Comet Comments—
Coloma High School Newsletter
August 2015
Principal, Mr. David Ehlers
MISSION STATEMENT:
We are dedicated to fostering pride in the school, the community and nourishing a positive
self-image for every student. Our belief is that all students can and will learn best when
excellence is expected; educational achievement will be obtained only when students are
encouraged and challenged to attain this excellence.
VISION:
TOGETHER…..
STRIVING AND
WORKING FOR
EXCELLENCE IN
FROM THE DESK
OF PRINCIPAL,
DAVID A. EHLERS
Back to school time is definitely one of the
best times of the year! It is always exciting to
make final preparations to bring the staff and
students back. After all, a school is just a
building when there are no students and teachers.
At CHS, we are shifting our culture to one
the focuses on learning through collaboration
that is focused on results. The staff will be
working hard this year as we review our curriculum and teaching practices in order to better serve our students and implement this culture.
In support of our work, I have instated new
policies regarding attendance and tardies that
can be found in the student handbook which
will be distributed the first few days of school
and can also be found on-line at our web
page. A summary will be in this newsletter
and all students will receive a briefing the first
week of school to cover the new policies as
well as the handbook.
I spend the majority of my time
during the school day out in classrooms observing the education process and providing feedback to our
teaching staff so they may improve
their practices. Since it is rare to
catch me in the office, please call
and make an appointment if you
wish to meet with me as opposed to
just popping in for a quick meeting.
Also, I return all my phone calls
after the students have left for the
day. I may be reached via e-mail at
dehlers@ccs.coloma.org as well.
The best way to reach our teachers
is to email them (address found on
the high school staff page of our
web page).
I look forward to working with
you and your student this school
year! I wish everyone a safe and
exciting new school year!
Please follow us @ColomaHS on
twitter.
GO COMETS!
EDUCATION
UPCOMING DATES
Sept 9—Jostens
here to give class
ring packets to
sophomores
Sept. 23—Jostens
here to take class
ring orders during
both lunches
Sept. 25—
Homecoming vs.
Delton Kellogg
Sept. 28HS Picture Day
Comet Comments—August 2015
2015-16 HIGH SCHOOL BELL SCHEDULES
½ DAY
FULL DAY
2-HOUR DELAY
1st Hour
7:45 – 8:46
1st Hour
7:45 – 8:17
1st Hour
9:45 – 10:26
2nd Hour
8:51 – 9:53
2nd Hour
8:22 – 8:54
2nd Hour
10:31 – 11:11
3rd Hour
9:58 – 10:59
3rd Hour
8:59 – 9:32
3rd Hour
11:16 – 11:57
A Lunch
4th Hour
10:59 –11:29
11:34 –12:35
4th Hour
9:37 – 10:10
5th Hour
10:15 – 10:47
A Lunch
4th Hour
11:57 – 12:27
12:32 – 1:13
4th
Hour
B Lunch
11:04 – 12:05
12:05 – 12:35
6th Hour
10:52 – 11:24
4th Hour
B Lunch
12:02 – 12:43
12:43 – 1:13
5th Hour
12:40 – 1:41
5th Hour
1:18 – 2:00
6th Hour
1:46 – 2:47
6th Hour
2:05 – 2:47
SCHOOL HOURS
Students are not permitted inside the school building more than 30 minutes before the start of their first
class (7:15 am) without prior approval or supervision of a teacher. Students are not permitted to remain in the
school building beyond 30 minutes after the completion of their last class (3:20 pm) unless they are involved
in an after school activity supervised by a club advisor or being supervised by a teacher. The main vestibule
area will be the designated waiting area for students waiting for a ride after 3:20 pm. Referral to an administrator for disciplinary action may result if students do not comply with school hour exceptions.
STUDENT PARKING
Students who drive to school MUST park in the east lot. Students must also register their vehicle with the
office and obtain a parking permit ($5 nonrefundable). Students must park in marked spaces, observe safe
driving practices, and speeds while in the parking lot. Failure to do so may result in a loss of driving privileges.
Students arriving late for school must park in the east lot and follow the sidewalk from the parking lot to
the main entrance. The main entrance is the only authorized access point for the high school during school
hours.
2
Comet Comments—August 2015
IMPORTANT!
UPDATED TARDY AND ATTENDANCE POLICY
TARDY POLICY
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Parents will no longer be able to excuse students
who are tardy to school 1st hour. Special considerations will be given by the principal when there is
bad weather. Tardies are tracked by the hour and
are as follows; 1 = Teacher Warning, 2 = 15 min
teacher detention, 3 = 30 min after school detention,
4 = 45 min after school detention, 5 = 60 min after
school detention, 6 = 1 day suspension and any subsequent tardy will count as an absence. Students
are to be in their assigned seat ready to learn when
the bell rings to avoid being marked tardy.
Students are only allowed 8 absences per semester,
per class period. Should a student exceed this
number, credit will be withheld until the student
makes up missed class time via after school detention or Saturday School that reduces the absences
to 7. It does not matter whether the absences are
excused or unexcused as all absences count toward
the total. More information can be found in the
student handbook
REPORTING YOUR CHILD’S ABSENCE
If your student will be absent from school, we ask that you call the school before 9:00am to report the absence. The office is staffed beginning at 7:00am to take your call, but you may call earlier and leave a voice
mail. If we don’t hear from you, we must assume you do not know your student is not here, and either something happened to them on the way to school, or they are skipping. We will try to inform you via automated
alerts when your student is absent unexcused. For their safety, please keep your phone and email information
current so we can reach you. Remember that you can check attendance on line any time through the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
STUDENT DROP OFF AND PICK UP
Parents should avoid the east parking lot when dropping off and picking up students before and after school.
The west lot is better suited for this function. The west lot has an enter only (across from the scrap yard) and
an exit only (nearest the building) with left and right hand turn lanes onto Red Arrow Highway. There are
plenty of spaces available to park and wait for your students in the west lot.
The circle drive in front of the high school is only to be used for drop off and pick up of students who
arrive late or leave early for appointments during the school day. In addition, parents with appointments
or who have business with the main office may use this drive. The drive contains a few parking spaces along
the sidewalk coming from the east lot. Cars are not authorized to park in the circle drive itself. If you are
picking your student up after 3:20 pm, you may use the circle drive as your student will be waiting for you in
3
Comet Comments—August 2015
STUDENT DRESS CODE
Please refer to the dress code section located in the student handbook which can be found on the high
school’s web page. All students will be issued a handbook contained in the student planner. When issued,
students will sign a form acknowledging receipt and responsibility for adhering to the rules contained within.
Here are a few of the rules to be aware of before issuing the handbook.
1. Shorts or skirts worn must extend to the mid-thigh in length.
2. No tank tops are allowed as all shirts worn must have sleeves.
3. No back packs are allowed to be carried during the day. Back packs must remain in lockers during school
hours.
4. No hats, beanies, or other head gear may be worn in the building at any time.
Violations of the dress code will be addressed on a case by case basis and will not be tolerated. Questions regarding the dress code my be addressed to Mr. Ehlers or Mr. Paulsen.
SCHOOL WEBSITE
Coloma Community Schools provides information through the web site. It provides a great deal of information including calendars, announcements, teacher web pages, athletic information, fine arts information,
and much, much more. We invite you to take a look at the high school’s site at www.ccs.coloma.org/colhs.
This news letter (and future editions) will be posted on-line. Future information will be provided to parents
via e-mail or by going to the web site. Please ensure your email address is current and listed in PowerSchool
so we may contact you at your convenience as well as reduce costs by saving paper. During the year, we will
also use the PowerSchool email service to send out report cards and progress reports.
HOW TO SIGN UP ON POWERSCHOOL
When you create your PowerSchool account you will begin receiving e-mails sent by the school to keep
parents informed as to what is going on in the high school. You will also be able to check your child’s
grades and attendance. Go to www.ccs.coloma.org, click on “Parents” and “Resources”. There are Online
Grade Book Instructions to help you .
PICTURE DAY SEPTEMBER 28
ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE THEIR PICTURE TAKEN
FOR STUDENT I.D.
There is no charge for 1st i.d.—$5.00 charge for lost i.d.
4
DUAL ENROLLMENT
Any student in 9th, 10th, 11th,
or 12th grade may enroll in a
post-secondary (dual) enrollment program providing he/she
meets the requirements established by law and by the district.
Any interested student should
contact the guidance counselor
to obtain more information.
Comet Comments—August 2015
COLOMA HIGH
SCHOOL
WELCOMES
NEW STAFF !
Mrs. Sonya Vroon,
9th Grade Science
Mr. Chuck Luchies,
Machine Tool and
Welding
SAT TESTING
This year, the junior class will be taking the
SAT instead of the ACT. In order to assist
students in preparing for this test, students
can prepare by taking a sample SAT test
online. After completing the test, the Kahn
Academy will make suggestions for areas
where your student can study and improve
his/her score. This service is free and a link
to the test is on our web page. The SAT will
be administered April 12, 2016 but it is never
too early to prepare!
MENTOR STUDENTS
Mentor Students will be
available to assist students.
On the first day of school,
they will be located at various locations around the
school wearing bright yellow shirts. These students
are here to help students
who need assistance.
PERSONAL CURRICULUM
A parent or legal guardian of a student who has completed grade 9 may request a
personal curriculum for the student that modifies certain Michigan Merit Standard requirements. If all of the requirements for a personal curriculum are met, then the Board
may award a high school diploma to a student who successfully completes his/her personal curriculum even if it does not meet the requirements of the Michigan Merit Standard. If the request for a personal curriculum is made by the student's parent or legal
guardian or, if the student is at least age eighteen (18) or is an emancipated minor, by
the student, the school District shall develop a personal curriculum for the student. Developing a personal curriculum does not guarantee that it will be approved by the district. The District shall not limit or discourage the number of students with a personal
curriculum on any basis other than the best interests of each individual student. Please
contact the guidance counselor for more details should you feel this is an option for you.
Coloma High School
“Home of the Comets”
Notice of Nondiscrimination
Coloma High School does not discriminate on the basis of sex, religion, or race in its education programs
and activities required by Title IX. Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to the Title IX coordinator or the Office of Civil Rights. Our Title IX Coordinator is Superintendent of Schools, Pete Bush. He
can be reached at 468-2424 or pbush@ccs.coloma.org. His office is located in the Administration Center
located at 300 West. St. Joseph Street, Coloma, MI 49038.
5
Comet Comments—August 2015
Coloma High School
2015-16 Calendar
SEPTEMBER
M
9/7
NO SCHOOL – Labor Day
T
9/8
1st Day for Students – Full
Day
JANUARY (cont)
F
1/29 K-12 ½ day; 9-12 Exams;
End of 2nd Marking Period
End of 1st Semester
OCTOBER
F
10/2
FEBRUARY
F
2/12 K-12 ½ day;
M
2/15 NO SCHOOL- Mid Winter Break
W
2/17 HS Evening Conferences
4-7 p.m. Progress Reports received
K-12 ½ day
NOVEMBER
F
11/6 K-12 ½ day;
End of 1st Marking Period
T
11/10 K-12 All Day;
HS Evening Conferences
4-7 p.m.
Th
11/12 K-5 ½ Day; Afternoon Conf.
6-12 Students All Day
K-12 Evening Conferences
HS Conferences 4-7 p.m.
W
11/25 NO SCHOOL
Th
11/26 NO SCHOOL
F
11/27 NO SCHOOL
MARCH
F
3/18
F
3/25
APRIL
F
4/1
F
4/1
JANUARY
M
1/4
F
1/15
M
1/18
Th
1/28
4/11
End of 3rd Marking Period
K-12 ½ day
Spring Break begins at end day
Classes Resume
MAY
M
5/30
NO SCHOOL – Memorial Day
M
DECEMBER
F
12/11 K-12 ½ day;
F
12/18 Winter Break begins end of
day
JUNE
T
6/7
Classes Resume from Break
K-12 ½ day;
NO SCHOOL – MLK Day
K-5 Full Day;
9-12 Exams; ½ day
W
6/8
GRADUATION
June 3, 2016
Coloma Athletic Complex
7 p.m.
6
K-12 ½ day
GOOD FRIDAY – NO SCHOOL
K-12 Students ½ day;
9-12 Exams
K-12 Students ½ day
9-12 Exams
Last Day of School