SLHS GATOR GYMNASTICS STATE CHAMPIONS!!!

Congratulations to the SLHS gymnastic team as they just won the 4A state championship!  The team was amazing and had some season highs as both a team and as individuals.  Many of the individuals will now compete tomorrow in the individual state events being held at Thornton HS.

Great job ladies!!!  We are very proud of you.

Good Luck GATOR Gymnastics at STATE

Gator Nation,

Our girls gymnastic team was triumphant last weekend as they brought home a regional 1st place finish.  They will now take their efforts to the state competition that's being held on Friday October 31st and Nov. 1st at Thornton HS-  The first rounds starts Friday morning at 8:40am and will conclude on Saturday afternoon.  We are behind the Lady Gators and wishing them all the best as they work to bring home a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!

PS-  I wanted to also send accolades to the coaching staff as head Coach Kristen Larrington was voted coach of the year!

GOOD LUCK LADIES-

Fall Season is upon us

Good morning Gator Nation,

As falls sets in we prepare for some big upcoming events-  The fall season also represents the first 6 week grading process and provides both schools and families with a glimpse of learning and progression toward semester grades.  Please keep in touch with staff and administration when necessary to ensure we are providing a conducive environment for students to experience success.

SAFETY- SECURITY-
Parents-  Please help support the school by communicating to your students that during our school day from 7:00 to 2:30pm the only entrance to the building will be in the main doors.  We continue to have issues with students banging on side doors disrupting classes waiting for someone to let them in.  To provide the most secure and safest environment we continue to encourage all students and community to enter through the main entry doors during the school day.  THANK YOU-

IMPORTANT SURVEY-
Parents-  JEFFCO schools is working to improve our marketing, communication, and education of schools and programs in the district.  With Colorado being a choice option state, students have an opportunity to apply for choice into any school they choose.  This survey will provide the district with some important data to both improve the process and ensure we have high caliber programs available to students all across the JEFFCO area.  Here is the link- http://www.jeffcopublicschools.org/choice_survey/High.pdf

TRICK OR TREAT ST.-
SLHS will once again host our annual trick or treat street on Thursday October 30th from 5-8pm.  Clubs, sports, and programs here at SLHS will provide plenty of candy, fun, and a safe Halloween environment for kids to enjoy.  For more information please see our school website-  slhsgators.com

FALL PLAY-
Please come out and join our talented drama department as they present the Fall Play "Clockwork".  Performances will take place in the SLHS auditorium on October 16, 17, and 18th-  Each night's performance starts at 7:00pm-

ASPIRE TESTING- CANCELLED-  There's been multiple issues with the new ASPIRE testing to include the need to order tests in the Spring which wasnt completed therefore the ASPIRE testing will be cancelled.  However we ARE planning on providing a practice ACT exam to all sophomore students to help both the school and the student get an indicator on present performance levels and then a great indicator moving into their junior assessment.

Homecoming Week a HUGE SUCCESS

Thank you SLHS community for a tremendous homecoming week.  We had a lot of fun and introduced a new freshman class to the excting and eventful week called homecoming.  Every event went off without a hitch and the culminating event on Saturday night (Homecoming Dance) was one of the most attended events in recent years!  That says a lot about the school pride, committment, and unity that is felt within the student body!  We are GATOR STRONG!  

At the homecoming assembly I was challanged to the ALS ice bucket challengs and what an exciting time that was.  Before I did the challenge I had the student body help me decide whom I would pass the torch/challenge to next.  In the end the SCIENCE department is now working on a plan to take the challenge as well.  We raised over $400 in less than 5 minutes for my challenge!!!  What an amazing event and for a very worth cause.  

Thank you once again for allowing me to partner with you as we work in unity toward academic, athleics, and co curricular excellence- 

Jeff Pierson- 

Homecoming Week

Good morning Gator Community,

Our homecoming week is off to a tremendous start-  Our first annual bonfire took place on Monday night and was a huge hit-  We had tremendous attendance and the students really enjoyed the new atmosphere.  The night set the tone and provided some school spirit and momentum for the week.

Last night the annual Powder Puff football game was held once again at the NAAC.  The game was very competitive early on, but the seniors took over in the second half and ran away with the victory.  A big thanks to all the staff that helped make this event possible, but also to the community for the great attendance.  This has become a very enjoyable tradition for the Gator community and we appreciate all the support.

Remaining events-
Wednesday-  Movie in the Swamp-  7:30pm-  RIO-  (Weather pending)
Thursday- Crazy Hat day-  No big events-
Friday-  Class Color Day-  9th- White/10th- Green/ 11th Blue/  12th- TOGA-  Taste of homecoming and then the annual Homecoming Football game-  7:30 at the NAAC-
Saturday-  Homecoming Dance-  7:30-11:30-  "Return to Rio"

Real connections- How do we improve?

Hello Gator Community,

I often come to work and wonder what the outside world is like away from a school building and what others think about on their way to work.  I find myself not only thinking about my agenda or to do list, but about the amazing opportunities we have to impact students' lives everyday.  I encouraged our staff this year to first make the best first impression he or she could but to then follow that up with true connections.  Much of my research about high school students and not attending or liking school is evidenced in the following areas below-

- HS students don't feel cared for.
- HS students don't feel like teachers care whether they are in attendance or not.
- HS students feel like school starts way to early.
- Adults that think they are superior-
- Useless subjects
- Snippy or Unapproachable teachers-

We must continue working to break those barriers and encourage students to both attend and find ways to associate real world experience with their learning.  Providing an environment that's both relative and engaging becomes a priority for all educators.

I truly believe we can breakthrough these barriers and continue our work toward academic excellence.  I encourage parents to stay involved with your son or daughters learning in any capacity available.  Together we can work through the barriers that separate teenagers from really applying themselves.

Have a wonderful weekend Gator Community!

Welcome Back- Freshman Orientation

Hello SLHS Community,

I want to extend a huge welcome back to each of our Gators new and existing.  We had an amazing turn out for Freshmen Orientation today as its our largest incoming class in six years!  360+ freshmen packed the gym with our LINK leaders for a day of information, fun, fact finding, and of course acclimation to the high school life.   I am extremely proud of our upperclassmen and their leadership qualities.  Our freshmen are in great hands and will engage in highly effective conversation and plans to navigate this first year.

I look forward to welcoming all students back tomorrow as we kick off whats starting out as an INCREDIBLE year!

Pictures of the class of 2018 below-