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
It's February and two important matters come to the forefront as topics of this month's column.

First, it is scheduling time! Students are starting to select courses for 2019-2020. At this time, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for students to take course selection seriously.

Their selections will first, determine if there are enough students interested to run the course and second, the number of seats and staffing needed to accommodate the requests. If for whatever reason, a student wants to change their course request, this change may not be possible based on seat allocation. Please take time to sit down with your child to select courses that align to their career interest and ability. Counselors welcome calls should you have questions. Each student will have a meeting with their counselor before their course selections are locked. If you are interested in what the counselors presented to students, you can find the presentation on the Student Services department page, under "Forms and Information".

Second, and targeting juniors, are the ACT and WorkKeys Exams. These exams will take two days with ACT on Wednesday, February 20 and WorkKeys on Thursday, February 21 (Students in grades 9, 10 and 12 do not have school these days). How your child does is important. Scores are not only used to judge the quality of our school, but importantly for students and parents, can be used to meet entrance requirements for universities and technical colleges. In addition to entrance requirements, some scholarships and/or financial aid packages may use this information in their decisions. For example, earning a composite score of 16 on ACT is one of the criteria needed for Gateway Technical College's Promise Program. A life-changing program which allows students the ability to attend tuition-free by filling the gap between their financial aid and the cost of the tuition. I share this information with you because sometimes students, who have the tendency to think about next week rather than next year, may not realize the significance of these exams. As parents, who want nothing but the best for your child, please take time to talk to them about doing their very best.

Here's to a fabulous and Falcon Awesome February!
New Feature on Our Website!
In our continuous effort to improve communications, we have created a new link on the home page of the school's website. On the left side of the page, under Quick Links, you will find "Daily Announcements". Beginning January 25, we have created a link to the oral announcements being shared each morning, with students. This new feature will not replace anything we currently do, but rather will supplement existing practices. We believe giving access to this information will allow, for those who are interested, more information about the activities going on in school.

As always, we will continue to send important information, to your inbox in Infinite Campus, personal email and, when appropriate, your phone. Please ensure your contacts are current. If changes have taken place since summer registration, please contact Sheree Pfeuffer at 262-843-2321 ext. 227 or [email protected].  
District Administrator Search Update

The Board of Education is in the final stages of selecting our next District Administrator. The District Administrator will start on July 1. A field of six finalists were interviewed and the field was narrowed down to three finalists. The three finalists were scheduled to be interviewed on Monday, January 28. Due to inclement weather and closing of school, the interviews will be held on Monday, February 4. The Board hopes to announce our next District Administrator soon. 
Stop the Bleed Trauma Training for Community Members
Monday, February 25
Stop the Bleed  training can help you save a life if you're a bystander to trauma. Join members of Salem Lakes Fire and Rescue and assisted by students of HOSA, Future Health Professionals as they teach a free  Stop the Bleed class. Participants will receive a certificate of training from the American College of Surgeons.
 
Date: Monday, February 25, 2019
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Central High School, All Purpose Room
 
Registration : Click Here
Due to the hands-on nature of this training, class is limited to 25 participants.
 
More about Stop the Bleed....

Stop the Bleed  is an initiative that recognizes that a bystander like you, an "immediate responder", could be an injured person's only chance for survival - whether that person is a family member, friend or a stranger. A person who is bleeding can die from blood loss within five minutes; therefore, it is important to quickly stop blood loss. A trained "immediate responder" will use bleeding control techniques until first responders arrive and take over. By doing so, this can make a difference between life and death. No prior medical experience is needed for this training, so sign up and be prepared to make a difference!
8th Grade Expo Night
Wednesday, February 6

Make plans to attend Central's 8th Grade Expo where incoming 9th Grade students and their parents will have the opportunity to learn all about Central High School. Students will learn more about our course offerings, meet their counselors, and have the opportunity to check out the building and meet with staff. 

Mark your calendar for February 6 - we are excited to welcome you to Central!
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.  
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 were 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.
Preparing for the ACT
All juniors in the state of Wisconsin will take the ACT exam on February 20. 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. There are many things students can do to prepare for the test. For several years, we have offered optional ZAPS ACT prep twice a year. This course has always run on a Saturday, and we generally have about fifty students who participate between the two sessions. The current cost is $95 per student, which is paid for by the student. Students have always provided positive feedback regarding the training.

This year, we are offering the ZAPS training for all interested juniors on Thursday, February 14. We are subsidizing the training at a discounted rate so students will only be charged $19.99. The training will run from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the All Purpose Room. We will also offer assistance for those experiencing financial hardship. We encourage all juniors to participate. See the ZAPS Informational Flyer and  Register Now .

In addition to ZAPS training, we have purchased an extension to Career Cruising called Method Test Prep.  Method Test Prep engages students in content specific preparation, whereas ZAPS focuses on test-taking strategies, timing strategies, and more general ACT prep. Student have been working in Method Test Prep in their core area classes. Students can access Method Test Prep from any computer. Please encourage your students to show you what test prep they have been doing and to continue their test prep from home.

Thank you for your help in preparing our students!
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.
Notice of School Board Election
                             
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.