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RETAKE/MAKE-UP PICTURES: DO NOT MISS...last chance! Allstudents who have not yet had their photo taken by Larry's Photographyin the MPR must show up on Thursday, October 2 during brunch or lunchso that they can end up with an I.D. card (seniors included) and thenon-seniors get their yearbook picture. HOMECOMING NEEDS CONVERTIBLES ASAP For the Homecoming Parade and half time game, we are in need of fourconvertibles and drivers to transport the Homecoming Court. If you have any convertibles, the Parade is on October 3. Please be atSoquel Village by 2:30 p.m. The Half Time Show is during the VarsityFootball game in the evening. If you have any information about the convertibles please contact Jill Zeman at 239-6178.
COLLEGE FINANCE WORKSHOP
College financial planner Steve Shapiro will offer a workshop onOct. 1, 6:30-7:45 p.m. in the library. This presentation will cover:
1. How the financial aid system works (need-based and merit-based)
2. Who receives financial aid and how to improve your odds 3. Planning steps for lower income families 4. Planning steps for higher income families
Steve Shapiro is a CPA, CFP and Certified College Planning Specialist.
NATIONAL MERIT COMMENDED STUDENTS
Congratulations to the following students who have been named asCommended Students in the 2009 National Merit ScholarshipProgram. These students placed among the top five percent of morethan 1.5 million students who took the 2007 PSAT. Steven DeMartini Lily Denevan Cameron Martin Rory Matthews Chanyang Ryoo Kaila Warren Laurel Woerner
SPRING HOST FAMILY NEEDED
A host family is being sought for Kim Zarah Jungbluth from Germany.Coming for the 2009 Spring semester, Kimmi is 17 and will be in the11th grade. She wants to become a designer, is a member of a balletcompany, likes art, surfing, volleyball, plays guitar & saxophone,loves her family and friends and says she's "always there for peoplewho need her." Like all the past students, she's excited about the opportunity tolive with & get to know an American family and attend high schoolin Santa Cruz. She says it's her dream. For more information call NOW: Sandi Spanfelner 335-3088 ~ 419-9633 or email
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PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Thank you to everyone who attended our Back To SchoolNight last Wednesday, September 17. We appreciate your interestin your students' education. Special thanks to those who donatedpaper and teacher gift cards. These are particularly appreciatedthis year, as our operating budgets have been cut 25%. We hopethe news this week out of Sacramento regarding the budget is noworse! If you were unable to attend Back to School Night, butwould still like the opportunity to donate, please visit the website ofthe Soquel Fund, soquelhighfund.org, for information on how you cangive online.
We are still seeking parent representatives to the School Sitecouncil. The Council meets monthly to decide how to spendapproximately $100,000 worth of state and federal funds at SoquelHigh. If you are interested in participating, please contact myoffice at 429-3908 or
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We have had a very smooth start to the school year. I commendour students for their fine deportment and commitment to theireducation. There have been few serious disciplinary incidents inthe first 20 days of school, and our records show that attendance isvastly improved over last year; during the first nine days of school,we had 419 unexcused absences this year, compared to 1,427 the yearbefore. That is 71% fewer absences! We saw that at the endof last year, our truancy abatement efforts translated into higherstudent achievement--we gave out fewer D's and F's than at any point inthe past 5 years, and our overall scores on the California StandardsTests went up. If students continue to be in class every periodof every day, then we will certainly see even greaterimprovements. Thank you for cooperating with new rules designedto promote student safety. We ask that students not wearprofessional sports logos, due to their potential for showing gangallegiance, and not carry skateboards on campus, as they can beused to harm others. We are happy to report that the District and the Sheriff's departmenthave worked out an arrangement that provides us a School ResourceOfficer. Monday, September 15 was Deputy Joe Clarke's first dayof full-time assignment to Soquel High. Thank you SuperintendentPagano and Sheriff Robbins! Having an SRO will enable us toprovide a safer environment for all students. We are lookingforward to working with Deputy Clarke on such issues as detectingecstasy use at our school dances. We have avoided hosting dancessince the Prom last year, due to reports of significant ecstasy abuse,and the site administration's inability to screen students forit. Now, with Deputy Clarke's assistance, we hope to find a wayto screen students for this and other controlled substances as theyenter school sponsored events, which we can only offer when we areconfident that they are safe, clean and sober. When we establishthese screening techniques, we will once again offer dances. On another safety note, we have cleared out the bushes along thefence between campus and the Lighthouse Church parking lot. Thissummer, four separate fires were started in this area by personsunknown. With the underbrush cleared, the potential for adisastrous fire spreading to our buildings is greatly reduced. Thanks go out to the District's Maintenance and Operations Department,and the California Conservation Corp for getting the work done. Construction has started again. >From now until the end ofDecember, crews will be working to install solar electric panels on ourroofs. The District has entered into a solar power sharingagreement that will provide SHS with cheap, clean electricity. Weare confident that the disruptions created by the project areoutweighed by the benefits of this green technology. Students andvisitors to campus, please pardon the dust and be careful around theworksites. Here's to a great year. Ken Lawrence-Emanuel
ATTENDANCE REMINDER
If a student is absent for a full day, you can bring a note the nextmorning, or you can have a parent call right away. But, if youleave school during the day, bring a note that morning to get a pass,or show up with a live parent, no substitutes, at the attendancewindow.
REMINDERS FOR SENIORS
Many have yet to schedule a Senior Conference with yourcounselor. This conference is mandatory! If you are planning onrequesting a letter of recommendation from your counselor, all requestsmust be submitted at least three weeks prior to the deadline.
STATE OPPORTUNITY FOR JUNIORS
Any junior that would be interested in serving as a studentrepresentative on The California State Board of Education, inSacramento, during the 2009/2010 academic year shouldcontact the Administrative Assistant to The Principal for detailson the application process. SCHOOL-WIDE FUNDRAISER We are selling tickets to win a Camery Hybrid! All groups are invitedto participate. If you missed distribution on 9/25, call me at home831-475-8884. I will be available on Sunday to distribute at myhouse - call for details (10a to 1p only). SOQUEL SPORTS FOUNDATION NEWS BINGO - Every Tuesday, at the SC Elks Lodge, 150Jewell Street, Santa Cruz. Doors open at 5p; warmups at 6:15p;and games at 6:30p. Sports teams - sign up for your night to earnmoney! The SSF profits will be split 50-50 after expenses. Getyour once a month spot now! Call Kathy 475-8884 (or email)
MONTE FIREWORK TICKETS FOR SALE - See your sports team or callKathy Grant 475-8884 (SSF can accept cash, checks, or credit cards [forcredit cards: 3% fee applies - which is 45 cents aticket]). $15 each. Event is Oct. 11. Available at homefootball games too.
MONTE FIREWORK BOOTH VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We are looking forvolunteers/donations for our food booth at the fireworks on 10/11 from1p -10p. Call for details on what we need and what hours you canwork! Remember, we all win when we have new restrooms andsnack-bar - so come help us raise the money - we need yourhelp! We will be selling polish dogs/hot dogs, chips, anddrinks. All money will be directed to new restrooms snack bar,and entrance. Kathy 439-7774 day#, Dena 234-6196.
Go to www.soquelsports.com to download info for above.
TEST OPPORTUNITIES The PSAT exam for juniors and interested sophomores will be givenOct. 18. Students may register for the PSAT in the Finance Office.There are a limited number of PSAT tests available. Registration feesare $25 and increase to $30 starting Oct. 1. IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER: *College Finance workshop -- Weds., Oct. 1, 6:30 library *Homecoming – Friday, Oct. 3. Parade 2:30 in the village, varsity football game 7:30 p.m. *Soquel Sports Meeting -- Oct 6, 6:30 -8 p.m., 2425 Porter Street #14, Soquel (across from Carpos) 234-6196 Dena
SPORTS
Girls' Volleyball: Tuesday, Sept. 30 at home against Scotts Valley, 4 p.m.
Girls' Tennis: Tuesday, Sept. 30 -- Santa Cruz @ Soquel; Thursday, Oct. 2 -- Aptos @ Soquel
Football: Family Passes are available for $90 and will let twoadults and two children into all home games throughout the year. You may purchase them at home football games, or from Ron Myers, ourAthletic Director.
Fri. Friday, Oct. 3 Homecoming Games against Harbor High. JV at 5 p.m. and Varsity at 7:30 p.m.
For a complete schedule, please check out the Soquel High website.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Twenty scholarships from Good Tidings in the amount of $5,000 each (20total) will be awarded to students residing in the Central Coast andGreater Bay Area. Good Tidings is a non-profit charity thatempowers students to reach their dreams. The scholarships areawarded to seniors who recognize the benefits of serving theircommunities. All are encouraged to apply, but consideration isgiven to those of greatest needs. Applications are available inthe scholarship drawer in the counseling office. DEADLINE: Nov. 10. |
