Student, Staff and Parent/Community Involvement! October 7, 2007
Dear parents and guardian, we are off to an outstanding start of the year!
Homecoming is here! All parents are invited to Homecoming coronation on Tuesday October 9th at 9:50 AM to see who will be our Homecoming Queen and King! Come to the football game Friday October 12th at 3:30 and see the new field! Humboldt Senior High School students should 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 which has gone 12 wins and 1 loss this season! It’s exciting to see the school get behind our teams!
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 recognize Humboldt Senior High School is measured by it the MCA II scores. We are aligning our instruction to the concepts within the exams. We are expecting more out of students and they are responding. Though class pass rates are not available until December, behavior is and it has improved. We have had 10 fewer incidents in which students are dismissed or suspended this September than last as measured by number of total suspensions/dismissals for September of each year (enrollment was similar and there was one more instructional day in September, 2007 than September, 2006.
Our enrollment is up! We were projected at 880 students and our October 1 child count (count taken by district to determine funds) was 884. This is great news as we will not have to adjust our path based on enrollment.
Humboldt is working to be a welcoming environment. We have conferences Thursday October 11th and Tuesday October 16th 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 both nights.
We are continuing to reach out to the community. Humboldt’s Friendship Club recently cleaned the basement of an elderly neighbor, Humboldt Junior and Senior High Schools meet regularly with representatives from Neighborhood House, El Rio staff, GAP, West Side Safe Neighborhood, Baker Recreational Center, the Boys and Girls Club and the police to discuss how we positively impact the West Side. La Familia Guidance Center is working again with Humboldt to further address the emotional needs of our students.
Humboldt Senior High School will have its annual Title I Parent Night on Thursday November 1 from 4:30 -6:30 PM. Bill Sommers will present on “Working Together to Improve Academic Achievement” followed by a light dinner. Please stay for the Humboldt Senior High School Band concert at 7:00 PM.
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 17, 2007.
- All 9th grade students will take the EXPLORE test. This assessment allows students to examine a broad range of options for their future. EXPLORE prepares students not only for their high school coursework, but for their post–high school choices as well. It marks an important beginning for a student's future academic and career success.
- 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 will tour Saint Paul Technical and Community College to learn about their programs and the Power of You scholarship.
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.
As you can see, 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 parents, neighbors and community. We have high expectations and we expect to attain them! The energy is exciting, please come and check us out!
Sincerely,
Mike Sodomka
Principal
651.293.8600 ext. 1017
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