Mar. 22, 2024 Newsletter
Capital High School Family Communication
March 22, 2024
Upcoming Events
- March 22 - Renaissance Assembly During Coug Time
- April 1-8 - Spring Break - No School
- April 20 - Tolo Dance
CWU College in the High School
The decision to start college early is an important one. There are many reasons students do not start or finish college, even though they may be academically prepared. The social and emotional experiences can be an overwhelming adjustment. Also, generational, demographical, and financial reasons are becoming more prevalent nationally. Our goal is to help students overcome as many obstacles as possible while they are still in the comfort zone of their current HS setting.
With new legislation in 2023 from Washington State, this opportunity for all public HS students to earn university credit at no cost to the family is game-changing. All students with qualified HS/CWU instructors now have the option to get a jump start on their college education while eliminating future student loan debt. CWU CiHS is an opportunity for students who are self-motivated and excited to get a head start on their academic careers. If you feel this program would benefit your student, please reach out and we can answer any questions you may have.
What are the benefits?
Students can accelerate their academic studies by earning college credit while attending HS without giving up their HS experience. Students have the opportunity to experience college-level work in a familiar environment. Completing rigorous HS coursework and earning college credit can strengthen the student’s college application as well as help meet basic college and university requirements.
Additional Benefits:
- Students applying to CWU prior to HS graduation will be given the $500 Early Scholar Tuition Waiver, provided they have earned a 3.00 cumulative GPA or higher in their CWU courses
- The undergraduate CWU application fee will be waived for students who participated in the CWU CiHS program
- Accessibility: 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders can register and earn university credit at no cost to the students at public schools
- Students can earn up to 15 Central Washington University credits per term in HS
CHS Course Offerings for 2024-25:
- Personal Finance A/B [5 college credits]
- Human Anatomy & Physiology A/B [5 college credits]
- IB Environmental Systems & Society SL A, B [5 college credits each]
- Advanced Theatre A/B [5 college credits]
Contact: Doug Anderson, CHS Vice Principal/Program Supervisor, [email protected], 360-596-8000
Olympia Robotics Federation Update
This past weekend the Olympia Robotics Federation (ORF) competed in the Auburn FRC Robotics Competition. The ORF robotics team did amazing! They took 3rd place at the competition earning the team a spot at the PNW Championship in Portland, OR over spring break. BUT THAT’s NOT ALL…. ORF also WON the prestigious “Impact Award” for their awesome robot and for all their community outreach both locally and internationally! ORF is on fire! Next stop! The World Championship in April! After that…. World domination! No robot parts left behind.
Brain Train - After School Bus
An after-school bus is available for those students who choose to stay after school for academic support. The bus departs the CHS bus loop at 4:15 every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. The bus will drop students off at their normal morning/afternoon bus stop location.
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.
World Stride’s Roman Conquest Tour
Are you a Capital Cougar who wants to see the world? Are you currently a freshman, sophomore, or junior? Do you need a little time to save up for the adventure of a lifetime? If you answered yes to these questions, you're in luck!
Embark on World Stride's Roman Conquest tour. Depart with Ms. Samson after the school year's end in the summer of 2025.
13 lucky travelers will set out for 10 days and eight nights to see the sites in Barcelona (put your Spanish classes to good use!), then cross into France (a great time to use the French you've learned from Madame McCann!) to visit the fortified town of Carcassonne. Explore the Nimes area and see remarkably preserved ancient ruins. Visit tiny-but-rich Monaco. Cross into Italy and visit Pisa. Marvel at artwork in Florence. Finally, enjoy Rome, where you can walk in ancient footsteps, enjoy the art of the Vatican, and eat a lot of gelato.
Do you want to learn more? Follow this link!
Spots are limited! Get yours while you can.
Happy Travels!
Community Connections
March is Disability Awareness Month - Looking for resources, check out the local resource fair: Thurston and Mason County Resource and Transitions Fair - Tuesday, March 19th 4:00-7:00 at Capital Event Center, ESD 113.
Family Support Center - The Family Support Center is a local nonprofit organization that provides case management, support to families experiencing housing instability as well as support with meeting basic needs and parenting classes.
YWCA The YWCA Olympia hosts teen activities and clubs.
CHS Literary Magazine
Students at Capital High School are working with faculty advisors to create and publish a literary magazine this spring. The magazine will include student fiction, non-fiction, drama, art, and poetry. We are certain this will be a powerful forum for student voice!
While we will raise funds by selling some copies of the magazine to parents and community members, we are also depending on donations to fund our project. We plan to feature donors' names in the publication. Would you be able to donate at any level? Every twenty dollars funds one copy for a student. You can click the donation link here to contribute. All contributors will receive thanks on the Donors page. If there is a particular business name you want to be featured, send me an email so I can associate your donation with the business name.
You can also pre-order copies of the magazine using the same link above ($20 per copy).
Thank you for your support, Liz House, Literary Magazine Advisor [email protected]
Food and Other Items Available for Students in Need
Basic necessities available at CHS
- Weekend Food Bags
- Hygiene Products
- Limited Clothing Closet
- School Supplies
If you or your family could benefit from any of these items or have other needs please contact your School Counselor, the front office staff or theSchool Social Worker.
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]
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!
Capital High School Parent Organization
DISCOUNT ENDS MARCH 31: MAKE GRAD NIGHT ORDER TODAY
The price of Grad Night tickets will increase in a few days. Secure today's early season price of $99 while you can. This event is a great way for seniors to celebrate their milestone. Please visit https://chspo.org/store/ to secure your ticket today. Questions? Please contact us at [email protected].
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ON APRIL 20: COUGAR CAR SHOW AND CRAFT FAIR
Please join CHAPO for our Cougar Craft Fair and Car Show Fundraiser on Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m.--3 p.m. We will have 40 handcraft vendors and our inaugural Cougar Car Show!
Volunteers are needed to make this event a success. Sign up here to help.
Our very own Cougarettes Dance Team will perform as well as Studio West Dance Academy. Sweetlee's Ice Cream, La Esquinita Taco Truck, Camper's Coffee, and a photo booth truck will be out front.
Go to chspo.org and click on Craft Fair/Car Show for more information if you would like to be a vendor or bring your car to show. Proceeds go back to students and teachers. We look forward to a successful event with everyone's help!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SPRING EVENTS
Parents are welcome to volunteer for a variety of tasks to support the school community this spring. Grad Night 2024, the Craft Fair and other events are on the calendar for the next few months. Send us a note at
[email protected] or stop by the next meeting on March 19 to say hello. Learn more:
https://chspo.org
Library News
The Olympia School District is bringing local Native author Christine Day to CHS for three presentations on May 7th. One way for your student to secure a seat for Day's school visit with secondary students is to let their artistic side shine in the bookmark creation contest. Students should visit the library for an entry sheet with the rules. Bookmark entries are due very soon, by March 28th, to be voted on and produced in bulk by May 7th.
There will also be a free community event from 6:30 - 8:00 in our PAC that evening for all ages to attend.
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 Yearbooks On Sale
CHS yearbooks are on sale for $65. Please see the ASB office to purchase a yearbook.
Counseling Center News
Registration for next year:
Juniors (11th graders) who have not yet registered for next year (even Running Start students) will need to:
- Register at this LINK,
- Then make an appointment with their counselor to review their choices at this LINK
Sophomores (10th graders) need to:
- Register for next year's classes NOW at this LINK,
- Counselors will be meeting with students in their 10th English class between March 25th -29th to discuss their choices.
Freshman (9th graders) need to:
- Register for next year's classes NOW at this LINK,
- Counselors will be meeting with students in their 9th English class between April 8th - 12th to discuss their choices.
Career Center News
- High School and Beyond Plan tasks in Naviance Deadline for Seniors was March 1st 2024.
- Juniors, Sophomores and Freshman have until June 1st to complete their tasks in Naviance for their High School and Beyond Plans.
Scholarships are available and Deadlines are occurring daily:
FAFSA information can be found on their website https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
CCRC upcoming visits
- Clover Park Technical College visit is Wednesday March 20th 2024
- Central Washington University will be here Tuesday March 26th 2024
- Port of Seattle: Construction/Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Spotlight will be here on April 10th 2024
- Running Start help from SPSCC will be on April 11th, May 2nd and May 16th from 2:30-3:30pm.