We hope all of our families are warming up after that January snowstorm and all of our students have made a smooth transition into their 2nd semester classes. February is a time when athletes transition from winter to spring sports, seniors apply for scholarships, and scheduling plans for the 25-26 school year begin. It is also a time for our students to get a strong start on their second semester courses.

The background picture shows our Competition Cheer Team, which competes in Nationals this coming weekend in Orlando! Please take your time reading this newsletter as it is loaded with announcements and has information about ACT testing, scheduling for next school year, scholarships, spring sports, upcoming dates, and other news.

Juniors Take ACT Test in March

All juniors in the state of NC take their ACT test their junior year. We will be taking the ACT on March 11th and doing makeups the days following. Dixon HS has purchased Progress Learning to help students prepare for their ACT. This will significantly enhance their readiness for the exam. Students have already logged into Progress Learning multiple times during homeroom to practice for the test. For more detailed information about the ACT please refer to the document Preparng for the ACT 2024-2025.pdf.

ASVAB Testing

Dixon HS has scheduled another ASVAB testing opportunity on Friday, February 28th. Students desiring to take the ASVAB that day can click on the link below to regeister.

https://forms.office.com/r/Hpb3A175Wt

OCS Controlled Enrollment

Out of district students, that wish to attend a high school outside their school zone can apply through the Controlled Enrollment process. Dixon's Marine Occupations course is the only Controlled Enrollment program at Dixon HS. Other high schools have other controlled enrollment course offerings.

The controlled enrollment forms have been updated and are available on the district website at Controlled Enrollment - Onslow County Schools and within the course registration guide on pages 9-14 at 2025-2026HighSchoolCourseRegistrationGuide_Final.pdf . I have also attached both the intent form for students currently participating in the program and the application for new students.

Magnet School Information- Onslow Virtual School (OVS)

Entry into the New Bridge Middle, Clyde Erwin Elementary, Northwoods Elementary, and Onslow County Virtual School magnet school lotteries are available to enrollment-eligible children of all Onslow County residents or in accordance with the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.

The Onslow County Schools Magnet School Lottery Application will be available beginning Monday, February 24, 2025 until Friday, March 14, 2025. Magnet School Lottery Selections will take place on Friday, March 21, 2025. Learn more at Magnet Schools - Onslow County Schools .

Signs of Suicide (SOS) Program at Dixon HS on February 18

Suicide prevention programs are an important part of student safety. On 02/18/2025 our school staff will present students with the Signs of Suicide program, a nationally recognized, evidence-based youth suicide prevention program. The goal of SOS is to reduce youth suicides by increasing the ability of participants to identify signs and symptoms of depression in their peers and encouraging students to respond by notifying a responsible adult. The program encourages conversation around mental health issues, including depression and suicide, among school staff, families and students.

We understand this is a sensitive issue for many families. A consent form with additional information will be available for students to take home on 02/10/2025. Your child will only be included in the SOS Training if you sign and return the consent form. Consent forms should be returned by 02/14/2025 if you wish for your child to participate. No student will be permitted to participate in the SOS program without the prior written consent of the parent or adult student.

Attendance Highlights

When a student must miss school, a written note of explanation for the absence signed by a parent or guardian must be presented to the front office on the day returning after an absence. Emailed notes are not accepted, except to request absences be excused ahead of time.

An absence may be lawful for the following reasons:

1. Personal illness or injury which makes the student physically unable to attend school;

2. Isolation ordered by the state board of health;

3. Death in the immediate family;

4. A medical or dental appointment

5. Participation under subpoena as a witness in a court or administrative proceeding;

6. A minimum of two days each academic year for observance of an event required or suggested by the religion of the student or the student’s parent(s) with prior approval by the principal;

7. Participation in a valid educational opportunity, such as travel, with prior approval by the principal. Five days prior to the absences, the parent or legal guardian must present to the school principal a written statement requesting the absences be lawful.

8. The principal shall use his/her discretion on the reasonable number of days the student may be excused from school; or

9. Absence due to pregnancy and related conditions or parenting, when medically necessary.

In addition, a student whose parent or legal guardian (a) is an active duty member of the uniformed services as defined by policy 4050, Children of Military Families, and (b) has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or has immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting will be granted additional absences at the discretion of the principal. The principal shall use his/her discretion on the reasonable number of days the student may be excused from school.

Extended illnesses generally require a statement from a physician. The student is responsible for finding out what assignments are due and completing them within the specified time period. A student’s absence from school for any reason other than those listed under “Lawful Absences” will be considered unlawful.

Senior Class Trip

Deadline extended! Class of 2025 graduates can still join the waitlist for the second bus for the Busch Gardens Grad Nite trip on Friday, April 25th! Students must see Ms. Boone in room 201 or send her a message in BAND to join the list. We still need 26 students to fill the second bus! Join the list no later than Friday, February 14th to ensure your spot. Payment will be added to School Cash Online for waitlist seniors the following week if enough students join the list.

Seniors who reserved a spot on the first bus by paying the initial $60 in School Cash Online should see the 2nd payment of $60, due on Friday, February 28th, appear this week.

For Graduating Seniors

For graduates who are NOT participating in graduation (and did not order the cap and gown package online at Jostens.com), you must order your diploma and diploma cover as soon as possible to ensure that it will be delivered in time for graduation. Use this link..

https://gmjslo2848k.typeform.com/to/lirY9o63

Senior Parents and Guardians! Please make sure that you buy your yearbook and Senior Recognition Ad Today!!! Click the link below to purchase! Senior Ads are open to create and purchase until February 13th!!!

DIXON HIGH SCHOOL HOLLY RIDGE, NC | Jostens

Upcoming Scholarships

• Feb. 3rd - Georgetown High School Alumni Association - For students planning to attend a vocational/trade school. No academic requirements, only an essay/list of questions to answer.
• Feb. 14th - Historical Society of Topsail Island - unweighted GPA of 2.5+, 2 letters of recommendation, evidence of extracurricular activities (resume), and project (essay, artwork, song, poem)
• Feb. 28th - SECU Scholarship - For students with parents/guardians that are State Employee Credit Union members. Student must be planning to attend a UNC System university.

For a full list of local scholarships and their applications, please visit: https://wakelet.com/wake/4SYNMHQzIrAbIRNwtgS-n

Registration for the 2025-26 School Year

We will kick off registration season for the rising 10th -12th graders with a Parent Information Session to discuss graduation requirements, opportunities available in high school, possible course offerings, and the registration process. We will have guest speakers from the Skills Center and Coastal Carolina Community College.

When: February 20th, 2025 5:30pm

Where: DHS Auditorium

Bag Tags

Students who leave campus early or come into school late due to a free period, online class, or off-campus dual-enrollment course need to complete the Alternative Schedule Agreement to be issued a bag tag. These tags help staff identify students who should be entering or exiting campus outside of the normal schedule. This process also helps us to ensure students have transportation required to have an alternative schedule. Students without transportation will be required to fill their schedule with classes, even if all requirements are met. We cannot accommodate students on campus without an assigned course for that period.

Process to be Issued a Bag Tag

1. Student must complete this form: https://forms.office.com/r/9iEpyxteyz
2. An email will be sent to the parent email submitted by student
1. This email will be titled "Alternative Schedule Agreement for Student Name"
3. The parent needs to complete the form linked in the email after reviewing the student's proposed schedule.
4. Ms. Balsamo will review the submitted materials and issue a bag tag

Students who have not completed this process will be called to discuss their schedules after February 5th, 2025.

Farewell Message

After four years of dedicated service, Ms. Yulissa Balsamo, our Senior Counselor, will be departing Dixon High School on February 27th, 2025. During her time here, Ms. Balsamo has made a lasting impact on both students and staff, guiding and supporting our senior classes with commitment and care.

While the transition plan is still being finalized, we will provide all the necessary details before her departure. We are deeply grateful for the contributions Ms. Balsamo has made to our school community and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Senior night athlete pics are below.

For all spring sports, except golf, tryouts will begin next Wednesday, February 12th. Please ensure that your student athlete has a current physical on file with the athletic department as well as the Athletic Participation Parental Permission Form. The following sports will be offered this spring:

Baseball: Coach Brandon Ball

Softball: Coach Chelsea Palm

Womens Soccer: Coach Josh King

Men's Golf: Coach Jay Kapiko

Men's Tennis: Coach Taylor Jones

Track: Coach Kelly Davis

If you have questions about individual sports, please direct the question to the Head Coach.

Prom tickets go on sale Monday, February 24th in School Cash Online. They will remain on sale through Friday, April 25th. Tickets are $30 each plus the transaction fee. Ticket pick-up will begin on Tuesday, April 1st and run through Wednesday, April 30th. Tickets may be picked up in the guidance office during lunches and after school.

Each DHS junior and senior is eligible to purchase up to 2 tickets. Students who receive OSS during 2nd semester will not be eligible to attend prom (also voiding underclassmen or off campus guest tickets); if they have purchased tickets before the offense, they will not be refunded. If a student purchases a guest ticket for any non-DHS student, they must submit a guest approval form to Mrs. Hardy in the guidance office. That form is available in the front office, guidance office, and room 201. A digital copy is also attached. Guest forms do not have to be submitted for DHS underclassmen, however, the same rules for behavior (no spring semester OSS) apply to them. Dixon High School Prom Guest Approval Form.docx

Students may not pick up tickets unless all of their school fees are paid. This goes for guests as well. When a student receives their ticket(s), each ticket number is unique and is only for that student. They must keep track of their ticket and show it upon arrival to prom. Tickets are non-transferrable and nonrefundable. That means students can't purchase a ticket for one guest, then change their mind and take someone else.

Early graduates: These students do not have access to School Cash Online. They may come in during school hours and pay Mrs. Edens for their ticket and pick it up from Mrs. Hardy in guidance on or after April 1st. They are still required to complete guest forms for non-DHS students.

DHS Disney Fairytale Prom 2025 will be held Saturday, May 3rd from 5:30-9:30pm at the Rustic Barn at Half Moon.

February

2/14 Senior Trip Signup Due Date

2/14-15 All County Band, Nside HS, Concert@ 3:30 on 2/15

2/14-15 Mens Wrestling Regionals @ S.Central

2/15 Baseball Scrimm vs.E.Carteret, 1 & 3:30

2/15 Soccer @ Hoggard

2/17 Teacher Workday

2/17-2/21 Bball vs. White Oak and Richlands reschedule to this week

2/18 SOS Program to Students that Opt-In

2/18 FFA to DMS/DES

2/18 Soccer vs. Jacksonville

2/19 Basketball vs. White Oak

2/20 Registration Parent Night for 9-11th grade students, 5:30 pm, in DHS Auditorium

2/20-22 Wrestling State Tournament in Greensboro

2/21 Basketball @ Richlands

2/21-22 All County Chor., NsideHS Concert@3:30 on 2/22

2/22 Softball Scrimmage all day @ Dixon

2/24 Baseball vs. Nbern, 4 & 7

2/24-28 Homeroom Lessons on Registration Options

2/25 Soccer vs. Topsail

2/25 Softball @ NBrunswick

2/25 Baseball @ Topsail, 4 & 6:30

2/26 Track vs. Richlands/Swnsboro @ Swansboro, 3 pm

2/27 FFA In Service- SE Region

2/27 DHS Talent Show, 6:30 pm Auditorium- $5 admission

2/27 Softball @ Laney

2/28 ASVAB Testing at DHS

2/28 Baseball vs. Swest, 4 & 7 pm

2/28 Softball vs Swest

2/28 Soccer vs. Laney @ Richlands, 5 pm

2/28 Trades Day Competition at Coastal Carolina

March

3/1 All County Visual Art, White Oak HS, Ceremony @ 3

3/1 Soccer vs. Ashley, @ Jacksonville

3/3 HOSA week through Friday 3/7

3/3 Softball v. NBrunswick

3/3 JV Baseball vs Nbern, Vars vs. Coastal Christian

3/4 Softball vs. E.Carteret

3/4 Choir Pre-MPA Concert

3/6 Grades Close

3/6 Track @ Swansboro vs. Swansboro/Croatan @ 3

3/6 Soccer vs. S.Brunswick

3/6 FFA to Longleaaf Competition, E.Duplin HS

3/7 Baseball at Swest, 4 & 7 pm

3/7 Softball @ Swest

3/7 Choral MPA @ Croatan HS

3/7 Buddy Basketball Game

3/8 Soccer @ Clinton

3/10 Softball vs. Nbern JV, Vars vs. Trask

3/11 Soccer @ NBern

3/11-3/21 ACT Testing for Juniors

3/11 Baseball @ Nside

3/12 Early Release

3/13 Track @ Croatan vs. Croatan/WhOak, 3 pm

3/13 Soccer @ NHanover

3/13 Softball @ ECarteret

3/13 Report Cards

3/14 Josten’s Graduation Delivery 10-12:30

3/14 Baseball @ Havelock

3/17 Teacher Workday

3/17 Baseball @ N.Bern, JV only

3/19 Track @ Croatan vs. Croatan/Richlands, 3 pm

3/19 Softball vs. Laney

3/19 Soccer @ Cape Fear

3/19 Baseball vs. Jacksonville

3/21 Softball @ W.Carteret

3/21 Baseball @ W.Carteret

3/24 Softball @ S.Brunswick

3/25 Soccer vs. Richlands

3/25 Softball vs. Richlands

3/25 Baseball vs. Richlands

3/25 FFA Poultry Evaluation

3/26 Track @ Swansboro vs. Swansboro/Croatan, 3 pm

3/26-28 HOSA State Mtg

3/27 FFA to Mt. Olive for AgFest

3/28 Soccer @ Swansboro

3/28 Softball @ Croatan

3/28 Baseball @ Croatan

3/28 Progress Reports

3/29 Senior Car Wash, Student Parking Lot

3/31 Free Prom Dress Fashion Show, Annex Gym

April

4/1 DHS @ DMS for Assemblies

4/1 Soccer @ Croatan

4/1 Baseball @ Swansboro

4/1 Softball @ Swansboro

4/2 Track @ Swansboro vs. Croatan/Swansboro, 3 pm

4/3 Take HS students down to MS enrichment classes

4/3 Baseball vs. Hoggard, JV only

4/3 Softball @ Topsail

4/4 Softball vs. White Oak

4/4 Baseball vs White Oak

4/4 FFA to SE Regional Rally in Mt. Olive

4/4 HOSA Blood Drive, 7:30-12:30, in Annex Gym

4/4 Soccer vs. White Oak

4/5 Baseball @ Nbern

4/8 Baseball vs. W.Carteret

4/8 Softball vs. W.Carteret

4/8 Soccer vs. W.Carteret

4/9 Early Release Day

4/9-13 Band Trip to Dis

4/10 Track @ W.Carteret vs. Richlands/WC, 3 pm

4/10 Step-Up Night, 5-6:00 pm

4/10-12 NYC Choir Trip and Performance to NYC

4/11 Softball vs. Swansboro

4/11 Baseball vs. Swansboro

4/11 Soccer vs. Swansboro

4/11 Purple Up Day

4/14 Baseball vs. E.Alamance @ Legion Stadium, 4 pm, Vars

4/15 Baseball vs. Trinity, @ Hoggard, 10 am, Vars only

4/16 Baseball vs. Morehead, @ Hoggard, 1 pm, Vars only

4/19 Softball vs. Rosewood @ E.Duplin

4/19 Softball @ E.Duplin

4/14-18 Spring Break

4/21 Baseball @ Wilmington Christian Academy, 430, Vars

4/21 Teacher Workday

4/23 Softball vs. Topsail

4/23 Track- Onslow Meet @ Swansboro, 3 pm

4/23-5/2 Mr. Hart at DMS to Schedule w/students

4/24 Soccer @ Richlands

4/24 Softball @ Richlands

4/25 Senior Class Trip- Busch Gardens

4/25 Baseball @ Richlands

4/25 Last Day to Buy Prom Ticket

4/28 Baseball vs. Havelock

4/28 Grades Close

4/29 Soccer @ White Oak

4/29 Softball @ White Oak

4/29 Baseball @ White Oak

4/30 Track- Conference Meet @ Swansboro, 3 pm

May

5/1 Military Appreciation Month

5/2 Soccer vs. Croatan

5/2 Softball vs. Croatan

5/2 Baseball vs. Croatan

5/3 Prom at Rustic Barn,5:30-9:30

5/5 SGA Applications Open

5/5-5/16 AP Exams

5/5 Report Cards

5/7 Soccer @ W.Carteret

5/8-5/10 DHS Musical, 7 pm nightly (12p & 7p on the 10th)

5/13 Academic Awards and Scholarship Ceremony

5/14 FFA Regional Rally

5/15 Senior Walk

5/16 Progress Reports

5/17 Senior Send Off

5/19 Spring Choir Concert

5/20 SGA Applications Close

5/26 Memorial Day Holiday

5/31 Senior Sunset

June

6/3-6/6 Exam Days

6/6 Last Day of School, Grades Close

6/11, 6:30 pm, DHS Graduation