September 16, 2008
Dear THS Community,
As we near the debut of our new Intensive Study Period program, I find that I am even more excited than I was when these ideas were first being discussed last fall. I can’t wait to see our students immersing themselves into high-interest, rigorous, and varied fields of study. We believe that the ISP offerings will not only increase our students’ knowledge of the subject areas being explored, but will also help our students develop and master the 21st century “survival skills” so important to their future success. The skills covered will include critical thinking and problem solving; oral and written communication; teamwork and leadership; creativity and agility –these are just a few of the areas that will be focused on in your student’s ISP program.
Each student will earn 1/3 of a credit when he/she meets the expectations for an ISP. This means that each year that a student completes all three ISP offerings, he/she will earn one additional “interdisciplinary credit” toward graduation. Therefore, a student at THS will now have the ability to earn seven credits per year, rather than six, as in years past. This additional credit is required (as is reflected in the newly adopted revised graduation requirements policy). In other words, ISPs are not optional! We consider these learning opportunities to be vitally important elements of our instructional program.
Members of the THS faculty have spent a great deal of time putting together the fall ISP offerings and we are confident that our students are going to be blown away by them. To peak your interest, I am enclosing the course descriptions for this October’s ISP offerings. As we continue to offer more and more diverse curricula in the ISP program, we will be welcoming input and participation from the community - especially if you have relevant expertise and experience. We are always seeking assistance – people, supplies, facilities, and money - to help us to continue to grow and nurture this program. If are able to support us in any way, please indicate this by filling out the volunteer/donations form that is enclosed.
In order for your child to participate in the ISP program, we are asking that each THS student submit a one time annual student activity fee of $100. This money will help us cover the costs of transportation, housing, facilities, supplies, expert instruction, equipment rental, and other expenses associated with the experiential components of the ISP program. Along with the activity fee, each student will need to complete and submit an ISP Permission, Medical and Payment Form (enclosed) by September 26th. There are scholarships available, so you may indicate interest in financial aid on this form.
I hope you are as excited as I am for your student to begin this new chapter in his/her educational journey. If you have any questions or concerns about the ISP program, don’t hesitate to contact me by phone (369-1211) or by email (acarter@telluride.k12.co.us).
Best regards,
Alex Carter, Principal
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Questions on the TSD Bond Question???
Visit the TSDBondQuestion08 blog at http://tsdbondquestion08.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
BBQ Bash - Friday 9/12 after the Varsity Soccer Game
Don't miss the BBQ Bash being hosted by THS Student Council! This Friday, Sept 12, on the Soccer Field immediately following the first home game for our Varsity Soccer team.
Free Food!
Music!
School and Community Spirit!
See you there!!!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
THS Community Newsletter
September 9, 2008
Dear THS Community,
I would like to thank each and every one of you for an absolutely great opening to the 2008-2009 school year. On Sept. 2, students poured into our halls excited for another great year of learning at THS. This year promises to be one of the most exciting, most memorable, and most important in our school’s history. As we embark on the path to the delivery of a 21st century education at THS, we will be asking more of our students than ever before…but the payoffs will be worth it!
In less than a month, students will be engaged in our first Intensive Study Period session. This two week period will see Telluride High School students riding high in the San Juan mountains learning about “wilderness and survival” in an alpine setting; traveling to Moab to investigate how businesses are capitalizing on the connection between “mind and body”; working with local world-class chefs to explore the “art and science of cuisine”; digging in Crow Canyon in an effort to discover the secrets of the ancient Puebloan people through “southwestern archaeology”; and exploring the power of “protest and social change” through an interactive study of film, music, art, and literature. These unique, interactive, hands-on experiences promise to raise our students’ appreciation and love for learning to new levels.
I am going to take this opportunity to remind you of a few housekeeping issues that are important to the effective administration of our building and the success of our programs:
· Attendance – please remember to communicate directly with the office if your student is absent from school. Your student can either bring in an excuse note to Candice at the front desk, or you can call Candice at 728-4377. Also, should your student need an early dismissal, please notify Candice by note or phone call in advance of your student’s departure.
· Students in AP Classes – please remember that when your student enrolls in an AP class, your family will be asked to help shoulder the added costs associated with these college level courses. Look for bills to help cover the costs of the AP books and test fees.
· Cost of lunch – as rising gas prices affect all of us, the costs of producing lunches for our students has also increased. Thus, students are being asked to pay $3 for hot lunches this year.
· Student Activity Fee – In order to help offset the costs associated with the new Intensive Study Period program, we are asking all students to contribute $100 in a student activity fee. We are accepting these checks now, but would like all of them to be paid no later than September 29, 2008, a week prior to the first ISP.
In addition to the new academic programs being implemented this year, THS has embraced the value of teaching the “affective skills and attributes” each of our students will need to experience success in a 21st century workplace. During the first week of instruction, we focused intensely on the THS model of the “6 P’s”, which include the virtues of Politeness, Punctuality, Preparedness, actively Participating, having a Positive Mental Attitude, and Perseverance. In order to reinforce our belief that these 6 P’s are extremely important life skills that must be practiced and valued, our teachers will be assessing our students’ progress towards mastery of these skills and attributes every reporting period. Our students’ performance in demonstrating these expectations will be included in their final grade, and thus will have an impact on their overall grade point averages. Please take a minute to review the 6P’s handout (enclosed) and our expectations for student behavior and engagement.
I am looking for parent representatives to serve on the High School Accountability committee. Our first meeting of the school year will be held on Tuesday, September 16th from 3:30-5:00 PM. If you are interested, please contact me and I’ll put you on the distribution list.
If you have any questions or concerns about anything you find in this packet or anything else that is going on in the life of your THS student, please don’t hesitate to contact me either by email at acarter@telluride.k12.co.us or by phone at 369-1211.
I hope that the beginning of this school year has been as positive an experience for your family as it has been for mine. I wish you all the best of luck for a great 2008-2009 school year.
And, oh yeah….GO MINERS!
Best regards,
Alex Carter, Principal
Dear THS Community,
I would like to thank each and every one of you for an absolutely great opening to the 2008-2009 school year. On Sept. 2, students poured into our halls excited for another great year of learning at THS. This year promises to be one of the most exciting, most memorable, and most important in our school’s history. As we embark on the path to the delivery of a 21st century education at THS, we will be asking more of our students than ever before…but the payoffs will be worth it!
In less than a month, students will be engaged in our first Intensive Study Period session. This two week period will see Telluride High School students riding high in the San Juan mountains learning about “wilderness and survival” in an alpine setting; traveling to Moab to investigate how businesses are capitalizing on the connection between “mind and body”; working with local world-class chefs to explore the “art and science of cuisine”; digging in Crow Canyon in an effort to discover the secrets of the ancient Puebloan people through “southwestern archaeology”; and exploring the power of “protest and social change” through an interactive study of film, music, art, and literature. These unique, interactive, hands-on experiences promise to raise our students’ appreciation and love for learning to new levels.
I am going to take this opportunity to remind you of a few housekeeping issues that are important to the effective administration of our building and the success of our programs:
· Attendance – please remember to communicate directly with the office if your student is absent from school. Your student can either bring in an excuse note to Candice at the front desk, or you can call Candice at 728-4377. Also, should your student need an early dismissal, please notify Candice by note or phone call in advance of your student’s departure.
· Students in AP Classes – please remember that when your student enrolls in an AP class, your family will be asked to help shoulder the added costs associated with these college level courses. Look for bills to help cover the costs of the AP books and test fees.
· Cost of lunch – as rising gas prices affect all of us, the costs of producing lunches for our students has also increased. Thus, students are being asked to pay $3 for hot lunches this year.
· Student Activity Fee – In order to help offset the costs associated with the new Intensive Study Period program, we are asking all students to contribute $100 in a student activity fee. We are accepting these checks now, but would like all of them to be paid no later than September 29, 2008, a week prior to the first ISP.
In addition to the new academic programs being implemented this year, THS has embraced the value of teaching the “affective skills and attributes” each of our students will need to experience success in a 21st century workplace. During the first week of instruction, we focused intensely on the THS model of the “6 P’s”, which include the virtues of Politeness, Punctuality, Preparedness, actively Participating, having a Positive Mental Attitude, and Perseverance. In order to reinforce our belief that these 6 P’s are extremely important life skills that must be practiced and valued, our teachers will be assessing our students’ progress towards mastery of these skills and attributes every reporting period. Our students’ performance in demonstrating these expectations will be included in their final grade, and thus will have an impact on their overall grade point averages. Please take a minute to review the 6P’s handout (enclosed) and our expectations for student behavior and engagement.
I am looking for parent representatives to serve on the High School Accountability committee. Our first meeting of the school year will be held on Tuesday, September 16th from 3:30-5:00 PM. If you are interested, please contact me and I’ll put you on the distribution list.
If you have any questions or concerns about anything you find in this packet or anything else that is going on in the life of your THS student, please don’t hesitate to contact me either by email at acarter@telluride.k12.co.us or by phone at 369-1211.
I hope that the beginning of this school year has been as positive an experience for your family as it has been for mine. I wish you all the best of luck for a great 2008-2009 school year.
And, oh yeah….GO MINERS!
Best regards,
Alex Carter, Principal
Friday, September 5, 2008
Big Sports Weekend
Big sporting weekend for the Miners. Our Lady Miners volleyball team will travel to Mancos tonight for their first match of the season. I would love to see a HUGE crowd cheering our girls on for their first home match tomorrow, Saturday 9/6 here in T'ride! JV begins play at 10 AM and Varsity will follow at 11 AM. Also, good luck to our Mens Soccer teams, who travel to Crested Butte tomorrow for their first league games.
GO MINERS!!!
GO MINERS!!!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
High School Back To School Night - Thurs. Sept 18
Attention THS Community:
I had previously announced that we would have 2 "grade level" back to school nights. Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts have prevented us from being able to host both events. Therefore, we will have one 9-12 grade Back-to-School nights on Thursday, Sept. 18. I will host a meet and greet in the Palm Lobby from 5:30-6:15. A brief overview of the TSD School Bond question, which will be on the November ballot, will be presented from 6:15 -6:30. From 6:30 until 6:55, I will present a brief presentation highlighting some of the exciting changes we are debuting at THS this year, including the ISP Program and the new grading and reporting model. Beginning at 7 PM, you will be invited to visit your student's classrooms to meet the teachers and hear about the curricula and program you student will follow. Immediately following the class visits, we will hold a brief Senior Parent Information session, hosted by David & Karen Lavender and Lisa Andrews.
I look forward to seeing the entire THS community at this important event.
I had previously announced that we would have 2 "grade level" back to school nights. Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts have prevented us from being able to host both events. Therefore, we will have one 9-12 grade Back-to-School nights on Thursday, Sept. 18. I will host a meet and greet in the Palm Lobby from 5:30-6:15. A brief overview of the TSD School Bond question, which will be on the November ballot, will be presented from 6:15 -6:30. From 6:30 until 6:55, I will present a brief presentation highlighting some of the exciting changes we are debuting at THS this year, including the ISP Program and the new grading and reporting model. Beginning at 7 PM, you will be invited to visit your student's classrooms to meet the teachers and hear about the curricula and program you student will follow. Immediately following the class visits, we will hold a brief Senior Parent Information session, hosted by David & Karen Lavender and Lisa Andrews.
I look forward to seeing the entire THS community at this important event.
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