Charger Chatter

Good evening, Charger Families-

My name is Valerie Strickland, and I am the alpha counselor for students with last names beginning with Dd-Hj. This week we are embarking on the second nine weeks of school. It is our hope your student had a successful first nine weeks and has found a way to become connected and involved on campus. If your student needs support, please reach out to your student’s counselor.

There are some important deadlines and activities happening this week! More in-depth information can be found throughout the Charger Chatter regarding the below mentioned items:

• Unity Day - Wednesday, October 16
• CCISD College & Career Fair - Wednesday, October 16
• PSAT - Wednesday, October 16
• Course Level Change requests due by Thursday, October 17 at 3 pm
• The Dangers of Vaping presented by The Alliance - Friday, October 18

As a reminder, there is no school tomorrow, Monday, October 14.

Have a great week!

Valerie Strickland

Congratulations to the nine (9) Chargers who have been named Commended Students in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program! A certificate and Letter of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) was presented to students this past week.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2025 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2025 competition by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

Our National Merit Commended Scholars are:

• Jaden A. Butcher
• Arya M. Chakrabarti
• Thomas W. Cole
• Gabriel W. Emig
• Casey C. Nguyen
• Tien D, Nguyen
• Ella B. Pedersen
• Nathan Y. Thompson
• Talyn Yocum

"Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success," commented a spokesperson for NMSC. "These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success."

October 5: Band Competition @ Challenger

October 7: PTSA Meeting in CSHS Library

October 8-9: Underclassmen Pictures

October 8: Volleyball Teacher Appreciation Night

October 11-14: Fall Break

October 16: PSAT Day; Unity Day

October 16: CCISD College & Career Fair, 6-8PM @ Clear Falls HS

October 23: CIIC Meeting; Club Food Fair during LL

October 25: Football Teacher Appreciation Night; PINK OUT Game

October 28: Red Ribbon Week; 50th Day of School

During September/October, counselors will meet with Seniors individually for their Senior Conference during English class. In the conference, they will discuss graduation requirements/endorsements, 6-semester GPA/Rank, after high school success plan, and college/career/military readiness (CCMR). After their conference, a copy of their completed conference form(s) will be emailed to students and parents.

Senior Conference Topics:

1. Graduation Plan & Declared Endorsement – Counselor/student will review graduation plan/endorsement and make sure required coursework is completed or in progress.

2. Transcript Evaluation – Counselor/student will review transcript for accuracy.

3. GPA & Rank – Counselor/student will review 6-semester GPA/Rank.

4. Honor Graduate Requirements / Candidacy – Counselor/student will discuss, as applicable.

5. Graduation Requirements – Counselor/student will review required credits, STAAR/EOC, Peace Officer Training, FAFSA, and CPR training requirements.

6. Post High School Plan / CCMR – Counselor/student will discuss plans after graduation and a post high school success plan to be sure student is college, career, military ready.

The Senior Conference Schedule is as follows:

10/8 - Bailey

If students have an alternative form of English credit, they are encouraged to check-in with their counselor to schedule a conference during release time/elective period.

2024 Homecoming Dance – THANK YOU!!

After many years, the return of our Homecoming Dance was a huge success! Thank You to our group of volunteers that helped transform the cafeteria into an amazing dance space and to everyone that donated refreshments and supplies! We couldn’t have done it without everyone’s support.

Big Shout Out to our Chargers! With 675 tickets sold, you really did make this a night to remember at Clear Springs! Please check out the photos & videos.

· Photo Booth #1: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/3xcg6cd8h57bcevj549rx/AJI7cLn_FFXlmrYHTCK3OrA?rlkey=znvotn0sv00tpruj184bj847b&dl=0

· Photo Booth #2: https://photos.app.goo.gl/nLBL84kvVSBw4Ww76

· Random Photos & Videos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/F66HNyY5WmcYEVkZA

What’s Next for our Seniors & Parents?

As we approach the holiday season, we have some fantastic opportunities to raise funds for Project Grad, Earn Points, and spread some cheer! Here’s how you can get involved:

Upcoming Fundraising Events

1. Buttermilk Sky Pies – October 21 through November 3

· In-Store: Location - Inside Baybrook Mall

· Details: Anyone who mentions Project Grad will have 20% of their sales donated to CSHS Project Grad 25!

· ONLINE: Online ordering – use promo code CSHSGrad

· Details: CSHS will receive 20% of all sales online when using this code.

· Great News: you can preorder Thanksgiving and Christmas pies NOW! Use the promo code and set a date to pick up or have it delivered in November or December and we still earn 20%. (This is our favorite part)

2. Butter Braid Frozen Pastry Dough – October 21 through November 4

· ONLINE: Online ordering – https://store.myfundraisingplace.com/RegisterSeller/0cde577e-db11-4b4a-8e4e-9e57e8043ffe

· Details: CSHS will receive 40% of all sales!

· Delivery: Delivery of items will be the week of November 17th! Just in time for the Thanksgiving Holidays!

During Senior Conferences, Counselors are presenting, Putting it all Together: Making the Most of Your Senior Year. This presentation guides students through the Naviance and college application process. It's loaded with great information for Seniors. You are encouraged to watch it, as many times as you want!

Click HERE to watch the presentation.

The 1st nine-week grading period ends on October 10th. Course level changes will be considered at the end of the first nine-week grading period of the semester for each course that offers a different level of the same course. To be considered for a transfer from an Honors or AP course, the student must have made a sincere effort to succeed by attending tutorials, completing his/her work, and by conferencing with his/her teacher. The parent must conference with the teacher before a course level change will be considered. If these conditions are met and the student is earning less than a grade of 75 at the end of the first nine-week grading period, that student will be considered for a change. Space availability in the receiving course will be a consideration for a course level change.

Any student in an Honors or AP course wishing to be considered for a level down can access the level change request form HERE, from the Counseling Corner in Canvas, from student's alpha-counselor, or from the Counseling Center (Room 1007).

Forms can be submitted to the Counseling Center or emailed to bcorrao@ccisd.net. They are due by 3PM on Thursday, October 17th for consideration.

To offer an opportunity for students and families learn more about different career paths and college options, CCISD hosts the College & Career Fair. This annual, in-person event attracts state and national college admission representatives, armed forces representatives as well as a variety of local businesses. It's an excellent way to ask questions, discuss your personal journey, and find the best fit for your future.

CCISD College & Career Fair

October 16, 2024

6:00 PM-8:00PM

Clear Falls High School

Have questions about post-secondary planning? CCISD's Clear to College Course in CCISD YOUniversity is an excellent resource for helping students prepare for life after high school. Juniors and Seniors are encouraged to explore and understand what options fit their post-secondary and lifetime goals in this course. This is also a great supplement to our upcoming Senior Conferences.

The Course Outline includes:

• Post-secondary planning
• The College Admission Process
• Naviance
• Next Steps

Steps to Enroll:

1. Click HERE to access Clear to College enrollment page.
2. Click the ENROLL NOW button.
3. Sign in or register.

October 11 - John Hornik

October 11 - Kimberly Koller

If a student is wanting to start a new club, he/she can pick up club forms in the 1100/1200 from Ms. Huerta, the pod secretary. The link provided shows all active clubs on campus and its sponsor. More information about meeting times is forthcoming with lightning lunch scheduling being finalized.

Current CSHS Club List

Each October, CCISD observes National Bullying Prevention month. The signature event for this month is Unity Day. This Wednesday, October 16th, 2024, CSHS will participate in Unity Day by wearing orange to signify our united stance against bullying. Standing up against bullying is everyone’s responsibility! For more information on Unity Day, visit this link: Unity Day - Wednesday, October 16, 2024 (pacer.org).

The Alliance will be offering presentations for our students on topics of vaping, stress management, and mental health. The presentations will be in October, November, and December during Lightning Lunch in the Library. Students can sign up for the presentations through RTI Scheduler.

Presentations include:

• October 18th: The Dangers of Vaping - An activity-based presentation that teaches the dangers of tobacco and e-cigarettes.

• November 15th: Stress & Healthy Ways of Coping - This presentation explores the factors that affect Mental Health for youth today, including tools to implement to aid in stress reduction and an emphasis on gratitude.

• December 13th: TBD - Have an idea for a presentation? Is there a specific topic you'd like to know more about? Email Ms. Cottenoir at dcottenoir@ccisd.net and share your idea!

Students, if you are new to Clear Springs High School we invite you to attend the Charger Cafe every Friday beginning on September 13th. We will be located in room 1321C (Fine Arts Hallway). Come join in to meet new people and learn The Charger Way!

During Lightning Lunch each student gets 30 minutes of lunch and 30 minutes of tutorials. In order for everyone to have a safe and meaningful lunch time it is imperative that all students sign up for at minimum 3 sessions per week using the RTI scheduler app. The only exception is seniors who have 6 and 7th period off.

You can help your student make good choices by ensuring they have registered for the tutorials. While there are not many grades yet, they will be coming in very soon and it is always good to be prepared. Clubs will also be starting soon!

Please sit with your Charger and have him/her show you where he/she is going. See the steps below:

1. Log on to the student SSO portal.

2. Click the RTI Scheduler app (shown in the upper right)

3. Navigate to the week of August 19th on calendar view.

4. You should see 3 sessions selected, if you do not there will be a blue "choose a session" button to click. A list of your students available teachers will populate.

--> See the picture below for an example of what it will look like. In this example a student has one tutorial selected (Silent reading study hall) and can select another 4 using the blue "Choose a Session" button.

Extra tips:

• Have your charger check skyward grades to make the best choices for tutorials.
• Check the Lightning Lunch section in the CSHS website for tutorial schedules and lots of helpful information.

AP Exam sales for year-long and fall semester AP courses will be October 15th - October 31st. Click HERE for more details.

Senior only SAT – October 10th, 2024 - Registration CLOSED!

Sophomore/Junior PSAT – October 16th, 2024

• All 10th & 11th graders are registered automatically.

ASVAB Interest Survey - Click HERE

2024 STAAR EOC Make-ups/Retest – December 2nd through 6th

STAAR 2024 EOC Dates:

· English I – April 10th

· English II – April 15th

· Biology – April 17th

· US History – April 22nd

· Algebra I – April 24th

The School Day SAT will be given to Seniors who purchased the exam on October 10, 2024. Testing begins at 7:20AM.

The PSAT will be given to ALL Sophomores & Juniors on October 16, 2024. Testing begins at 7:20AM.

If you are a Dual Credit student and are taking either the SAT or the PSAT, you will report to CSHS on your respective testing day by 7:20AM. Late testing sessions will not be available if you arrive after 7:20AM.

College of the Mainland has been made aware of these testing dates and times. Please be sure to notify your professor before the exam as a reminder.

• Clear Creek ISD Student Handbook The student handbook encompasses all schools and any information you may need. Be sure to use the table of contents to navigate efficiently.
• Clear Creek ISD Dress Code This link takes you straight to the dress code.
• Clear Creek ISD Bus Information At this link you can find your bus number and pick up time, as well as other transportation information.
• Clear Creek ISD Technology This link has all the information you will need about student devices and purchasing insurance. Families are highly encouraged to purchase the $20 insurance coverage to protect against accidental damage, theft, fire, electrical or other damages.
• Clear Creek ISD Student Code of Conduct The student code of conduct outlines the expectations of CCISD students and contains the information for contacting the Office of Parent Assistance.
• Clear Creek ISD Volunteer and Mentor Are you looking for a way to make an impact in CCISD? Visit this link for more information on volunteering and mentoring at CCISD.

• CSHS School Profile - The School Profile provides information about our campus, including our grading scale, GPA point scale, and performance data.

• CSHS Guidance & Counseling Comprehensive Counseling Program Disclosure - This link takes you to an overview of our campus comprehensive school counseling program.

Website: https://clearsprings.ccisd.net/
Location: 501 Palomino Lane, League City, TX, USA
Phone: 281-284-1300
Twitter: @ClearSpringsHS