WFCHS September Newsletter

Oct 8: Work From Home

Oct 17: Professional Learning - NO SCHOOL

Nov 10: NO SCHOOL

Nov 11: Holiday - NO SCHOOL

Nov 26: Comp Day (PTC)- NO SCHOOL

Nov 27 -28: Holiday - NO SCHOOL

Dec 23: Last day before Winter Break

Dear Community High School Families,

Community High is off to a strong start this fall, and we are fortunate to have a wonderful group of learners joining us. As many of you know, our school offers a unique educational experience with a smaller learning environment, two focused classes per day, and a dedicated, caring staff committed to supporting students on their path to graduation.

During orientation, I emphasize that our mission is not to enable students or foster “learned helplessness.” Instead, we are here to support them through challenges, recognizing that struggle is a natural and a necessary part of growth. Our goal is to help students build resilience, independence, and confidence.

One of the greatest advantages of in-person learning at Community High is the opportunity for students to engage with the diverse realities of the world around them. The United States is a rich tapestry of differences—race, religion, socioeconomic status, political views, culture, and abilities. In-person education allows students to interact daily with peers who may have different perspectives, interests, and backgrounds. These interactions are essential for developing empathy, communication skills, and a broader understanding of the world. Unfortunately, such opportunities are becoming increasingly rare, making our school’s environment all the more valuable.

Please mark your calendar for Wednesday, October 8. On this day, CHS students will participate in an off-site learning experience while our teaching staff attends a professional development workshop in Carrington, ND. This event brings together educators from alternative high schools and programs across North Dakota, allowing our team to collaborate, share best practices, and continue growing in our work. We are grateful to the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction and West Fargo Public Schools for supporting this important opportunity.

If you have any questions or concerns about Community High School’s mission or programming, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.

Warm regards, Dr. Thomas Gravel Principal, Community High School

Hello CHS Families,

I’m Mrs. Hammami, and I’m excited to be continuing my journey as a Social Studies teacher here at Community High School. After spending 20 years at Cheney Middle School, last year marked a big transition for me—and I’m happy to say that CHS has truly become my new home. The energy, kindness, and curiosity of our students, along with the support of an incredible staff, make this school a wonderful place to teach and learn.

At CHS, students are required to earn credits in the Social Sciences to graduate. The typical progression includes courses such as Human Geography, North Dakota Studies, and World History I & II. As students advance, they take US History I & II, followed by Government and Economics. At any point, students may take the US Civics test, which is a state graduation requirement—though it’s generally recommended after completing the Government course. We also offer a variety of electives including Psychology, Sociology, and Law & Justice, giving students opportunities to explore topics that interest them.

As we move through this school year, I continue to be inspired by the enthusiasm and unique perspectives our students bring to the classroom. It’s been a joy to build relationships and foster meaningful discussions in our social studies courses. I look forward to another year of growth, exploration, and learning together.

Warm regards, Mrs. Hammami

Science Tidbits…

Welcome back! So glad to see everyone back at Community and also glad to see some new faces. I hope you all have a great start to the school year.

Some of you may wonder what to do if you were to fall behind in a class. Communicating with the teacher should be the first step. In order to learn the material, you may need to make arrangements to stay after school for additional help. Another option would be to make arrangements to come in early. Community Time is also available from 11:15-12:00 to work on either class. If the teacher is busy with other students, the para and resource room may be available, too. Simply Googling for the answers is not permitted to learn the overall concepts needed to do well on the test. It may (or may not) get you the correct answer and may not help you make the connections between the concepts in the unit. The following links are great science resources for students to use:

1. http://www.bozemanscience.com/

Tutorials available in chemistry, biology, and physical science.

1. https://www.khanacademy.org/

Tutorials in math, science, economics, arts, computing, and test prep.

1. https://www.brightstorm.com/

Tutorials in math, science, language arts, test prep and college.

1. https://www.youtube.com/user/crashcourse

Tutorials in a variety of the science and social studies.

Remember, all students have the ability to complete and pass classes here at CHS providing they attend class every day, try and give 100%. Students also have the ability to earn course extension passes by having parents or guardians attend conferences with both teachers.

Science electives available this year:

Forensic Science: study of deductive reasoning, crime scene evidence (hair, fibers, blood, DNA, prints, handwriting, anthropology, soil, and impressions).

Ecology/Environmental Science: study of the environment and how man interacts with the environment.

Chemistry: study of elements, matter, periodic table, stoichiometry, gases, solutions, nuclear reactions, and pH.

From Mrs. Hoss

The Power of Reading: Make Time for It! In the midst of busy schedules, sports, and social lives, it’s easy to overlook the simple act of reading. But just 15 minutes a day can boost vocabulary, improve focus, and strengthen critical thinking skills. Whether it’s a novel, a graphic novel, or an article on a topic you love, reading helps students grow academically and personally. Parents, encourage your teens to carve out time for reading—it’s an investment in their future success.

What Counts as Reading?

· Novels and short stories

· Graphic novels and comic books

· News articles (online or print)

· Informational posts or blogs on topics of interest

· Nonfiction books (biographies, science, history, etc.)

· Magazines and journals

· Audiobooks (yes, listening counts too!)

· Poetry and song lyrics

· School textbooks and assigned readings

· Subtitled shows or movies (especially in another language)

· Manuals, how-to guides, or recipes

· Educational apps or reading games

Student Leadership News! Student leadership is a great way to get involved with planning and volunteering in school events as well as earn half a credit for the year-long participation.

Student Leadership has already been busy this year!

· Fall Picnic

· Popcorn Fridays

· School Store

Events yet to come:

· Halloween movie party

· Fall Blood Drive

· Thanksgiving Lunch

See Mrs. Hoss if you are interested in joining. It’s not too late!

PaY stands for Philanthropy (P) and (a) Youth(Y). It is a program sponsored by the Barry Foundation; a private family foundation started by John Barry. The Fargo based nonprofit organization seeks to introduce young people to the needs in our community and provide them with opportunities to learn about themselves, develop leadership skills, and share their abilities and talents with the community.

Community High Schools’s PaY group will learn about the needs of the community throughout the year and choose a few nonprofit organizations that they have prioritized. PaY then awards $6000 provided by the Barry Foundation to those nonprofit groups based on our personal experience with them and observed impact in our community.

Community High School’s PaY organization is open to all students and meets each Wednesday during Community Time as needed during the school year. If you would like to join, see Mr. Walsh or Ms. Bents. One-half credit is available for completion of this activity.

What: PaY

When: Wednesdays 11:15-12:00

Where: Bents’ Room