Welcome to our May  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, a selected student art piece,  and more..
 
After a very long winter, spring has finally sprung, and our students have followed suit.  I notice a difference as I walk through the halls or observe students during lunch.  The warmer weather has rekindled their energy, which seemed to be lost during the doldrums of winter.  With about a month left of school, our focus is to funnel that newfound energy in a manner that keeps students academically engaged and on track to finish the year strong. 

In other happenings, over the last few weeks we have been busy planning the 2018-19 master schedule given the courses students have selected.  As I previously mentioned, course selections are important in determining the courses offered, class sizes, number of sections, and staffing. These and other factors such as time conflicts between courses as well as limitations on the number of sections and courses offered all affect the success of a student getting their requested courses. Over the past few weeks, we have completed practice runs of the schedule to minimize conflicts and provide students with a schedule that includes most of their requests.  Our final run revealed we were able to meet 96.54% of student requests.  While we wish we could meet 100% of the requests, we understand that it is simply not possible. Between now and the end of the school year, counselors will be meeting with students who have schedule conflicts to determine alternatives to their requests.

In closing this month's column, I would like to give a shout out to the Career and Technical Student Organizations - DECA, FBLA, SkillsUSA, FCCLA, and HOSA.   In recent weeks, students in these organizations have participated in competitions throughout the state and performed exceedingly well with many students moving on to the next level. Earning these spots on state and national teams does not happen by chance. It is because of our student's dedication and hard work; as well as the passion and inspiration of their advisers, which allows such high levels of accomplishment.   Central High School is fortunate to have such active and high-achieving organizations that continually represent Central in a positive manner. This shout-out goes out to all the organizations at Central - their members and advisers. This is definitely another example of "Falcon Awesomeness"!
Important Information for
Members of  Class of 2018

Graduation for members of the class of 2018 is just weeks away. Please follow this link for important information on this year's commencement exercises and more.


As the semester is nearing the end, we would like to remind parents of Central's second semester final exam procedures and schedule. As noted in the Principal's Column, across the school and in every course, semester exams are given, which make-up 15% of the final course grade. Please click this link  to get detailed information about final exam days.

There are two exceptions to be aware of:
  1. If a student is taking an "AP" course, they will take their final exam early. This is done to better prepare students for their AP test. Because AP students are taking their final early, they are not required to attend during the designated final exam time for that period.
  2. As an incentive, if a junior has earned college ready benchmarks on the ACT taken in March AND they are earning a grade of C or better in the subject area course, they can seek approval to be exempt from taking the final exam. It is the responsibility of the student to speak with their teacher to verify exemption status. Teachers will not automatically exempt students. If students fail to verify exemption qualification with the teacher of each subject area they are exempt from, and do not take the final exam, a score of 0 will be entered and used in the calculation of the course grade. It is extremely important that students follow up on this responsibility so they do not find themselves in a bad situation! For your reference, below are the subject area college ready scores. Students would have to earn this value or higher to qualify for exemption. If there are any questions, students should speak directly to their teachers or counselor.
A. English - 18
B. Reading - 22
C. Math - 22
D. Science - 23
 What Happened to the Valedictorian Speaker at CHS Graduation Ceremonies?

The Class of 2018 commencement will be the first year without a Valedictorian speaking at the ceremony.  Please click this link  to remind all seniors and parents with information  on this change.
  Congratulations

Badger Boy and Badger Girl State 
Representatives and Alternatives
  Boys
                            Robert Bullard, Jr
      Matthew Pham
      Adam Simmon
      Girl
        Elizabeth VanKammen
         Alternates
       Marie Tyree
      Anna Delisi
Departments of the Month 
In the month of May, we will focus on our Special Education and World Language Departments with information about course offerings, co-curricular groups, and more.


To learn more, please click the link for each department.
 

Attention:  CHS Parents and Students
Please follow  this link 
for test dates for  A P  Testing this month
Central High School 2018 Summer School

As we enter the month of May we are getting closer to the end of the school year and the beginning of summer school. This month be on the lookout for final schedules and confirmation letters with bus routes which will be mailed by May 25, 2018.  If you have decided not to attend summer school you have until June 1, 2018 to drop the course without incurring a $25.00 fee.

There is still time to secure a spot on a class roster.  Call or email to find out what courses are available. If you are interested in signing up for an APEX course to meet your summer school course needs please contact your counselor for a complete course listing.

The dates of this year's summer school will be June 18 - July 26, 2018.  Summer school courses run Monday through Friday or if offered in a blended format on specific days outlined by the instructor.  There is no school during the week of July 2 - July 6, 2018.

Session 1 is from 7:00 am - 9:40 am.  Session 2 is from 9:45 am to 12:25 pm.  Full credit courses run in one session from 7:00 am - 12:25 pm.  In order to receive a passing grade and/or credit, students enrolled in summer courses are allowed to miss no more than three absences per course.  Transportation by bus will be provided to students enrolled for a full summer school day or two sessions from 7:00 am to 12:25 pm.
   
Starting with the 2018-19 school year, annual registration forms can only be completed through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. 

Parents of incoming freshmen will receive a paper mailing this spring with usernames and passwords to access the system.

All parents will receive a notification message in early August to sign into the portal to complete the handbook and technology acknowledgements, update health and contact information, and pay student fees. 

Please contact the IT Secretary, Debbie Cronin,   [email protected],  (262) 843-2321 ext. 261 for assistance with logging into the Parent Portal.



Student Art
Cherry Blossom Tree  (soft pastels)
Laura Beinecke - Grade 09

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.