Current News
Chimacum High School News
October 2009
Volume 6, Issue 2
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Conferences October 29 & 30
Again this year, we will hold Arena Style Parent/Teacher Conferences. They will be held on Thursday and Friday, October 29 & 30. All CHS teachers will be available in the commons at the following times:
Thursday, October 29, 2009
· 8:30 AM – 12:00 Noon
· 1:00 – 4:30 PM
· 5:30 – 8:00 PM
Friday, October 30, 2009
· 8:30 AM – 12:00 Noon only
Please understand that teachers need a lunch break from 12:00 – 1:00 and a dinner break from 4:30 – 5:30. We recommend you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ending of any session.
If you have not attended Arena Conferences before, here is what you can expect:
· Drop in at your convenience to see any or all of your son/daughter’s teachers
· Teachers will share academic, social, attendance, and behavior information
· Administrators and counselors available for questions
· Office staff available for fines, fees, and questions
· No need to schedule an appointment—simply drop in
We are hoping to see you there!
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College Admission Requirements Have Changed
Important changes in the CADR
CADR (pronounced Kay-der) stands for College Academic Distribution Requirement. The CADRs are more rigorous than high school graduation requirements. They are college/university admission standards. CADR reflects the minimum number of credits required in six subject areas that students must earn to be eligible for routine admission consideration by four-year public baccalaureate institutions in Washington. Beginning with the 9th grade class of 2008 (graduating class of 2012), students will be required to earn a minimum of nine CADR credits during each year of high school. This year’s freshmen and sophomores fall under the new requirements and all students need to meet the science requirement, including the Class of 2010, if they plan to attend a four year public college in Washington State.
College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADR) by Subject Area
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English 12 credits |
Science 6 credits* |
Arts 3 credits** |
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Math 9 credits |
Social Science 9 credits |
Foreign Language 6 credits |
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Senior year math-based quantitative course 3 credits |
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Total: 45 credits |
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*Beginning in summer 2010 six credits of laboratory-based science, including three credits of algebra-based biology, chemistry, or physics will be required for public baccalaureate admission. (At CHS physics, chemistry, and AP biology are algebra-based laboratory sciences).
**Other academic electives may substitute, but not at all institutions.
The CADRs are the minimum requirements for these colleges. Each college may have other additional requirements. More information is available in the counseling office or at www.hecb.wa.gov/research/issues/admissions.asp
Barb Fogerson, Counselor
732-4090 x 243
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The Choking Game Assembly
On Wednesday, October 21 at 11:10 AM, we will host an informational assembly on the topic of “The Choking Game”. You may have heard that there was an incident at Chimacum Middle School on Wednesday, October 7th. Information on that is available at the CMS website.
Our speaker/presenter is Mr. Ken Tork. Ken is a martial arts instructor from Bellevue who has put together a presentation that involves an introduction, a multi-media presentation, and a question/answer period.
Mr. & Mrs. Tork lost their son to this “game” in March 2009.
We invite you to join us for this important presentation, and to speak with your children about this issue.
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The early release block schedule is wrong in the student handbook. Please see the corrected schedule. Not all early release days are block schedule, but SCHOOL STARTS AT 8:45 ON ALL EARLY RELEASE DAYS.
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Early Release BLOCK
1st/2nd – 8:45-9:45
3rd/4th – 9:49-10:49
5th/6th – 10:57-11:55
Lunch – 11:55-12:15
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Tickets for the CHS v PT football game on October 30 will be available for pre-sale October 26-29 in both the CHS and PTHS offices. Tickets are $6 for adults. CHS students are free with an ASB Card and do not need a ticket. Any student without an ASB card (CHS or otherwise) is $6. Non-CHS students with an ASB card are $4.
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CTE Advisory Members Needed
The Career and Technical Education Department is recruiting new advisory members for each department. Advisory members attend a minimum of 3 meetings a year. The intent of an advisory for a CTE department is to evaluate and advise on the program’s content and relevance to today’s business world. An advisory will do a program evaluation with the instructor, review curriculum and the facilities where the program takes place.
Chimacum School District has the following departments to choose from:
Business: needs people involved in all aspects of the business industry.
Family & Consumer Science: all aspects of textiles, interior design, culinary arts, health & science
Horticulture: all aspects of horticulture, from growing, identifying plants and marketing
Media Products: this would be video, audio, digital photography, graphic design & journalistic writing
Woodworking: fine woodworking -2 year program that leads to building wooden boats.
Please call Theresa if you are interested in helping. 360.732.4090 ext. 264 or email theresa_burroughs@csd49.org
If you can’t serve on an advisory, but would be interested in guest speaking, mentoring, or hosting a job shadow, you can call about that also. We always have a need for these activities for students to gain experience and knowledge in the work force.
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Prescription Drug Abuse
What the Experts Say
Prescription drug abuse among teens is a growing and serious problem that many parents are unaware of. Here’s some important advice:
· Get the facts. More teens abuse prescription drugs than any illicit drug except marijuana. In 2006, more than 2.1 million teens ages 12 to 17 reported abusing prescription drugs.
· The most commonly abused prescription medications are painkillers, like OxyContin® or Vicodin®. These produce sensations of euphoria and pleasure and are highly addictive. They can easily lead to overdose when crushed and snorted or mixed with other drugs, such as alcohol.
· Depressants, such as Valium® or Xanax®, are also commonly abused by teens. These drugs make users feel calm and reduce anxiety and tension. They are addictive and can be deadly when used in combination with prescription pain medications, some over-the-counter (OTC) cold and allergy drugs, or alcohol.
· In addition, stimulants, such as medications for ADD and ADHD – Ritalin® and Adderall® – are being abused by many teens to “help study better” in response to excessive pressure to do well in school or to suppress appetite for weight loss. These medications can be addictive, cause feelings of fear or paranoia, and lead to serious health problems.
· Some OTC medications, such as cough medications containing dextromethorphan, are also abused by teenagers.
· Talk to your teens about the risks, and be specific. Tell them that taking prescription or OTC drugs without a doctor’s approval and supervision can be a dangerous — even deadly — decision. Dispel the myth that these drugs are less harmful than street drugs because they are available through a doctor or at the local drug store.
· Take inventory in your own home and other homes your teen has access to, such as grandma’s or other relatives’. Lock up medications or put them in a safe place where your kids or their friends can’t access them. Move your OTC medications to a safe place as well. Just as you do for alcohol, make a note of the levels in each bottle. Do the same at relatives’ homes, especially older relatives, who often take painkillers and would be less likely to notice a few pills missing.
· Coordinate with the parents of your teen’s friends to make sure access to prescription and OTC drugs is restricted in their homes, as well.
· Be familiar with the signs of abuse: Slurred speech, staggering walk, sweating, nausea, vomiting, numbness of extremities, dilated pupils, drowsiness and dizziness.
· Understand why teens abuse prescription and OTC drugs. People abuse drugs because drugs change the way they feel. Many teens point to personal or family-related stress as a major reason, including stress around family life and relationships; academic competition; trying to fit in; the balance between school work, grades, and extracurricular activities like sports and clubs; and the desire to have the “ideal” physical appearance.
· Be vigilant about your teen’s activities online. Anyone who has a computer and a credit card can order prescription drugs online even if they never see a doctor or get a written prescription. Routinely monitor the Web sites your teen has visited and track purchases made with a credit card. Be aware of what is mailed to your home.
· Set a good example. Don’t abuse or share prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications.
· If you suspect your teen is using drugs, take action. Talk to your teen, reiterate your rules and expectations and enforce consequences.
· To get help, contact your teen’s school counselor, pediatrician or family physician or call the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at 1-800-662-HELP for a listing of treatment centers in your area. You can also find information online at http://dasis3.samhsa.gov.
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Want to Build a ROBOT? Use your Business or Art skills?
Chimacum’s FRC Robotics team is gearing up for another season. Learn more about the program at www.usfirst.org; click on the FRC link. Applications to join the team will be available in the CHS office starting October 26. This program can provide a jump start to an engineering career. Participants learn by working with professionals and retired professionals to design and complete a complex technical project. Participation gives access to $9,000,000 available in college scholarships and special consideration by admittance officers of technical colleges. The team and their robot travel to the Key Arena to test their design. Teams form by alliance with two other robots and face off in an exciting and challenging game that changes each year (and requires a new robot design).
Business and art talents are needed as well. Those interested in welding, machine fabrication, programming, pneumatics, mechanics, electrical systems, CAD, business or applied art should check out the First Robotics Competition and let us know that you are interested.
Nita Wester (nita_wester@csd49.org, chimacum.first@gmail.com, 732-4090 ext 289)
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Opportunity for Sophomores
Sophomores: Are you interested in biotechnology, medicine, or a career in science? Then apply for Hutch High! Hutch High is a free day-long program at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center on Thursday, November 5. Your transportation and meals will be provided. The goal of Hutch High is to give high school students exposure to scientists and to the cutting-edge research going on at the Center. Students will do hands-on activities and attend seminars.
Ten students from Chimacum High School will be selected. You must have satisfactory behavior and at least a C in all classes. You do not need to be currently enrolled in biology, but you do need to be a sophomore. See Ms. Johnson to get an application, or for more information. The short application is due Friday, October 23.
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Congratulations September
Students of the Month!
Carlos Burleson
Victor Cienega
Rachel Dias
Rachel Fujimoto
Adreanna Gore
Kyle Haynes
Colby Povsche
Michael U’Ren
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NEW Request for Course Waiver, Including PE
If a student wishes to have a course waived, there is a new form available that must be completed. This includes PE waivers for participation in a sport or marching band. The student must complete the form and, for a PE waiver, have the coach sign it. This no longer happens automatically.
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SENIOR YEARBOOK PORTRAITS
DUE DATE: NOVEMBER 2, 2009
Photos received after this date are not guaranteed to be in the yearbook.
You have several options:
- Have the photo taken privately by an area photographer. Check the yellow pages, call several and compare prices. Talk to recently graduated seniors and ask them for advice. Be sure to allow the photographer plenty of time to develop the photographs…usually two weeks. CD submissions are preferable.
- Use your picture taken on Cowboy Day or get a retake in October. If you are unsure about going to a professional photographer, make sure you get a photo by the school photographer. They will give us a copy of your portrait, even if you do not purchase a package! This portrait is great to have as backup for applications, too.
- Have someone take a digital photo of you. Make sure that their camera is set to its highest resolution or your photo will appear blurry in the yearbook. Although this may seem like the easiest method, remember that you will need to spend time and money printing your photos for friends, relatives, and applications.
Whatever method you select, please follow these specifications:
- Digital photos may be submitted on a CD or emailed as a jpeg file to barbara_parent@csd49.org
- If hard copy, photo size — 2” wide by 3” tall
- Head and shoulder pose
- Head size (if hard copy) – approx 1” diameter
- No props, including hats, pets, sunglasses or other people
- No shirts with commercial logos (John Deere, etc)
- School appropriate clothing. No cleavage.
Note: The yearbook editors reserve the right to reject photos that do not meet the standards of the yearbook. Exceptions to the above are sometimes made, but you must submit one pose that meets specifications by the deadline.
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Bulletin and Website
The daily bulletin is now posted online every day, along with all of the scholarships available for students. Teacher and staff e-mail addresses are listed there as well as downloadable versions of athletic participation forms, the student handbook, bell schedules, maps to the school, student activities and clubs, and the newsletter. Check out our website at http://csd49.org – choose the high school link from the right hand column.
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Basketball practice begins November 16. Athletes must have ALL forms turned in before they can practice. There will be no exceptions.
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Associated Student Body
The ASB organization and officers are here to help make CHS a great place to learn, support programs, and have fun. Please contact the ASB Advisor, Tony Haddenham, at 732-4090 ext. 248 if you have any suggestions to help make CHS a better place for students.
ASB Mission Statement: To involve all students, to promote school pride and spirit, and by doing so unite all students of CHS as the Associated Student Body.
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Calendar
10/19 Midterm 1st Trimester
10/21 Picture Retakes
10/24 Puget Sound Festival of Bands
10/26 Pumpkin Carving
10/27 Football Sports Pictures (makeup)
10/29-10/30 No Classes- Conferences
11/2 Senior Pictures Due for Yearbook
11/7 Auburn Veterans’ Day Band Field
Show and Parade
11/10 Veterans’ Day Assembly
11/11 NO SCHOOL – Veterans’ Day
11/13 Blood Drive
11/16 Winter Sports Practice Begins
11/26 Early Release-6 periods
11/26-11/27 NO SCHOOL – Thanksgiving
12/2 HS Band/Choir Concert 7pm
12/3 End 1st Trimester
12/4 NO SCHOOL – Trimester Break
12/8 Financial Aid Night 7pm
12/9 MS Band Concert
12/10 5th Grade Music Concert
12/12-12/13 Craft Fair at CHS
12/21 – 1/1 – Winter Break
1/12 Early Release Block (per1,3,5)
1/13 Early Release Block (per2,4,6)
1/15 Martin Luther King Assembly
1/18 NO SCHOOL – MLK Day
2/1 Midterm 2nd Trimester
2/2 Early Release Block (per1,3,5)
2/3 Early Release Block (per2,4,6)
2/15 NO SCHOOL –Presidents’ Day
3/1 Spring Sports Practice Begins
3/2 Early Release Block (per1,3,5)
3/3 Early Release Block (per2,4,6)
