Week of August 27 2018

Team, 

As exhausted as I am, (and I am sure you are as well), I have reflected on what a great couple of weeks we have had. Watching everyone come together and move towards a fantastic school year has been very exciting for me and I hope it has been for you as well! We have a list of exciting opportunities coming our way this year that will help us along this wonderful journey. How we use these resources will be key to the end result.

Due to time restraints and delivering an enormous amount of information, we moved as quick as we could through the faculty meeting on the 15th.  I hope each and everyone of you had an opportunity to reflect on the "penguin" you are, as well as the "penguins" surrounding you and how we all can compliment each other in order to move through the challenges that we will face. I hope you all understand how important it is to accept the fact that our iceberg can be melting, and rather than be complacent with that reality, we shift our thoughts and actions to move forward into a world that our students will truly benefit from. This will only happen if we work with each other and for the best interest of our students. I'm looking forward to working with all the Freds, Alices, No-nos, Buddys and all others in order to achieve great results. You all bring a special attribute to the table.

Please pay extra attention to all the e-mails that have been sent out that will assist you in this week.  Remember that ALL students should be welcomed to your room regardless if you believe your class is overloaded, or if the child said they do not belong in your room. It is important to communicate to the counselors, as Monday we will be focused ONLY on scheduling newly enrolled students. Any students with schedule change requests can pick up a form on Monday outside the main office or outside Ms. Compton's office (not during class time). They can be turned into the counselors' mailbox anytime in between classes. 

Ms. Compton - 9th Grade

A-D  - Ms. Graves

E-L - Mr.  Hawkins

M-R - Mrs. Richards

S-Z - Mrs. Hudgens 

Reminder that Seniors have spirit week. All students can wear jeans on Friday ONLY IF they have a jean band on. Jeans should not have shreds, tears, rips, etc. Mrs. Repko will announce when these bands will be sold this week. Friday, ALL students can wear homemade class shirts as well. These class shirts ware only allowed on this Friday. Other than that, it is important to set the tone from day 1, especially with food and drinks, (water is allowed in a clear bottle), electronics and accessories as well as sweeps. We will NOT be turning in sweeps the first 3 days. Sweeps will be in effect on Thursday (You do not need to communicate this to the students). Just be a motivating force in assisting students with finding their locations and getting them to class on time as best possible.
SENIORS ONLY
Monday, Hawaiian/Tie Dye 
Tuesday, Senior Queen
Wednesday - Neon Pink shirt slogan with We're kind of a B19 Deal!"
Thursday, Swat/Camouflage
Friday, SW Spirit shirt or class shirt (all grades)

A new safety/security process you need to be aware of...
Starting tomorrow, any students arriving before 8:10 should either report to the freshmen gym if they are 9th graders or wait in the front atrium if they are upperclassmen. Obviously there are exceptions to this such as being in Jazz Band zero block, meeting with teachers for tutorials, clubs, etc. Please understand we had to make this decision since the official start time for staff is 8:15. Thank you for understanding this additional measure we put in place for the safety of all individuals who arrive to our campus. Additionally, one of the magnetic doors will be activated starting tomorrow. All visitors must still check in with either attendance or the main office. Thank you again for understanding the importance of this process. 

Thank you for everything you do and are about to do to make Southwest continue to move forward.  Remember to be a part of the team and challenge yourself in learning new ways to meet the needs of the school and our students. 

I am looking forward to this ride and I hope you are as well!

Reminders:

- Make sure you are in connection with any parents about their child's grades especially since Parent Assist/PowerSchool will not be available until 9/11. 

Remember to reference CANVAS (or that important links page) for all pertinent information. If you find that a document is not located on CANVAS, please inquire with one of the Assistant Principals, Karen Meier or Tinisha Shaw.

- Mr. Hettenbach

AM SUPERVISION

Front Lobby to Attendance                 Hmiel

Attendance intersection                      Hurt (Ramey)

Outside Media Center                        Ynoa Lantigua

Inside Media Center                           Rouson

Cafeteria Inside (late bus)                  Phillips

Cafeteria inside                                  Shaw

Cafeteria outside                                Donovan

Student lot outside gym                      Keveryn

Gravel lot behind cafeteria                 Christman

Card Swiping Student lot                    Boulton/Nadeau
Card Swiping Front Door                    Vogel/Chambers/Miller

Academy gym (inside)                        Demercurio

Academy gym (hallway)                     Greene

LUNCH

1^st Lunch

Teacher 1                                             Bratton

Teacher 2                                             Davison

Teacher 3                                             Allah
Teacher 4                                             Hammersley

2^nd Lunch

Teacher 1                                             Baker

Teacher 2                                             Evans

Teacher 3                                             Arrington
Teacher 4                                             Manley

3^rd Lunch

Teacher 1                                             Canon

Teacher 2                                             Duran

Teacher 3                                             Rodriguez
Teacher 4                                             Powell

4^th Lunch

Teacher 1                                             Black

Teacher 2                                             J. Cox

Teacher 3                                             Burroughs
Teacher 4                                             Frohne

Please assist us in keeping students seated until the bell rings. Also – if you have lunch supervision, you can dismiss your class 2 minutes (no earlier) in order to get to the cafeteria before the students arrive.

Teacher 1 = Inside Cafeteria at Cashiers transitioning to old section of cafeteria

Teacher 2 = Outside serving line inside old section of cafeteria transitioning to large section of cafeteria

Teacher 3 = Outside line in hall transitioning to cafeteria exit

Teacher 4 = Float between both dining rooms

This week....

Monday, August 27
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
4:00 PM Womens Varsity Golf Glenn Home 
4:30 PM Womens Varsity Tennis East Forsyth High School Away

Tuesday, August 28
3:30 PM Womens Varsity Golf Tri-Meet w/ Ragsdale and HP Central Home 
4:30 PM Womens Junior Varsity Tennis High Point Christian Academy Home 
5:00 PM Coed Varsity Cross Country 2018 Guilford County Cross Country Championship Home 
5:00 PM Womens Junior Varsity Volleyball Parkland High School Away 
5:30 PM Mens Junior Varsity Soccer Ragsdale High School Home 
6:30 PM Womens Varsity Volleyball Parkland High School Away 
7:00 PM Mens Varsity Soccer Ragsdale High School Home

Wednesday, August 29
4:30 PM Womens Varsity Tennis Mount Tabor High School Away 
7:00 PM Mens Junior Varsity Football High Point Central High School Home

Thursday, August 30 
4:30 PM Womens Varsity Tennis Asheboro High School Home 
5:00 PM Womens Junior Varsity Volleyball Mount Tabor High School Away 
5:30 PM Mens Junior Varsity Soccer Ronald Reagan High School Away 
6:30 PM Womens Varsity Volleyball Mount Tabor High School Away 
7:00 PM Mens Varsity Soccer Ronald Reagan High School Away 
7:30 PM Mens Varsity Football High Point Central High School Away 

Friday, August 31 
No Athletics

As it relates to athletic schedules, feel free to visit the SWHS Athletics page at www.cowboysports.org and contact Coach Christman ro the student's coach with any concerns.

We are... Southwest!

Week of June 11

Team, 

Before going into the specifics for the week that are important to know, I wanted to express my thanks for everyone giving the school their very best this year. All of you continue to amaze me day in and day out as we fight the fight for students and public education. We have a lot to be proud of this past year. For those of you who are attending graduation, you will hear me emphasize this past year and what SWHS stands for. I have never been surrounded by such an amazing group of giving staff members, students, and community members. The amount of giving we displayed this past year is absolutely incredible. As little as we are taken care of year after year, we unselfishly assist others who are in far more need than ourselves.  Thank you.

I would also like to express my thanks for the many conversations I have had with you over this year. I can not tell you how much I appreciate the professional conversations that have taken place in and out of my office. It also impresses me the global understanding you have about how GCS is taking shape as a district. Whenever there is new leadership, whether it be the Superintendent, Central Office staff, Principal, Assistant Principal, Department Chair, etc, change is inevitable. With new people in these roles, we are given the opportunity to embrace or fight any change that we may face. It is important for you to know that I have also felt the pressure this past year that each and everyone of you have faced as well. One of the hardest things to learn over my 23 years in education is how to embrace change.  This has taught me how to be a positive part of the change and how to make it work for myself and my teammates.

I would also like to thank everyone who has brought their feedback to me, good and bad. While I can't promise that I will make a move on every suggestion brought to me, your input is extremely valuable and it helps me make the best decision possible for the school. 

Last, I have a challenge for you. Please make the effort to support your colleagues in any time of need. Whether it be personal or professional. Lift them up when they are in an unhealthy place. Be willing to have open dialogue with each other. Think about whether or not you would want to be made aware of your strengths or pitfalls from those you work with and care about on a daily basis. With what all has been placed upon us this year, many of you have stepped up to the plate and I appreciate that very much. Teamwork is the key to the many successes that come before us.

Thank you for exemplifying the total educator. 

Monday is the last exam day, Block 4, with make ups on Tuesday. Please remember if you have students who are staying after the 1:05 time, to contact Mr. Miller so he can relay the transportation needs. Students would then be sent to the transportation trailer at 3:35. 

Any students who WILL fail your class should be reported to:

E-mail:

12^th grade = Rainey, Phillips, Hettenbach, Richards, Hudgens

11^th grade = Barnum, Graves

10^th grade = Monell, Hawkins

9^th Grade = Compton, Miller

If you have a student who has failed by a couple points or so, please reach out to Mr. Rainey about a 10 day grade recovery. 

Please turn in all communication logs before you leave for the year to Mrs. Barnum. We typically receive phone calls form parents inquiring about grades. It is nice to be able to support the staff with the communications you have provided over the course of the year. 

From Mrs. Cline:

Senior Grades – ASAP, once seniors have taken your exam please post their grades. I will be storing 1^st round of senior grades the end of day June 6^th.

Underclassmen Grades are due by the end of the day Thursday, June 14th

*****English II & English III teachers may be affected with a delay in exam scores.

For any course that has a NC final exam please enter the following until the scores are in:

4th qtr = actual grade

Exam (E1) = INC

Semester Final grade (F1) = INC

**********All teacher made exams can be entered and completed the afternoon of the exam. (you do not need to wait)

                                                     

   Use 6/11 or 6/12 for exam due dates – you will not be able to click for the green E2 Grades Complete. It will still calculate, just make sure you do click for

   Q3, Q4 and F1 Grades Complete.  

Students that need to make up time due to too many absences should receive an “55” – use comment code:

56244- A “55” indicates the attendance policy was violated.

Reporting Periods	End of Reporting Period	Last Day Student to make up work/attendance	Last Day for teacher to  change grade	Data Manager completes the Restore Process
4th	6/12/2018	6/26/2018	06/27/2018 (Last day for teachers is 06/15/2018)	6/27/2018 at 5 PM

You will need to print out and give to me only the Score Sheet which is your spreadsheet with assignments & final grade.  Please  don’t turn them in until they are as correct as they will be.

By following these instructions below you can make sure your name & class are on your spreadsheet-

Click on Reports>Spreadsheet>Click on the Layout Tab, in the Top Note box type your last name & click on Run Report >Ok>Print>Click on Shrink oversized paper & Landscape>PRINT

Report cards will be mailed to students June 21st.

Grade changes can be submitted after report cards have been printed.  (For instructions on changing grades -  AKA “manually overriding grades” please see the attachment).  I have attached the grade change form that has to be filled out for all grade changes. You will make the change in your gradebook but you have to give me the form to let me know what you have changed so I can store the grades which will update student’s transcript.   

Below is a wonderful opportunity surrounding mental health and some training the county is providing to assist our young people. Feel free to sign up. 

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training is being offered June 11^th , in room 201 at Washington Street.  It will be offered again this summer, July 17 and 18, 2018,  at the EC Summer Institute at UNCG.  Youth Mental Health First Aid Training is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people.  The course introduces common mental health issues for youth, reviews typical adolescent development and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. To register, use this link:  GCS: Mental Health First Aid forYouth. 

I would like to remind everyone of the staff luncheon on Tuesday from 12:30 to 1:30 in the cafeteria. Thank you to the Sunshine Club for providing lunch.

As a reminder, GCS is expecting all staff to attend HS Graduation ceremonies and be in regalia. With this expectation, I will provide a FULL day of comp time that can be used for NEXT school year. The Graduation date for SWHS is Saturday, June 16 at 9:00 AM at the Greensboro Coliseum. Please make sure you are there no later than 8:15.  It is expected that staff have the same expectations as students when it comes to dress attire. In other words, shorts, loafers, tank tops, hats would not be considered appropriate. For those of you that were at graduation last year, it really was a beautiful thing to see and recognize the staff for all that they do in front of 5000 people. You all deserve this at the very least. More information will be coming via e-mail from Kim Cofer. Thank you to everyone who is assisting us with graduation practice Monday and Tuesday as well as additional responsibilities on Saturday at graduation practice!

Reminder: The building will always be open on Sunday from roughly 7-1 due to Piedmont Chapel church. 

June 11

4th Block exams - early Release - 1:05

1:30 PM - Senior Awards - Auditorium

4:00 - 6:00 PM - Mandatory Graduation Practice - SWHS Auditorium 

June 12

Make up exam day, last day of school

12:30 - 1:30PM  - Staff Luncheon - Cafeteria

4:00 - 6:00 PM - Mandatory Graduation Practice - Greensboro Coliseum special events center (be there by 3:15)

June 14

Grades due for all underclassmen by the end of the day.

June 16

9:00 AM - Graduation - staff must be at the coliseum by 8:15AM for robing.

June 21

Report Cards will be mailed to homes of students

Reminders:

- Make sure you are updating grades in Power School 

Remember to reference CANVAS for all pertinent information. If you find that a document is not located on CANVAS, please inquire with one of the Assistant Principals or Tinisha Shaw.

- Mr. Hettenbach

AM SUPERVISION

No one scheduled.  Anyone not testing - help would be greatly appreciated

LUNCH

1^st Lunch

Teacher 1                                             Greene

Teacher 2                                             Holmes

Teacher 3                                             Richards

2^nd Lunch

Teacher 1                                             Littles-Thiam

Teacher 2                                             Bassett

Teacher 3                                             Keveryn

3^rd Lunch

Teacher 1                                             Shields

Teacher 2                                             Talley

Teacher 3                                             Donovan

4^th Lunch

Teacher 1                                             Gann

Teacher 2                                             Rainey

Teacher 3                                             Jacobs

Please assist us in keeping students seated until the bell rings. Also – if you have lunch supervision, you can dismiss your class 2 minutes (no earlier) in order to get to the cafeteria before the students arrive.

Teacher 1 = Inside Cafeteria at Cashiers transitioning to old section of cafeteria

Teacher 2 = Outside serving line inside old section of cafeteria transitioning to large section of cafeteria

Teacher 3 = Outside line in hall transitioning to cafeteria exit

We are... Southwest!

Week of June 4

Team, 

We are now heading into exam week! Monday and Tuesday are regular school days slightly modified for 1st an 3rd block exams on Monday, and 2nd and 4th on Tuesday (schedule is posted below). Please make sure your students are aware, especially those that do not have a full schedule. They are used to arriving and leaving at a set time. 

Please remember that any classes that are not finished should not be using this time to simply watch movies, play games, conduct parties, therefore using class time that has no connection to your curriculum,. The parent calls are already coming in reporting teachers that have stopped teaching. We need to quickly put a stop to this and keep our students engaged for the next two days. I really appreciate the adjustments that need to be made. 

Another reminder that we are still in need of your help. I need everyone to report any students who look like they are in danger of failing your class to:

E-mail:

12^th grade = Rainey, Phillips, Hettenbach, Richards, Hudgens

11^th grade = Barnum, Graves

10^th grade = Monell, Hawkins

9^th Grade = Compton, Miller

While I certainly do not want to emphasize one grade more than another, the next 2 days are the last days we are able to assist seniors while they are in your class.

When you e-mail the above groups, it is necessary to share all communications with contacts you have put forth. This is vital for these groups when having conversations with homes, and students.

This process should occur right up to the very end. No blindsides of failing grades should occur and remember to keep your communication logs. 

The building is being unlocked Saturday from roughly 7-2:30 if anyone is interested in coming in, inviting students for any tutorials. There will already be some EOC boot camps occurring so you will not be alone. 

The wellness board continues and I appreciate how full it has become with the documentation of your dedication towards improving one's wellness. Keep it up!

Below is a wonderful opportunity surrounding mental health and some training the county is providing to assist our young people. Feel free to sign up. 

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training is being offered June 11^th , in room 201 at Washington Street.  It will be offered again this summer, July 17 and 18, 2018,  at the EC Summer Institute at UNCG.  Youth Mental Health First Aid Training is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people.  The course introduces common mental health issues for youth, reviews typical adolescent development and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. To register, use this link:  GCS: Mental Health First Aid forYouth. 

An ongoing reminder as we start approaching the end of the year, GCS is expecting all staff to attend HS Graduation ceremonies and be in regalia. With this expectation, I will provide a FULL day of comp time that can be used for NEXT school year. The Graduation date for SWHS is Saturday, June 16 at 9:00 AM at the Greensboro Coliseum. More information will follow. It is expected that staff have the same expectations as students when it comes to dress attire. In other words, shorts, loafers, tank tops, hats would not be considered appropriate. For those of you that were at graduation last year, it really was a beautiful thing to see and recognize the staff for all that they do in front of 5000 people. You all deserve this at the very least. 

Reminder: The building will always be open on Sunday from roughly 7-1 due to Piedmont Chapel church. 

June 4

1st and 3rd block Teacher made exams (extended time for these blocks) - Regular school day. 2 and 4 are regular classes

1^st Block:  8:40am -10:30am

2^nd Block: 10:35am – 11:45am

3^rd & 4^th Blocks:  Regular schedule

June 5

2nd and 4th block Teacher made exams (extended time for these blocks) - Regular school day. 1 and 3 are regular classes

1^st Block: 8:40am – 9:50am

2^nd Block:  9:55am – 11:45am

3^rd Block:  11:50am – 1:40pm

Lunches

1^st: 11:45-12:10

2^nd: 12:15-12:40

3^rd: 12:45-1:10

4^th: 1:15-1:40

4th Block:  1:45 – 3:35pm

June 6

1st Block exams - early Release - 1:05

June 7

2nd Block exams - early Release - 1:05

June 8

3rd Block exams - early Release - 1:05

June 11

4th Block exams - early Release - 1:05

1:30 PM - Senior Awards - Auditorium

4:00 - 6:00 PM - Mandatory Graduation Practice - SWHS Auditorium (Graduation tickets will be distributed)

June 12

Make up exam day, last day of school

1:15 - Staff Luncheon - Cafeteria

4:00 - 6:00 PM - Mandatory Graduation Practice - Greensboro Coliseum special events center (be there by 3:15)

June 16

9:00 AM - Graduation

Reminders:

- Make sure you are updating grades in Power School 

Remember to reference CANVAS for all pertinent information. If you find that a document is not located on CANVAS, please inquire with one of the Assistant Principals or Tinisha Shaw.

- Mr. Hettenbach

AM SUPERVISION

Front Lobby                                        Keveryn

Attendance                                         Christman

Outside Media Center                        Wood

Inside Media Center                           Davis

Cafeteria Inside (late bus)                  Phillips

Cafeteria inside                                  Jacobs

Cafeteria outside                                Brady

Student lot outside gym                      Byrd

Gravel lot behind cafeteria                 Heffner

Main hallway to Student Parking        Mode

Academy gym (inside)                        Cofer(sub)

Academy gym (hallway)                     Repko

LUNCH

1^st Lunch

Teacher 1                                             Lovett

Teacher 2                                             Wright

Teacher 3                                             Phillips

2^nd Lunch

Teacher 1                                             Brown

Teacher 2                                             Cooke, D

Teacher 3                                             Boulton

3^rd Lunch

Teacher 1                                             Fry

Teacher 2                                             Powell

Teacher 3                                             Davis

4^th Lunch

Teacher 1                                             Meck

Teacher 2                                             Black

Teacher 3                                             Mode

Please assist us in keeping students seated until the bell rings. Also – if you have lunch supervision, you can dismiss your class 2 minutes (no earlier) in order to get to the cafeteria before the students arrive.

Teacher 1 = Inside Cafeteria at Cashiers transitioning to old section of cafeteria

Teacher 2 = Outside serving line inside old section of cafeteria transitioning to large section of cafeteria

Teacher 3 = Outside line in hall transitioning to cafeteria exit

We are... Southwest!