Spain Park eNews

Spain Park High School 04/09/20

A Message from the Principal

Dear Parents,

We hope that this first week of virtual learning has been productive for your students. Please know that our faculty, staff, counselors, and administration are here to support you and our students as we try to make the best of a difficult situation. As challenging as it is, we are committed to each student to have a successful end to this school year.

By now, there should be an open line of communication between your student and their teachers. The teacher should be the first point of contact if you have any questions concerning your student’s course work or grading procedures. For any other issues, please use this LINK. Administrators monitor this document daily and will respond in the appropriate amount of time.

Thank you to our Hoover City Schools Technology Team for enhancing our wireless connections to include our parking lots. Facing the entrance to the school, the front right parking lot, and the parking lot closest to the bus lane and band practice field should have a good wireless connection.

There are several other announcements in this newsletter that are of importance to our students and useful information for parents. Please take the time to review these topics.

It is also critical that all students are checking their Grade Level Google Classrooms and staying in constant communication with their teachers.

I hope you and your family are safe and healthy, and I pray that you have a wonderful Easter weekend.

Respectfully,

Peter L. Giangrosso

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REQUIRED SENIOR Information

The Senior Survey is a crucial and mandatory component of completing the year. The information gathered from the survey will be the sole source used for final recognitions and scholarship calculations. Most importantly, it is where graduates inform the school of their official decision on where to send their final transcript. The survey must be completed before a student can receive a diploma. The due date for the survey is 4/24/20. If a student has any changes to information after that date, they may simply email Mr. Prater at tprater@hoover.k12.al.us with the updated information.

Attention Parents of AP Students

On Thursday, April 16th at 6:00 pm, Mr. Trevor Packer from College Board will host a parent webinar to discuss this year’s at-home AP exams and how to help students prepare. Click this link to register now!

https://globalmeet.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1302024&tp_key=73070ccd21

Student Ambassador Interviews

If you are an upcoming junior or senior and are interested in trying out to be a Spain Park Ambassador, email Mrs. Wallace- jwallace@hoover.k12.al.us Please email Mrs. Wallace by Friday, April 17th and she will give you the information to apply.

Digital Media Resources from Common Sense Media

All students need digital citizenship skills to participate fully in their communities and make smart choices online and in life. Now that we are learning virtually, these skills are even more important. Common Sense Media provides free high quality and engaging resources to address these skills. Topics include:

-Media Balance & Well Being
-Privacy and Security
-Digital Footprint and Identity
-Relationships and Communication
-Cyberbullying, Digital Drama, Hate Speech
-News and Media Literacy
Click the link below for links to teaching and learning resources for each grade level:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12l72MrirJAOAsjohXDHevc4C7PKdWToxVifXuN82AD0/edit?usp=sharing

A note from Hoover City Schools' Mental Health Specialist

Why Taking Breaks Are Important

As school began again last Monday, it was probably great to get back to a somewhat normal school routine, but it may have also been a bit stressful. Taking breaks is an essential part of taking care of your mental and physical health. Even a five-minute break can decrease stress, restore motivation, increase productivity and creativity and can improve learning. Here are just a few ways to add a mental health break during or after your school day.

Begin a gratitude jar - every day write down one thing you are grateful for to fill the jar.
Be present and encourage your child to share their thoughts and talk through feelings.
Maintain your physical well being and take a break to cook a meal, exercise, and play.
Spend 2 - 3 minutes practicing deep breathing.
Encourage your child to maintain contact with their friends on an appropriate virtual platform.
Find an activity that encourages creativity: art, music, journaling, etc.
STRETCH
Play “Sound Search” - spend some time outside sitting still and identifying as many different sounds as possible.
Go “old school”, play cards, board games, dominoes or put together a puzzle.

Added to and adapted from nctsn.org and CDC.gov

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PLEASE BE SURE ALL STUDENTS ARE CHECKING THEIR GOOGLE CLASSROOMS

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School Office Hours

Beginning, Monday, April 6, 2020, our office hours will be:

Mondays and Thursdays, 7:00 am-3:00 pm

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Student Art Award

Sophomore Konnor Carrie recently won the DRAWING category in district 4B in the Visual Art Achievement Program sponsored by the AL Council of the Arts. His drawing traveled to Montgomery to compete against other high-quality artworks from around our great state. There were approx. 150 works exhibited/in competition from middle through high school, all districts. At the state level, Konnor won the additional honor: “Best of District 4B”. Due to the COVID 19 situation, the public ceremony, reception, and exhibition were canceled in lieu of an online exhibit.