Parent e-News Archives October 2008
NEW PROCEDURE
Geneva Saint-Amour 10/31/08
The information below has been added to the Northpoint Family Handbook effective November 1, 2008. You can access the handbook at www.prescottschools.com/northpoint/student_handbook.pdf.
Schedule Limitations and Drop/Add
All Northpoint students are required to be enrolled in a full schedule of classes from NELA.
Students may drop and add a class (with parent's written approval) during the first ten (10) days of a semester.
A student who requests a change in classes must continue to attend classes on the original schedule until a new schedule is approved by the counselor. Sign up in the counseling office to see the school counselor.
Attendance from the potentially dropped course will apply to the newly added course. If the student has not violated that attendance policy by the date of the approved withdrawal within that 25-day period, the drop will be made without a grade penalty.
Drops after the 25th day of the semester will be recorded on the official transcript as a grade of “I.” Students are not eligible to earn credit in an additional course after the 25th day of the semester.
HELLO PARENTS....CAFETERIA NEWS
Geneva Saint-Amour 10/31/08
I am writing to share GREAT NEWS about our cafeteria. Please take a look at this and contact us if you have questions.
1. We are now honoring the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch program at our site. Students can pick up an application in the cafeteria or the office. These are returned directly to the cafeteria.
2. Our lunch service is now available to all students on a pre-paid system. You can send in a sum of money and they will record that under your child's ID number. Then the purchases will be marked off that amount. This reduces the need for daily cash, small bills, forgotten lunch money, etc!
3. The cafeteria is serving more students this year with the same number of workers. They are seeking student or parent volunteers to assist for 10 to 15 minutes of each lunch period. A cafeteria helper works for 15 minutes and has a 15 minute break to eat a free lunch. Yep, FREE LUNCH for anyone who takes this offer. If you cannot afford to buy or send lunch for your child, here is an opportunity for your child to earn a free lunch.
4. One new aspect of the lunch service this year is a fruit and veggie bar. This includes fresh, chopped items and also dressings. Students who buy lunch receive unlimited access to this food bar. Please help me avoid embarrassing your child by reminding them that they can only eat this food if they paid for a lunch. It is not a FREE fruit and veggie bar.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and for supporting our WONDERFUL food service program and amazing cafeteria workers at Northpoint.
If you have more questions please contact staci.maples@prescottschools.com.
ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS CONFERENCE
Geneva Saint-Amour 10/29/08
MEMO FROM: Norm Samuelson registrar@ryla5490.org
If interested, please apply directly through the website shown herein. This is a wonderful, FREE opportunity to develop leadership.
Each year in January Rotary District 5490 sponsors a Youth Leadership Conference called “RYLA” (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) at Camp Pinerock in Prescott.
The conference is completely paid for by the sponsoring Rotary Clubs. There are five Rotary Clubs in the Tri-City area (three in Prescott, one each in Prescott Valley and Chino Valley). Each of the clubs sponsors at least two delegates. The delegates have a great time, and learn a lot about leadership and teamwork. We are now looking for students that would benefit from this program. Students should go to www.ryla5490.org to apply. Applicants will be interviewed by a group of Rotarians, and selected applicants will attend the conference over the Martin Luther King holiday weekend in January.
We prefer applicants who are in their Freshman or Sophomore years, although we will also accept Juniors.
Again, there is NO COST to the delegates, nor to the school. It is entirely paid for by the sponsoring Rotary Clubs.
ARE YOU A QWEST CUSTOMER....EARN POINTS FOR NELA
Geneva Saint-Amour 10/27/08
Hello:
If you are a Qwest customer for any of your services, you could be earning points for NELA. That's right, Qwest will give 1% of your bill to our school. Visit this website to learn more and sign up.
www.qwest.com/onepercent
Please pass this along to your friends and family so Northpoint Expeditionary Learning Academy can benefit. It is small steps like this that help us afford the amazing, high quality fieldwork.
Thanks.
SCHOOL PICTURES
Geneva Saint-Amour 10/23/08
DEADLINES-
Personal photos are to be ordered by Monday.
Money and order forms are due to crew leaders.
Retakes are on Monday. No order forms due.
Group photo is Monday. Orders due to crew leader by Monday.
NORTHPOINT ACHIEVEMENT PROFILES
Geneva Saint-Amour 10/23/08
Please check the links below to see the terrific news!!
http://www.ade.az.gov/azlearns/AZLPress10072008.xls
We have earned a PERFORMING PLUS rating.
ARIZONA SCHOOLS CHIEF TOM HORNE RELEASES AZ LEARNS PROFILES:
PHOENIX (Embargoed until Wednesday, October 8, 2008) -- Arizona Schools Chief Tom Horne announces the release of the AZ Learns profiles for 1,875 schools. The components for evaluating schools in determining their annual AZ Learns profiles are: AIMS/Dual Purpose Assessment (DPA) scores; Measure of Academic Progress; Graduation/Dropout rates (HS); reclassification of ELL students; and their Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).
Horne stated: “From 2007 to 2008 Arizona schools have remained statistically consistent in their performance on their AZ Learns achievement profiles. The achievement profiles are the best way to measure how a school is performing from one year to the next. The architecture of the Arizona accountability system is far superior to the Federal system, No Child Left Behind. No Child Left Behind has 253 categories and if a school performs spectacularly on 252 and fails one, the whole school fails. The Arizona system, by contrast, is a comprehensive, fair and accurate assessment tool.”
Horne added: “Those seeking to attract businesses to Arizona can make use of the 571 highly performing and excelling schools listed on the ADE website www.azed.gov. Every school has a detailed report card which shows that these 571 schools can compete in national test results with any school in the state the business is thinking of relocating from.”
The numbers of schools in each category for 2008 are: failing to meet academic standards 20; underperforming 158; performing 734; performing plus 392; highly performing 250; and excelling 321.
For more information about your schools profile, go to www.azed.gov and click on 2008 AZ Learns profiles in the Hot Topics section of the home page.
AIMS RETESTING NEXT WEEK
Geneva Saint-Amour 10/22/08
Below is the schedule for the AIMS retest next week.
Some terrific opportunities open up for students that do well on the AIMS test. We want to support all students in earning those! Check the websites mentioned below for more information.
AIMS TESTING- October 2008
In order to offer all students the opportunity to exceed (and qualify for state scholarships) we will administer retakes of the AIMS test along with all other Arizona high schools.
Please visit the following website for more information http://www.ade.az.gov/AIMS/students.asp
or to take a practice version of the test visit this website http://aims1.ideal.asu.edu/mod/quiz/attempt.php?id=892
Monday October 27- Regular schedule
Tuesday October 28 (Writing)
8:05 – 10:20
During Period 5 junior students will report to their period 2 class (missing period 5)
During Period 6 junior students will report to their period 1 class (missing period 6)
Wednesday October 29 (Reading)
8:05 – 10:20
Students will miss period 3
During Period 5 junior students will report to their period 2 class (missing period 5)
During Period 6 junior students will report to their period 1 class (missing period 6)
Thursday October 30 (Math)
8:05 – 11:30
Students will miss periods 1 and 2 and resume a regular schedule for the rest of the day.
*Mrs.Zych’s Crew is to report to Mr. Mentken’s room on Wednesday during Crew so Mrs.Zych can meet with her Spanish class that day
STUDENTS WHO HAVE ALREADY EARNED “EXCEEDS” ON ANY TESTING
CATEGORY WILL REPORT TO ROOM 111 DURING THAT TESTING PERIOD.
Testing Proctors:
Room 109- Ramie Liddle and Tom Pettit
Room 108- Brendan Haggerty and Alex Edelmann/Charles Mentken
NO SCHOOL THIS FRIDAY; NEED SOMETHING TO DO?
Geneva Saint-Amour 10/21/08
There is no school this Friday (student led conferences) so perhaps your NELA student needs something to do. The NELA Outdoor Adventure Team has a few slots open to participate in a rock climbing course. This is an exciting opportunity for students to learn more about this growing sport. See the information below for more details, contact the OAT coach Nancy Reid-McKee or Mr. Haggerty to get the paperwork. We hope to see you on the rocks Friday.
AND PLEASE BE SURE YOU HAVE SCHEDULED A STUDENT LED CONFERENCE WITH YOUR CHILD'S CREW LEADER. THESE ARE A REQUIRED PART OF THE NELA CURRICULUM AND ALL STUDENTS/PARENTS MUST PARTICIPATE. THANKS FOR SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD'S COLLEGE PREP EFFORTS AT NORTHPOINT.
From: Reid-McKee, Catherine N. [mailto:Catherine.Reid-McKee@va.gov]
Subject: Rock Climbing
Please send out:
Rock Climbing Course this Friday!
If you are interested in joining the NELA Outdoor Adventure Team this Friday for an afternoon of climbing at Granite Mountain, we still have a few spaces left.
You must get a permission form from Mr. Haggerty and turn this in by Wednesday.
Call with questions: Nancy Reid-McKee 541-1056.
SCHOOL RETAKES AND GROUP PHOTO
Geneva Saint-Amour 10/17/08
Hello all:
We will be offering retakes and a school group photo on October 27. Please plan to attend that Monday to be a part of this activity. See examples of the school group photo on the wall near the store~!
Also school picture orders should be turned in ASAP in order to get the prints back soon.
Thanks.
DID YOU KNOW YOUR STUDENT CAN ENROLL IN COLLEGE THROUGH US?
Geneva Saint-Amour 10/15/08
Hello families:
The link below will take you to an interesting article about the possibilities for students to take college classes while enrolled in high school. For those students that are ready for the additional challenge and have demonstrated excellent marks in their high school courses, this is an excellent supplement! We have this program in place, contact ramie.liddle@prescottschools.com to learn more about how to arrange this for your child through NELA and PUSD.
http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/mHooszsThVpCmDCibSnZTFYA?format=standard
Hundreds of Massachusetts students are taking college courses while still in high school as part of a $2 million dual-enrollment program the governor hopes will better prepare students for college. Such students are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college, a 2007 report found. The Boston Globe
FROM ANALOG TO DIGITAL TV
Geneva Saint-Amour 10/14/08
On the lighter side.....click on the link below for a smile!!!
Mrs. Geneva Saint-Amour
Director
Subject: From Analog to Digital TV
The changeover from Analog to Digital TV is almost upon us. You have to watch this video! (hehehehe)
ERAU COLLEGE FAIR DAY PERMISSION SLIP
Geneva Saint-Amour 10/14/08
Hello:
I am writing to remind your child to get your signature on a permission slip.
Many of the grade 11 students were offered an opportunity to attend a college fair being held at ERAU this Thursday.
All qualified students* were offered a permission slip by Ramie Liddle; guidance counselor, today.
She will be collecting those permission slips tomorrow at the community gathering.
Please check with your son/daughter to determine if they have one of these forms requiring your signature.
Students participating in the ERAU college fair on Thursday will be transported to and from Northpoint by school bus and will have the opportunity to meet with representatives and gain information from 7 or more regional colleges. Additional information can be obtained through Ramie Liddle at ramie.liddle@prescottschools.com.
*qualified students= Any student who earned a HOW grade of 3 or 4 in the majority of their courses. Students with two or more HOW grades of 1 or 2 were not included in the group of qualified students. As a college prep magnet high school it is critical that all students are demonstrating high level Habits Of Work as they prepare for their college future. Please remember that ACA grades reflect only their Academic work while HOW grades reflect much more (see Handbook at www.prescottschools.com/northpoint for further explanation). A student earning low HOW grades may demonstrate late work or off task behaviors in the classroom. Contact instructors for specific information. A student earning high HOW grades is demonstrating the behaviors appropriate for a college prep magnet school and setting a good example for their peers (THANK YOU!)
DRUGS AND DRUG USE
Geneva Saint-Amour 10/03/08
Hello Parent:
I am writing out of sincere concern for the health and well-being of your child. It has come to our attention that the use and distribution of over-the-counter drugs is on the rise. The substances typically in use are "Robitussin" style medicines. Students are taking as many as 40 doses to achieve the resulting "high." This produces inattentiveness, distraction, sleepiness and then dilated pupils, euphoria and similar symptoms. Here is an excerpt from a website discussing this topic:
Hey! I'm a 17 year old female: 130 pounds --- a few nights ago , I took 11 Coricidin pills (for the first time) thinking that I was going to have a good trip... well, an hour later... nothing... 2 hours later, my legs felt light, the next hour... i get horrible hot / cold flashes - where my face was hot as hell and the rest of my body freezing. And that was the end of my trip! How disappointing...
I figure I'll take more next time (16)... but I think it's strange that all my male friends take 8 and report feeling euphoria and all that good stuff... and all I get is chills and light feet?!
Like Dave... I think I may somehow have a natural tolerance for DXM?!
This is how it is on DXM high, to my knowledge, there are 4 plateaus, meaning each level of high effects aren't increased but change dramatically.
The first is a feeling of power, increased motor skills, and slight euphoria, perhaps tingling.
Second is double vision, bad short term memory, euphoria, inability to walk, and enlarged pupils (pupils stay big from here on).
Third plateau is anxiety, a desire to not be involved in a group, fidgeting, seeing those little lights move when you close your eyes, hard time keeping up. Fourth...well don't go there you can get a brain hemorrhage. Anyways you got to level 3 and got anxious so you had a bad trip, lose all fear and you're good.
Please be aware of this issue. Watch for signs, packages, conversations, etc. Check out the internet for more information, there are many websites discussing this (and the resulting deaths and brain damage).
I have included the school handbook statement regarding illegal drugs. Arizona State Law dictates that schools are a drug-free zone with zero-tolerance enforcement. This means that students caught with drugs in or near a school zone are subject to misdemeanor and felony charges. The misuse or distribution of over-the-counter drugs falls into this category.
If this message can grasp the attention of even one parent, and save even one child….then it has been effective. Please feel free to pass it on to friends with teens.
Thank you!
Alcohol, Drug and Drug Paraphernalia A student shall not possess, handle, conceal, sell, offer to sell, use or be under the influence of alcohol, drugs or drug paraphernalia (except that use of medication is allowed if it is prescribed by a physician and used in accordance with the prescription and Governing Board policies). The school nurse shall be notified if a student is to possess medication on school grounds, school transportation, or school sponsored events pursuant to this exception. For the purpose of this policy, drugs are defined as narcotic drugs, dangerous drugs, prescription drugs without a prescription, toxic substances, look-alike drugs, and marijuana as those terms are defined in A.R.S. 13-3411 and 4-244.
TENTATIVE INTENSIVE COURSE OFFERINGS
Geneva Saint-Amour 10/02/08
Below is the list of courses that will probably be offered as Intensives in January.
If you are not sure what Intensives are, please review the Handbook for more information.
Students will have an opportunity to request their top choice in a few weeks. Begin discussing these opportunities with your child now.
Thanks, and have a terrific fall break!
YEARBOOK SPONSOR
Judy Turley 10/02/08
Parents,
We have received several responses from parents interested in supporting our yearbook through donating $25.00 or more to reserve a space about the size of a business card to advertise their business. Some have inquired if they can reserve a space personally (without a business attached). We can do that as well.
Please place your contact information (information you would like in the ad) in an envelope along with the donation of $25.00 or more and drop it off in my mailbox at the NELA office. We will make sure your ad is in the yearbook.
Thank you again for your support.
Judy Turley
Yearbook Adviser judyinprescott@yahoo.com
Judy Turley