NHS Family Newsletter
September 16. 2020
NHS Update
This week marks a tick in the timeline of the school year, as we are halfway through the first quarter. Progress reports are being completed and will be emailed out, and also available for viewing on Homelink. Your students have been in classes for about 5 weeks now, and hopefully have established routines to help them be successful. Some, however, might be finding struggle with the workload and managing their assignments.
Please encourage your student to reach out to their teachers, first and foremost, for questions, concerns or for assistance in getting caught up. Have them contact their academic counselor. Lastly, include your vice principal in the conversation as needed so that a plan can be formed.
We have high hopes and tentative plans for ways to involve and engage our students in increased ways, and will continue to think creatively about this. We are largely limited by county guidelines for what can occur, and for now, can confidently tell you that the best parts of our days are seeing kids in person when they come back for textbooks and the like. We miss them, and their teachers miss them. We look forward to continuing to work on ways to welcome our students safely back onto our campus over time.
Yours in Partnership,
Kelly Cooper
Principal
Site Council Needs You!
The term on site council is 2 years, and we currently have 4 parent openings.
Please consider nominating yourself for the council. Appointment will be by anonymous vote among the parent community. If you are willing to serve on the council, please fill out the form below.
Grades/Progress Reports
Cap and Gown, Grad Announcement and Senior Swag through Jostens
Now is the time to order your SENIOR’S cap & gown, graduation announcements, and senior apparel.
This year you must place your graduation order by one of the following options, no later than Saturday, October 17th!
OPTION #1 (Easiest Option):
ORDER ONLINE at Jostens.com by October 17!
OPTION #2:
YOU MAY PICK-UP & complete a Graduation order packet, which packets are available in the Main Office, weekdays, from 9 am – 3 pm).
+ *EMAIL your graduation order form to: martin.oliveira@jostens.com
OR *MAIL IN your graduation order to:
Jostens
P.O. Box 249
Danville, CA 94526
*By the October 17th Deadline.
It is important to place your graduation order at this time. NOW is the only time to receive the group discount and be assured of a timely delivery in the spring. The easiest option is to complete your graduation order today at:
https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1008097/Northgate-High-School/
We know this is a very challenging time. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like to ask about our easy payment plans.
WE’RE HERE TO HELP!
Martin, Brian, Lynette & Pam
Jostens
Phone: (925) 838-1835
Email: martin.oliveira@jostens.com
School Photos Update
Current Seniors should contact Studio One for appointments to take their Senior Portraits. Our goal date for these photos to be included in the yearbook is now the end of December. If you have any questions, please contact the Yearbook coordinator, Amber Lineweaver.
Seniors will be given ID cards after October 13.
Coffee with Coop
Join Principal Kelly Cooper in a virtual cup of coffee and conversation. Special guest Rebecca Proznick, our college and career advisor, to speak to college admissions during Covid-19.
Topic: School Updates
Time: Sept 30, 2020 07:30AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
https://mdusd.zoom.us/j/87454168283?pwd=aHpXdjU3RzhOVi9MRERYYlpZRUpRQT09
Meeting ID: 874 5416 8283
Passcode: 114350
Wednesday, Sep 30, 2020, 07:30 AM
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PSAT/SAT cancelled for Fall, and more updates from College and Career
All standardized testing has been postponed for the Fall, due to county health restrictions in having students on campus for prolonged periods of time. The Superintendent announced this postponement in August. No updates are available at this time. We have become aware that Acalanes is taking sign ups for a test in October- they are doing this in hopes that county regulations ease up, and they very likely may have to cancel. At this time, there are no local sites approved to host tests.
At the start of the summer, as it became obvious that most students were NOT able to take the SAT/ACT and that the test would not be available in most locations for the foreseeable future, colleges took the step to modify their admission procedures to appropriately adjust. After the summer break, during which time colleges worked closely with their faculty to refine these new admission procedures, colleges again put those updated regulations on their webpage, in counselor and prospective student meetings, and through site like the NACAC.
While the SAT & ACT are moving forward with exams and updating their 'cancel' pages (please note, most of the time this information is delayed- by contacting the site centers yourself you can get the most up to date information), the colleges have been very clear about their policies:
CSUs: Students will NOT submit the SAT/ACT scores this year
UCs: Students may submit, but scores will ONLY be used for eligibility, scholarships (not at all campuses), and toward graduation from the UC- NOT general admissions. (pre-court case ruling info)
Majority of Private/out of state schools: Test-optional means test optional! (in most cases similar to UC policy)
Universities recognize that students have put forth A LOT of time and effort and in some cases, have been able to take the exams. If allowed and you have a score you'd like to share, please submit your scores! It shows that you were studying and preparing for that university environment.
If you have NOT been able to take the exam, but you were planning to (and everyone should have been), I've heard from a number of admissions representatives that:
It is encouraged, in additional note sections of the application, that students let universities know:
*You took the exam, but were planning to take again
*You didn't take the exam, but were signed up and studied hard for it!
Colleges ALWAYS (this year and all previous years) evaluate your application in the context of what is available to you. It's up to you to share that information to put your application in context. Don't assume that the people reading your transcript know what has been going on - share information in all of your applications so that the reader can put your application in context.
And - ALWAYS- if you have questions about a specific school's policy- look on THEIR undergrad admissions webpage and reach out to their admissions office/regional admissions reps. NO ONE is more informed about the admissions process than the people at THAT SCHOOL!
Vape Pens and Teens- A webinar
You're Invited! Vape Pens and Teens: What Our Community Needs to Know
This webinar will provide an overview of the latest tobacco products used by young people. Adult and youth presenters will discuss the history of electronic smoking devices (vape pens), as well as the current products on the market. We will cover how they work, how the tobacco industry targets young people, health effects, and what we are still learning about these popular and dangerous devices.
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Audience: Parents and other adults
There is no cost to attend, although registration is required.
For questions, contact Marissa Frias mfrias@cccoe.k12.ca.us
Student Forum- Broncos Speak- Our Experience in Distance Learning
Students and staff were invited to view the forum on YouTube live, and ask questions of the panel as they went.
We are so proud of our students: their honesty, understanding, collaborative spirit and their articulation, and we are happy to share it with you.
Catch the forum at the link below.
We aim to hold one of these a month, with a range of different topics. Stay tuned!
Club Rush
While we are still collecting club charters, see the link below for a list of clubs offered at NHS last year.
Wednesday, Sep 30, 2020, 10:00 AM
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MDUSD College Fair
Register online by clicking on the “student registration” links. You are required to use your MDUSD email account: www.strivefair.com/mdusd
Students can register for multiple sessions in the same timeframe - so they can attend one, and parents/guardians can attend another.
The MDUSD College Fair Committee consists of parent volunteers representing the high schools listed below:
College Park High School
Concord High School
Mt. Diablo High School
Northgate High School
Olympic High School
+All small necessary High Schools
The 8th annual College Fair will be on Tuesday, September 29th, and will be a VIRTUAL event. Please wait for a response regarding College/organization registration; student registration will be ready in mid-September.
From our College and Career Center
I hope you are well and I wanted to share out a reminders and notice of a few upcoming times where support is open to you as you consider next steps, post graduation.
Upcoming Information Nights:
Financial Aid Info: What is financial aid and what should I know? - Tuesday, Sept 22 at 7 pm Zoom link here
College 101: CSU updates + repeat of Sept 16 info - Thurs, Oct 1 at 7 pm. Zoom link here
Open Hours (drop in)
Starting Wed, Sept 16, I will open a zoom link each Wed for drop ins. 12:30-1:30 pm
*This is for everyone- stop by with quick questions, give me updates on your plans, ask questions re: majors/jobs/military/college*
Don't forget these links:
NHS College & Career Webpage
Senior Action Plan
Letters of Rec/Connecting Common App and Naviance
Weekly College & Career Annoucements
College & Career Calendar of upcoming events/RepVisits
Naviance/Clever
Matching Funds- Help out our Ed Fund!
Do you work for a Match-Maker?
Many companies will match your donation to the Northgate PFC made by their employees.
It is an easy process, please contact your Human Resources department for information about your company’s program or contact the Northgate PFC Matching chairs at Northgateedfund@gmail.com or call Jamie @ 925-348-2179.
Thank you for your continued effort to support our school.
Northgate PFC
Parent Education- MDUSD Parent Academy
Technology Needs
If you need to check out a chromebook for your student, please fill out this form.
If you do not have internet access in your home, and would like to apply for a Hotspot (mobile internet device), please contact Craig Bocks.
Classroom Donations
Click here for department donations!
Additionally, we have some great Bronco gear for sale- Click here for our online store of apparel!
Attendance and Google Classroom
Attendance- there are 4 levels of participation noted in Homelink.
- P - participated- your student came to the class, participated in the Zoom/Google Meet session
- 4- Student turned in an assignment that day, but did not attend the Zoom/Google Meet
- 3- Student or parent emailed someone in the office or the teacher
- A- Student was not present, nor did work in the class that day.
If you feel your student was marked in error, please contact the teacher.
If you would like to receive guardian email updates from google classroom, please email the teacher. The student cannot add you as a guardian themselves.
Food Services- Community Meals
Our outstanding MDUSD food services department continues to offer meal services at select sites.
Athletics
Now is the time to start the registration process for athletics, especially for fall sports.
If you are interested in more information about a particular Sport, please contact the coach.
You can find all athletic information, including contact information for coaches, on our athletics website.
Parents Anonymous Resource
In partnership with Governor Newsom, Parents Anonymous® Inc. recently launched the California Parent & Youth Helpline and Online Parents Anonymous® Support Groups in response to the Coronavirus to provide free trauma-informed, evidenced-based emotional support to Parents, Children and Youth in any language via calls, text, live chat and email. The California Parents & Youth Helpline operates 7 days a week from 8:00AM-8:00PM. Parents can Join a Weekly Online Support Group NOW through the website: caparentyouthhelpline.org. In this confidential setting, Parents address their underlying emotions and build resiliency to strengthen their family.
Given the stress and anxiety families are experiencing as schools are opening, we are requesting that you add the California Parent & Youth Helpline and Online Support Groups, which are FREE and a valuable resource for Parents, Caregivers, Children and Youth on your website and/or social media platforms. I have attached the outreach ads in both English and Spanish.
Claycord PFLAG
PFLAG of Clayton-Concord, in its mission of support, education and advocacy for LGBTQ+ people, has initiated and sponsored the MDUSD GSA Forum for the past three years, as well as free “pizza nights” for LGBTQ+ students throughout the academic year.
We’d like to make sure that students and their families are aware of PFLAG and the community support we offer:
· Chapter meetings on the third Tuesday of each month from 7-8 PM via Zoom for all adult LGBTQ+ people, their family members and allies. This is an opportunity for parents and other adult family members to connect with others who know what it’s like to learn their child’s sexuality and/or gender identity is different than they understood. Chapter meetings are confidential, and Zoom log-in information is available either by sending me an email or a private message on our Facebook page. Membership in PFLAG is not required for attendance and there is no fee.
· A virtual drop-in space for high school students in MDUSD, as well as Clayton Valley Charter, Carondelet and De la Salle, facilitated by the youth outreach leaders of Rainbow Community Center every other Thursday from 7-8 PM. The Zoom meeting ID is 933 8545 9911 and the passcode is 837664. Each meeting includes a check-in time, an educational component (LGBTQ+ history, notable people, etc.), and a time of reflection. Registration is not required and there is no fee.
Teen Drivers? Check out Smart Moves
Sign up for Text Updates
Additional Family Support Services
District Communications
Some important news and information recently released from MDUSD:
- New Page- 2020-21 School Year Guide
- See the latest Superintendent Letter Here.
- Roadmap to Reopen This website will be updated frequently with the latest district-wide announcements regarding re-opening our schools.
2020-21 Academic Calendar
Northgate High School
Email: cooperk@mdusd.org
Website: http://northgatehighschool.org
Location: 425 Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Phone: 925-938-0900
Twitter: @northgatehs