Pella High School Newsletter
February 2020
Dear Pella High School Families,
It appears that winter has finally shown up in full effect!! After a few weather delays and cancellations, we are off to a strong start and look forward to another great semester of teaching and learning with our students.
This month, we have parent/teacher conferences scheduled on February 10 from 4:30-8:00 p.m. Also on this date, students will have an opportunity to display their talents at Excellence in Electives Night. This will take place from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the competitive gym and commons area. Excellence in Electives is an opportunity to display the amazing student abilities and work with the community. Each of these departments will be presenting: Project Lead the Way, Family and Consumer Services, Journalism, Art, Music, Spanish, French, Industrial Technology, Welding, and Agriculture.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
GO DUTCH!!!
Sincerely,
Adam Beckel, HS Principal
Derek Schulte, Assistant Principal
Student Lunch Accounts
Free and reduced meals can be applied for any time during the school year. The Iowa Application is available on the district website, at all of the district buildings or by contacting Connie Boldt at 641-628-1748 or connie.boldt@pellaschools.org.
Breakfast is available in all buildings prior to the first bell. National School Breakfast Program guidelines are used to ensure a healthy and nutritious breakfast. Believing that not all students are ready for breakfast prior to the first bell, second chance breakfast is served in the Middle School and High School.
For Information about school lunch policies and charges please click here for the link. For the USDA non-discrimination statements please click here and here.
ACT Workshop
An ACT workshop is planned at Pella High School for March 4 & 5th. This two night workshop will cover all four subjects within the ACT test. An instructor from the ZAPS company will lead students in a classroom setting with tips and strategies for the ACT standardized test. It is encouraged for juniors to take the ACT test in April or June if they are anticipating attending a four year institution. Please visit the Doorway to College website to register for the workshop and to find any further study tips and statistics on the ZAPs workshop benefits. This is a link with more information: ACT workshop March2020
Junior Parents: Financial Aid Night
Pella High School is bringing ICAN (Iowa College Access Network) to present a Financial Aid Night on Monday, March 30th at 7:00 p.m. in the HS Auditorium. Please put this on your calendar to attend if you have a junior student. ICAN is a fabulous resource which also provides a wealth of information for students, parents, and schools. The Financial Aid presentation will cover the details of completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and other grants, and loans offered through this application. The reporting requirements have changed in this federal program recently, which allows for families to file earlier in their senior year to determine eligibility for federal student aid. This will be the only presentation regarding the FAFSA information for the class of 2021.
School Year 2020-2021 High School Course Selection
Mrs. Manning and Mrs. Thompson have met with every grade level to discuss course options for their 4 year plans. Our official registration day will be during homeroom on Monday, February 10th with the final deadline to make changes as Friday, February 14th. Please review and discuss your student’s 4 year plan on Infinite Campus.
Parent Teacher Conferences & Excellence in Electives (February 10 from 4:30 – 8:00 p.m.)
If you want to schedule a conference with a particular teacher, please email him/her to schedule a conference meeting time. The conferences will be in teachers rooms. All winter coaches will be available by 5:30 p.m. Excellence in Elective teachers will be involved throughout the night with their program, but will be available at the beginning and end of conferences.
Excellence in Electives (February 10 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Excellence in Electives is a way for students to highlight the various experiences they gain by taking elective courses here at Pella High. Many high school teachers will be in attendance. Teachers not participating in Excellence in Electives activities will be available in their classrooms for parent-teacher conferences. This will be the only parent-teacher conference of the second semester.
2020-21 School Registration is opening March 1
All district families are encouraged to register all of their school aged children for the 2020-21 school year starting March 1. Have a child turning 4 by September 15, 2020? We need you to register them for preschool too! More details to come in the next few weeks about this exciting annual event, so watch your inbox! Questions about the 2020-21 school registration can be directed to Allissa Grandia by emailing allissa.grandia@pellaschools.org or by calling 641-628-9539.
School Calendar
Semester Two
February
1 - Winter Formal
3 - No School - Professional Development
10 - Post 3-Week Grades
10 - Parent-Teacher Conferences 4:30 - 8:00 p.m. /Excellence in Electives 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
12 - Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal
18 - 2 Hour Early Dismissal
20 - 2 Hour Early Dismissal
21 - No School - P/T Comp Day
26 - Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal
March
2 - Post 6-Week Grades
4 - Professional Development:90-Minute Early Dismissal
11 - Professional Development:90-Minute Early Dismissal
15-20 - Spring Break
25 - Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal
30 - Post 9-week (Mid-Term) grades
April
1 - Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal
4 - Junior/Senior Prom
6 -10 Iowa Assessment Week
10 - No School
15 - Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal
20 - Post 12-Week Grades
22 - Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal
29 - Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal
May
7 - Tulip Time - 11:15 Dismissal
8 - Tulip Time - 11:15 dismissal
11 - Post 15-Week Grades
13 - Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal
13 - Senior Awards Night
20 - Seniors Last Day
20 - Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal
22 - Graduation
29 - Semester Assessment, Laptop Return, & Student Check-Out
June 1 & 2 - Semester Assessment, Laptop Return, & Student Check-Out
June 2 - Last Day of School - 12:30 Dismissal
* Go to www.pella.k12.ia.us and click on the calendar tab to see all events/activities. You may also access the calendar by going to www.littlehawkeyeconference.com