Program: “Whatcha'  Gonna’ Do This Summer?”

7:30pm-8:30pm

Cafeteria: Initial meeting and information display throughout the night.

Randy Bernstein, Principal: Summer academic programs at South, including information about credit recovery and possible community service or paid jobs.

Pick two sessions out of the following three sessions.

First Session:  7:45-8:05

Bell announcement

Second Session 8:10-8:30

·      Rich Fay, Eugene Recreation Dept.: Recreation from swimming at Amazon pool to kayak camps. The Rec. Dept. also has many jobs and Counselor-in-Training opportunities. 

·      James Engberg, SEP Coordinator: Find out more about the UO's Summer Enrichment program which includes living in a college dorm for 2 weeks or find out about the Junior Counselor Leadership Program. 

·      Virginia Farkas, SEHS Career Center: Ideas for  finding community service or summer learning/leadership opportunities. Senior Projects and placements will be discussed. 

Information Tables, scrip for sale and more! Students and Parents are invited!  Incoming 9th Graders (Fall 2011) are invited to attend.

Save Your Sanity: March 2, 2011

The Parent Council meeting for Wednesday, March 2, 2011 will feature parent and acclaimed author, Lauren Kessler, speaking on: 6 Strategies to Save Your Sanity: Just Because Your Teen is Going Crazy Doesn’t Mean You Have To.” 

The program starts at 7:30pm in the SEHS cafeteria located in the back of the school. Enter from Patterson just past the crosswalk/light near the YMCA.

Lauren Kessler is a parent and author of the book, My Teenage Were-Wolf: A Mother, A Daughter, A Journey Through the Thicket of Adolescence

Watch for 2011 Program Information Coming Soon!

Watch for more information about a special program with Lauren Kessler, South parent and author of My Teenage Werewolf: A Mother, A Daughter, A Journey Through the Thicket of Adolescence.  More info on Lauren and her books:
http://penguinspeakersbureau.com/speaker/167.

Thank you for your support and attendance in 2010.

The Greening of South-Nov. 3, 2010 Program

Parent Education Series – The Greening of South

Panel members:  Jim Wilcox from Lane Bicycle Coalition; Julie Daniels from Bring Recycling; Joshua Frankel from Partners for Sustainable Schools; and John Wayland, Vice Principal at South.

Jim reported that BikeLane Coalition works to promote cycling as a healthful, economical and environmentally beneficial means of everyday transportation and recreation.  His biggest challenge is working against consumerism.

Julie is the Executive Director of Bring Recycling.  Bring’s School Education Program offers presentations and works with teachers to develop curriculum.  Bring helps provide hands-on experience to volunteers from SEHS.  Bring staff members act as mentors to students who are doing their senior projects.  The Bring facility is used as a learning environment for water quality and alternative energy.  Recycling building materials is an opportunity to give an environmental message embedded in art, photography, music and drama.  Bring also offers businesses consultation on recycling and using recycled products.  It is an opportunity to show students how the stuff they use shapes the planet by our choices.

Josh is a Program Coordinator for Partners for Sustainable Schools.  He reported on programs they offer including Oregon Green Schools, a state-wide program out of Salem, and The Cool School Challenge which originated in Washington State.  Their goal is to educate young people about climate change and everyday actions they can take to reduce their impact locally and globally.  The Fall Hope in Action Conference will be held November 19^th at the Eugene Faith Center in Eugene.  It is a day-long conference packed with workshops conducted by some of the best local presenters in the area.  The theme is “The Future Now” and the goal is to learn about how to create positive change in the world, to learn what it means to live in a more sustainable world and to understand our options for the future.  Contact Joshua at greenschools@live.com for more information.

John Wayland reported on activities taking place at South right now.  The cafeteria is making an attempt to serve food from local sources.  Local blackberries were served earlier this year.  We are recycling paper and some other products.  South offers Environmental Science and Environmental Studies.  The Integrated Outdoor Program brings literature and outdoors together.  Participants have turned the courtyard into a learning environment.  At least two dozen staff members ride bides to school.  South has a club called Team Green that students can join.  Stephanie Cannon, Vice Principal at South and Teacher Peter Weibe coordinate a program called South Eugene Educational Opportunities.  Its theme is sustainability .  It’s in its first year and growing. 

How do we get parents to not use their cars so much?  Julie suggested that in every communication to repeatedly ask parents to consider an alternative to driving.  At gatherings, ask “How did you get here tonight?”  Continually model behavior by using public transportation, and  including bus schedules in school communications.  Offer incentives, prizes.  Jim recommended talking to kids about the cultural aspects of having a car and the costs.  The time between ages 15 and 18 is a critical time for imprinting on kids the ability to live without a car.  Using a bicycle is The Elegant Solution.

"Getting To Know South: Oct. 6, 2010

October 6, 2010 Program Notes:

Parent Education Series – Getting to Know South

Panel Presenters: Marlys Martin, School Nurse; Kate Angelos-Mather, Mental Health Therapist; and Julie Penton, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (all from My School’s Health Center); Dave Hancock, Athletic Director; Marie Marson, Counseling and Guidance Dept.; Audrey Hudson, Senior Student; Jessica, Senior Student.

My Health Center located in Room 109 serves over 3,000 students per year with and without health insurance. Ailments range from headaches to chronic diseases. Nurses provide help to students taking medications and facilitate communication with families and doctors. Health care professionals are available for counseling and referrals for mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, peer pressure, and substance abuse, as well. My Health Center serves all the feeder schools into South.

Dave Hancock, Athletic Director, said we have over 400 athletes at South, and almost half of the student body is active in some sport at school through club involvement. USAA sports are considered Tier 1 and they are funded through the district. Sports such as water polo, rowing, lacrosse, and skiing are Tier 2-4 activities and are funded by the individuals. Not all kids compete in sports, but they like to participate. In track, for instance, some kids just like to run the trails, but not compete in the contests. The clubs are always looking for more kids to participate.

Marie Marson spoke about Counseling and Guidance at South. South has four guidance counselors who go into the classrooms and meet with every kid. Students have assignments and are encouraged to use the Career Center. Students can get credit for working at a job outside of school in the School to Work Program.

Audrey Hudson, a senior student at South, spoke about the drama program. She has been involved in drama and choir at South for four years. Early involvement in drama entails improvisation and stage help, teambuilding and trust. Students who are not interested in being on stage can participate in StageCraft by designing sets, painting, moving sets, sound and microphone, lights, etc. There is a computer lab being installed back stage. Students enrolled in Drama 1 and 2 get to take trips and meet other students at other schools. There is a treble choir just for girls to work on harmony and blend.

Jessica is in charge of clubs at South. Students invent their own clubs with a wide range of interests. Some of the clubs are academic, math, robotics, ultimate Frisbee, lacrosse, equitation, etc. Pie-O-Neers is a group that meets at a member’s house to bake pies for charitable causes. There are Student Unions to give students support at South. The Harry Potter Club is the largest with 60 students signed up. South also has a thriving Debate Club.

Academics Unlimited is a tutoring center in Room 6 across from the Career Center which is open all day. It is staffed by students, parents and teachers.

Getting to Know South-This Wednesday

Getting to Know South
Program Starts at 7:30pm

A Panel of experts will highlight South's programs that ALL students can be involved in, to create a full, enriching high school experience: Academics, Arts, Clubs, Athletics will be represented to share with parents the range of activities offered to South students.

Get a sneak preview of the upcoming Drama production of “West Side Story” and hear about the Gala set for November 5, 2010. Audrey Hudson and Dylan Stasack are in the cast of West Side Story and are members of the Dorians.

Please attend this program to learn and understand more about South and the enriching opportunities for our children.

April Program: What Am I Gonna' Do This Summer?

April 28, 2010 – Parent Council Education Series
“What am I Gonna’ Do This Summer?”

John Wayland, Asst. Principal, announced information about programs offered by SEHS this summer:
· Incoming freshmen can sign up for Summerbridge, a one-month, morning program that introduces students to the high school
· APEX is a program through which students can get their academic life on track by taking Credit Recovery classes – South has a teacher in the computer lab who can monitor on-line learning. This is a different kind of delivery system for students, and it can be an opportunity to accelerate as well.
· Algebra opportunity -- Students can take tests to get credit for graduation or turn an Incomplete into a grade.
· Junior students will be working on their Senior Project during the summer. They are required to find a mentor in an area of career interest they may have and spend 25 hours learning about the field they have chosen. They will be required to develop a focus question, keep a journal, a log of hours spent, write a 5 paragraph essay and make a presentation.
Parent participants split into 3 groups to attend 20 minute presentations:
· Eugene Recreation Dept. -- Amy from the River House, the Youth Leadership program where teens can volunteer and learn new skills for free. This group meets every week to do activities, such as rock climbing, rafting, and special events. It’s a great way to get connected and often leads to employment. Youth To Make It Happen focuses on activism, empowerment through acting, drama, music and dance. Teens can go on line to apply for a job and fill out an application for temporary employment, but Amy suggests that applicants follow up by going to the River House in person.
Ray Fey manages the three pools in town: Amazon, Echo Hollow and Sheldon. Teens must go through him to apply for lifeguard jobs. He suggested that applicants first go to the pool where they want to work to place an application. Programs are also available for training to become a lifeguard through American Red Cross Certification. Swim & Tennis at Echo Hollow pool begins July 12 for kids 6 – 15 years of age. Summer Swim and Water Polo is also offered MWF for the entire summer for $50 with a barbeque at the end of the summer.
· Experience Counts: Exploring Summer Jobs and Internships – Jocelyn LaMar provided handouts and information on summer jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities that help students develop skills that will be valuable for employment. She encouraged teens to check out Maud Kerns, Science Factory, Campfire USA and YMCA for Counselor In Training programs. Peace Health now has 15-20 spots for volunteers – contact Lynn Lacey. Next year’s seniors will be looking for mentors for their senior project – if you have an occupation or career that may be interesting to a student and can mentor for 25 hours this summer, please contact Jocelyn at the Career Center.
· Sizzling Summer Reading – Sarah Prater-Eichner presented information on book lists and Young Writers Club.

**Materials from this program are currently displayed in the Career & College Center.

Information on Program Planning

On May 26, 2010 Parent Council will have a mini-program on the School Improvement Plan. If you've ever wondered what a School Improvement Plan is or what the Site Council does, this meeting is for you. Randy Bernstein will introduce our program and take questions and feedback. The program is from 7:00-7:30pm in the cafeteria.

Planning is already underway for next year's programs. Parents have expressed interest in topics such as Greening SEHS and School Funding. Have a topic that you'd like to see on that schedule? If you are willing to work on that one program, we are willing to consider doing it. Planning a program requires thinking through a topic, helping find speakers and being present the night of the program. Not a huge commitment--maybe a good fit for you?

If you're interested in helping with a program next year, please contact Helen Beardsworth, hbeardswo@gmail.com or Jen Wyld, wyld@efn.org.