Amazing Raider Families,
“Finishing strong is a powerful demonstration of commitment, character, integrity and heart.” ~Gary Ryan Blair~
This is our final week of Semester 1. While many of us feel excited to go into our winter break, there are many who are approaching the three weeks off with apprehension. Let's be mindful and sensitive to each other's winter break situation. Raiders, let's finish strong by taking your finals seriously and do your very best on each of them. As the above quote states, "Finishing strong is a powerful demonstration of commitment, character, integrity and heart." Finally, I wish all of you a restful and relaxing winter vacation.
Finals Week Schedule
Families, below is the finals week schedule. These dates are all minimum days with a release time of 1:20pm. De.
- December 16 (Periods 1 & 3) with dismissal at 1:20pm
- December 17 (Periods 2 & 4) with dismissal at 1:20pm
- December 18 (Periods 5 & 7) with dismissal at 1:20pm
- December 19 (Periods 6 & 8) with dismissal at 1:20pm
- December 20 (Periods 1 - 8) with dismissal at 1:41pm
Semester 2 Class Changes
Students and parents, when we return to Semester 2 on January 14, please make sure that you check your schedule in Campus Portal. While most students' schedules remain unchanged, there will be some changes that will occur for a variety of reasons; the most important reason is that we have to follow the teachers' union guidelines on the size of the classes. This means we will be moving students to meet this contractual directive. The counselors are busy making these changes right now. Thank you for understanding.
First Day of Semester is January 14, 2025 (Late Start)
Families, planning purposes, January 14, 2025 is the first day of Semester 2. It is a Late Start, which means the first bell will ring at 9:20am. The schedule is Periods 2, 4, 6, 8. It is also Early Dismissal, so, school ends at 3:00pm. Please check Campus Portal to see what your period 2 is. Remember, there are changes being made right now to meet the teachers' union guidelines for class sized, so your Period 2 might have changed.
Potential Credit Recovery Classes During Semester 2
Raiders, if you anticipating a failing grade in PE, World Language and/or Chemistry, we are in discussion to potentially offer these courses as credit recovery during Semester 2. The sessions could be held before school, after school, Saturday School or a combination of all after school time. Once it is decided, we will send out the information.
District Decision on Ending the Eight-Period Day
Raider families, the district reached a decision to end the eight-period day starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Click HERE to read the letter I sent out to our SOH community on November 22. The schedule that a school adopts is under the governance of the teachers' contract. There is a committee of teachers who have assembled to explore the potential of a new innovative schedule for 2025-2026. The goal of the potential new innovative schedule is to provide the same or similar opportunities that were afforded by having an eight-period day. Once they follow the procedures provided by the teachers' contract, they can discuss as a staff and it will go to a vote amongst teachers and counselors. Site administrators or classified staff do not get to vote on this. If a new innovative schedule is not approved with a 60% majority, the default schedule will be Periods 1-6 daily. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or make an appointment to come and speak to me in person.
Last Week of Tutoring
No tutoring this week.
NEW!! Lunchtime Tutoring is now Available
No tutoring this week.
Library December Newsletter
Parents and Students, please read the Library Section below with its newsletter. See what our amazing libary team has to offer you! Click HERE to read the newsletter.
Let's have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Finley
