HHS December 5-10, 2016 Letter from Administration
Dear Highland Ram Parent/Guardian, Student or Supporter,
With the first trimester complete it is important to take time and perform an analysis with regards to our progression towards our goals. Each trimester we rely heavily on data to provide us a clear look at where we are now and to help clarify our next steps towards our target condition. Our goal as a school is to offer a comprehensive experience focused on preparing all students for future college and career success.
This is founded upon the deep belief that..... Right Attitude Means Success.
The Attitudes we seek to live as RAMS are:
Respect and caring toward ourselves, our families and our community;
Building healthy relationships-selflessness, forgiveness, and using restorative practices.
Accountability and preparation for each class and event;
Being responsible-attendance, ownership, and diligent work.
Motivation and focus in academics, activities and athletics;
Developing a growth mindset-goals, optimism, and grit.
Spirit and scholarship in school and in life.
Seeking engagement and learning.
Each Monday we are taking time to learn how to become better at living these attitudes in our advisory class. Our school goals were constructed to try and develop these attitudes as a school. This year, specifically, our school goals are focused on increasing in respect and caring. We are working to build positive relationships with students, staff, parents/guardians, and the community. We have taken a number of steps to try and improve in this area, and as we look at the results, we will continue to make plans for improvement.
We are working diligently at improving our relationships by focusing on each student and making efforts in our communication with others.
One effort at reaching each student is that every Tuesday and Thursday we are now giving students access to tutoring for any of their classes from 4-5:30pm in Mr. Sullivan's room (Room B74).
Another way we have been focusing on each student is to clarify our school interventions for academics, attendance, and behavior. Highland's interventions include...
Academic Intervention
Highland High School seeks to maximize learning for all students. This is the number one reason we attend school. Teachers will work to provide support and interventions to help students learn. If the student(s) continues to fall behind, they will be identified by the teacher or school administration and referred to the Highland Intervention Team (HIT). The HIT team may use the following interventions:
Level 1: Student will be assigned to meet with the teacher until grade is a C or better-before school, at lunch, or after school. Parent/Guardian contacted.
Level 2: Student will be assigned to attend tutoring sessions until grade is a C or better. Student will check-in and check-out with school administration or assigned support person each week. Parent/Guardian contacted.
Level 3: Student will be assigned to attend tutoring sessions. A schedule change may occur to provide the student additional support needed. Student will check-in and check-out with school administration or assigned support person each day. Parent/Guardian contacted.
Level 4: Student will be referred to a District Academic Progress Committee. Parent/Guardian contacted.
Other interventions may be used beyond the boundaries of these levels as the Highland Intervention Team decides what is best for the student.
HHS Attendance Intervention
Students are expected to be in each class, on time, everyday. Attendance is one of the most essential pieces in receiving an education and preparing students for future success in college and/or career. Not attending, or being late to class, results in missing valuable information and makes it extremely difficult for student learning to occur.
A student is allowed 6 absences in a class in a trimester. 7 or more absences in a class in a trimester and the student may receive truancies. A student is allowed 4 tardies in a class in a trimester. 5 or more tardies in a class in a trimester and the student may receive truancies.
Even though tracking of attendance starts over each trimester, truancies received accumulate through high school and do not start over each trimester.
There are 3 types of absences a student can have-School Excused, Verified, and Unverified.
Makeup of learning opportunities for days/time missed=
Students will be expected to make up learning opportunities missed as a result of absences, with the exception of truant students. Time allowed for this is based on the number of days the student was absent for circumstances plus one more school day. Teachers do have the discretion to extend the number of days allowed on a case by case basis. Make up work should be completed outside of instructional time. Students that are truant may only make up work at the discretion of the teacher and/or an administration.
School Excused absences never count against a student's attendance and are those authorized by school administration. Unfortunately, college visits set up by individuals, and not the school, do not count as school excused.
There are 3 types of Verified absences-documented, undocumented, and pre-arranged.
Verified-Documented absences require documentation and usually will not count against a student's attendance. If verified-documented absences become excessive and impact learning, as determined by school administration, they may count against a student's attendance.
Parents/Guardians will be notified in these instances.
Verified-Documented absences include:
- Legal-documentation required
- Medical-documentation required
Verified-Undocumented absences will count against a student's attendance and are the very reason a student can have up to 6 absences in a class in a trimester as required by Idaho Code. We understand there are circumstances that may require a student to miss school and as a result have built in 6 days for these circumstances. We have categorized these as personal (this includes missing school for a funeral) and illness. These absences must be verified by a parent/guardian.
Verified Pre-arranged absences are used when a student knows they will be missing school for a specific reason beforehand. Verified Pre-arranged absences may or may not count against a student's attendance depending on previous attendance, current attendance, and academic standing. This decision is made by school administration. There is a form available from the school to be filled out scheduling pre-arranged absences. Upon review of the form school administration will notify a parent/guardian whether or not the absence will count against the student's attendance.
When the school has not been notified by a parent/guardian that a student will be absent then the absence is considered Unverified. These absences may turn into a truancy if not verified.
When a student receives a TRUANCY the following procedure is followed:
- TRUANCY 1: Student will serve lunch detention. Parent/Guardian contacted.
- TRUANCY 2: Student will serve lunch detention and will be assigned to attend Friday Night School. Parent/Guardian contacted.
- TRUANCY 3: Student will serve lunch detention, be assigned to attend Friday Night School with a parent/guardian and may be referred to truancy court. Parent/Guardian contacted.
- TRUANCY 4: Student will be placed on In School Suspension or Out of School Suspension, referred to School Resource Officer for citation, referred to a District Discipline Review Committee with the possible recommendation to leave HHS or creation of an attendance contract, and school administration may pursue suspension of driving privileges as per Idaho Code. Parent/Guardian contacted.
Failure to show to the assigned consequences of Lunch Detention or Friday Night School may result in an additional truancy.
Behavior Intervention
For serious behaviors (violence, threats, drugs, bullying, etc.) students will be immediately reported to administration for an investigation. Students participating in such behavior may be suspended and further disciplinary action may take place.
Teachers are responsible for classroom management and redirection of inappropriate behavior.
When behaviors become so disruptive, disrespectful, and/or insubordinate that it is difficult for learning to occur, or when student(s) are participating in inappropriate behaviors outside of class and do not redirect their behavior when prompted, they will need to be sent to school administration.
School administration may implement the following procedure:
Level 1: Student is placed in ISS or OSS. Parent/Guardian contacted. Student completes a behavior reflection assignment. Student creates a plan/contract to change behavior. School administration reviews plan/contract with student and provides support for implementation.
Level 2: Student is placed in ISS or OSS. Parent/Guardian contacted. Student completes a behavior reflection assignment. Parent/Guardian and student have a conference with administration and parent/guardian and student create a plan/contract to change behavior. Student will check-in and check-out with school administration or assigned support person each week. School administration reviews plan/contract with family and provides support for implementation.
Level 3: Student is placed in ISS or OSS. Parent/Guardian contacted. Student completes a behavior reflection assignment. Parent/Guardian and student have a conference with administration and together create a plan/contract to change behavior. Student will check-in and check-out with school administration or assigned support person each day. School administration reviews plan/contract with family and implements it.
Level 4: Student is placed in ISS or OSS. Student is referred to DDRC with the possible recommendation to leave HHS. Parent/Guardian contacted.
Students may be placed in In-School Suspension for a specific class, multiple classes, or the whole school day; depending on the decision of school administration. The number of days ISS or OSS assigned will be decided by school administration.
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We currently plan to increase communication by changing our monthly administrative newsletter to a weekly newsletter, revise and plan for improvement with the school website and social media outlets, and install a digital reader board that displays important information.
In addition, we are also pursing improvement in other areas. We are spending time training in Restorative Practices, Engagement, Visible Assessment/Feedback, and reading and discussing Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
Our goals and plans for improvement are clear. We are working diligently towards them and we are progressing. Nothing is more motivating than improvement. We will continue to be diligent in our efforts knowing that everything we do is for our students. They inspire us to improve and give the best we have. We love and appreciate all our students at Highland High School. They are the reason, the why, we do what we do.
We appreciate your participation in the survey that was sent out at the conclusion of the first trimester. The feedback you provided is valuable data we are using to inform our progress. We appreciate all you do for our student(s) and for Highland High School. What an amazing year we have already had together and we are only a 3rd of the way through. We are excited about what lies ahead. We appreciate all you do and your support.
If you have questions or concerns please call or email.
Go Highland Rams!!
Highland High School Administration (208)237-1300
Brad Wallace-Principal (wallacbr@sd25.us) phone ext.103
Travis Bell-Assistant Principal/Athletic and Activities Director (belltr@sd25.us) phone ext.105
Jena Wilcox-Assistant Principal (wilcoxje@sd25.us) phone ext.104
Steve Morton-Assistant Principal (mortonst@sd25.us) phone ext.107
Ticket Prices for Holt Arena:
$8-adult
$6-Middle School w/Student ID
$4-Child/Senior
$2-High School w/Student ID
$2-District Employee w/Activities Card
Ticket Prices for Events @ HHS:
$6-Adults
$5-Seniors 55 and up
$4-Children 6-14yrs.
FREE-Staff w/Activities Card
FREE-Any Pocatello School District High School Student w/Activities Card
$3-Middle School Student w/Activities Card
$4-Visiting Student(s) w/Activities Card
Family Events/Activities Passes available for $130. This gets you and your entire immediate family (except high school students-they must buy their own activity card) into any home event for the entire school year. This does NOT include Holt Arena.
Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM of Pocatello Raffle for Athletics and Activities: Support athletics and activities and buy raffle tickets for $2 for the chance to win a new Dodge Dart worth $25,000 donated by Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM of Pocatello. There is no limit on the number of tickets you can buy. All expenses for the car are covered, including taxes. All proceeds go to school athletics and activities. Tickets are on sale until March 24, 2017 and the drawing will take place at the new Lithia Dealership in Pocatello on March 31, 2017. Contact the school to buy tickets (208)237-1300 and/or look to buy tickets and see the car on display at home events.
HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL DECEMBER 5-10, 2016 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Monday 12/5/16
6am Girls Varsity Dance Practice
1:45pm Boys Varsity/Freshman Basketball Practice
3pm Varsity Cheerleading Practice
4pm Girls Varsity Basketball Practice
4pm Boys JV Basketball Practice
6pm Girls JV/Freshman Basketball Practice
7pm Senior All Night Party Parent/Student Planning Meeting in HHS Media Center
Tuesday 12/6/16
6am Girls Varsity Dance Practice
4pm Varsity Cheerleading Practice
4pm Girls Varsity Basketball Practice
4pm Winter Track Workouts in HHS weight room
4-5:30pm Tutoring for all classes available in Room B74
6pm Girls JV/Freshman Basketball Practice
6pm Boys JV/Freshman Basketball @ Century High School
7:30pm Boys Varsity Basketball @ Century High School
Wednesday 12/7/16
6am Girls Varsity Dance Practice
6am Boys Baseball Winter Workouts
8:30am ASVAB Testing in HHS Media Center
12:30pm Schredder's Club Lunch Meeting Room B74-confirm trips for year and pricing
2:30pm Boys Varsity/Freshman Basketball Practice
4:15pm Boys JV Basketball Practice
7pm Orchestra Concert in HHS Auditorium
6pm Girls JV/Freshman Basketball @ Hillcrest High School
7:30pm Girls Varsity Basketball @ Hillcrest High School
Thursday 12/8/16
6am Girls Varsity Dance Practice
4pm Girls Varsity Basketball Practice
4pm Winter Track Workouts in HHS weight room
4-5:30pm Tutoring for all classes available in Room B74
6pm FFA Christmas Party in Room D60-Bring a friend and a new pair of socks filled with goodies for gift exchange. Refreshments will be served.
6pm Girls JV/Freshman Basketball Practice
6pm Varsity Cheerleading Practice
6pm Boys JV/Varsity Wrestling vs. Pocatello High School @ HHS-Highland STAFF NIGHT
6pm Boys JV/Freshman Basketball @ Pocatello High School
7:30pm Boys Varsity Basketball @ Pocatello High School
Friday 12/9/16
6am Baseball Winter Workouts
2pm Boys Varsity/Freshman Basketball Practice
4pm Boys JV Basketball Practice
3pm Boys JV/Varsity Wrestling Tournament @ Marsh Valley High School-leave HHS at 11:30am
4pm Speech/Debate Tournament @ Idaho Falls High School-leave HHS at 2pm
6pm Girls JV/Freshman Basketball @ Bonneville High School-leave HHS at 4:15pm
7:30pm Girls Varsity Basketball @ Bonneville High School-leave HHS at 4:15pm
Saturday 12/10/16
TBA Girls Varsity Dance Competition @ Pocatello High School Lassies Western States
7am ACT Testing @ HHS Lower B Halls
8am Speech/Debate Tournament @ Idaho Falls High School-leave HHS at 6:45am
9am Boys JV/Varsity Wrestling Tournament @ Marsh Valley High School-meet at HHS at 7am
10am Girls Varsity Basketball Practice
6pm Boys JV/Freshman Basketball vs. Twin Falls High School @ HHS
7:30pm Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Twin Falls High School @ HHS
Upcoming Events:
Wednesday 12/14/16 7pm Christmas Band Concert @ HHS Main Gym
Monday 12/12/16 7pm Christmas Choir Concert @ Pocatello High School Auditorium.
Friday 12/16/16 is the last day to purchase a yearbook.
Friday 1/6/17 Voices of Change Assembly with Guest Singer/Songwriter LT Smooth
Tuesday 2/14/17 5:30-9:30pm HHS Student, Staff, and Parent/Guardian Ski Night @ Pebble Creek Ski Resort Bunny Hill. No lift pass required. Ski package rental $12. Snowboard package rental $15
To see the entire month please visit=
Highland School Song's
Highland Fight Song
It’s
for Highland we are fighting,
It’s for colors black and white,
As our Ram goes out for us
We will fight with all our might.
As
our team brings in the victory
On the field or in the gym,
Highland’s teams will be victorious
And the trophies will come in.
It’s
for victory, honor, valor
And the prize we run the test,
As our school up on the hill will
Always be far past the rest.
And the victories we take humbly,
Losing comes without regret,
And we do all these things gladly
For our Highlands best school yet!
Ram Power
When you say Rams
You’ve said a lot of things
Nobody else can say
When you say Rams
You’ve said you care enough to
only
Want the best (of teams)
There is no other one
There’s only something less
Because the Highland Rams
Are beating all the rest
When you say RAM POWER…
You’ve said it all!
Loyalty
Highland
we’re loyal to you
Highland we’ll stand beside you
To the black and white we’re true
Highland we are true
First
place a victory best place
Our Rams will show the best taste
Victory is ours forever
Ours for Highland High.
Highland
up on the hill our
Highland and Rams are best still
We are the students always
Loyal and true.
(and
as for)* learning and honest labor
Our Rams will stand the measure
The best in all the land
We know is Highland High
