Rufus King is IB Strong!

From Dr. Smith

Rufus King - Committed to IB!

As you may already know, Rufus King is one of the oldest

IB public schools in the state of Wisconsin and IB is a

tradition that we are very proud of. Even though we are an

experienced IB school, we are excited to see our IB

programs growing and attracting more students. Our

current numbers of IB Diploma Program students are

significantly higher than previous years. I have included

this table to show the growth in just a single year.

Anticipated Course Diploma Total

Registrations

2016 222 69 107 398

2015 99 93 81 273

We are delighted to see more students taking advantage of

the IB program and all it has to offer our students. We know

that an IB education prepares our students, not just to enter

college, but to succeed in college. According to the

November, 2015 article from Mary Stegmeir (Bolstered By

Results, IB Expands Outreach to Low-Income Students), “IB

Diploma Programme (DP) students boast a college retention

rate of 98 percent, besting the national average by 21

Winter Break 2015

Winter break is such a wonderful time

for all of our students and staff! The

fall semester has been a flurry

deadlines, assignments, applications

and extra-curricular activities! Use this

time to reflect, refresh, and recharge in

preparation for 2016.

We are pleased to announce that we

currently participate in Meijer’s

Community Rewards Program. If you

are a Meijer shopper please designate

Rufus King HS (Code 458480) as your

recipient. For more information on the

Meijer Community Reward Program,

please visit

http://www.meijer.com/rewards

Have a safe and relaxing holiday

break!

Rufus King International

High School Parent Newsletter December 2015

percentage points.” The article goes on to share many more important facts about the success of IB DP students.

I have included a link to the full article if you are interested.

I am also thrilled to see the district’s continuing support for IB programs. This year Milwaukee Public Schools

provided on-site training for all teachers at IB schools and they continue to provide financial support for IB test

fees. All students pay their IB registration fee and then the district pays 100% of test fees for Free/Reduced lunch

students and 50% of test fees for all students. This is an amazing support for our students to complete their IB

experience and possibly earn college credits.

At Rufus King, we are fortunate to have an MYP program as well to prepare our students to be successful DP

students. ALL Rufus King students are MYP students and are developing the characteristics of an IB learner

(Knowledgeable, Caring, Risk-taker, Reflective, Principled, Communicator, Inquirer, Open-minded, Thinker and

Balanced) through their coursework, service and personal project.

http://www.nacacnet.org/learning/communities/Admitted/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=683

2015-2016 Rufus King International – Second Semester Calendar (updated 12/2/15)

1 Winter recess (no school)

4 Classes resume Staff Meeting – 2:45 p.m. Governance Council meeting – 4:30 p.m.

6 Advisors Meeting – 2:45 p.m.

7 Financial Aid Night – 6 p.m.

8 EE – Final drafts due

11 Department Meetings – 2:45 p.m.

PTSO meeting – 6:00 p.m.

13 DP Teacher Meeting – 2:45 p.m.

16 MLK Drumline Competition

18 M.L. King Jr. Day (no school)

20 MYP Teacher Meeting – 2:45 p.m.

20 Rising Junior DP Meeting – 6 p.m.

21 Rising Junior DP Meeting – 6 p.m.

22 Deadline: Add/drop classes Deadline: Pass/Fail option

25 Learning Team Meeting – 2:45 p.m.

26 DP Silver Platter Ceremony – 6:30 p.m.

27 Staff PD – 2:45 p.m.

1 Spring Break (no school)

4 Staff Meeting – 2:45 p.m.

Governance Council Meeting 4:30p.m.

6 Advisors Meeting – 2:45 p.m.

7 New Student Orientation (Spring Open House) – 6-8 p.m.

11 Learning Team Meeting – 2:45 p.m.

13 DP Teacher Meeting – 2:45 p.m.

13 Asian Awareness Program

15 Spring Blood Drive

15 POTENTIAL FAILURE REPORTS DUE

18 Department Meetings – 2:45 p.m.

20 MYP Teachers – 2:45 p.m.

22 Student Staff Basketball game

23 Prom

25 Department Meetings – 2:45 p.m.

25 PTSO meeting – 6:00 p.m.

27 Staff PD – 2:45 p.m.

26 Ethnic Fest

28 Spring Choral Concert – 7 p.m.

JANUARY 2016

S M T W Th F S

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

APRIL 2016

S M T W Th F S

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

1 District PD day (no student attendance) Governance Council meeting – 4:30 p.m.

3 Advisors Meeting – 2:45 p.m.

5 INTERIM REPORTS DUE

8 Learning Team Meeting – 2:45 p.m.

10 DP Teacher Meeting – 2:45 p.m.

13 WSMA State Auditions

15 Mid-semester break (no school)

20 Winter Ice Dance

22 Department Meetings – 2:45 p.m.

23 Black History Month Program –10th period assembly schedule

24 Staff PD – 2:45 p.m.

29 Learning Team Meeting – 2:45 p.m.

PTSO meeting – 6:00 p.m.

1 Link Crew – May Day

2 DP Exams begin

ACT Aspire testing (gr. 9-10) Final exams due to department chairs Staff Meeting – 2:45 p.m. Governance Council meeting – 4:30 p.m.

3 Awards Program – 6 p.m.

6 Final exams due to administration from department chairs

9 Department Meetings – 2:45 p.m.

16 Graduation Rehearsal – 1:00 p.m.

17-19 Final exams for ALL students (a.m. attendance only)

17 Senior Picnic – Brown Deer Park

12:00-3:00PM

18 Graduation – 7:00pm @ UWM Panther Arena – Kilbourn Ave.

20 Record day (no student attendance) SEMESTER TWO MARK PERIOD AND

FINAL GRADES DUE

23 Emergency make up day/PD Day

FEBRUARY 2016

S M T W Th F S

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29

MAY 2016

S M T W Th F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

1 ACT Test date (11th gr. only)

1 SEMESTER TWO SNAPSHOTS DUE

1-3 Conference dates TBD

2 ACT Work Keys test (11th gr.)

2 Advisors Meeting – 2:45 p.m.

4 P/T conference day (no school)

5 Solo Ensemble Competition

7 Staff Meeting – 2:45 p.m.

Governance Council Meeting 4:30p.m.

9 DP Teacher Meeting – 2:45 p.m.

11 Personal Project Show (10th gr.)

13 NHS Induction Ceremony – 6:30 p.m.

14 Learning Team Meeting – 2:45 p.m.

16 MYP Teacher Meeting – 2:45 p.m.

17 Soph./Junior Parent Night, 6 p.m.

18 Professional Development Day (no student attendance)

18 Spring Play – 7:30 p.m.

19 Spring Play – 2:30 & 7:30 p.m

21 Department Meetings – 2:45 p.m.

21 Spanish Honor Society Induction

22 Band Concert – 7 p.m.

23 Staff PD – 2:45 p.m.

23 Freshman Oscars 4:30p.m.

25-31 Spring Break

MARCH 2016

S M T W Th F S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

**This calendar is subject to change throughout the school year. Please watch for the parent newsletter updating the calendar throughout the year. Check the school website for updates – www.mpsmke.com/rufusking.

RUFUS KING INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

EVENTS CALENDAR

DATE EVENT SCHEDULED

Monday, May 16, 2016 Last regular school day of the year. Hours 6 & 7 –

Graduation Rehearsal.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016 7:30 – 11:35 a.m. – Exams for hours 1, 2 & 3

12:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Senior Picnic at Brown Deer

for all graduating students.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016 7:30 – 10:10 a.m. – Exams for hour 4 & 5

7:00 p.m. – Graduation Ceremony at the UWM

Panther Arena – 400 West Kilbourn Ave.

Thursday, May 19, 2016 7:30 – 10:10 a.m. – Exams for hours 6 &7

**Senior Fees** **Please note that Senior fees are now $125 and

are being accepted by the bookkeeper (Rm 121E).

Senior Fees will increase to $135 on March 1st so

please start making payments NOW!!

VOLUNTEER SERVICE HOURS

PARENTS OR STUDENTS

Rufus King High School staffs the voting polls at

Ward 58 and 59 (Rufus King High School) with

volunteer election workers. The City of Milwaukee

Election Commission will pay the Rufus King

Foundation over $6000 in 2016 for staffing these

Wards but we need your help! We need Election

Inspectors. Can you help? It requires a training with

the City of Milwaukee Election Commission and you

working all or some of these dates:

Election Dates: February 16th, April 5th, August 9th

and November 8th

We are happy to work around your schedule to help

us staff this. Half day? Only a few hours? Not a

problem.

What? You can’t make it, but your kid can? Great.

The State of Wisconsin allows students age 16 and

above with a 3.0 GPA to work at election sites. The

City of Milwaukee will train our students at school

on February 2nd, 2016.

Does your child need easy service hours? A CAS

Project? A Personal Project? A resume builder for

college? This is it.

Please contact Jeremy Nichols at

nicholjp@milwaukee.k12.wi.us or at 414-267-0750 to

get signed up or for more information.

1801 W. Olive Street

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53209-6898

Area 414: 267-0700

FAX 414: 267-0715

FAX 414: 267-0815

RUFUS KING INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS

December 2015

Parents/Guardians –

Fall Wrap Up

Rufus King had another successful fall athletic season. The Girls Volleyball, Girls Cross Country, Boys Cross Country, Girls

Tennis and Football Teams all won the City Conference Championship. Girls Volleyball won the regular season City

Conference Championship and the Girls Swim Team won the City Conference Relay Championship. Rufus King was

represented at the Boys State Cross Country Meet by Corey Thornton, who finished 25th overall and earned Honorable

Mention All-State. Cassy Jernberg represented Rufus King at the Girls State Swim Meet and became the first female swim

from MPS to win a swim event; she won the 500 yard freestyle with a time of 4:46.93. The Rufus King Football team won its

third WIAA playoff game in school history and its second in two year. Congratulations Fall Athletes for all your success.

Winter Information

Winter Sports have begun. Schedules for sports can always be found at mps.sportspakonline.net or at the Rufus King Website

under Athletes. Just a reminder, if you plan on attending a Boys Basketball Game, those tickets must be purchased in

advance from the Athletic Office after 2:00; tickets for Boys Basketball Games are not sold at the door. Tickets to all

basketball games are $5. Keep February 5th, Rufus King will host the City Conference Wrestling Championship. If you are

able to volunteer or you have a son or daughter looking for service hours, please let them know the Wrestling Team needs

volunteers. More information can be found in the Athletic Office or by calling 414-267-0750.

Get Cleared for Spring

Get Cleared for Spring Sports. Forms are already available in the Athletic

Office. All athletes need to have a physician signed physical more recent that

4/1/14, as well as a signed parent permission card with proof on insurance,

concussion waiver and liability waiver and $25 turned in by March 4th to be

eligible for the first day or practice.

Spirit Wear

If you are in need of Rufus King Spirit Wear, please go to:

www.sidelinestores.com/schools/wisconsin/milwaukee/milwaukee-king-high-school/

If you are looking to purchase a Letterman Jacket, Rufus King recommend these two local businesses:

Burghardt Sport Goods – 14660 W. Capitol Dr. 262-790-1170

Dunn’s Sporting Goods – 6034 W. National Ave. 414-453-7200

Jackets usually run in the $160-$180 range.

Sponsorship

Rufus King Athletics is looking for sponsors. If you, your business or your employer would like to be part of supporting

athletics that compete at a high level and help students develop character and leadership, please call 414-267-0750 or email

Jeremy Nichols at nicholjp@milwaukee.k12.wi.us . We would work to advertise your business at games and events, as well as

give you special perks at Rufus King Athletic Events. Help us continue to compete at a state caliber level.

Go Generals –

Jeremy Nichols

Athletic Director

Spring Sport Start Dates

Track March 7th

Softball March 14th

Baseball March 21st

Girls Soccer March 21st

Boys Tennis March 28th

Boys Golf March 28th

Winter Happenings in Counseling

As semester 1 comes to a close, Rufus King’s School Counseling Office would like to congratulate seniors

who have completed their college applications. Way to go Seniors! Continue to bring college letters of

acceptance and scholarship offers that you receive to your counselor. Seniors will now focus on

completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). We have our King Parent/Student

Financial Aid night scheduled for Jan. 7th from 6-8pm. We will also have dates available for one to one

FAFSA help for seniors and parents. Call Ms. Hickman at 414/267-0725 to schedule an appointment. We

continue to update our scholarship list and send it out through student career cruising accounts and the

parent list serve. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR EMAIL IN YOUR CAREER CRUISING ACCOUNT IS

ONE YOU GO TO REGULARILY. Make changes to your email in to career cruising profile.

To reach our district goal of “Every MPS Child a Graduate who is College and Career Ready,” school

counselors will begin scheduling Academic and Career Planning (ACP) conferences with our 9th graders.

The ACP is one of the components of Rufus King’s Comprehensive School Counseling Program which

focuses on student’s academic, career and personal/social development. Please contact your child’s

counselor to schedule this important conference.

Important dates

January 7th Financial Aid Night

March 1st ACT Test for 11th graders

March 2nd ACT Work Keys test 11th graders

March 17th Sophomore/ Junior Parent College Application Night

Talking the Talk: A Guide to IB Terminology

The IB program – A worldwide program offered

during the last two years of high school. It is

linked by uniform teacher training and a

common assessment system in which exams

and other work are graded internationally. The

IB program is intended for students who are

academically motivated. The IBO is a non-profit

organization, with offices in Geneva,

Switzerland, Cardiff, Wales and New York.

IB Diploma — the name of a document issued

by IB after a student has completed and passed

the following requirements: six exams taken in

six different academic areas, three at the Higher

Level and three at the Standard Level; an

Extended Essay; 150 hours of CAS activities;

and completion of Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

course. The Diploma is the highest level of IB

achievement.

Higher Level (HL) – An IB course offered over

two years with a minimum of 240 hours of

instruction; exams only available to high school

seniors. HL credit with good grades can often be

submitted to colleges and universities for

transfer credit, i.e., as equivalent of first year

standing.

Standard Level (SL) – This is an IB course that

must be taught over a minimum of 150 hours of

instruction. Standard Level exams are usually a

little shorter or less conceptual or analytical than

Higher Level exams, but the standard level is

generally still more difficult in content and skills

than state-mandated tests. Occasionally SL

grades can be submitted to colleges and

universities for credit. A SL level course can be

examined at the end of Grade 11 if the school

chooses. It is then called an Anticipated

Subject.

Extended Essay – A 4000-word independent

research paper due in the senior year, chosen

and undertaken by the student in one of over 20

IB disciplines (literature, second language,

history, physics, biology, etc.). The student

chooses a school-based mentor for guidance in

research and writing. The Extended Essay does

not earn credit in any class. It is sent elsewhere

in the world to be graded. Form is emphasized

as well as content. It shows a student to be a

self-directed learner.

CAS – This is an acronym standing for

Creativity, Action, and Service. CAS is the non-

school portion of the requirements for the

Diploma, in which 150 hours of self-directed

experiential learning are equally divided to show

leadership or new learning, cooperation with

others, and community service.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) – A course

required of Diploma candidates in every school

in the world, in which the concept of knowledge

– its worth, veracity, and forms – is considered.

One essay is required for outside assessment;

the class teacher assesses the other

assignments or presentations.

Certificate – The name of the document that a

student earns after completing the instruction,

internal assessment and exam of and IB class.

Exams and course work for both Diploma and

Course candidates are the same in any given

subject and level.

Scores – Students earn a single score ranging

from 1 (low) to 7 (high) for each IB subject exam

taken. The scores indicate a level of

achievement compared with students around the

world undergoing the same requirements.

Diploma candidates must accumulate a

minimum of 24 points (out of a possible 45

points) to earn the Diploma. Many colleges and

universities consider a “4” and above in Higher

Level courses to be sufficient for transfer credit.

Internal Assessment – The individual student

evaluation done by the teacher of a subject on a

particular piece of work or the accumulation of

work (depends on the subject) and

communicated to the IB Curriculum and

Assessment office. Internal assessments are

criteria-based. Samples of candidates’ work,

which represents a range of performance from

low to high, are also submitted to markers all

over the world. Oral exams, portfolios, lab

books and essays are samples of internal

assessments.

Descriptors – The course-specific expectations

or criteria for performance evaluation by the

teacher. For example some English descriptors

are: a) interpretation of the text; b) appreciation

of the literary features; c) focused, well-

developed, persuasive arguments; d) clear,

varied precise and concise language and e)

quality response to the main implications as well

as some of the subtleties of the question. In

History: 1) a clearly focused scope and plan for

an investigation; b) production of good

supporting evidence which is correctly

referenced; c) thorough evaluation of sources

with reference to their origin, purpose, value and

limitations; d) critical analysis of the evidence

and the importance of the investigation in its

historical context. Such descriptors exist in all

subjects to help teachers’ grade internal

assessment assignments.

Moderation – Process by which a teacher’s

internal assessments are evaluated by an

external assessor appointed by IB. After a

teacher submits graded internal assessment

samples, IB will assess that teacher’s marking

for accuracy and either keep, raise, or lower all

of his/her students’ grades to match the external

standard. This is the process by which the IB

maintains high standards and uniformity

throughout the world.

Predicted grades – Teachers submit scores

which they think students will ultimately earn for

their total IB assessment to the IB organization.

This is another way in which the teacher can

see, when actual scores arrive, whether or not

their teaching and scoring are in line with IB’s

criteria. Predicted scores are also used if there

is an unusual circumstance, such as illness or

national disaster, which affects a candidate’s

examination. Some universities use predicted

scores to aid in assessing applicants for

scholarship and admission.

Orals (Formal Commentary) – In English,

second languages, and Theatre Arts, an oral

presentation by each student is tape recorded

for internal assessment. A range of the resulting

tapes is sent by the teacher(s) for moderation of

all scores. Oral exams must be completed by

the end of March in the senior year.

Middle Years Program Update

Now that we have completed our first semester, students should have a better understanding of exactly what it means

to be part of our Middle Years Program. Our 9th graders have experienced being an IB learner and have become

familiar with the various projects students participate in while at Rufus King. Our 10th graders have continued to

develop their critical thinking skills and should have a strong understanding of the benefits of being an IB learner.

Students in 9th and 10th grade should all be working on their Service as Action project. The expectation is that all

students complete 20 hours of community service before the end of the school year. Many students are off to a great

start and have had great experiences! Our students have assisted at nursing homes, served in soup kitchens, and

worked with younger children-just to name a few. Please ask your student about their progress and encourage them

to get started if they haven’t already, there is still plenty of time left. Winter break provides a great opportunity for

students to work on earning their hours.

Students in 10th grade are working hard on their Personal Projects. There are a number of creative projects and

ideas that students are developing. Please find extra information on the project timeline and requirements in the

Personal Project section of this newsletter.

As we move into the 2nd semester, we will be diving more deeply into the IB curriculum. 9th graders will continue to

develop an understanding of being an IB learner, while 10th graders will begin the conversation about participating in

the Diploma Program (DP). Please watch for additional information about the Rising Junior meetings that will be

offered by Mr. Gatewood in January 2016. These meetings will provide a wealth of information about the Diploma

Program and help you and your students discuss the many options available to them in their Junior year.

Wishing you a wonderful 2016!

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me; Erica Ganong:

ganongea@Milwaukee.K12.WI.US or (414) 267-0921.

Media

The 2nd Annual Sophomore Personal Project Showcase will be presented by the Class

of 2018 on March 11th, 2016!

The 10th Grade Personal Project is a required, independent research project about a self-chosen, personal topic.

Students create a Product/goal—keep track of the research journey in a Process Journal—then reflect on their

learning in a final report/paper.

Thank you to all the parents and

families who attended the Sophomore Pot Luck

Dinner! We hope the conversations

surrounding the IB Middle Years Program and

the 10th Grade Personal Project have given more

clarity to the requirements and goals of the

curriculum and have inspired scholars to

challenge themselves with a meaningful

Personal Project.

Students are currently in the Taking Action

Phase. They are implementing their plan to

complete their goal by the January 15th deadline.

To be on track, students should:

Met for the 2nd face to face with advisor.

Communicate progress and get advice.

Review their criteria and plan to meet

the criteria. Does anything need to

change to meet the January 15th deadline?

Continue to keep a Process Journal about

the actions and decisions made to

complete the goal.

Turn in the Parent Consent form to

advisor if not done so already.

Start a draft of the Reflection Paper for

the Investigation and Planning Phases.

An outline and example are provided in

the files section of Managebac.

Personal Project Workshops are held every Thursday after school in the Library Lab

from 3-4:30 for extra help. Please encourage struggling students to attend.

Managebac is the Online tool that students use to communicate and record their progress. The “FILES”

section of Managebac holds informational documents including a full student guide that describe each

phase of the project in detail. The program is very user friendly with lots of explanations about the

project requirements throughout the screens.

***Parents can be added as a user on Managebac, allowing regular monitoring of student progress, and the ability

to view deadlines and updates.

***To be added as a user on Managebac, parents should email Ms. Schlipp, PP Supervisor, at

schlipda@milwaukee.k12.wi.us. Please include your name, student’s name, and the email you want to use to

access the site. Managebac will send an invitational email to set up a password after you are added as a user.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA PROGRAM

NEWS AND INFORMATION

IB Test registration has been successfully completed and we are pleased to say that we have enrolled 398

Juniors and Seniors to take 1,398 tests in higher level and standard level subjects. This represents the most

students ever to sit for IB exams in the history of Rufus King. The IB tests are administered from May 2 through

May 20. There are 107 IB Full Diploma Candidates in the Class of 2016 and over 200 Anticipated Diploma Juniors

in the Class of 2017. Approximately 60% of Rufus King Juniors and Seniors are taking one or more IB tests (please

note: not all Juniors enrolled in IB classes are eligible to take IB exams their Junior year; Higher Level IB classes

test Senior year.) Parents are kindly reminded that all IB Test Fees must be paid in full by the end of the academic

school year.

Our Full Diploma Seniors submitted their final copies of their Extended Essays on Friday, December 4th,

to their advisors. Their families should reserve the date of Tuesday, January 26th, 2016 when IB Full Diploma

candidates will present their completed Extended Essays to their advisors on a silver platter! At this “Silver Platter

Ceremony,” which culminates 10 months of self-directed study, students will receive their IB pins. Parents are

invited to attend; attendance is mandatory for Full Diploma seniors. The presentations will be followed by a

very nice dessert reception.

Ms. Libby Dempsey is our CAS Coordinator, and has already met with Full Diploma Juniors and Seniors

to clarify their sense of direction in Creativity, Action, and Service. You may direct questions regarding CAS to

her, at dempsee@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

Finally, we will be hosting an informational meeting about the IB Diploma Program at 6pm in the Rufus

King Auditorium on Wednesday, January 20th and Thursday, January 21st. The focus of this meeting will be to

provide information to parents of current sophomores who are intending to pursue the full diploma curriculum.

Mr. Gatewood, our IB Diploma program coordinator will be discussing the requirements of the program and

answering questions. Parents and guardians of current sophomores intending to “go full IB” are required to

attend one of these dates to complete forms related to the program. Parents, guardians and students at all other

grade levels are also welcome.

Rufus King High School National Honor Society: Information

Invitation and Induction Process

Induction Ceremony: Sunday 13 March 2016 @ 6:30pm

What is the National Honor Society? The National Honor Society was created in 1921 as a national organization to recognize and encourage academic achievement while also developing other characteristics essential to citizens in a democracy. These ideals of scholarship, character, service, and leadership remain as relevant today as they were in 1921. NHS membership is often regarded as a valid indicator of student success in life and particularly in post-secondary studies. Who is invited? (minimum GPA standard created prior to 1998) Minimum requirement to receive an invitation packet (based on semester I: 2015-16 cumulative GPA)

Sophomores: 3.3 cumulative GPA (Semester I)

Juniors: 3.3 cumulative GPA (Semester I)

Seniors: 3.2 cumulative GPA (Semester I)

Students are urged to begin performing community service activities early in the school year in preparation for completion of their invitation to the chapter

What is the Invitation Process?

Invitations mailed to homes of qualifying students during early - January 2016

Invitation packet includes questions on future goals, past/present extracurricular activities, community service, and past/present leadership positions.

Invitee accurately completes and returns invitation packet, in person, to NHS advisor, Mr. Wagner, in Rm.304, and receives 5 recommendation forms to be distributed to present Rufus King High School teachers (no student teachers) from different departments; teachers will return the completed recommendation form directly to the NHS advisor by the due date.

Late packets or recommendation forms will not be accepted.

Invitee must strictly adhere to all directions and due dates

Completed invitation packets are reviewed by the (5) member Rufus King High School Faculty Council. What is the Function/Selection Process of the Faculty Council? Faculty Council is the committee charged with evaluating NHS completed invitation packets and maintaining the integrity of the Rufus King chapter of the NHS organization.

Five faculty members are appointed to the Faculty Council annually by the school principal; neither the principal nor the NHS advisor, are members of the Faculty Council.

The Council is charged to follow NHS guidelines in selecting new members based on their review and evaluation of completed invitation packets and teacher recommendation forms; they are also charged with disciplining and dismissing NHS members when necessary, following NHS guidelines.

Student members selected to join the RKHS chapter of the NHS is based on Scholarship, Community Service, Leadership, and Character as reflected in completed invitation packets.

Rufus King Administration provides oversight of the process, supporting faculty council selection decisions and signing each non-selected invitation packet to verify its accuracy.

This is a rigorous process! Last year only 46% of sent invitations were completed and returned for consideration. Of those returned, 61% were selected for the Rufus King High School Chapter of the National Honor Society.

Decisions of the Faculty Council are final and not subject to review, per NHS guidelines. Responsibilities of Selected Students:

All invitees are notified mid-March regarding their invitation status

New inductees pay the $40 induction fee = [RKHS NHS Polo $26.75 plus patch/pin/cord $20.70]

Thereafter the RKHS chapter if NHS annual due/fee is $20 paid the last week of September

Must uphold Scholarship, Service, Character, and Leadership principles of the Rufus King High School chapter of the National Honor Society

Grades: Maintain high grade point average – members are responsible for monitoring their own grades, Infinite Campus, progress reports and mark period grades provides members with the tool to self-monitor grades. (seniors who fall below the required cumulative GPA Semester I will be dismissed - juniors will receive a warning letter - you must monitor your own grades)

Service: complete 60 hours of community service, you have 10 months to complete your service prior to the following year’s induction ceremony. Students who do not complete the required 60 hrs will be asked to resign

Due/fee: pay the NHS due/fee on time

Character: maintain a positive attitude, exhibit leadership and have good attendance to all meetings and NHS activities

Students not selected to join the Rufus King NHS chapter:

Sophomores and juniors not currently selected will be re-invited the following year based on meeting the required minimum cumulative GPA.

Chapters are not legally nor constitutionally obligated to share with parents, students, teachers, or community member’s information concerning specific students not selected for membership in the society as stated in the National Honor Society Handbook (p.34).

Induction Ceremony: Sunday 13 March 2016 - in the Rufus King High School Auditorium

This is a semi-formal event, with inductees arriving by 5:30 p.m. and parents seated by 6:15 p.m.

All new inductees will receive a membership card, pin, and the NHS patch; seniors will receive their NHS graduation gold honor cord.

Rehearsal held during 7th period Friday 11 March 2016

Attendance for all new inductees is mandatory per NHS guidelines

Participants must follow the directions given for the dress code and their assignments for that day.

The National Honor Society is a prestigious organization within the school, and being a member of the Rufus King High School chapter of the National Honor Society is a great honor.

NHS Officer Corps: (2015-16) NHS Faculty Council: (year appointed)

President: Silinapha Saycocie Ms. S. Beirold (1999)

Senior Vice President: Josephine Newcomb Ms. K. O’Keefe-Boettcher (2004)

Junior Vice President: Chuefeng Yang Mr. D. Long (2005)

Secretary: Cassandra Yoo Ms. S. Walczak (2012)

Senior Information Czar: Vacant Mr. D. O’Keefe-Boettcher (2012)

Junior Information Czar: Savanna Samuels

NHS Advisor/Coordinator: Mr. Steven Wagner

Rufus King Writing Center

ATTENTION ALL SOPHOMORES, JUNIORS, AND SENIORS!

The writing center is seeking new tutors for the spring semester!

The Rufus King writing center is a student-led tutoring center for all Rufus King students who request help with writing. Using a conversational, collaborative model, tutors will help tutees meet their individual needs while empowering the tutee to take ownership of their writing. Student tutors will act as coaches and soundboards rather than experts who can "fix" a problem. Writing is a process: tutors will work with tutees wherever they are in that process from forming ideas to revising completed drafts. Training sessions will occur in early January. For further information, please see Ms. Daroszeski or Mr. Biel. A link to the application is available on the Rufus King online calendar.

WHEN Tuesdays, 3-4pm

Thursdays 3pm-4pm

2nd and 4th Monday each month

3rd Hour Study-hall, Tuesdays and Thursdays

Bring in any sort of writing!

Academic Writing

College Entrance Essays

Personal Statements for

jobs or school

Creative Writing

Extended Essays

Personal Projects

ACT Practice Writing

Scholarship Application Essays

Other writing

Rufus King Cares!

Students in Mrs. Dreyer's Health classes demonstrated their

King PRIDE by donating 1,725 pounds of food to our

community partner Hunger Task Force. Students met and

applied the Wisconsin State Health Education Standard of

Advocacy and the IB - ATL of Social Collaborative Skills by

donating food over a two week period to help meet our

communities' needs of hunger. This amount of food will feed

1,150 individuals or 43 families (of four) for approximately 3-5

days or one family of four for 67 days.

Important

Contacts

Main Office 267-0700

Attendance Office 267-0760

Guidance Counselors

Ms. Mikell (A-D) 267-0729

Ms. Boeck (E-L) 267-0727

Ms. Tatum Crider (M-R) 267-0726

Mr. Schneider (S-Z) 267-0728

Administrators

Dr. Smith, Principal 267-0705

Ms. Miranda (9th) 267-0707

Mr. Stewart (10th) 267-0709

Ms. McClain (11th ) 267-0708

Mr. Fink (12th) 267-0706

IB Coordinators

MYP –Miss Ganong 267-0921

DP – Mr. Gatewood 267-0735

Athletic Director

Mr. Nichols 267-0750

Parent Coordinator

Ms. Goodman 267-0724