Silas High School—Principal’s Weekly Message—September 29, 2024—

Silas Core Beliefs

Every student can learn and grow at high levels.

Every student brings valuable prior knowledge to school.

Every student shall have a trusted adult at school with whom they connect.

Every student shall have access to guaranteed and viable curriculum.

Every student shall leave Silas High School prepared for post-secondary options.

The October Equity Theme centers around: VULNERABILITY

Vulnerability does not have to be your innermost and private thoughts. It can be as simple as saying “I don’t know.” With students, sometimes we call this “rough draft thinking”—to include “rough draft math”—so that students take risks in their learning, make mistakes, and try again. We can make mistakes and be excellent. Mistakes are valued as opportunities for learning and are supported by a culture of acceptance where people verbally show their appreciation for one another. We can value something while also recognizing its flaws. We value education while still recognizing the education system has many flaws.

Is it easy or difficult for you to admit when you make a mistake?

Do you feel pressure to NOT make mistakes?

Important Dates

Wednesday, October 2— Mini-Late Start—staff have professional development time per the collective bargaining agreement.

Saturday, October 5—Homecoming Dance—gym—8-10 pm

Wednesday, October 9— Mini-Late Start—staff PLC time

Monday, October 14—PSAT Last names A-N

Tuesday, October 15—PSAT Last names O-Z

Wednesday, October 16—SAT All Seniors

Thursday and Friday, October 17 and 18—Conferences beginning as early as 11 AM and by appointment only (Strongly recommended for any student with any grade lower than C. Staff will reach out to families, but families are welcome to reach out also. These can be in person, online, or on the phone. The hope is that it is live time—not just an email.)

Tuesday, October 22—Prospective Student Night (for current 8^th graders)—5:00-6:30 PM

Please complete CNEEB application—FINAL PUSH!
Have you completed the CNEEB application? I’m asking all families to complete the application by Oct. 1: MySchoolApps - Select District. 

It’s important because it helps schools get additional resources for students, and it helps many families directly with benefits like fee waivers for school-related activities. You might say, my family doesn’t qualify. Please attempt to fill it out anyway so we have documentation of who does and who does not qualify.

It takes about 10 minutes to complete on a phone or computer. Feel free to take care of it at our school’s front office. Families can choose to translate the application in their preferred language.

Printable applications are also on our website at: https://www.tacomaschools.org/departments/enrollment/annual-forms.

Questions? Contact our front office or email householdapplication@tacoma.k12.wa.us.

QR code attached to email.

CONFERENCES Thursday, Oct. 17 and Friday, Oct. 18

• Early release for grades PreK-12, including Head Start, ECEAP and Transition to Kindergarten:
  • Elementary schools that have a regular dismissal time of 3:10 p.m. will dismiss at 11:55 a.m.
  • Elementary schools that have a regular dismissal time of 3:30 p.m. will dismiss at 12:15 p.m.
  • Middle schools will dismiss at 10:55 a.m.
  • High schools will dismiss at 11:30 a.m. Students will attend class periods 1, 2, and 3 on Thursday, and 4, 5, and 6 (in the time slots of 1, 2, and 3 on Friday.
• No school for p.m. preschool
• No school for Peer Inclusion preschool
• IDEA, SAMI, SOTA early release: See your school calendar for times
• Community-Based Transition will dismiss at 10:30 a.m.

Rules for building visitors during school day
We want to ensure that all of our buildings provide a safe, welcoming environment for students, staff and visitors.

If you visit our school during the day, please:

• Enter through the main entrance and sign in at the main office
• Provide a form of identification
• Follow all posted signage related to prohibited activities on school property

Thank you for your help in keeping our school safe.
 

RamTV News: https://youtu.be/otTEDTj5uy0

So What?

Cell phone and earwear update—

Still seeing too many headphones, and other earwear.

What inspired me this week?

New workouts and infrared saunas.

Community Resources: Opportunities — Association of Washington Student Leaders (awsleaders.org)

GO RAMS.