Preparing for Graduation
Homecoming is here! All parents are invited to Homecoming coronation on Tuesday October 7th at 9:50 AM to see who will be our Homecoming Queen and King! Come to the football game Friday October 10th at 3:30PM to see our athletes in action! Humboldt Senior High School students should also come to the Homecoming dance from 7:00-10:00 PM in the cafeteria. Doors close at 8:00 PM. The energy of homecoming is enhanced by Humboldt’s Boys Soccer Team was City Champs last year and are competitive again in the conference. It’s exciting to feel the energy of our school spirit!
My staff is working to increase the rigor of Humboldt Senior High School. We meet regularly to discuss instruction and how your student is learning. We are using a systematic approach to examining student work to remove gaps. We are measured by our MCA-II and GRAD exam scores. Our GRAD Writing scores increased by 23% from April 2007 to April 2008. Our MCA-II reading scores increased by 5.31% and our MCA-II math scores increased by 4.23% from April, 2007 to April, 2008. These exams are requirements for graduation. Students which are not proficient on these exams will be placed in extended day ALC classes at Humboldt to receive further preparation. Passing these exams are a requirement for graduation in Minnesota, therefore we recognize we must provide every intervention possible to ensure graduation.
Our enrollment has declined from last year. We were funded for 818 students and our October 1 child count (count taken by district to determine funds) was 724. As a result of this decline, some full-time staff members will be part-time at Humboldt and part-time at other schools.
Humboldt is working to be a welcoming environment. We have conferences Tuesday October 7th from 4:-00-7:00 PM. Please take an opportunity to come to Humboldt to hear about your student’s progress and see our updated facility. We will be serving a light dinner.
We recognize that graduating from Humboldt Senior High School isn’t enough education for the 21st century. We recognize that our students need additional post-high school preparation. To continue to prepare our students Humboldt Senior High School will be having a testing day on October 15, 2007.
- All 9th grade students will take a practice GRAD writing test, to prepare for this required graduation exam.
- All 10th grade students will take the PLAN test. The PLAN test powerful predictor of success on the ACT. We recognize the importance of PLAN testing for all students, as it focuses attention on both career preparation and improving academic achievement. This is another opportunity to prepare our students for college entrance exams.
- All 11th grade students will take the PSAT test. The Pre Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) will provide feedback on your student’s strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. They can then focus their preparation for further study. It also will help them see how their performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college.
- All 12th grade students take a class sponsored field trip.
We hope these and other opportunities will best prepare our students for life beyond high school.
In addition to preparing for the future, we also need to make sure our students are prepared for their schooling today. We have Homework Help every Monday and Thursday in our library from 2:15 – 4:15 PM. Assistance with homework, a snack and something to drink and bus fare home is provided. We also will have private tutoring available; please come to conferences to sign up for it!
We expect graduation from Humboldt Senior High School not as a final step, but a transition into a continued educational path. We understand a four year university may not be the desired path for all of students, however we expect our students to graduate prepared for any path they choose.
As you can see, we are off to a great start! Humboldt Senior High School teachers are focused on student learning. Humboldt Senior High School students are engaging in rigorous activities which are focused on state standards and we all are engaging our focused on preparing for life beyond high school. We have high expectations and we expect to attain them! The energy is exciting, please come and check us out!
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