SANDPOINT 

“Common Care at SHS!” 

HIGH SCHOOL 

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER  September 2016 

Upcoming Events     Homecoming Football  Sandpoint vs Bonners Ferry  September 16  7 pm    Homecoming Dance  September 17  SHS Commons  8:30‐11pm  A Night in Neverland    “All Things Senior”  September 22  SHS Commons  5:30 pm    MUN  Interna onal Dinner  Columbia Bank  Tango Cafe  September 24  6pm    SHS “Open House”  September 28  5:30 pm    School Photos  All Star Photo  September 29‐30  English Classes    Drama Showcase  September 27  Auditorium     SHS Blood Drive  October 27  8‐2pm 

School climate and culture is the sum of the values, cultures, safety practices, and organizational structures within a school that drives how the school operates on a daily basis. Sandpoint High School believes that “Common Care” practices promote a positive climate and culture for the teaching practices in the classroom and the relationships between students, teachers, administrators, and parents. Working together, the students and staff at Sandpoint High School will continue operating with “Common Care”, emphasizing that all students in the school will: Take care of themselves in a way that will lead to success academically, emotionally, and physically. Take care of others so as to understand another’s perspective and keep dignity and respect intact for each person at SHS. In support of “Common Care”, Sandpoint High School will be implementing “Sources of Strength” (SOS), a state supported suicide prevention program for youth. The mission of SOS is to prevent suicide by increasing help-seeking behaviors and promoting connections between peers and caring adults. Students and teachers have participated in many hours of training in SOS. September 20th we will have our first “Connections” group led by an SOS student and supported by a teacher. One of the topics we will cover in this group is identifying a trusted adult and breaking the code of silence. If you would like to learn more about SOS please visit this website at www.sourcesofstrength.org

Thank you, Tom Albertson, Principal

Sandpoint High School Open House  When: Wednesday, September 28th  Where: SHS  Time: 5:30pm‐7:00pm  Please stop by and visit with your student’s  teachers and the SHS staff!  You will have an opportunity to purchase  yearbooks and ASB s ckers . Office staff is available for upda ng  records and answering any ques ons you may have.  

Derek Dickinson, M. ED 

As the new school year is underway, I feel it is important to update you on attendance. First, I would like to thank you for helping us stress the importance of SHS students having excellent attendance. Research shows that academic performance is enhanced with regular school attendance.

New this year: Educational Absence Form- Allows the student to request that an absence(s) does not count against the 90% rule. The intent of the absence should be educational from the onset and be comparable to the experience in school. The form must be completed two weeks prior to the absence and must be approved by administration. Pick up the form from Patsy at the attendance window.

Point of emphasis:

Students checking out- Unless there is an emergency all students must sign out at the attendance window any time they are leaving school. Students must have parental permission prior to checking out. We are responsible for students while at school and need to know where students are at all times. To check your student out of school please visit Patsy in the attendance office, or call 263-3034 ext. 4010. You can also send a note with your child as well. Students who leave school without checking out will be considered truant and consequences will be assigned.

Reminders:  Please excuse absences that you allow. This needs to be done within 48 hours of the absence. You can call, send a note, or even email Patsy [email protected].  Absences excused after 48 hours may result in lunch detention.  Absences which remain unexcused are considered truancies and after school detention is assigned.  Even if you excuse the absence it counts against the allowable absences. A student cannot miss more than 5 days in any one class (90% attendance). Medical absences excused by a physician do not count against the 90% rule.  Excessive absences/truancies will be handled in the following way: 5th Absence- letter sent home to parent. 6th & 7th Absence- Teacher may consider as a truancy (board policy #3050) and all work/tests may be counted as a zero. 8th-10th Absences- Teacher may consider all work as zeros, and students will be assigned ARP (Attendance Recovery Periods) after school. 11th Absence- Referral to Idaho Department of Transportation for driving privilege restrictions if under 18. In addition, your credit will be frozen in the class(es). A parent meeting with administration as arranged by the student is required to develop a plan to unfreeze the credit(s). Frozen credits not addressed, or failure to follow the plan will result in a F for the semester grade.

 

Sources of Strength is... A best practice youth suicide prevention project designed to harnesses the power of peer social networks to change unhealthy norms and culture, ultimately preventing suicide, bullying, and substance abuse. The mission of Sources of Strength is to prevent suicide by increasing help seeking behaviors and promoting connections between peers and caring adults. Sources of Strength moves beyond a singular focus on risk factors by utilizing an upstream approach for youth suicide prevention. This upstream model strengthens multiple sources of support (protective factors) around young

DISCOVER SOURCES OF STRENGTH Mission: Our mission is to provide the highest quality evidence-based prevention for suicide, violence, bullying and substance abuse by training, supporting, and empowering both peer leaders and caring adults to impact their world through the power of connection, hope, help and strength. Vision: We believe that many strengths are more powerful than one, and our united goal is to activate and mobilize these strengths in ways that positively change individuals and communities. 

Support SHSMUN and please join us for the 9th Annual SHS MODEL UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL EVENING Enjoy a delicious DINNER of international cuisine (Appetizers, Dinner, Dessert) prepared by SHS M.U.N. students and TANGO Cafe, entertainment, global décor and a fabulous SILENT AUCTION WHEN: Saturday, September 24 from 6-9 pm WHERE: Columbia Bank TICKETS: $25 each or 2 for $40 Tickets available from any SHSMUN student or Mrs. Smith ([email protected])

Bring Cash or Check for Silent Auction Items!

Need Service Hours? Volunteers Needed!

Saturday, September 23rd

PAFE Ready! for Kindergarten Farmin Stidwell Elementary 8am - 12:30pm

See Mrs. Auld in E2

“Save the Date” The SHS drama department is eagerly putting together the fall play, “Thunder on Sycamore Street”. The play will be presented Friday and Saturday, October 14th and 15th at 7pm. Admission to the play is $5. For more information contact Jeannie Hunter, drama instructor.

Blood Drive   

It's that time of year again! The SHS blood drive is October 27th. The blood drive will be in a "blood bus" outside the school. Our goal is at least 60 donors. With your help every pint of blood will save three lives! Imagine if we could get 60 people to donate, we could help 180 people. There are some requirements.  You must be at least 16  Whole blood donors: You need to weigh at least 120 pounds and 5'4"  Red blood cell donors: Males need to be at least 130 pounds and 5'1" Females need to be at least 150 pounds and 5'5"  Platelet/Plasma donors: Need to weigh at least 110 pounds and 5'4"

The Sandpoint High School foyer will be a drop off station again this year beginning 9/12 and running through 10/31. If you have gently used coats you would like to donate please consider giving to those in need. All sizes are welcome. Colder weather means warmer clothing and your donation can help others in our community!

Sponsored by SHS

Key Club

Address Service Requested  Lake Pend Oreille School District #84 Sandpoint High School 410 S. Division St Sandpoint, ID 83864