December 2011 CAPITAL HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

Principal: Clinton H. Giles Our job is to improve, not just maintain. Vice Principals: R Tommy Canterbury Wendy D Bailey Susan M Young Angela S Cruikshank

The True Gift of Giving (reprint) by Josh Stowers Various colors of twinkling lights that brighten an all too early night, images of Santa Claus promising children all their hearts desires (if theyre not naughty), holiday parties with friends and family, sweet indulgences, eggnog, and snowflakes as big as goose feathers blanketing the ground. These are some of the thoughts that come to mind as the holiday season has so swiftly found us. However, I am also occupied by the anxieties of completing the arduous seasonal tasks that consist of making sure that I have a gift for everyone that may not find it amusing if they are left out of my circle of holiday gift-giving. Then there is the rush to wrap those gifts just to see them dismantled not a few days afterwards. The icy roads, chapped lips, and all the other aspects of the season that seem so trying but are, in truth, extremely trivial. No doubt that many of you have your own special memories and thoughts that cross your mind as the days get shorter and the temperatures retreat to arctic levels. Although many of us may seem bright and jubilant this time of year, it is also a time for many in our midst that may seem to be as dark and somber as 12:00 PM on a mid-December night. These cold, winter days are, for many, the most trying they face all year. The loss of a loved one, a dispersed family, a serious illness; are all examples of situations that can be plaguing the minds and sapping the happiness from many of our colleagues, friends, and fellow human beings this holiday season. I cant help but think of our decorated men and women overseas who would sacrifice any material good not to experience the loss and separation that they undoubtedly feel, especially at this time of year. Who can pick up a newspaper or turn on the T.V. and not have their heart bleed for the thousands whose lives have been turned upside-down due to the twin disasters of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The examples are endless. So, what is my point, you may ask? Well, we could all benefit from a quick study, at times, on the topic of perspective. Quite frankly, there is no better time of the year than the season of giving.

Isnt that what the season is rightly about? Putting all of our trivial problems on the back burner and bearing the burdens of our neighbor. True joy is something that is experienced when we deliver it to our fellow man. When we attempt to bottle it up for ourselves it dissipates quickly, as does our spirit. Therefore, I call on everyone who may read this to visit that elderly individual who has no family, to serve a meal to the homeless, send groceries to that family whose children go to bed hungry, or simply find a need in someones life and fill it for a brief moment. If you choose to take my call, I believe you will be amazed at how those trivial aspects of your life that seemed so wearisome, burdensome and annoying, were naught compared to the real issues that face some. Then and only then will we all find true joy, true peace, true happiness, and, most of all, the true meaning of the season. New Faculty and Staff Members Several new members have joined the faculty and staff at Capital High School for the 2011 - 2012 school years. We have asked that you join us in giving them a hearty welcome to the home of the Cougars! We ask, again, that you join us in welcoming to Capital High School Ms. Valerie Hanshaw a native of Kanawha County, graduate of St. Albans High School and West Virginia University. As a Benedum Scholar Ms. Hanshaw earned both a Bachelors Degree and a Masters Degree in Social Studies and Secondary Education, respectively, within five years and now joins us in the Social Studies Department in a full-time teaching position. Her students appreciate that she has entered a challenging classroom situation as a beginning teacher. While communicating exceptionally high expectations and standards her expressed desire is to see each student achieve to his or her fullest potential. Again, we welcome Ms. Hanshaw to the faculty of Capital High School and wish for her nothing but the greatest success with all of her students as she enjoys a long and productive career here! Local School Improvement Council Meeting The Capital High School Local School Improvement Council (L.S.I.C.) meeting at 6:00 PM on Thursday, December 15, 2011 has been postponed. It will be rescheduled for a later date. Our intent in relocating this important meeting away from our campus based upon many suggestions we have received - is to provide parents from our various communities better opportunity to attend. Our next L.S.I.C. meeting will be held at a location to be determined later Thursday evening, February 16, 2012 on the West Side of Charleston. Specific information regarding the location of this meeting will be made available to you through the Parent Link phone messaging system also.

Everyone is cordially invited to attend all Capital High School Local School Improvement Council meetings! Annual Veterans Day Observance This year the annual Veterans Day assembly program was held on Thursday, November 10, 2011 in our gymnasium. This was an all school assembly commemorating the various contributions made by members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America throughout the years. Many brave individuals have served, fought, and made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve and maintain the liberty, freedom, justice, and equality that we all enjoy in this Federal Democratic Republic of ours. On this day - the day before the national holiday commemorating veterans - we paused to pay our appropriate respects to all veterans. As we established last year, student Voice of Democracy contest winners were the speakers for the assembly. The theme/prompt from which the students wrote was: Is there pride in serving in the military? Our first place winner is Morgan King, second place winner is Madi Stone, and the third place winner is LeeAnn Mobayed. The keynote speaker was CPT Spencer Phillips who is a native of Frankton, Indiana. As we pause to honor the brave men and women in uniform who serve our great nation so honorably, let us also recognize the silent army of individuals that frequently goes unnoticed for their service here at home. This silent army consists of the family and loved ones of those who serve who are left here at home, alone, while those soldiers are away, stationed at the various military installations in this country and around the world, and often deployed in combat zones for extended periods of time. Please take the time to join with me in extending to the families and loved ones here at home of our men and women in uniform our heartfelt thanks and deepest appreciation for the quiet, often times unnoticed, role they play in the background supporting the troops while they are away! The sacrifices they make are deeply appreciated, as well.

Capital Success University (CSU)

December 2011 Capital High School is the magnet school for the performing arts in Kanawha County. In an on-going effort to reinforce the teaching of art appreciation, the CSU will be taking a field trip on December 15, 2011 to the Clay Center to watch a performance of The Nutcracker. The ballet performance tells the story of a young German girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince who engages in a fierce battle against a Mouse King. This opportunity has been provided to our students by generous donations from the Clay Center and from West Virginia State University. The CSU staff has and will continue to prepare students for the performance. All core subjects will be addressing various aspects of the story, and how we as consumers of the arts should conduct ourselves using proper etiquette during the performance.

December is a very busy time within the school year. Please remind students that while the hustle and bustle of the season is all around, they have a job to do, and that is to improve their grades. The semester will be coming to an end during the second week of January. A semester test will be given in each class, and will count as twenty-five percent of your childs grade. It will be very important that they study and review for these exams. Special assemblies and activities abound in which your student may be participating. Many refer to the time of year as the season for giving. It is our job as a community to not only demonstrate giving to those less fortunate, but to help students find ways in which they themselves can give back to society. Americas Promise is based on five principles which strongly suggest that providing: Caring Adults, Safe Places, Healthful Living, an Effective Education, and Opportunities to Give Back can help shape, maintain and even improve the future of our society. Many organizations are asking for volunteers to assist in making a difference in the lives of those who need a helping hand. Donating food, toys, and clothing to local organizations is also a way in which we can all give. Please consider talking with your student and asking them how they would like to give back. This could become a tradition and something you and your student can look forward to for years to come. The CSU staff would like to take this opportunity to wish our students and their families a very merry holiday season and a happy and prosperous new year. In keeping with our school motto: Our job is to improve, not just maintain, please do determine your New Years Resolution and do everything possible to reach your personal goals in the coming year.

Counselor Corner
Seniors should be working on their college applications and gathering information for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Parents and students should visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to learn time saving suggestions for completing the FAFSA. You can print a checklist of documents needed, print a FAFSA worksheet and apply for a PIN. Parents and students will need a PIN to sign the FAFSA electronically. All seniors were taken to the computer lab this past month to complete the online application for the merit-based PROMISE Scholarship. There will be a financial aid parent night on Thursday, December 8th at 6:00 pm in room 118 (LGI). All students: Use your vacation time to get caught up on assignments and begin studying for your finals. Finals will be the week you return from the Holidays. Spend time sharing stories with your family during the holidays.

From the Studio

The Dance Company has just completed our Contemporary Holiday Invitational Showcase and it was just lovely to have so many wonderful local ensembles to join us here at Capital High School. If you missed it, you will definitely want to come out for our Performing Arts Holiday performances. As well, students will be finishing up production work on student choreography. They will begin their work as soon as we return from the Holiday Break. Keep your eyes and ears open for a fantastic Disney Princess Party coming in January! We will perform at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on January 14th and will showcase student work along with more professional choreography on March 11th. If you would like to help the dancers raise money, we have Kroger cards, Papa Johns coupons and Save Around books currently on sale. Please contact Ms. Legg if you would like one of the books, coupons or cards. Below you will find some bullets regarding things we have upcoming. Please feel free to email or call Ms. Legg for more information on ANY of these events or to book us for a performance. Email: alegg@kcs.kana.k12.wv.us Phone: 304-348-6500 ext. 159 EVERY Wednesday and Friday are rehearsal days December 22nd Performing Arts Holiday The 2nd Tuesday of Every month is the Dance Booster meeting at 6PM.

From the Assistant Principals for Pupil ServicesAs winter approaches we will begin to experience inclement weather which will inevitably cause closings and delays. Kanawha County Schools does have a notification system that will call the phone number listed in WVEIS to inform parents about closing and delays; however students and others can choose to be notified about KCS closings and delays by signing up for email and text notifications. The notifications may give a code or may actually say closed or delayed. We are including in this newsletter the official Inclement Weather Codes for KCS. You may also tune to 58 WCHS or WCHS TV8, or most any local TV or radio station for information.

Individuals (parents, grandparents, students, etc) who wish to sign up for notifications may go to: 1) http://wvde.state.wv.us, click on the parents link in the left column, then click on closings, and click on sign up for email/text alerts. 2) http://kcs.kana.k12.wv.us, click on family/parents link, click on closings/delays and that will take you to the WVDE site to sign up. Tardiness to school has become a problem amongst the student body that has reached unacceptable levels. This has caused the administration to look at revising the current tardy policy in its entirety. At this time students who are habitually tardy will be assigned after school detention (ASD). Those who fail to attend will be subject to more serious consequences (OSS, ISS, etc). ASD is held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3:15 to 4:15 unless otherwise announced. We understand students may have obligations after school that would not permit them to serve ASD; however, there will be no exceptions made and failure to serve on the assigned date will result in more serious consequences.
Below please find information regarding INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES for the 2011 2012 school year. This will be announced by the local media and the Parent Link System WHEN SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED FOR STUDENTS: CODE A All employees are to report to work at their regularly scheduled time when possible. If they run into a problem (i.e., hazardous roads, etc.) they should call their Immediate Supervisor/Principal and advise them of their particular situation. Administrators should use good judgment in considering conditions that may cause employees to be late for their assignments.

CODE A will be used on days when schools are closed but roads are otherwise passable for vehicular traffic. This will provide additional opportunities for in-school staff development activities, planning, etc. CODE B All custodians/maintenance employees are to report to work at their regularly scheduled time if at all possible in order to prepare buildings, etc. Cooks report if a food delivery is scheduled for their building. All 261 day employees are to report to work on time. All other staff ARE NOT REQUIRED TO WORK.

WHEN SCHOOLS ARE OPEN FOR STUDENTS ON A DELAY OR EARLY DISMISSAL:

CODE C WHEN SCHOOLS ARE OPENING TWO HOURS LATE:

All employees are to report to work at their regularly scheduled time when possible. If they run into a problem (i.e., hazardous roads, etc.) they should call their Immediate Supervisor/Principal and advise them of their particular situation. Administrators should use good judgment in considering conditions that may cause employees to be late for their assignments. THERE WILL BE NO PRESCHOOL, WHICH INCLUDES HEAD START AND L.E.A.P. WHEN A TWO (2) HOUR DELAY IS ANNOUNCED. Days Scheduled for home visitations may be scheduled for Pre-School instructional days allowing home visitations on 2 hour delay days! All morning vocational classes will be canceled. Announcements regarding changes in bus schedules and routes will be made by 8:00 a.m. CODE D WHEN SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED EARLY: All vocational, WV Pre-K, Head Start, Evening Alternative, ExtraCurricular activities, and Community Education classes scheduled for that afternoon or evening will be canceled. News media will be notified of early dismissal as soon as decisions are made in order that announcements can be made by noon. PLEASE NOTE:

When a decision is made to close schools for the day, the news media will be notified by 6:00 a.m. When schools are open for students on a delay and conditions still do not look favorable, a decision to close will be made by 8:00 a.m.

CSU November Students of the Month

The ninth grade teachers are pleased to recognize the following Students of the Month for November. These students have demonstrated excellence in academics and citizenship in their specific academic courses. English 9 Abbey Ferrari awarded by Mrs. A. Miller Dana Harris awarded by Mrs. J. Swayne Tyler McKinney awarded by Mrs. S. Garrison Morgan Johnson awarded by Miss. S. Choi Xiu Xia Lian awarded by Miss S. Choi Katee Short awarded by Mr. B. Clark Elea Paybins awarded by Mr. B. Clark Emily Myers awarded by Mrs. G. Turner Georgianna Rader awarded by Mrs. J. Price

Algebra IA Algebra I Algebra IA Geometry Algebra IA Honors Geometry

Physical Science -

Biology World History -

Octarra Holman awarded by Mrs. A. Hoskins Josiah Cook awarded by Mr. M. Greene Shaniya Wright awarded by Mrs. A. Roach Imani Carey awarded by Mrs. A. Roach

Bradford Grose awarded by Mr. S. Swayne Carly Darnell awarded by Mrs. K. Snyder AP World History Sarah Clifford awarded by Mrs. Kerner HS 101 Mikaila Hall awarded by Mr. M. Greene Brea Walker awarded by Mrs. S. Garrison Julius Rembrandt awarded by Mrs. A. Miller Mallorie Vance awarded by Mr. Scott Eleanor Paybins awarded by Mrs. C. Pennington Angela Relihan awarded by Mrs. D. Barnett

Art 9 -

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY IS COLLECTING NEW TOYS TOYS FOR TOTS Please Bring in a New Toy ! Make a child happy at Christmas! Take Toys to Rm 144 or 220A Before th Dec 15 !!

Physical Education:
We are preparing for the Fitness gram Fitness test. All students will participate in testing their flexibility, cardiovascular, upper body strength, and body mass index. The students will be testing two days a week with the following test: PACER (cardio), Curl-ups (muscular strength and endurance), Trunk Lift (flexibility), Push-up (muscular strength and endurance), Shoulder Stretch (flexibility), and the Body Mass Index. Students will be participating in a basketball unit on the days they are not participating in the fitness test. Finals are just around the corner and our students will complete a "Create A Game" project for their final. Students will take different skills they have learned in physical education and create a game they invent using different pieces of equipment, rules, safety, and playing field. The students will have the opportunity to teach their game to the class. -----------------------

Healthy Living Teen Challenge Club

Students in the Healthy Living Teen Challenge Club will be handing out free jump ropes to all students interested. The jump ropes were donated by The Modern Woodmen of America. Students will work during their lunches to give other students jump ropes to help increase movement with our teens. Our club is also working on a couple tailgating parties for basketball games this season. We are currently looking for donations to help the cost of items. If anyone is interested in donating please email Becky Myers at Capital High School rmyers@kcs.kana.k12.wv.us. Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated. PERFORMING ARTS HOLIDAY Does the simple thought of Santa Claus fill your heart with cheer? Do you want nothing more during the holiday season than to sit back and enjoy a cup of cocoa? Do you want your students to enjoy this same feeling? Well then the annual Capital High School Performing Arts Holiday is exactly what you need. Every year students faces have shined with glee as members of the performing arts have filled the stage with their thrilling performances. This year, the students will enjoy stunning dance numbers from the Capital High Dance Company, a spectacular performance from the schools jazz band and orchestra, and performances from the theater department and the award-winning Capital High Choral Department.

The show is very popular and seats will go fast, but we wanted everyone to be able to see the show. There is only one public performance, December 22, 2011 at 7:00 PM. There will be a school-time performance on December 22, as well. Few have the opportunity to see such caliber a show and your students will thoroughly enjoy it. Hold that notethe VIPs are off and singing their way through the holiday season learning music and choreography for A Glee-ful Christmas Rehearsals began the week after their scintillating performance at Swing SingKanawha County Schools Show Choir Showcase. They are feverishly working to be able to include a couple of songs for their first holiday concert on November 30th for the Head Start Holiday Concert. This first week of December is so busy with concerts for the CHAMR Christmas Dinner on December 1st at Berry Hills, then a WOWK-TV taping at the Culture Center on December 3rd for the First Ladys Christmas Special to aired Christmas Day. The VIP Booster meeting will be December 13th at 7:00 PM. Discussions will include concerts at Edgewood Summit, December 20th at 7:00 PM, Performing Arts Holiday, the VIP workshop January 7th, and our VIP Concert and Show Choir Invitational to be held February 17, 2007. December 12th Vocal Ensemble will perform for the Brickstreet Insurance Awards luncheon at their home office at 2:00 PM. Rounding out the month will be their participation in the CHS annual tradition, Performing Arts Holiday to be held December 21st and 22th. Wow, what a month of practice, concerts and community service.

Orchestra News
String Day was a great success for Capital HS orchestra members. Ninth and tenth grade SCORCH players participated. Many of our students won titled seats. Students came from Martinsburg, Morgantown, Parkersburg, Boone and Kanawha Counties. Students performing were: Nathan Shin- Concertmaster Jay Ta- Assistant Concertmaster Olivia Boughton- Principal Viola Evan Blackwood- Assistant Principal Viola Molly Blackwood- Principal Cello Parker Boughton- Assistant Principal Cello The event was sponsored by the WV String Teachers Association and the orchestra was conducted by Mitchell Arnold, WVU Orchestra Conductor. Congratulations, students! December holds many diverse and exciting performances for the orchestra. On December 3rd, Orchestra players were delighted to be part of the CHS Dance Company's "Contemporary Dance Holiday" program. Upcoming highlights: December 9: Clay Center Performance in Grand Lobby prior to WVSO Pops Concert December 15: Performance at SCHS Winter Concert December 21: Performance for guest audiences at CHS PAH December 22: Performance at CHS Performing Arts Holiday (also includes daytime performances)

Other notable dates: January 14- All State Auditions January 21- Snow Date for All State Auditions Come out and support your Orchestra by listening to a concert!

Girls Basketball
After months of preseason training, the Lady Cougars began their season on the road and earned a victory over Huntington, who is ranked 8th in the state! Their quickness and conditioning is evident in their play, and their willingness to work paid off for them. The ladies played GW on Monday, Dec. 12, but did not fare as well. Though they had opportunities, they were not able to pull off a victory that night. They traveled to Lincoln County on Dec. 13, adding another win to their record. They play at home again on Dec. 17. For a full schedule, check the CHS website under athletics, and come support our Lady Cougars!

Student Council
Student Council, together with the JROTC, will be feeding the veterans at the RoarkSullivan Veterans Center on Monday, December 19. We have planned to feed at least 80 people, just as we did last year! The students are very excited to perform this community service activity. We have also been assisting in collecting for this years Secret Santa fund. Many students benefit from this endeavor every year. For more information on that, please contact Mrs. Garrison at (304) 348-6500.

School Entry Immunization Requirements

All children entering school in West Virginia for the first time in grades preKindergarten to 12th grade must show proof of the following immunizations: Pre-Kindergarten
Hepatitis A (2 doses) Hepatitis B (3 doses) DTaP (4 doses) Varicella (1 dose or history of disease) Polio (3 doses) Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (1 dose) Hib (4 doses) PCV (4 doses) *Visit http://www.dhhr.wv.gov/oeps/immunization/requirements/Documents/prek.pdf for more information about provisional enrollment and other details about the above immunization requirements.

Kindergarten to 12th Grade

Hepatitis B (3 doses) Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (2 doses) DTaP (4 doses) Varicella (2 doses or history of disease) Polio (3 doses) *Visit http://www.dhhr.wv.gov/oeps/immunization/requirements/Documents/school.pdf for information about provisional enrollment and other details about the above immunization requirements.

Additional School Entry Immunization Requirements Beginning in the 2012-2013 School Year
7th Grade Requirement
Tdap (1 dose) Meningococcal (1 dose) th *There are no provisional enrollments permitted for the 7 grade requirements. th Students must show proof of these vaccinations to enter 7 grade.

12th Grade Requirement

Tdap (1 dose) was

Meningococcal (2 dose required if the first dose

th

nd

received before the 16 birthday) th *There are no provisional enrollments permitted for the 12 grade requirements. th Students must show proof of these vaccinations to enter 12 grade.

For more information, visit:

http://www.dhhr.wv.gov/oeps/immunization/requirements/ Or call the WV Division of Immunization Services at 1-800-642-3634.