We are beginning to experience warmer temperatures, spring break is just around the corner, and spring activities will actually happen! We have had a rewarding winter with many great achievements of our winter sports and activities. Planning for several big events such as prom and graduation are underway. We are pleased with how this year has gone, and appreciate the continued efforts of students, staff, and parents.

Sincerely,

Adam Beckel

Principal

Derek Schulte

Assistant Principal

To complete registration, visit www.pellaschools.org/register and follow the steps under RETURNING STUDENT. Or, simply find the ONLINE REGISTRATION button under MORE on Campus Parent. On July 1, 2021, the required 2021-22 Textbook Fee will be available along with the optional fees such as Athletic Passes, Yearbook, Band Fee, Choir Fee, and Parking Permit.

Our Excellence in Electives event, scheduled for March 4, has been cancelled. Pella staff will instead be working on academic intervention plans during this time. Please contact teachers directly if there are any questions or concerns with your student’s classroom performance.

Attendance

1. Traditional attendance will not be taken

2. Attendance will be tracked through assignment completion

Google Classroom

1. All assignments/videos posted in google classroom prior to 9:00 AM

2. Students should check their google classroom 9-9:30 AM for what will need to be done that day

3. Students with questions should connect with the teacher via email or office hours.

Instruction infused into the Task

1. Optional recorded (5-10 minute) lessons/directions may accompany assignments.

Total expected time per class should take approx. 25-30 minutes to view and complete

1. Completion and submission of the task/assignment takes place of classroom attendance, and can be graded

2. Incomplete and/or not submitted tasks will be recorded as “missing” in Infinite Campus, and may impact the grade

Office Hours

Available Live on Google Hangout / Zoom OR Via Email

On March 25, we will have a school-wide practice test for the Iowa State Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) for all 9th, 10th, & 11th graders. Students will report to their 4th period class at 8:10 a.m. for the practice tests. Seniors will not need to report to school until 9:00 a.m. on practice test day.

On April 1, all 9th, 10th, & 11th graders will do their ISASP Math practice test in their math class while 10th graders will do their ISASP Science practice test during their science class.

The state of Iowa will continue to use the state assessment that will be given to every student in grades 3-11 during the fourth quarter of this year. The test is called the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student progress or ISASP. The Pella Community Schools will give these tests April 5-9.

• The tests are not timed. Students can take as long as they need but the following guidelines have been given to us for planning.

• Reading - allow 60 minutes for grades 3-11

• Math - allow for 60 minutes for grades 3-11

• Language Arts / Writing - allow 120 minutes for grades 3-11 ( we will split this over two days)

• Science - allow 60 minutes for grades 5, 8, and 10

• Students will only take one test per day.

• Questions are now varied in style including essay, short answer, and multiple choice.

The students will be taking a practice test in each area over the next two months. This will introduce them to the format and help them learn the tools that are built into the online system for grades 4-11. If you would like to view the practice tests for any grade level, they are available at this link. We appreciate you communicating the importance of the test with your child and the importance of them doing their best. We want to show how truly great we really are!

If your insurance company is in need of your child’s report card, please print the report card from the DOCUMENTS section on your Campus Parent Portal. Please, do not print off grades from the GRADES section. If you need assistance to access your child’s information, please contact Allissa Grandia at allissa.grandia@pellaschools.org

ZAPS will not be coming to Pella High this semester; instead, they will offer virtual training options. Register at www.doorwaytocollege.org or call 877.927.8378.

The planning for post-secondary education greatly hinges on financial aid for families, especially as educational costs continue to rise. The regulations within the financial aid world have changed, and families of seniors are allowed to apply for aid starting October 1st of senior school year. Visit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) website to begin.

With the current Covid restrictions, we will not be hosting an in-person Financial Aid Night this spring. As junior families are exploring college options and financial planning, there are many unknowns about the process. The link below is a ‘Financial Aid Step by Step’ video: https://www.icansucceed.org/financial-aid

The video is a great starting point as preparations are made for completing the FAFSA. Or if you have completed the FAFSA before and need a reminder on a few specifics.

The ICAN (www.icansucceed.org) organization is a fabulous resource for families.

It is a free resource in Iowa, for any assistance about the online filing process and policies, please contact them. Virtual appointments are available to assist with any questions or concerns in regards to your family's financial aid process. Junior families, the best time to schedule an appointment for assistance will be in the fall.

Please continue to make attendance and grades a priority for your students, as Open Campus eligibility for next year’s juniors during SMART Lunch and seniors during open periods is determined this semester. Parent permission for Open Campus for next year’s juniors and seniors is found in the 2021-22 Online Registration. No paper forms will be sent home.

Any seniors collecting volunteer hours for our Distinguished Service Program should submit all the hours they have by Friday, April 30. If they are planning to accumulate hours during Tulip Time, they should still submit their other hours by the 30th, so we can try to complete the logging process before Senior Awards Night. Tulip Time hours will still be counted; just turn them in the Monday after. The final deadline for seniors’ hours will be Monday, May 10.

MARCH 3

Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal

MARCH 9

9 Week Grades are Due

MARCH 10

Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal

MARCH 11

Virtual School Day

MARCH 15-19

No School: Spring Break

MARCH 24

Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal

APRIL 2

No School

APRIL 5-9

ISASP Testing Week

APRIL 6

12 Week Grades are Due

APRIL 7

Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal

APRIL 14

Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal

APRIL 17

Junior/Senior Prom

APRIL 21

Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal

APRIL 27

15 Week Grades Due

APRIL 28

Professional Development: 90-Minute Early Dismissal

MAY 6 & 7

Tulip Time - 11:15 AM Dismissal

MAY 12

Professional Development - 90 Minute Early Dismissal

Senior Awards Night (Format Pending)

MAY 12-14

Senior Assessments, Laptop Return, & Check Out

MAY 14

Seniors’ Last Day

MAY 21

Graduation

MAY 25-27

Grades 9-11: Semester Assessments, Laptop Return, & Check Out

MAY 27

Last Day: 12:30 PM Dismissal

May 28

Final Grades Due