Welcome to the 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, information on school closings due to inclement weather, school board elections and more..
From the Desk of Lisa Albrecht...
Lisa Albrecht Principal

Happy New Year! Many of us will start the year reflecting on 2018, looking for ways to improve ourselves in 2019. Armed with a determination to make a difference, we make resolutions. Unfortunately, research shows only fraction of us actually keep them. Why?  
Often, it's because our resolutions are too broad and do not lay out specific steps to achieve the desired goal. I frequently see this with students. For example, students communicate they want to get good grades. This is great! All of us would love to see this goal achieved, but when you dig deeper, especially with students who have struggled academically, you realize there are essential steps missing. Asking students how they are going to achieve this goal, a common response is "study more". Definitely a step in the right direction, but not a complete picture.
This vague approach happens all too often, leaving detailed actions out of planning. However, there is a better way; it's known as the SMART method. This means making your goal:
S pecific
M easurable
A chievable
R elevant
T ime-based

This method gets people to identify very concrete and specific steps. It defines what success looks like, the actions needed and how and when these actions will be measured to determine progress. For example, when a student has the goal of good grades, what needs to happen next is a conversation about specific actions. These actions can include being on time to class with all materials and ready to learn, having few if any absences, taking quality notes, dedicating time each day to review concepts and complete homework, seeking help when not understanding material, and not allowing outside distractions (computer, phone or friends) interfere with learning. This holistic approach may seem overwhelming, but outlining specific actions and measuring progress does result in greater success.

In closing, while it is nearly the 14 th week of school, it is never too late to put academic goals in place. Whatever their focus, encourage and help your child reflect on their education, their future career aspirations, or any other area where they feel they could improve. Together as you discuss what success looks like and the actions needed, you can be supportive of their efforts. As time passes, take time to review progress and celebrate the success along the way! By being SMART with goals, the likelihood of success is definitely greater and the process is a valuable lifelong lesson.

Wishing you all a Falcon Awesome New Year!
1st Semester Final Exams - Know the Expectations!
The ending of our first semester is just a few weeks away. Most students know what is expected, but for students and families new to our school, let me explain our expectations.
Every course gives a final exam, which all students are required to take. The final exam contributes fifteen percent toward the student's final course grade. Students are expected to take their course final on the designated day and time according to the schedule as posted in the link below. Changing these times is ONLY allowed for special circumstances and must be approved by the principal. Convenience, such as not needing to come if you only have one exam or to bunch them up to get all exams done in a day or two are not considered special circumstances. However, if there is a special circumstance, arrangements to change exam time/day must be made by completing a Final Exam Change Form, which can be picked up in the Principal's Office. The request for changing exam time/day must be made by Friday, January 11 .
Other important notes, as listed on the Final Exam Schedule are:
  • Buses leave the high school at 11:45 a.m.
  • Breakfast will be served on all exam days. Lunch will not be served.
  • If students do not have an exam but are in the building, they must be in the cafeteria or their regularly assigned classroom. Students are not allowed to be in other places of the building.
  • Students cannot come to school, leave after one exam and then return later for another exam. Once the student leaves school, they are considered done for the day. They may return for extra-curriculars.
  • Permission to come later or leave early because of scheduled exams is an agreement between the student and his/her parent. Students not in attendance during the Advisory (Study) period on Wednesday and Thursday will automatically be excused because this is not a required period during final exams.  

 

1st Semester Final Exams Schedule

District Administrator Search Update
As the Board continues their search for our next District Administrator, a survey to help determine qualities was created, distributed, and posted on the District's home page. This survey gave everyone who was not able to participate in the Focus Groups the opportunity to share their input with the Board.

The deadline for applications for the District Administrator was December 31, and the Board will determine which candidates to interview on January 7. The top six candidates will be interviewed by the Board on January 14 and 16; the top three candidates will be interviewed by the Board on January 28. The Board plans to announce the top candidate in the beginning of February.

For additional information on the entire process, please contact Executive Assistant Kim Hole at: holek@westosha.k12.wi.us .
Raptor Visitor Management System
Please bring a photo ID and allow a few extra minutes for checking in the next time you visit Central. The Attendance Office will soon be implementing the Raptor Visitor Management System as part of the Department of Justice School Safety Grant. Starting on January 22, visitors will be asked to provide a photo ID upon signing in at the office and a visitor badge with photo will be created. Visitors will be immediately screened against the registered sex offender database in all fifty states.
Anxiety Presentation
Thursday, January 10 at 7 p.m.
Dr. Mervin Langley
On Thursday, January 10, Dr. Mervin Langley, Psychotherapist at Clinical Psychology Associates in Burlington, will be giving a free presentation titled "Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Anxiety". This event will take place at 7 p.m. in the All Purpose Room at Central High School. 
ANNUAL NOTICE TO PARENTS
Academic Career Planning (ACP) and
Education for Employment (E4)

Wisconsin Legislation PI 26.03 (2) and (3) requires each school district to implement an Education for Employment program, which is to be reviewed annually. Additionally, parents are to be informed of the program goals, pupil postsecondary outcomes, and of the information and opportunities available to pupils under Sec. PI 26.03(2) and (3). The annual notice is posted on our website.
Important Information for Parents and Students

Registration for Advanced Placement Exams
Students registered for Advanced Placement (AP) exams during the month of November. Registration will reopen from January 7 to 11 to accommodate students who missed registration at that time or may have had reservations about taking an exam. The link for AP Exam Registration will be active January 7 on our website home page and under "CHS Families". For questions, please call Michelle Haluzak at (262) 843-2321, extension 234, or Gail Netzer-Jensen at extension 263.




Dual Credit Opportunities
March 1 is the deadline for students to apply for Early College Credit for summer and fall courses. March 1 is also the deadline for fall Start College Now and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) courses. More information can be found by following  this link .  


Youth Apprenticeship
Students working in jobs related to their career interests should consider participating in Wisconsin's Youth Apprenticeship Program, which is a part of a statewide School-to-Work initiative. It is designed for high school students who want hands-on learning in an occupational area at a worksite along with classroom instruction.
CHS Summer School 2019
Summer school offers an excellent opportunity for students to earn credits toward high school graduation, learn in a relaxed environment, and stay connected with their friends during the summer. CHS 2019 summer school forms will be mailed home January 24, 2019, with report cards for CHS students in grades 9 through 11.
 
The dates of this year's summer school will be June 24 through August 1, 2019. Summer school courses run Monday through Friday. Please note that unlike prior years, there will NOT be a full week off around the Fourth of July holiday. Classes will meet on July 1 and 2 only; school will not be in session July 3 through July 5. Bus transportation will be provided to students enrolled for a full summer school day or for two sessions from 7:00 a.m. to 12:25 p.m.
 
Instruction will be delivered in multiple formats including face-to-face instruction, blended learning, and computer-based Apex online learning. Half credit courses will run in two sessions. Session One is from 7:00 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. and Session Two is from 9:45 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. Full credit courses will run in one session from 7:00 a.m. to 12:25 p.m.
 
Students who are absent for more than three days per course are subject to withdrawal from the summer school program with no refund of fees or awarding of credit for their course. 
 
Summer school registration forms are due February 15, 2019, in order to be considered in the summer school lottery. On March 15, 2019, preliminary summer school schedules with fees will be mailed home along with a confirmation letter indicating that you have been placed in summer school.
 
Check our website for updated information about Summer School 2019.
Central Welcomes New SRO

My name is Casey Rude and I have the rank of Deputy Sheriff on the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department. I have been a Deputy for the past seven and a half years, mostly working in the second shift patrol division. I have spent time working all areas of the county, most recently patrolling the east (Somers) end. I am a certified Evidence Technician, a Crisis Intervention Team member, Peer Support member and a Sheriff Mobile Command (SMC) operator.
In October of 2018, I chose to join the first shift patrol division and start a new chapter in my career. With the promotion of Deputy David Wright, the School Resource Officer (SRO) position opened up at Central High School. I expressed interest in the position and was very pleased with being selected to become the next SRO at CHS. Over the past few weeks, I've already noticed the students and staff are very welcoming and hard working. I am excited to see what the future holds and will embrace new challenges as I move forward. I would like to let all of the students and their families to know that my door is always open for questions and/or concerns.
When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and enjoying the great outdoors (fishing, hunting, camping etc.).
High School Sports
Something that makes Central a special place is the support that our athletic teams receive from parents, students and the community. Falcon Nation has been strong for number of years and it is truly amazing the support that our athletes receive in every sport. Even better, a recent medical study found that there are a number of health benefits to cheering on your Falcons. The study found that fans of a sports team are more likely to work out because they are inspired, are able to use the entertainment as a tool for stress relief and have reduced levels of depression by building
camaraderie with other fans.  
As fans we do need to ensure that we are showing great sportsmanship to opposing players and officials. Instead of focusing on opposing players or teams we should be supporting our players and teams. Use your voice to show support for a great play or a player who needs some encouragement. Our goal as a school is to have opposing players and fans leave a Central game saying to themselves, "Wow Central has unbelievable athletes, teams and fans".  
Lastly, let's ensure that we are showing great respect for officials. On many occasions I have been told by officials that they truly enjoy working Central games because our fans and coaches treat them with respect. In the very near future there is going to be a huge shortage of high school officials. Currently, veteran officials are retiring faster than new ones are joining the profession. According to National Federation of State High School Associations, only 20 percent of officials return for their third year of officiating. Staff from the WIAA stated: "the sportsmanship issues we have with students is not really related to officials. They're not bashing officials or trying to make contact with them after a game or following them their car. Those behaviors are from adult fans. And it's a huge detriment, especially to a young official". When a new official decides to quit, 75 percent of the time fan harassment is the main reason. Individuals interested in learning more about becoming an high school official, please visit the following web page:   https://www.wiaawi.org/Officials/BecomeanOfficial.aspx
Let's all work together to ensure great sportsmanship and GO FALCONS!
Notice of School Board Election
                             
Are you interested in serving on our School Board? The notice of this year's election for two area seats has been published. The areas up for election include the Town of Brighton and the Village of Bristol. Paperwork to appear on the ballot is due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 2. Please click the chalkboard to the right or contact Executive Assistant Kim Hole at (262) 843-2321, extension 247, or holek@westosha.k12.wi.us for more information.
Falcon Focus is Your E-Newsletter
The Falcon Focus is your parent newsletter designed to keep you informed of important activities around the school, future events  you may wish to note. If you would like to see more items covered in this newsletter, please contact  the editor, Milt Thompson at thompsonm@westosha.k12.wi.us .
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.