Principal's Newsletter
Sam Barlow High School ~ February 2020
Sam Barlow High School
Website: https://www.gresham.k12.or.us/sbhs
Location: 5105 SE 302nd Ave, Gresham, OR, United States
Phone: (503) 258-4850
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sam-Barlow-High-School/106146596083423
Twitter: @BarlowPride
FROM PRINCIPAL BRUCE C. SCHMIDT, JR.
It is hard to believe that we are now halfway through the school year. Students have completed their first semester of classes, our winter sports programs are at the tail end of their season, and we are beginning to plan for things like graduation and forecasting for the 2020-21 school year. I am always amazed at how fast time flies.
By the time you receive this newsletter, your student will have completed their final exams and grades will have been recorded. Take some time to talk to your student about the grades they have earned. This is a nice time to celebrate successes as well as planning for improvement where needed. This process of reflection is great for your student and will help you to gauge where they are both academically and emotionally. If you have questions or concerns about their grades, please donât hesitate to contact their teachers or counselor to get more information. This is especially important if you have a senior and are wondering about your student completing all of those graduation requirements.
We have been super excited to start the second semester. I am pretty certain that your student has had a few changes to their schedules. They may have a new elective class or a new teacher for one of their core classes. With those changes come new classroom procedures, new personalities, and changes in expectations. Asking them to describe these things is key to starting the new semester on the right foot. These are also great conversation starters that require more than a one-word response or the proverbial âeverything is fineâ that you may get between naps or the mid-evening refrigerator run.
Another Successful Year With Our Graduation Rate:
For the past four years we have been working very hard to make some key changes in order to increase the success of our students. Fortunately, that work is beginning to really pay off. The Class of 2019 posted a graduation rate of 83%. This is especially impressive when you consider that there was a significant number of students behind in credits after their freshman year. In addition to making up ground, we posted a rate 3% higher than the state average. Our three-year average for our graduation rate is 85%, which demonstrates that we have some great programs in place to support kids and consistently trend above state and neighboring schools. Currently, we have outperformed all other large high schools in East County. Moving forward, we are targeting a graduation rate of 90% within the next three years and aim to make Barlow a quality place for each student.
Indicators for Long Term Success
Ninth Grade On-Track
A key indicator of long-term high school success and graduation rate is the number of freshman who are on-track to graduate at the end of their freshman year. A freshman is considered to be on-track when they have earned 6 or more credits at the end of their ninth grade year. Data has illustrated that a student who is on-track at the end of their freshman year has a 90% chance of earning a high school diploma. That is a very strong predictor of success and illustrates why we are focusing on our newest Bruins.
Over the past two years we have utilized one of our staff members, Paul Quirke, as a High School Success Coach to help us track student progress and to work with teams of freshman teachers to develop better ways of working with ninth graders. Paul and our Freshman House Teams have done some amazing work the past two years and at the end of the first semester, 86% of our freshman are on-track, which also represents the highest number of students achieving this goal to date. We are proud of their work, the way they support students, and ultimately increasing the likelihood that more students will graduate from Barlow.
Attendance
In order for students to reach their full potential in the classroom, they must attend school. We want all students to attend at least 90% of all school days. Along with our On-Track rate, Attendance is a key indicator to long-term success and graduation. To put this in perspective, a student who attends 90% of the time, and is On-Track at the end of their ninth grade year, has a 95% chance of graduating from high school. Again, attendance is important.
Students should only miss school if they have a fever, have been vomiting, have a medical appointment, or a family emergency. We fully understand that students will sometimes miss school, but limiting the number of missed days is important. Students canât learn unless they are in class. Please push your student to be in school on a daily basis. It is in their best interest.
Please enjoy the start of the second semester. We hope to see you at a school sponsored event or activity. It is always a great experience to see our students competing and performing as it really fosters a sense of community.
We truly appreciate your support. Thanks for all you do as parents, guardian, and supporters. Go Bruins!
Pre-Game Party ~ Feb. 14th
Beardown Week is Feb. 10-14! This year's theme is "Bruins Around the World".
All students and community members are welcome to come to our first "Beardown Bash - Pre-Game Party" on Friday, Feb. 14 from 4:00-6:30pm before the home basketball games against Gresham. There will be several food vendors, games to play, and activities hosted by SBHS clubs. Come have fun at the Beardown Bash and stay to support the Bruin basketball teams!
Get Involved!
Become an ASPIRE Mentor:
If you would like to volunteer to become an ASPIRE mentor and help students research plans for their future. No experience is necessary! Visit the following website to learn more:
https://oregonstudentaid.gov/aspire-becoming-a-mentor.aspx
Contact Patty Neuenschwander at 503-258-4890 or neuenschwander@gresham.k12.or.us
ATHLETICS
Clearance Forms, Physicals & Participation Fees for spring sports are due Friday, February 14th. Practices begin on Monday, March 2.
All clearance forms can be downloaded from our school website or the online registration link can be accessed in the same area. Paperwork & physicals must be turned in to the Athletic Department. Participation fees should be submitted to the bookkeeper. Please direct any questions to the Athletic Department at 503-258-4895.TEACHER CLASSROOM PAGES
Blood Drive
Open to students, staff, and parents. This drive will take place in our Holevas Gym. If you are a parent and would like to give blood, please contact our Activities Director, Dan Dalzell.
Friday, Feb 28, 2020, 07:45 AM
Sam Barlow High School, Southeast 302nd Avenue, Gresham, OR, USA
Exclusion Day
February
Exclusion day for state required immunizations is Wednesday, February 19, 2020. Students who are not current will not be able to attend school until their records are complete. Letters will be mailed the first week of February to parents whose children are incomplete and will be excluded if not updated by February 19th. Please arrange for your child to receive needed immunizations so that they can remain in school. If you need assistance in locating a health care provider or clinic site, please contact your school nurse.
February/Febrero (Spanish)
El dĂa de exclusiĂłn para las vacunas requeridas por el estado es el miĂ©rcoles, 19 de Febrero del 2020. Los estudiantes que no estĂĄn al dĂa no podrĂĄn asistir a la escuela hasta que sus registros estĂ©n completos. Las cartas se enviarĂĄn por correo la primera semana de febrero a los padres cuyos hijos estĂĄn incompletos y serĂĄn excluidos si no se actualizan antes del 19 de Febrero. Por favor haga arreglos para que su estudiante reciba las vacunas necesarias para que pueda permanecer en la escuela. Si necesita ayuda para localizar a un proveedor de atenciĂłn mĂ©dica o una clĂnica, comunĂquese con la enfermera de la escuela.
National Honor Society
Attention all Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors interested in applying for NHS for the 2020-21 school year. Students that are eligible will receive a letter by mail in March notifying them. If you are interested please fill out the application and submit by the deadline. The process has changed from years past so please read the instructions carefully. Inductions will be held in early May. If you need information about NHS please visit this website. National Honor Society
On February 26th during the last home double header basketball game our current NHS will be running its first scholarship raffle night. Multiple gift baskets donated from our community will be available for raffle. Please plan to support of scholarship program by bringing some extra cash to buy raffle tickets. All money raised will go directly to student scholarships. Cost of raffle tickets $2- each or 3 for $5, 7 for 10$ or 15 for $20. You will be able to choose what basket you'd like to have a chance to win. We will have tickets available before the event as well, just ask your friendly NHS member.
THE MUSICAL COMEDY MURDERS OF 1940
Traffic Warning
~Officer Sasser, SRO
PARENTVUE APP (Check your students' progress)
You can download the ParentVue App directly to your phone for free. Itâs very simple to do and we have included the step-by-step instructions for you below.
Go to your App store or Android Market and search for ParentVue.
Click âinstallâ and then âopenâ when installation is complete.
You will have a screen prompting you to swipe left to find your district. If location is activated on your phone, our district should pop to the top. If not, type in Gresham-Barlow School District in the search bar.
Once you choose Gresham-Barlow School District, you will be asked to log in.
Once you have logged in, you will have access to your student's information, such as;
Class Schedule
Current Grades in all classes
Progress Reports
Attendance
Teacher communications
Access to update your contact information
Many moreâŠ
You can also select which language you prefer to use by clicking on âchangeâ at the bottom of the screen.
This is a great resource to have at the tip of your fingers. If you need assistance logging in or resetting your password, please contact Teresa Juden at juden@gresham.k12.or.us
School Climate Survey
COLLEGE NEWS AND INFORMATION
SENIORS
Seniors! If you have NOT completed your FAFSA or ORSAA, now is the time to do so!
We will be hosting a FAFSA Help Night on Wednesday, March 4 from 6-8pm. Spanish speakers will be available. Bring your 2018 tax documents and social security numbers if available. Parents and students should plan to attend. Please see Patty in the College & Career Center if you have questions about how to prepare.
SENIORS- TO DO LIST:
- Get college applications in NOW.
- Complete your Oregon Promise application at: www.oregonstudentaid.gov
- Get your FSA ID at: www.fsaid.ed.gov
- Do your ORSAA if the FAFSA is not available to you: www.oregonstudentaid.gov
- Be sure to submit your FAFSA immediately at: www.fafsa.ed.gov
- Work on your OSAC scholarship application. (Early Bird deadline:
Feb. 15. Final deadline: March 1.) www.oregonstudentaid.gov
- Report any scholarships you are offered and/or accept to the C&CC. (Private and school scholarships) This information will be added to your graduation program, so donât forget to let us know.
- Bring your financial aid award letters to the C&CC for clarification.
- See the list of scholarships available in the C&CC.
The OSAC (Oregon Student Access and Completion) Scholarship is now available. Completing the OSAC online application allows students to apply for up to 40 of the over 600 scholarships available. To apply, go to www.oregonstudentaid.gov The completed application must be filed no later than March 1. Donât forget, if you apply by Feb. 15, you will be eligible for one of the 80 - $1000 âEarly Bird Scholarships.â Also, filing by Feb. 15 allows you some time to make corrections to the application if OSAC tells you they are needed. You will also want to request that transcripts be uploaded to the OSAC site by SBHS. (Choose High School Verification when choosing transcripts options on the application.) This scholarship also requires four 1000 word personal statements and an activity chart/resume. This is NOT one you want to put off to the last minute. Come get help in the C&CC.
THE OREGON OPPORTUNITY GRANT has received millions of dollars to support college enrollment and success. This is a need-based grant. To qualify, all you need to do is fill out your FAFSA or ORSAA.
To learn more, go to: https://oregonstudentaid.gov/oregon-opportunity-grant.aspx
There is information to help you determine possible funding you can receive.
How do we learn more about OSAC, Oregon Opportunity Grant and the Oregon Promise? Come to an informational event for parents and students on Thursday, Feb. 20th from 6-7pm. Jenn Satalino, from The College Place, will be here to help you understand all the opportunities open to your student with these three applications. Follow the signs from the front door of the school.
JUNIORS
The Portland Spring College Fair will be on Sunday, April 26th from 12pm to 3:00pm at the University of Portland, Chiles Center. Itâs FREE! Stop by to learn about many schools. Meet with representatives and see which college may be right for you. It is extremely important that you make the effort now to talk to school representatives. Learning what schools have to offer will make your college decision much easier next year.
TO DO LIST:
NOW is the time to start thinking about post-graduation plans. We can help! Drop in to get your own ASPIRE mentor or come ask questions at the C&CC.
· Take the SAT or ACT this spring.
· Research colleges/trade schools/careers www.schoolinks.com
· Plan spring and summer college visits.
· Start creating your Activities Chart/Resume.
· Contemplate who you will ask for your Letters of Recommendation.
· Begin saving and organizing photos and documents you will use in scholarship applications.
· Research and apply for scholarships you can do as a junior.
SAT & ACT
UPCOMING SAT TEST DATES:
March 14, May 2, June 6
UPCOMING ACT TEST DATES:
Feb. 8, April 4, June 813, July 18
These are TEST DATES â you need to register 3 or 4 weeks before the actual test.
SAT registration online at www.sat.org/register
ACT registration online at www.actstudent.org/start
CSS Profile: Families applying to more than one private college or university may be requested to furnish a copy of the CSS profile, which charges registration and processing fees. The application is available online at www.collegeboard.com
FINANCIAL AID
FINANCIAL AID: To be eligible for the most âfree fundsâ (grant money you donât have to pay back), students should submit their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) now. Even though applications will be accepted through the end of summer by the federal government, it is important to get your FAFSA done today. Visit the website at www.fafsa.ed.gov for more information. Students and parents should obtain their FSA ID first at www.fsaid.ed.gov
If you are unable to file the FAFSA, you may be able to file the ORSAA, Oregonâs financial aid application. Go to www.oregonstudentaid.gov to learn more.
THE OREGON PROMISE-Community College Free Tuition Assistance
The state of Oregon has committed to helping its students pay for tuition at an Oregon Community College with The Oregon Promise. Students must have a 2.5 GPA to be eligible for free tuition. Completing the FAFSA is also a mandatory component of the application. Students must list an Oregon Community College on their FAFSA as well.
The Oregon Promise application is now open.
To apply, go to: www.oregonstudentaid.gov
DALE KRUEGER SCHOLARSHIP
The Dale Krueger Scholarship is now available. Online applications are available at www.dalekruegerscholarship.com . This scholarship is worth $2,000, renewable for four years. You will need to provide an uploaded transcript. (See Mrs. Neuenschwander for that.) You will also need to upload your personal statement, goals statement and your Student Aid Report from your FAFSA. A portfolio of your accomplishments is optional, but highly recommended, and can be turned in to the College & Career Center. The deadline for receipt of all (the uploaded part and the portfolio) materials for the Krueger Scholarship is April 1. No extensions of any kind are allowed. Come to the C&CC for additional details and to get your helpful worksheet.
CAREER RELATED OPPORTUNITIES
Career Exploration Opportunities
ASVAB testing and Career Exploration Program offered here at 11:30 on February 6th and private test results are given on February 18th.
Boeing Tech Prep will be visiting on February 12th, 4th period in Holzbach's room, all are welcome. (We will be visiting MHCC and their machining and welding program in March)
Career Exploration Tours in February-
MetroEast Media Tour- free camera class and orientation this also includes a year's worth of classes and equipment that can be checked out. Amazing opportunity for students interested in all kinds of media. February 11th, 11:30 to 2:30
Allied Nursing program through MHCC is a great way to enter the medical field of nursing, come take a lab class and get info to begin here on February 19th- 8:00 to 11:00
Army Corps of Engineers Engineering Day- come learn about the variety of engineering careers available with hands-on learning, guest speakers, and tours. February 20th, 7:30 to2:30.
HVAC is a great trade with the ability to "Earn as You Learn" a career field that is "hot" and will allow a journeyman to make a good living. Tour the union training center and a local HVAC company to hear how to begin this career. February 27th, 8:00 to 2:00.
Lunchtime Spotlight Table - College & Career Center
MHCC will be here twice in February bring their certificate programs to be highlighted at the Spotlight table during students' lunch. We have their nursing program here on the 12th.
Summit Salon Academy will be here on February 5th, their cosmetology, and their esthetics programs.
NW Youth Corps will be here to give students more information about their summer paid service-learning programs.
Senior Student and Parent Information
Senior "SANP2020" Meeting:
Parents of seniors, please join us for a meeting on February 3rd to help plan the Senior All Night Party. We will meet in the staff cafeteria at 6:30pm.
Jostens Graduation Orders:
You can visit the Jostens website for more information.
MAIN OFFICE FAQ's
What are the office hours?
7:00am - 3:30pm daily
Closed on holidays and some inservice days
What is the main office number?
503-258-4850
Can I leave a message for my student?
Yes. If necessary, we can take messages from a parent or guardian only. Messages will not be delivered to class except in an emergency, but will be held in the office. Students are paged during designated paging times, and it is the studentâs responsibility to pick up the note.
Can I bring a present or send flowers/balloons to a student?
We are unable to accept gifts, flowers/balloons for students. We will refuse all attempted deliveries.
Can I deliver coffee/specialty drinks to my student?
No. We will not accept any Dutch, Black Rock, Country Coffee, etc.
Additional questions?
Please call us! 503-258-4850
Who Can Help?
If you have concerns about your childâs schedule or other issues, the following are the staff to contact. Email is a quick way to get answers to the questions you might have.
COUNSELORS
A-E Michelle Kahan kahan@gresham.k12.or.us
F-J Erin Boelow boelow@gresham.k12.or.us
K-Ra Oscar Rethwill rethwill@gresham.k12.or.us
Re-Z Molly Ninneman ninneman@gresham.k12.or.us
LICENSED SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER
Kimberly Louvin louvin@gresham.k12.or.us
HS SUCCESS COACH
Paul Quirke quirke@gresham.k12.or.us
ELL LIAISON
Karen Galicia galicia4@gresham.k12.or.us
ATTENDANCE LIAISON
Ryan Alexander alexander9@gresham.k12.or.us
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS
A-G Celeste Pellicci pellicci@gresham.k12.or.us
H-O Melanie Marrone marrone2@gresham.k12.or.us
P-Z Kelly Hart hart29@gresham.k12.or.us
SBHS Calendars
If you would like to subscribe to Sam Barlow calendars on your phone or other devices, use the links below:
Activities - SBHS Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/gresham.k12.or.us_73jhabthgqh7h2910qn0c6baq8%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics
Athletics -SBHS calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/gresham.k12.or.us_kv7l5hldmkp5s4cgp4dmg8fnls%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics
Sam Barlow Main Public Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/gresham.k12.or.us_4jj9ve163iticdogb11b6ggp1s%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics