2012 september capital high newsletter
TRANSCRIPT
September 2012
CAPITAL HIGH SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER
Principal: Vice Principals: Clinton H. Giles Our job is to improve, not just maintain.” Daniel Ramezan
Wendy D Bailey
Susan M Young
Angela S Cruikshank
Opening Day of School
Friday, August 17, 2012 was the official first day of school for all Kanawha
County School students.
Capital High School has opened its doors to 1293 students. Administrators,
teachers, service personnel and students remarked that this was the smoothest opening we
have had in the 24 year history of the school. We had few unscheduled students. A few
student schedules needed alterations and additions to some class periods. The vast
majority of teacher rolls were up-to-date.
We did open school with two teacher vacancies. Although we have several long
term substitute teachers in the building, all have certifications and endorsements in the
subject areas they teach.
Only a few of the 28 school buses that serviced Capital High School that first
morning had any difficulty making the rounds and they were only as few minutes late.
After school there was no significant delay in any bus departure. There were a few
students who reported they had missed their bus that afternoon after school had been
dismissed promptly at 3:05 P M.
There was a bit of difficulty in establishing the correct bus for a moderately large
group of student athletes. However, after a few days this issue was satisfactorily resolved
with the assistance of the Elkview bus terminal supervisor. We thank the supervisor for
her generous assistance.
I'd like to take this opportunity to extend to Mr. Clinton Cope and the custodial
staff much-deserved commendation for the outstanding condition that the building was in
on the first day. Clearly, the entire custodial staff had worked tirelessly in order to ensure
that everyone was welcomed back into a sparkling clean, brightly lit, well-maintained
environment that continues to be a source of great pride for us all. Although the building
is not fully occupied, space is at a premium.
Ms. Patti Bumpus and our two clerks, Ms. Connie Hanna and Mrs. Laura
Woolwine, have worked feverishly since we returned to work on July 9, 2012. We could
not possibly have had an opening this smooth without their efforts.
Our classroom aides did an outstanding job assisting the teachers in their
preparations for the students to arrive. Most all have gone above and beyond the call of
duty on several occasions already this year.
Students have been receiving some of the best meals ever served at Capital High School.
We thank Mrs. Brenda Morris and the food service staff for that.
Only on a few occasions have the meals been served on anything other than
standard cafeteria trays! Recognizing the additional effort required of the cooks to
provide this added touch everyone is deeply appreciative of the changes that they have
seen so far while the food service program is undergoing a continuing transitional period.
As I have remarked recently, whenever an organization - especially a large
complex organization - experiences success in any way, shape, form, or fashion, there is
no single person who can take credit for that success. Many, many people in the
background working hard and putting forth their best efforts without seeking any
personal recognition or gain deserves the credit for the success - not one single
individual.
Open House
08/30/12
Our annual Capital High School Open House was hosted on the evening of
August 30, 2012 beginning at 7:00 PM.
During Open House parents were able to pass through a mock schedule of the
school day here at Capital High. The parents were afforded the same six minute walk
time between classes that the students have.
While they were in each classroom, parents were able to become acquainted with
the teachers, especially those they had not met before. The teachers shared with the
parents their course syllabi, expectations for behavior and performance in class and their
grading scales, among other things.
The middle of our mock school day was a time for rest and relaxation from the
hectic schedule being followed. Parents and students present observed lunch in the
commons during the respective lunch period (4th
, 5th
, 6th
) of their student. This enabled us
to provide parents with an opportunity to sit and recover a bit or congregate together and
meet other parents.
During the lunch period, healthy snacks consisting of various fruits and juices
were served. After the lunch periods, the schedule was resumed with all remaining
classes meeting through the completion of the regular schedule. Subsequently, our mock
school day ended and everyone was able to leave and travel safely to their respective
homes, we hope.
We want to thank the many hundreds of parents who attended the Open House.
Without your presence and the demonstrated concern for and support of education you so
abundantly provided, the evening would not have been nearly as successful.
A special thank you is extended to the faculty and staff of Capital High School.
The gracious extension of your time and the effort you displayed working to prepare for
the evening were generous gestures that will not go unrecognized neither will they soon
be forgotten!
New Faculty and Staff Members
Several new faces appear at Capital High School for the 2012 - 2013 school year. We ask
that you join us in giving them a hearty welcome to the home of the Cougars!
Together, they assist in ensuring that one of the most capable, competent, qualified
professional faculties ever assembled in a public school in West Virginia continues to be
employed at Capital High School. Several recently retired Capital teachers are serving as
long-term substitutes. Additionally, we have added another Capital High School
graduate/alumnus (Anne Endres) to our fine faculty.
Subject fields and names for our newest faculty and staff members are:
Regular Teachers
English-12 Ms. Jennifer Cogar
English-9 CSU Mrs. Mary Harrah
Exceptional Students Mrs. Julia Garnes
Math Ms. Toni D. Marino
Social Studies Mrs. Valerie Hanshaw Leasure
Spanish Ms. Anne Endres
Fine Arts/Art Mrs. Donna Young
Speech Therapist Ms. Elizabeth Jordan
School Nurse Mrs. Rebecca Barr
Substitute Teachers
Applied Arts & High School 101 Mr. Bob Scott (Retired)
English Mrs. Pat Edwards (Retired
Math ½ Day (Returning) Mr. Terry Ferrell (Retired)
Math ½ Day (Returning) Mr. John Vencill (Retired)
Service Personnel
Secretary Mrs. Cheryl Gray
Custodian Mr. Denny Taylor
Custodian Mrs. Diane Laughlin
Cook I Mrs. Millie O’Daniel
Over the course of the summer and until the beginning of this new school year several
former faculty and staff members left Capital High School through retirements and
transfers. They all contributed immeasurably, in a positive way, to the education of
thousands of students. We miss them and wish them all well in their present and future
endeavors.
Local School Improvement Council
08/30/12 Our first meeting of the 2012 – 2013 school year was held Thursday evening August 30,
2012 at the school.
The regular Capital High School Local School Improvement Council (LSIC) will always
meet at 6:00 PM the Thursday before the Instructional Support day unless otherwise
specified.
The agenda for the first meeting included the following entries:
Principal Information/Updates – Mr. Giles
School opening enrollment -1293/ new teachers & substitutes *Seniors’ last day – May
17, 2013 Graduation/Commencement - Tuesday, May 21, 2013 - CCCC* - A Limited
Number of tickets for each graduate will be provided. Diplomas will be mailed to
graduates.
Pupil Services and Facilities Assistant Principal Presentation – Ms. Bailey, Mrs.
Cruikshank, and Mr. Ramezan Discipline program overview, Discipline referral
process, Suspensions, Expulsions.
Curriculum Presentation – Mrs. Young
West test scores, Advanced Placement (AP) data, Staff Development
The annual Capital High School Attendance Area LSIC meeting will be held at West
Side Elementary School on Thursday December 6, 2012 beginning at 6:00 PM. This
meeting will be hosted by the Superintendent of Schools and the Kanawha County Board
of Education.
Below are the dates for the Instructional Support days and the meeting dates for the
Capital High School LSIC.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend and participate in the Local School
Improvement Council meetings. Created by an act of the West Virginia Legislature, the
LSIC affords parents and guardians important opportunities to participate in the decision
making of the school.
A viable Local School Improvement Council is an essential advocacy group that can
serve to ensure the success of the school, in general and the highest levels of student
achievement in particular!
Instructional Support Days L SIC Meeting dates
IS Day - October 15, 2012 *LSIC - October 11, 2012*
December 06, 2012 Area meeting at West Side Elementary
IS Day - December 21, 2012 LSIC - December 13, 2012
IS Day - February 11, 2013 LSIC. – February 07, 2013
IS Day - April 08, 2013 LSIC- March 28, 2013
*IS Day June 03, 2013 LSIC– May 16, 2013
Instructional Support Day
The first Instructional Support Day (IS) of the 2012 -13 school year will be held at
Capital High School on Monday, October 15, 2012.
As usual, teachers will be in their respective rooms to meet with parents from 8:00 AM
until 10:00 AM.
Beginning at 10:00 AM the Capital High School Faculty Senate will convene and will
conclude its business at 12:00 PM. Lunch will be observed from 12:00 until 1:00.
After lunch, staff development will follow lasting from 1:00 until 4:00 PM in various
locations throughout the building.
Instructional Support Days for 2012 - 2013
IS Day - October 15, 2012
IS Day - December 21, 2012
IS Day - February 11, 2013
IS Day - April 8, 2013
*IS Day June 3, 2013
How to Avoid Tardiness to Class
(Suggested Locker Routine & Time Management)
(When to Go to Your Locker)
7:10 To Locker – Obtain all books and materials for 1st and 2
nd period classes. Take all
of these books and materials to Home Room with you.
9:38 To Locker - After Home Room during Extended Walk Time – Discard books and
materials from previous periods. Obtain all books and materials needed for all classes
prior to your respective lunch period
To Locker - When going to your respective lunch – Discard books and materials from
previous periods. Obtain all books and materials needed for classes before 6th
period -
Take these books and materials to lunch with you!
(Students who have 6th
period lunch may need to carry materials for 3 class periods
prior to then.)
1:10 To Locker - After 6th
period during Extended Walk Time – Discard books and
materials from previous periods. Obtain all books for 7th
and 8th
period classes.
Extended Walk Time
Extended Walk Time (8 minutes) is provided to afford both students and teachers an
opportunity to accommodate personal needs at strategic points during the school day. An
opportunity is provided mid-morning. Additionally, an opportunity is provided mid-
afternoon. You are encouraged to condition yourself to take advantage of the opportunity
established within the routine suggested above to provide for your own comfort and
convenience.
(The respective student lunch period is a naturally occurring, mid-day opportunity.)
Points of Emphasis
Always proceed directly from one class to the next. Stopping to talk will
practically ensure that you will be tardy to your next class.
Always go to class first to obtain permission from your teacher for that period to
go to the R/R between classes.
Always go to class first to obtain permission from your teacher for that period to
go to a locker; see a counselor; see an administrator; see another teacher about an
assignment, etc.
2012 – 2013
Fall Honor Society Application Opportunity
Monday, September 10, 2012 will mark the date that applications will be made available
for a select grouping of students who wish to have their names considered for induction
into the Capital High School Chapter of the National Honor Society.
This select group will be limited to members of the 2013 graduating senior class of
Capital High School whose applications as underclass persons may have been declined
previously, and other senior class members who may not have attempted to apply
previously.
We have established a GPA standard for this and future application requirements at 3.5,
either weighted or non-weighted.
Also, we feel that by establishing this additional application opportunity during the first
nine weeks of the school year we provide the largest number of seniors the opportunity to
include this distinction on their college and scholarship applications by extending the
invitation to qualified applicants to join the National Honor Society here at the Capital
High School.
The established policy of Capital High School is to establish this early application
opportunity during the first weeks of the school year, in perpetuity. The tentative
timelines established for this is as follows:
Applications obtained and completed – September 10 to September 21
Applications are evaluated – September 24 to September 28
Notification to applicants and parents - October 1 to October 5
We will continue to offer the traditional early spring application opportunity beginning at
the conclusion of the first semester (middle of January) and concluding with induction
ceremonies - both on school time and after school - by the end of March. All early
applicant inductees (1st nine weeks) will be included in these ceremonies
STUDENT SIGN-OUT, SIGN-IN, RETURN TO CLASS
(From pages #12 and #13 of the 2011 – 2012 Capital High School Student Handbook)
The following procedures cover signing out, signing in after an absence or when
tardy, and returning to class after an absence:
Signing-Out
1. The student should have his/her agenda book.
2. The student must bring a note signed by the parent or guardian to the
Attendance Office one day in advance of the sign-out date.
3. The parent or guardian must call the Attendance Office one day in
advance of the sign-out date.
4. All medical or legal appointments must be verified in writing on an
appointment card or official stationery, by a physician, dentist, law
enforcement official, legal agent, or a representative of the office/firm
visited.
NOTE ADDED: Absent compliance with items #2 and #3 above a
parent/guardian must be present in order for a student to be signed out of
school.
NOTE: There should never be an occasion wherein a student leaves the
campus before the scheduled end of his/her school day without signing out
through the Attendance Office. Students who do so will be considered as
having skipped and will be dealt with accordingly. They will be credited
with an unexcused absence for the day as well.
Signing In Following an Absence or Tardy
The student arriving late to school and/or returning to school after three (3) or
more consecutive day’s absence:
1. Must appear at the Attendance Office window and have his/her admit processed
before being allowed to return to class.
2. Shall not be permitted to sign in tardy or late for school, for reasons other than
those authorized under the State Department of Education guidelines covering
excused and unexcused absences.
Counselor’s Corner
Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year. We have been off to a busy, yet positive
start. All students should be appropriately scheduled and on track for this year. If
you have any questions, concerns, or just want to connect, please feel free to contact
your child’s counselor. Each counselor works with grades 9-12 and is assigned a
certain part of the alphabet. Below you will find your child’s counselor and contact
information.
A-E- Lori McNabb, Ext. 108, [email protected]
F-K- Lisa Dorsey, Ext. 106, [email protected]
L-R- Anne Flynt, Ext. 104, [email protected]
S-Z- Jennifer Stowers, Ext. 105, [email protected]
PSAT test will be administered on October 17th
. Students should see
Mrs.Woolwine in the career center to register for test.
SENIORS-
Senior Parent Night will take place on Thursday, September 6th
@ 6:00P.M. in the
LGI at Capital High School. There will be a lot of important information given out
regarding FAFSA, credits, transcripts and much more.
ACT Test dates:
Test Date Registration Deadline Late Fee
Required
September 8, 2012 August 17, 2012 August 18-24,
2012
October 27, 2012 September 21, 2012 Sept. 22-Oct.
5, 2012
December 8, 2012 November 2, 2012 Nov. 3-16,
2012
February 9, 2013 January 11, 2013 Jan. 12-18,
2013
April 13, 2013 March 8, 2013 March 9-22,
2013
June 8, 2013 May 3, 2013 May 4-17,
2013
Test Fees
ACT- No Writing $35.00
ACT Plus Writing $50.00
From the Studio
As usual, while many were enjoying the summer, the Dance Company was
already hard at work. After performing at Festivall, they endured four weeks of classes
and two choreography sessions. Now that we are back at school the dancers are taking
technique class twice weekly, creating new Hip Hop choreography and working on new
dance works. We just finished two wonderful workshops with professional
dancer/choreographer/instructors Daniel Hunalp and Nic Harris. The fun never stops!
Other dance classes have started their year with a unit about how dance can be
used as a means of healthy living. We have discussed eating habits and how to use dance
to stay toned and keep the body moving. We will continue with this idea in mind as we
move into our first Jazz Unit. We have more boys than ever involved in dance here at
Capital and they are doing great work. Athletes are using dance to gain greater flexibility
and agility. Other students are just taking class for the love of the art. It has been a great
start to the year.
The Dance Company continues to work hard in preparation for upcoming
performances. Our first scheduled performance so far will be our Homecoming Pep
Assembly where we will test out some of our new skills. It should be one to watch this
year as we are incorporating some “throwbacks.” Put December 1st and 2
nd on your
calendar as it will be our first showcase and will include all the work we have done so
far, as well as some other guest performances.
We are currently selling Save Around books and, as always, have Kroger cards
available. Please contact Ms. Legg if you would like one of the books or cards. Below
you will find some bullets regarding things we have upcoming. Please feel free to email
or call Ms. Legg for more information on ANY of these events or to book us for a
performance.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 304-348-6500 ext. 159
September 16th
Dance Company Cookout
October 12th
Homecoming Pep Assembly
December 1st or 2
nd Contemporary Holiday Performance
December 22nd
Performing Arts Holiday
The 2nd
Tuesday of Every month is the Dance Booster meeting at 6PM.
Physical Education
The Physical Education department kicked off the year with new activities for this year.
We are doing a lot of teamwork activities that we hope will allow our students to get to
know each other, help each other feel more comfortable and have better sportsmanship as
we move through the semester. We are building towers, forming letters with our bodies,
and many more team building activities. We have also started into our Frisbee unit where
we are using much of our new equipment we received for this year. Students are
throwing, catching, laughing and having fun!
Spotlight on VIPs
Stay Informed! Communication is critical to the success of the Capital High
School Choral Music program. We communicate with choral students and their families
by email with monthly newsletters which contain information about VIP events,
important dates and times, and occasional last minute bulletins.
The Capital High School “Voices In Perfection” Show Choir worked July and
August with body conditioning in preparation for the school year. Student exercised by
running and dancing designed to teach the fundamental dance combinations for this
year’s competition show. August 9-11 the VIPs held their annual camp at Cedar Lakes in
Ripley, West Virginia. They had a jam-packed 2-1/2 days of choral and vocal technique
while learning approximately eight new songs they will perform throughout the year.
Two weekends later they had their first choreography workshop with Gates Crisler from
San Francisco, CA. They completed the first two songs of their competition show, which
is amazing. Thank you to the students for their HARD work and to parents who provided
lunch and snacks both days of the workshop. Two songs down and three to go! Keep up
the good work.
September 11th
is our first VIP Choral Booster, Inc. meeting at 7 PM in the Choral
Room (322) where we will be discussing our Spaghetti Dinner and Auction to be held on
October 15 in connection with Parent-Teacher Conferences. More details will be given
about the Dinner-Auction in the October newsletter.
Foreign Language
While we wished Mrs. Ayers a happy retirement, we worried about finding her
replacement. Mrs. Ayers very successfully taught Spanish I and II for fifteen years, and
we knew it would not be an easy task to replace her expertise and dedication to the
school. However, fortune favored us again, and one of our very own scholars came to us
ready to teach Spanish I and II. We are so proud to announce that Miss Ann Endres,
recently graduated from Concord College and still working on her master’s degree, has
joined the teaching staff at Capital High School. Miss Endres spent the summer in Spain
perfecting her language skills and acquiring the cultural background that she needs to
teach Spanish. It is with great pride that we welcome one of our own students back home
to Capital High School.
English Department News This summer several of our teachers in the English department participated in a variety of
family, community, and continuing education opportunities that broaden and deepen their
content knowledge and skills in their classrooms.
Susie Garrison took a weeklong training in the new Next Generation/Common Core
Standards. Says Mrs. Garrison, “This summer, I was fortunate enough to attend Teacher
Leadership Institute with the State Department of Education in Morgantown. The Next
Generation standards were introduced to us so that we could work within our county
teams to facilitate the implementation of these standards to all Kanawha County middle
and high school English teachers. The standards are more challenging, more detailed,
and hopefully will provide our students with an ability to tackle the challenges and issues
they’ll encounter as adults. I’m very excited about the implementation of this “new” idea
of teaching!”
Our newest addition to the department, Jenn Cogar, is now just one credit away from an
additional certification in special education. Carol Buckalew continued her work with
the West Virginia Writing Project and its collaboration with Marshall University.
Kristen Olsen worked with the Upward Bound program. Describing her experience, Ms.
Olsen said, “I spent five weeks of my summer teaching English at West Virginia
State University for the Upward Bound Program. This is a program in which I have
participated for the past two summers. I have found it to be a rewarding and enjoyable
experience. I also spent time in Dawson, WV, taking a graduate class which focused on
classroom technology and strategies during a weeklong AFT retreat.”
Rosalie Blaul served for her third year as an Advanced Placement Reader in Louisville,
spending a week scoring AP Exam essays, then she participated in a four-day Advanced
Placement Summer Institute here in Charleston. She also was trained in Common Core
Standards in Morgantown for an English initiative known as “CR12.”
Ann Miller noted her summer was especially full as she served as a juror on the Kanawha
County Circuit Court for four weeks, completed a Bible study of the book of Esther,
helped her daughter move to a new city, added a new grandson to the family, and
“danced through the summer with my two-year-old granddaughter”-- also enriching
experiences that make us even better classroom teachers!
Capital Success University (CSU)
Ninth Grade Transition Academy September 2012 News
Our ninth grade students are off to a successful start at Capital High School. Faculty and
staff have welcomed the new class of 2016 to our school, and together we have made the
“Commitment to Graduate (C2G).” The C2G concept is shared and being implemented
with our partners from Jostens Corporation. It is our goal to educate and graduate every
student who enters Capital High School. Mr. Wendall Sampson will be making a C2G
presentation to our new ninth grade class on Wednesday, September 12, 2012.
We are pleased to announce a new addition to our CSU staff, Mrs. Mary Harrah in
English. Mrs. Harrah is excited to be part of the CSU team and is pleased to be working
with our newest class. Additionally, we have also added Ms. Donna Young, a fine arts
teacher in the CSU area of our building.
Mrs. Donna Young is a highly experienced
professional artist and teacher who has exhibited and received numerous awards for her
own works of art including the WV Juried Exhibition, Cedar Lakes, and Whiting Art
Museums. She has taught art at George Washington High School, Sissonville High
School, East Bank High School and Cabell Alternative School. She identifies her
favorite quote as the following: "It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in
creative expression and knowledge." - Albert Einstein. We are looking forward to the
creative expression that will be demonstrated by her students.
Returning faculty to CSU include, Mrs. Susie Garrison, Mr. Jon Carpenter, Mrs. Angela
Roach, Mrs. Cynthia Phillips, Ms. Soo-Kyong Choi, Mrs. Ann Miller, Mr. Bradford
Clark, Mr. Matt Greene, and Mr. Scott Swayne. Additionally we have the added support
of other teachers in our area of the building, Mrs. Ruth Miller, Mr. Adam Drake, Mrs.
Christy Pennington, Ms. Connie Kittle, as well as Cpt. Armstrong and 1st Sgt Riley.
Accelerated Reader Program
Ninth Grade Students are automatically enrolled Accelerated Reader Program at Capital.
Students who read books from the AR list (contact the school librarian), and successfully
pass the AR test that accompanies the book, will be in competition for rewards/prizes that
are funded by the school’s faculty senate. Students are provided 20 minutes of
uninterrupted reading time in each of their core classes one day per week in an effort to
establish good reading habits, and to emphasis the importance of reading and
comprehension skills.
All students are encouraged to read and test their comprehension skills with the
Accelerated Reader Program. Students may test under the supervision of our librarian,
Mr. Allen Burgess, or their respective English teacher.
Student Agenda Books
Your student should be utilizing their student agenda book to remain organized and meet
important deadlines and due dates in each of their classes. Please ask your student to
share their agenda book with you on a weekly basis. Help them manage and maintain
order to their class workload. In CSU this year, we have established designated days for
homework assignments. We are focusing on the students completing their agenda books
daily in an effort to help them stay organized. In CSU this year, we have established
designated days for homework assignments. Though your student may have homework
in every class each night, there are specific days that they will definitely have homework
Monday-Math
Tuesday-Science
Wednesday-English
Thursday-Social Studies
Edline
You and your student should check Edline on a regular basis. If you need assistance
gaining access to your student’s Edline Account (online grades), please contact a
counselor or your student’s English teacher.
Student Council News
Student council is off to a busy beginning! We started the year by assisting the
counselors and administration with Freshman Orientation on Thursday, August 16. Our
freshman student council elections took place Friday, September 7, 2012. We are
awaiting the results from the voting, and hope to have them announced the week of
September 10-14.
In addition to this, 30 student council, honor society, and mentors members are assisting
the United Way on Wednesday, September 12. Our students will be working with
Charleston Parks and Recreation on beatification projects around the city.
Finally, we are throwing a tailgate for the first home football game of the season! We
play Princeton on September 14. The tailgate begins at 6:00 right outside the gate at
Laidley Field, and any student wearing blue and gray will eat FREE! Please join us in
cheering for our football team as they take on the Princeton Tigers!