NORTH Polar Bear News - JANUARY 2015
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JANUARY 2015
NORTH Polar Bear News
We are the Polar Bears!
Despite the inclement
weather and foot of snow
this past weekend, our Polar
Bears enjoyed the Saturday
night Winter Formal event,
“A Night In Wonderland”
complete with falling snow!
Tre’Vawn Jarrett
& Jolena Le
Madison Cox
JANUARY 2015
Infinite Campus for Parents
Des Moines Public Schools uses Infinite Campus as its web-
based student information system. The service provides
students the ability to access their class related information
as well as allowing parents and/or guardians the ability to
view their children’s academic information.
Through the Infinite Campus portal, parents are
able to see important announcements, report
cards, attendance records, assessment scores,
student schedules, lunch balances, teacher
newsletters, household information and more…
There are two ways that an account can be
created for you. 1) If you have an active email
address we can assist in creating an account
for you using your email address as your user
name. 2) If you don’t have an email address
we can still help you create an account using
an activation key. Both ways work well and
help you stay connected to your student.
Creating an Account with an Activation Key
Access the Portal Log in Site by either going to the
district homepage (www.dmschools.org), find the
Parent section, and click on the Infinite Campus Link
OR go to https://sis.dmps.k12.ia.us/campus/portal/
desmoines.jsp
CLICK "Help".
CLICK "click here" to select 'If you have been
assigned a Campus Portal Activation Key’.
TYPE the Activation Key that has been provided by
your school.
CLICK "Submit".
TYPE a user name in the "User Name" field.
TYPE a password in the "Password" field.
TYPE the password again in the "Verify Password"
field.
CLICK "Create Account".
CLICK "Click Here" to proceed to your Campus
Portal account.
TYPE your new user name in the "User Name" field.
TYPE your new password in the "Password" field.
CLICK "Sign In".
JANUARY 2015
From the Counseling Office
Using the programs in Family Connection,
students will be able to link to useful
websites, surveys and many relevant career
and college topics. Students will complete
each of the Family Connection tasks in their
Celebrations class.
The Counseling
staff is
committed to
Need help filling out the FAFSA forms? assisting each
student in
On Monday, February 16th we will be experiencing a
having a “Fill out the FAFSA” form event smooth
from 1:00—7:00 P.M. in the school library. transition to life
It is so important to get those FAFSA forms after high
completed and submitted early for school and
consideration with college applications. achieving post
This is a great opportunity for students and high school
families to get some help with those career goals.
forms. You will need to bring social
security numbers and 2014 income If you have any questions about Family
information (W-2’s) for everyone in your Connection feel free to contact the
household. Appointments are filling up Counseling Department. School Counselors
quickly so please call the counseling are;
office at (515) 242-7205 to schedule. Julie Charikov (last name begins A - K)
julie.charikov@dmschools.org
Kimber Foshe (last name begins L- Z)
kimber.foshe@dmschools.org
Again, students will be working with the
Family Connections program with their
advisors in their Celebrations class but feel
free to log into your account and explore
Beginning in the second semester, we all that Family Connections has to offer.
are happy to introduce our students to Login information: Hyperlink:
Family Connection. Family Connection http://connection.naviance.com/northhis
offers innovative, easy-to-use web
applications for high school students and User name and password:
their parents. Family Connection will help Username: school email address
guide students' academic and career (student ID#@student.dmschools.org)
choices, as well as providing them with Password: student ID #
opportunities of self-exploration.
JANUARY 2015
The Spring Parent-Teacher
Conferences will be on Monday,
March 9th from 5:00 – 8:00 pm
AND Wednesday, March 11th from
3:30 – 7:30 pm
Frequent communication between
families and schools is one of the keys to
student success. These conferences are
one of the best opportunities you have
for connecting with your sons or
daughters teachers and learning how to
help them to do well in school. Come
and find out about their learning and
progress. Its an opportunity you will
not want to miss. We hope to see you
there!
JANUARY 2015
District Large Group Speech Contest
North High Theater Arts had a GREAT showing at District Large Group Speech Contest this past
Saturday. Nine groups were given a “1” rating which means they will be participating in State
Contest at Valley on February 7th. Those groups are:
1) Ensemble Acting “The 2) Group Mime “Seeing Through 3) Group Mime “Opportunity
Universal Language” L to R: my Hands” L to R: Rebekah Locks” L to R: Kameron James
Michael Xayavong & Hebelin Ostermann, Cassady Kelly & & Caleb Ostermann
Sanchez-Mercado Brenda Martinez-Rosas
4) Radio Broadcasting “T ‘n T News” L to R: 5) Radio Broadcasting “GE News” L
Joseph Noble, Talissa Vegas, Adam Espinal & to R: Hatte Kelley, Meghan Brown-
Marcos Hernandez) Garrett & Yanet Velasquez
Congratulations to all of
these students on their
hard work in making it to
State! They have put in
many long hours to get to
6) Readers Theater “The Rabbit who Wanted to be a Man” L to R: this point. They will now
Esperanza Vargas Macias, Hebelin Sanchez-Mercado, Yanet Velasquez,
Iliana Castillo, Michael Colon-Ramos & Mayte Gomez-Cruz
have the chance to receive
a superior rating at
State. We hope you can
join us on the 7th at Valley
to support these students.
Thank You!
Mark Rixner
7) Musical Theater “Wicked” L to R: Rebekah
Ostermann, Caleb Ostermann, Duncan Vivanh, &
Theater Arts Director/
Mercedes Castillo Instructor
8) Musical Theater “Ragtime” L to R: Kameron James, Vanessa McGregor, 9) Musical Theater “Tick Tick
Odyssey Lamar-Nelson, Dalanie Hawkins, Mahalalel Hill & Tytiaunna Boom” L to R: Michael
Johnson Xayavong & Mayte Gomez-Cruz
JANUARY 2015
Coming Up...
February 3, 2015, 4:15—6:00 PM
Middle School students that will be attending North
High School next year are invited to a special
orientation about athletics and activities. The
program kicks off at 4:15 PM in the school auditorium
where there will be presentations regarding the
different activities and athletics.
At 5:15 PM the students will go the gym to
finish the 2nd half of the 9th grade
basketball game.
At 6:00 PM there will be a bus available to
take students back to Harding and
Goodrell for those not staying for the
varsity games.
Polar Bear Open Debate Invitational
February 6-7, 2015
It is the goal of both coaches and students on North’s Debate
Team to use this tournament to raise funds for our own team as
well as begin contributing to the forensics community in Iowa.
North High School has not hosted a tournament since 2005, which
means hosting one in February of 2015 provides us with a platform
to formally announce our commitment to reviving North’s program
to the forensics community. Furthermore, the Polar Bear Open will
provide students in both the east and western Iowa district a much
-needed opportunity to practice before the National Qualifier
Tournament the following weekend; moreover, it
provides our students the opportunity to compete
for free, a rarity in the forensics world. We thank
you for your continued support and assistance to
revive a program that is imperative to our students’
success.
JANUARY 2015
Feb. 3 February Thaw, 4:15—6:00 PM, Auditorium & Gym
Feb. 9 Choir Sweetheart Show, 5:30 & 7:30 PM (2 shows), Woodchuck Theater
Mar. 5 Choir Northside Night, 6:00—8:30 PM, Auditorium
Mar. 9 Parent-Teacher Conferences, 5:00—8:00 PM, Gym
Mar. 10 Band & Orchestra Pops Concert, 7:00 PM, Auditorium
Mar. 11 Parent-Teacher Conferences, 3:30—7:30 PM, Gym
Mar. 13 No School, Office Open
Mar. 16-20 Spring Break, No School, Offices Open
Apr. 1 Iowa Assessment Tests
Apr. 9-11 Spring Drama Production, 7:00 PM, Auditorium
Apr. 12 Spring Drama Production, 2:00 PM, Auditorium
Apr. 17 Fashion Show, 7:00 PM, Auditorium
Apr. 28 ACT Tests for 11th grade only, No School for 9, 10 & 12 grades
Apr. 29 Regular School Day, No School for 11th grade only
May 2 Prom, 8:00—11:00 PM, Kum & Go Theater at the DM Social Club
May 7 Awards Assembly, 6:00—8:00 PM, Auditorium
May 12 Spring Band Concert, 7:00 PM, Auditorium
May 14 Spring Choir Concert, 7:00 PM, Auditorium
May 19 Northside Orchestra Concert, 7:00 PM, Auditorium
May 21 JROTC Awards Night, 6:00—8:00 PM, Auditorium
May 22 Class Day, 8:30 AM, Gym
May 23 Graduation, 9:30 AM, Drake University Knapp Center
May 25 Memorial Day, No School
May 22nd: Class Day
Our annual Class Day for our seniors is Friday, May 22nd at 8:30 AM. Parents are encouraged and
welcome to attend.
May 23rd: Graduation!!!
The Commencement Ceremony for our Class of 2015 will be at the Drake University Knapp Center
on Saturday, May 23rd at 9:30 AM.
Please note: ALL fees must be paid in full before you can
graduate! Please check your account on Infinite Campus or see
the bookkeeper for a statement of your current fees.
JANUARY 2015
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING
OPEN ENROLLMENT
2015-2016 School Year
PATRON NOTIFICATION
Between District Open Enrollment
Iowa Administrative Code 281-17.3(2)
Parents/Guardians considering the use of the open enrollment option to enroll their children in
another public school district in the state of Iowa should be aware of the following dates:
DEADLINES:
March 1, 2015 is the last date for regular open enrollment requests for the 2015-2016 school year.
September 1, 2015 is the last date for open enrollment requests for entering kindergarten students
and those students falling under the “good cause” definition for the 2015-2016 school year. To
insure that the transfer of individual students does not adversely affect the diversity plan of the
District, certain limitations to open enrollment have been established. Parents of kindergarten
students are therefore encouraged to make application requests prior to March 1, 2015.
APPEALS:
Within 30 days of a denial of an open enrollment request by the DMPS Board of Education, a
parent/guardian may file an appeal with the state board of education only if the open enrollment
request was based on repeated acts of harassment or a serious health condition of the student
that the district cannot adequately address. All other denials must be appealed to the district
court in Polk County.
ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY:
In most cases, a high school student who open enrolls is ineligible for varsity athletic competition
during the student’s first 90 consecutive school days of enrollment in the receiving district. Some,
but not all, exceptions to this general rule of ineligibility are as follows:
The sending district does not offer the sport in question.
The sending district was dissolved and merged with one or more other districts.
The sending district whole-grade shares with another district for the student’s grade level.
TRANSPORTATION:
Parents/Guardians of students open enrolled from another school district are eligible for
transportation assistance if the household income of the parent/guardian is at or below the federal
poverty guidelines for household size. The two districts must be contiguous. Assistance may be in
the form of actual transportation or in the form of a cash stipend. Information regarding
transportation eligibility and a complete copy of the District’s open enrollment policy and
procedures may be obtained from the Open Enrollment Office, 1301 Second Ave., Des Moines,
Iowa 50314
JANUARY 2015
Parent Notification – “Right to Know”
Parents of students in Title I schools are guaranteed annual notification of their “right to know” about teacher
qualifications by their school district. That means parents may request and receive from that office
information regarding the professional qualifications of the student’s classroom teachers.
Parents will receive timely notice if their child has been assigned, or has been taught for four or more
consecutive weeks by, a teacher who is not highly qualified.
Parents will also be informed if their child is placed in a Limited English Proficient program.
2014-15 Student/Parent/Teacher/Principal Compact
Parent/Guardian agreement:
As a parent/guardian, I will do my best to: Working Together for Success!
See that my child is punctual and attends school
regularly
Set a time for homework and review it
Stay aware of what my child is learning
Encourage my child to read 15 minutes daily
Talk with my child about his/her school activities
Student agreement:
As a student, I will do my best to:
Reading 15 minutes per day
Attend school daily ready to learn
Follow the Code of Conduct
Complete all homework assignments and then turn them in on time
Teacher agreement:
As a teacher, I will do my best to assist each student to achieve and therefore:
Help each child grow to his/her fullest potential
Provide instruction utilizing research-based strategies that will meet all students’ instructional
needs
Provide meaningful and appropriate homework activities
Maintain open line of communication with each student and his/her parents
Support the independent reading program
Principal agreement:
As a principal, I will try to do my best to encourage:
Parental involvement
Provide the students with highly professional, qualified staff
Provide an environment that allows for positive communication between the students,
parents and staff
Enforce the Code of Conduct
Support the independent reading program
JANUARY 2015
Title I Parent Involvement Program
2014-2015
Des Moines Public Schools
The Des Moines Public Schools’ (DMPS) Title I Parent Involvement Program provides the opportunity for parents
to be involved jointly in the development of the Title I School-wide plans and in the school’s review process for
the purpose of school improvement. Recognizing that parental involvement is the key to academic
achievement, we seek to involve parents in an effective home-school partnership that will provide the best
possible education for our students. The district provides coordination, technical assistance and other supports
necessary to aid in the planning and implementation of parent involvement activities. The district encourages
parent involvement and supports this partnership through providing information about standards and
assessments; providing training and materials for parents to help their children; educating school personnel
about involving parents and the value of parent contributions; and developing roles for community
organizations and businesses to work with parents and schools.
1. This jointly developed and agreed upon written parent involvement program is distributed to parents in
all Title I schools through such things as newsletters, handbooks, or registration materials.
2. An annual meeting is held for all parents of participating children, both public and private. Additional
meetings with flexible times are held throughout the year and determined jointly by parent and school
suggestions.
3. Parents are given assistance in understanding the Title I requirements, standards, and assessments
through the annual meetings and parent-teacher conferences.
4. Parents receive an explanation of the school’s performance profile, the forms of academic
assessment used to measure student progress, and the expected proficiency levels in the annual
progress report distributed to all stakeholders in the spring of the year, through individual reports given
to parents at conference time, and through report cards.
5. Parents are also informed about the curriculum, instructional objectives, and methods used in the
program. This information is delivered through newsletters, conferences and the annual meetings.
6. Parent recommendations are encouraged and responded to in a timely manner. Verbal or written
responses will be given for all recommendations.
7. Parents will be involved with the planning, review, and improvement of the Schoolwide Title I program
through participation in a school-designated committee/team.
8. A jointly developed school/parent compact outlines how parents, school staff, and students all share
responsibility for improved student achievement. The compact also describes the means by which the
school and parents will build and develop a partnership to help children achieve our local high
standards. It is distributed to all families and is reviewed at the annual meetings.
9. The Title I program provides opportunities for parents to become partners with the school in promoting
the education of their children both at home and at school. Parents are given help monitoring their
student’s progress and provided assistance on how to participate in decisions related to their student’s
education. The school also provides other reasonable support for parental involvement activities as
requested by parents. Parents are encouraged to participate as volunteers in the school setting.
Individual conferences will also be held upon request.
10. The school continues to coordinate and integrate, to the extent feasible and appropriate, the parent
involvement policy and other programs and activities within the district. Transitional information for
students moving from fifth grade to sixth grade will be provided to parents in the spring.
11. An annual evaluation of this parental involvement policy shall be conducted to determine its
effectiveness. Findings will be used to design strategies for school improvement and revision of policies.
Parent meetings will provide opportunities for the discussions of program adjustments.
Providing all Des Moines Public School District’s children with equal access to quality education is of primary
purpose. It is crucial that all partners (students, parents, educators, and communities) have the opportunity to
provide input and offer resources to meet this purpose. As these partnerships are mutually beneficial,
developing cooperative efforts will ensure improved academic achievement for all students.You can also read
