Sioux City North
2018-2019 December Newsletter
Message from the Principal
Earlier this year, we held numerous conversations with alumni of North. We asked, “What makes you proud of North High School?” The answers to that question quickly developed into three themes: Academic Focus, Diversity, and Positive Relationships. Those three components, and our focus with them, make North High School a unique place to learn and grow. Here are a few items about each:
Academic Focus— With a history of strong academics, NHS offers Advanced Placement courses where we see the highest percentage of students passing the test in the district. We also approach teaching and learning differently than many other schools. We focus on Authentic Intellectual Work which combines deep thinking, communication skills, and relevancy. We also embrace literacy (reading, writing, speaking, listening) and believe all of our instructional staff should engage in learning that enhances those areas with our students.
Diversity—North High is the most diverse school in Sioux City and in the top five in the State of Iowa. Our students are exposed to a variety of cultures, languages, and experiences that many people only experience in college. North High’s demographics have changed over the past fifteen years. Many people are unaware that 61% of our students are minority populations and that 1 out of 4 students come from a home where English is not the primary language. The largest population of students who come to the US for the first time live in the North attendance zone and attend North. East and West have programs as well.
Positive Relationships—North was the first high school in Sioux City named by the Iowa Department of Education as a “Banner School.” This shows our commitment to Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. We understand that creating a culture of success means putting systems in place to ensure every student can feel safe and supported at school.
Saturday School on December 8 and December 15 from 9:00 am until Noon each day. Doors open at 8:45 am.
SCCSD High Schools to Host ACT Exam for all Juniors
Sioux City, IA – On April 9, each of the three Sioux City Community School District high schools will host an ACT exam date for all 11th grade students, in order to encourage college readiness and preparedness for the work force.
Data from this exam will inform the District on how current curriculum aligns with the ACT, as well as suggest areas of improvement. It will also assist in providing students with a smoother transition into college and increase their potential for future success.
In order to eliminate distractions and secure proctors for the exam, 9, 10, and 12th graders will not have school on this date.
SCCSD to Offer Seal of Biliteracy to Students
Students in SCCSD that complete requirements for AP Language and Culture, pass the AP Spanish language and culture exam with a minimum score of 3, and complete district determined requirements will be awarded the Seal of Bilteracy on their diploma, and receive a certificate of completion.
Being able to know and use more than one language is a critical skill for the 21st century. The seal of biliteracy recognizes the value of language diversity & cultural identity, prepares students with 21st century skills that will benefit them in the labor market and the global society, and provides employers, universities, and grant/scholarship providers with a method to recognize applicants for their dedication to attainment of biliteracy.
Drivers Education Information
The Sioux City Community Schools plan to offer two, four weeks sessions of Traffic Education for the summer.
**SNOW DAYS USED BY THE SIOUX CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT MAY AFFECT ACTUAL STARTING DATE.**
If further snow days are utilized, course dates will change accordingly.
Classes will be held Monday thru Friday at each of the three public high schools East, North and West. Registration for Summer Traffic Education will begin the 1st week in March. Cost for the class will be $385. (School waivers are accepted for Summer School. Make sure if you are on free or reduced lunch you have submitted a fee waiver to the bookkeeper).
In order to get registered,
1. You must be 14 years of age.
2. You must have a valid learner’s permit and it must be shown at time of registration in order to complete child’s registration.
3. A complete deposit for the class fee must be made to the high school you are registering at in order to be completely registered.
Registration openings are limited at each school. Students will be accepted for the course based on the number of openings available at each school and the date in which the student completes the registration form. If you have any questions you may contact John Torno, at North High School, phone # 712-898-3505 or for quicker responses tornoj@live.siouxcityschools.com
NHS and Sioux City First Food Pantry Open December 14 from 3:00-5:00 pm
Outreach, Understanding, Responsibility & Support (OURS) Parent Group
The Sioux City Community School District, Northwest Area Education Agency, the Local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will continue their collaboration with the Outreach, Understanding, Responsibility, and Support (OURS) parent group. The efforts are focused at empowering parents/guardians of African American/Black students who attend public schools K -12th grades. The topics are in relation to the education of the Black student, community awareness, and other suggested topics.
The OURS parent group will meet the second Tuesday of the following month:
Jan 8 High School Topic - ACT Prep & ACT TEST
The next session will be Tuesday, Jan 8th, 2018@ 6pm.
A light meal will be provided. and to RSVP to the meetings for the meal contact:
Cate Combs, Equity Administrative Assistance 712-279-6075
-OR-
Lori Gentry, BSW, Educational Equity Student Liaison for the Sioux City Community Schools For more information 712.203.1107.
North High Diversity Takes Center Stage
Financial Aid Support for College
Just a reminder that ICAN provides many different appointments/services for high school students and their families. They are available for FAFSA Completion Appointments, of course, but there are also many other appointment topics available by appointment as well. Mary Joan Dougherty is the NW Iowa Student Success Advisor. Her main office is in Sioux City at Western Iowa Tech (Kiser Bldg, Room A327). She also has limited office hours in Orange City and Sheldon.
The ICAN Offices are open Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:30. Services include appointments for: FAFSA Completion, Career Exploration, Career Assessment, College Exploration, Paying for College, Scholarship Process, CSS Profile, FAFSA/Award Letter Review, Covering College Costs – Understanding Your Options, FSA ID Appointment, FAFSA Follow-Up (Corrections or Verification), College Selection/Applications. You may schedule an appointment yourself by going to: www.icansucceed.org/apt or call 877-272-4692. (Mary Joan’s direct line is:
515-402-4211, but the toll free number can also be used to schedule appointments or ask questions) If you do schedule your own appointment, be sure to click BOOK IT or the appointment will not be scheduled.
Remember the 2019-2020 FAFSA will open online October 1. Mary Joan’s October schedule is open and available for appointments. November appointments will be opened up in early September. (ICAN advisor schedules are “opened” approximately 60 days in advance.)
Are you looking for a way to spread joy this holiday season? Contribute to our Barrel of Giving fundraiser, promoted in partnership with Bright Futures Sioux City. We are accepting donations of hats, gloves, and other warm winter apparel from now until January 3.
Help us keep our students warm through the coming winter months! Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:
- Educational Service Center: 627 4th St.
- Earl May: 4141 Gordon Dr.
- Earl May: 4101 War Eagle Dr.
- Save A Lot: 1730 Pierce St.
- Rocket Auto Wash: 2519 Correctionville Rd.
- Hy-Vee: 4500 Sergeant Rd.
- Knoepfler Chevrolet: 100 Jackson St.
- Scheels: 4400 Sergeant Rd #54.
- Fareway: 4016 Indian Hills Dr.
- Fareway: 4040 War Eagle Dr.
- Bomgaars: 1732 Hamilton Blvd.
- Bomgaars: 5901 Gordon Dr.
- United Real Estate Solutions, Inc.: 302 Jones Street #100
Homework Help Tutoring
Transportation is provided for those who participate. A bus picks students up around 4:10 pm each afternoon and drops students off at feeder school locations.
Saturday School this month will be on December 8 and December 15 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Doors open at 8:45 am. Transportation is not provided.
Yearbook Orders and Senior Pictures
Yearbooks are now for sale on https://yearbookforever.com/
Or
Students can pick up a yearbook form in Room 329 or the Main Office.
Prices are $75.00 and on sale until May 15th.
Senior pictures can be submitted (electronically or hard copy) to Mr. Gerch's email (gerchd1@live.siouxcityschools.com). The last possible day to submit a senior picture will be December 31st, unless otherwise communicated with Mr. Gerch.
The yearbook staff will start announcing and advertising around the school this coming week.
Uniquely North - Season 2
Earn Your Silver Cord!
Who is Eligible?
All North High students who would like to help the community and others.
How Do I Qualify to receive the Silver Cord for Graduation?
Students must complete a minimum of forty hours of committee-approved community service in their sophomore, junior and senior years at North High School. You cannot average 40 hours over the three year span; forty hours must be completed within each school year. Our goal is to instill the idea of community service as a life-long pursuit. If students successfully complete the amount of hours necessary they will receive a silver cord to wear at commencement similar to the gold cords worn by academic award winners.
Important Details:
Documentation: Students MUST document all service activities on the Silver Cord Award Form provided by North High – one form for each site or project, signed by a supervisor at the site. (A note confirming the students’ service signed by the supervisor at the project is also acceptable. It must be attached to the Silver Cord Form). Forms can be submitted to Ms. Larson at North High School at any time during the year. For sophomores and juniors: if you don’t turn in forms by the end of the school year, you may submit them at any time during the following fall. There is no specific deadline for underclassmen to submit forms, although it is best to turn them in as soon as they are completed. Seniors should submit all Silver Cord forms by May 2nd of senior year. Forms may be picked up from the office or can be printed using the links below.
Summer Service: Service hours earned during the summer after the academic year may be applied toward EITHER the prior or following year – student’s choice. (For example, the summer after the sophomore year can apply toward either the sophomore or junior 40 hour requirement or divided between the two as needed). It is recommended that all summer projects be pre-approved in writing by Mrs. Larson or a principal to make sure they are acceptable. Summer service that complies with the Silver Cord criteria will be accepted even if students were not able to submit pre-approval forms. Students should pick up blank Silver Cord Award forms before the end of school to use for documentation summer service. Please keep completed forms until you return to North in the fall. The Silver Cord Adviser will be responsible for keeping students’ Silver Cord files.
Important details regarding the Silver Cord Award:
Acceptable service activities: Silver Cord hours must be for providing a SERVICE or meeting a clear NEED for a non-profit agency, church, school, park, charity program, fundraiser or community event. The service should be “above and beyond” one’s usual scope of involvement and could be part of required service for a program such as Scouts or religious education. While some organizations meet during the school day, only hours outside of school time could be applied to Silver Cord service. If there is any question about whether a specific volunteer experience meets the criteria of “providing service” or “meeting a need” students should get prior approval from the Silver Cord Committee by submitting a pre-approval form. The Silver Cord Review Committee makes final determinations regarding service.
Organizations/Activities that have been approved:
Blood Bank/Blood Drives
Food Bank
United Way
Gospel Mission
Friendship Connections
Beyond The Bell
Goodwill
Watchful Eye Foundation
Local church activities
YMCA
Red Cross
Peer Tutoring/Extended Day
S.T.A.R.S
Humane Society
Head Start
Local medical centers
Retirement Homes
Salvation Army
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Habitat for Humanity
Special Olympics
Ronald McDonald House
Junior League
American Heart Association
Art Splash
Ragbrai
Mid-Steps Service
Santa House
Political Organizations or Candidates
Important details regarding the Silver Cord Award:
Silver Cord hours CANNOT BE for a relative, or for pay or compensation of any kind. Other activities that would not be acceptable: NHS sports team managing, training or event timing or administration; most NHS music program events; concession stand or fundraising events in which proceeds benefit a NHS program; serving as a camp counselor while receiving free room and board (some exceptions made for camps for children with disabilities); performing in a musical, dance, or theater group unless related to a social cause or charity benefit; participation on committees in which the focus is on one’s own leadership development and does not include outreach to larger community. Court ordered community service hours are not eligible.
Attention Junior (Class of 2020) Parents! Immunization Information
Iowa Immunization law requires that all students entering 7th grade have both a Meningococcal vaccination and a Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis/whooping cough) vaccination before school starts in the fall.
Iowa law requires that all students entering 12th grade have a Meningococcal vaccination. The requirement is 2 doses of meningococcal (A,C,W,Y) vaccine for students in grade 12, if born after September 15, 1999; or 1 dose if received when students are 16 years of age or older are required before school starts in the fall.
The Tdap requirement has been in place since the 2013/14 school year and requires a booster dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria, and acellular Pertussis containing vaccine for students entering 7th grade, regardless of the interval since the last Tetanus/Diphtheria containing vaccine. Pertussis (whooping cough) is a very contagious disease that causes violent coughing fits that make it hard to breathe.
The meningococcal vaccine has been required since the start of the 2017/18 school year. Meningococcal disease is a life threatening illness that is caused by bacteria that infects the brain, blood, and spinal cord. It easily spreads in crowded settings. The vaccine is required prior to both the 7th and 12th.
What does this mean for you? You will need to call your physician’s office to make an appointment for these vaccines. You will need to check your home records or call your physician’s office to see what your student’s status is. If you do not have insurance, you can contact the Siouxland District Health Department at 279-6119. Please send a copy of your student’s updated immunization record to the school nurse prior to the first day of school. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter.
North High School In the News
Snow Days and School Calendar
Take a Seat - Northside Activities Association
ACT Information
Next Test Date: December 8, 2018
Registration Deadline: November 2 (Go Online for Late Registration and Charges)
Visit here to sign up and log in!
Future Test Dates:
December 8, 2018
February 9, 2019
April 13, 2019
June 8, 2019
July 13, 2019
North High School Class of 2019 Graduation
Saturday, May 25, 2019, 11:00 AM
Tyson Events Center, Gordon Drive, Sioux City, IA, USA
Statement of Non-Discrimination
The Sioux City Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas: Business & Marketing, Family & Consumer Science, Health Science, and Industrial Arts, Technology, & PLTW.
The Sioux City Community School District is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. It is an unfair or discriminatory practice for any educational institution to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information (for employment), national origin, religion, age (for employment), disability, socioeconomic status (for programs), marital status (for programs), or veteran status (for employment) in its educational programs and its employment practices.
Inquiries or grievances, including Section 504 grievances and grievances under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, may be directed to Jen Gomez, Director of Student Services & Equity Education at 627 4th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101, (712) 279-6075, gomezj2@live.siouxcityschools.com. Please see District Board policies 103 and 504.4 for additional information on available grievance procedures.
About Us
Website: http://www.siouxcityschools.org/north-high-school/
Location: 4200 Cheyenne Boulevard, Sioux City, IA, United States
Phone: (712)-239-7000
Facebook: facebook.com/SiouxCityNorth
Twitter: @SiouxCityNorth