FOREST CITY HIGH SCHOOL
PRIDE TRIBE PULSE
February Issue 2018
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The Forest City girls Bowling Team made it to state and placed 8th in 1A. Way to go!
PRINCIPAL UPDATE
As February comes to a close, it is time for the senior class to start finalizing graduation plans and their post-secondary plans. 

The 2017-2018 School Calendar has graduation set for Sunday, May 13 . Working backward from the graduation ceremony the calendar looks like this: 
  1. Seniors last day of school, Friday, May 11
  2. Graduation Practice - Wednesday, May 9 at 2 p.m.
  3. The Baccalaureate program will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Forest City, on Sunday, May 6, at 2 p.m.

Juniors and sophomores , it is never too late to start investigating careers that you may have an interest in joining. A couple pieces of advice would be one to use your technology. Google job descriptions for careers. Ask questions and seek input and knowledge in the career field. What types of questions should you ask? Try these: What does your job require you to do? What skills should one possess to be good at this career? Are there job opportunities? Do I need to major in a specific degree? Two or four year school?

Current freshmen , you are almost sophomores! This should be a good indication to you just how quickly life goes by and it will only pick up speed from here on. So what about you? Do you need to have your career figured out? I would say, ‘no’. Be a kid, be a student, be curious. In my opinion, it is important for you to figure out your likes and dislikes when it comes to academic and career interests. Don’t ignore your future, but don’t fixate on it either.

I've included a link again to the FCHS Course Handbook. Have a great 3rd Trimester!

Sincerely,
Ken D. Baker
HS Principal
ACTIVITY SPOTLIGHT
Vocal Music
Facebook: Forest City Music
Mr. Teske is a busy vocal music teacher and he wouldn't have it any other way. Now in his second year leading middle school and high school students, his #1 goal is to encourage kids to try one or more of the programs.

Fall vocal music activities consist of working with students who are interested in auditioning for All State Choir (HS) and Opus Honor Choir (MS). There are three middle school choirs (one per grade) and the high school choir. The choirs prepare for concerts throughout the year.

Students and the community alike always look forward to the fall musical! Forest City continues to receive accolades from IHSMTA (Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards). Those accolades have included "Outstanding Performances" by lead roles, specific scenes and students have also received "Triple Threat Awards." Mr. Teske, Mr. Sparrgrove and Ms. LaMore will return as directors for this year's musical. Watch for an announcement of the show by the end of the school year. Mr. Teske added, "Many students who take part in the musical when they are juniors or seniors tell us they regret not being a part of it for all four years so I really encourage freshman to try it."

Winter vocal music activities consist of show choir (MS and HS) and preparing for solo ensemble and large group choir. Recently, the middle school show choir took 1st at an event and the high school placed 4th in the 3A division.

Of course there's a lot of excitement about the new Hanson Fine Arts Center opening. The hope is that the fall musical can take place there; however, that has not been decided yet pending the construction timeline. Our students will not only be able to perform there, but will also be able to attend Waldorf events and other touring group concerts/events.

Mr. Teske concluded, "There are many options within vocal music to be involved. Being part of one of the choirs is a nice break for students to express themselves during the school day and interact with other students from all grades. And, there's a part or role for everyone in the fall musical...even if it's not singing part."
IHSAA ANNOUNCES FOOTBALL CHANGES





From Coach Moore:
You may have seen some headlines about changes to the upcoming football season announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association on January 23. The changes have faced some scrutiny due to differences in recommendations between the Coaches Association/Playoff Committee and IHSAA. I've been asked about the changes and how they may impact Forest City so here's a summary and some comments. Feel free to contact me with questions.

High School Athletic Association (HSAA) Football System
  • New district assignments: 54 teams assigned in each of the classes (3A, 2A and 1A) and 9 districts of 6 teams in each.
  • We are Class 2A District 3: Clear Lake, Crestwood, Forest City, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, Iowa Falls-Alden and New Hampton.
  • We play nine games (5 in our district and 4 non-district).
  • A key change this year is with the 4 non-district games. For our non-district games, we were asked to submit recommendations, a list of seven schools, to the IHSAA; however, the IHSAA will choose those four non-district opponents versus us being able to schedule locally. We anticipate knowing our schedule sometime in March. A second key change is that all nine games played count toward post-season play in a playoff guideline qualifying system.
  • 16/54 teams enter playoffs (Note: the Coaches Association and Playoff Advisory Committee proposed 32)
  • Only the district champion automatically qualifies for playoffs.
  • There will be 7 wildcard teams based on a RPI system (win-loss percentage, the team’s opponents' win-loss percentage and a team’s opponents' opponents' win-loss percentage) that takes into account all nine games. Potential concerns: ISHAA is controlling 62.5 % of a team's ability to play for a wildcard spot, teams with 8-1 record may be left out due to not winning district or with the RPI system, a certain region of state may not be represented in playoffs due to district assignment or the RPI system.
FCHS TO OFFER ARCHERY PROGRAM
Article update: Watch for a practice announcement in March!

F CHS is excited to introduce an Archery Club! The club is for any student that has interest in learning or progressing their skills in Archery.

Supervisors for the Archery Club will be Mr. Bohl and Mr. MacTaggart, who are now certified instructors by the National Archery in the Schools Program.

The plan for this club is to get started in the Spring of 2018 with hopes of competing in 2018-19 school year.

"Our first year, the focus will be on creating a fun and safe environment while learning the 11 steps of archery success," said Mr. MacTaggart.

Mr. Bohl added, "All high school students are welcome to join and no experience is needed. There is no fee to participate as FCHS received a grant to integrate a program and has all of the equipment that is needed."

The number of members will determine how often the club will meet. The plan at first is to meet one day per week from 6:30-7:30 am. No personal equipment will be allowed.
Mission:
  1. Unite students who share a passion for the sport of archery.
  2. Share that passion with students interested in trying archery for the first time.
  3. Advance the skills and knowledge of all members involved.
  4. Offer a safe, controlled and accessible environment.


HIGHLIGHTS
Speech Updates: Large Group State Speech was held Feb. 3. The freshman Choral Reading group was selected for All State and performed on Feb. 17 (photo above). District individual speech was held on Feb. 24. Those selected for state speech will perform on March 10.
Chapter Report Natalie Jefson produced the FFA Fall Newsletter.
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