1st Semester is coming to a close.....

SLHS Community,

As we enter the final week of the fall semester of 2012 and begin looking toward the new year, I want to thank you for all the love and support during one of the most tragic semesters in the history of SLHS and this community.  The community's support and partnership to our students continues to impress me and I am very proud to be a GATOR. 

"The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win."

— Roger Bannister

Gratitude betows reverance, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world. 

John Milton.


1st Semester FINALS-
The finals schedule is on our website so please reference slhsgators.com for the breakdown.  Please note that FRIDAY is a shortened day with no breakfast or lunch served.  Busses depart at 12:15-

Congratulations to both our POMS and CHEER teams as they represented SLHS very well at the state competition last Friday.  The poms team finished 9th which is the highest finish in years at state.  The Cheer team too improved its final position from the past two years.  Both teams did an outstanding job and I am VERY proud of their efforts! 

Gator Updates- Cheer/Poms headed to State!

SLHS Community,

I want to wish both our CHEER and POMS teams the BEST OF LUCK as they head to the state competition tomorrow at the Denver Coliseum.  Our Cheer team will perform at 9:28am and the Poms will pefrom at 2:52pm-  GOOD LUCK GIRLS!

On Wednesday our very own Illusions choir was honored and featured to perform at the all manager/principal meeting at the Educational Support Center.  The group directed by Mr. Randy Wise performed beautifully and received plenty of accolades for their show.  A special thanks to Dr. Stevenson for the invitation to showcase our talented young men and women in the arts.  SEE PICTURES TO THE RIGHT-

FINALS-
The finals schedule is posted as we are extremely close to the close of semester one.  Please make sure you and your student are aware of grades, expectations, and what is needed at this time especially seniors. 

CONGRATULATIONS-
Our speech team performed very well this past weekend with the following student placements-
       o   Elsa Johnson and Tineke Naseef placed first in duo interpretation.

o   Brady Le and Devynn Pruett placed third in duo interpretation.

o   Christa Valdez placed fourth in poetry and interpretation.

o   Emma Asztalos, Courtney Kauffman, Cassie Gardner, Tyler Glenwright-Korte, Steven Emmen, Marcus McKinney, and Isabella Lopez all received ribbons.

Welcome Back and upcoming Events

I hope everyone had a very relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving vacation.  I personally have so much to be thankful for and often take it for granted to include the tremendous support and work of this community. 

The first semstser is coming to an abrupt close so please continue your dilligence and communications with your sons/daughters and our staff to ensure the semester doesnt end in disappointment.  Finals are scheduled to take palce on Dec. 19th, 20th, and a half day on the 21st. 

Winter sports season begins this week as our basketball teams will start games on Wednesday night, Swimming, Wrestling and Hockey all have their first matches on Saturday.  Please see our website for specific times and locations.

COFFEE WITH THE PRINCIPAL- The first coffee w the Principal event will take place this Wednesday from 4:00-5:00 at Starbucks on 101st and Wadsworth. 

THANK YOU JEFFCO!

SLHS Community and all of Jefferson County,

Thank you for your partnership, support, and ultimate belief in our school district/system when approving our 3A and 3B bond and mill initiatives!  While we still have work to do, this victory provides our schools stress releif and light at the end of our tunnel.  This community along with all of JEFFCO persevered through the many curve balls and mis-guided information and are now on the victory stand ready to  move forward.  One aspect to the victory removes the two furlough days scheduled for April and May as they become full working days, thus providing employees with 1% back into their salary from the 3% cuts we have sustained over the past two years. 

Once again, a HUGE thank you to the support and teamwork you've provided SLHS.

Jeff Pierson

Update on Jessica Ridgeway Arrest

Community,

As you have now seen or heard, the authorities have a suspect in custody in the Jessica Ridgeway case.  You have also been privy to information that the suspect was a former student at SLHS.  We are cooperating with law enforcement as they continue their investigation.  While we all deal with a whirlwind of emotions, we have support personnel in place for any and all needs.  Our school and community are resilient and will persevere through this tough time.  I thank you for the support, thoughts, and prayers for this entire community as we start the process of justice and healing.  I suspect the media will continue to be near our site throughout the coming days/weeks as this progresses so please be aware and inform your kids about the media coverage/possible interviews they may request. 

Please rest assured, this school community is unified, strong, and dedicated to our students and providing the best comprehensive education we can on a daily basis. 

Respectfully,

Jeff Pierson- Principal

Coffee with the Superintendent

SLHS Community,

We have a very exciting opportunity to talk with our superintendent Dr. Cindy Stevenson this next Wednesday right here at SLHS from 3:00 to 4:00pm-  Please see information below and RSVP to the number provided.  Lets give Dr. Stevenson a big welcome and let her know how much our community cares about JEFFCO.

                Superintendent Cindy Stevenson invites parents, guardians, community members and key communicators for coffee and an opportunity to discuss important school and district issues.  This is your chance to ask questions directly to the superintendent or principal. 

Date for Coffee         Location of Coffee                                 Time

9/4/12                        Ralston Valley High School                    7:30-9:00AM

9/12/12                      Pomona High School                              7:30-9:00AM          

9/27/12                      Arvada West High School                      7:30-9:00AM

10/23/12     Standley Lake High School       3:00-4:00PM

RSVP for this special event by calling 303-982-6808

A heartfelt THANKS to the SLHS community

SLHS Community,

I cannot thank you enough for the warm wishes, thoughts, prayers, and support you have shown the Ridgeway family along with our community over the past 10 days.  While our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with the Ridgeways as they now try and find some peace, begin a healing process, and lastly justice for this horrific event.  Jessica was one of our own and the SLHS school community will remember this beautiful and charismatic young lady.

I want to encourage families to engage in conversations within your family about not only this loss, but about accountability, awareness, and most of all about what to do in emergency type situations.  Don't let this senseless act hinder our willingness to enjoy life with our kids and the freedoms associated within this great country.  I am extremely thankful for the tremendous law enforcement agencies that have worked tirelessly on this case and will hopefully find the person responsible quickly so justice can be served.

I've received multiple requests and suggestions on ways to both remember Jessica at SLHS and on the other hand opportunities for the community to offer self defense courses, etc.  I will continue working with our district within board policy to find the most appropriate ways to address these topics in the very near future and with the family's approval.

The following webpage has excellent information, tips, and learning for you to read and share within your family-  The Center for Missing and Exploited Children

Thank you,
Jeff Pierson