Zebra Family Update

Our upcoming schedule:

• Monday, 12/9 - Friday, 12/13 are regular school days
• Monday, 12/16 is a regular even school day with 2:30pm dismissal
• Tuesday, 12/17-Friday, 12/20 are finals - see detail below! Note that breakfast is served and we will offer lunch during our "snack break" from 10:30-11am on each day of finals.

A reminder that our odd/even calendar and our bell schedule are available 24/7 here!

We are working hard on increasing student attendance and supporting families to get their students to school on time and every day! We are proud that our efforts have led to an increase in attendance of just shy of 2% when compared to last year! For specific information about attendance policies, please click here.

QUARTER GRADES ARE PROGRESS GRADES - We provide quarter grades in mid-October and mid-March. Quarter grades are an important marker of progress towards the Semester grades, however, Quarter grades do NOT have an impact on graduation progress. Quarter grades, DO , however, have an impact on athletic and activity eligibility (visit the athletics handbook for more information).

THE SEMESTER ENDS WITH FINAL EXAMS - The Semester ends on Friday, December 20 and Thursday, June 5. The semester ends with final exams. Finals are hosted 12/17-20 and 6/2-6/5 and the schedule for classes is posted on our website (lhs.wpusd.org > Our School > Bell Schedule).

WHY ARE SEMESTER GRADES CRITICAL - Quarter grades are a marker of progress and they continue to fluctuate up and down until the semester ends. Semester grades are critical grades in that they are what allows a student to earn credits for graduation. They are also used for athletic and activity eligibility. If a student earns an F at the semester, they will NOT earn credit for the class...and earning a credit is how students make progress towards graduation. Earning an F for Q1 is not a dealbreaker - students have until the end of Semester 1 to get their grade above an F in order to earn credits.

WHEN ARE SEMESTER GRADES PUBLISHED? Semester grades will be published on Friday, January 10th and will be mailed to your address on record the week of January 13th.

WE ENCOURAGE Cs AND ABOVE TO PROVIDE THE MOST OPTIONS FOR YOUR FUTURE! We encourage students to aim for a C or better in all class to give the best shot at opportunities after high school for continuing their education at a college, university, community college or trade school (that's part of being A-G ready). Students certainly make mistakes, and may not earn credit for various reasons. Our counseling team works hard to support students with options to recover failing grades like retaking a class, taking a class via summer school, or enrolling in the online/self-paced study CyberHigh classes.

HOW TO MONITOR YOUR STUDENT'S GRADES - You as a guardian can monitor your student's grades via Schoology 24/7. If you do not know how to access Schoology, please reach out to our office and we can be sure you have access set up (call us at 916 645 6360).

IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR STUDENTS GRADES TO IMPROVE - We encourage you to:

1. reach out to your student's teacher(s) to get input on how your student's grade can be improved (often it's as easy as turning in a missing assignment(s) or retaking a quiz)

2. encourage your student to ask their teacher how they can improve their grade using the intervention time that is built into our daily schedule

3. support your student in attending our LHS Homework Center...it is open every school day before school from 7:15-8:15am and Monday-Thursday after school for 2 hours. The HW Center is in the library and is run by students and staff who are trained and prepared to support students with lesson reteaching, completing homework, quiz retakes, test prep, and organization. You can get more information here.

FINAL THOUGHTS - Top three things you can do to support student progress:

1. check Schoology regularly so you know where your Zebra stands - this is particularly important when it comes to being prepare to mee college or career goals or are playing a sport!

2. encourage your Zebra to check in with their teachers if their grade is not where they want it or if they are earning below a C

3. encourage your Zebra to attend our Homework Center - statistically, we know students grades improve when they visit our Homework Center

The second lot on the left inside of the main parking area (off of J Street) is a staff parking lot, as is the lot off of 6th Street by the Lee Gym. In addition, the loop is a no-parking zone (other than in designated spots).

It is important that families are not lingering in these particular spaces, as it can impede the access of emergency, first responder, and/or our LPD SRO from effectively accessing campus.

There is typically ample parking in our main lot, and around the perimeter of campus. We encourage you to park there to drop off or meet your Zebra. This map (lhs.wpusd.org > Our School > Drop Off & Pick Up) provides locations that make pick up and drop off relatively easy for students and families. We appreciate your help.

From our handbook (available here):

Cell Phone Policy

Cell phone regulations:

• Can be used before and after school, between classes and during lunch time.

• Cannot be used without teacher’s permission for any reason during class time.

• Phones are to be inaccessible during class time.

• When students use a Smart Pass to leave the classroom to use the restroom, cell phones must be left in the classroom.

• Should a student’s cell phone be out during class time, the teacher may take it and deliver it to the office later in the day.

• Should a student be seen using a cell phone outside of class during class time, the phone may be taken to the office.

When do the offending students get their phone back?

• First Offense: Logged and the student may pick up the phone in the office after school.

• Second Offense: Logged and the guardian must pick up the phone in the office.

• Third Offense: Student receives detention. The incident is logged and the guardian must pick up the phone in the office.

• Fourth Offense: Student receives a Saturday school/extended detention. Junior and seniors will lose their lunch pass privileges. The incident is logged and the guardian must pick up the phone in the office.

Parents who have a true emergency and must contact their students are to call the office at 916-645-6360, and a message will be delivered to the student immediately.

It is advised that students do not bring electronic devices on campus. The school does not assume responsibility for lost, stolen, or broken electronic devices.

We love having our families attend events on campus - here is what is coming up this fall and winter. For more information, visit our public calendar at lhs.wpusd.org:

Fall & Winter Athletics Contests / see our schedule of games here

College & Career Workshops / see our events list here

Winter Choir Concert / Sat., 12/14 - Mon., 12/16 at 6:30pm / Theater

Spring Season Athletics Parent Meeting / Tues., 1/28 (tentatively) / Pence Gym

Finals Week / Tues., 12/17 - Fri., 12/20

End of Semester 1 / Fri., 12/20

No School / Mon., 12/23 - Fri., 1/3 / Winter Break

Ethnic Studies Elective Course Informational Meeting / Wed., 1/8 at 7pm / LHS Theater AND Th., 1/9 at 7pm / TBHS Theater

Shadow A Zebra Day (for 8th graders) / Th., 1/9 and Fri., 1/10

Zebra Showcase (Open House - geared towards new students) / Th., 1/16

No School / Mon., 1/20 / Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday

Board Meeting at LHS / Tues., 1/21 / Theater

Winter Homecoming Week / Week of 1/27-1/31

LHS Booster Club Meeting / Wed., 2/5, 5:30 pm / Library

ELAC Meeting / Wed., 2/5, 6:30 pm / Library

No School / Fri., 2/14-Mon., 2/17 / Mini Break

National FFA Week / Week of 2/18

One Pill Can Kill Student Assemblies / Tues., 2/25 / Pence Gym

District Band Day / Wed., 3/5

LHS Booster Club Meeting / Tues., 3/5, 5:30 pm / Library

EL Lecutra Books Parent Workshop / Wednesday from 5:30-7pm from 3/5 through 4/9 / Rm 73

Last Day of Quarter 3 / Fri., 3/14

School Site Council Meeting / Wed., 3/19, 7 pm / Library

WASC Mid-Cycle Accreditation Visit / Mon., 3/31

ELAC Meeting / Wed., 5/14, 5:30pm / Library (tentative date)

We have multiple opportunities for families to provide input for LHS coming up:

Wed., 2/5 / 6:30-7:30pm / LHS Library or Google Meet (meet.google.com/fbj-ovxh-upi)

Focus: Registration for 25/26 year

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Wednesdays from 3/5 through 4/9 / 5:30-7pm / Room 73

EL Lectura Books Parent Workshop

Focus: Graciela's Dream: Journey to College

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Wed., 5/14 / 5:30pm / LHS Library or Google Meet (meet.google.com/fbj-ovxh-upi)

(data tentative)

Focus: Youth Truth Data Review

Wed., 3/19 / 6-7pm / Library or via Google Meet (meet.google.com/enx-zdau-het)

Focus: Student Involvement, Wellness, and State Testing

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Wed., 5/28 / 6-7 pm / Library or via Google Meet (meet.google.com/enx-zdau-het)

Focus: EOS, Youth Truth Data, and input for 25/26

Wednesday, February 5th, March 5th, April 2nd, May 7th

5:30pm, LHS Library

WASC is the group that provides our accreditation and they want to connect with families about their experiences with LHS.

Mon., 3/31 / morning (exact time TBD) / Library

Coffee and breakfast snack will be provided!

If you'd like to participate, please let Jen Hladun know (jhladun@wpusd.org)

Our district is looking to share information and collect input on an upcoming elective being offered in 25/26 called Ethnic Studies. There is more information below about this course and this specific meeting.

Wed., 1/8 / 6-7pm / LHS Theater

Th., 1/9 / 6-7pm / TBHS Theater

Exciting Opportunity for Our School Community!

Starting next school year, WPUSD high schools will offer Ethnic Studies as an elective course, in alignment with Assembly Bill 101. As the district works to develop this curriculum, they are seeking input from parents and families to ensure it reflects the needs and values of our community.

We encourage you to attend one of the district's Ethnic Studies Information Nights to learn more about this new course and share your thoughts:

January 8, 2025 / Lincoln High School Theater / 6–7 PM

January 9, 2025 / Twelve Bridges High School Theater / 6–7 PM

Your voice is invaluable in shaping this exciting addition to our students' education. We hope to see you there! This event is open to all WPUSD families.

About Ethnic Studies:

What will the course cover?

The course will explore key topics, all connected to our local community, in the following units:

• Introduction to Ethnic Studies

• Culture and Identity

• Origins, Movements, and Migration

• Societal Structures and Their Effect

• Social Movements and Community Organizing

• Final Project

What is Ethnic Studies?

• Learning about different cultures and histories often left out of regular classes

• Understanding experiences of diverse groups and eliminating stereotypes

• Exploring how race, gender, and class shape people's lives and society

• Discovering often-overlooked contributions of people from various backgrounds

• Developing skills to engage positively in our diverse world

What Ethnic Studies is not:

• Intended to demonize or shame any one group of people

• To promote one opinion or political idea/agenda

Implementation Timeline:

• Assembly Bill 101 requires districts to offer Ethnic Studies by the 2025–26 school year

• It will be a graduation requirement for the Class of 2029–30

You can help us keep LHS a safe and supportive environment by letting us know if something isn't right. Stop It is an anonymous tool you can use to safely let our admin team is someone needs help or if something is happening on campus that is not in alignment with our values of Care, Courage, Connect, and Character. Your reports are anonymous and will be followed up on.

Click here: bit.ly/wpusdstopit or click "safety concern" at the top right of lhs.wpusd.org.

Research shows that getting involved is a top way to ensure connection and progress towards graduation. LHS offers dozens of student athletic, academic, arts, and activity based opportunities to help your student find their people and their passion.

For more information about LHS clubs, visit this website.

For more information about LHS athletics, check out this website. Our Winter athletic season is underway and spring is coming up quickly.

LHS offers an incredible tutoring program that is designed to help students get their homework done, get organized, to ask questions, to get reteaching, and even to take care of test retakes (for some teachers!). We are prepared to offer support in all content areas taught at LHS.

Where:

• In Person at LHS Library or online using Google Meet - code: LHStutoring

When:

• M-F from 7:15-8:15am
• M from 2:30-4:30pm
• T-Th from 3:30-5:30pm

Keep in mind, that the library hosts our tutoring program to support students with learning. The library is not open for hanging out during tutoring times - all students must be actively involved in some type of academic activity during the tutoring program hours if they are in the library.

Each month, the LHS counselors will provide you with information on hot topic items as well as areas of focus with students. Stay tuned for information on all things college, school success, academic planning and mental health support. Should you need to reach out to your child’s counselor, here is our contact information:

• Sherri Sandoval: Freshmen, English Language Learners, ssandoval@wpusd.org ext 37830
• Misty Alarcon: Gr 10-12, Last names A-L, malarcon@wpusd.org ext 37832
• Robyn Court: Gr 10-12, Last names M-Z, rcourt@wpusd.org ext 37831

• Sruti Vadgama, College & Career Technician, svadgama@wpsud.org
• Kristin Gianola, Wellness Center Counselor (Room 14), kgianola@wpusd.org
• Kailauna Parker, Wellness Center Counselor (Room 14), kparker@wpusd.org

Our first semester will be over before you know it! The arrival of Christmas break will bring an end to our first semester. In many classes, students will be taking final exams the week prior to the break. Please be aware that up until this time, the grades your students have been earning were progress grades, not final ones. However, the grades your child earns in December are considered final grades and these are the ones that appear on your child’s transcript. These grades are also used to help place students in courses for next year. It is important that students work hard to earn the best grades they can. As always, our tutoring center is available before and after school to provide a quiet place to study and get extra help, if needed.

We continue to be VERY focused on supporting our freshmen this year. One of our counselors has already been in freshman classes to teach them about graduation requirements, earning credits and A-G requirements. We are already seeing positive progress with our freshmen (and now our sophomores) given the work we are doing to support our students as they enter high school!

Additional interventions are on the horizon and we build in our supports. We are excited to see the impact of this focus!

New Year Action Items for Seniors

Application & Scholarship Opportunities:

• Cal State Universities: Still accepting applications - check current deadlines

• Local Scholarships available on Schoology - apply to all qualifying opportunities

• Request Letters of Recommendation from teachers

Important Deadlines:

• FAFSA/CADAA CalGrant Deadline: March 3rd

• FAFSA Application Night: January 21st, 6:00pm

• ASVAB Test: February 11th, 8:30am

Career & College Planning Resources:

• Pathful: Career assessment tool

• My Next Move: Career exploration website

• Psychology Degree 411: Resource for psychology-interested students

Next Steps:

• Review College and Career Calendar on school website regularly

• Visit College and Career Center for personalized guidance

• Email svadgama@wpusd.org to schedule an appointment if needed

The Wellness Center is open and ready to support students. As a reminder to families, if your student is struggling with their mental health and needs a safe place to land during the day, we are here to help. Students seeking wellness support simply ask their teachers for a wellness center break in room 14 where they will be greeted and offered space to talk or take a break for 10-15 minutes.

Check Out our Virtual Calming Room

We are thrilled to be able to bring the community our virtual calming room. This is a free and discreet website that we have curated for students who struggle with finding and identifying coping skills. We know that not all students will show up to the wellness center for support, and that's okay. Our goal is to remove as many barriers as we can to student wellness and success. We hope to continue to tweak and improve the resources on this page as the year goes on.

IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE A ZEBRA!

Vision: Lincoln High School empowers students to develop their potential, to advocate for themselves, and to make a lifelong positive contribution to the community.

Mission: Lincoln High School creates opportunities for all students to gain the education and experiences needed to be successful, knowledgeable, and responsible contributors to society.

Our Focus: Cultivate relationships to support a culture of learning and connection.

Learn about our Student Learning Outcomes here.

Social Media

• Facebook @LincolnHighSchoolWPUSD
• Insta @lhsfightingzebras

Calendars

• School and Athletics Calendars are here!

Staff Directory

• This directory contains some staff who are no longer at LHS, but it also includes all of our current staff

Specific Course Information

• All of our teachers posted information about their class on Schoology - parents and students can always go back to revisit syllabi and a video introducing your teacher on their Schoology pages: https://wpusd.schoology.com/ > Courses > Select tile for the class you want to learn more about!

General School/Course Information

• Website: lhs.wpusd.org
• Course Catalog: https://lhs.wpusd.org/academics/course-offerings/course-catalog
• Handbook: https://lhs.wpusd.org/our-school/about-us/student-handbook