Digging Deep with Principal David
Sargent Secondary Newsletter January 2023
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I hope you enjoyed your holiday break with special memories being made with family and friends.
We are back in the swing of things here at the school. Students have started their first day back, January 9th, with the taste of new concepts to learn.
I also would like to introduce to you a new member of our staff, Ms. Caroline Burkhardt. Ms. Burkhardt has only been in the valley for a week, but has been teaching in the classroom for the past ten years! Caroline earned her B.A. in English Literature and her M.S. Ed. in Intercultural Communication and Linguistics. She specializes in teaching critical reading, writing, and communication skills, and is eager to apply this experience to her JH and HS English courses at Sargent. Caroline is excited to be joining the Sargent family and thanks all her students for their warm welcome.
SARGENT TO HOLD WINTERFEST
Information on dress up days will be announced in the next week.
Please Like and Follow Sargent Facebook - Link Below or Search SargentSchoolDistrict on Instagram
January FFA Newsletter
SENG Model Parent Group
SECONDARY FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES
2022-2023 Junior High and High School Sports Schedules
JUNIOR HIGH GIRLS BASKETBALL:
January 10 - at home with Sanford
January 12 - in Center
January 17 - in Del Norte
January 24 - at home with Centauri
January 26 - at home with Monte Vista
January 31 - at home with Alamosa
February 1 - in Sanford
(*Subject to change without notice.)
HIGH SCHOOL BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL:
January 6 - in Centennial at 6pm
January 10 - in Dolores at 4:30pm
January 13 - at home with Creede at 6pm
January 19 - in Trinidad at 6pm
January 20 - in La Veta at 4:30pm
January 26 - in Center at 6pm
January 27 - at home with Crested Butte at 6pm
February 3 - at home with Cotapaxi at 6pm
February 4 - at home with Del Norte at 6pm
February 10 - in Sanford at 6pm
February 11 - at home with South Park at 6pm
February 17 - at home with Monte Vista at 6pm
February 18 - in Custer County at 1pm
(*Subject to change without notice.)
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING:
January 6 - Gunnison Duals in Gunnison at 3pm
January 7 - Gunnison Invitational in Gunnison at 7am
January 14 - Custer County Invitational in Westcliff at 7am
January 21 - Gagliardi Miner Invitational in Trinidad at 7am
January 28 - 29 - Valley Classic in Center at 7am
February 3 - Sierra Grande Tourney in Sierra Grande at 7am
February 10 - 11 - Regionals TBA
February 16 - 18 - State in Denver TBA
(*Subject to change without notice.)
HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMING:
January 6 - at Adams State with Pueblo Centennial at 5pm
January 10 - in Pueblo East at 5pm
January 14 - in Grand Junction 10am
January 17 - in Pueblo Central at 5pm
January 21 - at Adams State with Durango at 10am
January 24 - at Adams State with Pueblo County at 5pm
January 28 - at Adams State - The Farmer Invite at 11am
February 3 - 4 - at South Central at Pueblo County at 3pm
February 9 - 11 - State TBA
(*Subject to change without notice.)
DANGERS OF VAPING AMONG TEENS
According to the National Institute of Health, "A new survey found an alarming rise in the number of American teens who tried vaping last year. The study suggests that vaping may be driving an increase in nicotine use for teens.
In vaping, a battery powered device called an e-cigarette heats a liquid into a vapor that can be inhaled. The vapor may contain nicotine (the addictive drug in tobacco), flavoring, and other chemicals. E-cigarettes can also be used with marijuana, hash oil, or other substances.
Vaping may pose serious and avoidable health risks. Exposure to nicotine during youth can lead to addiction and cause long-term harm to brain development. The vapor can also contain toxins (including ones that cause cancer) and tiny particles that are harmful when breathed in.
More than 44,000 students took part in the 2018 annual survey of drug, alcohol, and cigarette use in 8th, 10th, and 12th graders. About 37% of 12th graders reported vaping in 2018, compared with 28% in 2017. Vaping of each substance that was asked about increased. This includes nicotine, flavored liquids, marijuana, and hash oil."
TIK TOK AWARENESS
As a parent myself, I have been concerned with the content that our students are being exposed to within the social media and Tik Tok world.
Our children's integrity, accountability, and responsibility are being replaced with promiscuity, acts of destruction to school property, and acts of harm to animals and humans as being the "cool" things to do. Now, these are just to name a few that Tik Tok is influencing our youth with.
However, my expectation for all our staff here at Sargent, is for us to be role models that exhibit and expect character traits that will combat the values that Tik Tok stands for.
I encourage you to do your own research on the dangers that Tik Tok has on your student.
ELIGIBILILTY POLICY REMINDER
We encourage you to continue to check your student(s) portal for grades to make sure your student is eligible to compete and participate in extra-curricular activities.
If a student has two D's or one F, they are NOT eligible.
School Policy:
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY RULES AND WEEKLY ELIGIBILITY
A student’s ability to participate in any district‐sponsored extracurricular activity is a privilege, not a right. Those district students who participate in extracurricular activities serve as role models to other students.
Eligibility lists will be given to teachers and coaches by Noon on Tuesday. A student who has 1 F or 2 D’s will be considered ineligible. All student work is due to teacher by noon on Monday in order to be included in the eligibility period. The eligibility period runs from Wednesday through Tuesday night for the designated week or period, one‐week or longer. Students who are ineligible cannot participate in an event until they are reassessed for the next eligibility period which begins on the following Wednesday. Students receiving “Incomplete” are eligible to compete when the “I” is converted to a passing grade prior to the competition (and is passing 3.5 Carnegie units). Period exceptions: At the end of the nine weeks the eligibility period is 2 weeks, and Thanksgiving week stays the same as the previous week. At the beginning of each nine weeks the eligibility period is 2 weeks based on the final grades for the previous nine weeks (Policy JJJ).
Students who are not eligible cannot participate in an event until grades are reassessed for the new period, which begins the following Wednesday after new eligibility is determined.
Ineligible students will not be allowed to miss class for any extra-curricular activity held during the school day. (This does not include curricular activities). Ineligible students will be allowed to practice with the team but will not be allowed to travel with the team or sit on the team bench. Ineligible students will not participate in any other school functions such as Knowledge Bowl, Spelling Bee, or other competitions or school sponsored activities.
If a student misses school the day of an extracurricular activity, he/she will not be allowed to participate in the activity. Exceptions will only be allowed through parental contact and prior approval from the principal. A student must attend at least three (3) class periods on the day of the competition in order to compete (Policy JJJ).
ATTENDANCE POLICY
STUDENT ATTENDANCE
Students who attend school regularly derive the maximum benefit from the instructional program. The primary responsibility for attendance falls on the individual student and their parent(s). The Colorado School Attendance Act 22‐33‐104 (5)(a), C.R.S. states, “The general assembly hereby declares that two of the most important factors in ensuring a child’s educational development are parental involvement and parental responsibility. The general assembly further declares that it is the obligation of every parent to ensure that every child under such parent’s care and supervision receives adequate education and training. Therefore, every parent of a child who has attained the age of six years and is under the age of seventeen years shall ensure that such child attends the public school in which such child is enrolled in compliance with this section.”
In the interest of the Sargent School District maintaining accurate records regarding attendance of a school as mandated by the Colorado Compulsory School Attendance Act, (C.R.S. 22‐33‐107), parents are required to excuse the absence of their child from class, either orally or in writing, within 48 hours of the class(es) missed. This includes students who are 18 years of age. Failure to do so will result in the absence permanently being classified as unexcused.
EXCUSED ABSENCES One criteria of a student’s success in school is regular and punctual attendance. Student absences interfere with the learning process. As per attendance policy JH, the maximum number of unexcused absences a student may occur before judicial proceedings (habitually truant status) are initiated to enforce compulsory attendance is ten (10) during any school year. In addition, the school administrator may deny grade promotion if the student has accumulated ten (10) or more absences for the school year. At 7:55 am, all outside doors will be locked down with the exception of the front entrance. After 7:55am, please enter through the main office doors. Please contact the office by 8:30am (by email or phone) to report your child’s absence. Reasons that will be “excused” include: Temporary illness Injury Funeral/Death of a family member Medical/Dental appointment with note Court appearance Out of school suspension Work study program approved by the district Observing a religious holiday/celebration/event *Note: School‐sponsored activity(ies) of an educational nature are NOT counted as absences. As applicable, the district may require suitable proof regarding the above exceptions, including written statements from medical sources (Policy JH/JH-R). UNEXCUSED ABSENCES An unexcused absence is defined as an absence that is not covered by one of the foregoing exceptions. Each unexcused absence shall be entered on the student’s attendance record. Parents/Guardians of students will find a record of their student’s excused/unexcused absences online on the “Parent Portal.” The Sargent School District encourages parents, guardians, and students to check attendance weekly. In accordance with law, the district may impose appropriate penalties that relate directly to classes missed while unexcused. Penalties may include a warning, school detention, school-community service, in-school suspension at the discretion of the building principal. Vacationing/trips out of town Caring for younger sibling or relative Transportation difficulties No communication regarding absence with school within 48 hours Reasons other than those mentioned under excused absences (Policy JH/JH-R) CONSEQUENCES FOR UNEXCUSED ABSENCES (DAY OR PERIOD) 2nd Unexcused Absence: Warning and a letter will be sent to parent/guardian. 5th Unexcused Absence: After a cumulative of five (5) unexcused absences, the student will be considered habitually truant and the administration may pursue judicial proceedings to enforce Colorado’s Compulsory Attendance Laws. Excessive unexcused absences could also result in academic probation and/or disenrollment. As a reminder, students may not accumulate more than five (5) absences in any one semester or more than ten (10) in an entire school year, per Colorado Compulsory Attendance Law. NOTE: Sargent Schools are NOT an online schooling/distance learning platform. In-person schooling is the platform we are qualified to teach. REPORTING ABSENCES If a student is unable to attend school, a parent or guardian must call the school at
Reasons that will be considered unexcused include:
3rd Unexcused Absence: Parent/School/Student meeting to discuss a solution. Students will serve one hour of detention or community service.
4th Unexcused Absence: 2nd Parent/School/Student meeting to create an attendance contract. Student will serve two hours of detention or community service.
NOTE: We no longer honor discretionary days in order to be compliant with the Colorado Compulsory Attendance Law.
NOTE: A call or parent note does not automatically give the student an excused absence.
2022-2023 COVID INFORMATION
Household members do not need to isolate if there is a positive in the house. Only the positive person should stay home. Family members should monitor symptoms with an exposure. There is no more quarantining or contact tracing.
If you have questions, please call Sargent Nurse, Kristin Lane at 852-4025 ext. 0109.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES and OPPORTUNITIES FOR SARGENT JR. HIGH & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS 2021-2022
JUNIOR HIGH
ATHLETICS: Football, Volleyball, Cross country, Basketball, Wrestling, Track, Baseball
ACADEMICS: JH Knowledge Bowl, JH National Honor Society, Science Fair, History Fair, Spelling Bee, Art Club, Student Council, Leadership Team
SOCIAL: Dances, Lock-ins, Caroling, Ski Days, Field Trips, Game Nights
HIGH SCHOOL:
ATHLETICS: Football, Volleyball, Cross Country, Basketball, Wrestling, Track, Baseball, Trapshooting, Swimming, Cheer/Dance Team
ACADEMICS: Student Council, Leader in Me/Leadership Team, FBLA, FFA, Spanish Club, Aviation Club, Art Club, Science Fair, History Fair, Drum line (Mrs. Hefner) and Guitar lessons (Mr. Paulson), community service projects
SOCIAL: Dances: Prom/Homecoming/Sadie Hawkins, Field Trips, Rowdy Crowd - Fan section at sporting events
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS
Come one, come all! The District Accountability Committee of the Sargent School District meets throughout the school year to complete wide range of school board directives. Reports are provided by the superintendent and both principals from the elementary and the secondary to keep parents and community members up-to-date concerning the school district.
Meetings are currently held every other month in a restaurant setting and generally last less than an hour and a half. Opportunities abound to share and receive input on items that matter most to you.
For more information contact Michelle Burkhart at 1-719-588-1594.
Booster Club:
We are an organization that supports all the athletes and sports at Sargent High School.
We meet when needed. If you would like to join please contact:
Michelle Burkhart at 719.588.1594 or mburkhart@sargent.k12.co.us
Nicole Rockey at 719.588.4732 or nrockey@sargent.k12.co.us
ABC - Academic Booster Club:
The Sargent Academic Booster Club is an organization that works to encourage, support and recognize the academic achievements, successes, and competitions of the Sargent secondary students as well as providing recognition and support of their amazing teachers.
We recognize students who achieve the Honor Roll each semester, we sponsor the Student of the Month program, organize send-offs for students who earn their way to state competitions in Science Fair, History Day, FBLA, FFA and Knowledge Bowl. We also host the Teacher Appreciation Lunch in May, provide meals for the teachers during Parent/Teacher Conferences throughout the year, and give teachers and staff appreciation gifts at various times throughout the year. We also will support funding any academic items, if requested and funds are available.
As you can tell, we do our best to give our hard-working students and staff the recognition and support they deserve. However, this isn’t done with the wave of a magic wand or the saying of some magical phrase. It’s accomplished with monetary support, dedication, organization, and help from parents and staff.
The Academic Booster Club meets quarterly or more often, if needed. We generally keep our meetings to an hour or less. We need parents who are willing to serve on the committee to assist in making decisions, planning, helping out when needed and/or monetary support. We would like as many parents, teachers, and staff to participate to hopefully have 7th-12th grades represented. Please consider becoming an active part of the Academic Booster Club (ABC). You can help make a positive impact on Sargent JH/HS and our students and staff!
If you have any questions, please contact Shon Davis at 719-580-5229 or Tonya Wenta at 850-1960. Thank you for your continued support!
Sargent Cafeteria News and Menu
If you have any questions on lunches/rates contact Val Bonsall at veichner@sargent.k12.co.us or at 852-8863, Monday - Thursday from 6am - 2pm.
Thank you!
Driver's Education Classes
Subject: Winter is the Perfect Time for Your Teen to do Drivers Ed!
Good Day,
Your choice of driver’s education is an important milestone in your student’s life. Fall is an excellent time for students 14 ½ and older to start taking classes for a Colorado permit. When you choose the online program, hosted through Sargent High School, you can help your student become a safe driver for life and support your school at the same time!
To help you with the process required of Colorado teens, here is a review of the requirements. You can go to dmv.colorado.gov to find out this information and more.
· Teens under the age of 15 ½ can begin their driver’s education at 14 ½. They are required to get 30 hours of coursework (in class or online), pass the permit written exam, obtain the permit at age 15 or over. They must hold the permit for one year from date of issue to be eligible to take the driver’s license behind the wheel test. During that year they are required to get 6 hours of professional behind the wheel driving lessons and log 50 hours (10 at night) with parent or guardian.
· Teens age 15 ½ to 16 are required to complete the Driver Awareness Course, pass the permit test, hold the permit for one year from date of issue and during the year log 50 hours (10 of them at night) with parent or guardian. This is a four-hour course that prepares the student for the permit test.
· Teens 16 to 18 years of age are required to take and pass the written permit test, get the permit issued and hold it one year or turn 18, whichever comes first. During the year they hold the permit, they must log 50 hours of driving practice (10 at night) with parent or guardian.
Why go through us?
- Our online program increases the confidence and knowledge of your student in a variety of driving situations.
- The program is designed to be equivalent to an in-person classroom experience. Your student will learn all the content of the classroom from the convenience of your own home.
- Interactive games and videos make the learning experience fun and engaging.
- Your student can access the online program anytime, anywhere! It works on all devices. All you need is a working Internet connection.
- We provide an online technical support number answered seven days a week.
- Everything is self-paced. When life gets busy, your student can pick up the course at any time.
- After you enroll in our online program, we receive a donation to help fund school programs.
- To enroll: https://www.sargenths.bedrivingus.com/enroll
Sunflower Bank ABC Program
All students are encouraged to enter their most current report card into the “Pay for A’s” contest at their local Sunflower Bank. On a date to be determined, each local Sunflower Bank will randomly draw five winners, and winning students earn $10 for each “A”. Additionally, Sunflower Bank matches these totals with a corresponding donation to the student’s school.
B: Bucks for our schools.
Customers that use their debit card can designate a participating school to receive a five cent donation each time that they swipe and sign for a transaction! Custom debit cards with your school name are also available.
C: Cash for your school.
Don’t have a Sunflower Bank debit card yet? Well, this is the perfect time to get one! New customers to Sunflower Bank can earn up to $100 when opening a new account, with a matching payment made to your school.
2022-2023 Sargent School Policy Handbook
2022-2023 SARGENT SCHOOL CALENDAR
Standard Response Protocols for Safety - Information for Parents/Guardians
The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is a uniform, planned, and practiced response to any incident. This is the foundation of a safe school, business and community. The SRP is action-based, flexible and easy to learn. It rationally organizes tactics for response to weather events, fires, accidents, intruders and other threats to personal safety. Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.
Sargent School District implements the the “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP). Students and staff will be training, practicing, and drilling these protocols.
Download the handout below for more information.