Red Devil Ready: Weekly Message

Week 30: Marching into April

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Decatur County Community High School

605 E Commercial St, Oberlin, KS 67749

March 24, 2024 (Schedule at the bottom, Skip What You Want)

Follow us on Twitter at @DCHSREDDEVILS or

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Oberlin294/

Decatur community,

As I sit down to start writing today, there are two things that are just jumping out at me:

1. I can't believe that this time next week we will be in April. Easter is late this year and Prom is early, making for quite a frantic beginning to the next month..

2. Have you looked outside? Old man winter just won't quite let go. We were up in the 70s a week ago, and now we are potentially facing a blizzard. It's crazy, but it's not exactly overly surprising for us around here.

Regardless, the last week of March is here, an overall short, quiet week, as we "March" on into April.

SHOUTOUTS

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Shoutout to each and every student and parent that came to Freshmen Orientation this past week. I was very impressed with the turnout, but, more importantly, I was extremely pleased with all of the questions that were asked. Students and parents alike asked great questions that they should be asking, and I feel as if most left with a good grasp of what to expect in high school and what courses they should take and when. Many students came up the following day seeking even more information.

Shoutout to play producer Gina Witt. Mrs. Witt worked endless evenings with her cast and crew to prepare for this past weekend's "One Stoplight Town." I know that there were times that she was afraid that the show wasn't going to come together, but it did. My hope is that Mrs. Witt will have some time to relax a little, but I know that's not really in her DNA.

Shoutout to the cast of "One Stoplight Town." I had never heard of the play, and I really didn't know what to expect. . It was the type of show that was fun for all ages, and the students were outstanding. They knew their lines, had great chemistry together, and you could tell they were having fun. It was a great show with some memorable performances that I won't soon forget.

Shoutout to 2023 DCHS grad, Teague Morford. Teague was one of the first students that I met when I moved to town, arriving on a June, summer morning to introduce himself and help me move into my new house. This past weekend he was the National Runner-Up in Trap shooting, representing Northwest Tech shooting sports. With a score of 99/100, it's a stunning accomplishment for our Oberlin alumn that deserves a huge congratulations.

Shoutout to Industrial Arts and Carpentry teacher Kyle Breth. It's not always easy to get around to all of the classrooms and really see what is going on, but every time that I am Mr. Breth's classroom, I love what I see. Whether he is directly instructing them or they are working on their own, the students are always on task and engaged. It's a great learning environment that is always fun to watch.

Things You Should Know

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ACT/ PreACT (Mr. Lindquist's Test)

This Tuesday, many of our juniors will be taking the ACT. This is the one time that the state of Kansas pays for this test.

ACT

In 1959, the first American College Test (ACT) was given. Created by Everett Franklin Lindquist a college professor from the University of Iowa, it was a test created to challenge the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) which had been around approximately 20 years longer. The biggest difference was that the ACT had the goal of trying to test students on the direct competencies that they were studying in schools.

Today, there are over 2 million high school graduates that take the ACT each year, and Wednesday, several of our students will take the ACT, most for the first time. I have included the standard overview of the ACT, and what it looks like. I also included some sites with tips. For some of our students, they will take the ACT multiple times as they try to improve their scores.

OVERVIEW OF ACT TEST SECTIONS

English

75 multiple–choice questions
45 minutes
Tests grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and rhetorical skills
Learn more about the ACT English Test

Math

60 multiple–choice questions
60 minutes
Algebra I and II, geometry, and some trigonometry
Learn more about the ACT Math Test

Reading

40 multiple–choice questions
35 minutes
Four passages (prose fiction, social studies, humanities, and natural sciences) with 10 questions per passage
Learn more about the ACT Reading Test

Science

40 multiple–choice questions
35 minutes
Questions on science-based passages presented with graphs, charts, tables and research summaries
Learn more about the ACT Science Test

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Updated Cell Phone Policy (Repeat Info.)

Starting back in December, the DCHS staff began discussing our cell phone policy, particularly how much of an impact they were having on classroom instruction. I called around to every other league school and others to see what they had done, and most were discussing the same thing, the effect on class time.

The state of Florida passed a State law banning cell phone usage during class time back in October, making the decision for every school in the state, while leaving other usage up to the schools.

Before spring break, students were informed that we were updating the cell phone usage policy. The biggest change that we have put in place is the use of phones during class time. Parents, if you need to contact your student in the case of an emergency, please reach out to the office. Other than that, they will be able to check for messages between classes.

Below you will see an updated cell phone usage policy with consequences for misuse. We will continue to monitor the cell phone situation in our school, and we will reevaluate at the end of the year.

1. No Cell Phones/Smart Devices During Class Time: From the moment that the bell starts a class to the moment the bell rings to end the class, there should be no phones out, including the hallway during class time. Students can carry phones with them and are fully responsible for them. During class times, phones should be kept in pockets, backpacks, or lockers. Teachers can take additional steps like mandating they be put at the front of the room, in a calculator pouch, or visible on the desk if they choose.

2. Students Can Check Cell Phones During Passing Periods: Students are allowed to check their phones during passing periods. There should be no reason for earbuds or headphones to be out in the hallway.

3. Emergency: If a student says it is an emergency that they make a call, they can be sent to the office. Parents can also call the office when there is an emergency.

4. Those Who Earn Free Time Can Use Phones in Designated Free Time Zones: Homeroom is still class time, so there will be no phones in your classes. Students that choose to remain in classes must use the time to study, read, or use their Chromebooks. If they want to use phones, they will need to go to either the gym or library/cafeteria. This free time is strictly the designated 18 minutes during Homeroom on the three days a week we have free time. This is also only for students that earn free time.

5. Students will be allowed to use their phones and devices during lunch: Lunch is the student’s time. They are allowed to use their phones and devices during this time.

First Offense: Phone sent to the office for the remainder of the day, parent called and informed of the policy, 30 minute detention.

Second Offense: Phone sent to the office for the remainder of the day, parent picks up the phone, 60 minute detention served over 1 or 2 days. Phone stays in the office for a week.

Third Offense: Phone sent to the office, parent picks up phone. 1 day of ISS. Phone turned in to the office in the morning for the remainder of the semester.

As always, please reach out to me if you have any questions or would like clarification.

Red Devil Ready

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That's going to do it for this week, the last quiet one. Heck, we can't even follow all of the Kansas schools, because they are out of the NCAA Tournament already!

I hope that everyone has a great Easter Weekend and are able to enjoy the time off that you have, because as we "March" into April, there are no more days off until we're off for summer.

Until next week,

Jeremy Holloway

Red Devil Ready!