November - SPHS Parent Newsletter
November 2017
Principal's Message
Trimester Exams
As you receive this newsletter, we are at the beginning of the last week of Trimester 1. By Friday, your students will have completed their exams and teachers will be finalizing grades. It is extra-important that students get lots of rest and eat well this week as their finals can count for as much as 20% of the final trimester grade.I want to remind veteran high school parents and guardians that we WILL NOT have a special schedule for finals this week like we did under the semester schedule in the past. With the 68 minute periods and a maximum of only 5 classes per day, the special finals schedule is not needed. Our faculty have collaborated to spread the finals for different classes throughout the week.
Lastly, remember that Trimester grades are the equivalent of semester grades under our old schedule. Grades earned this week will determine whether credit is awarded, will be included on the official transcript, and WILL count towards the calculation of Grade Point Average (GPA).
Trimester 2 - Schedule Adjustment
With anything new, there comes a need for tweaks and adjustments. This is true of our new schedule. As we have lived the first 12 weeks of this schedule, we have identified some items we are looking at for future revisions. One of those adjustments is minor enough, that we believe we can make it right now, beginning on Monday, Dec 4th.
We created 8-minute passing periods to get from class to class in this schedule were we could. Our intent was to give greater ability for staff and students to take care of their personal needs (like going to the bathroom) during passing time, so that students would miss less class time. Because of the way we scheduled lunch, for some students and staff, during after 2nd or 3rd period, they only have a 4 minute passing time. As we have studied it, this 4 minute passing time is not meeting our goals and we have developed a solution.
With very minimal disruption to the life of students and staff, by shifting a few minutes around here and there throughout the school day, we have created a schedule that gives everyone 8 minutes to move from class to class. We have moved the 4 minute passing time to between 5th hour and ARP, since ARP is the shortest class.
Here is a link to the revised bell schedule.
Trimester Feedback
As we wrap up the first trimester of this new schedule, we want to solicit feedback from groups to see how we are doing. I will be sending out a survey asking for feedback about our new schedule to staff, students and parents next week via email. Please look for that survey and complete it to give us the information we need to continue to improve the learning experience for students at SPHS.
Thanks for reading.
~Chad Harnisch, Principal
Sauk Prairie High School
Attendance Corner
Schedule Change Policy
Trimester two begins December 4 so I wanted to remind everyone of our schedule change policy. This was included in our August Newsletter, but it is likely timely again as we make this next transition.
The trimester schedule is built based on student requests and changes can only be made in very limited circumstances. NO CHANGES WILL BE MADE for a specific lunch, a specific teacher, a specific study hall hour, or a class with a friend.
Process to Request a change
Complete a schedule change form and return it to the Student Services Office
If you work with a case manager their signature is required
Reasons you can make a change
You failed a class
You have an incomplete schedule
You do not have the prerequisites for the class listed
A class you need to graduate is not listed or was dropped from the schedule
There is an obvious error (e.g., two classes scheduled at the same time)
Students may drop a class through the first 2 weeks of the trimester with no penalty as long as they do not drop below full time status. Please note, there will be no schedule additions after the 3rd day of the trimester.
Transcript Requests - (Parchment)
The easiest way to access Parchment is through the School District website, here. Look for the blue “Order Records” button. Need additional help? See Ms.Snyder in Student Services.
Expiring School Free or Reduced Meal Benefits
Free and/or Reduced Meal and/or Milk benefits expired after 30 days of operating school. If you have not received a letter stating you are eligible for Free or Reduced meal benefits, please fill out a F/R application as soon as possible. Applications are available at each school, the District Office or online at www.saukprairieschools.org . Please call Tammy at 643-5983 or email tammy.smith@saukprairieschools.org with any questions.
Parenting in a Digital World
Tips/Recommendations for teen smartphone/tablet use:
Model appropriate smart phone/social media use as an adult.
Cell phones are a privilege not a right.
Consider parent/child smart phone/social media contracts.
Limit Phone Data or include WiFi access only Set parental controls on phones/tablets
Require students to share passwords with parents Research Apps yourself before allowing child to download them
Set aside certain times of the day as “electronic free” time Have an electronic turn in routine at bedtime
Set “tech free zones” (i.e. bedroom or bathroom)
Make it known that you will regularly peruse your child’s device and monitor their use
Website Help Centers:
- Snapchat: http://support.snapchat.com Understand how to use the app and what to do if your child is using it inappropriately
Instagram: help.instagram.com Learn about the basics of this popular app and get tips for parents.
Twitter: support.twitter.com Find out how to use Twitter and protect your child’s privacy.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/help Learn how to manage your child’s account and report problems.
Scholarship News!!
Sauk Prairie Dollars for Scholars This link will help you create an account that gives you access to hundreds of scholarships through Scholarship America. In early spring, use this website to apply for local chapter scholarships which are given exclusively to Sauk Prairie High School seniors.
Sauk Prairie High School Scholarship Database: http://www.saukprairieschools.org/schools/high/hsscholarships.cfm
Other Scholarship Search Engines:
College Board - Collegeboard.com enables students to match their educational goals with internships, scholarships, and loans. It offers a wide variety of facts and tips to aid students when planning for college.
FastWeb - FastWeb is a database of more than 270,000 scholarships, fellowships, grants, and loans.
GoodCall.com - Simplify Your Scholarship Search
Scholarships.com - Find Scholarships & Colleges, learn about Financial Aid.
StudentScholarships.org - Career and scholarship information tailored to the individual student.
In-State Angels - Help getting in-state tuition for students going out-of-state for college.
Academic and Career Planning
NEW feature in Career Cruising: “Inspire~Madison Region”
Serving: Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, LaFayette, Richland and Sauk Counties
Parents
Inspire Madison Region helps you understand your student’s career goals and the available work-based learning opportunities that get them connected with local employers — bridging the gap between classwork and the world of work. Inspire Madison Region creates a way for students and job-seekers to actively interact with area employers and career coaches. By encouraging your child take advantage of the tools, you can help them discover their career path and attain their career goals.
How does the program work?
Inspire Madison Region is a web-based program which connects a student’s career interests with real companies and real-life professionals in that career area. The system, which is powered by Career Cruising, that provides a customized information sharing and resource gathering environment where students/job-seekers can:
Learn about area companies that offer jobs and careers in their area of interest
Participate in career discussions with an online mentor/career coach from that company
Further interact with that company by participating in other Work-based Learning Activities, such as job-shadowing, internships, company tours, and summer employment
Sauk Prairie High School
Email: chad.harnisch@saukprairieschools.org
Website: http://www.saukprairieschools.org/
Location: 105 9th Street, Prairie du Sac, WI, United States
Phone: (608) 643-5620
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaukPrairieHighSchool/
Twitter: @principal_sphs