Volume 220, February 17, 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!


Have a great 3-day weekend! When we return on Tuesday, there will be 13 days remaining in the 3rd quarter with only 1 EXCEL on Wednesday, March 1st. Please encourage your child to take advantage of the last EXCEL if they have any summatives that need to be retaken.


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 - 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.

 

Important GradBash Updates:

GradBash is a special ticketed event for seniors at Universal Studios. Seniors cannot use an annual pass for access to this event or drive themselves. Seniors will depart Nease at 1:30pm on 4/28/23 and return at approximately 5am on 4/29/23. All 300 GradBash spots are reserved. Spots were reserved with a non-refundable deposit of $100 on SchoolPay. A second, non-refundable payment, will be due in late February/early March of $105. It is possible (based on increased costs, especially fuel costs) that a 3rd payment may be necessary. Our hope is to keep the total cost at $205, which includes the special event ticket (access to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure from 4pm to 2am), charter bus transportation, and a $20 voucher that can be used at park restaurants or shops.

If you have already made your deposit, the second payment will be live soon on SchoolPay. I will post on Remind and Schoology when the second payment is live. To make the payment, you will need to log in to your SchoolPay account with the email you used to pay the deposit. You CANNOT make any GradBash related payments in SchoolPay as a guest.


GradBash is sold out, but we do offer a waiting list if spaces open up or a student who planned to go would like to sell their ticket. If we reach you on the waiting list, a senior sponsor will contact you with information on making a deposit, paying in full, or completing a transfer with another senior. You will have a limited amount of time to respond before we remove you from the waiting list and go to the next person on the list. You MUST have paid your senior dues to keep your spot in line on the waiting list. Please note that adding your name more than once does not increase your chances, duplicates are regularly deleted.

To Join the Waiting List:  https://forms.office.com/r/iY61hj8VwS



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


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 20th – Holiday!



Tuesday, Feb 21st – Gold Day – 2, 4, 6 & 7

  • Hospitality & Tourism FT - St Augustine Aquarium
  • AWAY: 5pm - V Girls Lacrosse @ Wolfson
  • AWAY: 6pm - Softball at Paxon
  • HOME: 5pm/7pm - JV/V Boys Lacrosse vs Bolles


Wednesday, Feb 22nd – Make-up GREEN Day – 2:50pm dismissal

  • Engineering FT - Northrop Grumman HIP Internship
  • 6pm - 8th grade parent meeting in auditorium
  • HOME: 4:30pm - Tennis vs Creekside
  • AWAY: 5pm - JV Track & Field @ Beachside
  • AWAY: 7pm - V Baseball @ Fleming Island


Thursday, Feb 23rd – Green Day – 1, 3, 5 & 7

  • Communications Academy FT - UNF TV Production Tour
  • US History FT - Ripley's in St Augustine
  • LUNCHES: IB Social
  • 4pm - Congressman Rutherfod in auditorium
  • HOME: 5:30pm/7pm - JV/V Lacrosse vs Episcopal
  • AWAY: 6pm - Softball at Pedro
  • HOME: 6:30pm - V Baseball vs Stanton Prep


Friday, Feb 24th – Gold Day – 2, 4, 6 & 7

  • AP Human Geography FT - The Farm in PV
  • Boys Varsity Wrestling - Districts
  • HOME: 5pm/6pm - JV/V Boys Lacrosse vs Pope
  • 7pm - MORP (Winter Dance) in gym


Saturday, Feb 25th

  • NJROTC FT - Sanctioned Drill meet at Fleming Island HS
  • Science Olympiad FT - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ - Tampa
  • 8am - noon: District Teacher Recruitment Fair in Media Center
  • Boys V Wrestling - Districts
  • HOME: 8am - Track meet at stadium
  • AWAY: 12pm & 7pm - V Baseball @ Richmond Hill (Edo Miller Park)

Student Life


Please help support Nease DECA and the Nease Hospitality and Tourism Academy by purchasing a pair of Nease Pajama pants or a Nease t-shirt from our Spirit Box Bending Machine located in the Media Center! Proceeds help to go towards costs associated with attending our state and international conferences. 

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – T-Shirts

On March 30, 31, and April 1, the thespians of Nease High School will be presenting William Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but with an 80’s twist. To help spread the word, we have T-shirts available to purchase for this production. The shirts are $25. Please consider ordering one and help our young performers get the news out for what should prove to be a hilarious night of theatre complete with some 80s music favorites. Ordering ends on February 27.

School lPay Link:  https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/20222023-Nease-Midsummer-TShirts/SvXooG 


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! 

 The 3rd annual BRAVE Summit is scheduled for March 29, 2023 at The St. Augustine Amphitheatre. The Summit aims to open a dialogue with teens to address the stigma associated with mental health and encourage teens to learn about how to foster mental wellness. The Mission: To provide pathways to support systems for those young people who are struggling or know someone who is struggling, so that they feel equipped to ask for and provide the support that is needed. This will be a FREE, LIVE event, accessible to all high school students across Florida. There will be free food, entertainment, music, and speakers all centered around the singular message of breaking down stigma and talking about the issues affecting teens the most.

Good News!

Rutherford Announces 2022 Congressional App Challenge Winners

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Today, Congressman John Rutherford (FL-05) announced the 2022 Congressional App Challenge winners.


  • Aadithyaa Vishegu, an 11th grader at Allen D. Nease High School in St. Johns County, earned first place for his app “chow.” which aims to minimize food waste by intelligently managing the expiration date for food items and matching expiring food items with recipe suggestions.
  • Monish Beegamudre and Sophia Pua, also students at Allen D. Nease High School in St. Johns County, earned second place for their app “Interpret” which translates text or speech into easy-to-learn American Sign Language (ASL) movements through quick and easy photos.
  • Aryan Thakur, Jen Chen, Victor Zhang, and Sidharth Yerramilli, all students at Stanton Preparatory School in Duval County, earned third place for their app “The Stanton Bookstore” which is a student-run library system that provides a wide range of test preparation and school books to their fellow classmates at Stanton Preparatory School.

“Congratulations to the 2022 Congressional App Challenge winners for an outstanding display of ingenuity, creativity, and practical knowledge,” said Representative Rutherford. “I am pleased to host the App Challenge each year, and I encourage every student to participate, especially those considering a future in STEM.”


The 2022 Congressional App Challenge set the record for most student registrations, with 9,011 students creating 2,707 fully functioning apps for 335 members of Congress. Each app was evaluated by a panel of judges who review submissions according to three metrics: quality of the idea, implementation of the idea, and demonstrated excellence in coding and programming.



The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition designed to encourage student participation in computer science and coding. Student participants compete against their peers to create an application or “app” for mobile, tablet, or computer devices. The 2023 Congressional App Challenge is open to all students in Florida’s 5th Congressional District and will be open for submissions from June 15th to November 1st. Learn more about the Congressional App Challenge here.


A very special congratulations goes out to three amazing Panthers! 

 

Lauren Pease, Aadithyaa Vishegu, and Lalit Mudunuri represented Nease High School at St. John’s County’s Annual STEM Fair

 

Lauren created a project studying the effects on Faraday Fabric on EMF emission. She was recognized and honored by the county for her incredible research and presentation. 

Aadithyaa and Lalit teamed up to research a “Novel Approach to Electric Vehicle Battery Protection from Floods.” Because of their amazing research and outstanding presentation, these two young men were honored and selected to advance to the State Science and Engineering Fair to be held April 4th to 6th!

 

These three students humbly represented Nease High School and we are extremely proud of them! If you see any of them, congratulate them, and wish Aadithyaa and Lalit good luck as they advance further on this journey!  

On Thursday, February 4th, four Nease students competed in the Admiral Jonathon T. Howe Academic World Quest at the University of North Florida. The team, made up of Seniors Ian Caufield (Captain), Yash Singh, Rohit Siddi, and Junior, Lucian Slayden finished third out of 42 teams. The competition requires them to study several areas of world political, economic, social, and environmental issues. They studied for several weeks prior to the event. This is a fun and educational event. Congratulations to these young men.

Nease Speech & Debate Team competed in our 3rd tournament for this season in Gainesville on 2/11.

Congratulations to all 24 Nease students that competed, some for the first time. There were 200 competitors at this event!

Congratulations to the following students that placed in their event:

Lincoln Douglas:

Manogna Chandra, 1st place

Pranav Devanand, 2nd place

Nihal Kondabrolu, 3rd place

Saicharan Ramineni, 4th place

Rishi Chandra, 6th place

 

Public Forum:

Avery Mangan and Lauren Adams, 3rd place

 

Extemporaneous Speech:

Ian Canfield, 2nd place

Katelyn Deardorff, 6th place

 

Extemporaneous Sports Analysis:

Daniel Gassert, 1st place

 

Congressional Debate:

Eva Gassert, 3rd place

Rachel Ball, 6th place

 

Impromptu Speech:

Rich Nguyen, 3rd place

Cailey Green, 6th place

 

Extemporaneous Debate:

Ryan Kruger, 2nd place

Paxton Beidle, 4th place 

Nease Fundraisers


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.


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:

Huntington Learning Center is the pre-eminent nationally recognized, full-service learning center providing individualized instruction for over 45 years in reading, writing and math, along with specialized test preparation (e.g., SAT, ACT, PERT, Specialized High School Entrance Exam, etc.). All our programs are individualized to meet the specific needs of every student. Our sessions are taught either by certified teachers or by subject experts. The St Johns/St Augustine learning center is also accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools which is a Regional Accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. Phone: (904) 770-5920 Website: https://huntingtonhelps.com/center/stjohns

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

IB Senior Stoles are ready to be purchased. If you are not a member of the IB Boosters, please submit 25$ (check payable to IB Boosters) to Mrs. Kennedy so we can order your stole for graduation. If you need to know if you are a member, please reach out to neaseib@gmail.com for verification.

  

IB Sophomores and Freshman

Our annual Beach Clean-Up will take place on April 1, 2023 from 9 to noon. Our first meeting was held Thursday during the student’s lunch period. Permission slips and team leader forms were distributed at that time. These are due back to Mrs. Kennedy on March 2nd.

 

All IB Students & Parents

Our next IB student social is February 23rd, 2023. Please use this sign up genius to help with drinks: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084FAFAE23A5FF2-ibpizza1

  

IB Booster meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 28th, 2023 at 9:45am in the Media Center. 

 

All students have been registered for their 2023-2024 classes. Please verify the core courses and electives are correct in HAC. If you have questions, please see Mrs. Kennedy. All virtual, zero hour and/or modified forms are to be uploaded by March 10th through the QR code located on the paper.

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.



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

GPAC: Gifted Parent Advisory Council

 

What is GPAC?

The SJCSD Gifted Parent Advisory Council (GPAC) is a broad-based district gifted advisory committee representing educators, parents, and stakeholders who meet quarterly to discuss ways to support the gifted program and its students. Through collaborative learning, engagement, and advocacy, the members of GPAC support one another in navigating appropriate academic and affective learning paths for our gifted learners. All parents and/or caregivers of a SJCSD gifted student are encouraged to participate.

For more information about GPAC, please reach out to:

Sherri-Lee Heath, Gifted Program Specialist, K-12

Sherri-Lee.Heath@stjohns.k12.fl.us   or (904) 547-8916

or the Gifted Resource and Curriculum Enrichment itinerant teacher at your child’s school

 

Thursday, February 23rd, 2023  

Sebastian Middle School Multi-Purpose Room 6:30-8:00 pm

 

Tuesday, April 18th, 2023

Beachside High School Media Center    6:30-8:00 pm


The Ponte Vedra Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will award a $500 scholarship 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.