SHS Newsletter

Welcome to the 2019-2020 School Year

Message from the Principal - Matthew Dailey

My family and I are excited to join the Schoolcraft community as I serve as the High School principal. Since beginning the interview process, it is easy to see how an expectation for excellence permeates the culture in Schoolcraft. It is an honor to continue leading a school community that has distinguished itself among other top performing high schools in the area by being forward thinking and anchoring learning in an environment of safety while building positive relationships. From my early interactions with staff, there is a mutually strong desire to serve all students in supporting their journey to success by collaborating within a collegial learning environment. I am thrilled to work and help facilitate this continued excellence.

Prior to coming to SHS, I served as the high school principal in Hazel Park, Michigan. Hazel Park is on the northern border of Detroit, tucked into the southeast corner of Oakland County. While Hazel Park is as different in its' students' needs as it is in its' distance from Schoolcraft, my time in Detroit galvanized my belief that all students can achieve at high levels and it is the mission of each school to understand where each student is on their pathway to potential and create systems to support them. My family is an essential link in my view on the multiple pathways to success. Coming from a family where my dad worked as a professional fire fighter and Michigan State graduate in horticulture, a brother who is a designer, a sister who is working her way through a community college nursing education en route to a four year degree, a wife who is a college professor and a small business owner, a mother in-law who runs and owns a manufacturing business, a brother in-law who has a business degree and is now completing his medical residency, and a grandfather and uncles who owned plumbing and electrical businesses, our family background is as diverse educationally as the needs are of the economy in 2019. In drawing from these collective experiences, the common linkage is for students to find their passion and be equipped with a skillset for critical thinking, collaboration, communication while being intellectually nimble to be a learner for life.

After a week of learning beside our teaching staff, we are entering the new school year with a shared vision for all students learning at high levels. We are committed to enhancing students' literacy in all subject areas because reading is not just contained to English classes. Our staff will engage students through Project Based Learning (PBL) experiences that combine important Schoolcraft Standards with real-life problem solving. Each student will be supported by staff and a student support team that will facilitate conversations and repair relationships when harm has been done via restorative practices. SHS will continue to be an environment of excellence for each student as our staff support learning needed for success in 2019 and beyond.

As you come in and attend your student's events, please come up and introduce yourself. I have met many people since I began in July, and look forward to meeting you, learning about your student, and supporting our Eagles as they continue to soar above the rest.

First Day of School - Tuesday, September 3rd

FIRST DAY SCHEDULE. As a reminder, our first day of school is a half day. Students will attend each of their classes if they have all six classes on campus. Scroll down for the bell schedule and calendar of Delayed Start Days.
SCHEDULE PICK-UP. Student schedules will be handed out in the Cafeteria on the first day. Staff will be available to provide each student with a printed schedule, locker information, and all of the paperwork we need returned within the first week of the school year.
SCHEDULE CHANGES. If your student is missing a class in their schedule or is requesting a schedule change, the may begin the process by checking in with Mrs. Barb Goldschmeding in the Main Office. Students will be seen in the order they appear on the list by our school counselor, Mr. Larry Ledlow.

SHS Student Chromebooks

Students at SHS are provided a Chromebook for educational use during the school year. Students in grades 7-12 may pick up their Chromebook at the Back to School Bash on Tuesday, August 27th. However, before students may have their device, families must complete the Agreement and Release Form (found below). Please review the following documents as sent by James Weiss, Director of Maintenance and Technology. If you were unable to collect your student's Chromebook at the Back to School Bash, please have your student see Mrs. Tammy Wright in the Media Center.

FRESHMEN ACADEMY KICK-OFF: SHS Welcomes the Class of 2023

On Monday, September 26th, our freshmen were greeted by their Freshmen Academy Mentor with the Freshmen Academy Kick-off. As our new SHS Eagles were introduced to their mentor, toured the building, and completed team building exercises, important connections were forged to creating a culture of support in our building. Thanks to Mrs. Lori Pelton for leading the Freshmen Academy with Dr. Donya Dobbin, Kim Klocke, Amy Green, and Doug Flynn for helping support this event. Families in attendance were treated to comedian Craig Tornquist and their freshman participating in the annual Freshmen Academy Kick-off Dance. Mentoring will continue all school year between our Freshmen Academy Mentors and our freshmen.

SHS Science Teacher Katie MacDonnell on Teacher Panel with Back to School Advice

On Monday, August 5th, Ms. MacDonnell represented Schoolcraft Community Schools and SHS with information to families preparing to gear up for the 2019-2020 school year. The event, organized by WWMT Channel 3, highlighted important details for families to consider with how they can support their student and create a partnership between their home and school. We are proud of Ms. MacDonnell being selected to participate on the panel and hope you take a few minutes to click the link to the right to hear more about how to start the new year on a positive note.

As school begins, teachers offer advice, ideas for starting the year rightSeveral teachers from West Michigan schools agreed to participate in a live panel discussion with Newschannel 3, focusing on ways to ensure the new year starts off right. Teacher's Cherise Ward, Courtney Shorter, and Katie MacDonnell sat down with Newschannel 3's Laura Painter to get some insight into how they can best take an active role in their child's education. "I really push for parent involvement," said Ward, who teaches first grade at Arcadia Elementary in Kalamazoo.

E-cigarette and Vape Enforcement

Schoolcraft Community Schools recognizes the health hazards posed by students using electronic cigarettes (E-cigarettes) and nicotine administered via vapes. E-cigarette use by middle and high school students has been on the rise across Michigan since these devices became widely available. In response to this rise in use and the health implications among students eighteen years old and younger, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed two bills on June 4, 2019 banning student possession and use of E-cigarettes and vapes on public property as an extension of the Youth Tobacco Act.

In accordance with the law, students using or possession E-cigarettes and/or vapes on school property will be cited by law enforcement with a civil infraction or found guilty of a misdemeanor. The imposed consequences elevate for each time a student is found in violation of this law.

First offense: State civil infraction, fine up to $50, and the court could choose to impose up to sixteen hours of community service.
Second offense: Guilty of a misdemeanor, $50 fine, and the court could assign no more than 32 hours of community service.
Subsequent offenses: Guilty of a misdemeanor, pay a fine of not more than $50 per offense, and the court could assign no more than 48 hours of community service.

Schoolcraft Community Schools has enacted policies prior to the extension of the Youth Tobacco Act, reinforcing the importance of students remaining nicotine-free. Board Policy 5512 - Use of Tobacco By Students includes the prohibition of students use or possession of all devices dispensing tobacco, including “smoking of electronic, ‘vapor,’ or other substitute forms of cigarettes”. However, the law adopted by the State of Michigan adds further legal ramifications to the school district policy.

Given the addictive nature of nicotine products, it is paramount families remind their students of the hazards of this behavior. As a school community, we not only want to reinforce the importance of students remaining drug and nicotine-free, through informing their choices through school-imposed support. Students in violation of the law and of our school policy could have school-mandated tobacco counseling that would have to be paid for by the students’ parent or guardian.

We all share in the safety and well-being of our students just as much as we collectively have the responsibility to have conversations with our students regarding the health and legal consequences for nicotine use in all of its forms. Mr. Dailey will be meeting with each grade level in the first week of school and among the topics discussed, will be informing students of this policy. If you have any questions regarding Schoolcraft Community Schools’ support of our students with this policy, please contact your student’s building principal.

2019-2020 School Year Calendar

Stay tuned to the SCS Calendar for all of the 2019-2020 holidays, delayed start dates, and major events. In the meantime, important SHS dates for September are highlighted below:

Sept. 3: First Day of School (1/2 Day for Students - see half day schedule below)
Sept. 11: SHS Picture Day
Sept. 12 & 19: Delayed Start (school begins at 8:45 A.M. for students)
Sept. 23-27: Homecoming Week

Daily Bell Schedule

Schoolcraft High School Daily Bell Schedule

SHS Athletics - Updated Ticket Pricing

STUDENTS:
- Prices for students: $1.00 for all Schoolcraft students K-12 w/student ID.
- $25.00 for annual spirit shirt free admission (6-12) when wearing the shirt.
- Triple Threat Pass for student athletes who competed in three sports the previous year.
ADULTS:
- Prices for adults: $5.00 for all varsity contests
- $4.00 for all freshman and junior varsity contests
- $3.00 for all middle school contests
- Active Service/Veterans with ID free Senior Citizens (62+) Free with pass (get from the athletic office)
- $60.00 for adult pass $25.00 for student pass
- Family Pass $110 (two adults) + $10 per child kindergarten and over.
- Season and senior passes are good for all home middle school and high school events for the entire year except for invitationals or tournaments.

NOTE ABOUT NEWSLETTER:

Our goal is to provide a monthly newsletter delivered to the SHS school community electronically. With the "on-the-go" life-style and connectivity to our mobile technology, we hope this communication in conjunction with the Schoolcraft App, Live Feed updates, and social media posts keep you informed about the exciting things happening at SHS and within Schoolcraft Community Schools.

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