for children. As we navigate this year we look to create many positive memories of 20-21! GO DUTCH!!!
Sincerely,
Adam Beckel
Principal
Derek Schulte
Assistant Principal
Upcoming Events
- August 18th - Back to School Event and School Pictures (details below)
- August 20th - FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!!
- August 26th - 90 minute early out
Connect with PHS
Email: hsoffice@pellaschools.org
Website: www.pellaschools.org
Location: 212 East University Street, Pella, IA, USA
Phone: 641-628-3870
Twitter: @PellaHigh
Student Masks
Back to School Event - August 18th
- Computer Software Update: Bring your chromebook fully charged with the bag (Technology Office-Across from Library West end of building)
- School Picture--HS Commons (Schedule below)
- Pick-up school ID as you wait in line
- Locker: check your combo and drop off school items
- Collect Computer and Exit
A-C 11:00 - 12:00 PM (10th-12th Grade)
D-H 12:00 - 1:00 PM (10th-12th Grade)
I-M 1:00 - 2:00 PM (10th-12th Grade)
N-R 2:00 - 3:00 PM (10th-12th Grade)
S-U 3:00 - 4:00 PM (10th-12th Grade)
V-Z 4:00 - 5:00 PM (10th-12th Grade)
Last Name A-L 5:00 - 6:00 PM (9th Grade Only)
5pm: 9th Grade Informational Meeting - in Auditorium
Computer Software Update: Bring your chromebook fully charged with the bag (Technology Office-Across from Library West end of building)
School Picture - in commons
Open house - walk your schedule
Collect Updated Computer
Exit Building 6:00 PM
Last Name M-Z 6:00-7:00 PM (9th Grade Only)
6pm: 9th Grade Informational Meeting - in Auditorium
Computer Software Update: Bring your chromebook fully charged with the bag (Technology Office-Across from Library West end of building)
School Picture - in commons
Open house - walk your schedule
Collect Updated Computer
Exit Building 7:00 PM
6pm: 9th Grade Informational Meeting - in Auditorium
School Picture - in commons
Open house - walk your schedule
Chromebook Training and checkout in Library 7:00 PM
Student Lunch and Student IDs (New Info)
School Supply List
The high school supply list is very general. Students should have the following: Notebooks, folders, #2 pencils, pens, and the math department recommends students have a protractor and a TI-84 calculator (not required).
Also, with the increased need for cleaning and sanitizing supplies, if families would like to help with bringing the following items as well:
Hand sanitizer
Sanitizing wipes
Tissues (Kleenex)
Thank you for your help!
20-21 Student Schedules
Student schedules will be available for viewing after August 14th. Have your son/daughter review their schedule to ensure that these things are in place.
- required core classes needed for both semesters
- check for electives that are preferred
August will be the time to make changes desired by adding (if class sizes allow) or dropping courses. Students will not be able to move classes to have a specific i-study or teacher. Counselors will be available after the 14th to answer questions or address schedule issues.
Accessing User Name and Password for Students
To find student credentials:
- Login to Infinite Campus Parent Portal
- Click on "More" on the left-hand side
- Then click on "Student Credentials" to access "Shortname" and Password.
- To find 10 digit student number used for IC click on "Today"on the left-hand side, or printed at the top of printed schedule
Email:
Your students email address will be shortname@pellaschools.org (ie: adambeck01@pellaschools.org)
Infinite Campus:
Username: is your 10 digit student number
Password: <first initial>< last initial>< birthdate MMDDYY> (ie be061006)
Chromebook:
Username: shortname
Password: (found in Campus Portal above)
Student Lockers
iLearns - What are they?
Q: What is an iLearn session and how do iLearn sessions work?
A: An iLearn session is structured TIME each week for teachers to offer various learning activities in addition to what happens during your regular class. This is targeted time to allow students to maximize their learning. Students can voluntarily attend an iLearn session with a teacher OR can be assigned to attend a session by a teacher or counselor. If a student attends an iLearn during A lunch, they will eat B lunch that day or vice versa.
Q: What happens if a student doesn’t show up to the check-in period?
A: Students who do not show up to the check-in period will be considered skipping and teachers should follow the same procedures as if the student skipped class. Attendance will be taken daily.
If you have any questions regarding i-Learns please contact Mr. Derek Schulte, Assistant Principal at derek.schulte@pellaschools.org or 641-628-3870
Transcript Requests
If students are applying for college and need high school transcripts sent to colleges this fall please follow the steps on the Pella District website: http://www.pellaschools.org/
high school home page > gray box on right hand side > counseling > transcript request formEntering and Exiting the Building
PHS 20/21 Visitor Policy (COVID update)
- Visitor Policy HERE
- Visitors will ring doorbell to enter main office between the hours of 8:10am and 3:30pm
- Visitors will also be required to wear a mask while in the building
- All guests must have prior administrative approval to proceed past the main office
Student Pick up and drop off at the High School
Student Parking at PHS
The following are the expectations for students in relation to parking/driving vehicles to school. All students must register to obtain a parking tag in order to park on school grounds. Parking permits will be issued at the beginning of each school year at a cost of $5 and can be paid for online after July 1. Vehicle information should be entered in the transportation tab when registering students for school. Freshmen are not eligible for a school parking permit. A parking permit grants a student access to campus parking but does NOT guarantee a space, as parking is limited on campus.
Students are to park in designated areas only. All student parking is located south and east of the HS building in the designated student parking areas. There is NO student parking in the Career Academy parking lot. This area is reserved for faculty/staff, visitors, and students from neighboring districts enrolled for classes.
All students who are not issued a parking permit must park off of school grounds, off campus parking is available at Caldwell Park, Faith Church, the tennis courts, and legal street parking. For safety and security purposes, Faith Church does require students using their parking lot to register their vehicle and purchase a parking tag. The cost of Faith Church parking is $5 for the year.
Students who park in school parking lots without a permit or in “no parking” or “reserved parking” areas may have their permits revoked, be fined, and/or towed at their expense. Fines for illegal parking are $15 for each offense. If a student consistently parks illegally or does not pay their parking fines, then they may lose additional privileges (open campus, work release, parking, etc.) Students who drive in an unsafe manner may have their permits revoked, be fined, or other disciplinary actions including suspension.
Parking Areas Defined
Student Parking (located South and East of the High School building)
Lower East Lot
Upper East Lot
South Lot
Northeast Parent Loop
Faculty/Staff Parking
SW Bus Loop
Career Academy
East Parent Loop
Visitor Parking
SW Bus Loop
East Parent Loop
University Street
The School IS NOT responsible for lost, stolen, or vandalized items/vehicles in parking areas.
Parent-Teacher Conferences Dates
August 18th - Student Pictures and (9th Grade and New To Pella Student) Orientation Event
November 9th- Traditional Conferences and ParentU
February 8th - Excellence in Education Night
March 4th - Traditional Conferences and ParentU pt2
Student Support Services
Distinguished Service Program
Student Attendance
Board Policy(s) 501.9 - 501.10R1
A growing body of research illustrates that missing an excessive number of school days, regardless of reason, can place a child at risk of falling behind his or her peers academically. Additionally, some students may exhibit patterns of absence that foretell future attendance and academic problems. A report by John Hopkins University (Balfanz and Byrnes, 2012) highlights the association of chronic absenteeism (i.e., missing 10 percent or greater of the total number of days enrolled in the school year for any reason, which equates to 18 or more days/yr) to student academic achievement and high school graduation. Chronic absenteeism is also emerging as an early indicator of future academic difficulty. Children who are chronically absent in both kindergarten and first grade are much less likely to read proficiently by the end of third grade (Attendance Works, 2011). If chronic early absence is not addressed at the elementary level, then it may worsen in the higher grades (Chang and Romero, 2008). By sixth grade, chronic absence is a key early indicator of dropping out from high school (Baltimore Education Research Consortium, 2011). By ninth grade, attendance may be a better indicator of dropout than eighth-grade test scores (Allensworth and Easton, 2007).
Acceptable reasons for a student's absence from school are limited to the following:
Religious observances;
Illness, extended illness, and/or hospitalization/doctor's care;
Death in the family or family emergency;
Court appearance or other legal situation beyond the control of the family.
Any school-related or school-initiated absence
The following absences are to be avoided
Vacations or out of town for extended periods of time (It is strongly encouraged that families schedule their extended trips around scheduled vacations/breaks on the school calendar)
Personal outings (shopping, haircuts, concerts, extended lunch breaks etc.)
Work (only students with approved approved release forms are allowed this privilege)
Childcare, babysitting siblings/relatives, oversleeping and transportation issues are typically considered unexcused absences
GENERAL STATEMENTS
A parent must call or email (hsoffice@pellaschools.org) the HS office by 9:00 a.m. each morning your son/daughter will be absent from school.
Students are to provide written verification of any appointment attended during the day. (If a students is placed on a restriction to participate in PE/physical activities, a written note from the doctor should include; duration of the restriction AND alternative activities that could be performed during restriction (ex stationary bike, walking, light weight lifting etc.)
Students MUST check in/out of the office any time they leave/enter the building once school has started.
Three levels of absenteeism concerns are:
Excessive absenteeism (slight concern) is defined as 6 non-school related absences (excused or unexcused) in a semester - A notification letter is sent to parents when a child meets this criteria.
Academic probation (moderate concern) is defined as 10 non-school related absences (excused or unexcused) in a semester - Student meets with administration and/or teachers to determine actions needing to be taken to remain in good standing in enrolled courses. A notification letter is sent and/or phone call is made to parents when a child meets this criteria.
Attendance contract (severe concern) - is implemented when a student has missed 15 non-school related absences (excused or unexcused) in a semester. Student/parent meet with administration to discuss terms of contract. Loss of credit may result of contract is not upheld
* Refer to the Pella High School Student Handbook for more detailed information regarding school attendance policies.
Attendance and Eligibility
Academic/Activity Eligibility
A student must be a full time student to participate in interscholastic school-sponsored activities. A full time student is defined as one who is enrolled in at least four (4) courses (due to COVID guidance). Students must be working toward a Pella High School regular diploma and be in grades 9-12 to participate in any High School activity/sport. The exception to this rule is 8th grade students are eligible to participate in High School softball and baseball.
Student Activity Pass
Student Pass - $55
Allows student (k-12th grade) to enter any regular season, home event for middle school and high school level. There is no middle school only pass.
Family Pass - $250
Allows adults and children in the household (k-12th grade) to enter regular season, home events at the middle school or high school level. All immediate family members will be issued a pass. College age and above are not eligible to be included in the family pass.
Punch Passes
$80 punch pass allows for 20 admissions for adults or $60 punch pass allows 20 admissions for Sr. Citizens (65+ in age). Punch Pass must be presented at the gate, otherwise a ticket must be purchased.
All athletic passes can be purchased online, but the Activities Office will have to apply the Adult and/or Family pass to your account. You may contact the Activities Office at 641-628-7305 or email at abby.cunningham@pellaschools.org with any questions.
School Property After Hours
Driver's Education
Education Equity Policy Statement
Board Policy 102
It is the policy of the Pella Community School not to discriminate on the basis of, and including but not limited to, age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status in its educational program, activities, or employment policies as required by Title VI and VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
It is also the policy of this district the curriculum content and instructional materials utilized reflect the cultural and racial diversity present in the United States and the variety of careers, roles, and opportunities open to women and men in our society. One of the objectives of the total curriculum and teaching strategies is to eliminate stereotyping and bias on the basis of, and including but not limited to, age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status. The curriculum should foster respect and appreciation for the cultural diversity found in our country and an awareness of the rights, duties, and responsibilities of each individual as a member of a pluralistic society.
It is also the policy of this agency to provide a fair and supportive work environment for all employees regardless of, and including but not limited to, their age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status. Harassment of a sexual nature or with demeaning intent related to, and including but not limited to, age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status made by one employee to another is a violation of this policy.
Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX, Title VI, or Section 504 may be directed to Lowell Ernst, 212 E. University Street, Pella, Iowa 641/628-3870, or to the Director of the Region VII Offices of Civil Rights, Department of Education, Kansas City, Missouri.