Inclement Weather Impacting School Operations

Arrowhead Union High School District

Parent Communication

December 8, 2014

Re: Inclement Weather Impacting School Operations

Dear AHS Students, Staff, & Parents,

With the potential for inclement winter weather upon us, I wanted to share with you avenues for determining if the weather has impacted school operations.  The following are the means that will be used to communicate with parents, students, and staff:

Communication Tool                                                               Approximate Time to Process

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ArrowheadSchool                         Posted as soon as a decision is made.

Parent Connect Phone Call (Sky Alert)                        Depending on system usage from a few  minutes to approximately 15 minutes.

District Web-site: http://www.arrowheadschools.org/         Approximately 10 minutes from the time the decision is made.

District Phone Message System: 262-369-3611                 Approximately 10 minutes from the time the decision is made.

Local Television Stations & Web-sites                 Dependent on the individual stations communication systems (approximately 15 to 30 minutes)

               Television Stations in the order they are contacted:

ü  WISN 12: http://www.wisn.com/weather/closings

ü  CBS 58: http://www.cbs58.com/category/288740/closings

ü  TODAY’S TMJ4: http://www.jrn.com/tmj4/closings

ü  FOX 6: http://fox6now.com/weather/closings/

Arrowhead is responsible for determining school delays and cancellations for all Arrowhead K-8 feeder schools.  Decisions are based on gathering information from a variety of weather services, neighboring school districts, and local resources (DOT, Dousman Transportation, law enforcement, county, etc.).  Every effort is made to obtain the most accurate information in making a determination of whether to run school.  As always, the final decision of whether it is safe enough for your child to travel to school is yours, the parent.  If a determination is made that school is in session and as a parent you do not want your child traveling to school, you should call school and ask that your child be excused for the day. 

Being an optimist and because I prefer not getting up in the wee hours of the morning, here’s hoping we have a mild winter.

Sincerely,

Craig Jefson

Arrowhead Superintendent

Instrumental Music Recognized

Arrowhead Wind Ensemble Honored

The Arrowhead Union High School Wind Ensemble has been selected by the WMEA (Wisconsin Music Education Association) selection committee to perform at the 2014 Wisconsin State Music Conference at the Monona Terrace Conference Center in Madison, Wisconsin on October 31, 2014.

This is one of the highest honors an ensemble can receive in the state of Wisconsin. Arrowhead Instrumental Music Director, Jake Polancich, when asked about the honor said, “I couldn't be more proud of these kids! So much dedication, hard work, superior musicianship.”

Numerous ensembles from around the state submit recordings of their students to be selected to perform at this Conference. Typically, only 1-2 high school ensembles are chosen to perform at the WMEA State Conference each year. 

The Arrowhead High School Wind Ensemble will perform in front of hundreds of music educators/students/administrators and do their utmost to proudly represent a high level of music achievement in Arrowhead High School and the district. We are very proud of all of our students, our music directors, Jake Polancich and Stacey Zwirlein, and the entire music program here at Arrowhead.  Please join us in acknowledging our students and staff on this amazing accomplishment and prestigious honor. 

AHS Production of Oklahoma Wins 8 Tommy Awards

Arrowhead High School's production of Oklahoma wins 8 Tommy Awards.

For the past five years Madison's Overture Center of the Arts has been recognizing outstanding high school musical performances.  The Overture Center's Tommy Awards program is an education initiative that recognizes, honors, and encourages excellence in musical theater production among Wisconsin high school students.  This year, 66 shows were considered.  Speaking on behalf of the reviewer team, Tim Sauers VP of Programming & Community Engagement stated, "It was such a pleasure experiencing your production.  Over 200 awards will be presented this year to the participating schools.  We continue to be impressed with the quality of the work and dedication of all the students, professionals and volunteers participating in and working on the shows.  I want to personally congratulate you on your deserving achievements and the hard work you do to assure that everyone involved has a positive learning experience."

Musicals of participating schools are reviewed by a panel of educators, theater experts and industry professionals.  Based on reviewers’ comments and tabulations, productions and individuals receive awards in specific categories at a ceremony held each year at Overture Center on June 8th at 6:00 pm.  The ceremony also features performances and production numbers from award winners in several categories.  

The Arrowhead staff and Board of Education would like to congratulate the Arrowhead Broadway Company, their directors Nancy Jorgensen and Grace Bielski, and all of the staff, parents, and volunteers that support and contribute to the success of our students.  Please help us in congratulating the following Arrowhead High School Tommy Award winners: 

As part of their project called the Young Performers Initiative, Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) will be recording the 2014 Tommy Awards Ceremony.  The resulting television program will feature excerpts from the ceremony and will be broadcast in the fall of 2014. Watch for more announcements in the coming months – we’ll let you know when to tune in! 

2014 PILL DROP – ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL EVENT

2014 PILL DROP – ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL EVENT 

On Friday, May 16^th, Arrowhead High School students in the Medical Terminology & Business Practices course hosted their annual Pill Drop.  This year’s event was the most successful yet.

Arrowhead High School students in Mrs. Annette LeMieux Medical Terminology & Business Practices Class organized the 2014 Pill Drop at AHS.  A couple of Hartland Police Departments finest in the background.  Thanks to Chief Rosch and his staff for assisting with the event

A total of 319 lbs. of prescription and non-prescription drugs were collected.  This compares to 278 lbs. that were collected in 2013.  Survey results show that our community is learning more and more about the need to dispose of these drugs in a proper manner by participating in the Pill Drop.  This year we had 158 participants compared to 103 in 2013.  Ninety-five of the 158 participants said this was their first time contributing to any drug collection event.

AHS students sorting and packaging prescription and non-prescription drugs for disposal

Hosting such a successful event makes our students very proud to know that they play a big part in getting these drugs off our streets and keeping them out of our landfills and water supplies.

Arrowhead students under the supervision of Hartland Police Department Chief Bob Rosch collecting and sorting pills dropped of at the Mullett Ice Center.

The Arrowhead staff and Board of Education would like to extend our appreciation to the Arrowhead students who organized and ran the Pill Drop, their teacher Mrs. Annette Lemieux, the Hartland Police Department and specifically Chief Bob Rosch, as well as all the community members that participated in and supported this event in being a huge success.

AHS PILL DROP

Arrowhead High School

Pill Drop

Please consider joining our students and staff in an effort to keep our community safe. Drop off your unwanted prescription drugs and keep prescription medicine away from our children and out of the water supply!

Three AHS Instrumental Music Students Named Best in Wisconsin

Wisconsin State Honors Band

Three AHS Instrumental Students Named Best in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin State Honors Band recently announced audition results for 2014. The Honors project chooses the best high school Instrumentalists in the state of Wisconsin.  Of this elite group, three are from the Arrowhead instrumental music program.  The students chosen for the Wisconsin State Honors Program are:

Michael Condly
 Tenor Saxophone (Band)

Christian Anderson 
Cello (Orchestra)

Hannah Ulatowski
Violin (Orchestra - Alternate)

Seven AHS Choir Students Named Best in Wisconsin

Wisconsin State Honors Choir

Seven AHS Choir Students Named Best in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin State Honors Choir recently announced audition results for 2014. The Honors project chooses the 100 best high school singers in the state of Wisconsin for Treble Choir and Mixed Choir. Of this elite group of 100 singers in each choir, seven are from the Arrowhead choir program. Three AHS choir students were also named alternates for the program.

Our seven AHS choir students will participate in the Wisconsin Honors Choir four-day camp in June, working with a nationally renowned choral conductor. Next October they will present a concert at Madison's Overture Center. The students chosen for this elite choir are:

David Heinrich
Mixed Choir

Emily Landry
Treble Choir

Elise Baumgartner
Alternate - Treble Choir

Katie Rick
Treble Choir

Katrina Schmidt
Treble Choir

Maria Calandranis
Alternate - Mixed Choir

Nicole Slaski
Mixed Choir

Regan Lyons
Treble Choir

Kathryn Koenen
Mixed Choir

Dana Marklund
Alternate Mixed Choir

Prom 2014

Arrowhead High School

Prom 2014

Details and information go to the PROM 2014 Web-site.

SWINGIN' SOIREE: PROM 2014

WHEN: APRIL 12, 2014 at COUNTRY SPRINGS at 7:00

PROM TICKET SALES

Read the directions carefully to get your prom tickets.

Prom tickets will ONLY be sold ONLINE during the following two weeks.

• Monday, March 24 through Sunday, March 30 tickets will be $70/person
• Monday, March 31 through Friday, April 4 at NOON tickets will be $80/person

Ticket sales will end promptly at noon on Friday, April 4 and NO tickets will be sold after! 

NO EXCEPTIONS!!

Buy tickets here!

Students need to PRINT out their receipt after purchasing online tickets.

This receipt is ONLY a voucher.  Students MUST come to N160 afterschool from 2:40-3:00 from March 25-April 4 to pick out their table, food choice, and receive their actual prom ticket.  NO one will be admitted without the formal prom ticket.

Tables for prom seat groups of 10.  Therefore, the best choice is to pick out your table group ahead of time and come pick out your table together.  

Tables CANNOT be reserved and table CHANGES WILL NOT BE made.

AHS Jazz Events

Arrowhead High School

Instrumental Music Department

Jazz News

Arrowhead North Jazz Ensemble to perform in Clinic with Grammy-winning artist, Randy Brecker on Monday, March 24th, 2014. The clinic begins at 3:30pm, with AHS North Jazzperforming at 5:15pm.

In addition, Arrowhead is hosting their annual Jazz Festival on Friday, March 28th, 2014. Participating ensembles in the festival include Mukwonago High School Jazz Ensemble, Menomonee Falls Jazz Ensemble, and Arrowhead South Jazz. Arrowhead is proud to welcome the UW-Stevens Point Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Matt Buchman, as the featured performers in the evening concert. The evening concert begins at 6:30pm in the Arrowhead North Campus Theater with Arrowhead North Jazz Ensemble as the opening act. 

The Arrowhead Jazz Festival allows participating ensembles to perform for professional jazz music educators from the midwest and receive a clinic experience and masterclasses on their instruments. Tickets are available at the door: Adults/$10, Students/Children/$5. Contact Jacob Polancich or Stacey Zwirlein at (262) 369-3612 for more information.

College Essay Workshop

ARROWHEAD HIGH SCHOOL

COLLEGE ESSAY WORKSHOP

August 11-14, 2014

Want help writing your college essay? 

Take the College Essay Workshop at AHS August 11-14 from 12:30-3:30 or 4:00-7pm. Sign up in guidance!

Students needing assistance writing their College Essay are being offered a workshop in August. The College Essay Workshop (CEW) is an opportunity for Arrowhead High School students to receive feedback/instruction in writing your college essays.

Additional information:

COLLEGE ESSAY WORKSHOP 

Credit: 1/4 

The College Essay Workshop, new for summer 2014, will help students understand what college admissions officers desire in a college essay. Students will focus on the principles of good writing, including the components of a compelling narrative. Students will plan, draft, write, share and receive feedback from multiple teachers and students. They will learn about creating an application with purpose and consistency through example essays and readings. This workshop is face to face for seniors only. A pass-fail will be awarded. Students need to supply their own device. 

Students should sign up for ONE section:

Section 1 – August 11, 12, 13, 14 

12:30 – 3:30 pm each day 

OR

Section 2 – August 11, 12, 13, 14 

4:00 - 7:00 pm each day 

Students can obtain a summer school sign-up sheet by clicking here or by going to the Arrowhead High School Guidance webpage.  

An Evening of Mini Classes for Adults

LEARNING NEVER ENDS

An Evening of Mini Classes for Adults

Building on our school's motto, "Something for Everyone" the Arrowhead staff, spearheaded by social studies teacher Joe Paul, has organized an evening of learning opportunities for local community members.  

What: The Learning Never Ends program offers twelve mini classes on a wide variety of topics. The classes are offered free of charge, and are open to any member of the community interested in lifelong learning.   When: The evening of Wednesday, March 26th Where: North Campus of Arrowhead High School Who: Any member of the Arrowhead Community with a passion for learning.    Download Brochure & Register  More details and registration information available on the Arrowhead School District Web-site. If you have any questions, please call 262-369-3612 X3704.

Your Choice Drug Awareness Presentation

Drugs?  What's the Big Deal?

Parent & Student Presentation

The Kettle Moraine Parent Network, Your Choice and the Waukesha Sherrif's Department have partnered on a program for parents and students on drug awareness.  An invitation has been extended to Arrowhead parents and students.  Below is the flyer and link to register for the event:

Inclement Weather Make-Up Dates

Arrowhead Union High School District

Parent Communication

February 3, 2014

Re: Inclement Weather School Cancellations

Arrowhead Students, Staff, and Parents:

With the cancellation of school on January 6^th and 7^th, in addition to the most recent cancellations due to the frigid temperatures and wind chills on January 27^th and 28^th, the district will need to schedule an additional day of school.  Having a fourth day of school canceled due to inclement weather means Arrowhead High School will be in session and students will be expected to attend classes on Friday, May 23^rd, a day scheduled as a “possible snow make-up day.”

The 2013-14 Arrowhead High School calendar exceeds the state days/hours/minutes of instruction requirements by three days, allowing for three weather-related closures, without having to add make-up days.

Having at least two more months of winter and the possibility of additional cancellations the following dates will be used should additional cancellations occur:

Cancellation	Make-up Date(s)
5th Day of School Cancellation	June, 11th, 12th & 13th (2nd Semester Exam Schedule will go from half-days to full-days)
6th Day of School Cancellation	June 16th (Start of summer school moved back one day)
7th Day of School Cancellation	School cancellations will be made-up on Saturdays

This information is being provided to students, staff, and parents as early as possible, allowing time to plan accordingly.  A special note: the need for make-up days and the schedule provided, only apply to Arrowhead High School.  The Arrowhead K-8 feeder schools have lower days/hours/minutes of instruction requirements and may not be impacted by the school cancellations.  Individual school districts are responsible for making any determinations relative to this matter.

Sincerely,

Craig Jefson

Arrowhead Superintendent

Inclement Weather Update 1/26/14

Arrowhead Union High School District

Parent Communication

January 26, 2014

Re: Inclement Weather – Frigid Temperatures & Wind Chills Forecasted

Arrowhead Students, Staff, and Parents:

The National Weather Service has issued a WIND CHILL ADVISORY for our area starting at midnight tonight and extending through 9pm Monday. 

As a general guideline, a WIND CHILL WARNING is used to determine if the operations of school will be impacted. 

At this time, the Arrowhead Area Schools will remain in session for Monday, January 27, 2014.  We are continuing to monitor the situation and will communicate with students, staff, and parents should circumstances warrant a decision impacting school operations.  A previous communication was sent to Arrowhead parents outlining the means for accessing updates on inclement weather impacting operations. This communication can be found on the District’s Blog at:

http://thearrowheadschools.blogspot.com/2013/12/inclement-weather-cancellations.html

The National Weather Service has issued an additional alert for a WIND CHILL WARNING from 9pm Monday (1/27) until noon Tuesday (1/28).  The forecast is for Wind Chill Values of 35 to 50 below zero for Monday evening and Tuesday morning.  If the forecast holds true the potential for a cancellation of school would be very likely. 

Arrowhead is responsible for determining school delays and cancellations for AHS, as well as all Arrowhead K-8 feeder schools.  Decisions are based on gathering information from a variety of weather services, neighboring school districts, and local resources (WeatherNet – private weather service provider, Dousman Transportation, law enforcement, county, etc.).  Every effort is made to obtain the most accurate information in making a determination of whether to run school.  As always, the final decision of whether it is safe enough for your child to travel to school is yours, the parent.  If a determination is made that school is in session and as a parent you do not want your child traveling to school, you should call school and ask that your child be excused for the day

We will continue to closely monitor weather conditions and communicate if the operation of school is impacted.

Sincerely,

Craig Jefson

Arrowhead Superintendent

The Arrowhead Way PBIS

The Arrowhead Way
January Update

Positive Behavioral Intervention & Supports (PBIS)

Arrowhead High School's staff in cooperation with AHS students has developed and implemented THE ARROWHEAD WAY:

• BE APPROPRIATE
• BE RESPONSIBLE
• BE RESPECTFUL

There are many elements of The Arrowhead Way and areas students and staff are working to improve and enhance the climate and culture of AHS.  The Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Team is one of the groups that has made significant efforts towards this goal.  The following is information on some of the impacts it is having on our school:

PBIS

We continue to see so many amazing things in our office discipline referral data; below are just a few of them!:  

• Our total referrals showed an 87% reduction in December of this year in comparison to December of last year
• Our unexcused absences are on pace for a reduction of about 58% overall this year so far
• Our bus misconduct incidents are on pace for a reduction of about 78% overall this year so far
• Our drug related incidents are on pace for a reduction of about 68% overall this year so far

January Tip: Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Help our students make good decisions with their devices, by valuing appropriate & responsible use and guiding students away from any inappropriate use.

What does using your device appropriately & responsibly look like?

• Texting a friend to meet for a study group and putting phone away
• Checking grades
• Watching a teacher's podcast

What does using a device inappropriately look like? 

• Continuously texting from phone
• Checking social media account for social purposes
• Watching random YouTube videos, television shows, and/or movies

**Please note that in the past we have had to block Youtube from wireless access, due to inappropriate use consuming all of our bandwidth. We will be opening it again, but need everyone to help our students use this resource appropriately & responsibly. 

THANKS for all that you continue to do!!  

~The Arrowhead Way Team