Saturday, May 27, 2017

Southwest Guilford High School's Principal's Message for the week of May 30, 2017

Good evening, this is Mike Hettenbach, Principal of Southwest Guilford High School.

Here is your weekly message:

Most of you may know by now that the Board of Education has approved for me to take over as the permanent Principal of Southwest Guilford High School effective July 1. I am honored to lead this school and its community to great things and as we reach the end of the year, I welcome you to reach out to me and set up an appointment for the purpose of sharing anything that you are proud of or even may have concerns about. Together, we have the ability to form a partnership that will take this school to the next level of greatness. Thank you.

As we have less than 3 instructional days to exams, how aware are you of your child's grades and attendance. Do you feel quite confident you will not be blindsided with a poor grade, or absences that need to be made up? Hopefully you are all on Parent Assist. If not, please call the school and speak to Kristy Cline, our data manager to make sure you have access. We are quickly approaching a point where we will be out of time.

You may have heard of us adding electives to our school for the upcoming year. Please reach out to your child's guidance counselor if both you and your child agree on requesting any of these newly added electives:  Dance, Advanced Dance, Advanced Physical Fitness with a concentration on Yoga, Zumba, steps, spin, and more! Honors African American Studies, Digital Media and Advanced Digital Media!  We are very excited about diversifying the elective options for your child. Again, please reach out to your child's guidance counselor immediately with any interest.

May 30th is the 9th grade incentive trip to the Zoo. All students who have turned in their form and qualified for the trip may be in spirit wear top and knee length shorts, or in regular dress code attire. Food is not provided and can cost upward to 10-15 dollars so your child should be financially prepared. Be aware that no outside food or drinks are allowed. It is also recommended to wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. 

Exam exemption cards will be distributed during lunch on Wednesday, May 31st in the cafeteria. These exemption cards can be earned by having no more than 13 excused class absences over the 2nd semester's time frame. Any unexcused absences automatically disqualify a student from this exemption opportunity. Each student is responsible for turning this exemption card into their teacher for teacher made exams only. Any student who obtains an absence, whether it is unexcused or surpasses the criteria of 13 classes after we distribute these cards and before the exams will have their exemption card revoked.

Thursday June 1 is the deadline for all students who are planning to walk at graduation. Seniors must have all work turned in prior to the June 1 deadline. Students should find out from their teacher about missing work, make up time. etc. , Additionally, any seniors who owe money for textbooks, library books, cafeteria charges, club or sports equipment and any other items belonging to the school should be paid for in order to walk at graduation. 

Friday, June 2nd is a regular school day, however, this is the first teacher made exam day for blocks 1 and 3. If a student has an exam on this day in either block 1 or 3, they will not need to attend school the following week on Tuesday or Thursday. More information about testing the following week will be communicated on next Sunday's message.

Saturday, June 3 from 8 am to noon is Saturday school in the media center for students who owe time. On the same day, students who are currently enrolled in Biology and English 10 will have the opportunity to attend a free EOC boot camp from 9am to Noon. This has proven to us over the years that students perform much better on their exams after attending this opportunity. 

A couple announcements from the athletic department:

Tuesday, May 30 - Spring Sports Banquet, 6:30 in the auditorium
         All student athletes and families must have RSVP'd by this past Friday, May 26.
         Cost is free
         Dress code:  Males are collared shirt with ties, Females - dress or slacks
         
Thursday, June 1 - 5:30 pm - Sports Physicals for ONLY $5
         Physical forms can be found online at the Southwest website, Athletic Director's door,            and front office. This is the only time and price this will be available.

Thank you for support

Remember, you are always able to access this message on our school website under School News and titled Principal's Weekly Updates or on Facebook and Twitter. Please follow Southwest High School at SouthwestGHS for both Twitter and Facebook. This is a great way for us to communicate and stay connected.

I hope you have a great week 

We are... Southwest!

Friday, May 19, 2017

Southwest Guilford High School's Principal's Message for the week of May 22, 2017

Good evening, this is Mike Hettenbach, Principal of Southwest Guilford High School.

I have a very quick message for you.

First and foremost, I want to express my thanks to everyone who participated in Teacher Appreciation week here at SW Guilford High School, whether you brought in food items, sent notes, e-mails, gifts in to teachers, volunteered hours to cook, deliver items to teacher mailboxes, you are truly amazing and your time and generosity is much appreciated. Thank you. You are another reason why SWHS continues to be highly sought after as the school to attend. If you are looking to be involved next year, please let me know and I will connect you to the proper individuals.

Any student who ordered class rings can pick them up during their lunch right outside the cafeteria on Monday. Please look for the Herff Jones table.

Please come out Tuesday and Thursday night to support the Chorus on Tuesday and the Orchestra on Thursday. Both will be in the auditorium with a 7pm start time. 

Friday, Seniors will be involved in a graduation walk at Florence and at SWES. Students should bring their cap and gown to school as they will walk the halls of these elementary schools! Following the graduation walks, the seniors will enjoy the senior picnic. It is not too late to send in any donations to make this event as spectacular as possible.  You can have your child drop a check made out to SWHS PTSA or cash to the main office. Anyone that has had children experience the senior picnic will know what an undertaking this is and how vital the donations are to making it a success. Thank you for any assistance with this.

As we have less than 10 days to exams, how aware are you of your child's grades and attendance. Do you feel quite confident you will not be blindsided with a poor grade, or absences that need to be made up? Hopefully you are all on Parent Assist. If not, please call the school and speak to Kristy Cline, our data manager to make sure you have access. 

A couple announcements form the athletic department:

Tuesday, May 30 - Spring Sports Banquet, 6:30 in the auditorium
         All student athletes and families must RSVP  before this coming Friday, May 26.
         Cost is free
         Dress code:  Males are collared shirt with ties, Females - dress or slacks
         
Wednesday, June 1 - 5:30 pm - Sports Physicals for ONLY $5
         Physical forms can be found online at the Southwest website, Athletic Director's door,            and front office. This is the only time and price this will be available.

Thank you for support

Remember, you are always able to access this message on our school website under School News and titled Principal's Weekly Updates or on Facebook and Twitter. Please follow Southwest High School at SouthwestGHS for both Twitter and Facebook. This is a great way for us to communicate and stay connected.

I hope you have a great week 

We are... Southwest!

Friday, May 12, 2017

Southwest Guilford High School's Principal's Message for the week of May 15, 2017

Good evening, this is Mike Hettenbach, Principal of Southwest Guilford High School.

I have a very quick message for you.

This is teacher appreciation week at Southwest Guilford High School. Please assist me in expressing your appreciation to the staff of SWHS. Something as minimal as a quick e-mail or note sent to a teacher or two to express your appreciation is one of the most powerful ways to reinforce how they matter to the young lives that cross their paths on a daily basis. In addition, feel free to reach out to the PTSA to find out how you can support them in what they plan on doing during this week. They have something planned each day and I am sure they could use your support.  Jen Metcalfe would be your contact at Jenn Metcalfe, jenlynnmetcalfe@gmail.com .

Come out and support the arts as the Band will be having their Spring concert in the auditorium Tuesday evening at 7:00.

Thursday, May 18, the last interim reports will be distributed to all students who have Ds and Fs. In the meantime, all parents should be routinely checking Parent Assist for their child's grades and attendance. If you need assistance with this account, please contact the school and ask for Kristy Cline, the school's data manager. We are quickly approaching the end of the school year and we do not want any parent to be blind sided by failing grades, whether it be for academic reasons or failing to make up time. We need everyone to partner with us while monitoring the students of SWHS.

Parents of seniors, the Baccalaureate is scheduled for Sunday, May 21 at the Jamestown United Methodist Church. Students should be lining up no later than 3:30 in their cap and gown. This is a non-denominational ceremony to recognize any SWHS graduates. This is not a mandatory event, however, it is an event that your child can be recognized at.

As we approach senior picnic on May 26th, we are making a last pitch for donations from each family.  The committee is asking for a small donation of $10.00 per family, however any amount would be greatly appreciated. You can have your child drop a check made out to SWHS PTSA or cash to the main office. Anyone that has had children experience the senior picnic will know what an undertaking this is and how vital the donations are to making it a success. Thank you for any assistance with this.

Last, we have repeatedly reminded students to purchase and post parking permits in their cars if they are parking at SWHS. Since there are many students who are not complying with this request, starting Monday, we will be towing any cars without the proper posted authorization. Please make sure your child is complying with our expectations. We greatly appreciate this.

As it relates to athletics, due to teams still involved in the playoffs, the schedule will be posted on www.cowboysports.org as well as on the Facebook SWHS sports page.



Thank you for support

Remember, you are always able to access this message on our school website under School News and titled Principal's Weekly Updates or on Facebook and Twitter. Please follow Southwest High School at SouthwestGHS for both Twitter and Facebook. This is a great way for us to communicate and stay connected.

I hope you have a great week 


We are... Southwest!

Friday, May 5, 2017

Southwest Guilford High School's Principal's Message for the week of May 8, 2017

Good evening, this is Mike Hettenbach, Principal of Southwest Guilford High School.

I have a very quick message for you.

Students who are enrolled in AP classes will continue to take their AP exams this week. Please encourage your child to eat well before the exam and get proper sleep.

Parents of seniors, the Baccalaureate date has now been moved to Sunday, May 21 at the Jamestown United Methodist Church. Students should be lining up no later than 3:30 in their cap and gown.

As it relates to the Prom on May 13, we want to inform any and all individuals that students must be present in school on Friday the 12th for at least half of the day in order to attend the prom. Any student who is out of school for more than half of a day on Friday the 12th will not be allowed to attend the Prom that Saturday, May 13th. 

The annual senior picnic is currently scheduled for May 26th. The committee is asking for a small donation of $10.00 per family, however any amount would be greatly appreciated. You can have your child drop a check made out to SWHS PTSA or cash to the main office. Anyone that has had children experience the senior picnic will know what an undertaking this is and how vital the donations are to making it a success. Thank you for any assistance with this.

As it relates to athletics, the following events are scheduled::

May 8, Monday
TBA               Golf State Championship @ TBA

May 9, Tuesday 
TBA               Golf State Championship @ TBA
7:00 pm        Varsity Lacrosse @TBA
7:00 pm          Varsity Soccer 1st Round Playoffs TBA
7:00 pm          Varsity Baseball  1st Round Playoffs TBA
7:00 pm          Varsity Softball 1st Round Playoffs TBA

May 12, Friday 
TBA                  COED Track Regionals TBA
7:00 pm            Varsity Lacrosse @TBA
7:00 pm            Men's Baseball 2nd Round Playoffs
7:00 pm            Women's Soccer 2nd round Playoffs TBA

7:00 pm            Softball - 2nd Round Playoffs TBA

Thank you for support

Remember, you are always able to access this message on our school website under School News and titled Principal's Weekly Updates or on Facebook and Twitter. Please follow Southwest High School at SouthwestGHS for both Twitter and Facebook. This is a great way for us to communicate and stay connected.

I hope you have a great week 


We are... Southwest!