Dec. 1, 2023 Newsletter
Capital High School Family Communication
December 1, 2023
Upcoming Events
- November 27 - December 4 -8 - CHS Food Drive
- December 6 - Senior class meeting during Coug Time - PAC
- December 12 - Winter Concert 1 - 7:00 p.m.
- December 14 - Winter Concert 2 - 7:00 p.m.
- December 15 - Winter Concert Assembly
- December 20 - January 2 - Winter Break - No School
OSSEC - Olympia Schools Supportive Educational Council
- Please see the link regarding the OSSEC program for families of students who are receiving IEP and 504 support plans.
European Travel Opportunity
In a world filled with textbooks and lectures, there exists a transformative journey, waiting to be embraced. Next summer, under the guidance of a seasoned teacher who's roamed this Earth for four glorious decades, our high school students are invited to embark on an odyssey of knowledge through immersive travel. As the venerable educator once eloquently remarked, "Learning and growth happen not within the confines of a classroom, but amidst the boundless landscapes of experience."
Picture this: vibrant cultures coming to life before your eyes, history unfolding in ancient cities, and friendships forged under foreign skies. Our students will not just study history; they will touch its hallowed ground. They won't merely learn about diverse cultures; they'll share a meal and stories with locals, fostering cultural empathy. This journey is more than a mere field trip; it's a transformative chapter in the book of life, where the pages are filled with unforgettable adventures and the ink is composed of wisdom.
Under the wise mentorship of our traveling teacher, students will discover that education is not just about facts and figures; it's about expanding horizons, gaining fresh perspectives, and embracing the lessons that only the world can teach. It's a summer destined to be etched in their memories, where they'll find that the world is the greatest classroom of all, and experience is the finest teacher one can ever have. So, let us seize this opportunity, as we set sail into the realms of exploration, with the indomitable spirit of adventure as our guide. To find out more visit www.explorica.com/hamilton-169. Informational meeting on 11/30
Parent Education Series
The Olympia Education Foundation is proud to present:
- 2023-2024 parent education series with Emily Mcmason
- For Middle and High School Families and their students
- Anxiety, stress & school: how to help at home.
The school year can be an exciting time filled with great moments. it can also come with sleep problems, procrastination, anger and lots of other symptoms of stress and anxiety. Come join us for a conversation about what’s going on–from the brain changes in middle school to the best approaches to take with students in high school. Tweens & teens are welcome to join us so the whole family can learn about the tools to use all year long.
- Wednesday, Dec. 13
- 7-8:30 p.m.
- Washington Middle School Library
- All OSD families are invited to attend at no cost!
- Click HERE for more information.
Community Connections
OSD Resources for Youth & Families
Looking for information about support groups, crisis lines, help with meals or bills, social and emotional wellness, or tips for taming toddler temper tantrums? You can find all that and much more in our Resources for Youth and Families webpage.
The Crisis Clinic of Thurston & Mason County
The clinic provides a 24-hour 7-day a week service to anyone who calls, offering crisis intervention and emotional support, as well as information.
- 360-586-2800
- 360-586-2777 Youth/Teen Helpline
NAMI Thurston-Mason
NAMI Thurston-Mason (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is an organization of families, friends and individuals whose lives have been affected by mental illness. NAMI serves residents across Thurston-Mason counties with free mental health support, online groups, resources and education.
360-493-6021
After School Tutoring Now Available
After school tutoring/homework help is available every Wednesday from 2:40 to 3:25 in the library. Our paraeducators provide support in all subject areas!
Health Room Reminders
Now that cold, flu, and COVID season are in full swing, we wanted to remind everyone what the current guidelines are for students and staff.
- COVID: Stay home 5 days from the onset of symptoms. Onset day is day zero. If you do not have symptoms then stay home 5 days from the positive test date. You need to be fever free for 24 hours and your symptoms should be improving. You can return to work/school on day 6 but should wear a mask on days 6-10.
- Flu and all other illnesses: you need to be fever, vomit and diarrhea free for 24 hours without the use of medication.
Please contact Joy Fulling with any questions or concerns: 360-596-8008 or [email protected]
Staff and Student Yoga
- Staff and Student Yoga! Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. in B9 with Ms. House. Mats and props provided, but feel free to bring your own. Please contact Mrs. House at [email protected] for more information.
Parents on Deck at School (PoDS)
- Parents, please see the PoDS program flier. We would love to have you join our new parent volunteer program!
CHS Library News
Battle of the Books sign-ups have begun. Students need to send their team captain to the library to sign-up. While students usually create their own teams of 2-4 players, individual students who would like to be placed in a team should talk to Mrs. Bonds. Battles will not begin until late February or early March. We also have a Thurston County battle, which will take place April 22nd. For more information, email [email protected] or have your kiddo stop by the library.
The CHS Library and CHS Book Club are working with Browsers Books for a Book Fair Fundraiser this holiday season. If you plan to purchase a new read or book lover merchandise for a gift, please do so on December 16th either online or in person at Browsers Books! Tell them you are there to support the Capital High School Library and we'll get 20% of the proceeds for future purchases at Browsers! Store hours are 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. With online purchases made on Dec 16th only, add "Capital High School Library" to the comment section. Set a reminder on your device now and thank you in advance!
CCRC News
Attention Senior Families: Seniors will have the opportunity on December 7th (during both lunches) to create their (FSA ID account) FAFSA account (Username and Password). If they would like help creating this, please have them bring their Social Security Number to the CCRC on Thursday December 7th and Mrs. Smith can help them create their account. According to the Federal Student Aid website, FAFSA and WASFA will be open by December 31st 2023. You can get the FSA ID account ready for when it does open. It can take a few days to verify your information, before you can start applying for financial aid. If you would rather do this at home as a family, this link is a good resource to review. There is a video under Myth #1 on how to create your account and username please click on Link: https://studentaid.gov/articles/9-myths-fsa-id/#:~:text=Myth%20%231%3A%20Creating%20an%20FSA,process%20step%2Dby%2Dstep.
ALL STUDENTS WELCOME: On December 8th: A representative from Seattle Central College will be in the CCRC during both lunches.
High School and Beyond Plans (HSBP) are found in Naviance Tasks. Mrs. Smith has been meeting with students in their classrooms, teaching them about the HSBP Washington State Requirement. Showing them how to log in and completing their tasks. If your student has questions or any difficulties working with their HSBP tasks, please have them stop by the CCRC and get help from Mrs. Smith.
Scholarship information can be found on the College and Career Readiness Center webpage, under the Scholarship Information tab.
If you have any questions regarding the CCRC, please feel free to contact Mrs. Smith [email protected]
Capital High School Parent Organization
GIVING TREE DEADLINE LESS THAN ONE MONTH AWAY
This year's Giving Tree campaign ends in early December. Please consider donating to this effort, which has helped CHS families and students in need for the past 16 years. Funds are used to purchase gift cards which are distributed just before the holidays. Donate at https://givebutter.com/2023chsgivingtree. You may also bring $25 Target gift cards to the counseling center.
Many thanks to our first donors for supporting CHS students and families!
GRAD NIGHT TICKETS ON SALE NOW; EARLY SEASON PRICE $99
Grad Night tickets are on sale now. Lock in the early season savings at just $99. Attention grandparents -- This is a great holiday gift for CHS seniors. The 2024 Grad Night celebration is an outstanding special event for graduating seniors. Buy your ticket at https://chspo.org/gradnight/.
SIGN UP FOR SENIOR SIGNS WHILE YOU CAN
Senior signs sales are underway. You can choose a sign with photos or a generic CHS graduate sign. Learn more: https://chspo.org/product-category/graduation/
Questions? Contact the Capital High School Parent Organization at
[email protected].
Alternative Lunch Space
Capital High School has opened an alternative space during lunches for students who are seeking a quiet space to enjoy their lunch period. The “Alternative Space” will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, during both lunches, and located in E-1 next to the student store.
CHS Theatre News
Capital High School's Improvisational Theatre Class is producing an improv show on Friday, December 8 in the CHS Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Admission is free; however, donations will be accepted at the door.