Good afternoon Titan Families,
Believe it or not, we wrapped up the first five weeks of Quarter 3. Though we have access to grades at all times, we will be wrapping up the traditional “progress report” period this week. Though we have a slightly extended second semester this is a great time to take stock, make sure grades are at or moving in the right direction and make appropriate adjustments.
One of those thoughtful adjustments I’m going to ask for is about our communication practices. In our new world of easy access, sending emails, chats, video conferencing, etc. we have wonderful opportunities to connect. It also presents opportunities to step too far! I try to make myself very accessible, as do my staff. I’m asking that parents and students work to contact teachers and staff during regular work hours and expect responses during those times. An email at 10 a.m. with a question on what to do the next day to me, may not get answered until well after school has started the next day as I may not get to that email at 11 p.m. or at 6 a.m. when I get into school. Chats and video calls should wait until the next day unless there was a request otherwise.
When it comes to communicating absences, parents must follow our traditional process for student attendance which means calling our attendance line at 586-797-1999. Attendance should not be reported to teachers, administrative assistants or myself, only through our attendance line. If your student has COVID symptoms, let us know and we’ll follow up. If your student is just not feeling well, they still must stay home. In addition, they must stay home for at least 24 hours past the point at which their symptoms abate. If we send a student home, we’ll tell you give you an appropriate return date.
Speaking of absences, I realize mid-winter and spring break are travel times for families. I need to remind families that travel out of country comes with restrictions. Notably, the Presidential Order establishes that the CDC recommendations for international air travel be required at this time. For Utica Community Schools this means both students and staff must adhere to the following upon international air travel return and prior to resuming in-person school or work within the district:
• Quarantine at home immediately upon return from international air travel. This should be for a minimum of seven (7) or ten (10) calendar days
• Get tested for COVID-19 upon return from international air travel. This is best conducted during the window of three to five days after return
• If test result is positive for COVID-19, follow all applicable quarantine requirements
• If test result is negative for COVID-19, continue to self-monitor, and may return to school or work after the full seven days, provided no symptoms emerge
o If an individual does not get tested within the window indicted above, she/he is to self-monitor for ten days, and may return to school or work after the full ten days, provided no symptoms emerge
o Even upon completing quarantine, individuals who have engaged in international air travel should continue to distance from medically fragile persons for fourteen days from return.
Students should apprise the school in advance of any international air travel so that any quarantining absence is appropriately recorded. Please be advised that Utica Community Schools is not obligated to provide expanded remote learning for students quarantined following voluntary international travel.
Back in October, I emailed senior families about FAFSA. Whether you’re in VA or at SHS proper, FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a gatekeeper to resources and grants for all students. We need to make sure that you’re taking some time to learn and fill this out. MI Student Aid is offering free events to help with that process. Students and families can register for a Virtual College Financial Aid Night provided by Treasury’s MI Student Aid team. Sessions will be available every Tuesday and Thursday evening during the month of February from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST. Participants will be able to gather information on the following financial aid topics:
• FAFSA application information
• Federal financial aid programs
• State financial aid programs
• Scholarship searching
• MiSSG Student Portal Accounts
All sessions are open to the public and participants are encouraged to sign up for one session only due to limited space.
In addition to this opportunity, sophomore and junior families, the College Board is offering a wonderful program called, BigFuture Days which is a free, regional series of virtual college fairs that bring universities, colleges, admissions officers and officials together to give students a tailored experience to establish connections to universities. This is a lot of access that is free and virtual. Please check out the BigFuture Days
site and sign up! You can watch a preview video
here
Lastly, please take the time to read the important conference information in the recent issue of the Titan Voice.
With Titan Pride,
Kenneth L. Cucchi III
Principal, Stevenson High School
ADDITIONAL NEWS
Starting Tuesday, January 19, 2021 the UCS Helpdesk will offer two ways for parent and students to contact them directly for support.
Telephone: 586-797-1055 from 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Email: techsupport@uticak12.org
PARENT QUICK LINKS
Student Device Agreement Rules With Rules and Regulations, Click here
AP Registration Information, Click here
SHS Semester 1 Student Parking Permit Application https://tinyurl.com/y4tcy9c5
Parking Signature Form, Click here
Yearbook Sales Form, Click here
Yearbook Senior Messages, Click here
Yearbook Senior Portrait Info, Click here
ATHLETIC- PHS Parent Student Getting Started, Click here
ATHLETIC- SHS Kick Off Letter, Click here
Peer to Peer from your school Social Worker, Click here
Ad Block Size form, Click here
Ad Contract, Click here
Secondary Lunch Information, Click here
Life Touch Picture order form, Click here
SHS Clubs 2020-2021, Click here
Speedlimit Driving School, Click here
Drivers Ed Flyer, Click here
Parent Self- Screen Tool, Click here
CTE, Click here
Stevenson Titan Spirit Blanket, Click here
Remote Meals, March 3- 10, Click here
The Titan Voice