TERRE HAUTE NORTH VIGO HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
December 2007

Dear Parent/Guardian:
We hope that the first few months of this school year have been ones filled with educational and personal growth for your son or daughter.  The faculty and staff at North are united in their mission to provide all students with the opportunities and tools needed for success, and we encourage your sons and/or daughters to take advantage of the many educational experiences available to them.

Many of the keys to success in high school may be found within the walls of the building:  teachers and members of the support staff to educate students in the academic areas, counselors and deans to guide them in the directions they choose, and parent and business volunteers to assist them with their career preparation.  Family support and interest are also vital.  However, the most important ingredient in this recipe for success is your son or daughter.  Students alone have the power to make the decisions that will affect the rest of their lives.  Please encourage them to consider thoughtfully and to choose wisely. 

We believe in them and anticipate and expect that they will be successful.   All of the resources at North are here at their disposal.  Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or concerns. 

Sincerely,
Mr. Mick Newport                  Dr. Julie McLaughlin                     Mrs. Stacy Mason
       Principal                           Assistant Principal                      Assistant Principal

GQE/ISTEP+ Results
Results from the Fall 2007 administration of the freshman ISTEP+ and the administration of the Graduation Qualifying Examination taken by sophomores, juniors, and seniors will be mailed home to parents in mid-December. Please contact the Guidance Office if you would like assistance in interpreting scores or in helping your student find helpful remediation opportunities.

Math and Science Tutoring
North now has extra assistance provided by licensed teachers available during the third hour lunch times and communications periods for students who would like help with math and science. Please encourage your student to take advantage of this opportunity, offered from 10:36-12:43 in Room 147. Please call 462-4312 for additional information or if your student would like to attend math and science tutoring sessions after school.

Advanced Placement Testing
Students may now register to take Advanced Placement tests for college credit. These tests will be given in May in 16 different subjects. Please contact Mrs. Byrley (462-4448) in the Treasurer’s Office to sign up. Financial assistance is available for eligible students.

College Challenge Enrollment
Student enrolled in College Challenge classes may turn in their applications for college credit to Mrs. Zwerner through December 17. Tuition is free for those who meet financial guidelines.

Curriculum Fair:
The North Curriculum Fair will be held on Wednesday December 19, 2007, at 6:30 p.m.  This is a great opportunity for students and parents to come to the school and find out course offering s for the upcoming school year.  There will be a brief introduction and meeting in the Auditorium and then everyone will be directed to the Auxiliary Gymnasium, where each department will have a table display set up and a faculty member to answer questions.  Scheduling for the 2008-2009 school year will begin immediately upon returning from Winter Break so this is a great way for parents to begin assisting their children with course selection.

Student Assistance Team:
We have a Student Assistance Team made up of teachers, counselors, and an administrator and our school psychologist.  This team has been put into place to offer assistance or strategies to students who may be struggling in their classes.  If your child is struggling in their academic classes and you are interested in this program, please contact your child’s counselor.

Excellent Attendance:
Attention all students:  If you maintain EXCELLENT ATTENDANCE, you may very well win a CAR!  Any student that misses two or fewer days within each trimester will automatically be entered in our drawing to be eligible to win a car from Dorsett Mitsubishi at the conclusion of the 2007-2008 school year.  Please refer to our posters throughout the building or stop by the Dean’s Office for details.

 GQE Waiver Process:
The following information outlines the GQE Waiver Process for the Vigo County School Corporation.  A student who does not achieve a passing score on the graduation examination may be eligible as indicated (the student’s GQE score is not a singular determining factor) to receive a Core 40 Waiver:  you must complete a Core 40 Diploma, have a “C” average in all required and elective classes over the course of your high school career and have the recommendation of the principal.  Option two would be to take the graduation examination in each subject area in which the student did not achieve a passing score at least one (1) time every school year after the year in which the student first takes the graduation examination or the student must complete remediation opportunities provided to the student by his/her school.  The student must maintain a school attendance rate of at least ninety-five percent (95%) with excused absences not counting against the student’s attendance; must maintain at least “C” average or the equivalent in the courses comprising the credits specifically required for graduation by rule of the state board otherwise, you must satisfy all state and local graduation requirements and either obtain a written recommendation from a teacher of the student in each subject area in which the student has not achieved a passing score on the graduation examination.  The written recommendation must be concurred by the principal of the student’s school and be supported by documentation that the student has attained the academic standard in the subject area based on: tests other than the graduation examination; or classroom work.  Or, the student must complete the course and credit requirements for a general diploma including the career academic sequence (sequence of electives are determined locally); a workforce readiness assessment (Students must take the WorkKeys Assessments in the areas of Applied Mathematics Assessment, Locating Information Assessment, and Reading for Information Assessment; students must take the assessment (s) that corresponds to the GQE test (s) they have not passed, but the score makes no difference – they just have to take the assessment (s) – These assessments will be available through the VCSC and the Regional Work One Centers); and at least one (1) career exploration internship, cooperative education, or workforce credential recommended by the student’s school – any assessment, state or national certification, or other credential that assesses a student’s ability to transition to the workforce.

Attendance Procedures:
Parents, please send a note with your students in the morning if you anticipate them leaving early.  This reduces interruptions in the classrooms.  If the student does not have a note from the parent, please come into the attendance office to check the student out.  Also, any appointments require documentation (doctor excuse, dental excuse, court excuse, etc.)

Attention Sophomore Parents:
 Many sophomores have not paid their class dues.  Dues are $1.50 each year or $5 for all four years.  We need to build up the sophomore account to help pay for the junior and senior prom the next two years.  The sophomore account is extremely low at this time.  If you have not paid the dues, please do so now.  Hopefully, if everyone pays the dues, in addition to fundraisers, we will have the money needed to have a memorable junior and senior prom.  Dues can be given to any sophomore class sponsor or homeroom teacher.  Please help us in this effort.  Thank you, Mrs. Snapp,  Sophomore Class Sponsor

Early Childhood Experiences:
The Vigo County School Corporation and Indiana State University are partnering to offer nationally accredited early childhood experiences to young children in the Wabash Valley.  ISU is hosting a quality preschool program at Franklin Elementary School for children ages 3-5.  The program includes morning classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., and afternoon classes n Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 11:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.  Certified teachers work with the children in age appropriate early learning activities.  Please call Gail Gottschling, Program Director, at 237-2547, for more details, free information, or to schedule a visit.  Information can also be found at the program’s website at www.indstate.edu/childcare.

Background Check for Volunteers:
Because the continued safety of our students is a high priority, the Vigo County School Corporation recently passed a policy requiring volunteers to consent to a background check.  When you sign consent for this background check, a member of the student services office may contact the Indiana State Police database as well as the National Sex Offender Registry.  In addition, after signing the consent form you may volunteer under the supervision of a school staff member and permission by the principal.  If you are not contacted you can assume that there are no items that would prohibit you from volunteering.  We thank you for your continued effort of helping at our school and hope you understand the reason for the background check request.  The background check forms may be obtained in the Main Office.

School Success:
Terre Haute North’s top 10 successes of the 2006-2007 school year were as follows:  a decrease in the number of dropouts and an increase in graduation rate; an increase in the number of students enrolled in Advancement Placement classes; an increase in the number of students taking Advanced Placement tests; an increase in the number of students taking courses for which they can receive a dual credit; an increase in the percentage of students passing the math portion of the Graduation Qualifying Examination; the SAT scores are above state average in math; there was an increase in the percentage of students who received Academic Honors Diplomas; a decrease in the number of truancies, suspensions, and expulsions; Students were able to attain course credits through Novanet; and the fundraising efforts for the Mental Health Association.  

Security Kiosk:
We have a new security kiosk at North this year.  A police officer or a security guard is at the kiosk from 7:30a.m. -3:30 p.m. daily.  When you walk in the building, you will be signed in at the desk and you will be asked to show your identification.  This allows us to know who is in the building at all times.   In today’s world, security is extremely important and we are fortunate to have been provided this new option for safety.

Student Pick-up:
When parents pick students up after school, we ask that parents pull through our parking lot in front of the building.  Parents can either park or line up in the front lot and wait for students as long as a passing lane remains open for cars to exit.  We ask that you do not park at the bank or other businesses across the street, as this is an inconvenience to their customers.

Exciting News for Freshmen!
Wondering what career is right for you?  All freshmen will have the opportunity to participate in career activities throughout the school year.  Students will take interest inventories, explore careers, determine a career pathway for themselves, investigate post-secondary training necessary, and create a Four-Year Plan for High School.  Students in Careers Classes during the first trimester have already spent two days exploring careers; freshman not enrolled in a Careers Class will explore career options in other classes.

Career activities are made possible though GEMS Grant (Goals to Enhance the Mind and the Spirit).  See Mrs. Kauffman in Room 170 if you have any questions or want to schedule a career activity.

Choosing a career is one of the most important decisions you will make.  Be thinking about what careers sound interesting to you.  We will be working with you soon.

VCEF Thank-A-Teacher Program:
The Vigo County Education Foundation is hoping for your help so that we may continue to help your schools!  Parents wanting to show appreciation to a teacher or coach may express a “thank you” by contributing the “Thank-A-Teacher” program.  The Foundation honors the recipient with a pin and a certificate congratulating him on being recognized by the student.  Also, the family and the teacher are both recognized in the Foundation’s annual report.  The money donated to the Vigo County Education Foundation through the “Thank-A-Teacher” program is used to help fund mini-grants awarded in spring and school wide grants in the fall.  The program is ongoing and contributions are welcome at any time of the year.  

Congratulations:
Science teacher  Anne Ward was recently selected as a National Science Teacher’s Association fellow.  The NSTA only recognizes 100-science teachers nation wide each year, and it is an honor that Anne was chosen.

Athletic Passes:
The Student and Adult Athletic passes will be on sale for the following price: $15 for Student Athletes, $35 for Students,  $65 for Adult passes and $180 for Family passes. If you have any questions please contact the Ron Clinkenbeard at 812-462-4312. 

The McKinney-Vento Act:
The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law which provides certain rights to homeless students.  Some of those rights are free school meals and textbooks plus immediate enrollment when caretakers are unable to provide proof of residency or other records.  There are additional rights for which homeless students are eligible under this law.  If you believe that your student meets the federal guidelines for homeless designation, please contact your child’s school so we will be able to help.

Attendance Policies and Practices
Attendance expectations are set forth to assist students in being successful in school and in life outside of their school experience.  An emphasis on excellent attendance will benefit students as they will have the maximum opportunity for achievement in schools, and they will gain valuable life skills to be used beyond their school experience.  It is anticipated that all students, at one time or another in their lifetime, may be employed and will be expected to be on time and at work each and every day.  It is with this knowledge that the Vigo County School Corporation has established this attendance expectation:  students will be in school and on time each and every day school is in session. This is an important issue and one that requires the support of parents, the school corporation staff, the Vigo County community, as well as the students themselves. 

Immunizations:
Immunizations can help protect your child from many common infections.  These infections can lead to serious and even life threatening complications.  Indiana law requires that students be immunized against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, and varicella (chicken pox).  Not all these immunizations are required at every grade level.  Your school has information regarding specific requirements.

Throughout the school year, school nurses review student records and send letters to parents of those students who have incomplete records.  In our community, immunizations are available for low or no cost at Well Child Clinic (462-3446) and Sycamore Nursing Center (237-2323).  You may call for an appointment if your child’s immunizations are incomplete.

Health Office:
Please make sure that your emergency cards are up to date and on file in our Health Office.  The next Immunization Clinic will take place on April 8, 2008.  Please call Jan Barter in our Health Office at 462-4312 if you have any questions.

Computer Internet Use:
The Internet affords high school students many opportunities to gather information for class assignments.  Students use it to research topics for term papers, homework and even to communicate with their teachers.  Some teachers post the syllabus/class outline and have their class notes and labs available for all students 24 hours a day on web.  The Vigo County School Corporation has changed the permission for Internet use to a default.  All students now have Internet privileges for school appropriate use unless written denial has been issued by the student’s legal guardian.  Classroom teachers may have additional written agreements for use within their course/classroom.  Please feel free to contact the Main Office concerning your child’s Internet use.

Nutrition and Well-being:
The Vigo County School Corporation cares for the nutritional well being of your children.  We have a comprehensive wellness policy in place.  The Food Service Department’s part of this policy is to provide meals that meet or exceed the USDA Guidelines for the Nutrition Program.  School lunches must meet the applicable recommendations of the dietary guidelines for Americans, which recommend that no more than 30 percent of an individual’s calories come from fat, and less than 10 percent from saturated fat.  Regulations also establish a standard for school lunches to provide one-third of the recommended dietary allowances of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, calcium, and calories.

All beverage and food vending machines available to students before and after school will provide at least 50% healthy foods and 50% healthy beverages.  The ultimate goal is 100% healthy food and beverages in vending machines within a timeframe to be determined by the School Board.  The following “healthy” definitions apply:
Healthy Foods: any food item that does not have more than 35% total calories from fat; any food item that has more than 10% of the recommended daily value for at least one of the following nutrients: Vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, protein, or fiber.
Healthy Beverages: water, milk, fruit drinks with at least 50% fruit juice, vegetable drinks, 100% fruit juices and sports drinks.

Working along with the Vigo County School Corporation, our students will be receiving nutritional education in the classroom, information they can share with their parents.  Healthier students, staff, and parents will make the number one school corporation, Vigo County School Corporation, Simply the Best!

The full policy is available on the VCSC web page.

Upcoming dates to remember:
December 5, 2007:                WorkKeys test (seniors)
December 19, 2007:             Curriculum Fair at 6:30 p.m.
December 21, 2007:             Winter Break begins at the end of school
January 7, 2008:                    School resumes
January 11, 2008:                  End of third grading period
January 18, 2008:                  Report cards distributed