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
March 1 st! Wow, what a winter so far! I believe we broke a school record for the number of days we were not able to hold classes so far this academic year. It is my hope all of the nasty weather days are behind us. With that, I want to share a couple of things.

First, our Digital Learning Days. As we embarked on this innovative idea, we definitely learned a lot. Thank you to all the students and families that completed the surveys. The feedback was definitely something that helped us make the second occurrence of a digital learning day (Feb. 12) a better experience for all involved. As we move forward, we will be limiting the use of Digital Learning Days to times when school cancellation would result in an extension of the school year. For the 2019-20 school year, we have continued to build into the calendar two days where there will be no digital expectations and students can just enjoy the windfall of time. Should there be a third day or more, this will be when the digital learning day expectations will start. There will be more coming out in the 2019-20 school year, but for now, I wanted to share a little of what we have learned and where we are going with this. By the way, we received a lot of kudos from other districts across the state, who will also be following our path. It is great to be a leader!

The second item having to do with cancelled school days is that despite our Digital Learning Days, we are still 607 minutes short of the required instructional minutes. It would be nice to extend the school day a few minutes for the remainder of the school year to make this time up. However, we are unable to do this due to the grade schools also using the same bussing service. We cannot release any later than the time we currently release in order for buses to be available to run the afternoon routes for grade schools. As a result, the recommendation given to the school board at the February 19 meeting, which was accepted, is to eliminate two early release days (March 6 and April 10) and extend our school year by one day, to Friday, June 7.

 
As I close, March is no different than all of the previous months of school - there is a lot going on! The excitement of basketball playoffs, Dude. Be Nice week, which focuses on a positive school environment, to the well-deserved celebration of academic achievement with our Academic Awards night. Take time to review the articles in this edition of Falcon Focus and keep in tune with the daily happenings at school by checking out the Daily Announcements . Have a great March!
Reminder: Revised 2018-2019 Calendar

The 2018-2019 Calendar has been revised to meet Wisconsin School Calendar requirements. Please be aware of the following changes on this year's calendar:
  • March 6 and April 10 will now be full days (not Early Release Days)
  • Friday, June 7, will be the End of Semester 2/Last Day of School
  • Graduation Activities - Breakfast and Graduation Practice have been moved to Friday, June 7. Seniors will be released after Graduation Practice. Graduation will still take place on Sunday, June 9.
Recruiting Realities
Monday, March 11 at 7 p.m.

Westosha Central is proud to host Jack Renkens and his Recruiting Realities presentation on 
Monday, March 11
, 2019 at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria.

The presentation is free of charge and open to anyone who is interested in attending. Mr. Renkens travels the country speaking to student-athletes and parents about the process and realities of college recruiting. 

This is Mr. Renkens 23rd year of hosting such presentations; additionally Mr. Renkens has been featured on numerous TV and radios shows. The presentation debunks some of the myths about athletic recruiting and explores the truths of the industry. Students and adults will leave the presentation informed of what to expect during the process and what actions can be taken to increase an athlete's chances of getting recruited. 

For more information please visit  https://www.recruitingrealities.com/ or contact Mr. Lindh in the Westosha Central Athletic Office.  

Wake Up Call!
Tuesday, March 12 from 6:30-8 p.m.
A teen bedroom can hide signs of drug and alcohol use. Learn more about what signs and signals to look for. Central High School will host a special Wake Up Call event on Tuesday, March 12, from 6:30 until 8 p.m.

Don't miss this important event! Watch this video for more information.  
A's Dress Closet - Donate and/or Receive
A's Dress Closet is a special event where girls who are planning to attend prom are able to get free dresses, shoes, and other accessories to make Prom a special day.

There are two ways to participate:

Donate: 
Gently used dresses, shoes, jewelry, and accessories. You can bring them to Central, where Mrs. Tesar will bring them to the ladies who are coordinating this event - OR - you can contact one of the people listed on the flyer to schedule a direct drop-off.

Please donate your items by Wednesday, March 13.

Receive:
Attend the event and pick out your special outfit...all for free!

Event Dates: 
Friday, March 15 from 3-7 p.m. and Saturday, March 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

See this flyer  for more information about this wonderful opportunity!
Academic Awards Ceremony
Wednesday, March 20 at 7 p.m.

Central High School will be hosting the Academic Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at 7 p.m. in the Cafetorium. We look forward to recognizing our students who have achieved a benchmark in the Academic Awards process.

Central High School Academic Awards Program is to recognize students who have demonstrated sustained academic achievement and to motivate others to achieve likewise. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 2.5 credits in each of the semesters which are to count towards award points. Any student receiving a failing grade in any subject, received an ISS, OSS suspension, athletic code violation, or has three unexcused absences in any semester will forfeit any points earned during the semester in which the violation occurred. At the end of each semester, points will be awarded based upon their grade point average. All points will accumulate until the next tally - at the end of each semester. Students will have 7 semesters to reach the pinnacle award of this program (the plaque). This is done to allow the program to be held during the school year. The following represents the four levels and corresponding type of award/points needed:

Level Award Points
1 Certificate 6
2 Chenille Letter 12
3 Silver Medal 16
4 Plaque 22

Those who complete AP or post secondary based courses will receive an extra 0.25 points per semester which includes: Transcripted Courses, Youth Options and Vanguard.

CHS Curriculum Options Provide Variety of Opportunities for Students
Students will soon be registering for classes for the 2019-2020 school year. It is important for parents,  students and educators to approach course selection with a focus on long-range planning. With thoughtful planning, students can leave high school with college credits, work experience, and/or industry certification. Central's curriculum options are growing and parents are encouraged to explore them fully.
The variety of opportunities for students include:
  • Virtual Program
  • Transcripted Credits
  • Early College Credit (formerly Youth Options)
  • Start College Now (formerly Youth Options)
  • Part Time Open Enrollment (formerly Course Options)
  • Advanced Placement Program
  • Vanguard Distance Learning
  • APEX
  • Blended Classes
  • Work Experience
  • Youth Apprenticeship, Industry Certifications, and Certified Co-ops
  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Contact  your student's counselor or Gail Netzer-Jensen, [email protected] , for questions or additional information.  
2019 Testing Calendar
Testing season is upon us. Students will soon be taking state mandated tests. Advanced Placement (AP) students will take AP Exams in May. 

Please visit   our testing calendar here.
National Merit Scholarship Finalist
Central High School is proud to announce that Maria Grenyo has been named a finalist for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Maria remains in the running for the opportunity to be awarded one of the 7,500 scholarships that are awarded through the program. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.

Winners of the scholarships will be announced beginning in April and concluding in July. Central congratulates Maria on her accomplishment thus far and offers our best wishes as she moves forward in the competition.
NEW! Interactive Safety Resource!!
T he Wisconsin Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Department of Public Instruction are teaming up to ke ep families safe online. They  have launched a new program called  "Interact!".
 
Interact is an online, interactive e-course created for parents and guardia ns to complete with their children with the goal of sparking basic online safety discussions in the home.
Dude. Be Nice!

The Falcon Family is devoting a special week out of the year to just being kind to each other. Organized by Central's Student Council, the week of March 11 th through March 15 th has been deemed as Dude. Be Nice (DBN) Week. During this specified time, students are simply encouraged to be kinder to each other. The goal of this week is to create a more accepting, inviting environment among Central's students through activities meant to include all types of people from a wide social spectrum. Too often do high schoolers separate each other based on trivial differences. DBN Week, according to its founder, is "dedicated to changing the conversation around mental health for students across the US". There is no better way to increase unity within the student body than by strengthening the Falcon Family.
 
To celebrate DBN week, Student Council has planned fun, inclusive events in which the entire school is encouraged to participate. As the kick-off event, Central will be hosting different dress up days for each day of that week. Monday, students are welcomed to wear their bedhead and their pajamas to school. Tuesday is deemed as "Dude. Be Bright" where students should wear neon colors. Wednesday is "Dude. Be Brave" day where students can wear their sunglasses to school. Thursday is "Dude. Be A Fan" day where students wear their favorite sports jerseys to school. To close the week off strongly, students should wear their Falcon gear to school for "Dude. Be A Fan".
 
To spread the love around the community, DBN Week will also host a clothing drive for the Sharing Center in Trevor, Wisconsin. Student Council is asking for any clothing that the family of a student can spare. The school will accept donations from March 11th to March 15th. As a fun, added layer to this charitable activity, the class that donates the most items of clothing will be considered the winners for this year of DBN. The amount of items that the classes donate will be added to their overall score for the week. The class that receives the most DBN points will be the winners and receive a traveling trophy for which to be competed for years to come.There will be an all-school assembly for DBN week on Friday afternoon to celebrate the strengthened unity and heightened kindness. In addition to an array of exciting team-building activities, the class winner will be announced here as well. The traveling trophy will be distributed to the rightful winner of DBN Week 2019! An entire week devoted to kindness to one another is something at which Central's Falcon Family will excel. Kindness, though, is not only a week-long activity. Compassion and recognition of those around oneself is a lifelong skill that always can be strengthened.

Article written by Ashlee Calkins
School Board Election
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
                             
The Spring Election will be held on April 2, 2019, with two Board of Education positions on the ballot. Steve Richter, our Bristol Incumbent, is running unopposed. No one has filed papers for the Brighton position, which leaves a write-in candidate possibility. If you live in the Brighton/Central tax district and would like to know more about becoming an official write-in candidate, please contact Executive Assistant Kim Hole at (262) 843-2321, extension 247, or email her at [email protected].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 and future events you may wish to note. If you would like to see any additional items covered in this newsletter, please contact the editor, Kim Hole, at   [email protected].
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.