PRINCIPAL'S  PAGE 


HOLT HIGH SCHOOL

5885 W. Holt Road, Holt MI 48842
Main Phone: 517-694-2162

                                              Attendance:     517-694-3446
                                              Counseling:     517-694-2116
                                              Athletics:         517-694-2383
 Brian P. Templin                  H.S. Fax:         517-699-3451        Driving Directions 
    Home of the RAMS  
 For information on emergency school closings go to:  www.wlns.com  Channel 6, "Your News Leader
 
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10-12 grade New Enrollment:
 
 
Parents enrolling a student at Holt High School need to bring:
birth certificate
immunization record
2 items as proof of residency
transcript from student's former school
 Contact: Mrs. Kristie Hagerman, Admin. Asst. at HHS 699-7864
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GRADUATION ACTIVITY CHANGE FOR ALL STUDENTS  

Beginning with the graduating class of 2012 and beyond, students no longer have the option of "walking" during the graduation ceremony without fulfilling their full credit requirements in accordance with Board Policy.  This change was adopted by the Holt Public Schools Board of Education in April 2011; letters and reminders have continually gone home to parents to make them  aware of the graduation requirements.  As a point of reference graduation credits for each class are listed below.

2012             30.5 credits needed for a diploma along with the MME test requirement
2013             32.0 credits needed for a diploma along with the MME test requirement
2014-2015    33.5 credits needed for a diploma along with the MME test requirement
 
Additional information can be obtained through the counseling center at Holt High School or review requirements at the HHS Counseling Website
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STUDENT SAFETY IS  A PRIORITY

Your older student may know the rules about crossing a street but they may not always follow them or may get distracted. Though laws provide for pedestrians to have the right of way, cars don’t always see our students or follow this rule. 

We discourage students from walking across Holt Road and provide shuttle busses between the high school and the 9th grade campus. Shuttle bus information is clearly posted in the main hall near the front doors or students can stop in the office to find which bus to ride across the street.

Students making the choice to walk across Holt Road for any reason must cross at the pedestrian walkway using the traffic light system. Please remind your student to use care and caution when crossing, to always cross at the intersection, and to watch approaching traffic. Students crossing the street in the dark early morning hours should take extra caution and wear light colored clothing that can be seen by drivers.
 
Please use care when dropping off your student — be patient, drive slowly, and realize that caution should be exercised around all the schools in Holt.

 

 
 
 
 
ABOUT HOLT HIGH SCHOOL
 
 
SENIOR INFORMATION
 
 
Seniors order Cap/Gown/Tassel - $19.95 - Jan 18 & 20 during lunch periods
Parents can order during Parent-Teacher Conferences as well. The sales rep will
be at a table in the main hallway at Holt HS during conference times.
 
SENIOR PICTURE REQUIREMENTS - for 2011-12 school year
 
SENIOR PICTURES were DUE to the yearbook advisor by
Friday, October 14 at 2:30p.m.   The yearbook pages were
designed, finalized, and sent to the publisher.
Clara Swihart, advisor  699-7437
 
 
STUDENT SUCCESS
 
 
PARENT INFORMATION & IDEAS
 
Rambling On Parent Newsletters:
    Winter 2011
        Fall 2011
          
 
 
 
 
FORMS
Parking Pass
Athletic Pass

  For TRANSCRIPTS go to the Counseling/Office Website
 ______________________
 
HHS CALENDAR
 
2011-12 Holt HS Calendar link to print PDF
 
 
JANUARY 2012
   2         Winter break (Monday)
   3         School resumes (Tuesday)
   4         FULL DAY Weds. - school @ 7:30am
  11        1/2 day Weds. - school @ 10:30am
  16        NO SCHOOL (Monday)
  18        FULL DAY Weds. - school @ 7:30am (no conferences on this date)
  19        1/2 day Thurs. AM - school @ 7:30am
              CONFERENCES 12:30-3:00pm & 5:30pm-8:00pm
              Financial Aid Night - Theater 5:30-8pm
  25        1/2 day Weds. - school @ 10:30am
 
FEBRUARY 2012
   1        1/2 day Weds. - school @ 10:30am
   6         Parent Information Night for Scheduling 7-8:00pm
   8        Full Day Wednesday, Count Day
  15       1/2 day Weds. - school @ 10:30am
  20        NO SCHOOL (Monday)
  22       FULL DAY Weds. - 7:30am - 2:30pm
  23       MSVMA District Choir Festival - all day
  24       MSVMA District Choir Festival continues
  29       1/2 day Weds. - school @ 10:30am
 
MARCH 2012
    6       MME Testing - Junior students attend only Beginning at 7:30am
    7       MME Testing - Juniors @ 7:30am / Sophs & Sen @ 10:30am
    8       MME Testing - Juniors @ 7:30am / Sophs & Sen @ 10:30am
   12      9-12 Drama Night - 7:00pm
   14      EXAMS for 1 & 2 hrs - 7:30am-11:10am
   15      EXAMS for 3 & 4 hrs - 7:30am-11:10am
   16      EXAMS for 5 & 6 hrs - 7:30am-11:10am
   19      3rd Trimester Begins
             PAC meeting 7:15pm, Library
   20      MME makeups scheduled thru Counseling Office
   21      MME makeups scheduled thru Counseling Office
   22      MME makeups scheduled thru Counseling Office
   27      HHS Talent Show - 7pm - Theater
   28      FULL DAY Weds. - 7:30am-2:30pm
   30      Spring Break begins (Friday)
 
APRIL 2012
 2-6       Spring Break
    9      NHS Induction, 7:00pm Theater
  11      1/2 day Weds. - school @ 10:30am
  16      Academic "H" Award Night, 6:30-8:00pm, Theater
  18      1/2 day Weds. - school @ 10:30am
  23      Top Ten Dinner, 6:30pm
  24      HHS Band Showcase Concert 7pm Theater
  25      1/2 day Weds. - school @ 10:30am
  30      3.5 Dinner for seniors (by invitation) 6:30pm
 
MAY 2012
    2     1/2 day Weds. - school @ 10:30am
    3      Conferences in evening 5:30-8pm only
    7     Awards Night 6:30-8:00pm, Theater
    9     1/2 day Weds. - school @ 10:30am
 15-16  9-12 Drama Nights 7pm Theater
   16    1/2 day Weds. - school @ 10:30am
   17    Vocal Music Cabaret Concert 7:00pm Theater
   19    PROM
   22    Vocal Spring Concert - 7:00pm - Theater
   23    1/2 day Weds. - school @ 10:30am
   24    Band Spring Concert - 7:00pm - Theater
   28    Memorial Day NO SCHOOL
   29    Senior Exams
   30    1/2 day Weds. - school @ 10:30am
 
JUNE 2012
    2    Senior Breakfast 9:00am Commons
    3    Commencement 4:30pm, Breslin Center, MSU
          Baccalaureate @ 1:30pm, HHS Theater
    6    FULL DAY Weds. - school @ 7:30am-2:30pm
   11   EXAMS 1 & 2 hrs - 7:30am-11:10am
   12    EXAMS 3 & 4 hrs - 7:30am-11:10am
   13    EXAMS 5 & 6 hrs - 7:30am-11:10am
   13    LAST DAY at senior high - teachers finished
 
 
 

                             ~ COMMON MISSION STATEMENT ~
 
The mission of Holt High School is to create a supportive community where every student experiences success in an exemplary academic program as measured by district, state, or national standards. Each student will graduate as a responsible and respectful citizen with a clearly defined post-secondary plan.
We Care   .   We Learn   .   We Grow
 

ABOUT HOLT HIGH SCHOOL

Holt High School is a four year comprehensive school. The main high school campus, housing grades 10-12, is located on a 40-acre campus-like setting with a performing Arts complex seating 850 in the theater and a comprehensive on-grounds Athletic complex.

Ninth grade students are housed in a separate facility called the 9th Grade Campus (NGC) which is located directly across the street from our 10-12 campus.


In 1989 Holt High School became the first Professional Development School (PDS) affiliated with Michigan State University and the Holmes Group.  The goals of a PDS are to improve teaching practices and student learning through the application of the most current educational research and on-site action research.

Holt High School has been honored as one of the top 100 schools in the country, recognized through the award of a Presidential Blue Ribbon.

 
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Common Core State Standards 2011

 

The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The standards were developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts, to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce.

 

These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs. The standards:

 

  • Are aligned with college and work expectations;
  • Are clear, understandable and consistent;
  • Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills;
  • Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards;
  • Are informed by other top performing countries, so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society; and
  • Are evidence-based.

 

 

To view the standards, visit: Common Core State Standards

 

To view crosswalks between the Grade Level Content Expectations, the High School Content Expectations, and the Common Core State Standards, visit: Michigan Department of Education

 

 

http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards

 

 

http://michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-6530_30334_51042-232021--,00.html

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Understand your role in your
child's academic plan.

PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT

for Scheduling Classes

All parents and students should attend!

 
 
Monday, February 6
Holt High School Theater
7:00 p.m.
 
  • Information and resources to help you select classes in preparation for college or a career.
  • Understanding your responsibility in the class selection process.
  • Timelines for class selection and scheduling.
  • Credit requirements for a HHS diploma.
And MORE!
Call the HHS Counseling Office for more info
694-2162
 
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CAP & GOWN ORDERS

 
$19.95 (includes tax!)
 
Cash or check payable to: National Recognition Products
 
Most seniors have ordered their cap, gown, and tassel unit. Seniors that did not order will be sent a reminder card in the US Mail.  Watch your mail for a postcard regarding ordering these items. You can call "the gown man", Andy Gillespie, at National Recognition Products, at 517-282-9876 or email him at gownman@aol.com.

________________________________

SENIOR Grad Announcement Orders

Orders were taken at the high school in December for announcements and senior items. If you missed the order dates you can still place your order by calling the National Recognition Products representative, Debbie O'Bryan at (734) 677-3400 ext 303 or by going to their website at www.nrponline.com.
 
 ________________________________
SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS
Be Successful in Class
 
Be in school, on time, every day.  When you miss school, you miss class presentations, notes, discussions, assignments, quizzes, and tests. It doesn't matter how good you are about making up your work, you can never make up all of what you miss, even if you're out of school for only one day. To get good grades, you must be in school every day. Unless you have an extended illness or a serious health problem, you should miss no more than a few days of school a year.
 
Learn how to adapt to different teachers.  In the classroom, the teachers are in charge and they make the rules. You might have one teacher who counts you tardy if you're not in your seat when the bell rings, and another teacher who considers you on time if you have one foot inside the door. It doesn't matter whether or not you agree with the first teacher's rule; it only matters that you are in your seat when the bell rings. Part of your education is to learn how to adapt to different sets of rules, personalities, and teaching styles.
 
Be prepared for each class. Have everything you need with you when you go to class (books, paper, pencils). Also have all of your homework done. When you've done your homework, you get more out of the class, the material being taught makes more sense, and you can participate in discussions. If you haven't done your homework, you may not even understand what your teacher is talking about. Being prepared also means that you come to class well rested and ready to learn.
 
Sit in the front of the class, if possible. It's easier to pay attention and stay involved when you sit in the front of the classroom. If you have a problem paying attention, ask your teacher if you can sit close to the front.
 
Participate in class. Participating in class makes the class more interesting. It also helps keep your mind focused. Ask and answer questions, and get involved in class discussions. Many teachers give participation points, so participating can also help you get a better grade.
 
Always to your homework. Don't look at homework as something you should do. Think of it as something you must do. Since a large portion of your grade is usually based on homework, your grade drops every time you miss an assignment. Complete all of your homework on time and, whenever possible, do extra credit work.
2011 Woodburn Press; www.woodburnpress.com
 

 _______________________________

Michigan Laws Concerning Alcohol
and Underage Drinking
 
 
 
 
Michigan laws are very stringent when it concerns children under the age of 21 consuming beverages containing alcohol. The days of thinking “it’s just kids being kids” is a thing of the past and has been replaced with strict guidelines and punishments. Some of the more common teenage occurrences include:
 
MIP - A first offense of minor in possession (MIP) of alcohol is a criminal misdemeanor which goes on your permanent criminal history and your automobile driver’s license. While a sentence deferral or expungement could erase the offense later, there are serious consequences. For a first offense, the fine is $100 and no jail, however, jail time can be awarded if probation is not correctly followed.
 
A second offense can include imprisonment for not more than 30 days but only if the minor has been found by the court to have violated an order of probation, failed to successfully complete any treatment, screening, or community service ordered by the court, or failed to pay any fine for that conviction or juvenile adjudication, a fine of not more than $200, or both, and may be ordered to participate in substance abuse prevention services or substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation services. The teenager’s driver’s license will also be suspended for 30 days and restricted for an additional 60 days thereafter.
 
 
Legal Consequences of Providing Alcohol to Underage Youth
 
 
A person who sells or furnishes alcohol to an underage youth will be fined $1,000 and may go to jail for up to 60 days. A person who sells or furnishes alcohol a second time will have a $2,000 fine, a 90-day mandatory jail sentence and possibly community service. If someone dies as a result of underage alcohol use, the person who provided the alcohol may be imprisoned for up to 10 years and/or fined up to $5,000.
 
Drinking and Driving - The State of Michigan has some of the toughest zero tolerance and underage drinking laws in the country. Michigan’s “Zero Tolerance” law, which states that an underage driver cannot have a blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) over .02, was established to help curb teenage driving fatalities. A first offense can include up to a $250 fine and/or up to 360 hours of community
service. The teenager’s driver license is restricted for 30 days, four points on their driver record, and an assessment of a $500 Drivers Responsibility Fee for 2 consecutive years.
 
A second offense within seven years includes up to a $500 fine and/or up to 60 days community service as well as up to 93 days in jail. A driver license suspension of 90 days will be assessed. Any prior drunk driving conviction results in a minimum one-year drivers license revocation. Four points will be levied on the teenager’s drivers record and a $500 Driver Responsibility Fee for two consecutive years will be imposed. A BAC level of .08 or above constitutes a Driving Under the Influence charge (DUI). Parents may be responsible for any and all damages relating to alcohol and driving caused by their teenage child until that child is 18 years of age.
 
  
_________________________________
 
 

High School Math: How Parents Can Help Build Skills

 by Patti Shezzi, www.SchoolFamily.com

By the time your child reaches high school, ideally he will be self-motivated and able to tackle courses like algebra, geometry, and statistics. But for many teenagers, a lifelong fear of numbers, lack of motivation, and a weak foundation make high school math a struggle.

Students who get lost may need to go back and relearn the basics, says Joseph R. Davis, author of The Essentials of High School Math. But convincing your child she needs help can be a challenge. “When it comes to students who really need help, it’s almost like they rebel,” Davis says. “The more parents push, the more students push back.”

If your child says she doesn’t want or need help in math, don’t give up. Let her know you want her to make peace with math. Even if she plans a career that doesn’t specifically require math, she could suffer setbacks if she doesn’t have a solid grasp of the fundamentals. Here are some ways you can help your child get her math skills on track.

Inspire your child. So many students just lack confidence. By the time they get to high school, they are comfortable saying “I’m not good in math.” In many cases, they’ve been saying it since 4th grade. Look for every opportunity to boost your child’s confidence. Point out math skills he might not even realize he has. For example, his knowledge of the stats for his favorite baseball team might reflect a deep understanding of math concepts. Sometimes just one A on a quiz will turn a child’s attitude around. Study with your child so he can experience that feeling.

Tutor your child. If you have a solid math background, even if you haven’t used it for a while, you may be able to work with your child. Instead of leaving her to labor over homework assignments, set aside time every week to work on the specific skills that are holding her back.

Hire a tutor. In some cases, even if you have a close bond with your child and you are strong in math, you might not be the best person to help him. Of course you want a tutor with a solid math background, but you also need to find the right personality to connect with your child. Sometimes a simple rephrasing of the steps for solving a math problem will trigger a light bulb moment.

Get the tools for your child to teach herself. Some free resources on the Internet might be useful. You can help your child assess the quality of sites that offer free math help. Ask the math teacher for extra help.

Step away from the calculator. A graphing calculator looks impressive, but it can mask math weaknesses. Sometimes you have to take the calculator away from your child to assess what he really knows. Some high school students never mastered the multiplication tables. “That is the core of algebra,” Davis says. Ask your child to explain to you what multiplication is. If you help your child learn basic multiplication tables without a calculator, everything else just might fall into place.

Encourage your child to use math every day. At a restaurant, have your child calculate the tip. At the mall, have her figure out the cost of a sweater that’s 35 percent off. When you’re driving, ask him how long it will take you to drive a certain distance at a certain speed. Cooking, knitting, and gardening also offer great opportunities to use math at home.

Parents are often reluctant to help their kids with math because they don’t have confidence in their own abilities. Regardless of your skills, it’s a worthwhile investment to help your child get comfortable. Solid, basic math skills will help your child get through high school, get into a good college, and succeed in life, whether she chooses a career as an English professor or a pastry chef.
Dec 2011
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Reducing Test Taking Anxiety
 
  • Try to maintain a positive attitude while preparing for the test and during the test.
  • Get a good night's sleep before the test.
  • Show up to class early so you won't have to worry about being late.
  • Stay relaxed; if you begin to get nervous take a few deep breaths slowly to relax yourself and then get back to work.
  • Read the directions slowly and carefully
  • If you don't understand the directions on the test, ask the teacher to explain it to you.
  • Do the simple questions first to help build up your confidence for the harder questions.
  • Don't worry about how fast other people finish their test; just concentrate on your own test.
  • If you don't know a questions skip it for the time being (come back to it later if you have time), and remember that you don't have to always get every question right to do well on the test.
  • Focus on the question at hand; don't let your mind wander on other things.

If you're still experiencing extreme test anxiety after following these tips, seek help from your school counselor.

 
 2003-2008 Test Taking Tips, TestTakingTips.com
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