September 2012

CAPITAL HIGH SCHOOL

NEWSLETTER

Principal: Vice Principals: Clinton H. Giles Our job is to improve, not just maintain.” Daniel Ramezan

Wendy D Bailey

Susan M Young

Angela S Cruikshank

Opening Day of School

Friday, August 17, 2012 was the official first day of school for all Kanawha

County School students.

Capital High School has opened its doors to 1293 students. Administrators,

teachers, service personnel and students remarked that this was the smoothest opening we

have had in the 24 year history of the school. We had few unscheduled students. A few

student schedules needed alterations and additions to some class periods. The vast

majority of teacher rolls were up-to-date.

We did open school with two teacher vacancies. Although we have several long

term substitute teachers in the building, all have certifications and endorsements in the

subject areas they teach.

Only a few of the 28 school buses that serviced Capital High School that first

morning had any difficulty making the rounds and they were only as few minutes late.

After school there was no significant delay in any bus departure. There were a few

students who reported they had missed their bus that afternoon after school had been

dismissed promptly at 3:05 P M.

There was a bit of difficulty in establishing the correct bus for a moderately large

group of student athletes. However, after a few days this issue was satisfactorily resolved

with the assistance of the Elkview bus terminal supervisor. We thank the supervisor for

her generous assistance.

I'd like to take this opportunity to extend to Mr. Clinton Cope and the custodial

staff much-deserved commendation for the outstanding condition that the building was in

on the first day. Clearly, the entire custodial staff had worked tirelessly in order to ensure

that everyone was welcomed back into a sparkling clean, brightly lit, well-maintained

environment that continues to be a source of great pride for us all. Although the building

is not fully occupied, space is at a premium.

Ms. Patti Bumpus and our two clerks, Ms. Connie Hanna and Mrs. Laura

Woolwine, have worked feverishly since we returned to work on July 9, 2012. We could

not possibly have had an opening this smooth without their efforts.

Our classroom aides did an outstanding job assisting the teachers in their

preparations for the students to arrive. Most all have gone above and beyond the call of

duty on several occasions already this year.

Students have been receiving some of the best meals ever served at Capital High School.

We thank Mrs. Brenda Morris and the food service staff for that.

Only on a few occasions have the meals been served on anything other than

standard cafeteria trays! Recognizing the additional effort required of the cooks to

provide this added touch everyone is deeply appreciative of the changes that they have

seen so far while the food service program is undergoing a continuing transitional period.

As I have remarked recently, whenever an organization - especially a large

complex organization - experiences success in any way, shape, form, or fashion, there is

no single person who can take credit for that success. Many, many people in the

background working hard and putting forth their best efforts without seeking any

personal recognition or gain deserves the credit for the success - not one single

individual.

Open House

08/30/12

Our annual Capital High School Open House was hosted on the evening of

August 30, 2012 beginning at 7:00 PM.

During Open House parents were able to pass through a mock schedule of the

school day here at Capital High. The parents were afforded the same six minute walk

time between classes that the students have.

While they were in each classroom, parents were able to become acquainted with

the teachers, especially those they had not met before. The teachers shared with the

parents their course syllabi, expectations for behavior and performance in class and their

grading scales, among other things.

The middle of our mock school day was a time for rest and relaxation from the

hectic schedule being followed. Parents and students present observed lunch in the

commons during the respective lunch period (4th

, 5th

, 6th

) of their student. This enabled us

to provide parents with an opportunity to sit and recover a bit or congregate together and

meet other parents.

During the lunch period, healthy snacks consisting of various fruits and juices

were served. After the lunch periods, the schedule was resumed with all remaining

classes meeting through the completion of the regular schedule. Subsequently, our mock

school day ended and everyone was able to leave and travel safely to their respective

homes, we hope.

We want to thank the many hundreds of parents who attended the Open House.

Without your presence and the demonstrated concern for and support of education you so

abundantly provided, the evening would not have been nearly as successful.

A special thank you is extended to the faculty and staff of Capital High School.

The gracious extension of your time and the effort you displayed working to prepare for

the evening were generous gestures that will not go unrecognized neither will they soon

be forgotten!

New Faculty and Staff Members

Several new faces appear at Capital High School for the 2012 - 2013 school year. We ask

that you join us in giving them a hearty welcome to the home of the Cougars!

Together, they assist in ensuring that one of the most capable, competent, qualified

professional faculties ever assembled in a public school in West Virginia continues to be

employed at Capital High School. Several recently retired Capital teachers are serving as

long-term substitutes. Additionally, we have added another Capital High School

graduate/alumnus (Anne Endres) to our fine faculty.

Subject fields and names for our newest faculty and staff members are:

Regular Teachers

English-12 Ms. Jennifer Cogar

English-9 CSU Mrs. Mary Harrah

Exceptional Students Mrs. Julia Garnes

Math Ms. Toni D. Marino

Social Studies Mrs. Valerie Hanshaw Leasure

Spanish Ms. Anne Endres

Fine Arts/Art Mrs. Donna Young

Speech Therapist Ms. Elizabeth Jordan

School Nurse Mrs. Rebecca Barr

Substitute Teachers

Applied Arts & High School 101 Mr. Bob Scott (Retired)

English Mrs. Pat Edwards (Retired

Math ½ Day (Returning) Mr. Terry Ferrell (Retired)

Math ½ Day (Returning) Mr. John Vencill (Retired)

Service Personnel

Secretary Mrs. Cheryl Gray

Custodian Mr. Denny Taylor

Custodian Mrs. Diane Laughlin

Cook I Mrs. Millie O’Daniel

Over the course of the summer and until the beginning of this new school year several

former faculty and staff members left Capital High School through retirements and

transfers. They all contributed immeasurably, in a positive way, to the education of

thousands of students. We miss them and wish them all well in their present and future

endeavors.

Local School Improvement Council

08/30/12 Our first meeting of the 2012 – 2013 school year was held Thursday evening August 30,

2012 at the school.

The regular Capital High School Local School Improvement Council (LSIC) will always

meet at 6:00 PM the Thursday before the Instructional Support day unless otherwise

specified.

The agenda for the first meeting included the following entries:

Principal Information/Updates – Mr. Giles

School opening enrollment -1293/ new teachers & substitutes *Seniors’ last day – May

17, 2013 Graduation/Commencement - Tuesday, May 21, 2013 - CCCC* - A Limited

Number of tickets for each graduate will be provided. Diplomas will be mailed to

graduates.

Pupil Services and Facilities Assistant Principal Presentation – Ms. Bailey, Mrs.

Cruikshank, and Mr. Ramezan Discipline program overview, Discipline referral

process, Suspensions, Expulsions.

Curriculum Presentation – Mrs. Young

West test scores, Advanced Placement (AP) data, Staff Development

The annual Capital High School Attendance Area LSIC meeting will be held at West

Side Elementary School on Thursday December 6, 2012 beginning at 6:00 PM. This

meeting will be hosted by the Superintendent of Schools and the Kanawha County Board

of Education.

Below are the dates for the Instructional Support days and the meeting dates for the

Capital High School LSIC.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend and participate in the Local School

Improvement Council meetings. Created by an act of the West Virginia Legislature, the

LSIC affords parents and guardians important opportunities to participate in the decision

making of the school.

A viable Local School Improvement Council is an essential advocacy group that can

serve to ensure the success of the school, in general and the highest levels of student

achievement in particular!

Instructional Support Days L SIC Meeting dates

IS Day - October 15, 2012 *LSIC - October 11, 2012*

December 06, 2012 Area meeting at West Side Elementary

IS Day - December 21, 2012 LSIC - December 13, 2012

IS Day - February 11, 2013 LSIC. – February 07, 2013

IS Day - April 08, 2013 LSIC- March 28, 2013

*IS Day June 03, 2013 LSIC– May 16, 2013

Instructional Support Day

The first Instructional Support Day (IS) of the 2012 -13 school year will be held at

Capital High School on Monday, October 15, 2012.

As usual, teachers will be in their respective rooms to meet with parents from 8:00 AM

until 10:00 AM.

Beginning at 10:00 AM the Capital High School Faculty Senate will convene and will

conclude its business at 12:00 PM. Lunch will be observed from 12:00 until 1:00.

After lunch, staff development will follow lasting from 1:00 until 4:00 PM in various

locations throughout the building.

Instructional Support Days for 2012 - 2013

IS Day - October 15, 2012

IS Day - December 21, 2012

IS Day - February 11, 2013

IS Day - April 8, 2013

*IS Day June 3, 2013

How to Avoid Tardiness to Class

(Suggested Locker Routine & Time Management)

(When to Go to Your Locker)

7:10 To Locker – Obtain all books and materials for 1st and 2

nd period classes. Take all

of these books and materials to Home Room with you.

9:38 To Locker - After Home Room during Extended Walk Time – Discard books and

materials from previous periods. Obtain all books and materials needed for all classes

prior to your respective lunch period

To Locker - When going to your respective lunch – Discard books and materials from

previous periods. Obtain all books and materials needed for classes before 6th

period -

Take these books and materials to lunch with you!

(Students who have 6th

period lunch may need to carry materials for 3 class periods

prior to then.)

1:10 To Locker - After 6th

period during Extended Walk Time – Discard books and

materials from previous periods. Obtain all books for 7th

and 8th

period classes.

Extended Walk Time

Extended Walk Time (8 minutes) is provided to afford both students and teachers an

opportunity to accommodate personal needs at strategic points during the school day. An

opportunity is provided mid-morning. Additionally, an opportunity is provided mid-

afternoon. You are encouraged to condition yourself to take advantage of the opportunity

established within the routine suggested above to provide for your own comfort and

convenience.

(The respective student lunch period is a naturally occurring, mid-day opportunity.)

Points of Emphasis

Always proceed directly from one class to the next. Stopping to talk will

practically ensure that you will be tardy to your next class.

Always go to class first to obtain permission from your teacher for that period to

go to the R/R between classes.

Always go to class first to obtain permission from your teacher for that period to

go to a locker; see a counselor; see an administrator; see another teacher about an

assignment, etc.

2012 – 2013

Fall Honor Society Application Opportunity

Monday, September 10, 2012 will mark the date that applications will be made available

for a select grouping of students who wish to have their names considered for induction

into the Capital High School Chapter of the National Honor Society.

This select group will be limited to members of the 2013 graduating senior class of

Capital High School whose applications as underclass persons may have been declined

previously, and other senior class members who may not have attempted to apply

previously.

We have established a GPA standard for this and future application requirements at 3.5,

either weighted or non-weighted.

Also, we feel that by establishing this additional application opportunity during the first

nine weeks of the school year we provide the largest number of seniors the opportunity to

include this distinction on their college and scholarship applications by extending the

invitation to qualified applicants to join the National Honor Society here at the Capital

High School.

The established policy of Capital High School is to establish this early application

opportunity during the first weeks of the school year, in perpetuity. The tentative

timelines established for this is as follows:

Applications obtained and completed – September 10 to September 21

Applications are evaluated – September 24 to September 28

Notification to applicants and parents - October 1 to October 5

We will continue to offer the traditional early spring application opportunity beginning at

the conclusion of the first semester (middle of January) and concluding with induction

ceremonies - both on school time and after school - by the end of March. All early

applicant inductees (1st nine weeks) will be included in these ceremonies

STUDENT SIGN-OUT, SIGN-IN, RETURN TO CLASS

(From pages #12 and #13 of the 2011 – 2012 Capital High School Student Handbook)

The following procedures cover signing out, signing in after an absence or when

tardy, and returning to class after an absence:

Signing-Out

1. The student should have his/her agenda book.

2. The student must bring a note signed by the parent or guardian to the

Attendance Office one day in advance of the sign-out date.

3. The parent or guardian must call the Attendance Office one day in

advance of the sign-out date.

4. All medical or legal appointments must be verified in writing on an

appointment card or official stationery, by a physician, dentist, law

enforcement official, legal agent, or a representative of the office/firm

visited.

NOTE ADDED: Absent compliance with items #2 and #3 above a

parent/guardian must be present in order for a student to be signed out of

school.

NOTE: There should never be an occasion wherein a student leaves the

campus before the scheduled end of his/her school day without signing out

through the Attendance Office. Students who do so will be considered as

having skipped and will be dealt with accordingly. They will be credited

with an unexcused absence for the day as well.

Signing In Following an Absence or Tardy

The student arriving late to school and/or returning to school after three (3) or

more consecutive day’s absence:

1. Must appear at the Attendance Office window and have his/her admit processed

before being allowed to return to class.

2. Shall not be permitted to sign in tardy or late for school, for reasons other than

those authorized under the State Department of Education guidelines covering

excused and unexcused absences.

Counselor’s Corner

Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year. We have been off to a busy, yet positive

start. All students should be appropriately scheduled and on track for this year. If

you have any questions, concerns, or just want to connect, please feel free to contact

your child’s counselor. Each counselor works with grades 9-12 and is assigned a

certain part of the alphabet. Below you will find your child’s counselor and contact

information.

A-E- Lori McNabb, Ext. 108, LMCNABB@kcs.kana.k12.wv.us

F-K- Lisa Dorsey, Ext. 106, LDORSEY@kcs.kana.k12.wv.us

L-R- Anne Flynt, Ext. 104, LFLYNT@kcs.kana.k12.wv.us

S-Z- Jennifer Stowers, Ext. 105, JMSTOWERS@kcs.kana.k12.wv.us

PSAT test will be administered on October 17th

. Students should see

Mrs.Woolwine in the career center to register for test.

SENIORS-

Senior Parent Night will take place on Thursday, September 6th

@ 6:00P.M. in the

LGI at Capital High School. There will be a lot of important information given out

regarding FAFSA, credits, transcripts and much more.

ACT Test dates:

Test Date Registration Deadline Late Fee

Required

September 8, 2012 August 17, 2012 August 18-24,

2012

October 27, 2012 September 21, 2012 Sept. 22-Oct.

5, 2012

December 8, 2012 November 2, 2012 Nov. 3-16,

2012

February 9, 2013 January 11, 2013 Jan. 12-18,

2013

April 13, 2013 March 8, 2013 March 9-22,

2013

June 8, 2013 May 3, 2013 May 4-17,

2013

Test Fees

ACT- No Writing $35.00

ACT Plus Writing $50.00

From the Studio

As usual, while many were enjoying the summer, the Dance Company was

already hard at work. After performing at Festivall, they endured four weeks of classes

and two choreography sessions. Now that we are back at school the dancers are taking

technique class twice weekly, creating new Hip Hop choreography and working on new

dance works. We just finished two wonderful workshops with professional

dancer/choreographer/instructors Daniel Hunalp and Nic Harris. The fun never stops!

Other dance classes have started their year with a unit about how dance can be

used as a means of healthy living. We have discussed eating habits and how to use dance

to stay toned and keep the body moving. We will continue with this idea in mind as we

move into our first Jazz Unit. We have more boys than ever involved in dance here at

Capital and they are doing great work. Athletes are using dance to gain greater flexibility

and agility. Other students are just taking class for the love of the art. It has been a great

start to the year.

The Dance Company continues to work hard in preparation for upcoming

performances. Our first scheduled performance so far will be our Homecoming Pep

Assembly where we will test out some of our new skills. It should be one to watch this

year as we are incorporating some “throwbacks.” Put December 1st and 2

nd on your

calendar as it will be our first showcase and will include all the work we have done so

far, as well as some other guest performances.

We are currently selling Save Around books and, as always, have Kroger cards

available. Please contact Ms. Legg if you would like one of the books or cards. Below

you will find some bullets regarding things we have upcoming. Please feel free to email

or call Ms. Legg for more information on ANY of these events or to book us for a

performance.

Email: alegg@kcs.kana.k12.wv.us

Phone: 304-348-6500 ext. 159

September 16th

Dance Company Cookout

October 12th

Homecoming Pep Assembly

December 1st or 2

nd Contemporary Holiday Performance

December 22nd

Performing Arts Holiday

The 2nd

Tuesday of Every month is the Dance Booster meeting at 6PM.

Physical Education

The Physical Education department kicked off the year with new activities for this year.

We are doing a lot of teamwork activities that we hope will allow our students to get to

know each other, help each other feel more comfortable and have better sportsmanship as

we move through the semester. We are building towers, forming letters with our bodies,

and many more team building activities. We have also started into our Frisbee unit where

we are using much of our new equipment we received for this year. Students are

throwing, catching, laughing and having fun!

Spotlight on VIPs

Stay Informed! Communication is critical to the success of the Capital High

School Choral Music program. We communicate with choral students and their families

by email with monthly newsletters which contain information about VIP events,

important dates and times, and occasional last minute bulletins.

The Capital High School “Voices In Perfection” Show Choir worked July and

August with body conditioning in preparation for the school year. Student exercised by

running and dancing designed to teach the fundamental dance combinations for this

year’s competition show. August 9-11 the VIPs held their annual camp at Cedar Lakes in

Ripley, West Virginia. They had a jam-packed 2-1/2 days of choral and vocal technique

while learning approximately eight new songs they will perform throughout the year.

Two weekends later they had their first choreography workshop with Gates Crisler from

San Francisco, CA. They completed the first two songs of their competition show, which

is amazing. Thank you to the students for their HARD work and to parents who provided

lunch and snacks both days of the workshop. Two songs down and three to go! Keep up

the good work.

September 11th

is our first VIP Choral Booster, Inc. meeting at 7 PM in the Choral

Room (322) where we will be discussing our Spaghetti Dinner and Auction to be held on

October 15 in connection with Parent-Teacher Conferences. More details will be given

about the Dinner-Auction in the October newsletter.

Foreign Language

While we wished Mrs. Ayers a happy retirement, we worried about finding her

replacement. Mrs. Ayers very successfully taught Spanish I and II for fifteen years, and

we knew it would not be an easy task to replace her expertise and dedication to the

school. However, fortune favored us again, and one of our very own scholars came to us

ready to teach Spanish I and II. We are so proud to announce that Miss Ann Endres,

recently graduated from Concord College and still working on her master’s degree, has

joined the teaching staff at Capital High School. Miss Endres spent the summer in Spain

perfecting her language skills and acquiring the cultural background that she needs to

teach Spanish. It is with great pride that we welcome one of our own students back home

to Capital High School.

English Department News This summer several of our teachers in the English department participated in a variety of

family, community, and continuing education opportunities that broaden and deepen their

content knowledge and skills in their classrooms.

Susie Garrison took a weeklong training in the new Next Generation/Common Core

Standards. Says Mrs. Garrison, “This summer, I was fortunate enough to attend Teacher

Leadership Institute with the State Department of Education in Morgantown. The Next

Generation standards were introduced to us so that we could work within our county

teams to facilitate the implementation of these standards to all Kanawha County middle

and high school English teachers. The standards are more challenging, more detailed,

and hopefully will provide our students with an ability to tackle the challenges and issues

they’ll encounter as adults. I’m very excited about the implementation of this “new” idea

of teaching!”

Our newest addition to the department, Jenn Cogar, is now just one credit away from an

additional certification in special education. Carol Buckalew continued her work with

the West Virginia Writing Project and its collaboration with Marshall University.

Kristen Olsen worked with the Upward Bound program. Describing her experience, Ms.

Olsen said, “I spent five weeks of my summer teaching English at West Virginia

State University for the Upward Bound Program. This is a program in which I have

participated for the past two summers. I have found it to be a rewarding and enjoyable

experience. I also spent time in Dawson, WV, taking a graduate class which focused on

classroom technology and strategies during a weeklong AFT retreat.”

Rosalie Blaul served for her third year as an Advanced Placement Reader in Louisville,

spending a week scoring AP Exam essays, then she participated in a four-day Advanced

Placement Summer Institute here in Charleston. She also was trained in Common Core

Standards in Morgantown for an English initiative known as “CR12.”

Ann Miller noted her summer was especially full as she served as a juror on the Kanawha

County Circuit Court for four weeks, completed a Bible study of the book of Esther,

helped her daughter move to a new city, added a new grandson to the family, and

“danced through the summer with my two-year-old granddaughter”-- also enriching

experiences that make us even better classroom teachers!

Capital Success University (CSU)

Ninth Grade Transition Academy September 2012 News

Our ninth grade students are off to a successful start at Capital High School. Faculty and

staff have welcomed the new class of 2016 to our school, and together we have made the

“Commitment to Graduate (C2G).” The C2G concept is shared and being implemented

with our partners from Jostens Corporation. It is our goal to educate and graduate every

student who enters Capital High School. Mr. Wendall Sampson will be making a C2G

presentation to our new ninth grade class on Wednesday, September 12, 2012.

We are pleased to announce a new addition to our CSU staff, Mrs. Mary Harrah in

English. Mrs. Harrah is excited to be part of the CSU team and is pleased to be working

with our newest class. Additionally, we have also added Ms. Donna Young, a fine arts

teacher in the CSU area of our building.

Mrs. Donna Young is a highly experienced

professional artist and teacher who has exhibited and received numerous awards for her

own works of art including the WV Juried Exhibition, Cedar Lakes, and Whiting Art

Museums. She has taught art at George Washington High School, Sissonville High

School, East Bank High School and Cabell Alternative School. She identifies her

favorite quote as the following: "It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in

creative expression and knowledge." - Albert Einstein. We are looking forward to the

creative expression that will be demonstrated by her students.

Returning faculty to CSU include, Mrs. Susie Garrison, Mr. Jon Carpenter, Mrs. Angela

Roach, Mrs. Cynthia Phillips, Ms. Soo-Kyong Choi, Mrs. Ann Miller, Mr. Bradford

Clark, Mr. Matt Greene, and Mr. Scott Swayne. Additionally we have the added support

of other teachers in our area of the building, Mrs. Ruth Miller, Mr. Adam Drake, Mrs.

Christy Pennington, Ms. Connie Kittle, as well as Cpt. Armstrong and 1st Sgt Riley.

Accelerated Reader Program

Ninth Grade Students are automatically enrolled Accelerated Reader Program at Capital.

Students who read books from the AR list (contact the school librarian), and successfully

pass the AR test that accompanies the book, will be in competition for rewards/prizes that

are funded by the school’s faculty senate. Students are provided 20 minutes of

uninterrupted reading time in each of their core classes one day per week in an effort to

establish good reading habits, and to emphasis the importance of reading and

comprehension skills.

All students are encouraged to read and test their comprehension skills with the

Accelerated Reader Program. Students may test under the supervision of our librarian,

Mr. Allen Burgess, or their respective English teacher.

Student Agenda Books

Your student should be utilizing their student agenda book to remain organized and meet

important deadlines and due dates in each of their classes. Please ask your student to

share their agenda book with you on a weekly basis. Help them manage and maintain

order to their class workload. In CSU this year, we have established designated days for

homework assignments. We are focusing on the students completing their agenda books

daily in an effort to help them stay organized. In CSU this year, we have established

designated days for homework assignments. Though your student may have homework

in every class each night, there are specific days that they will definitely have homework

Monday-Math

Tuesday-Science

Wednesday-English

Thursday-Social Studies

Edline

You and your student should check Edline on a regular basis. If you need assistance

gaining access to your student’s Edline Account (online grades), please contact a

counselor or your student’s English teacher.

Student Council News

Student council is off to a busy beginning! We started the year by assisting the

counselors and administration with Freshman Orientation on Thursday, August 16. Our

freshman student council elections took place Friday, September 7, 2012. We are

awaiting the results from the voting, and hope to have them announced the week of

September 10-14.

In addition to this, 30 student council, honor society, and mentors members are assisting

the United Way on Wednesday, September 12. Our students will be working with

Charleston Parks and Recreation on beatification projects around the city.

Finally, we are throwing a tailgate for the first home football game of the season! We

play Princeton on September 14. The tailgate begins at 6:00 right outside the gate at

Laidley Field, and any student wearing blue and gray will eat FREE! Please join us in

cheering for our football team as they take on the Princeton Tigers!