TIGER NEWSLETTER
March, 2021
A Message from Principal Toth:
We are close to wrapping up the school year, Tiger Families. We welcome Spring this month, a time for renewal and rebirth. We will get to see the sun again. We will get to be outside again. And we will also begin our very hectic Spring activity schedules. We begin this process with student-led conferences that will take place next Monday, March 8th, and next Wednesday, March 10th, from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. on each of those days. Your student will be asking you to set up an appointment for these conferences. This is an excellent time for your student to show you his/her work portfolio, discuss individual plans of study and schedule options for the next school year. We had almost 95% of our families participate in these conferences last spring and are hoping for 100% participation this year. We haven’t had that level of parent participation in conferences for almost 20 years. We are also asking families to really help students stay focused for the last few months as distractions and time management become an issue for many. We are also gearing up for State Assessments. Please encourage your student to do their very best on these assessments. We have worked tirelessly to ensure student growth during a very difficult year. This is an opportunity for them to shine. Grit and resilience are traits of all Tigers and now is the time time for our Tigers to showcase those traits. Spring break is also quickly approaching. We hope students and families enjoy some downtime together. We also know that having teenagers home for the week can increase a grocery bill for families who may be struggling financially. If you are in need of assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out as we can help families through the school pantry.
My email is amber.toth@usd234.org
Matters of Attendance...
...with Dr. Kelso, FSHS Assistant Principal
Does your student owe makeup time or have detention to serve? He/she can take care of these issues on the following days and times, once they’ve signed up in the office.
THIS Wednesday, March 3rd, Early Release Day: 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.
THIS Friday, March 5th, Teacher Work Day (no school for students):
9 a.m. until 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., sign up for one or both sessions!
During next week’s Parent - Teacher Conferences:
Monday, March 8th from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., no sooner than five and no later than seven, same times for Wednesday, March 10th, 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Because of Covid-19 protocols, if your student doesn't sign up in advance, he/she will not be allowed to stay. If you have any questions, reach out to Dr. Kelso in the office or email: robyn.kelso@usd234.org
Remember, Tigers can still make up time or serve detention at lunch.
There will be four spaces in the cafeteria (NOT in the aux gym): first come, first served.
If your student owes time from FIRST semester, that time HAS to be made up by Thursday, March 11th, or your student loses first semester credit. Plan ahead!
From the Desk of Coach Jeff DeLaTorre, FSHS Activities/Athletic Director
FORT SCOTT TIGERS
2021 SPRING SPORTS
TIGER PARENTS:
We are looking forward to the start of Spring Sports practices for the 2020-21 school year! This year has brought many new challenges that we have never faced before, but our coaches and athletes have done an outstanding job of following protocols and we have been able to have successful Fall and Winter seasons. You can make the case that we may be as excited as we have been all year to be starting our Spring seasons because of the way last Spring ended so abruptly. As we head into the Spring schedules we will continue to face challenges, but we know that everyone involved will do their best to keep everyone safe and help make this a successful season.
The health and safety of our students is our number one priority! Covid-19 has been a major concern for our coaches in all of our sports and activities this school year. As we approach the Spring seasons our coaches are making the necessary adjustments that will be required to ensure our athletes are competing in a safe environment. For many of our athletes they have already been introduced to the new protocols and guidelines, but for some this will be the first sport they have participated in this year. Our coaches will cover a lot of this information in their parent meetings, but I want to mention a few new procedures that will be in place at practices and contests this year for our athletes:
- Daily temperature checks - at practices and games
- Masks will be worn before and after practice, and even during where appropriate – will also be required to be worn at competitions and while traveling to competitions
- Social distancing will be observed as much as possible
- Locker rooms will be limited in use, and when used social distancing will be followed
- Hand sanitizer will be available and used often – equipment will be sanitized frequently
- Athletes will need to have their own water jug or water bottle, and also their own towel
There will also be some changes in what our sporting events will look like this Spring compared to past years. Those of you that attended events in the Fall and Winter have already noticed such things as seating capacity limits, masks required, etc. While KSHSAA has released some considerations for all Spring sports, KSHSAA did not list specifics about crowd size, seating capacity, etc.
Here are a few things to expect as spectators this Spring:
- Spectators will wear masks at all home and away games
- Seating capacity may be limited to some extent at some venues – depending on the sport
- Schedules may change frequently due to travel, Covid-19 cases, quarantines, etc.
- Possible temperature checks for spectators – home and away games
- Concession stands - may have limited selection or, at some places, none at all
We know some of the items listed above are not convenient, but our number one goal is to keep everyone as safe as possible. We hope to have your complete support this season as we make every effort possible to keep our athletes competing.
Parents:
The following MUST be on file in the office before athletes are allowed to practice:
· Physical Form – completed signed and dated by both parent and athlete
· Concussion info and Heat Illness Awareness form – signed by both parent and athlete
Athletes must be in school ALL DAY in order to participate in practice or competition. If you MUST miss, prior approval from Administration is essential. Examples of approved absences are doctors appointments, funerals, etc.
School Messenger
To receive Tiger Alert text messages - make sure your cell phone number is listed in Powerschool, and then text a Y to 67587 to enable text messages.
Follow the Tigers - Twitter - FS Tiger Athletics - @FSHSTigers
Facebook – Fort Scott High School Facebook Page
Instagram - fort_scott_high_school
Weekly Activity information: usd234.org/o/fshs OR on the USD 234 App
GO BIG RED!
FSHS Coach Pechone Stepps Continues to Inspire!
SENIOR PARENTS! CHECK OUT THESE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES!
Register for FSHS Driver’s Ed with Mrs. Dawson in the FSHS Office weekdays through Thursday, March 11th, from 7:15 a.m. until 4 p.m. Registration will also be available during Parent-Teacher Conferences on Monday, March 8th, and Wednesday, March 10th, from 4:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. on each of those days. THE PROSPECTIVE STUDENT MUST BE PRESENT! A fee of $4.00 will be collected during registration and the additional $110.00 is due no later than Saturday, May 1, 2021, and is non-refundable after Friday, April 30th. Prospective students must be in at least the 8th grade and 14 years of age by Thursday, April 1, 2021. Visit with Mrs. Dawson in the office if you have any questions or you may email: rhonda.dawson@usd234.org
FSHS Winter Homecoming 2021
Front: Madison Tourtillot and Reid Johnson, crown bearers
SUPPORT FSHS SOFTBALL!
FSHS National Honor Society Welcomes 30 Inductees!
FSHS TIGER WRESTLING PROGRAM MAKES HISTORY!
Tigers Attend Leadership Challenge Event at Washburn
from left: Elijah Self, Justin Miles, Trent Toth, Jenny Heckman, Kaitlyn Leavell
Last year, Fort Scott High School began participation at an amazing leadership competition against schools from all over Kansas. This year, five Tigers competed for only the second time, representing the smallest school in attendance. Some schools have competed for years without ever placing, but FSHS students brought home two separate awards. The first is the Emerging Leader Award which is awarded to the top school that has attended two years or less. The team also won third overall. This is #TigerPride! Congratulations!
FSHS PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES ARE NEXT WEEK!
Spring semester conferences are student-led conferences that will take place next Monday, March 8th, and next Wednesday, March 10th, from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. on each of those days. Your student will be asking you to set up an appointment for these conferences. Virtual conferences are available by appointment, also. We had almost 95% of our families participate in these conferences last spring and are hoping for 100% participation this year.
FSHS TALKING TIGERS CONTINUE WINNING WAYS!
Members of the FSHS Forensics Team
(NOT ALL MEMBERS ARE PICTURED)
Front row, from left: Annelise Hall, Regen Wells, Cadence Tuck, Kinsley Davis, Neil Gugnani
Standing, from left: Ashton Nave, Thade Yates, Silvia Moreno, Lillian Collins, Alana McClain, Shekhar Gugnani, Isaiah Self
The Talking Tigers have competed virtually every weekend since January 22nd!
At Wichita East in Live Impromptu, Kinsley Davis placed 6th and Shekhar Gugnani placed 2nd. Trent Toth placed 4th in poetry and 2nd in Humorous interpretation, qualifying for State! Regen Wells finished sixth.
On Friday, February 12th, at the Coffeyville tournament, members competed in Congress and PFD and on Saturday the 13th, they competed at Lansing.
In Congress, several novices brought home medals: Cadence Tuck placed 4th and Lexi Hill placed 5th. Trent Toth tied for 9th in Prose and Regen Wells placed third in Humorous Interp.
Friday night Feb 26, FSHS Talking Tigers competed in the Cherryvale tournament!
In Varsity house:
Neil Gugnani 3rd
Shekhar Gugnani 4th
Kinsley Davis 5th
In JV house:
Lillian Collins 1st
Alana McClain 2nd
In Novice, House One:
Cadence Tuck 2nd
In Novice, House Two
Annelise Hall 4th
Throughout the past week, team members also competed in both the Iola and Spring Hill Invitationals.
At the Iola Tournament, Alana McClain placed 1st in Dramatic Interpretation, qualifying for State, and 4th in Poetry. Shekhar Gugnani placed first in both Impromptu and Informative Speaking, qualifying for State in both those events. Neil Gugnani placed second in both Extemporaneous and Informative Speaking, qualifying for State in both those events. Regen Wells took third in Humorous Interp and Annelise Hall finished fifth in Dramatic Interp. Gavin Warfield and Thade Yates finished fifth in Info and Extemp, respectively.
At Spring Hill, Jade Atherton-Russell placed 6th in Informative Speaking and Sydney Weber placed 6th in Poetry.
As a team, FSHS Forensics scored the most sweepstakes points, claiming the trophy for first place! GO TIGERS!
The FSHS Talking Tigers are hosting THIS WEEKEND, March 5th and 6th! If anyone is interested in judging, please contact Ms. Curran: angella.curran@usd234.org
Angella Curran
FSHS Tiger Boys Basketball and Spirit Squads Video
Tiger Threads Presents...
March is "Theater In Our Schools" Month!
Dress Rehearsal
Royal Tea-Party and Revue Cast
Spirit Week Fun!
Season Ends for FSHS Dance Team
Click on the link below to enjoy one of the team's performances during the 2020-21 season!
CHEER AND DANCE TRYOUTS ARE NEXT WEEK!
CHEER TRYOUTS ARE MONDAY AND TUESDAY, MARCH 8TH AND 9TH, AFTER SCHOOL IN THE AUX GYM!
DANCE TRYOUTS ARE WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, MARCH 10TH AND 11TH, AFTER SCHOOL IN THE AUX GYM!
On February 2nd, the FSHS Boys Swim Team competed at Coffeyville. Bobby Kemmerer, left, took 1st in both the 100 Free and the 100 Back, swimming a state consideration time in the 100 Free. Oliver Witt, middle, took 1st in both the 500 Free and the 50 Free. He swam a state consideration time in the 50. Sam Mix, right, took 2nd in both the 50 Free and the 100 Breast. The boys also were able to swim in the 400 Free Relay placing 1st as an exhibition team.
On February 4th, the Tiger Swimmers traveled to Hutchinson to compete in the Buhler High School meet. Oliver took 1st in the 200 Free and 4th in the 100 Butterfly. Sam took 3rd in the 50 Free and Bobby took 2nd in the 100 Free and 4th in the Breast.
Oliver Witt and Bobby Kemmerer at the State Swim Meet
Oliver and Bobby at the State Swim Meet on February 20, 2021!
From Coach Angie Kemmerer: Oliver got two best times in both the 200 Free (1:58.22) & 100 Butterfly (58.17). Bobby swam two best times in the 50 Free (22.49) and the 100 Free (50.55). Bobby took 8th place in the 50 Free, earning FSHS its first-ever State swimming medal! Both boys had a great season and strong finish at the State meet. #GBR
FSHS HOSTS STATE POWERLIFTING THIS SATURDAY!
BOYS (from left): Grayson Quick, Miles Bowman, Dominik Bishop, Elijah Self
Hailie Atwood signs with Neosho County Community College!
February 5th is Signing Day for Four Tiger Seniors!
Grayson Quick signs to play Wildcat football at Baker University!
Standing, from left, FSHS Coaches Horton, Clements, Graham and Glades
Miles Bowman signs to play Greyhound football at Fort Scott Community College!
Standing, from left, Emily Bowman and her fiance, Colten Selvey
Will Wunderly signs to play Blue Dragon football at Hutchinson Community College!
Standing, from left, Mike Wunderly, grandfather, FSHS Coaches Graham and Glades, Dad Fred
FSHS SCHOLARS' BOWL TEAM QUALIFIES FOR STATE!
(from left) Isaiah Self, Shekhar Gugnani, Elijah Self, Lawson Hall, Noah Larsen, Neil Gugnani
On February 4th, the FSHS Varsity Scholars' Bowl team placed second at Regionals in Louisburg. Although the Tigers did not repeat as State Champs, members did get to defend their title at home when FSHS hosted the State Tournament February 13th. Thanks to everyone who volunteered!