SHS Weekly Update 2.10.20

Good evening Staunton High School families and staff,

This is Nate Collins, principal of SHS, and this is your Weekly Update for the week of February 10th, 2020.

First, we are celebrating Black History Month at SHS this month.  Students are encouraged to listen carefully to special daily announcements and to be on the look out for special activities later this month.

Next, please know that during a special Advisory meeting this Tuesday, we will be sharing information about course requests and scheduling for next year.  Counselors will begin working with current juniors to begin the course request process soon.  Advisories will meet after second block on Tuesday.  Parents and guardians – please begin talking with your student about courses for next year, and look for specific scheduling information soon.  Remember, you can always find our Program of Studies and course descriptions linked on the School Counseling page on our school website.

Next, seniors, please note that we will have a very important Senior Class Meeting this Thursday, February 13th.  During this meeting we will have a presentation regarding the Rotary Code of Ethics Award, and we will share information regarding graduation and other upcoming events and activities for the senior class.  The meeting will be held during third block on Thursday.

Also for seniors, it’s time to apply for scholarships! The Counseling Center is hosting lunch Scholarship Workshops Tuesdays and Thursdays every week. 

Attention 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. The ASVAB career exploration test will held February 19th starting at 9AM. See Mr. Peters in the Counseling Office to sign up.

Students – make plans to attend the Valentine’s Dance on Saturday, February 15th from 8-10PM in the cafeteria. The cost is $5.00 in advance and $7.00 at the door. Tickets can be purchased in the main office with Ms. Corbett or in the library with Ms. Peltonen. Outside date permission forms may also be picked up in the office. Casual to semi-formal dress, anything goes as long as it is school appropriate. Light refreshments will be available for purchase. Nominations and voting for the Sweetest students in each class will occur at the dance-you have to be present to win!

And, finally, looking ahead a week, please remember there is no school for students next Monday, February 17th.  We will have Parent Conferences from 2 til 6 pm on Monday, February 17th.  Parents, if you’d like to schedule conferences, please contact our Main Office to schedule conference times.  Also, at 6 pm on the 17th, at the conclusion of Parent Conferences, plan to attend a College Recruiting Seminar for potential collegiate student-athletes and parents.  We will have a college recruiting expert on hand to share information about the recruiting process and scholarship opportunities.  The free seminar will be held in the cafeteria beginning at 6 pm.

Those are all your updates for this week.  Thank you, as always, for your support.  Have a great evening!

Nate Collins
Principal
Staunton High School

SHS Weekly Update 1.27.20

Good evening Staunton High School families and staff,

This is Nate Collins, principal of SHS, and this is your Weekly Update for the week of January 27th, 2020.

First this week, a reminder that Staunton High School is looking for current 10th and 11th graders interested in attending a Diversity Dialogue Day on March 11th at University of Lynchburg.  The theme is “Standing up to Stereotypes” and the program will help participants to recognize prejudice and intolerance, and to respect others.  Please see Mr. Lawrence in room 206 or Ms. Hahn in guidance if you would like more information or an application.  Deadline for signup is Friday, Jan. 31st.

The Student Success Center will be open this week on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday after school from 2:50-3:45. We are located in room 106B. Our focus this week will be Algebra, English, and Earth Science. See Ms. Knoxville in room #103 if you have any questions.

Also, please remember that on Wednesdays after school from 3-4:00PM we are hosting Scholarship Workshops in the School Counseling office.

Any 10th and 11th graders interested in to applying Valley Technical Center or Governor’s School for next year need to talk to their school counselors. Valley Tech applications are due February 20th.

Make plans to attend the Valentine’s Dance on Saturday, February 15th from 8-10PM in the cafeteria. The cost is $5.00 in advance and $7.00 at the door. Tickets can be purchased in the main office with Ms. Corbett or in the library with Ms. Peltonen. Outside date permission forms may also be picked up in the office. Casual to semi-formal dress, anything goes as long as it is school appropriate. Light refreshments will available for purchase. Nominations and voting for the Sweetest students in each class will occur at the dance-you have to be present to win!

Attention all Student-Athletes and Parents!! How do you get an Athletic Scholarship? What does it take to be a college athlete today? When does the recruiting process start? Do smaller colleges have money for athletes? Learn the answer to all these questions and more on Monday, February 17th at 6:00PM when SHS hosts the “Student Athlete & College Recruiting Seminar” in the SHS Cafeteria. This free seminar is a must for all student-athletes in grades 8-12 who want to play sports in college, and their parents.

Attention all Seniors and Juniors, please remember that all outstanding student fees will need to be paid before the purchase of Prom tickets this spring. Please see Ms. Cash – Bookkeeper in the Main Office.

Those are all your updates for this week.  Thank you, as always, for your support of Staunton High School.  Have a great evening!

Nate Collins
Principal
Staunton High School

SHS Weekly Update 1.20.2020

Good evening Staunton High School families and staff,

This is Nate Collins, principal of SHS, and this is your Weekly Update for the week of January 20th, 2020.

First, please remember that there is no school tomorrow, Monday, January 20th.  Students will return to classes on Tuesday, and Tuesday will be a B Day at SHS.

Next, any 10th and 11th grade student interested in applying to the Valley Career and Technical Center or the Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School for next year should see his or her counselor ASAP.  Applications for Valley Tech are due February 28th, and applications for the Governor’s School are due February 20th.

Also, the SHS School Counseling office will begin a series of Wednesday afternoon Scholarship Workshops.  The first workshop is this Wednesday, January 22nd from 3 til 4 pm in the counseling office.

Finally, the chorus department will be hosting a Student Open Mic Night on January 29th.  If you have a special talent that you want to show off, sign up to perform for a supportive audience! The cost is $2.00 to perform and $4 to watch the show! Please see Ms. Harner in the choir room if you would like to sign up to perform. Otherwise, we hope you will come out to see your talented classmates and support our choral department on January 29th!

Those are all your updates for this week.  Thank you, as always, for your support of SHS.  Have a great evening!

Nate Collins
Principal
Staunton High School

SHS Weekly Update 1.13.20

Good evening Staunton High School families and staff,

This is Nate Collins, principal of SHS, and this is your Weekly Update for the week of January 13th, 2020.

First this week, please note that Report Cards for 1st Semester will be distributed to students this week on Tuesday, January 14th.

Next, the after-school Activity Bus will begin running again this week on Tuesday.  The Activity Bus runs Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 4:30 pm.  Students who stay after school for activities and want to ride the Activity Bus need to sign up in the Main Office each day.

Next, Staunton High School is looking for current 10th and 11th graders interested in attending a Dialogue Diversity Day on March 11th at University of Lynchburg.  The theme is “Standing up to Stereotypes” and the program will help participants to recognize prejudice and intolerance and to respect others.  Please see Mr. Lawrence in room 206 or Ms. Hahn in guidance if you would like more information or to pick up an application.  Deadline for applications to participate is Friday, January 31st.

A reminder for current seniors, if you haven’t already done so, please see Ms. VanFossen in the Counseling Office to verify information for your diploma by the end of the day on Monday.  This is very important, so please be sure to take time to do this ASAP!

Looking ahead a week, please remember that there is no school next Monday, January 20th, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Finally, this is a good time to remind you that if you’d like to receive the SHS Daily Announcements by email, please contact Ms. Stephanie Corbett in the Main Office to be added to the email list.  There are lots of announcements about upcoming club meetings and student opportunities most days.

Those are all your updates for this week.  Thank you, as always, for your support of Staunton High School.  Have a great evening!

Nate Collins
Principal
Staunton High School

SHS Weekly Update 1.6.2020

Good evening Staunton High School families and staff,

This is Nate Collins, principal of SHS, and this is your Weekly Update for the week of January 6th, 2020.

We hope you all enjoyed a pleasant Winter Break, and we’re looking forward to seeing all of our students for the first day of 2nd Semester on Tuesday, January 7th!

On Tuesday, we will begin the day with a brief Advisory block, first thing in the morning.  We’ll give each student a copy of his or her 2nd semester schedule on Tuesday morning.  While students and parents can access student schedules in the Powerschool portal, we want to ensure that every student has a copy of his or her schedule.

One particular reminder – band students are reminded to please bring your instruments with you to school on Tuesday.

Renovation work continued throughout Winter Break, and students will see some changes inside our school when they return on Tuesday.  Also, several teachers have changed classroom locations for second semester in order to accommodate renovation work.  Teachers’ new room locations will be printed on the course schedules students will receive on Tuesday.  We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as our exciting new school construction continues!

We are poised for an outstanding second semester, and we need all of our students to be ready to start fast on Tuesday.  Please be prepared for your classes and be ready to give us your best, everyday.  Stay organized, work hard, and be positive, and you’ll have a great semester!

Those are all your updates for this first week of 2020.  Thank you, as always, for your support of Staunton High School.  Have a great evening!

Nate Collins
Principal
Staunton High School

SHS Weekly Update 12.16.19

Good evening Staunton High School families and staff,

This is Nate Collins, principal of SHS, and this your Weekly Update for the week of December 16th, 2019.

This week will bring our first semester to a close, and we have a very busy week ahead with exams and final grades upcoming

First, tomorrow, Monday, will be an “A” day, as scheduled.  For students who have year-long A/B courses, Mid-term Exams are scheduled for Monday through Thursday this week.  For year-long courses, Mid-term Exams for Blocks 2A and 4A are Monday, Mid-term exams for Blocks 1B and 3B are Tuesday, Mid-term exams for Blocks 1A and 3A are Wednesday, and Mid-term Exams for Blocks 2B and 4B are Thursday.

For semester-long courses, Final Exams are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, with Final Exams for Blocks 1 and 3 on Wednesday and Final Exams for Blocks 2 and 4 on Thursday.

Please note that no students should more than two exams on any one day.

Also, if you receive the email version of the Weekly Update, you can find attached a copy of our Exam Exemption policy for Final Exams.  Your student’s teacher will be sure your student knows if he or she is exempt from a Final Exam.  If your student is exempt, he or she does not have to attend school during the assigned Final Exam block on Wednesday or Thursday.  If you receive this Weekly Update by email, you can find attached a copy of our Final Exam bell schedule for Wednesday and Thursday.

Please remember that this Thursday, December 19th is the final day of the semester, and we will have an Early Dismissal at 12:50 pm on Thursday, following the 4th Block Final Exam.

If you have questions about your student’s exams, please contact his or her teacher.

Finally, following the busy rush of the final week of the semester, we’re looking forward to a pleasant Winter Break, beginning on Friday.  From all of us at Staunton High School, we wish all of you a happy and peaceful Winter Break!

Those are all your updates for this week.  Thanks, as always, for your support of Staunton High School.  Have a great evening!

Nate Collins
Principal
Staunton High School

SHS Exam Policy.pdf

SHS Final Exam Schedule Fall 2019.pdf

SHS Weekly Update 10.28.19

Good evening Staunton High School families and staff,

This is Nate Collins, principal of Staunton High School, and this is your Weekly Update for the week of October 28th, 2019.

First, this is Red Ribbon Week at Staunton High School, and our SHS chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions has planned activities for each day this week to encourage positive decision-making by our students.  Activities this week will include seat-belt checks, informational activities, and a school-wide drug-free school pledge.  Many thanks to our SHS SADD Club for sponsoring Red Ribbon Week!

Next, as we think about positive decision-making this is opportune time to remind all of our families about our school-wide, non-negotiable expectations for student behavior.  We have 5 school-wide non-negotiables:

Strive for Excellence – limit distractions and distruptions.
Take pride in your appearance – dress for success, no hats, no hoods.
Only positive language is acceptable – profanity prohibited!
Respect time – be where you are supposed to be, on time and respect the 10/10 Rule
Manage your use of technology appropriately – bring your Chromebook, no cell phones or earbuds allowed in class.

Also, remember that every teacher and adult at Staunton High School is responsible for holding students accountable to these expectations.  All students need to follow all teachers directions regarding behavior, in classes and in hallways and common areas.  Parents and guardians, we appreciate your help in reinforcing and supporting these expectations for your student.

Next, please remember that this Friday, November 1st is an Early Dismissal Day for students.  Students will be dismissed at 12:50 pm on Friday.

Finally, all Staunton City Schools families are invited to a free screening of the movie Screenagers: Growing Up In the Digital Age at McSwain Elementary School on Thursday, November 7th.  Please see the flyer attached the email version of this Weekly Update for more information and registration information.  Please register to attend by this Friday, November 1st.

Those are all your updates for this week.  Thank you, as always, for your support of Staunton High School.  Have a great evening!

Nate Collins
Principal
Staunton High School

STORM Non-negotiables.pdf

Screenagers Flyer.pdf

SHS Weekly Update 10.21.91

Good evening Staunton High School families and staff,

This is Nate Collins, principal of SHS, and this is your Weekly Update for the week of October 21st, 2019.

First this week, please remember that students enrolled in English 11 first semester will be taking the Writing SOL test this Tuesday and Wednesday.  This is a very important test, required for graduation.  Please be sure students who are testing are prepared.  Be sure to have a good breakfast and remember the old adage, “well rested, well tested.”

Our Counseling Center is sponsoring several upcoming events to assist students and families with the college application process.  First, junior and senior students and families are invited to our College Application Workshop on Thursday October 24th from 6:30-8pm in the Library at SHS.  Please plan to attend for college application information and FAFSA and financial aid information.

Also, senior families, mark your calendar for the Super FAFSA event on Wednesday, November 6th at 5:30 pm.  Staff will be on hand to help students and families complete your FAFSA for college financial aid.

Finally, for seniors, be sure to check the Counseling webpage on our school website for scholarship information.  Some scholarship applications have already opened, and some have due dates coming up soon in November.  Please see your counselor for assistance and more information.  Here’s a link to the Scholarships page.

Next, students taking AP Exams, remember that you need to pay your first payment of $40.00 per AP exam to Ms. VanFossen in the Counseling Center by November 1st in order to take the AP exams in May. This is required by the College Board for all AP test takers.  See Ms. Hahn if you have questions.

Next, all students and parents please remember that our Student Success Center is open after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  Students can get help from peer tutors with coursework, and we also have SAT prep sessions available.  Students should see Ms. Knoxville in room 103 to sign up to attend or talk with their teacher.  Also, remember, we have an activity bus available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, as well.

Finally this week, please remember that this Friday, October 25th is an Early Dismissal Day for students.  Students will be dismissed at 12:50 pm so that students and staff can participate in the Staunton City Schools Miles for Meals 5K at Gypsy Hill Park Friday afternoon.

As always we appreciate your support in helping our students embody our core principals of Courage, Strength, and Community.  Thanks for helping us develop students with the Courage to do what’s right, the Strength to work hard everyday, and the desire to be a positive member of our Community.

Have a great evening!

Nate Collins
Principal
Staunton High School

SHS Weekly Update 9.30.19

Good evening Staunton High School families and staff,

This is Nate Collins, principal of SHS, and this is your Weekly Update for the week of September 30th, 2019.

Well, the most wonderful time of the year is here – that’s right, it’s Homecoming Week at SHS!  Our SCA and class officers have planned a week packed full of fun and school spirit for Stormcoming 2019 this week.  Here is a brief rundown.

Spirit Days:

Monsoon Monday 9/30- Pajama Day (wear your coziest, school-appropriate PJ’s to start to start out Spirit Week)
Tornado Tuesday 10/1- Character Day (come as your favorite artist, fictional character, etc- must be obvious)
Winds Day 10/2- Twins Day (Dress as twin with another student)
Thor’s Day 10/3- Decades Day (dress in the clothes from your favorite decade- Twenty Teens do not count!)
El Nino Friday 10/4- Spirit Day (wear your class colors!!!) – Freshmen –White, Sophomores-Grey, Juniors-Navy Blue, Seniors-Black.

Also this week, we’ll have our traditional Powderpuff Football games Wednesday evening, beginning at 6 pm at Winston Wine Memorial Stadium.  Come out and cheer your class on to victory!

On Friday, we’ll have our 2019 Homecoming Pep Rally to close out the school day.  Float building and the annual Homecoming Parade are planned for Friday afternoon, prior to the Homecoming Football Game vs. Lord Botetourt at 7:00 pm Friday evening.  The 2019 Homecoming Court will be introduced at halftime.

To round out the week, our 2019 Homecoming Dance is scheduled for Saturday night, from 7:30 til 10:30 pm in the Paul Hatcher Gymnasium.  Dance tickets will be on sale during all lunches Monday through Thursday this week for $5.  Tickets at the door Saturday night will be $7.  Also, any students who wish to bring a guest who is not an SHS student must fully complete the Outside Guest Permission Form and return to the Main Office by the end of the day on Thursday.  All outside guests must be high school students or recent high school graduates under the age of 21.  If you have any questions, please stop by the Main Office.

Finally, please remember that Friday, October 4th is the end of the First Quarter and is an Early Dismissal day for students.  We will dismiss at 12:50 pm on Friday.  Looking ahead to next week, please remember that Monday, October 7th is a Teacher Workday, and there is no school for students next Monday, October 7th.

Those are all your updates for this week.  Thank you, as always for your support of Staunton High School.  Have a great evening!

Nate Collins
Principal
Staunton High School

SHS Weekly Update 9.23.19

Good evening Staunton High School families and staff,

This is Nate Collins, principal of SHS, and this is your Weekly Update for the week of September 23rd, 2019.

We hope all our students enjoyed this three-day weekend and are ready to get back to work tomorrow!

First, please remember that Mid-Term Exams for First Semester Classes are scheduled for this week.  Mid-Terms for 1st and 3rd Block classes will be given on Tuesday and Thursday, and Mid-Terms for 2nd and 4th Block classes will be on Wednesday and Friday this week.

Also, please remember that the 1st Quarter ends next Friday, October 4th.

And, finally, we’re looking forward to our 2019 Spirit Week and Homecoming coming up next week, September 30th through October 5th.  Spirit Week and Homecoming are sponsored by the SCA, and there are lots of fun activities and theme days planned for the week.  Check out the SHS Daily Announcements posted on our website for information about purchasing class T-shirts and participating in other Spirit Week activities.  It’s going to be an amazing week!

Monsoon Monday 9/30- Pajama Day (wear your coziest, appropriate PJ’s to start to start out Spirit Week)

Tornado Tuesday 10/1- Character Day (come as your favorite artist, fictional character, etc- must be obvious)

Winds Day 10/2- Twins Day (Dress as twin with another student)

Thor’s Day 10/3- Decades Day (dress in the clothes from your favorite decade- Twenty Teens do not count!)

El Nino Friday 10/4- Spirit Day (wear your class colors!!! _- Freshmen –White, Sophomores-Grey, Juniors-Navy Blue, Seniors-Black.

Those are all your updates for this week.  Thank you for your support of Staunton High School.  Have a great evening!

Nate Collins
Principal
Staunton High School