Talawanda High School E-News - December 4, 2020

Dear parents,

We certainly are wishing everyone a wonderful Holiday season. We also realize that these times are trying to say the least. Stress and anxiety, for some, are at  high levels during this season that is traditionally a very stressful time. Please step back and take a big breath. 

We want your students here but, unfortunately, we have experienced what many other schools have faced and that is the inability to provide basic services such as cafeteria operations, transportation and a lack of substitute teachers. These jobs are increasingly difficult to fill as infections continue to rise. 

Our plan is to bring students back to school, in-person, if you choose, January 19th. The process for returning has been explained in a letter that you should have received this week. This date is not arbitrary but has been targeted by medical professionals and experts in community health as the time when infections should reach a plateau and or begin to drop. Let's hope that this does indeed happen. 

In the meantime, as tough as it is, students need to be engaged. Attendance is still expected as if we were in session, face to face. It is especially difficult for younger students, 9th and 10th graders, to understand, they must earn credits to matriculate or advance into the next grade level. In other words, a Freshman that does not earn credits, is a Freshman, again, the next year. No one wants to take 5 years to finish high school. Please be aware of this. 

If you are having problems, if stress is debilitating, or you have questions without answers, please contact your student’s Guidance Counselor and teacher.

Tom York

Reminders:

• “End Of Course” tests for students taking 1st semester Government and Seniors who are re-testing will be held December 14th - 18th. Please click here for more details.

• Talawand/Butler Tech FCCLA is sponsoring a clothing drive. Click here for more info.

• Best Buddies will meet Wednesday, December 9 at 2pm for our holiday Zoom party. All students are still welcome to join us. Please email Mrs. Sammons at sammonsa@talawanda.org for the Zoom link. 

• Submit a picture for inclusion in the yearbook! Please visit this site and enter the supplied ID: www.images.jostens.com 

ID#: 415713950  

• If you are submitting an underclass picture please follow these rules:

1. Solid, single-color background - NO OUTSIDE PICTURES!
2. Chest up portrait, face can be seen clearly
3. No props, filters, or other extra features added

• If you are submitting a senior picture please follow these rules:

1. Backgrounds are up to you, these can cater to your senior
2. Face must be seen clearly, but not limited to only chest shots
3. NO FILTERS -but-  props are ok as long as they follow code of conduct

You must provide the first and last name of the student you are uploading, as well as grade and email.  This applies to all students, even seniors.  You can no longer submit your photo to yearbook@talawanda.org! Please use the provided link and school code!  If your portrait does not follow the rules supplied, you will receive a notification of a rejected photo and be asked to resubmit!

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT UNDERCLASS: JANUARY 29TH, 2021

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT SENIOR PHOTO: MARCH 5TH, 2021

• Learn more about PAX Tools, simple strategies for teaching kids behavior! 

• Beginning Monday, November 16th, food distribution will take place each Monday at ALL FIVE SCHOOLS between 2:15-2:45. ALL children ages 1-18 are eligible for FREE meals. See our flyer for more information.

• Seniors, don’t forget to order your cap and gown! Early bird prices end 12/19/20.

• A group conducted over WebEx by the high school's clinical psychology intern in conjunction with the counseling office is being offered to increase high schoolers’ connection and engagement with their peers for those who have chosen to continue school online. Other things the group may focus on include: problem-solving difficulties related to online school, and learning coping skills for anxiety related to Covid-19. Please contact Teresa Peter (petert@talawanda.org) if your teen is interested.

• PUSH has funding for furnace and water heater repairs or replacements. Grants are available to low-income, homeowners in the Talawanda School District for critical and emergency home repairs. Call Jeanne or Sabrina at 513-523-8100 for more information.

• Talawanda-Butler Tech FCCLA Talawanda Spirit Wear Sale:  Items will make great gifts for the holidays! https://gotchacoveredcustomts.com/shop/ols/categories/2020-thsfccla-fall-spirit-wear-fundraiser

• Find out what’s going on in the community here!

THS Calendar of Events- 12/6/20 to 12/12/20

Sunday, December 6th

6 – 8 pm Fermata Nowhere Rehearsal, 608 and outside

Monday, December 7th

2:15 – 2:45 pm Weekly Food Distribution, Main Entrance

3 – 4:30 pm Fermata Nowhere Rehearsal, 608 and outside

3:30 – 4:15 pm Setting Stone Meeting, Virtual

7 – 9 pm Mock Trial, Virtual

Tuesday, December 8th

3 – 4:20 pm FFA Online Testing, Media Center

4:30 – 5:15 pm Talawanda Tribune, Virtual

7 – 8:30 pm Academic Challenge Practice, Virtual

Wednesday, December 9th

10 – 11am FFA meeting, virtual

11 am – 12 pm Talawanda Hope Club, Virtual

12 – 1 pm Diversity Club, Virtual

2 – 3 pm Project Green, Virtual

2 – 3 pm Best Buddies, Virtual

4 – 5:30 pm Mock Trial, Virtual

Thursday, December 10th

7 – 8:30 pm Academic Challenge Practice, Virtual

Friday, December 11th

3 – 4:30 pm Fermata Nowhere Rehearsal, 608 and outside

Saturday, December 12th

No events scheduled