Wildflower Word - What's Happening at Shabazz

I'm so proud of our students and staff, and how quickly we've settled into healthy and productive routines around learning within the building. I am excited to announce that we have a number of students with above 90 percent attendance for the first four weeks of school.

When I enter classrooms, on any given day, I see amazing things happening. As I wrote at the start of the school year, we need to make sure that as a school community we recognize and focus on the importance of building strong, trusting relationships as the foundation for all we do. I am able to state, through evidence collected, that we're making some great progress. We need to continue to work together to build a collaborative community that supports all students equitably.

Our teachers are in the process of finalizing Q1 Progress Reports, viewable today, 10/1. There is no paper copy being sent home so please take a moment and review some of the great things your student(s) have been accomplishing in their classes.

Grading and reporting are important to the success of all students. At progress report time we have two categories for grading:

Continuing Progress (CP)-Any student who has a grade that is calculating a 59.5% or above;

Incomplete (I)-Any student who has a grade that is calculating a 59.4% or below.

Last week Shabazz held the first of our student support days, which are scheduled about every 4 weeks. These days are fluid in structure and allow students to move freely about the building to get assistance they might need for specific classes and/or assignments. We would love your feedback. Please take a moment and complete this survey.

Safety and security are always at the forefront of our minds. There is a very concerning TikTok challenge that is going viral. Please read this information. I recommend collaborating with your student to proactively and preventatively review this very concerning issue.

As always, please take the time to read the Shabazz Weekly Update email that is sent out every Friday at 4PM and archived on our website.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

SCHOOL YEAR KICKS OFF WITH ALL-SCHOOL FIELD TRIP

Shabazz decided to make a bold move to kick off our school year with a whole-school field trip to the MMSD School Forest in Verona. The hope was to set the tone for our new Project Based Learning (PBL) model to engage students in authentic learning experiences as well as to foster and cultivate our school community through group challenges. We also hope that it helped to "dust off" the cobwebs of community events after a COVID-induced virtual hiatus.

The experience was a resounding success as students spent a beautiful day engaging in small group challenges, learning how to orienteer through wooded trails, and taking on supporting each other while climbing a 40 ft. climbing wall! The photos tell the story. We look forward to these continued experiences as we broaden what the "classroom" can look and feel like and engage students in authentic experiences in our community!

SPEAKING OF FIELD TRIPS . . .

Keep up to date on this year's trips

With our Project Based Learning (PBL) model there are ample opportunities for our students to participate in authentic learning experiences through various field trips during the year.

One easy way for families to access field trip information is through our Calendar of Events page on the Shabazz website.

SENIOR KICKOFF OCTOBER 6

On Wednesday, October 6 from 8:45-11:35 am we will have our Fall Senior Kickoff! This will be a time for seniors to have the opportunity to work through and share their plans for next year. We will have workshops on completing the FAFSA, applying to Madison College and more! All seniors will be excused from their Learning Labs that morning to attend.

In addition, every week in October we will offer lunch sessions on Thursdays in the LMC. Topics will include: Writing a College Essay, How to’s of Applying to College, Creating a Resume, and more! Students - watch your Senior Google classroom for reminders and listen for announcements before lunch.

FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)

FAFSA Opens October 1!

Financial aid from the federal government can help you pay for education expenses at an eligible college or career school. Grants, loans and work-study are types of federal student aid.

You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to apply for this aid. More information here.

Need help with the FAFSA? Attend College Goal WI

It will take more than good luck and best intentions to pay for college. You need a plan of action, and it could include College Goal Wisconsin!

College Goal Wisconsin is affiliated with a national event that provides free information and assistance to families who need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) the federally required form for students seeking financial aid, such as grants and loans. Completing the FAFSA is the first and most important step in qualifying for aid.

ALPHABET SOUP = STUDENT SUPPORT!

Know your Support Staff "Point Person"

Our Support Staff Team (SST) at Shabazz is made up of our School Social Worker, Megan, School Psychologist, Rene, School Counselor, Elizabeth and our two wonderful nurses Michelle and Morgan. To facilitate getting to know our students and families more intentionally over time, we divide our student body in thirds by the first letter of their last name and designate one of us as a “point person” for each group.

Each point person strives to notice the strengths, struggles, and reasons to celebrate the students in our “alphabet soup” group. As family, if you have any questions about Shabazz, concerns, support requests, or reasons to celebrate your student to share (outside of assignment and class specific questions which would be addressed to your student’s teacher) we look forward to hearing from you. Here is our contact information:

Student's Last Name: (A-J)

Rene Staskal

School Psychologist

608-204-2599 restaskal@madison.k12.wi.us

Student's Last Name: (K-P)

Megan Miller

School Social Worker

608-576-5744 (call or text)

mjmiller@madison.k12.wi.us

Student's Last Name: (R-Z) Elizabeth Long

School Counselor

608-204-2450 emlong@madison.k12.wi.us

UPCOMING MENTAL HEALTH SCREENER - GR 9-10

Resilient Response to the Effects of Stress and Trauma

Last week all families of 9th and 10th graders received an email regarding the REST Program (Resilient Response to the Effects of Stress and Trauma). This program is jointly offered by the Madison Metropolitan School District and the United Way and Journey Mental Health Center. REST is designed to help high schoolers deal with stress and upsetting events they may have experienced.

Participation in the October 4th screening is strictly voluntary. If you DO NOT want your child to participate in the REST screening, please complete the attached form and return it to the main office at Shabazz City High School by Oct 1. If you have questions or would like more information about the REST screening, please call Rene Staskal at 608-204-2599.

HOMECOMING FYI

Shabazz students are welcome to attend homecoming at their "zone school"

Homecoming, and other dances such as prom, are held by the comprehensive high schools - East, La Follette, Memorial, and West. The alternative schools -- like Shabazz -- don't hold these events. However, since every Shabazz student has a partial enrollment at one of these four large high schools, they are welcome to attend homecoming and other special events at their "zone schools."

You will be receiving information from the comprehensive schools about what homecoming will look like at each venue. Important: If your student would like to attend your "zone school" homecoming dance, please let Hannah know in the main office, so she can notify the school.

SHABAZZ SNAPSHOTS