Volume 219, February 10, 2023

10550 Ray Road, Ponte Vedra, FL 32082                           904-547-8300 - Main Office
Office Hours: 8:30am to 4:45pm
Visit our Website
From Mrs. Kunze

Good afternoon!


Our 10th grade School Counselor, Lori McCarthy, is no longer employed at Nease. We have posted and will try to find someone. In the meantime, if you have questions regarding your 10th grade child or have previously sent Mrs. McCarthy an email with no response, please email NeaseGrade10@stjohns.k12.fl.us. I will be blocking time every day to respond to these emails or will forward them to the appropriate person. Thank you in advance for your patience.


The District Calendar Committee is requesting feedback from employees and parents for the 24-25 and 25-26 calendars. There are 2 drafts available for each school year.

PLEASE note:

  • Daft A for each year has the entire week of Thanksgiving off, but not any time off in April.
  • Draft B for each has the traditional 3-days off at Thanksgiving and time off in April around Easter.

Please take a few minutes to read the frequently asked questions, so you know all of the State requirements that must be met when creating the calendars.

The link is: https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/calendar/feedback/

Feeback can be given until Friday, Feb 17th. 


Junior/Senior Prom

Theme: Roaring 20s "Ritz & Glitz"

Date: Thursday, April 6th

Time: 7-10:30pm

Where: World Golf Village Convention Center

Tickers: $65 - all debts must be cleared to purchase tickets


Vacancies we are actively trying to fill...

English 2 & AP Lit - We have found someone part-time to take Green Days and part of Wednesday. We need someone part-time to take Gold Days and part of Wednesday. The Gold day courses are 1 section of English 2 and 1 section of AP Lit.

2 - School Counselors - currently being re-advertised

Social Studies - name submitted to HR

Part-time Clerk - interviewed and name submitted to HR

If you know someone interested, please have them email Lisa.Kunze@stjohns.k12.fl.us


The ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP) will be administered on Thursday, March 2nd in the PAC at 9:15 AM.  There is no charge to take this test. You must register to take the ASVAB Test through SignUpGenius, as there will be no other area to sign-up. Deadline to register for the test is Tuesday, February 28th. Learn more about the ASVAB Test. THIS EXAM IS FOR 10th, 11th and 12th GRADERS ONLY! ASVAB Signup Page:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f4ea5ab2ba3ff2-nhsasvab2#/

SENIOR INFORMATION



Graduation date:

Saturday, May 20th at 9am at University of North Florida.  As of right now, graduates should plan on receiving 6 tickets.


ACT Non-College Reportable Exam – 12th Grade ONLY

This test is for 12th grade students who have not met the FSA Grade 10 ELA and/or the Algebra 1 EOC graduation requirement. Students who participate in this ACT-NCR experience will be granted accommodations (i.e., extended time) in hopes that the extra time will give the student a better chance to acquire the necessary ACT English and Reading score of 17.5 to meet the FSA Grade 10 ELA graduation requirement and/or ACT Math score of 16 to meet the Algebra 1 EOC graduation requirement. However, because these accommodations are not officially approved by College Board, results earned during a non-college reportable ACT administration cannot be used for admissions or scholarship purposes. 

The ACT will be offered at Nease on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 to 12th Graders ONLY. The cost of the ACT exam is $37.00. Payment can be made via this link in School Pay. Payment is due by Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

 

SAT-NCR (Non-College Reportable) Exam – 12th Grade ONLY

This test is for 12th grade students who have not met the FSA Grade 10 ELA and/or the Algebra 1 EOC graduation requirement. Students who participate in this SAT-NCR experience will be granted accommodations (i.e., extended time) in hopes that the extra time will give the student a better chance to acquire the necessary SAT English and Reading (EBRW) score of 480 to meet the FSA Grade 10 ELA graduation requirement and/or SAT Math score of 420 to meet the Algebra 1 EOC graduation requirement. However, because these accommodations are not officially approved by College Board, results earned during a non-college reportable SAT administration cannot be used for admissions or scholarship purposes. 

The SAT-NCR will be offered at Nease on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 to 12th Graders ONLY. The cost of the SAT-NCR exam is $60.00. Payment can be made via this link in School Pay. Payment is due by Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

 

Looking for Scholarships?

Below you will find a list of 15 Scholarship Programs that will give out more than 240 Individual Scholarship Awards during the 2022-23 school year. Students from your school district are eligible for all awards below.

*Newsletter is available for PDF Download here: https://studentscholarships.org/newsletters


TEXTBOOKS AND MEDIA FINES –

Last week I sent out notices to all students with overdues and/or fines on their accounts. SENIORS AND JUNIORS!! PROM SEASON IS AROUND THE CORNER! If there are fines on your media account, you will NOT be able to get tickets to the dance. Freshmen and Sophomores – if you are invited to Prom, your accounts must also be clear. If you have any questions, please see me asap in the media center.


LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Elks Lodge Educational Trust Fund Scholarships

Each year the St. Augustine Elks Lodge offers $1,000 scholarships to seniors in St Johns County. Last year four $1,000 scholarships were awarded to Evan Graff, Abigail Hamby, Brianna Streeter and Katie Vaughn from NHS.


This year there will be ten $1,000.00 scholarships available to qualifying seniors in St. Johns County. Applicants must attend or have attended a high school within St. Johns County, be a resident of St. Johns County, and have at least one parent that is a St. Johns County resident. Applications are due back no later than April 10, 2023.


Applicants are selected based on the overall excellence of the student, and include community service, extracurricular activities and financial need, as well as academic achievement. 


Elks Scholarship application


LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

I am Regent of the Ponte Vedra Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. A $500 scholarship will be awarded at our meeting on May 3, 2023, to a deserving college-bound senior graduating from a St. Johns County high school in the spring of 2023. Students meeting the eligibility criteria are invited to apply.


Eligibility criteria consist of the following:

  • Student is enrolled in one of the following high schools in St. Johns County, Florida: Bartram Trail High School, Creekside High School, Nease High School, or Ponte Vedra High School.
  • Student exhibits good academic achievement and character.
  • Student has maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better (where A is equal to 4.0) during the entire high school enrollment period.
  • Student is a citizen of the United States.

Please note that our scholarship committee must receive the student’s application packet no later than March 31, 2023.


The Gator Club of Historic St Augustine cordially invites your Seniors who have been accepted to the University of Florida to apply for our 2023 Scholarships. Last year our club awarded five $2,000 scholarships to deserving students in St Johns County. Applications are available on-line by visiting the Scholarship page at  http://staugustinegatorclub.com.  Here are the scholarship criteria:

Online Application active February 19, 2023

Application Deadline: March 31, 2023

Resident of St Johns County

Accepted to The University of Florida and have a UF ID #

Plan on entering UF Fall Semester 2023

What is happening at Nease this week?

Monday, Feb 13th – Green Day – 1, 3, 5 & 7

  • Hospitality FT - Ponte Vedra Inn & Club
  • Lunches: Media Center is CLOSED!
  • AWAY: 5:30pm - Boys Weightlifitng at Bartram
  • HOME: 6/7:30pm - JV/V Girls Lacrosse vs Bartram


Tuesday, Feb 14th – Gold Day – 2, 4, 6 & 7

  • Engineering FT - ACE Trades Day
  • HOME: 5/7pm - JV/V Boys Lacrosse vs Fleming Island


Wednesday, Feb 15th – 1, 2, 3, 4, EXCEL, 5, 6 – 2:50pm dismissal

  • 11th grade CPR training in auditorum through US History classes
  • AWAY: TBD - V Baseball at Bolles for Preseason Classic
  • AWAY: 5pm - JV Track at St Augustine
  • AWAY: 5:30pm - JV Girls Lacrosse at Atlantic Coast
  • HOME: 6pm - V Girls Lacrosse vs Flagler Palm Coast


Thursday, Feb 16th – Green Day – 1, 3, 5 & 7

  • 8am - SAC meeting in main office conf room 104
  • Lunches: Pre-IB meeting in auditorium for all 9th and 10th graders
  • AWAY: TBD - V Baseball at Bolles for Preseason Classic
  • AWAY: 5:30pm/7:30pm - JV/V Boys Lacrosse


Friday, Feb 17th – Gold Day – 2, 4, 6 & 7

  • Communications Academy FT - Leondards Studio
  • HOME: 5pm - JV Boys Lacrosse vs Episcopal
  • HOME: 6pm - V Boys Lacrosse vs Mandarin


Saturday, Feb 18th

  • HOME: Track - Nease Classic
  • NJROTC FT - Sanctioned Drill Meet at Oakleaf HS

Student Life

Fundraiser: La Fuerza is selling bracelets and bags to benefit the less fortunate in Central America . We are teaming up with the Pulsera project which is an organization that fundraises to be able to supply students with what they need. All bracelets and bags are handmade. We will be hosting a presale through schoolpay next week and sell them in person from February 6th to February 20th. For more information about the Pulsera project please click on link: https://www.pulseraproject.org/artists.

AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING

After school tutoring has resumed and takes place EVERY Tuesday & Thursday after school in the media center. No appt or reservations are needed. Please remind your student that this is an EXCELLENT opportunity and time to kick off the new semester with the help and support they need to maintain their grades, get help with difficult concepts they find themselves struggling with, and learn some great study skills. Also – if these times do not work for your student, they can come see me to schedule a tutor for mornings or lunchtime.  Don’t wait until interims to get the help you need! 

Good News!

Congratulations to our Nease Jazz Bands for performance at Jazz Music Performance Assessments!

 This past Wednesday, February 8th, the Nease Jazz Band and the Nease Advanced Jazz Ensemble performed at the annual Florida Bandmaster’s Association District Jazz Music Performance Assessment Festival. Both ensembles performed their programs before a panel of judges and received ratings and feedback to continue their musical journeys.

 

The Jazz Band received straight Excellent ratings, the musical equivalent of a ‘B’ grade. This is outstanding for a group that is full of young musicians and first time performers in jazz! The Jazz Ensemble received straight Superior ratings, the musical equivalent of an ‘A’ grade, along with a standing ovation following their performance! Congratulations to our wonderful jazzy musicians!



Nease High School’s Paleontology Club featured in the Ponte Vedra Recorder!

Nease High School hosts a paleontology club that consists of students leading the preparation and preservation of dinosaur fossils that Nease High School students uncover in the Badlands of Montana. Our club invites students of all walks of life and of all interests to join us in hopes that students will learn to identify fossils, become familiar with them, prepare them, and then use these skills to search for fossils in the field during the summer! 


Our students have an incredible opportunity each year to make history. We have uncovered fossils of Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Velociraptors, and other dinosaurs. Our goal is to give students, whether in the field or at school, the opportunity to live out their dream and work with real dinosaur fossils. And then take those experiences and share them with other students in our school, and the younger generation in our community. If you’d like to see the article, take a look here:

 

https://pontevedrarecorder.com/stories/nease-paleo-club-creates-legacy-one-fossil-at-a-time,36808

 

Please consider donating to these incredible students that are sharing their experience with so many others! We use the funds to make this years’ experience more affordable for students that need some financial assistance. We have created a Gofundme page. 

 

Donate here: Nease High School Paleontology Club Field Experience

Actual Link: (https://gofund.me/12fa9a17)



NJROTC

Congratulations to Amber Fields and Chloe Westerlind who competed in the NJROTC National Air Rifle Championships in Sandy, Utah this past week. Both did extremely well with Amber placing 34th out of 121 and Chloe placing 40th out of 121. We’re extremely proud of them and excited to see them continue to compete next year.  



Girls Weightlifting

Girls Weightlifting Regional Championships Recap

Izzy Knight – 5th in Olympic and Traditional

Mikayla Bowman – 3rd in Olympic and 5th in Traditional

Miranda Orta – 9th in Olympic and Traditional

Mackie Cherry – 10th in Olympic and 14th in Traditional

Emma Tolly – 17th in Olympic

 

Congratulations to Izzy Knight and Mikayla Bowman for qualifying for State Championships on February 18th!

Nease Fundraisers

Help the Nease Panther Pride Marching Band Get to the Daytona 500!

The Nease Band Program has received and invitation to perform at the upcoming Daytona 500 race event. This was an unplanned invitation and has many additional costs for the performance. We need your help to get us there! The Nease Band Boosters have setup a GoFundMe to help raise funds for this trip. Every little bit helps and will go toward putting our band at a national level! You can go the GoFundMe page by clicking here!

 

Band also have a fundraiser through NASCAR for those of you who wish to attend the race! If you purchase tickets through our referral link here, $25 of each ticket sold goes to the marching band! These tickets are at a significantly reduced price to the Daytona 500 and are available until the event sells out. Get your tickets to hear the band perform and watch the biggest race of the year!

Athletic News

Hometown Fan APP

Nease High School has transitioned to Hometown Fan for athletic tickets to games.

Download the APP or click on https://neaseathletics.com/tickets/ to purchase tickets!

Follow Nease Athletics on Instagram #NeaseAthletics and Twitter @NeaseAthletics


NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete 2022-2023

http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Student_Resources/CBSA.pdf?j=84970295&jb=12006&l=7822357_HTML&mid=10892399&sfmc_sub=1302201880&u=741606448


Purchase Nease Athletic Apparel:

https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/florida/pontevedra/nease-high-school

 

Athletic Clearance

Prior to participating with a Nease High School athletic team, all students are required to complete the athletic clearance process.

 

Please keep in mind that the FHSAA requires all student athletes to view free NFHS video courses on concussions, heat illness, and sudden cardiac arrest (see instructions below). Signatures on the EL3 form indicate that your athlete has completed these three video courses. The FHSAA also requires that all student athletes have at least a 2.0 unweighted GPA to be eligible for participation.

 

For step-by-step athletic clearance instructions please visit: https://neaseathletics.com/athletic_clearance/

 

Athletic Fee

The purpose of the Nease Athletic Fee is to help address the costs associated with operating a high school athletic department. Currently the St. Johns County School Board pays each coach’s coaching supplement, and all remaining costs are the responsibility of the athletic department and teams. The athletic fee helps cover the following expenses:

·        Game officials

·        Indoor and Outdoor Athletic Facility maintenance

·        Sports Medicine

·        Security

·        Ambulance service

·        Athletic Leadership Council activities

·        Student-Athlete Letters and Awards

·        FHSAA membership dues and other fees

The 2022-23 fee will be as follows: $75 Per Sport Played

 

The $75 Athletic Fee can be paid via School Pay by clicking

https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Athletic-Fee-/SUeFDu


This fee must be paid prior to the student-athlete participating in his/her first contest. Nease Athletics appreciates your attention and compliance regarding payment of this fee. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Nease Athletic Department.


Spring Sports: Please begin working on your athletic clearance so you are ready for tryouts!

Click here to begin https://neaseathletics.com/athletic_clearance/


Boys Volleyball

Please check the Nease Boys Volleyball website for all Preseason and Tryout updates

PTSO News

EXCEL Volunteers Wanted! We are looking for Volunteers during EXCEL time. EXCEL is each Wednesday and gives students an opportunity to eat lunch, attend a club meeting, seek help from a teacher, or retake a summative exam. Volunteers are needed from 12:00 pm-1:30 pm. Volunteers will get training prior to their first shift and a volunteer T-shirt. Volunteers get a valuable peak into campus life at NHS! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4aafab2ea0f9c70-excel2*All visitors on campus including PTSO meeting attendees, must be approved volunteers. To become an approved visitor, please visit https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/volunteer/. Visitors are required to check in at the front office and present identification.

 

We’ve Got Spirit! Yes, We Do! Check out the NHS PTSO Spirit Store! You may have items shipped to your home for a nominal fee or save the shipping cost and pick them up from the store! If you have any questions, please reach out to Katie Swindell at kswindell78@gmail.com. Purchase here: https://shop.crowleyprinting.com/Nease-High-School-Spiritwear_c93.htm

 

Amazon Teacher Wish Lists Have Been Updated! Good news! We have made it easier than ever to support the amazing teachers at NHS! The PTSO asked teachers to create Amazon Wish Lists for items that they would love to have to enhance learning in their classroom. Check out the Amazon Wish Lists that are posted to our website. We will be updating the page with additional teacher wish lists as they are submitted. Amazon Teacher Wish Lists


SAT Boot Camps are Coming to NHS! Boot Camps are held at NHS and are open to all students, including those outside of NHS. Help us spread the word!

 

*Math SAT Boot Camp focuses on mathematics problem solving and time management strategies. This will be a ONE-DAY session on Sunday, February 26, 2023 from 9:00 am-4:00 pm. Click here to register: https://neaseptsoboard.wixsite.com/nhsptso/advanced-sat-math-boot-camp-feb

*Verbal SAT Boot Camp focuses on reading comprehension, writing concepts and grammar rules. This 2-day camp will be held on Saturday, February 25th & Saturday, March 4th from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Click here to register: Advanced SAT Verbal Boot Camp Feb/Mar | Nhsptso (neaseptsoboard.wixsite.com)

PTSO Gold Business Partner Spotlight:

THANK YOU to Spavia Day Spa - Ponte Vedra in the Nocatee Town Center for being a dedicated supporter of the Nease PTSO! Owned by Nocatee residents, Spavia is perfect for people looking for a break from everyday stresses. Enjoy unwinding in Spavia's peaceful retreat and choose from a range of services including an immune-boosting massage or a skin-rejuvenating facial. Call 904-395-7300 to schedule today or visit https://pontevedrafl.spaviadayspa.com/.

Academy News

Dropping a Career Academy Program for 2023-24

If a student noted on their Intent to Return that they did NOT want to continue on in an Academy program for 2023-24, a Program of Choice/Academy Drop Form has been delivered to the student. Students who determine that they would like to be released from an Academy program for the 2023-24 school must submit a completed Program of Choice Drop Form to Mrs. Combs before the Academy Course can be removed from their course selections for next school year. A Program of Choice/Academy Drop Form can be found here.

If you have any questions about dropping an Academy for 2023-24, please reach out to Jaime Combs at Jaime.combs@stjohns.k12.fl.us

 

If you have any questions about the Communications Academy, Stellar Academy of Engineering, or Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, reach out to Academy Coordinator Jaime Combs, at Jaime.combs@stjohns.k12.fl.us

IB News

IB Seniors

Midyear reports will soon be needed from certain requesting institutions. Please make sure you complete the log sheet and submit 2$ for each midyear report you need to be sent. There is at least a 2-week (14 working days) turnaround for the processing of the envelope. Please allow for this prior to submission.

 

IB Juniors

We will be completing our class service project through The Seamark Ranch Project. Save one of the following dates for the mandatory participation: February 11th or March 11th. More information will be sent directly to the student’s email listed in Naviance.

 

IB Sophomores & Freshman

This year, both our sophomore and freshman class will participate in our annual Beach Clean-Up. Our first meeting is scheduled for February 16th in the PAC, during your lunch time. The Beach Clean-Up is scheduled for April 1st. Please save the morning of this date.

 

Schedule for upcoming 2023-2024 registrations in English or TOK Classrooms:

IB Freshman- January 30th- February 3rd through English 1 PIB class

IB Sophomores- February 6th – February 10th through AP Language class

IB Juniors- February 13th - February 17th through TOK Class

 

All students will come home with a course request verification sheet and a IB planning worksheet the week prior, so you can write down questions to be discussed at the registration appointment.

Guidance News
Testing Information

For any questions related to testing please email our testing coordinator, Ms. Cynthia Messenger (Cynthia.Messenger@stjohns.k12.fl.us)

547-8281


For all upcoming test dates, please visit the NHS Testing Information  website.


ACT Non-College Reportable Exam – 12th Grade ONLY

This test is for 12th grade students who have not met the FSA Grade 10 ELA and/or the Algebra 1 EOC graduation requirement. Students who participate in this ACT-NCR experience will be granted accommodations (i.e., extended time) in hopes that the extra time will give the student a better chance to acquire the necessary ACT English and Reading score of 17.5 to meet the FSA Grade 10 ELA graduation requirement and/or ACT Math score of 16 to meet the Algebra 1 EOC graduation requirement. However, because these accommodations are not officially approved by College Board, results earned during a non-college reportable ACT administration cannot be used for admissions or scholarship purposes. 

The ACT will be offered at Nease on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 to 12th Graders ONLY. The cost of the ACT exam is $37.00. Payment can be made via this link in School Pay. Payment is due by Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

 

SAT-NCR (Non-College Reportable) Exam – 12th Grade ONLY

This test is for 12th grade students who have not met the FSA Grade 10 ELA and/or the Algebra 1 EOC graduation requirement. Students who participate in this SAT-NCR experience will be granted accommodations (i.e., extended time) in hopes that the extra time will give the student a better chance to acquire the necessary SAT English and Reading (EBRW) score of 480 to meet the FSA Grade 10 ELA graduation requirement and/or SAT Math score of 420 to meet the Algebra 1 EOC graduation requirement. However, because these accommodations are not officially approved by College Board, results earned during a non-college reportable SAT administration cannot be used for admissions or scholarship purposes. 

The SAT-NCR will be offered at Nease on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 to 12th Graders ONLY. The cost of the SAT-NCR exam is $60.00. Payment can be made via this link in School Pay. Payment is due by Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

Media Center News

Carolyn Milian – School Librarian Media Specialist

Lorna Patterson – Media Clerk

Media Center phone number – 904-547-8367

Email – carolyn.milian@stjohns.k12.fl.us

COFFEE STATION DONATIONS!

THANK YOU SO MUCH to all our families that have donated so many supplies to keep our student coffee station running! The students absolutely love this little FREE perk we offer in our media center, ESPECIALLY with more chilly days heading our way! We could still use some of the following items if you are willing and able to help donate so we can keep this going for our students.

·      10 oz. coffee cups

·      Hot chocolate packets

·      Tea bags (for our tea drinkers 😊 )

·      Creamer (individual packs or powdered. No refrigerated creamers please)

·      Sugar (individual small packets)

 

Thank you so much for anything you can help out with so we can continue this little “perk” for our students.

 

TEXTBOOKS AND MEDIA FINES –

Last week I sent out notices to all students with overdues and/or fines on their accounts. SENIORS AND JUNIORS!! PROM SEASON IS AROUND THE CORNER! If there are fines on your media account, you will NOT be able to get tickets to the dance. Freshmen and Sophomores – if you are invited to Prom, your accounts must also be clear. If you have any questions, please see me asap in the media center.

From the Community