Amazing Raider Families,
“There are better starters than me but I’m a strong finisher.” ~ Usain Bolt
Eight weeks remains of the 2024-2025 school year! The last weeks of high school are very challenging in many ways, especially for our seniors who are close to finishing their high school careers. But as always with the journey of life, which is full of challenges, it is not how we start but how we finish. Regardless of where we are in our personal journey, we can make a decision to finish strong so we have no regrets. Our students will need to be encouraged to finish and not quit for the remainder of the year. Finishing strong is a decision. Students choose to finish strong.
April is Autism Awareness Month
Every April we take time to honor individuals with autism, and to celebrate their beauty, intelligence, uniqueness, and individuality. The United Nations has designated April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day around the world. Let's take EXTRA time to accept, love and support all children on the spectrum.
Revised Bathroom Policy for Last Quarter starting April 14, 2025
Families, we now have a lot of data as to how the bathroom passes are being used. I shared this information with staff, a 20-student panel, School Site Council and ELAC Committee. In addition, I invited all of you to join me in a parent meeting on April 20 to discuss the data. With all this input, it was agreed that there are students who are abusing the bathroom passes. It was also agreed that we need to limit the number of times that students need to use the bathroom. That number is two daily passes allowed. Here is the rationale. Students can go to the bathroom during passing period, nutrition break and lunch. While we understand that there are exceptions to the rule, I am asking all teachers to uphold this policy. If your child has a health issue, please make sure that we have a copy of your child's medical records so that we can give them a special pass. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to administration.
Wish Well Parent Workshop on April 17, 2025
Parents, this Thursday, we will host Wish Well Organization who will provide a workshop tilted Navigating Hard Conversation with Your Teens. This is a great workshop. It will take place on April 17, 2025 at 9:00am. I hope to see many of you there.
Final Progress Report is on April 25, 2025
Students, April 25 is the final progress report to determine if you are on track to pass all your classes. Seniors, this is important as failing a class can affect your ability to graduate at the end of the school year. Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors, we will be using this report to determine if you need to attend summer school or not. Athletes, do not lose your athletic eligibility for your spring sports by getting bad grades. Let's finish strong and ensure you have good grades.
Final Coffee with the Principal Information
Parents, as requested, I will be hosting two Coffee with the Principal Meetings this quarter. I hope that many of you will be able to make at least one of these meeting times below. Both meetings will be held in the Parent Center.
- Thursday, April 24 @ 5:00pm
- Friday, April 25 @9:00am
CAASPP Testing Begins April 14, 2025
Eleventh graders, our testing window for the CAASPP state test begins April 14. You will be taking a test in English, Math, and Science. Please review the schedule below and mark it on your calendars. Our goal is for 95% of all 11th graders to participate in the state test.
Available Scholarships and Deadlines
Teachers, please share with your senior students so that they can apply and meet the deadlines. Click HERE to access the list of scholarships.
New Bell Schedule for 2025-2026 School year
Parents/Guardians, starting in July, we will no longer have the eight-period day. Instead, we will have a six-period day with options to take zero or 7th period. I will be introducing this to the community at the two upcoming Coffee with the Principal.
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5 - 9, 2025
Students and Parents, we will be honoring our teachers during the first full week in May. One way that we will be honoring them is to provide a wellness spa day for them. We will be converting the Parent Center into a Day Spa. To that end, we will need to purchase items to make this a very safe space of rejuvenation. Click on this LINK to see our Amazon SOH Wellness Day Spa Wish List. If you are able to buy one item from this list, we would appreciate it. Additionally, we need some perishable food items (good for 100 people) to be purchased the day before:
- Bottled Water
- Bottled Fruit Juice
- Apples
- Oranges
Advanced Placement Testing Begins May 5, 2025
All students taking AP classes, please review the AP testing schedule below and mark them on your calendar. You will receive an email from Ms. Salogel with all the information you will need for these two weeks We wish you the best in all subjects.
Senior Highlights
Seniors, you are so close to the end of your high school career, and there are many events and activities that are just meant for you. Click on this LINK to access these activities. One of the most important activities is the Senior Survey. We want to know how your experience was at SOH. Also, scroll down to the Senior Highlight Section of the newsletter with more information regarding senior highlights.
Families, here is the LINK to the April Library Newsletter.
Raider families, let's have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Finley
