Stevens High School Happy New Year! January 2014 Finals Schedule! Tuesday, January 14, 2014 Period 1 8:15-9:45 Period 3 9:55-11:25 Lunch 11:25-12:35 Period 5 12:40-2:10 Make-Up 2:10-3:30 Wednesday, January 15, 2014 Period 2 8:15-9:45 P e r iod 6 9:5 5-1 1:25 Lunch 11:25-12:35 Period 4 12:40-2:10 Make-Up 2:10-3:30 Thursday, January 16 2014 Period 7 8:15-9:45 P e r iod 8 9 :5 5-11 :25 ***Lunch will be available at the school; however, the lunch hour will be an open campus for all students (grades 9-12) during semester tests. ***Parents/Guardians, please do all you can to ensure your child is in attendance and on time. Please do not schedule trips during these days. Thank You!! Second semester begins January 21. Students please print your schedule from your Student Access account to see your classes for the new semester.
Page 2 Stevens High School Financial Aid Night! Stevens High School seniors and their parents are invited to attend a FINANCIAL AID INFORMA- TION NIGHT on THURSDAY, January 9, 2014 in the Milo Winter Fine Arts Theatre at 7:00 pm. There is no need to sign up in advance to attend. This program, sponsored by the SHS guidance counselors, is strongly recommended for all parents and high school seniors who may seek federal assistance in financing their post-secondary education. It is important to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after the new year; attending this event will help families feel more comfortable with that process. Please call the Stevens High School Guidance Department (394-4025) if you have any questions regarding this program. SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES! Seniors: Scholarship deadlines are fast approaching. Please check your deadline and make sure you have all the appropriate information to them to receive the funds! It is not too late to join the scholarship listserv. Many scholarships will still be coming out this spring. Stevens Scholarships Listserv: www.k12.sd.us/listserv/ stevensscholarships.htm. Join this list and receive announcements of scholarship information as they are received by the SHS Guidance Department. Watch the calendar located on the Stevens website for colleges that are visiting the school. http://intranet.rcas.org/hs/shs/pages/default.aspx
Happy New Year! Page 3 PLANNING AHEAD: REGISTERING FOR 2014-2015 CLASSES Believe it or not, it s already time to start planning for the next school year! Registration information will be arriving at home in late January/early February, and presentations about the registration process will take place in classes the first week in February. The guidance office has a few suggestions to assist students (and parents) with course selection for the next school year: Choose classes carefully. Once the registration window closes on February 12, the classes chosen are the classes the student will take in 2014-2015. If a student failed or is currently failing a course, it may be necessary to retake it to graduate. There are several options for retaking a course: register to take it in 2014-2015, enroll in summer school, or apply at one of the district s alternative or online programs. Please make an appointment with your school counselor if you d like more information on these options. This year s juniors will be provided with a credit check during their registration presentations on February 4. This credit check will show the number of credits and classes needed to complete the senior year and graduate in May of 2015. All students are required to complete a Personal Learning Plan (PLP) in www.sdmylife.com. *Your student has a username and password to access his or her portfolio on this site. It may help your child to review his or her own PLP when registering for next year s classes. *Usernames and passwords for www.sdmylife.com can be obtained from Marcia Geyer, registrar, in the guidance office. Read the Course Listing Book, which is available at www.rcas.org. This excellent registration resource includes graduation requirements, course prerequisites and descriptions, and school policies relating to registration. Students, choose classes appropriate for YOU. One of the highlights of school is being with friends, but if you register for a class just because your friend did, there may be unintended consequences (like a drop and a Withdraw Fail on your transcript, which will negatively impact your grade point average). Also, students, be honest with yourself about how hard you re willing and able to work for success. Choose the type and number of courses that match the time and effort level you are able to give, keeping in mind that your job, church, volunteering, hobbies, extra-curricular activities, family and friends, college and scholarship applications, and homework all require some of your time each day/week. Ultimately, students class loads/course selection should be challenging, rewarding, and prepare them for life after high school. Our registrar and counselors are happy to assist students and parents in the registration process. Please feel free to contact our guidance office at 394-4025 with any questions or to schedule an appointment with a counselor.
NOTES FROM THE NURSE Happy new year to everyone! 2014 is starting out with an active flu season. In fact as of the last official report from the Department of Health, Pennington County has the highest number of cases currently in the state. Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death. Symptoms may include: Fever (though not everyone with flu will have a fever) Cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose Muscle or body aches. Headaches Fatigue Vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps may be possible Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus and ear infections are examples of complications from flu. The flu can make chronic health problems worse such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease. Other people at high risk are those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and young children. SO WHAT ARE WE TO DO? According to the CDC, it is NOT too late for a flu shot. The flu season peaks in January and February. Flu vaccine may be obtained from your health care provider. The SDDOH offers free vaccine for those 6 months to 18 years. Appointments are necessary (394-2516). Wash your hands. Cover your mouth. Stay home if you are SICK and rest. Once again, influenza is very contagious! Drink plenty of fluids. If you do feel as if you may have the flu, you may want to visit with your health care provider early in the course of the illness. Anti-viral medication may be prescribed for you or your family. SEE the attachment from the Dept. of Health...NO MORE EXCUSES: YOU NEED A FLU VACCINE! http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/general/no-excuses-flu-vaccine.pdf Cindy Begley, RN