November 1, 2021
Greetings! As a school, we are always seeking improvement. We are asking you to join us in our efforts to teach students the importance of being on time to class. Student tardiness negatively impacts the learning of all students in a class and is likely to significantly affect the capacity of the entire student population to meet rigorous academic standards. Education is one of life’s greatest opportunities and it is important that MLHS fosters an environment where ALL students can benefit. In the 22W10 Chief Chat Parent Edition, there is data that is shared as well as the “In Class & On Time” implementation plan to begin on November 9, 2021 to combat our tardiness issue. Please take some time to review the information. Together, I know we can achieve success and decrease, if not eliminate, unexcused tardiness.
Here is a summary of the “In Class & On Time” plan:
- An unexcused tardy will result in required Academic Study Session during the first 30 of their 60 minutes of lunchtime to work on schoolwork or study
- Students will be expected to report to their assigned room at the beginning of their lunch and attendance will be taken. If a student does not show up for their assigned time, they will receive a “Failure to Comply” referral and an email notifying parents/guardians will be sent home. If a student receives a “Failure to Comply” referral, they will be subject to discipline and an Assistant Principal will follow up accordingly.
Tips for maximizing learning for all:
- Any student arriving to school late must enter through the main doors to the office. If their tardiness is excused (i.e. doctor’s appt, family emergency, etc), please do one of the following: 1) send a signed note by parent/guardian with student (preferred if arriving late to 2nd period), 2) call the attendance line at 509.793.7900, or 3) email the attendance office at [email protected] . Sending an email is preferred for excusing absences.
- If you are dropping your student off at the beginning of the day, it is quicker to drop them off further away from the building and have them walk rather than wait in traffic or enter the congested parking lot.
- If a student is driving themselves to school, help them plan ahead and leave early enough to allow for traffic or weather conditions.
- Starting on November 8, 2021 passing times in-between classes will increase to 7 minutes rather than 5 minutes. Also, to be in line with all the middle schools, there will not be a one minute warning bell. And, finally, all bells have been adjusted to real-time making them consistent with cell phone times.
- We continue to struggle with late buses arriving at school in the mornings. For any students arriving on late buses, they will be given a distinct pass to go to class so they will not be marked as tardy.
On another note, Moses Lake High School has a team of people working with a consultant company to help us identify how we might offer courses differently or change/modify our current 7-period bell schedule. We are gathering information from several stakeholders including parents/guardians and students to provide feedback about what a new school schedule could bring to our student’s experience, surface existing pain points related to our student’s academic experience, take your questions and collect ideas you may have in informing the design of the Moses Lake High School schedule. I invite parents to fill out this survey before November 3, 2021 to give their input: English: bit.ly/MLHSParFB or Spanish bit.ly/MLHSParSPA
Thank you for your support, concern, and interest in our students’ education! I anticipate a strong finish to the school year! If you have any questions feel free to call the office at 509-766-2666. For more information, you can also go to the MLHS website at http://mlhs.mlsd161.org/
Take care,
Triscia Hochstatter, Principal