A Message from Our Principal
Hi!
Happy Sunday!
I hope you're all hanging in there!!! We've just ended one grading period and we're headed into another!
As the quarters come and go, it's a good opportunity to take stock of what's working--and what isn't--in terms of our academic life! I know that being in an independent studies school has a lot of benefits--more customized learning for YOU, greater flexibility of when you come in, individualized help from your teachers, and a lot less social anxiety since you're NOT at a school with 3000 people!
I'm glad SHNS exists--as it's a great place to learn and grow--in a quiet, respectful, and helpful environment!!! I wish there had been a SUSAN NELSON school in my neigborhood when I was a kid!!!
The challenging side to independent learning can be the amount of independent learning that's expected! Being home for most of the day (while it can bring social relief) might also bring other distractions from your studies!
Students: as you start a new grading period I'd like you to think about your study habits (what's working? what isn't?). Think about WHERE you study at home (Is it distracting? Does it give you a space to think?). How's it going with your Teacher? Are you taking full advantage of the time you have with him/her? Do you need any extra time to visit or communicate with your teacher? What can you do that will make this next quarter even more successful than the first?
Lots of questions, but hopefully it gives you something to think about! It's easy to get stuck in a rut and not fully appreciate how much we can control our decisions, our study habits, and to some extent, our learning environment.
Here's to new quarter of great choices! And remember, if you do get stuck, there are plenty of people here at Susan Nelson School that want to help! Just reach out!
Have a great week!
David Schlottman
Principal
The Crucial Role of High School Counselors in Supporting Students
High school counselors are indispensable figures in the lives of students. They serve as academic guides, career advisors, and sources of emotional support. Academically, they help students chart their courses, set goals, and develop study skills. They navigate the complex world of college applications, scholarships, and standardized tests. Counselors also foster career exploration by organizing fairs and offering insights into different career paths.
However, their role extends far beyond academics. High school counselors provide a safe haven for students to discuss personal and emotional issues, making a crucial impact during the often-turbulent adolescent years. They are advocates for students, ensuring they receive the support they need, whether through accommodation for students with disabilities or intervention during crises. These professionals also contribute to the personal development of students, fostering skills in decision-making, time management, and goal setting.
High school counselors play a critical role in preparing students for college, helping them transition into adulthood. They serve as mentors, advisors, and supporters, guiding students through both academic and personal challenges. Their dedication and impact on students' well-being and success are immeasurable, making them an essential part of the educational journey for each student they serve.
As the counselor at Susan Nelson High School I would like to invite any student or parent to schedule an appointment with me to discuss, explore and evaluate their student’s high school experience and plans for the future. In order to schedule an appointment, please feel free to go to www.calendly.com/dblanchfield and schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.
Dan Blanchfield
Counselor, Susan H. Nelson Independent Study High School
(951) 695-7360 ext. 24605
U.S. Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager becomes the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound.
Yeager, born in Myra, West Virginia, in 1923, was a combat fighter during World War ll. After the war, he was among several volunteers chosen to test-fly the experimental X-1 rocket plane, built by the Bell Aircraft Company to explore the possibility of supersonic flight.
For years, many aviators believed that man was not meant to fly faster than the speed of sound, theorizing that transonic drag rise would tear any aircraft apart. All that changed on October 14, 1947, when Yeager flew the X-1 over Rogers Dry Lake in Southern California.
The X-1 was lifted to an altitude of 25,000 feet by a B-29 aircraft and then released through the bomb bay, rocketing to 40,000 feet and exceeding 662 miles per hour (the sound barrier at that altitude). The rocket plane was nicknamed “Glamorous Glennis” after Yeager's wife
Reports of the flight leaked to the press in December 1947, but because of the secrecy of the project, Bell and Yeager’s achievement was not officially confirmed until June 1948. Yeager continued to serve as a test pilot, and in 1953 he flew 1,650 miles per hour in an X-1A rocket plane. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1975 with the rank of brigadier general. Yeager died on December 7, 2020, at age 97.
