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Seton HS, 2816 East 23rd Street, Kansas City MO 64127 March 2010

End of the 3rd Quarter!We are just completing the 3rd instructional quarter of the school year. The quarter will end at Spring Break - March 15-19. The 4th quarter will begin on Monday, March 22, 2010. Details on make up days to come soon.

Congratulations to one of graduates - Kendra Robinson. She just experienced the birth of her son but has still moved forward on her educational plans.

She has enrolled at Concorde Institute where she will graduate in September 2010.

We are in the process of getting our seniors through the final steps this spring - encouraging them to complete all their assigned courses, college/university enrollment, financial aid, scholarships, etc. Graduation is still scheduled for Saturday, May 22, 2010. Details will be announced soon.

We will also start the process of getting our junior level students registered to take the June ACT test so that they can gain information about their readiness to start college or university. We will seek registration fee waivers for those who meet the criteria.

Students Making Academic Progress We spent several days in February taking the NWEA MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) assessment. This computerized assessment allows us to measure Math, Reading and Language Usage. We took this assessment last November. Most of our students - who we have had enrolled since the start of the year - have shown academic gains. This data supports all that we are accomplishing to do here at Seton: provide a solid educational plan in a smaller

school setting. Our instructional staff is able to make accommodations to meet individual student needs.

Students still need to focus on daily

work and retaining information over time. All too often, they still seek the quick route to learning - only wanting to complete worksheets - without learning true academic retention.

SETON HIGH SCHOOL

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Breakdown of Academic Progress Students who have been enrolled at Seton High School since September were given the NWEA MAP assessment. Here is a breakdown of our students by grade level and assessment showing the average gains achieved. The normal yearly gain at the high school level is 2 RITs. Because our students have enrolled significantly behind grade level - we have found RIT growth at higher levels. This means we are narrowing the achievement gap for our students and they are approaching grade level.

Enrollment for 2010-2011 School Year Application packets are available for the 2010-2011 school year. Continued enrollment at Seton is not guaranteed for students currently enrolled this year. As we have communicated with parents and community supporters all year - we continue to move Seton Alternative to

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Reading Usage Math

Seton High School. Students have been short-changed for too many years with a lack of academic rigor. All too often our students have been subjected to worksheets and crossword puzzles and they lack the necessary skills to function at grade level in math, reading, and language usage.

For the 2010-2011 school year, we move forward with even higher behavioral and academic expectations:

➡ 10-day absence policy - students will not earn academic credit towards graduation for excessive absences from school

➡ Students will wear a college preparatory uniform that consists of blue slacks/skirts, white collared dress shirt or blouse with optional sweater vest, tie, etc.

➡ Students will enter Seton on a 30-day conditional enrollment. Students not meeting expectations during this conditional period will be withdrawn from school

➡ Students will receive instruction from content-certified instructors and have expanded opportunities with elective courses.

➡ Students and parents will be actively involved in school governance

Seven Habits of Highly Successful TeensThere are many things that we can do as parents to assist our student to be successful. Sean Covey (son of author/writer Peter Covey) has written this book. Here are the highlights of the 7 effective habits.

Be Proactive - proactive people understand that they are responsible for their happiness and unhappiness. They don’t blame others for their unhappiness.

Begin with the End in Mind - creating their vision for personal growth will give them a map to make the best decisions.

Put First Things First - Teens need help prioritizing things so they complete them. It also means learning to overcome fears and being strong when it matters most

Think Win-Win - In any discussion or situation both parties can arrive at a mutually agreeable solution.

Seek First to Understand, Then Be Understood - On of the most important skills in listening

Synergize - No one should work alone - work with others toward common goals

Sharpen the Saw - keep fit and alert (mind, body, heart, soul)

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Common Educational StandardsThe Governors of 48 states and Commissioners of Education have recently approved a very important document in terms of K-12 education. These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs. The standards are:

• Aligned with work and college expectations;• Clear, understandable, and consistent;• Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills;• Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards;• Informed by other top performing countries, so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society; and• Evidenced-based.These standards will take time to work through each respective state in the US. The President and Secretary of Education (Arne Duncan) have already indicated additional money will be available to states who adopt these.

Effects of the KCMSD Right Sizing PlanEver since Dr. Covington, Superintendent of the KCMSD, announced his plan to reduce the district size by half, Seton HS has been receiving calls on a continual basis seeking admission information. We anticipate receiving a large number of student applications. Please keep in mind - a student lottery will be held on May 1st to determine who fills the 80 seats for next fall.

Enrollment information can be found on our school blog: http://setonhs.wordpress.com

Seton Center’s Senior BuddiesValentine’s Day @ the Center

Several Seton HS students briefly attended the Senior Buddies “Queen for the Day” presentation on Valentine’s Day. The Senior Buddies come to Seton Center on Tuesdays and Fridays for lunch, fellowship, and Bingo. They also have monthly outings in the community. The Queen for the Day was selected by Seton HS student MaKayla Gant.

Regular Attendance EncouragedParents and students will receive notice with the quarter grades about student grades being “held”. If a student misses more than 10 days of school (by day or by period) will have their credits held until an attendance hearing has been completed. Regular attendance at school supports student success and higher levels of achievement.

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Graduation Quickly Approaching We are finalizing the details for the 2010 Commencement this

May. Once we get confirmation of the date/time/location, we will get that published. If there are any suggestions for the Commencement speaker, please do not hesitate to call the school and leave a message

on our general voice mailbox (816-581-4755). We are all looking forward to celebrating with our seniors. We wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors - college, work, military, etc. Seton HS will plan a commencement practice and all graduates are expected to attend.

We have been continuing our work with our seniors to assist with financial aid applications (FAFSA) and college admissions. Others have been directed to employment opportunities through the Full Employment Council.

Students Receive

Donated Suit Coats Several of our boys at Seton received a suit coat and tie from our donors in the Thrift Store. For many of these boys, it is the first suit jacket they have ever owned. Dr. Aspleaf spent time with the boys to teach them how to tie their ties.

Summer Reading List

It’s time to get ready for summer. Students are encouraged to read during the summer to maintain reading level. Below are just a few suggested titles to read (check out the public library’s collection):

Cormier, Robert - The Chocolate War

Drieser, Theodore - Sister Carrie

Frank, Anne - Anne Frank: The Diary of A Young Girl

Shelley, Mary - Frankenstein

Swift, Jonathan - Gulliver’s Travels

Wright, Richard - Black Boy

Needs for 2010-2011 Seton HS continues to move forward with our implementation plans to be a small, independent high school. We will be doubling our enrollment to 80-90 students and will need additional resources to make this transition happen.

We are looking for financial assistance to cover the following up-front expenses for the 2010-11 school year:

• $5000 for a new student information system. We are looking at PowerSchool that will house all student records and schedules. It will allow parents/students access to grades online.

• $3000 for a dedicated server to house the student information system

• $10,000 for additional textbooks that will be needed for our increased enrollment. We are currently photocopying too much to provide student with instructional materials.

Contact Dr. Aspleaf or Julie Cogley (Seton Development Director) if you would like to make a donation.

JOIN US IN MAY...at the Seton Center fundraiser. Tickets are $75.00 per person with proceeds to support all the services at Seton Center (including the high school). The dinner menu is by Jack Stack Restaurant. Contact Dr. A or Julie Cogley if interested.