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Principal’s Message

Dear Families of St. Helens High School

Students,

We had a great first semester with 190

students on the honor roll and 53 stu-

dents who had a 4.0 GPA. Congratula-

tions to the great accomplishments and

hard work of these students!

We have had a fantastic winter sports

season as well! Our Lady Lion Swimmers

400 Freestyle Relay made it to State and

finished 12th place. Way to go ladies! Our

Wrestlers placed 3rd at Districts with 10

finishers and 6 moving on to State this

weekend! Great job St. Helens High

School Athletes!

Almost Maine, a romantic comedy, was a

drama presentation in February featuring

enjoyable performances from several stu-

dents. Auditions are beginning for the

spring drama Our Town debuting on

Thursday April 24th in the Olmscheid

Auditorium. Come out and support our

dramatists.

SHHS jazz band was very successful in

their recent festival on February 22nd.

They came in 3rd place, way to go! Sound

FX most recent performance was out-

standing! They received wonderful com-

ments from the judges such as “The stu-

dents were able to do what no other

group was able to do that day: Allow the

listener to forget about reality for a

while." Keep up the great work!

Our student leadership team just finished

a successful blood drive through Ameri-

can Red Cross. They had 92 people regis-

tered to donate and a total of 76 pints of

blood.

As we move into spring and start prepar-

ing for graduation, it is important to re-

member all seniors must have their fees

paid in full or be on a payment plan in

order to attend prom and walk at gradua-

tion. If you are uncertain if your student

has fees, please contact Lorraine Coop-

ersmith at 503-366-7401. If your student

qualifies for a concentrated area of study

cord their forms are due to their coun-

selor by April 15th. If your student is re-

ceiving any scholarships or awards that

you have been notified of please submit

your information to Mrs. Allen by May

16th. Additionally, if you have any ques-

tions as to whether your student is on

track for graduation please contact their

counselor. More information on gradua-

tion events will be coming out soon.

Graduation is set for June 6th with seating

in the Doc’ Ackerson Stadium.

The Week of March 3-7 was Classified

Employee Appreciation Week. Our clas-

sified employees at SHHS are a vital part

of the instructional process and we are

very fortunate to have such an awesome

group of employees. Please join all of us

in thanking them for their dedication and

hard work.

Best Wishes and Warm Regards,

BG Aguirre

Principal

St. Helens High School

Important Dates

March / April

3/6—3/9 Equestrian Team Meet

3/8

Wind Ensemble at George Fox University

3/10

Safe & Sober Parent Meeting

7:00 pm Loo Wit Room

3/13 ASB Officer Applications

due to Mr. Lessard

&

SHHS Choir Concert 7 pm

3/18—3/21 First Week of Spring Sports Contests

3/18 SHHS Concert & Jazz Bands 6:30 pm in Auditorium

3/19 Wind Ensemble & PSU Wind Symphony Concert

7 pm in Auditorium

3/21 Budget Reduction Day NO SCHOOL

3/24—3/28

NO SCHOOL—Spring Break

4/3 3rd Quarter Ends &

ASB Campaign Assembly

4/5 NO SCHOOL—Teacher Workday

4/5—4/6

Abby’s Closet Prom Gown

Giveaway

4/7 ASB Officer Elections & Spring Royalty

4/11 NWOC Art Show

4/24—4/26 Spring Play— “Our Town” &

Athletic Booster Auction

ST. HELENS HIGH SCHOOL

PARENT NEWSLETTER MARCH 2014

2 SHHS ACTIVITIES, HONORS Page 2

January Student of Month

Foreign Language Language Arts Science

Most Improved: Krysta Welch Most Improved: Trevor Blackburn Most Improved: Madison Enos

Academic: Brittni Dovel Academic: Julia Plumer Academic: Cylina Gilbert

Social Studies Professional/Technical Health

Most Improved: Zach Zentner Most Improved: Todd Lomax Most Improved: Sarah Dizick

Academic: Silken Taylor Academic: Johnna Snow Academic: Austin Baisch

Math Visual Arts Family & Consumer Studies Most Improved: Brandon Brissett Most Improved: Dakota Shiel Most Improved: Kylie Mortenson

Academic: Melanie Naillon Academic: Haley Swanson Academic: Breanna Yarnell

PE Performing Arts

Most Improved: Anna Stauffer Most Improved: Jeffrey Frazelle

Academic: Michael Norris Academic: Misaki Haginoya

Important Reminders Elks Teen of the Month

September Gavin Capelle

October Melanie Naillon

November Keeanna Huff

December Megan Barnes

January Tanner Long

February Tanner Boyle

SHHS Band Highlights

March 8th Wind Ensemble at George Fox Band Festival March 18th Concert Band and Jazz Band Spring Concert 6:30pm March 19th Wind Ensemble & Portland State University Wind Sym-

phony Concert 7pm

Outstanding Band Performances

Congratulations to the following students for their perform-

ances this weekend at the OMEA District 3 Solo and Ensem-

ble Contest at Tillamook High School. Amanda Click and

Kearin Duarte both performed solos! Kearin Duarte was 2nd

place in the Oboe Division and earned State qualifying

scores. She is the first alternate for the State Solo Contest

in May. In addition to individual achievements SHHS’s Wind

Ensemble received State Qualifying scores at the District

Band Festival!

Attendance Office -

If your student is absent for any reason

please call the attendance hotline 503.366-7447.

On another note please keep us updated with cur-

rent addresses, phone numbers and emergency

contacts.

It is imperative that we be able to reach a

parent or emergency contact person in case of

accident or illness.

Principal’s Office—

See any secretary for your ParentVue

or StudentVue information.

See Mrs. Coopersmith for newsletters

by mail or if you have questions about school

fees. We are here to help you.

Office Hours are 7:30 to 4:00 503.397.1900

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Page 3 SHHS News

Cultural Passes at the St. Helens Public Library

Cultural Passes are items in the library’s collection that can be checked out for a three day period. These passes provide free admission to different cultural institutions in the Portland Metro area, and

one business in Columbia City for those not interested in traveling. The passes act like passports to new experiences for library patrons; allowing individuals, families, children and teens to learn his-

torical, artistic, scientific or athletic concepts without paying the usual admittance fees.

Passes are available for:

Columbia City Sports & Recreation Club Pittock Mansion

Lan Su Chinese Garden Portland Art Museum

Oregon Historical Society Portland Children’s Museum

Restrictions apply. Please see library staff for details.

St. Helens Public Library . 375 S. 18th St. St. Helens, OR 97051

503.397.4544

www.sthelens.plinkit.org

Spring Fever…. As spring approaches, the days get longer and warmer, students are often tempted to take a “sick” day or leave campus early in order to enjoy a beautiful spring day. While we all understand this temptation, it is very important to remember it is difficult for students to perform well academi-cally when they are absent from school. We will continue to monitor student absences and missed class periods. Please remind your teenagers the importance of being in school.

We encourage parents to support regular school at-tendance. We do understand there may be an occasional need to schedule medical, dental, or DMV appointments during school hours. These appointments can be prearranged via note or phone call to the attendance office (503.366.7447). The school must receive a note or phone call to the attendance office within 3 days of the student’s return to school in order for the absence to be excused.

As a reminder to parents, under ORS339.065, an ex

cused absence includes: personal illness, family illness, emer-gencies, funerals, and suspensions. Absences that are not excused under Oregon law include: car trouble, missing the bus, over-sleeping, hair appointments, and job interviews.

We appreciate your cooperation in encouraging your teenager to be in school. Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions regarding your student.

A SPECIAL NOTE:

We had several students who had perfect attendance during the first semester. We applaud these students as well as all of the students who were “tardy free” and made the effort to get to class on time! Congratulations to you all and keep up the good work!

Chris Hanson

Intervention Specialist

503.366.7436

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Mr. Carvalho’s Page Page 4

Dear Parents/Guardians:

As we approach warmer weather and the school year is in the last semester, I would like to take this time to encour-

age you to remain connected to your student(s), their teachers and be diligent in guiding them these last four

months of school. Various topics to consider discussing with them as we move into warmer weather are:

Education and Regular Attendance. Help your student(s) remain focused on school by encouraging them to

attend school regularly, move between classes in a timely manner, maintain a quiet study table time at home,

and have a reasonably early bed time; while you remain connected with their teachers through calls, emails and

the StudentVUE / ParentVue online program. Absences must be cleared up within three days for students to

avoid consequences such as Saturday School. Please be sure and call when your student is absent.

Cell Phones and other electronics. We cannot track stolen electronic items easily, please encourage students

to leave them at home. Students are to shut them off as they enter classrooms and may turn them back on as

they are leaving the building at lunch or at the end of the day. Students using cell phones during class time will

be asked to hand them over for a parent to retrieve. We ask parents to occasionally review text messages sent or

received and know your child’s passwords to cell phones and computers.

Texting, Cyber Bullying and Facebook. With the increased amount of teasing, bullying and harassing occur-

ring through the use of technology it is important that parents guide their students in the appropriate use of

these forms of media. Tips for parents: Know all passwords and usernames; regularly check Facebook with

your student to ensure that your students’ page is appropriate. If you suspect there to be harmful or hateful ma-

terial being sent or posted, please contact a counselor, administrator or School Resource Officer immediately,

saving all correspondence as evidence. We encourage you to also ensure that your student(s) are shutting all

devices off when retiring for the evening. Behind closed doors is where much of today’s inappropriate elec-

tronic correspondence is occurring-out of sight of adults.

Dress Code. Please review the student handbook, pages 19-20 with your student(s). Please be aware that stu-

dents dressing inappropriately for the school environment will be asked to change into appropriate clothing.

Please be sure and scrutinize not only what they have on, but also what is revealed when that sweatshirt comes

off at school, or those pants get traded out for what is in that shoulder bag! Boys need to bring belts or have

pants/shorts that are not sagging.

Respect. Refers to honoring the worth and importance of self, others and property. Please share with your stu-

dent(s) that our society is built upon a framework of respect and that we need to respect others’ beliefs and

opinions, and that we do not always have to say what is on our minds. To make our place in society positive

and rewarding, it is important that we think of what we do and say, and ask if three conditions apply: 1) Is it the

right time to make my statement? 2) Is it in the right place? And, 3) Is it done in the right manner that promotes

order? Good examples are: using PG-rated language on campus, putting cell phones away during instructional

time, treating property with respect-including using garbage receptacles, allowing teachers to teach and other

students to learn, following school rules and policies, and making good use of our educational opportunities to

improve our skills, habits and abilities. Everyone and all property deserves to be treated fairly and with care.

Thank you for partnering with the school to ensure the focus is on preparing your students for the next level of

their education. Your leadership in the home is a key to our leadership in the school.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Mr. Carvalho, Assistant Principal

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Important Dates:

* April 8th—Graduation Announcements arrive from Jostens.

* April 15th—Concentrated Area of Study Forms (cords) due to your counselor

* April 30thth—All Fees need to be paid to Mrs. Coopersmith in the Front Office to

participate in Graduation Exercises.

* May 14th—Cap n Gown n tassels arrival from Jostens.

* May 16th—Senior Award Forms are due to Mrs. Allen for honors at Senior Award Night

Mon & Tues June 2nd & 3rd : Regular In-Seat day for Seniors. Make sure that all of your textbooks and loaned materi-

als have been turned in and all of your fees and fines have been paid.

Wednesday June 4th: Last Regular In-Seat day for Seniors. Check Graduation Walking Order & Partners, posted in

Commons by 4pm.

6:30pm Senior Awards Ceremony. Report to auditorium with your parents. You will not need your Cap n Gown, but

dress in your nicest clothing. You will NOT receive an honor or award unless you have informed our head secretary,

Brie Allen, of that award prior to Friday May 16th.

8:00pm Baccalaureate. Following the Senior Awards Assembly, exit to put on your Cap n Gown. Line up in the

auditorium lobby to formally re-enter as a group, in your walking order. This event is religious in nature and all atten-

dance is optional. It is created & coordinated by students and ministries aside from our school programs. It is generally

45 minutes in length.

Thursday June 5th

8am Marching Order & Assembly Practice. Find your marching partner and marching order. Quickly line up in the

Commons, couple #1 at the door leading to A Building and the line continuing up the ramp toward the LooWit room

and C Building. You will be wearing your Cap n Gown attire for the assembly.

9:50 AM Senior Assembly in Main Gymnasium. Wearing Cap n Gown, we will enter the gym in processional, once

the student body is seated and waiting. We will exit the gym in recessional and go directly to the back gym, waiting for

the student body to exit the gym.

Following Assembly(*11:30am) – Class Photo by Bell Studios. At this time, we will take a full class photo wearing Caps n

Gowns. Following the photo, we will return to our assembly seating for order and depart to the stadium. Each gradu-

ate will carry their chair with them.

11:45am- Stadium Set Up & Practice. Graduates will leave the gym in marching order. Once lined up and staged in

grad-marching/seating format, they will move to the stadium to practice their first official graduation entry.

Page 5 Graduation Week Basics: Senior Obligations

REMEMBER April 30th 4pm Fee Deadline

All Fees must be paid at this time to participate in Prom

or our evening Graduation Exercise.

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Friday June 6th

12 Noon – Senior B-B-Q ―Lunchtime for the Graduates!‖ Please assist our Parent Volun-

teers with cleanup from the luncheon.

1:15 pm – Doc’ Ackerson Stadium: Report to the track and line up in your walking order. We will be

lined up and walking at 1pm.You must be present at this practice and diploma procedure to partici-

pate in the Graduation Ceremony.

6pm – Graduation Night! Report to the Commons to form your marching order and prepare for

Graduation. Wear Cap n Gown. Students must be wearing proper attire. Ladies’ flowers and

Honor Cords will be handed out at this time.

―Proper Attire‖ – Young men: Dark pants (slacks preferred) & dark shoes (no flipflops

or tennis shoes)

-Young ladies: Dresses, Skirts & Dress Slacks & Dress shoes

(sandals/open toes must have a heel) * Don’t be afraid to look nice!

Immediately Following the Ceremony: A) Go to the Commons to meet with families B) Change

clothing and line up outside of B-40 to board Senior Party Bus. C) Diplomas may be picked up the

following week, Mon-Wed, 10am – 2pm.

Page 6 Office Notes & Graduation Notes

** Spring Plant Sale ** March 17-April 11

St. Helens High School 2014

Seniors Celebrating Success Party

Beautiful plants available – arriving just in time for Mother’s Day

hanging baskets perennials organic vegetables

bedding annuals organic herbs

Place your order with a SHHS Senior student (or pick up an order form at the high school front office or re-quest a form from ycebrahimi@msn.com)

Pick up your plants on May 10, noon-3 pm at high school front door (by the flagpole).

Order today!

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Seniors Celebrating Success

Future Planning Meetings at 7 pm in the Loo Wit Room at the High School

March 10, April 14 May 12.

“SENIORS CELEBRATING SUCCESS”

SAFE & SOBER PARTY

PAYMENT WAS DUE BY February 28TH 2014

MISSION STATEMENT: To provide a safe, fun, affordable and supervised celebration for our SHHS Class of 2014 seniors.

Contact information: shsafeandsober2014@gmail.com or craig.w.strang@intel.com Find us on Facebook: Parents: St. Helen's Class of 2014 Graduation Party Parents Group

Seniors: SHHS Class of 2014 Safe & Sober Party

Chairperson: Craig Strang Secretary: Kay Enyart

Treasurers: Casie Nash & Crissie Teyema Volunteer Coordinator: Shannon Vaerewyck

COST AND PAYMENT INFORMATION: PAYMENT WAS DUE FEBRUARY 28TH TO MRS. COOPERSMITH OR MAIL

TO P.O. BOX 302, St. Helens, OR 97051. If you have not made your payment by the deadline, please do so as soon as possible. We need a headcount already in order to ensure we have what we need for each participant.

$150.00 flat fee (“buy-out” with no further obligations to volunteer) OR

$50.00 with 10 hours of volunteer time (performed either by the student or parent)

You may also “sponsor” a Senior who may otherwise not be able to attend.

___________________________________________________________________________________

UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

ST. PATRICK’S DAY “FILL THE HAT”: Monday, March 17 6:00-8:00am. Safeway intersection. Working with the Fire Dept, Police Dept., similar to Fill the Boot for Muscular Dystrophy. Details will be posted on Facebook & in Mr. Lessard’s classroom. CONTACT: Shannon Brewer-Tice.

POP CAN DRIVES: March 15, April 12. Ace Hardware parking lot, 8:30-4:30. Need 2 adults and 3-4 Seniors per

shift. Will have one in May, but awaiting a date. CONTACT: Jill Parrott

SPRING PLANT SALE/MOTHER’S DAY FLOWERS: Beginning early April with delivery date May 10. CONTACT: Christine Ebrahimi

MOVIE TICKETS: Movie ticket sales for Scappoose Cinema ~ ongoing. Discounted tickets can be purchased at

SHHS Main Office. CONTACT: Jill Parrott

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS: We have only 5 more books to sell $30.00 each ~ ongoing. CONTACT: Kay Enyart

T-SHIRT SALES: “I love my Lions” t-shirts, gold glitter or glow-in-the-dark. CONTACT: Casie Nash or Julie Sand-strom

OVER 21 GAMES NIGHT/SILENT AUCTION/SPAGHETTI DINNER/BAND AT THE ELKS LODGE: May 17 CON-TACT: Kay Enyart, Michele Strang, Deb Sisco. NEED ADULT VOLUNTEERS AND AUCTION ITEMS.

PAPA MURPHY’S PARTNERSHIP: April 30. CONTACT: Kay Enyart

EXPO CENTER:

Roadster Show, Fri-Sun, March 14-16, two separate stands, shifts 11am-5pm and 5pm-10pm FRIDAY. 9am-3pm and 3pm-10pm SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. Need three adults and three Senior students per shift, per stand. Adults must have OLCC. CONTACT: Craig Strang

YO PLACE: 11:00-1:00 EVERYDAY Monday through Friday: 20% ON ALL PURCHASES, BUT MUST INDICATE SHHS CLASS OF 2014. CONTACT: Kay Enyart

YO PLACE GIFT CARD SALES: Will sell gift cards again March 10-21. CONTACT: Kay Enyart

MEINKE GIFT CARD SALES: Will sell gift cards again March 10-21. CONTACT: Kay Enyart

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UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

Portland Auto Show, Fri-Sun, April 4-6, one stand, shifts 6am-1pm and 1pm-7pm FRIDAY, 6am-12pm and

12pm-6pm SATURDAY and 7am-2pm SUNDAY . Need three adults and three Senior students per shift. Adults must have OLCC. CONTACT: Craig Strang.

DUTCH BROS PARTNERSHIP: Details to be announced soon. CONTACT: Kay Enyart

BURGERVILLE PARTNERSHIP NIGHT: April 9, 4-8pm. Will need several students to help. CONTACT: Kay En-yart

EASTER BUNNY PICTURES/BAKE SALE: Details to be announced soon. CONTACT: Shannon Brewer-Tice

GO FUND ME: An account has been set up, www.gofundme/754uds that can be shared with family, friends, busi-

nesses to donate money to the Safe and Sober party. CONTACT: Julie Sandstrom

SAFEWAY CLUB CARD: A portion of your purchases at Safeway can be dedicated to the St. Helens High School Safe and Sober Party. This program was established to be carried forward from one Class to the next. Go to the eScrip website, enter your Safeway Club Card number to our group ID: 500020802. CONTACT: Michele Strang

We have 256 Senior students. Of those, as of February 24th, 105 Seniors who have volunteered hours and/or paid. That leaves us with 151 Seniors we still need reach out to so they can go to this great party we have planned! Please spread the word!

WE NEED PARENT AND SENIOR INVOLMENT TO MAKE THIS AN EVENT OUR SENIORS WILL REMEMBER. PLEASE COME TO THE MEETINGS, VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME, BRING NEW IDEAS TO HELP RAISE MONEY FOR THE GREAT CLASS OF 2014.

Seniors Celebrating Success Continued

St. Helens High School

2375 Gable Rd.

St. Helens, OR 97051

School Phone: 503-397-1900