Happy Spring!!! Although it feels that warm weather, sunny skies, and blooming flowers are far from our future, spring is indeed just around the corner. Things will be happening fast over the next few weeks, especially for our seniors. Please make it a point to ask your children to keep you abreast of news from school and help them to stay on top of deadlines.

The third quarter comes to a close next week with report cards going home on March 18th. Our district does not administer third quarter exams as a result of the spring GEE/iLEAP testing which takes place near the close of the third grading period. The testing structure is a bit different this year with the GEE/iLEAP exam being administered in two phases. The writing part of the exam will be given on March 23rd. It is imperative that 9-11th graders be present on that day. Remember, this is a high-stakes exam which is a required component for graduation. The multiple choice part of the test (Phase II) will be administered during the week of April 12th. The exam is being split this year to help assure that scores will be available prior to the close of school. Please understand that testing procedures including administration dates are determined by the LA Department of Education. If you have any questions about GEE or iLEAP testing please contact our guidance counselors at (985)649-7975.

Senior project presentations will be taking place during the month of March. Please come by and participate as an audience member if you are able. Just stop by the front office to receive a visitor’s pass first. The seniors have worked very hard on these projects and having an audience would help lend to the authenticity of the presentations.

Around the close of school, I start to receive requests for students to take final exams early so that they may attend family vacations, reunions, etc. Please be advised, the school calendar is made public more than a year in advance and vacations are not valid excuses for missing school. Please schedule trips and other summer activities accordingly. I will not be granting permissions for students to take exams early. With a valid excuse, students may take a make-up exam but again, the excuse must be valid (please see student handbook).

Spring usually brings a great deal of excitement and activity along with the warm weather. Please be sure to monitor your child’s activities outside of the school day. I can’t tell you how often I get parents in to see me after a weekend or extended holiday with concerns about disagreements that are ongoing from neighborhood disputes. It’s important to know who your children are with, what they are doing, and what time they are coming home. It concerns me to find out that kids were gathered to fight sometimes in large groups and sometimes with the endorsement of adults. These kinds of activities can’t help but carry over to the school building and distract from the purpose of school, which is to learn. Our administration and staff is devoting far too many man hours sorting through confrontations and disputes that begin at home and are allowed to fester and spill over here. Please do your best to assist with this matter whenever possible. Do not encourage your children to resort to a physical altercation. Help them to understand that words can not hurt and that "looks" mean nothing. Ignoring this type of aggression is usually the best and least confrontational way to deal with it. When it gets to be too much, please ask a school staff member to intervene. Students should not take matters into their own hands. Under no circumstances is physical confrontation allowed at school and all parties associated with it will be suspended (at minimum) and recommended for expulsion under some conditions.

Thanks for doing your part in raising responsible, contributing members of our community. It takes all of us working together. You have my commitment and my respect. I know it isn’t easy, but our kids are definitely worth it. Please feel free to contact me whenever the need arises. Blue skies ahead...

Sincerely,

Terri Wortmann, Principal Salmen High School