Parent/

Teacher

Conferences

for

TERM 2

Will be

held on

Thursday

Dec. 8th

4:00-7:30

In the

Cafeteria and

Commons Area

Junior

meeting

6:00 in the

theater

Volume 26~ Issue 2 Winter 2016-2017

CARDINAL COURIER WILLMAR Senior High

Opportunity Day

Two years ago the Willmar Senior High changed our schedule for the first time in many years. We extended each day by 15 minutes, ending school at 2:45 and changed the start time of most of our Wednesday mornings from 8:00AM until 9:00AM. This Wednesday morning change allowed for some advantages over our previous schedule. With the passing of the “World’s Best Workforce” legislation at the state level, this professional time for teachers allowed us to create our Ramp-Up curriculum that I have written about in the past and has been a great success. This time has also allowed teachers to meet as PLC teams and coordinate curriculum, standards and teaching strategies. Wednesdays have also been used for “Zero Hour” where students who are behind in their work are “ticketed” to be in school from 7:50 until 8:50 on Wednesdays to catch up with work that they need to get done. We recognized 2 problems from the model from last year: 1) Not every Wednesday was needed for Ramp-Up and we had a few Wednesdays where school started at 8:00AM instead of 9:00AM leading to confusion. 2) Many of our teachers wanted to use some of the Wednesday mornings to have interventions with their own students to reach their students that needed extra help. It was these problems that led us to “Opportunity Day.” Six days this school year, we have our regular 1 hour late start on Wednesdays but we do not have Ramp-Up class. This combination allows teachers to create opportunities for their students to work with them before school – as early as 7:30, until 8:50 AM. Some students will be required to attend by 7:50 if they are ticketed by their teacher. Other students will have the opportunity to get extra help from their teacher or a tutor in school on those days. Students who have NC’s can use this time to make up detention hours. Students who missed quizzes or a test because of sporting events or absences or who need to make-up a test can come in on these opportunity days. Other opportunities for this time include scholarship writing support, job placement coaching, open study halls, quiet reading areas, open gym, breakfast and computer lab time. Your child may not need to be at school on most Wednesday mornings

until 9:00AM. However, they are always welcome to be here early and on December

21st, January 11th, February 22nd, and April 26th, they have the opportunity to meet with

their teachers and get specialized help in any class they could use a boost in. Encourage

them to take advantage of this opportunity.

Cardinal Courier

Winter Break

Dec. 23rd-Jan. 2nd

No School for Staff & Students

School resumes on Tuesday Jan. 3rd, 2017

A few reminders as we enter the cold and flu

season…

In an effort to maintain the health of all students and

staff, the following guidelines are recommended:

Students should not attend school if: · Temperature over 100̊ F · Pink eye (conjunctivitis) · Strep Throat · Skin Rash (undiagnosed) · Vomiting or Diarrhea. They may return approximately 24 hours after symp-toms resolve, and are able to tolerate a normal diet. A student must be fever free for a full 24 hours without fever reducing medications before return-ing to school. Medications can only be administered in school if the medication authorization form is completed and signed by the doctor and parent. School attendance is required by law and is of great importance to your child’s educational success, however, there may be times when a child is ill and cannot attend. If your student will be absent, please call the school attendance line 320-231-8462.

Health Services Update

Flu Season is Here!

Influenza, commonly known as ‘the flu’, is a conta-

gious respiratory illness caused by the influenza

virus. It affects the nose, throat, lungs and other

parts of the body. The flu can be a serious and

sometimes life- threatening illness.

The symptoms of flu can include:

Fever that starts suddenly

Cough

Sore throat

Runny or stuffy nose

Body aches

Headache

Chills

Tiredness

Sometimes diarrhea and vomiting

The following will also reduce the risk of spreading

the flu:

● Wash hands often with soap and water.

● Avoid touching your eyes, nose and

mouth. Cover your cough and sneeze.

● Try to avoid close contact with people who

are sick. Stay home when you are sick.

● The Center for Disease Control (CDC) rec-

ommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone

6 months of age and older.

Cardinal Courier

National

Honor Society

Inducts

New Members

Congratulations to the senior and junior students who were in-

ducted into membership in the National Honor Society through

an evening ceremony on November 21, 2016. Lyle Hovland,

Advisor for the National Honor Society gave a welcome to all

attending. Greetings and remarks were given by Paul Schmitz,

Principal, to students, parents and guests. The presentation of

certificates to students was given by Neil Schendel and Scott

Hisken, Assistant Principals. The National Honor Society Pledge

was read by all members of the NHS .

New members were selected by the faculty council for

meeting the four qualities of the National Honor Society of char-

acter, scholarship, leadership and service. The Willmar High

School NHS was formed in 1921. There are more than 12,500

local chapters of the National Honor Society in high schools across

the country today.

New Members

Natalie Amon Makenna Hogan Noah Slagter

Rebecca Anfinson Cayle Hovland Josiah Swanson

Hannah Arnold Erin Johnson Rachel Swanson

Brady Bauman Kyle Knofczynski Connor Swart

Jack Baumgart Hannah Kobienia Jordyn Swoboda

Daisy Becerra Lexi Kopacek Tayler Tjaden

Makenna Brouwer Madison Langland Bronwyn Tollefson

Clay Carlson Roon Mahboub Abigail Volk

Laura Christianson Alan Mangen Olivia Welsh

Olivia Corneil Sara Miller Laura Woltjer

Kya Egge Mackenzie Moist Madeline Wulff

Bryce Erickson Josie Muller

Caleb Erickson Kayla Norling

Scott Folz Vrunsi Patel

Madison Garnhardt Madison Peterson

Ethan Haines Ann Schaefbauer

Erik Heen Garrett Shuldes

CNA Class offered at WSHS

Willmar Senior High School is excited to be

offering a Certified Nursing Assistant

course again this year. This course will be

taught during 3rd term as a partnership

with Ridgewater College.

We are converting one of our classrooms

into a nursing lab setting complete with

hospital beds and nursing supplies. Stu-

dents will complete the course on-site at

WHS during the school day and complete

their clinical experiences at one of our

local medical care facilities over spring

break.

This course helps students learn the roles

and responsibilities of the nursing assistant

working in long term care. Information

about residents and client's rights,

pertinent laws and ethical issues will be

Introduced. Concepts of basic human

needs, basic nursing and personal care

skills, mental health and social needs, and

restorative services will also be addressed

throughout the course.

By the end of the course our students will

have the opportunity to receive their

Certification and be ready to for CNA

employment by the summer. We have

openings for up to 18 students in this pro-

gram. If you are interested please see your

student’s counselor.

Cardinal Courier

Please check the school website for full calendar and

activity information!

www.willmar.k12.mn.us

From the Music Department

Dec. 5th Holiday Choir Concerts-All Choirs 6:00 & 7:30 pm WHS Theater Dec. 8th Fruit Delivery during P/T Conferences 3:00-4:00 pm WHS Band Room Dec. 12th Holiday Band Concert –All Bands 6:00 pm WHS Theater Dec. 12th Holiday 9-12 Orchestra Concert 7:30 pm WHS Theater Dec. 14th Cardinal Choir Service Club 12:00 pm Holiday Inn

Attendance line has 24 hour voice message capability with office staffing from 7:15-4:30 pm.

ENGLISH: 320.231.8462

SOMALI: 320.231.8307

SPANISH: 320.231.8305

Interpreters can be reached directly for your needs as follows:

Siyad Ahmed (Somali) – 320.231.8353 Jeanette Oehlers (Spanish) – 320.231.8390

Important dates

December 7th- 2 Hour Late Start/Mid Term

December 8th– P/T Conferences 4-7:30 pm

December 21st- Opportunity Day

January 11th- Opportunity Day

January 13th- End of Term 2

January 23rd –Teacher In-Service-No school for students

February 8th- 2 Hour Late Start

February 13th– Mid Term; P/T Conferences 4-7pm

February 17th- P/T Conferences 7:30-12:15;

No school for students

February 20th– Presidents Holiday-No school for students

February 21st– P/T Conferences 4-7 pm

School closing/delays can be heard on the following

radio and television stations:

WCCO Channel 4, KSTP Channel 5, KMSP Channel 9,

KARE Channel 11

KWLM 1340(Q102.5/K100.1), KKLN 94.1, The River

97.3/K95.3/1590 AM(KDJS), Wild Country 99

Reminder

Cell phone use is NOT allowed during class

time. If you need to get ahold of your student

please call the Main office and a message will

be given to your student. Please do not call or

text during class time.

Cardinal Courier

Registration dates for the 2017-2018 school year have been set.

9th - 11th Grade Students Wednesday, February 1st

Presentation of Student Curriculum Guide for staff and students in Ramp Up

*Registration forms will be handed out

*Students take forms home for parent review and signature.

*Forms must be returned by Tuesday, February 21st to Ramp Up Advisor

Thursday, February 9th

6:00-6:30 p.m. Post Secondary Enrollment Options

(PSEO) information for parents and students in theater.

6:30-7:00 p.m. Advanced Placement (AP), College in the Schools( CIS) and Project Lead the Way information for parents and students in the theater.

.Monday, February 27th through Friday, March 3rd

On-line registration in the Media Center computer lab.

*1st block each day for 9th grade students.

*2nd block each day for 10th grade students.

*4th block each day for 11th grade students.

Course offerings and staff assignments are based on registration. It is important that students be prepared to continue with a course once the registration process is complete. Students and/or parents who wish additional information when selecting classes are encouraged to contact one of the counselors in the Guidance Office.

For 8th Grade Students

Tuesday, February 14th

*Counselors review the Curriculum Guide and the registration process in social studies classes at the Middle School.

*Registration forms will be sent home with students for parents to review and sign.

*Registration forms must be returned by Tuesday, February 21 to Social Studies teachers.

Thursday, February 16th

6:00 p.m. Student Curriculum Guide and registration process presentation for 8th grade parents and students at the Middle School in the Choir room.

PSEO Meeting Scheduled

The Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)

program allows high school students to attend a post

secondary institution either full or part-time with tuition,

books, and fees paid through PSEO. PSEO has a dual

purpose: 1) to promote rigorous educational pursuits and 2)

to provide a variety of options for students. Qualifications for

enrolling in this program are ranking in the upper one-third of

your class as a junior and in the upper one-half of the class

as a senior.

Students and parents interested in the PSEO program

and/or wanting additional information MUST attend an

informational meeting on Thursday, February 9th, from

6:00 to 6:30 p.m. in the WHS theater.

Applications for PSEO must be completed and returned to

the Guidance Office by May 13th. Students who plan to

enroll at Ridgewater College must schedule an appointment

for the New Student Assessment Test before being accepted

in the program. If you have questions regarding the PSEO

program, contact the Guidance Office at 231-8320.

TERM 3 Conferences

Term 3 conferences will include a 15 minute

meeting with each student’s Ramp-Up advisor in

their Ramp-Up classroom. This meeting is required

before a student can register for classes for the

2017-2018 school year.

Term 3 Conferences will be held at 3 different times:

Monday, February 13 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Friday, February 17 7:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Tuesday, February 21 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

We will send out a sign-up sheet closer to the dates

of the conferences.

Cardinal Courier

Cardinal Courier

Ramp Up Notes

9th Grade- They will be looking into their careers of interest as well as looking into how much it

costs to have some of the things that they would like to do as adults and if their future plans will

allow for that. The intent is to get 9th graders to think about how they can plan for their futures

through class registration and college and career exploration.

10th Grade- These students will be researching what the different types of college programs

are available after high school in order to broaden our students’ views of what college looks like

and the opportunities available to them. These students will also be receiving their ACT Aspire

scores and using the scores to look at how they can better prepare for these options.

11th Grade- These students will be discussing the many options available to them after high

school as well as ways in which to start thinking about which ones they would like to pursue next

year. Using these discussions, their advisors will be talking about what classes are available

and what aligns well with their future plans.

12th grade- These students will be discussing financial aid, college debt, credit cards, budget-

ing and setting goals. We will be speaking to the kids about managing their money well as they

begin to take on more of the financial responsibility of adulthood. We will also be talking about

deciding on what they will do after high school and putting the final pieces together in prepara-

tion for those plans.

Safe & Supportive Schools Act

Willmar Public Schools and the Senior High take bullying seriously. Bullying by definition has 4 key components –

Bullying is intimidating, threatening, abusive or hurtful conduct.

It is objectively offensive.

The conduct involves an imbalance of power and is repeated or

The conduct materially and substantially interferes with a student’s education or ability to par-ticipate in school activities.

This definition creates 2 distinct categories of bullying – 1. Bad behavior that involves an imbalance of power and pattern or 2. Bad behavior that significantly affects a student’s ability to participate in school, classes, or events. If a student is being bullied at the high school, report it to the Assistant Principals, Scott Hisken (grades 9 & 10) and Neil Schendel (grades 11 & 12). We encourage you to visit with Sheri Peder-son, school social worker or your guidance counselor if you are being bullied and need help making a report. To learn more visit the district web page www.willmar.k12.mn.us, click on Our District and scroll down to Safe & Supportive Schools Act.

Cardinal Courier

Cardinal Courier

Willmar Senior

High School

2701 30th Street NE

Willmar, MN 56201

WHS Main & Guidance Office Staff

The following people are available for questions or concerns on

WHS policies, activities, or individual student matters.

Paul Schmitz, Principal 231-8310

Neil Schendel, Ass’t. Principal Grades 11 & 12 231-8311

Scott Hisken, Ass’t Principal Grades 9 & 10 231-8312

Ryan Blahosky, Activities Coordinator 231-8331

Sharon Tollefson, Counselor A — Gn 231-8321

Ben Dimond, Counselor Go — N 231-8322

Leah Rosendahl, Counselor O — Z 231-8323

Anya Shuda, School Psychologist 231-8326

Sheri Pederson, Social Worker 231-8464

Amanda Bajari/Patti Johnson, Nurse 231-8457

Gene Schneider, Police Liaison 231-8313

HOMEWORK

Homework for students

who have been absent

can be received by

contacting the individual

teacher through parent/

student portal or email-

ing the student’s teacher

directly using the district

website directory. Stu-

dents may also access

homework on their iPad.

The Main Office is open

until 4:30 Monday

through Friday

for homework

pickup.