Scot Nation Newsletter
September 2017
Letter from the Principal
Dear Highland Park High School Families,
Welcome to a new school year! A special welcome to those of you who are new to Topeka 501 and Highland Park High School, whether you have recently moved or are first-time high school students or parents. It is such an exciting time as I am a new Scot! There are likely some anxious feelings with a new principal, but I believe I will be able to transform that feeling tone and replace it with excitement and elation. There is nothing more rewarding than helping students understand and reach their potential. I am committed to doing just that as we build character, work ethic, goal setting, and provide wraparound services for our students. I am excited, yet humbled, to be the principal in partnership for the benefit of our young people.
Although this is my first year as principal at Highland Park, I have numerous years experience as principal, assistant principal, and teacher. All of my decisions are kid-focused and data-driven. The national and state standards and expectations are becoming increasingly higher each year, and I am ready for the challenge. My philosophy of education comes from a desire to entice ALL children to desire the hunger of knowledge and experience the sweet, savory taste of learning, success, and achievement.
Two essential factors caused me to choose education as my way of life: continuous learning and influence. The road to educating children is always under construction. There is a desire for continued improvement nationally with the students our educational institutions produce and birth to the “real world.” I enjoy being a part of that product. I gladly take responsibility for the students I have impacted both directly and indirectly. My role as an instructional leader is important, and I take it seriously. Therefore, the students today should be better than those of yesterday.
My desire is to positively and profoundly impact the learning and achievement of all students, of all races, all income levels, and all academic levels, holding them to high standards and expectations of mastering the curriculum, responsibilities of citizenship, and the rigors of global competition. NO EXCUSES!
Student Engagement is a good predictor of student success, and Highland Park provides many opportunities for students such as: AVID, GEAR-UP, Robotics, C.N.A., Biotechnology, AP Coursework, Athletics, Clubs, Student Government and Leadership, as well as many other extra-curricular offerings to help you develop your talents, skills, and interests. It is likely you can find a way to get involved, and if nothing seems to be the right fit for you, then come up with a proposal and create something new.
Many graduates have gone on to achieve significant accomplishments and are making positive contributions to the community, state and county. I’ve heard repeatedly, “It’s Great to Be a Scot!” My promise to you is to be an ambassador of greatness as I represent Highland Park. I will gladly embrace the responsibility of being a Scot. I promise to exude greatness and give nothing but my best to the students, teachers, parents, and community in everything I think, say, and do! I promise to give unconditional love and treat the students the same way I would expect my own children to be treated. Expect a steel hand in a velvet glove!
What will your legacy be to HPHS? How do you plan to demonstrate your greatness?
I am excited about this school year and look forward to the collaboration ahead. If you have ideas, comments, questions, or thoughts you want to share, please don’t hesitate to contact me any time via phone (785) 274-6000 or e-mail sperry1@tps501.org.
Your partner in education,
Shana Perry, M.Ed
Principal
Open House a Success!
Morning Procedures at HP Have CHANGED!
If your son or daughter is dropped off at or after 7:38am, the front doors are open at that time.
Thank you!
Graduation Progress: It's never too early to start discussing!
Counselors are having face-to-face meetings with SENIORS during the next couple weeks. We want to make sure there are no surprises as to what is needed this year to graduate. Additionally, what is required for Junior/Community Colleges, also the larger universities, armed forces, Washburn Technical School, etc. College & Career Readiness Counselors will help provide support for the goals such as applications, essay writing, signing up for the ACT and FAFSA, etc. If Seniors are at risk of not graduating, parents will be notified of the information shared with the students and hopefully provide support as to how to make it happen.
Also, to help students refocus on the high school goal of walking the stage and getting that diploma, each grade level will be meeting with administrators during Scot Time this week.
Lastly, the Seniors will use Scot Time on Friday to take Senior Photos for the yearbook in their gowns! I'm so excited!
Juniors, Sophomores, Freshmen Graduation Progress will be discussed with your Scot Time Teacher during Parent Teacher Conferences in October. Please make arrangements to meet to discuss so that you know exactly what is required and where your student stands.
Mark your calendar for Parent Teacher Conferences October 18th & 19th. It is extremely important that a parent or guardian attend.
WhyAttendance Matters
Every school day counts in a child's academic life...
A missed school day is a lost opportunity for students to learn. In this era of increased accountability for states, districts, and schools, the connection between student attendance and learning is being studied more than ever before. As a result, education agencies are asked with increasing frequency to report attendance data in a standard manner to allow comparisons across organizations and jurisdictions.
The primary rationale for high-quality attendance data is the relationship between student attendance and student achievement. Teacher effectiveness is the strongest school-related determinant of student success, but chronic student absence reduces even the best teacher's ability to provide learning opportunities. Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance. This relationship between attendance and achievement may appear early in a child's school career. A recent study looking at young children found that absenteeism in kindergarten was associated with negative first grade outcomes such as greater absenteeism in subsequent years and lower achievement in reading, math, and general knowledge.
RESEARCH SHOWS THAT ATTENDANCE IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.
Poor attendance has serious implications for later outcomes as well. High school dropouts have been found to exhibit a history of negative behaviors, including high levels of absenteeism throughout their childhood, at higher rates than high school graduates. These differences in absentee rates were observed as early as kindergarten, and students who eventually dropped out of high school missed significantly more days of school in first grade than their peers who graduated from high school. In eighth grade, this pattern was even more apparent and, by ninth grade, attendance was shown to be a key indicator significantly correlated with high school graduation.
The effects of lost school days build up one absence at a time on individual students. Penalties for students who miss school may unintentionally worsen the situation. The disciplinary response to absenteeism too often includes loss of course credits, detention, and suspension. Any absence, whether excused or not, denies students the opportunity to learn in accordance with the school's instructional program, but students who miss school are sometimes further excluded from learning opportunities as a consequence of chronic absenteeism.
What Can Parents Do Today?
1) Discuss this short article with your Scot(s).
2) Get your student to school on time.
3) Remind students that school is their job, and they are expected to attend daily and arrive on time.
4) Encourage students to use their passing time to take restroom breaks, get water and make sure they have the necessary items to be successful in the learning environment.
5) Discipline at home when a student skips class even once and has numerous tardies. Unfortunately, there are some students who come to school early, or with plenty of time to be in class on time, and continue to be late.
*If you haven't heard, student grades in class (not for college credit) are based heavily on their arrival to class on time and remaining in the class during the assigned class period. Therefore, if a student is failing, it is likely due to a of attendance and therefore failure to complete work and pass tests.
You should check PowerSchool Daily if you have a student who has struggled with attendance and/or academic achievement and weekly for all other students. If you do not have your PowerSchool Log-in or password, please contact the school to get the information. If you use it regularly, it will help hold students accountable for their actions.
Thank you for your continued support!
Somebody Say Incentive? FREE?
Similar Incentives to come!
Color Chaos was a Hit!
Calendar
8th-College Gear Day(Rep your favorite college)
17th-22nd GEAR UP WEEK (All things College & Career)
25th-29th HOMECOMING WEEK
20th-Financial Aid Night @ Washburn University 6:30-8:30pm
29TH-NO SCHOOL
*PLAN AHEAD...
OCTOBER 12TH College & Career Fair @ Expo Center 1:00-3:00pm (All Seniors and Top 75 Juniors are invited and transportation will be provided. A permission slip will be distributed during the week of September 5th-8th.)
OCTOBER 18TH & 19 PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
ACT Test Dates 2017-2018
Register by September 22nd
Late Registration September 23rd-October 6th
Photo Upload by October 20
DECEMBER 9TH
Register by November 3rd
Late Registration November 4-17
Photo Upload by December 1st
FEBRUARY 10TH
Register by January 12th
Late Registration January 13-19
Photo Upload by February 2nd
APRIL 14TH
Register by March 9th
Late Registration March 10-23
Photo Upload by April 6th
JUNE 9TH
Register by May 4th
Late Registration May 5-18
Upload Photo by June 1st
JULY 14
Register by June 15
Late Registration June 16-22
Upload Photo by July 6
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