A Message from the Principal, Brandon Brekke

[Pages:21]July/August, 2016 Volume VI, issue 1

A Message from the Principal, Brandon Brekke

Dear Cougar Community,

Welcome back to another fantastic year at Evergreen High School. As the new Principal, I would like to briefly introduce myself and share a little bit about what you all can expect from me as a school leader. This will be my 10th year in Jeffco, where I began as a Social Studies teacher. Over the course of my teaching career, I taught a wide array of courses, but consider U.S History and Economics to be my strongest content areas. Teaching led to a Fulbright scholarship to Egypt, where I first met my wife as we traversed the desert together developing geography curriculum for our district. Andrea is currently a teacher at South High School, and one of the best to ever do it. We now have a 10 month old daughter, Ruby, who is as ornery as ever and keeps us laughing all the time. We spent a couple of years teaching at an international school in Costa Rica and in 2011 returned to Colorado where I became a Dean of Students at Jefferson High School. An Assistant Principalship was my next step, at Drake Middle School in Arvada, and then on to EHS where I spent last year as Assistant Principal. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been given this opportunity as Principal, and look forward to leading this school community in continuing, and growing, our strong record of academic achievement. Next time you are here at school, please feel free to introduce yourself.

Educating our children is the most important and honorable work in a democratic society, in line with those who serve to keep our families protected and safe. Teaching and learning is also, by nature, very challenging and complex and no blueprint exists for how to help each student reach their true potential. Therefore, as a school we must view our task not as having a specific destination or outcome, but as an infinite process of continual improvement. Every day new research is adding to our insights about educational best practices, and how best to help our students to be as safe, happy, and self-directed as possible. As Principal, my primary responsibility is to support this continual improvement process and create the conditions necessary for teachers and students to thrive. To this end, we as a school community must maintain high expectations for ourselves and for our students, work hard to create and sustain a culture of high character and dedication to our respective craft, but most importantly support and take care of each other every day. We all share common goals for our children. Let's continue this community's strong partnership and always look for ways to get better - together.

As the year gets underway, anticipate consistent communication from myself and our staff about the specific ways we are working to achieve our goals. For example, Dan Brooks, our Digital Teacher Librarian, and his colleagues have been working hard to overhaul our school website, which will "go live" before the first day of school. We hope you will find the website experience more streamlined and user-friendly, with regularly updated news, announcements, and celebrations of our students' diverse and wonderful endeavors. Feedback will be gathered from all of you, and adjustments will be made along the way to inform any changes - all part of the continuous improvement process.

Thanks, and I am looking forward to an excellent school year. Please read carefully an overview of new items

and events below.

Start of School information in this issue

Brandon Brekke

Please read carefully!

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Advisement and Bell Schedule Advisement is a new feature to our Bell Schedule and weekly routine this year held every Wednesday from 7:30-9:00. Attendance is mandatory for all students. The purpose of Advisement is twofold; to provide students the opportunity to receive academic support from teachers, and to build positive and healthy student culture through Wednesday Morning Meetings (a description of this event is below). Access, which is optional time for students to access their teachers for academic support, is held every morning from 7:15 to 7:25, and Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 2:30-3:15. Wednesdays are reserved for professional collaboration and development.

Wednesday Morning Meeting Wednesday Morning Meeting will be held during Advisement time once-to-twice per month, and rarely to exceed 30 minutes in time. We are very excited to implement this school-wide gathering in the gymnasium where students will receive and participate in a wide array of meaningful content. Topics will include highlighting student and adult achievements, performances by school groups such as Improv Theater and Performing Arts, and TED Talk-Style presentations from students and community members. At times, Wednesday Morning Meeting may be just a 10 minute inspirational anecdote or story to inspire students to make the best of their school day, and then back to Advisement for academic support and/or time to catch up on homework. Please feel free to reach out if you or anybody you know is interested in participating in Wednesday Morning Meeting, or has ideas for how to use this opportunity to build positive and healthy student culture.

Website and Newsletter Our website is currently receiving a makeover and update. Look for the website to go live before the first day of school. Our goal is for the website to be the primary source of information and communication for our community, eventually supplanting the monthly newsletter format.

Parking The first concept every student learns in Economics is scarcity. Scarcity can be defined as a state of unlimited wants and needs in a world of limited space and resources. Surely, this is something we can all understand. No issue better highlights this concept than parking space at EHS. Because parking for students is such a challenge, we must maintain strict integrity with our parking policies and procedures. Please allow our Campus Supervisors grace and understanding in your interaction with them around this issue, as they primarily oversee and manage this process. Also, please carefully read the information on the website regarding parking registration. Note that in order to access the registration, you must be logged into Google using your child's username and password.

New Faculty Please welcome the following new/returning staff to our school community with open arms!

Teaching Faculty Eileen Bernstein - Special Education Tom Carmody - Business and DECA Erika DuRoss, Ali Ulrich, David Moutoux - Science Connie Evans, Shelby Houtz, Alexandra Kubin - World Language - Spanish Andrew Harrison - Social Studies Madelynn Hornecker, - Math

Counseling and Student Services Christine Chaykowski - Grades 10 and 12 - Alpha L-Z, Cindy McCool - Financial Manager

Administration and Dean of Student Culture Ryan Alsup - Assistant Principal - Athletics and Activities Matt Erholtz - Dean of Student Culture Bryan Jesse - Assistant Principal - Student Services Becca Orsund - Assistant Principal - Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

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EHS Student Check-in

EHS Student Check-In (formerly known as "registration") must be completed between July 27 - August 17, 2016.

Go to and click on the Jeffco Logins, then the Jeffco Connect icon.

Log on to Jeffco Connect using your current parent portal (not student account) user name and password. Do not create a new account.

1. Jeffco Connect - Verify the personal information below in Jeffco Connect by first clicking on your student's name in the student information section: a. Residence ? Click on "Residence" to verify that your home address and mailing address are accurate. b. Contacts ? Click on "Contacts" to verify Parent/Guardian and Emergency Contact telephone numbers. c. Enrollment ? Click on "Enrollment." Check listed boxes as applicable.

***Your username and password for Jeffco Connect are the same as your username and password for Parent Portal. NOTE: Student usernames and passwords do NOT have access to Jeffco Connect. Parents must log on with their own username and password.

2. Fees ? Beginning July 27, 2016, fee payments may be made using the Jeffco Student Fee Payment processing system accessed through Jeffco Connect/Parent Portal. You may make payments for the current school year with your debit or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are accepted Log on to Jeffco Connect (see above)

Click on Jeffco Student Fee Payment link to pay fees Click on MealPayPlus to make payments for lunch.

You will need your student's ID number and Last name as it appears in Jeffco Connect/Parent

Portal.

**You may pay fees for all of your children in one payment!**

3. Free or Reduced Lunch Application (optional) ? You may apply for free or reduced lunch online at

4. Please read the Jeffco Code of Conduct. The 2016-2917 version will be uploaded the week of August 1.

If you are having difficulty with any of the above directions for student check-in, please contact Tami Danks, Registrar, 303.982.3048 or tdanks@jeffco.k12.co.us.

5. Parking--see page 7 for information on how to apply for a permit

6. Transportation--see page 7 for information.

Student schedules and locker combinations will be available on Parent/Student Portal by August 15.

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Jeffco Connect

Jeffco Connect lets parents fill out their student's contact and demographic information from any computer that has an internet connection. Parents can also access the Jeffco Student Fee Payment and meal payment systems. Use the link to the right to log on to Jeffco Connect, activate an account or update contact information.

Quick Reference Guides Instructions for Users New Students Returning Students Jeffco Student Fee Payment FAQ

How do I get access to Jeffco Connect? If you already have a Campus Parent Portal user ID and password you should be able to access Jeffco Connect using this information. Go to the log on link in the box above and try it. If you are unable to access Jeffco Connect, contact Tami Danks for new access instructions.

Can I access the Jeffco Student Fee Payment through Jeffco Connect?

Yes, after logging into Jeffco Connect you will see a link to Jeffco Student Fee Payment on the left. Read the Jeffco Student Fee Payment FAQ's for additional information and help with the fee payment process.

How does Jeffco Connect work with SchoolMessenger, the emergency calling system?

The information you enter in Jeffco Connect will be automatically transferred to SchoolMessenger for general and emergency messages. Expect a delay before the information is fully implemented in SchoolMessenger and you start receiving messages. To help protect your child, you will receive messages about attendance. We want you to know when your child is not in school.

How can I get my student's ID number?

Student ID numbers are listed on report cards.

I have children in two different schools? Will their information be in one Jeffco Connect account? Yes.

Supply List

Please note that EHS does not have a generic supply list for students. Please go to and click on Summer Assignments. Reading lists and assignments are located on individual course links.

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Parking Permit Information

The Senior and Junior Parking Permit Application window opened July 22, 2016 at 8:00 am. It will remain open until August 5, 2016, 8:00 pm.

Information concerning Church of the Hill parking permits will be available after school starts.

These permits will be sold through EHS for the 2016-2017 school year. Please do not contact Church of the Hills for these permits.

Priority for Church of the Hills passes will be given to those drivers unsuccessful in obtaining a pass in the EHS drawing.

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Bus Schedules and Fees

Transportation will post bus schedules on the Jeffco homepage in late July or early August.

Fees will be $150 per year and can be paid online with other school fees. This year, transportation will be offering a new "part-time" fee for riders. The part-time fee will be $40 per semester.

Students will receive bus agreements from their bus drivers the first week of school.

If you have questions, the Transportation Department may be contacted directly at 303.982.5215.

A Reminder from Jeffco Public Schools

Jeffco does not use photo release forms. Use of student photos is covered by the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Parents are informed of this in the Conduct Code booklet (page 73 - Directory Information) and given instructions on how to opt out of the photo use.

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Sports at Evergreen High School

Fall sports offered at EHS are cross country, football, boys' golf, gymnastics, boys' soccer, softball, boys' tennis and volleyball. Boys' golf paperwork is due Monday, August 1. Paperwork for all other fall sports is due Monday, August 8. Completed paperwork, including a physician's signature from a sports physical, and the District participation fee of $150 is required BEFORE an athlete can attend ANY practices. Practice for fall sports begins Monday, August 15, with the exception of boys' golf which begins Monday, August 8. Athletic paperwork for the 2016-2017 school year can be found on the EHS website at . Click on the link to Athletics and click on the link to Athletic Paperwork. Please print the required forms, read carefully, include all signatures, and turn in to the Athletic Office. The Athletic Office will begin to take paperwork and fees for fall sports on Friday, July 22. Office hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Booster clubs for all sports are driven by parent volunteers. Any and all help is needed and appreciated for all sports/programs to run effectively. Please contact the coach of a particular sport for more information.

ATHLETIC PASSES Admission fees for athletic events are $6 for adults and $4 for students. Students may purchase an Athletic Pass (previously called an Activity Sticker), for $50 which will allow the student free admission to any regular season athletic event held at Jeffco facilities, exclusive of tournaments, invitationals and state playoffs. An Athletic Pass can be paid for on line with other student school fees or in the financial office. The student ID will indicate that the $50 fee has been paid and students will need to show their school ID when entering events. As an added convenience, credit cards will now be accepted at most Jeffco facilities for admission to athletic events.

Back to School Night

Tuesday, August 23, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. EHS Gymnasium

This evening is an ideal time for parents to meet their students' teachers and follow their daily schedules. Teachers will give an overview of their curriculum and specific classroom expectations. To avoid waiting in line, print a copy of your student's schedule and bring it with you to Back to School Night.

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