1

Special points of

interest:

98 John Champe

High School students made the All A Honor Roll for the

Second Quarter!

Financial Aid and Scholarship

Handbook now available! See

page 11

Juniors take the

SOL Writing Test on March 18 and

25.

Extra help is

available! See

page 14

In this issue:

Administrative

Information

3

Attendance

Information

4

SHIELD Schedule 7

Office of School

Counseling

Information

8

Testing

Information

11

John Champe High School March 2014 Volume 2, Issue 7

Dear Parents and Families,

John Champe High School has enjoyed several successes over the past month where our students excelled and repre-

sented us in a positive light. For example, both boys and girls varsity basketball had incredible turnaround seasons, and

both squads won their quarter finals games before being eliminated in the semi-finals. Their success was further shown

by Jeff Rhodes being named to All-Conference 1st Team and Graydon Hester and Zach Burdick for being named to 2nd

team. And on the girls' side, Rachel Malinowski was named to All-Region 1st team and Ja'Che Malone and Blair Thomp-

son made All-Conference 2nd team! Other distinctions include Sam Schuler making the All-Loudoun 1st Team for Cross

Country. In addition, the gymnastics team took second place in the conference, and Sydney Suter represented the team

at the state level on bars.

We had several other students compete at the state level as well. For example, Maddie Oliver took 4th place in the 100

yard fly and 8th place in the 50 yard free at state swim in Christiansburg. Also, Maddie Graham placed 4th in backstroke

and 8th in free, and Maddie Littlepage placed 8th in 500 free. And last but not least, congratulations to Joaquin Gabriel

for placing 8th in 200 IM and for taking 2nd place in the 100 yard breastroke! And last but not least, Devyn Kreb capped

off a successful season in wrestling by placing 8th at states.

But our success this past month has not been limited to only athletics! In academic accomplishments, the JCHS forensics

team took 1st place in the conference, and we had several students win at regionals who will now compete at the state

level: Dharani Vempati (4th place in Extemporaneous), Rahul Ravindra (1st place in Extemporaneous), Harsha Dindigal (1st

place in Oratory), Bhavya Ravigopal (3rd place in Impromptu), Chris Seven (1st place in Impromptu), Zakia Seddiq (1st

place in Dramatic Interpretation), Ashmita Sampathkumar (4th place in Humorous Interpretation), and Neha Gupta (3rd

place in Humorous Interpretation). Also, our academic team took 1st place and won the conference and had a strong

showing at regionals by only losing by one question. And the following DECA students qualified for state competition:

Rachel Clark, Morgan Lucus, Natalie Gandolfo, Cody Monteith, Noelle St. Laurent, Alex Rearden, Christian Mitchell,

Megan Munno, Lauren Funk, and Evelyn Robinson. And at states, JCHS DECA took second place in School-Based Enter-

prise. In addition to these accomplishments, I would be remiss if I did not mention the impressive accomplishment of the

JCHS marching band: they received straight superior ratings at their district assessment! As a result, they are now a

Virginia Honor Band, something that takes established programs years to achieve (if ever). And lastly, we had 98 stu-

dents make the All A Honor Roll in the second marking period:

JULIE ANDERSON

RAPHAEL NINO BERINA

JOEYLIN CARACOGLIA

WILLIAM CHO

GRACE CORKRAN

VIVIAN DANG

BEZAWIT DELELEGN

AKSHIMA DHIMAN

ANNE DUNLAP

KHATIBULLAH FNU

SIERRA GREEN

NEHA GUPTA

SAMAN HAMEED

FATIMA HAMZA

HUNTER HUTCHESON

JANAY JACKSON

SHARON JASLINA

SHAHNAAZ KHADER

ELINA KIM

ANTOINE LABURTHE

DANIEL LE

ROBERT LIPSIT

MADISON LITTLEPAGE

MARIA LO PRESTI

NIRVAN MALLEPALLY

AVERY MANBECK

ALEKHYA MANCHIKALAPUDI

MIRANDA MARCK

BHARATH MEKA

NICOLE NEWMAN

BRYANA NGUYEN

WILLIAM OGLE

SONYA PANDEY

SEONHYEONG PARK

2

SAI HANITH PATLOLLA

EMILY PFEIFFER

SAMANTHA PLESCE

EVELYN ROBINSON

RYAN ROSNICK

MATTHEW RYAN

ALENA SANABRIA

ALEXANDER SCOTT

SYDNEE SEARS

BRIANNA SOSA

BLAIR THOMPSON

OLIVIA TROUT

ETHAN VICARIO

AMANI VOHRA

EMILY VU

KATHERINE YARNAL

RAGHAD ALMOFEEZ

SHREYA BHATIA

COLLEEN BUSH

SUK-JIN CHANG

JULIA CUMINS

TAYLOR FREE

MEGAN HISER

SAMUEL KIRILA

AKASH KUMAR

CHANEL LEE

ELAINE LY

YARA MAHMOUD

AN MAI

ISAAC MCDANIEL

WESLEY NGUYEN

MADISON OJEDA

BARBARA ORTEGA

SARAH RAMOS ALVARADO

ZAKARY RAMSIS

AISHWARYA SHRESTHA

LUISA ISABEL BONNIN

LINDSAY CREWS

TANAZ FALAHATPOUR

NICHOLAS HARDY

ANDREW HOW

CATHERINE HUTCHISON

STEPHEN JUNG

ANUSH KARNATI

AUSTIN LACHANCE

ABIGAIL LAMBERT

JOON LIM

TRINA NGUYEN

SAVANNAH OLSON

SAHAN PANDEY

SEAN PICKERING

BHAVYA RAVIGOPAL

KRISTEN TAFT

AMY WANG

DALTON CASHIN

ANDREA COLON-PEREZ

HARSHA DINDIGAL

SEAN HALIYUR

EDEN KNUDSON

NESLIDA KODRA

ANUSHA KUMAR

PAIGE LONG

MAGGIE STITES

CODY TIPPETT

It is exciting to see our students and school thrive in so many different ways, and I could not be prouder of everyone’s accomplishments. I look forward to

seeing what our students do next!

Yours in service,

John Gabriel

Principal

3

Administrative Information

ATTENDANCE

Parents are requested to use the 24-hour attendance line (703-

722-2682) to notify the school of an absence. If a parent has

not called school by 10:30 am on the day a student is absent,

the school will make every effort to call the parent to verify the

absence. Any absence not confirmed by the parent will be con-

sidered unexcused.

TARDIES

Promptness to class is essential for maintaining instruc-

tional consistency, which promotes learning.

Students who are not in class by 9:00 should sign in with the

Attendance Office and receive a tardy pass to class. Proper

documentation is required for an excused tardy in the form of:

medical note, judicial excuse, or illness with a note from the

parent/guardian.

Tardiness is unexcused for the following reasons: overslept,

running late, traffic, missed bus, construction, car trouble, illness

with no parent note, and medical or judicial appointment with

no note. Please remember to ask the doctor for a medical ex-

cuse and bring that with you if you are tardy due to a medical

appointment.

If proper documentation is not provided, the tardy is

unexcused. If four unexcused tardies are accumulated

during a semester, the student will be assigned a day of

Friday School.

EARLY DISMISSAL

Students may only be dismissed during the school day for one of

the following reasons: personal illness, death in family, medical

appointments, or court appearances. Students must sign out in

the attendance office before leaving for an early dismissal. Fail-

ure to signout may result in disciplinary action. Students re-

turning to school on the same day must sign back in and receive

a pass before returning to class.

JCHS BELL SCHEDULE

A Day Times B Day

1st Block 9:00-10:30 5th Block

2nd Block 10:36-12:06 SHIELD

3rd Block 12:12-2:12 7th Block

4th Block 2:18-3:48 8th Block

JCHS ADMINISTRATION

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

Principal John Gabriel

Assistant Principal (A-L) Jeff Rounsley

Assistant Principal (M-Z) Jennifer Traina

Director of School Counseling Christi Campbell

Athletic Director Joe Breinig, Jr.

Assistant Athletic Director Anthony Royse

Activities Coordinator Kimberly McDonald

Main Line 703-722-2680

School Fax 703-722-2681

Absentee Call In 703-722-2682

Office of School Counseling 703-722-2687

Office of School Counseling Fax 703-722-2688

Athletic Department 703-722-2690

4

Attendance Information

Parents are requested to use the 24-hour attendance

line to notify the school of an absence.

(703)722-2682

The Commonwealth of Virginia has a compulsory attendance law for all students less than 18 years of age.

According to School Board Policy (8-17) all students have a responsibility to attend all scheduled classes

and other assigned activities unless excused by the Principal. Absence from school for any period of time

will result in the loss of learning. Students are required to find out what work has been missed and to

make up that work within a reasonable amount of time, regardless of the reason for absence.

Absences from school are excused with appropriate documentation for the following reasons:

Students may not call themselves in as absent – including students 18 years of age and older. If the parent

has not called the school’s absentee hotline by 10:00 a.m., the school will make every effort to contact a

parent to verify the absence.

Any absence not confirmed by a parent will be considered unexcused.

Tardy Policy 2013-2014

Promptness to class is essential for maintaining instructional consistency, which promotes

learning.

Students who are not in class by 9:00 should sign in with the Attendance Office and receive a tardy pass to

class. Proper documentation is required for an excused tardy in the form of: medical note, judicial excuse,

or illness with a note from the parent/guardian.

Tardiness is unexcused for the following reasons: overslept, running late, traffic, missed bus, construction,

car trouble, illness with no parent note, and medical or judicial appointment with no note. Please remem-

ber to ask the doctor for a medical excuse and bring that with you if you are tardy due to a medical ap-

pointment.

If proper documentation is not provided, the tardy is unexcused. If four unexcused tardies are accumulat-

ed during a semester, the student will be assigned a day of Friday School.

1. Personal illness

2. Death in the family

3. Medical or Dental appointments

4. Court/Judicial appearances

5. Religious Holidays

5

Early Dismissals

Once a student arrives on school grounds whether by school bus, or private car, he/she may not leave

school grounds for any reason before the end of the day without prior written permission from a parent/

guardian or administrator. Students who need to leave school early must present a note from his/her parent

or guardian to the Attendance Secretary before school begins. The note should contain the following infor-

mation:

Administrative approval and/or parent confirmation are required for any note turned in after 9:00. Calling in

to request a student to be dismissed early is not accepted unless it is an emergency. In this event, an admin-

istrator will be contacted to review the request. Early dismissals will only be granted if written per-

mission from a parent is received.

Students must sign out in the attendance office before leaving for an early dismissal. Failure to sign out may

result in disciplinary action. Students returning to school on the same day must sign back in and receive a

pass before returning to class.

These procedures apply to students regardless of age. Students who are 18 years of age or older are not

exempted from dismissal rules or other school rules and regulations. Students who are 18 years of age or

older who wish to leave school early and do not have an early dismissal note from a parent or guardian

must see an administrator for approval.

*Athletes, please see your contract with additional requirements for sport participation.

1. Date

2. Student’s Full Name

3. Grade

4. Reason dismissal is needed

5. Time dismissal is needed

6. Signature of parent writing note

6

What is SHIELD?

SHIELD (Staff Helping Individuals Excel, Learn, and Develop) is a flex period. In this kind of model, rather

than a study hall for the 8th class in a student’s schedule, SHIELD is a fixed period where all students re-

port back to one of their classes according to a set rotation. This allows students to make up work and to

receive help from their actual teachers rather than simply be supervised by a study hall monitor in a large

group setting which is not always conducive to work. Another advantage is that if students have a “C” av-

erage or better, are caught up in their work, and have secured a pass in advance, they are allowed to go

visit another one of their teachers in order to make up work or receive help.

One frequently asked question is why can’t a student just take another class instead? Aside from the value

we see in the flex model, which is utilized in many area high schools until the student population is too

large to accommodate it, students are not permitted to take more than seven classes. High schools are

budgeted and staffed for students taking seven classes (and teachers teaching five classes), and so except

for in unique situations (i.e., students attending the Academy of Science who take a “zero period,” etc.),

students must take some form of a study hall. SHIELD accomplishes this and provides students with op-

portunities richer than a study hall.

Another such aspect is that students have Advisory during SHIELD, which meets approximately three

times a month and replaces the traditional concept of a homeroom. In Advisory, a group of approximately

15 students loop with the same teacher throughout high school. This allows them the chance to connect

with a staff member in a different way, and it is through this period that we run certain lessons on charac-

ter, study skills, and other topics important for student

success. Lastly, having a SHIELD block built into the day

allows us to hold certain activities such as peer tutoring,

SOL remediation, pep rallies, assemblies, and other

events through it rather than taking away instructional

time from classes. More information about SHIELD can

be found in your student’s agenda.

7

8

Office of School Counseling

The National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) released it’s 2013 State of College Admissions Report.

This report provides information for students, families, and professionals to shed light on a process that is subject to many

misperceptions. Below is a highlight of some of the information presented:

Applications to college:

· Application growth continues for most colleges: 64% of colleges continued to experience increases in the number of

applications they received in 2012. 27% reported experienced a decrease in applications

· 28% of Fall 2012 freshman submitted seven or more applications for admission, down slightly from 29% in Fall 2011

· Colleges accept nearly 2/3 of applicants on average: average selectivity rate was 63.9% for Fall 2012 nearly identical to

2011 figures, this continues the trend of decreasing acceptance rates since 2002

Factors in the Admission Decision:

· The top factors in the admission decision continue to remain consistent: grades in college preparatory courses, strength

of curriculum, standardized admission test scores, and overall high school grade point average.

While the process continues to become more cumbersome and competitive, there is good news for the payoff. In 2011, full

time, full-year earners age 25-34 with a high school diploma reported mean annual earnings of $29,950, compared to $44,970

for those with a bachelor’s degree and $59, 230 for those with a master’s degree or higher. In short, a college education

pays!

We provide you this information so you as parents know we are working hard to make your child’s next step one that you

can both be proud of. When looking at your child’s course selection and grade point average, keep these statistics in mind.

For those of you who may have missed curriculum night or who would like more information about the course selection

process. Please visit our website http://www.lcps.org/Page/123277 for presentations, videos and the LCPS 2014-2015 Pro-

gram of Studies.

If you still have questions or concerns about the course planning process, please plan on joining the counseling team on

March 5th at 8:00 am in the library. The entire team will be there to help answer questions that relate to your student indi-

vidually.

Sincerely,

Follow us on Twitter @JCHSCounseling

Students and parents - get text reminders and important information from us:

Class of 2014 text @2014JCHS to 571-421-2611 Class of 2015 text @2015JCHS to 571-421-2611 Class of 2016 text @2016JCHS to 571-421-2611 Class of 2017 text @2017JCHS to 571-421-2611

Watch for new and up-to-date information on our website

http://www.lcps.org/domain/11643

9

Office of School Counseling

Counseling Calendar Items

February-March Course registrations for 2014-2015

March 1 Revolution Test Prep Mock SAT (9:00-1:00 p.m. in

the Library)

March 4 Accelerated Curriculum Night, 6:30pm

For families from elementary – high school who want more information about

available accelerated options and what is really needed to get into college

March 5 Course Planning with the Counseling Team, 8:00am in the library

March 7 Scholarship Workshop in the Career Center during 8th SHIELD

March 8 SAT day (not offered at JCHS)

March 11 Revolution Test Prep 6 week class begins – Get ready for the May SAT!

Reserve your spot today – 877-738-7737 or www.revolutionprep.com

March 15 Monroe Technology Center applications due to your counselor

March 17 ASVAB Career Exploration Test (9:00 – 1:00 p.m. in the Library) must pre-

register

March 19 Scholarship Workshop in the Career Center during 8th SHIELD

March 26 Career GPS Fair at Dominion High School, 5-8:00pm

March 27 Scholarship Workshop in the Career Center during 7th SHIELD

March 28 NVCC Field Trip, interested seniors should see Mrs. Porto

10

Every month we will feature tidbits of college information. For more, please visit the Career

Center website or make an appointment with Mrs. Porto.

Many selective colleges encourage art, music, and dance submissions as part of their under-

graduate application process. In 2009, Tufts University in Medford, MA encouraged students

to submit a one-minute YouTube video. Since then, schools like Chapman University and

Michigan State University have followed suit.

For the Fall 2008 entering class, the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD had the

highest yield rate (percentage of students who attended compared to the number accepted)

of any liberal arts college. Second place went to the United States Military Academy in West

Point, NY.

Georgetown University in Washington, DC, is one of the few schools to require an inter-

view for undergraduate admissions.

The smallest college in the country is Alaska Bible College, with 38 students. They admit

100% of their applicants.

High school students may not take the SAT and SAT Subject Tests on the same day. If they

were allowed to, students would be testing for approximately seven hours.

All 4-year colleges and universities in the United States accept the ACT.

With more than 50 colleges and universities within 50 square miles, Boston is the metropol-

itan area with the most accredited higher education institutions.

Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania offers the Vickroy Scholarship, which is half-off tui-

tion, to all prospective students who graduate in the top 10% of their high school class.

In 2012, the University of California, Berkeley was the most selective public university in the

U.S., admitting 21.13% of applicants. Previously, the title was held by University of California,

Los Angeles, which in 2012 admitted 21.27%.

Of the class of 2013 at Hampshire College, in Amherst, MA, one in seven students founded

at least one new organization during their high school careers.

Did You Know?

11

The 2014 Financial Aid and Scholarship Handbook is now available!

This Scholarship and Financial Aid Information provides an overview of scholarships and the financial aid pro-

cess, lists scholarships and grants available exclusively to seniors in Loudoun County Public Schools, lists schol-

arships and grants available exclusively to seniors in each of Loudoun County ’s high schools, and suggests re-

sources for investigating other sources of financial aid. Wise planning, excellent organization, good research,

quality applications, and dedication to pursuing your college education all contribute to your obtaining the

funds you need to attend college. Most students who apply for financial aid and who genuinely need it, receive

all or part of what they need to attend college. When deciding where to apply, use common sense to select

colleges with a range of costs, including some that are within your reach financially. Never eliminate a college

you really want on the grounds of cost alone. Also, remember that the admission and financial aid decisions

are made separately and independently of one another; so being a candidate for financial aid usually makes no

difference in the decision to offer admission.

English Writing SOL (March18

The English Writing SOL will be here before you know it. This two-part

test is taken over a period of two days; March 18th is multiple choice

and March 25th is short paper. Students must be present on both days

to have their scores submitted. This SOL will be given to all students

who are currently enrolled in English 11 and those seniors in need of

passing. All testing will begin at 9:00am, please make sure your child ar-

rives to school on time. All students must take and pass this test prior

to graduation. Please encourage your children to get a good night’s

sleep the night before and to have a nutritious breakfast the morning of the test. If you have any questions

concerning your child’s participation in this SOL please contact the Counseling Department at 703/722-

2687 or our School Test Coordinator, Erin Mastrangelo, at 703/722-2680.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

12

Students and/or their parents/guardians pay the costs of the AP examinations. Each exam is $81.00, and this cost must be

paid by February 1, 2014. Per the College Board, there is a fee of $50 per exam for payments not made on time.

A letter went home with your student before the holiday break explaining the AP test process. A copy of this letter can be

found online at http://www.lcps.org/Page/102158

An on-line payment system is available for electronic payments on the Loudoun County Public Schools’ website. https://

webinter.lcps.org/PaymentPortal/ Checks or cash payments will also be accepted at our school. Please bring payment to

Ms. Giampaoli in the Office of School Counseling.

The 2014 AP Testing schedule is as follows:

AP Testing Schedule

13

Senior Final Exam Exemption

The following guidelines, approved 10/13/99, will be used for the Senior Exam Exemption Program.

· The program is optional and may be implemented at the discretion of each high school.

· The program will use second semester data only.

· To be eligible, a student must have at least a 70 (C-) average for the second semester through the first eight

weeks of the fourth nine-week grading period.

· To be eligible, a student can be absent no more than two (2) class periods in block classes.

· The program applies to students assigned to senior homerooms.

· Any student meeting the criteria for exemption may choose to take the exam.

· Exam exemption will be determined class by class.

· Students attending more than half of a class will be counted present for purpose of this program. Tardies to

class or early dismissals from class that do not result in missing more than half of a class will not be considered.

· Classes missed due to organized school activities (i.e., field trips, athletic team participation) will not count for

purposes of this program.

· An absence due to required accepted college visits (with proper documentation) will not count for purposes of

this program.

· In-school restriction and suspension days will be counted as absences from class.

· All other non-school related absences – whether excused or unexcused – will be counted as absences from

class.

· Cheating or any other integrity violation that results in disciplinary action removes the student from considera-

tion for exam exemption in all classes.

· A senior failing to meet the requirements for exemption may appeal to the teacher (except in cases of an integ-

rity violation). The teacher may determine on a case-by-case basis that special circumstances exist and permit

the student to be exempt from the exam. No review of teacher decisions beyond the individual school level will

be available.

14

15

Cafeteria News

CLARITY Parent Portal

Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4

November 8

November 22

December 6

December 20

January 3

January 17

January 31

February 14

February 28

March14

March 28

April 11

April 25

May 9

May 23

June 6

CLARITY access forms will be sent home with first day information. Parents may

turn in completed forms during Back to School night on September 9.

Loudoun County Public Schools

Menu Prices (Effective August 2013)

School Breakfast School Lunch

Grades K-5: Full Price $2.00 Grades K-5: Full Price $3.00

Grades 6-12: Full Price $2.00 Grades 6-12: Full Price $3.10

Grades K-12: Reduced Price $ .30 Grades K-12: Reduced Price $ .40

Adult (w/coffee, tea, or milk) $2.30 Adult (w/coffee, tea, or milk) $4.00

The John Champe High School Cafeteria serves breakfast every morning from 8:10-8:55 am.

Breakfast and Lunch menus are available online.

16

Music Department News

Champe Musicians Shine at All District!

Congratulations to the following musicians for participating in All District Band

William Cho

Lindsay Crews

Nicholas Demar

Pedram Samipour

Amy Wang

Congratulations to the following musicians for participating in All District Choir

Mercy Wadwha

Jennifer Snyder

Erin Newsham

Macoia Richmond

Shelby Sencindiver

Nicole Newman

Taylor Campbell

Catherine Collins

Victoria Figlioli

Anusha Kumar

Jane Anne Barker

Yawsameen Izadpanah

Nicholas Tenny

Congratulations to Nicholas Tenny for making All State Choir!

17

18

Announcements from LCPS

19

Announcements from LCPS

20

Announcements from LCPS

21

Announcements from LCPS

22

Announcements from LCPS

23

Announcements from LCPS

24

Important Dates in March

March 4 6:30 PM Accelerated Curriculum Night

March 5 8:00 AM Course Planning with the Counseling Team

March 15 Monroe Technology Center Applications

Due

March 18 and 25 SOL Writing Test

March 18 7:00 PM MSAAC Meeting @ LCPS Admin Bldg

March 19 7:00 PM SEAC Meeting @ LCPS Admin Bldg

For the most up-to-date information on events at John Champe High School, please

consult the school master calendar at www.champesports.com.