Welcome to our January  Edition of
 Falcon Focus
This e-newsletter is provided to parents to keep you apprised of  CHS events and activities throughout the year.

In this edition, please find a note from our high school principal, our featured Department news, information from our IT Department,  and more..
Lisa Albrecht
Principa l
    From The Desk of.....

I am sure you are aware of the tremendous economic growth that is happening throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. The Kenosha Area Business Alliance (KABA) reported that there has been an increase of over 5,000 jobs in Kenosha County over the last two years. Companies like Amazon, Uline, and Kenall Manufacturing have all increased their hiring goals. Moreover, who hasn't heard about Haribo and Foxconn, both scheduled to break ground on their facilities in April. As a school focused on student success, we must pay attention to the new skill sets these global businesses are bringing to our community. 
The knowledge and skills demanded by jobs, whether they are entry or professional level careers, are not the same as they were  a few years ago. Automation, systems thinking, big data and image analytics are terms common to high tech companies like Haribo and Foxconn.
In partnership with Gateway Technical College, our administrative team, alongside our teachers, is learning about the industrial changes that are taking place, referred to as Industry 4.0 or the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT). The integration of advanced technological systems in the production of goods and services, with increased demands on societal norms, is redefining the knowledge and skills of the American worker. Many call it Smart Technology. 
It is used it in our everyday life when we purchase a product on-line, launch an App on our smart phones or when our car sends a message that the road conditions have changed or there is something wrong with the car itself and it needs service. Smart technology uses sensors and data to inform both people and machines of future outcomes based off of analytics. The integration of the cyber world with the physical world is all around us. 
To prepare our students, Central is reviewing curriculum and learning opportunities to incorporate these demands into courses.  We are collaborating with Gateway Technical College to offer opportunities for students to get a jump-start on coursework, whether that be in-house; through distance learning; or attending courses on the Gateway Campus, that can earn them the credentials needed to work in these high-tech companies.  This should also grab the attention of our students who are pursuing four-year engineering or computer science degrees. While Gateway may not be their school of choice, it was very clear when speaking with representatives from several colleges that these experiences would give students an advantage by having a stronger conceptual understanding of industrial and business applications. 
In closing, the world around us is changing rapidly, and it is our responsibility, as a school, to ensure our students are prepared in the best way possible for these new demands. Further, it is also the responsibility of students, through the support of their parents, to put forth the effort and have the tenacity to learn so they can be part of this new revolution in Southeastern Wisconsin.
Friday January 19th

Friday January 19th will be our annual new student orientation for all incoming ninth grade students. Please click here to review the flyer with more information.

Welcome new students!!

In the month of January, we will focus on our Business and Marketing Department with information about course offerings, co-curricular opportunities, and other valuable information that students and parents will want to read and learn more about. 

To learn more, please  click here

   Mobile Hotspot
Checkout
Students at Central use their laptops for accessing curriculum materials, collaborating, and completing a variety of assignments and projects. 

In an effort to address the homework gap for students without home internet access, Central is piloting overnight  mobile hotspot checkouts through the library. 

For more information on how to access a Hotspot device, please click here to learn more and how to become eligible for accessing these devices.
Student Parking

The last couple of years, parking permits sold out very early in the first semester.  This year however, with changes to faculty parking, 18 additional student parking stalls were made available.  Despite these additions, we are still unable to provide all students, who want to park in the student lot the opportunity to do so. 

We just sold our last permit about a week ago.  At this time, any student wanting a parking permit will be placed on a wait list, and as permits come available, they will be issued in the order of the list. We realize that driving to school and being able to park at school is an incentive and a convenience for families, and not being able to do so is disappointing.  

There are options for students, but we understand they are not as convenient as using the student lot. One option is to park at the JV baseball lot.  No permit is needed, and while it's a hike along the back drive to the school, many students hook up with a friend, who has a parking permit, to catch a ride up to the school.  In addition, with permission and a permit from school resource officer, Deputy Wright, a limited number of students can park at the Westosha Lakes Church parking lot. 

We understand that some sports have early morning practice.  If athletes need to be at practice early in the morning but do not have a parking permit, they are welcome to park in the student lot as long as they move their vehicle by 7 AM. Likewise, because permits are only needed during school hours, students without permits can move their vehicles into the student lot after school is released should they be participating in after school activities.

Semester Exams Information

As we get down to the final weeks of first semester, it's important that parents be aware of the change in semester exams, often referred to as "final exams".  We have learned through feedback from graduates that they wished they had more practice with preparing for cumulative exams.  Yes, it's hard to believe this is the area that they thought needed more attention. 

Graduates, pursuing post-secondary schooling, whether at a two or four-year college, indicate that it is very common that their course grade is based on only two or three exams, with a final cumulative exam having the greatest weight.  This, they indicated, is contrary to the multiple contributions from projects, quizzes, tests, et cetera, that are typical for course grade determinations during high school.  

Graduates indicated that when a course grade is based on only a couple of tests, it results in a lot of pressure, especially if you have not had this type of experience.  As a high school, we recognize it is our role to prepare students with the knowledge and skills to be successful post-secondary. Further, it is our responsibility to provide students experiences that prepare them for the demands expected in their post-secondary schooling.  

Given this, Central implemented a school wide final exam policy, affecting every course.  Starting this year, all courses are required to give a final exam, which will be 15% of the course grade.  Final exams must be cumulative, meaning they require students to demonstrate the knowledge/skills learned in the course, over the semester. This expectation will require students to review and change their approach for preparing for final exams. While this may not be a change for some classes, we know that it will be enough of a change that will require extra attention. 

We encourage parents to have conversations with their children, helping them understand that preparation goes beyond studying the night before the exam.  This link provides the first semester final exam schedule . Take a moment to review the schedule and understand that on top of studying, rest and good nutrition are also important contributors toward success.  In closing, each course will provide a study guide to help students prepare. Should you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact teachers.

CHS Curriculum Options Provide
a Variety of 
Opportunities for Students


Students will soon be registering for classes for the 2017-2018 school year. It is important for parents, students and educators to approach course selection with a focus on long-range planning. With thoughtful planing, students can leave high school with college credits, work experience, and/or industry certification.  Central has a growing number of curriculum options and parents are encouraged to explore.

Please follow the link for more information on course options for Central students.


    Preparation for ACT Testing

All juniors in the state of Wisconsin will take the ACT exam on February 27th. The ACT is state mandated. It is one measure of the success of our school, but more importantly, for students it is an entrance exam for both four-year colleges and technical schools.

Learn more how you may assist your high school junior to prepare for this testing by clicking on the following  link.
Central High School District of Westosha Non-Discrimination Statement 
The Board of Education does not discriminate in the employment of administrative staff on the basis of the Protected Classes of race, color, national origin, age, sex, (including transgender status, change of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity), pregnancy, creed or religion, genetic information, handicap or disability, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, military service (as defined in 111.32, Wis. Stats.), national origin, ancestry, arrest record, conviction record, use or non-use of lawful products off the District's premises during non-working hours, declining to attend an employer-sponsored meeting or to participate in any communication with the employer about religious matters or political matters, or any other characteristic protected by law in its employment practices.