Fort Dodge Senior High
NewsletterTOGETHER WE RISE: Raising the Bar, Closing the Gap, Believing Kids Do Well If They Can
January 2017
Attention Senior Parents MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL FAFSA applications need to be filled out for college financial aid Goodbye 2016— Hello 2017! Hard to believe that we are in January of hen either working on FAFSA or 2017 already. Time is definitely W when a student receives their going by fast. We have set in financial aid award letter, here is a link motion a few items that will put Fort to calculate cost of student debt. And, Dodge Senior High as a school of calculate the potential long term choice. On Monday, December 12, savings of reducing the amount of student debt used to pay for college. 2016, the school board approved our We hope these calculators help families 1 to 1 Program. What this means is think about the costs of college, before every student at Fort Dodge Senior debt. The link is Financial Aid High will be given a Chromebook Calculators. Please note: LendEDU is next fall to use as a learning tool in all classes. Teachers a marketplace for student loans and student loan refinance. FDSH is in no received their Chromebook on December 22, 2016, and way supporting LendEDU only the fact will begin this year preparing to integrate technology into that there are Financial Aid Calculators their instruction and student learning. Much of our available free for your use that may be teacher professional development this winter and spring of value in making decisions on will be devoted to learning and implementing the use of a acceptance of financial aid awards. Chromebook into lesson plans. More information about how the 1:1 Program will be coming out over the next Stay Connected for School Information: few months, so keep your eyes and ears open on this Follow us on Facebook at Fort Dodge exciting adventure! Community School District Talking about exciting adventures, Fort Dodge Senior Follow us on Twitter at @FDCSD High is re-inventing its Freshmen Academy for next fall. With teachers and administration looking into the latest Check the Virtual Backpack under research on the effectiveness of a Freshmen Academy, we events at www.fdschools.org -continue page 4
FORT DODGE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Fort Dodge Senior High Newsletter TOGETHER WE RISE: Raising the Bar, Closing the Gap, Believing Kids Do Well If They Can Page 2 January 2017
Virtual Learning Offered in Student Achievement Center
he Student Achievement Center (SAC) is option of taking a pretest, which, if passed, allows them T located in the north west section of the LMC. to skip to the next section. Students who do not pass the The purpose and goal of the SAC is to provide pretest are directed to that section’s lecture and students with an alternative setting to meet their activities. At the end of each unit, students complete a educational needs. The services that are test review and take a cumulative test, which must be provided include, but are not limited to: unlocked by a supervising teacher once the student’s assistance on homework, a quiet setting for a work has been reviewed. Students are allowed one test, a setting for students to make up retake for each quiz and test; retakes beyond this point homework or complete tests if they were absent, must be approved by a supervising teacher. and finally a virtual classroom. Student’s taking a regular scheduled class in the SAC The virtual classroom is performed through a through Edgenuity meet daily and can progress through computer based website called Edgenuity or their online course at their own speed. Some students E2020. Edgenuity offers numerous courses that are able to complete several classes and receive multiple students can select from to satisfy their credits in one trimester. The harder a student works the individual needs. Each course is broken down more they can achieve. The progress of each student is and contains a pretest, a video lecture given by monitored and recorded daily and a weekly progress a qualified teacher, skills practice and a quiz. report from the SAC is emailed to parents on Fridays. Before each section begins, students have the
Volunteers Needed for FDSH Robotics League Championship
DSH will host a First Tech Challenge F Robotics League Championship on January 14th. Volunteers are needed to help judge and perform other administrative duties. Volunteers will receive a free t-shirt and lunch that day. The championship is an all-day event and offers a great opportunity to see STEM at its finest. FDSH will have two teams competing that day. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Ed Birkey at [email protected].
OUR SCHOOLS. OUR COMMUNITY. OUR PRIDE. Fort Dodge Senior High Newsletter TOGETHER WE RISE: Raising the Bar, Closing the Gap, Believing Kids Do Well If They Can Page 3 January 2017
TOGETHER WE RISE! Current education positions for 2017-18 year in- FDCSD is Hiring and We clude: Need YOUR Help! • Multiple paraeducator positions nd Please consider becoming part of * 2 grade instructor at Feelhaver • 4th grade instructor at Butler our Dodger team and/or helping • Instructional Strategist I at Cooper spread the word! • Spanish instructor at FDSH • French instructor at FDSH e’re looking for: paraeducators, • Instructional Strategist I at FDSH W custodians and maintenance • Industrial Technology instructor at FDSH specialists, principals, secretaries, teach- • Lead Principal at FDMS ers and substitutes. Often you know * Substitutes (teacher & paraeducator) someone who is aspiring to be a teacher or supporting educator. There is nothing Additional positions will be posted in the near future. Please visit the Job Vacancies page of our better than bragging about our schools website for specific details or contact Shari John- and community, while encouraging others son at [email protected] or 515.574.5653 to return home or to move to Fort Dodge. with questions.
2017-18 Class Registration
Registration for the 2017-18 school year will begin soon!
8th grade Parent Night is January 26 at 7:00 pm at FDSH. Upcoming ACT Testing Dates: Registration Nights for 9th-10th-11th February 6 Registration deadline January 8 grades will be February 21 and April 9 Registration deadline March 4 23. Dodger Time Teachers will be Register at ACTstudent.org contacting parents to set up a conference with student and parents to review Upcoming SAT Testing Dates: (FDSH only tests course selections, review current SAT during November, December, June) progress in 2nd term, discuss career June 3 Registration deadline April 25 Register at SAT.org/register goals, etc.
OUR SCHOOLS. OUR COMMUNITY. OUR PRIDE. Fort Dodge Senior High Newsletter TOGETHER WE RISE: Raising the Bar, Closing the Gap, Believing Kids Do Well If They Can Page 4 January 2017
DODGER PROUD! have redesigned our mission statement and philosophy. Know Someone Who Wants to Be a Dodger?
PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT: "In the Fort Dodge ur mission at the FDCSD is to provide quality Freshman Academy, failure is not an option for any of O learning experiences and build relationships that our students. Our teachers are dedicated to assisting develop productive citizens ready for their futures. A students in becoming problem-solvers and self- child’s educational experiences including coursework, advocates. We challenge our students to reach their activities and relationships, will prepare him for his full academic and social potential through ownership future; what his post- of actions and learning, high expectations, rigorous secondary experience instruction, and positive behavioral support. We will be and the career foster a sense of community and tolerance." choice he will make.
MISSION STATEMENT: "The Fort Dodge Senior With our variety of High Freshman Academy will work in partnership classes and activities, with parents, teachers, and community members to we truly offer provide an environment focused on successful student something for transitions to high school, appropriate social everyone! development, and future academic success If you know throughout high school." someone whose child currently does not attend our Now that instructors have been selected for the schools but who could benefit from what we have to Academy, they will be meeting throughout the rest of offer, please share this information with them. The open this year to collaborate on common expectations, enrollment deadline for the 2017-18 school year is instructional strategies, assessments, learning targets, March 1st, 2017. The application can be found at http:// grading, response to struggling learners, challenging www.fdschools.org/en/student_registration/ or is talented and gifted learners, and effective available in the superintendent’s office at the Central communications. In a nut shell, our goal is to “adopt” Administration Building. our freshmen so that 100% enter 10th grade on target to graduate and have a post-secondary goal that guides them throughout the rest of their high school career toward a high school diploma.
And these are just two BIG things to be watching for at Fort Dodge Senior High. With a new year, we are looking forward to a year of quality instruction that produces higher achievement for our students!
Happy New Year Dodger Nation!
Santa spent a day in the Student Center prior to break.
OUR SCHOOLS. OUR COMMUNITY. OUR PRIDE. Fort Dodge Senior High Newsletter TOGETHER WE RISE: Raising the Bar, Closing the Gap, Believing Kids Do Well If They Can Page 5 January 2017
The Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) Model is returning to FDSH for its 2nd Year! he Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) model was developed in the early 1990s by Jackson Katz and T colleagues at Northeastern University in Boston Massachusetts. MVP is based on a peer leadership model that focuses on the role of the “bystander” when confronting behaviors that may be potentially harmful and/or abusive to others. The model seeks to empower those who might otherwise be silent observers to situations where gender violence and bullying is unfolding. MVP has been implemented in middle and high school, college settings, the U.S. military, and within professional sports. The MVP model has three primary goals:
To increase awareness of the verbal, emotional/psychological, physical and sexual abuse young women and some young men are exposed to and experience.
To challenge stereotypes that exist within a social setting (e.g. school, college) about gender/sex and relationships, and how these messages play into gender violence and bullying.
To inspire leadership by empowering participants with concrete options to effect social norm change. The MVP model utilizes trained leaders and facilitators (MVP mentors) to guide discussions and activities around scenarios that depict harassment, bullying, and other forms of gender violence. Utilizing The MVP Playbook, concrete tools and options for safely confronting, interrupting and preventing gender violence and abuse are discussed in small group settings or classes. Fort Dodge Senior High Link Crew members will be trained on the MVP model this month so they can then deliver MVP lessons to FDSH freshmen starting in February! Sophomore through senior students will focus on MVP related topics in the media and have an open discussion in their Dodge Times to continue their awareness and understanding.
For questions or more information, email Carrie Traver at [email protected] or call Carrie at 574-5856.
OUR SCHOOLS. OUR COMMUNITY. OUR PRIDE. Fort Dodge Senior High Newsletter TOGETHER WE RISE: Raising the Bar, Closing the Gap, Believing Kids Do Well If They Can Page 6 January 2017
Industrial Technology Paves Road to Success! Mr. Kavanaugh recognized by ARC for Industrial Technology instruction
he Fort Dodge Industrial Technology Department strives to provide students with technical skills used within their daily lives. These skills can be built upon and utilized in their future T career. Several classes offered at FDSH allow students to earn college credit through Iowa Central’s Earlybird Program. Students can earn credits in automotive technology, automotive collision repair, welding, and engineering technology.
The 2016-2017 school year has been busy. Construction students have the opportunity to learn everything from how to complete basic home repairs to new construction. Several projects have students working in the community. They have completed projects for the City of Fort Dodge, Webster County, and the FDCSD. The building trades class is currently building a new garage for the district’s transportation department. Mr. Kavanaugh was recognized by ARC magazine in their educator spotlight. ARC magazine is a trade publication produced by Lincoln Electric. Students taking courses in welding and fabrication find themselves designing and building projects; some can be seen throughout the recreation trail system.
Power Technology students learn different ways that machines are utilized to make work easier. They learn basic pneumatics, hydraulics, and internal combustion engines. Consumer Automotive allows students to gain experience maintaining an automobile. From changing oil to replacing a flat tire; students get their hands dirty to enhance their learning.
The robotics team has been busy. In addition to competing, they have showcased their skills at the mall, helped elementary students on the National Day of Coding, and presented their robots for several local industries. They will host 24 teams for the league championship competition January 14th. For more information and to see project photos; visit the Fort Dodge Industrial Tech Facebook page.
Dodger Softball Hosts Coaching Clinic
oach Andi Adams and the Dodger softball coaching staff hosted a coaching and hitting clinic with Na- C tional Champion and 5--time SEC Champion Alabama Head Coach Patrick Murphy on Tuesday, De- cember 27th in the Gail Nicewanger Little Theater and the FDSH gym.
The Dodger softball team also adopted a family for Christmas again this year. This has been a tradition for the softball team for the past 6 years. The team loves giving back to its community every chance it can.
OUR SCHOOLS. OUR COMMUNITY. OUR PRIDE. Fort Dodge Senior High Newsletter TOGETHER WE RISE: Raising the Bar, Closing the Gap, Believing Kids Do Well If They Can Page 7 January 2017
Check the FDCSD Virtual Backpack! Our Virtual Backpack contains flyers and information on school and community activities for your family and student. Many of them are free! The Fort Dodge community offers kids so many great opportunities – make sure you are aware of the activities your kids can participate in. Check the Virtual Backpack today and regularly as new flyers are added often. http://www.fdschools.org/index.cfm?nodeID=85024&audienceID=1
Academic Alert
First term concluded November 18. Academic Alert letters for students who may not be on track towards graduation will be arriving in the mail. Students and parents should review WINTER WEATHER current student progress towards graduation. Students should contact ANNOUNCEMENTS their counselor if there are questions or If school must be cancelled, delayed or dismissed clarification is needed. early due to weather conditions, announcements will be made via:
Senior Deadline Infinite Campus Phone Calls & Texts Local scholarships are due to FDSH Facebook and Twitter counselors February 3. Students www.fdschools.org should contact their counselor if they FDCSD Hotline have questions or clarification. TV Stations: WHO, KCCI & WOI Radio Stations: KWMT, KKEZ, KXFT, KZLB, KIAQ, KVFD, KTLB Fort Dodge Press P/T Conferences The Messenger website Parent-Teacher Conferences are January 12 from 5:00-8:00pm in the If you currently do not receive phone calls/texts gym. from the District and would like to, please call Josh at 574.5363 to be added.
OUR SCHOOLS. OUR COMMUNITY. OUR PRIDE. Fort Dodge Senior High Newsletter TOGETHER WE RISE: Raising the Bar, Closing the Gap, Believing Kids Do Well If They Can Page 8 January 2017
Extended Learning/TAG Provide Challenging Opportunities Students have diverse offerings for extended learning!
irst trimester Extended Learning Lab served students working with a variety of initiatives including Advanced Placement classes, Honors, FlexNet and e2020 online courses as well as Independent Study personalizedF plans. Twenty students developed a self-directed learning plan, participated in research, created relevant studies/projects, and shared findings. In addition, support and resources were given to those students who wished to earn ‘Honors’ credit. Sixty students were awarded this credit by going above and beyond standard requirements within the following classes: Humanities, American Studies, Creative Writing, Integrated Science, and Understanding Social Systems. Criteria and achievement targeted critical and creative thinking skills, collaboration, communication, and connection of learning to other experiences. Much appreciation goes to classroom instructors who offered support and encouragement.
The following are extensions that several FDSH students have committed to: Battle of the Books is an invitation for students within the state of Iowa to explore award winning literature. Battle of the Books is a competition, encouraging students to create teams, read, and prepare for an exam. In March an online exam will be taken. The top sixteen teams in the state will travel in April to Marshalltown for the Grand Battle. National History Day is an opportunity for students to research history to enhance perspective and understanding. Currently, eight students are participating. This year’s theme is Taking a Stand in History. District competition will be held in Storm Lake, March 30th. In addition, students may submit favored work into Scholastic Art and Writing. One student has entered this competition with a short story titled Unforeseen.
Second trimester has started well with growing interest in ‘Honors’ level work. The continuation of personal and extended directives remains strong in addition to the development of new learning plans. Questions or more information see Julie Hughes, [email protected].
DECA Prepares for National In January, the students will head to Sioux City Competition! to compete in the Iowa DECA District II competition. There the students will complete a 50 he DECA students wrapped up a T fundraiser, right before winter break, point written exam and 1 role-play in a category of selling That’s My Pan products. Money their choice. The students then head to Des Moines raised from this fundraiser will go towards for the Iowa DECA Career Development the costs of District, State, and National Conference the end of February. Students placing in DECA competitions. Thank you to all of the top three spots in their category will qualify for those who purchased these items, as the Nationals, which will take place in Anaheim, students must fund these trips out of their California in April. Good Luck FDSH DECA! own pockets and every little bit helps.
OUR SCHOOLS. OUR COMMUNITY. OUR PRIDE. Fort Dodge Senior High Newsletter TOGETHER WE RISE: Raising the Bar, Closing the Gap, Believing Kids Do Well If They Can Page 9 January 2017
Business & Marketing Education
DSH Small Business students have kicked off the trimester with F several activities that build their communication and teambuilding skills. After winter break, they will begin working on a business plan.
Sports Marketing students have been building the foundational skills needed to understand the world of sports and entertainment marketing. The skills that have been the focus are risk, sponsorships, product, place, price, and promotion. The students Small Business students test bridge weight have been completing lessons on the Knowledge Matters Sports Marketing Virtual Business simulation to reinforce and put their skills to the test. The students have also researched the history of sports and how changes have effected marketing. MOC students just wrapped up a unit on Leadership. Diversity is next on the agenda.
You can see for yourself what is going on in our Marketing and Business classrooms by following us on Twitter @AmyJ_FDSHBusED or our school webpage http://www.fdschools.org/en/schools/ fort_dodge_senior_high/business__marketing_education/.
TWIRP Dance Date!
When: February 25, 2017 Time: 8:00-11:00 p.m. Where: Fort Dodge Senior High
Tickets must be purchased before school, after school, or during lunch shifts the week of the dance at the ticket sale table in the cafeteria. Tickets are $5 each. All non-FDSH guests must be registered during ticket sales and meet certain criteria. Students must have current student ID with the ticket when arriving at the dance or an additional $10 service fee will be charged at the door for entry.
OUR SCHOOLS. OUR COMMUNITY. OUR PRIDE. Fort Dodge Senior High Newsletter TOGETHER WE RISE: Raising the Bar, Closing the Gap, Believing Kids Do Well If They Can Page 10 January 2017
Science Photos: Students in the photos explore soap bubbles as one model he FDSH Science department applied for and was of how substances pass through a awarded two Iowa STEM Scale-Up programs in cell membrane. A total of four April,T CASE - Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and models in class were used to Natural Resources and Science and Global Issues - Cell increase student understanding of Biology: World Health. The CASE curriculum is being how particles, both large and implemented in a new course by the same name, while the small, can get into and out of a SGI curriculum is being implemented in approximately cell. half of the Biology A sections. In both Iowa STEM Scale-Up CASE - Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural programs, students are actively Resources and Science engaged as they hone their science Students in the CASE program participate in hands on and engineering practices which activities to learn about various topics including include: asking questions and communications, agriscience principles, agriculture defining problems; developing and biology, plant and animal science, agriculture mechanics, using models; planning and and future career carrying out investigations; possibilities in agriscience analyzing and interpreting data; and agribusiness. FDSH is using mathematics and hoping to expand on computational thinking; courses offered through constructing explanations and CASE in the designing solutions; engaging in future. Students pictured argument from evidence; below participated in an obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information. activity looking at a variety of career development Other Opportunities for Science Students events including cheese Students throughout the high school science programs were tasting, meat cut identification, livestock judging, ag also given opportunities to expand their knowledge and future in mechanics, and problem solving skills. programs at Iowa State University. The students pictured on the left took place in “Taking the Road Less Traveled”, which is a Science and Global Issues - Cell Biology: World Health program designed to introduce freshman and sophomore girls to career and college pathways that involve science, technology, engineering, and math by providing them with real-world, hands- In the Cell on activities led by university student and women in the Biology curriculum, career. Another group of students will be traveling to Ames in students assume the April to participate in the spring session of “Taking the Road Less role of research Traveled” as well. Students pictured on the right also went to scientist as they Iowa State to participate in the “Iowa State University work toward Microbiology Day” where they spent the day doing various labs proposing disease and activities to learn more about what they might do as a interventions that microbiology student at ISU. will improve world health. Diseases of interest include: malaria, tuberculosis, diabetes, HIV/ AIDS, cancer, and rotavirus. As part of their proposal, students explore cell structures and function, developing an understanding of the many ways that organisms are attacked at the cellular and molecular levels by a disease.
OUR SCHOOLS. OUR COMMUNITY. OUR PRIDE. Fort Dodge Senior High Newsletter TOGETHER WE RISE: Raising the Bar, Closing the Gap, Believing Kids Do Well If They Page 11 January 2017
Dec 23-Jan 2– Christmas Break– No DODGER DATES Mar 13-17– No School (Spring School Break) March 3– No School Jan 12– P/T Conferences Mar 22– Early Dis- missal Jan 16– No School (MLK) 1st Snow Make Up May 9– Rachel’s Challenge Celebration Jan 18– Early Dismissal May 17– Early Dis- Jan 21– TWIRP 8:00pm missal Feb 1– Early Dismissal May 29– No School Feb 15– Early Dismissal (Memorial Day)
Feb 20– No School Jun 1– Last Day of (President’s Day) 2nd Snow School Make Up
Mar 2– End of 2nd Tri- mester *See web page for athletic schedules and dates
District Compliance
It is the policy of the Fort Dodge Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity national origin, disability, physical attributes, religion, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, veteran’s status, actual or potential parental, family or marital status in its programs, services and employment practices. If you have questions, or grievances related to this policy, please contact Marcy Harms, Director of Student Services, Central Administration Building, 104 S. 17th St., Fort Dodge, IA 50501, 574-5678; or United States Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education Office, 500 W. Madison St., Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661-4544. The District’s Compliance Coordinator for Affirmative Action is Robert Hughes Assistant Superintendent, who can be reached at 574-5657 or 104 S. 17th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. The District’s Designated Investigator of Physical/Sexual Abuse of Students by School Employees is Marcy Harms. She can be reached at 574-5678 or 104 S. 17th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. The alternate is Corey Moody. He can be reached at 574-5469 or 819 N. 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. The District’s Officer for Harassment Complaints and Allegations is Marcy Harms, Director of Student Services. She can be reached at 574- 5678 or 104 S. 17th Street, Fort Dodge IA 5051. ************************************************************************************* You can find information on our schools. News stories, data, contacts and more on the FDCSD website: www.fdschools.org. In addition, follow FDCSD on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date District information, pictures and reminders.
OUR SCHOOLS. OUR COMMUNITY. OUR PRIDE.