ANNOUNCEMENTS

Fleas jump, elephants roam, NIGHTHAWKS SOAR!

2010-2011 STUDENT HANDBOOK

Good Morning Nighthawk Families:

A quick scheduling update here... 

Many of our students experienced some kind of schedule conflict or unexpected course change since Opening Day.  The good news... while we've faced some unique challenges scheduling students this summer and now into early September, the counseling department is making steady progress resolving these conflicts.  In fact, we anticipate completing schedule corrections by the end of next week.

A little context...

The Poway Unified School District converted its student data management system in July.  SASI (Schools Administrative Student Information System), a cross-platform system that provided administrators and teachers with access to student demographics, attendance, schedules, discipline, grades, extended test histories, and state reporting codes for over a decade was no longer going to be supported by its parent company.  As a direct result, PUSD converted to a new, web-based student information system called Genesis.  This transition was difficult on a number of fronts - too many to unpack in an email like this - and in spite of everyone's best efforts, resulted in more confusion and frustration than we like or are accustomed to.  While no one on Team Del Norte is happy about the outcomes we achieved, really, our experience was not that different from our colleagues' experiences across the District. 

What to expect this next week...

Counselors will continue to make changes to student schedules through the end of next week.  They are processing changes as quickly as possible, but this is cumbersome work.  The reasons for the volume of schedule changes are three-fold: 

1.      The conversion to Genesis dropped important programming data that ensured the proper placement of most students.  Our counselors now have to review each student transcript by hand to ensure our kids are in the right spots.

2.      We are balancing sections, making every attempt to evenly distribute students, so both teachers and student have an equitable experience.

3.      The District has granted us two new sections (one in Spanish and one in English) in just the past few days.  While this provides much needed relief for our most impacted teachers and effectively lowers student-teacher ratios, it also means students - some of whom had no prior schedule issues - are now being shuffled to create the even distribution referenced above.

So... as we come to the end of this arduous process making final staffing and scheduling adjustments, I want to thank you for your patience, faith, and good will.  We know class changes can be extremely upsetting to some students.  Nobody wants to have to change classes after spending a week settling in and beginning to build new relationships with teachers and peers.  We get that... but at the same time, we have to get this right.  Fortunately, we're almost there. 

 As you communicate with counselors, now and in the future, please keep in mind Mrs. Kihneman and Mr. Tahapary have caseloads of 600 students each. Their response to emails and telephone calls may sometimes be delayed.  The most effective way to communicate any schedule change needed is by having your child complete a Schedule Change Request, with parent signature.

Looking forward to ending this week on a high note.   I hope to see you all in the stadium tonight!  GO NIGHTHAWKS!

Counseling home - Mr. Tahapary and Ms. Kihneman are available to assist students with academic, college, career and social/emotional needs. We are prepared to help students with a four-year high school program, college and career planning, as well as trade and technical vocations. If you have questions about your graduation status or about the kinds of electives which are most appropriate to your particular goals, any counselor can help you.

Academic Plan/Graduation Requirements

A-G Requirements

About the Trimester system

Planning for College

Athletic Website

DEL NORTE FOOTBALL

Friday, September 3, 2010 JV Football vs. RBHS at DNHS @ 4:00

Friday, September 3rd is Del Norte High Schools first Varsity Home Football Game vs. RBHS at DNHS @ 7:00 pm

This game is the San Diego County Prep Pigskin Reports Game of the Week.  Come for all the excitement of our first Varsity football game!

Football Ticket Prices

Adults $7.00 Students w/ID & Seniors $5.00 Students w/ASB sticker $4.00 Children under 5 free

(exact change or small bills are greatly appreciated)

Go Nighthawks!

Club Information

     Visit the ASB website for more information about how you can get involved... CLICK HERE FOR A LISTING OF ALL OUR CLUBS!
Getting Involved is the Key to success!