December 2023
December 2023
Message from the Principal:
Dear Parents and Guardians,
With December here, it's a busy time at Alexander Central High School! As we gear up for the end-of-semester exams, I want to stress the importance of being present at school every day. Now's the time for review sessions and making sure assignments are turned in. Encourage your child to be here, engaged, and ready to tackle these exams head-on.
The exam period will run from Monday, December 18th - Friday, December 22nd.
December 18 - 1st Block Exams
December 19 - 2nd Block Exams
December 20 - 3rd Block Exams
December 21 - 4th Block Exams
December 22 - Exam Makeups
The Exam Exemption Policy applies:
Students may earn the opportunity to be exempted from final exams each semester in classes NOT giving an EOC or CTE exam by meeting the following attendance requirements:
Final Grade # of absences (excused and unexcused)
A 4 or less
B 3 or less
C 2 or less
Students will be marked absent if they are exempt from exams and choose to be absent from school for the exam. If students do not want absences showing on their final transcripts, they must come for exams. Any student that is suspended Out-of-School is not eligible for exam exemption. Students cannot make up time to be eligible for exemption from any exam.
Dismissal procedures for the week of exams:
Each day, when prompted by an announcement, students will report to the class for the afternoon review. Once students arrive, the teacher of the review block will either tell a student that they are required to stay or give the student an exit ticket. Teachers are encouraged to communicate to a student if they will be required to stay for their review period. Students are then dismissed to lunch or leave with an exit ticket. Please wait for announcements to dismiss students from exam locations and to leave/lunch.
*In order for students to leave campus, they must bring a signed and dated note from a parent or guardian that includes a working phone number. Students will need to bring a note for each day of exam week. A parent phone call will not be sufficient for students to sign out.
In closing, I would like to congratulate this week's Golden Ticket Prize winners (for juniors chosen by their teachers during ACT reviews in core classes).
Student Winner's
1st Draw - Candy & Cafeteria Iced Coffee
Preston Brookshire
2nd Draw - Candy & Cafeteria Ice Cream
Chloe Echerd
3rd Draw - Candy & Cafeteria Iced Coffee
George Bynon
4th Draw - Candy & Cafeteria Ice Cream
Ryan Lape
5th Draw - Candy & McDonald’s Gift Card
Aniston Chapman
Each week we will call to the main lobby any junior that received a Golden Ticket for the previous week's ACT warm-ups. At that time we will draw five tickets from the raffle drum in the main lobby. Parents of juniors, please encourage your child to do their best during the ACT warm-ups!
I wish you all a joyful holiday season!
Sincerely,
Jacob Lail
Principal
#BLUECOLLARGOLDSTANDARDS
Anti-Vaping Videos
I encourage you to watch this brief video and reinforce with your child the importance of making informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Digital Citizenship - ACS Monthly Parent Newsletter
Click HERE to access the newsletter.
Important Reminders
PowerSchool Parent Portal- If you do not already have access, please contact Stacy Davis in the main office. She can provide you with information on how to sign up for access. Parent Portal is the primary means of monitoring your child's attendance and grades.
Academic Calendar- Click here for the 2023-2024 Alexander County Schools Academic Calendar.
Progress Reports- Progress reports will be sent home with students on the following dates:
1/30, 2/20, 3/12, 4/16, 5/7
High School Attendance Policy- Students missing (9) or more days in a semester-long class will not receive credit for the course unless the student makes a 70 or higher on the EOC, CTE State Assessment, and/or teacher-made exam and earns a passing grade (60) for the course.
Exam Exemption- Students may earn the opportunity to be exempted from final exams each semester in classes NOT giving an EOC or CTE exam by meeting the following attendance requirements:
Final Grade # of absences (excused and unexcused)
A 4 or less
B 3 or less
C 2 or less
Students will be marked absent if they are exempt from exams and choose to be absent from school for the exam. If students do not want absences showing on their final transcripts, they must come for exams. Any student that is suspended Out-of-School is not eligible for exam exemption. Students cannot make up time to be eligible for exemption from any exam.
ACT (11th Graders)- For ALL 11th Graders on February 27th.
Workkeys Testing (12th Graders- February 19 - March 15th. The WorkKeys is an ACT assessment which is administered to all North Carolina 12th grade CTE completers. Students who score platinum on the Workkeys will receive a free Prom ticket!
Prom - Moretz Mill in Hickory on May 11th, 7:00-11:00 PM
FFA Banquet- In the ACHS Cafeteria on Thursday, May 16th. Time TBD.
Honors Graduation Ceremony- This ceremony will be held on May 19th at 3:00 PM in the auditorium.
Scholarship Ceremony- This ceremony will be held on May 24th at 8:30 AM in the auditorium
Awards Day- This event will be held on May 24th in the gymnasium. Time TBD
Important Graduation Update- The class of 2024 Commencement Date is Friday, June 7th at 7:00 PM in the football stadium. Graduation practice is scheduled for 1:00 PM on Thursday, June 6th. Practice is required for all seniors planning to walk.