Sept. 11 - We Will Always Remember

Do You Know the Standard Response Protocols?

 Chadron Public Schools has been proud to work with the iloveuguys Foundation to provide clear, plain, standard responses to emergency events.  The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) has undergone a couple of changes in the past year.  One is the change from the term "Lockout" to "Secure".  'Lockout' was too similar in sound as 'Lockdown' so the term was switched to maintain a clear understanding of the difference.  The other change is the addition of "Hold", which simply asks students and staff to remain in their rooms during class. 

Here are brief examples when each would be used in a school or activity setting:

"HOLD" - Keep students in classroom.  Ex. A student has a seizure and medical staff need to enter the building without interruptions or distractions in the halls.

" SECURE" - No one enters or leaves the building because of a threat outside the building.  Ex. Police are looking for a suspected criminal in the area near the school.

"LOCKDOWN" - Avoid, Deny, Defend.  Ex. A threat is inside the building.

"EVACUATE" - Exit the building quickly and safely.  Ex. A fire drill or actual fire in the building.

"SHELTER" - Take shelter in a safe area.  Ex. Tornado drill or actual tornado warning in announced.

Homecoming Dance

From Mr. Mack

I thought I would share a little of the discussion regarding hosting a homecoming dance.  I appreciate the maturity and representation that our Student Council members provide, however, I do have concerns for the current idea to move the homecoming dance away from a school sponsored activity. Ultimately, I believe our students should have voice, therefore, I will respect their final decision ...but not without expressing my concerns.

Here's the a portion of the email I sent to the sponsors to share for all student members at the September 9th Student Council meeting:

The Superintendent agrees with me that there are many benefits to hosting a dance so we could 'control' the environment better than having the students attend an off campus dance.  With that, we want to communicate that we would host a dance if PPHD permits, perhaps an outdoor venue, but face masks would be expected to be worn.  If the students choose to do their own thing off campus, we can't control that but they would not access Stu Co funds for their event.

Personally, I feel a dance puts many people at risk of contracting or spreading the virus. One concern is mass quarantine, which could negatively impact an activity season. But, ultimately we'd follow PPHD guidelines which currently allow for dances for 'rostered' attendances. They list 'prom' as an example of a dance that would be allowed ...at least that's how I read it.

Keep me posted on the discussion at your next meeting. 

Thanks!

Jerry Mack, Principal

At the meeting, the Student Council student members voted 20-1 (with 1 abstaining) to move the homecoming dance off campus to be hosted by parents so that they could attend a dance without the expectations of wearing face masks. 

I've communicated with several panhandle schools who are also trying to make decisions to keep students healthy while providing some traditional homecoming events. At Chadron High School, we feel we can host our pep rally and coronation as traditionally planned under current protocols, just the dance would be impacted by lack of 6' spacing, therefore, creating the expectation to wear face masks to help prevent virus spread and to avoid large groups of quarantines should a student test positive for Covid-19 in the days following the dance. 

The Panhandle Public Health District provided further guidelines the afternoon of Sep. 9th regarding homecoming dances:

    PPHD Dance Considerations

Required: 

·         Guest List - Name and phone number

Highly Recommended:

·         Require Masks

·         The refreshment area allows for 6-foot social distancing

·         Large dance space

·         Symptom Screening

Good Idea:

·         Only allow students from your school

·         Consider a safe alternative to a dance example, a socially distanced movie

Every CPS Student Will Receive a Free Thermometer

Chadron Public Schools was fortunate to receive a grant to provide every student with a free thermometer!

 

Cardinal Counseling - 5 Bullet Friday for Sept. 4th

 

WELCOME TO 5 BULLET FRIDAY! The Chadron High School Cardinal Counseling Department is excited to share our 5 Bullet Friday Newsletter for the 2020-21 school year!  Each week we will be providing readers with five facts, tips or tricks to help make the school year a success academically, emotionally, and socially!  1. Join LIVE for Cardinal Cast! Join Mr. Mack and/or Mrs. Watson LIVE on Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram for Cardinal Cast!  If you can't make the live stream DO NOT FRET we keep all the videos right here please hit SUBSCRIBE! There are also a plethora of 2 Minute Drill videos on our YouTube page designed to share important information in a TIMELY manner :) This week Mrs. Watson touches on Social Media Concerns CHS Parents Need to Know About.  Click photo below to watch. 2. Free and Reduced Lunch Paperwork  Please take the time to watch this 2 Minute Drill on the importance of turning in your FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH paperwork is!  Not only do you get free and reduced lunch, but the following perks as well!  A free or reduced meal, NO ONE gets "hangry" on our watch! Up to 2 FREE College Classes a Year!  These can be through ANY college online or in person. Dual credit college courses offered at the high school also count!  9 College credits a year for the junior and senior year amount to 18 college credits complete for free while in high school, that's a full semester of college for FREE and can be saving over $5,000! 2 FREE National ACT exams, and one FREE state ACT exam!  No brainer here - the more times you take it correlated with strong coursework the higher your score will be! FREE and reduced participation fees, club dues, activity passes, and SO. MUCH. MORE. It is an absolute no brainer, if you think you might need another copy to fill out contact Tricia Berry at the CHS office 432-0707 or stop over. 3. September 22nd IT'S A BIG DEAL DAY!  Here we GO for Fall testing season!  IT'S A BIG DEAL! On September 22nd (Tuesday) ALL SENIORS will get a chance to make up their FREE ACT exam that they missed this Spring due to Covid - 19.  We will plan on meeting at the CSC Armory at 7:45 a.m. to begin testing.  All seniors have been registered and do NOT need to complete any online forms for testing.  After testing we will unwind and have some fun!  Mrs. Watson will provide each student with a free lunch at the CSC cafeteria and will be given an official tour of campus along with financial aid group meetings.   CHADRON STATE COLLEGE REQUIRES MASKS ON CAMPUS.  YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TEST WITHOUT ONE. While seniors are eating their free lunch and touring campus juniors will then take their turn in the CSC Armory building to take the ASVAB.  The ASVAB Career Exploration Program includes a validated aptitude test and interest assessment. The results are used to guide career exploration using our career planning tools.  We will celebrate with snacks and goodies after the exam! Seniors remember you ALL have access to ONLINE ACT PREP that has been purchased for you! Go to: onlineprep.act.org login:  school email password:  Cardinals2021! You have access to full length practice tests, lessons, and instruction regarding the four standard ACT tests plus writing practice.   ACT = Scholarship $$$$$$$$$ 4. Texting Your Student/Parent During the School Day. Don't stress!  We ALL DO IT.  I just want to make sure you are being INTENTIONAL.  Please watch this if you get a chance!  Here's the JIST....As a parent with the current technology you will be able to receive REAL TIME information regarding grades, behavior, etc. from Chadron High School.  Please be sensitive to the fact that your students are here to learn in ALL their classes.  One bad Infinite Campus grade or a call from Mrs. Watson does NOT mean we need to send an immediate text to scold, reprimand, or try to fix the situation at hand.  Wait until after school before you have "the talk", and if there is a crisis or tough conversation you need to have with your student I encourage you to break the news after school, or in person.  Mrs. Watson is always here to help!  5. Mental Health Minutes Transitioning back to school can be stressful, let's keep an eye on each other and support positive interactions and emotional health!  Readers, THANK YOU AGAIN for joining us! Whether you are from CHS or another school, If you find it worthwhile please continue to SHARE. THE. LOVE (and the link).

Free ACT Test Date for All Senior - Sep. 22nd

On Tuesday September 22nd ALL SENIORS will get a chance to make up their FREE ACT exam that they missed this Spring do to Covid-19.  

Seniors - We will plan on meeting at the CSC Armory at 7:45 a.m. to begin testing.  All seniors have been registered and do NOT need to complete any online forms for testing.  After testing we will unwind and have some fun!  We will provide each student with a free lunch at the CSC cafeteria and will then be given an official tour of campus along with financial aid group meetings.  

Agenda:

7:45 - 12:30:      Testing @ CSC Armory

12:30 - 1:30:       LUNCH @ Cafeteria (Mrs. Watson will have lunch ticket)

1:30 - 3:00:         Meet in CSC Ballroom after lunch.  Tours of CSC in small

                            groups/financial aid meetings, dismissed at 3p.

CHADRON STATE COLLEGE REQUIRES MASKS ON CAMPUS.  YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TEST WITHOUT ONE.

Seniors remember you ALL have access to ONLINE ACT PREP that has been purchased for you!