Preview:
Principal's Message
Two points of clarification
Back-To-School Night
Shoal Creek Showdown!
Gifted and Talented Referrals
College and Career Center Events
Tutoring Center Opens Sep 2nd
Upcoming Events
Kudos!
Anderson High School
Hello everyone!
Y'all, it's been a GREAT week here in Trojan country.
I told the staff this during our back-to-school meetings, but one of my 3 favorite days of the school year is the day the students come back. It's always so great to see all of our new and returning students as they're all eager and excited for another amazing year at Anderson, reconnecting with old friends, and seeing all the changes that our building has already gone through in just the three short months since they were here last.
I have to say, there have been more changes than just the new construction for the athletic facility and secure vestibule. I've been keeping everyone as up to date as possible on our new systems and policies. The most obvious example, of course, is the new personal device policy outlined in House Bill 1481. It's a big change, and, I just have to be honest when I say that, with VERY few exceptions, our students have been GREAT about this change. Our classrooms and lunchrooms are filled with conversation, I see students playing card games and board games in the cafeteria and library before school and during lunch, and when students need to be reminded about the phones, they are quick to apologize, say they understand, and put them away.
The phones are such a small part about what we are doing this year, but I think the success, so far, of our device policy implementation has made our entire staff incredibly optimistic for the year as a whole. We are all so excited to make this year our best yet.
On Tuesday, Superintendent Matias Segura stopped by Anderson to spend some time on the first day of school with us. He loved the band, cheerleaders, and Belles welcoming him to our campus, and even danced along to some of the cadences. Then, he gave a nice welcome after our announcements and said how much he loved the senior window paintings on the cars, and called out some students boldness with posting their Venmo accounts on their cars--and said some boldness might be rewarded, right Lola? We went to the cafeteria and met some unsung heroes of the Anderson staff, our amazing food service workers, and talked to some baseball players in the cafeteria. Finally, he took a tour of the new secure vestibule. He was so very impressed with how smoothly things were operating here at Anderson, and he loves our Anderson spirit!
Anyway, it's been a great week, but let's get into the real info!
Welcome back!
Two quick points I'd like to address...
8:30 Opening
I've seen some comments and confusion regarding our new opening time of 8:30am. I know this caused some surprise, and I know that there are students waiting to get onto campus before 8:30.
The honest truth is, any time we have students on campus, we have to make sure that there is proper supervision for the safety of our students. That might mean asking our teachers or admin to come in before their contract time, or adjusting the hours of our classified staff (which means we love coverage later in the day when we need it more). We have become very uncomfortable with how many students were here before most of the teachers, admin, or campus safety monitors got to campus, and so we decided to make the change from 8:00 to 8:30.
That 30 minutes allows us time to make sure we have proper supervision for any students on campus, while still making sure that students still have time to get on campus, eat breakfast, and attend any before-school business they need to, such as tutoring or making up work.
Hope that makes sense!
North Parking Lot
At this point, I feel like I need to send reminders about our North parking lot, which is off of Cima Serena and in front of our performing arts center, cafeteria courtyard, and chemistry building.
This parking lot is for staff only at all times, EXCEPT for after school when there are athletics events. This means that there is no student or parent parking in that lot until after school.
It's important to note that we are also not allowing student pick-up or drop-off in that lot. Because of teachers arriving in the morning, and also because buses pick up in that parking lot in the afternoon, we have to restrict who goes into or out of that parking lot.
Shoal Creek Showdown!
New great name, same great game!
Starting this year, our annual rivalry game between the Anderson Trojans and McCallum Knights will be rebranded as the Shoal Creek Showdown! This year, the title sponsor is Legacy Turf and Greens!
The game will still be at House Park with a 7:30 kickoff on Thursday, August 28th!
Buy your tickets here! Tickets will not be sold on campus or at the event, and tickets for this game sell out quick!
Gifted and Talented Referrals
Gifted and Talented (GT) Services offer specialized support for children who perform or show the potential to perform at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment.
Some characteristics of GT students are students who seem to learn earlier or faster than peers, have an interest in problem-solving, display persistent curiosity, have deep, intense feelings or reactions, have diverse of unique interests, or seem highly creative or energetic.
If you would like your child to be assessed for GT Services, please fill out the GT Referral Form. Student screening will begin in October and parents/caregivers will be notified with the results. GT Services will begin in January for newly-identified GT students.
Upcoming College And Career Center Events
Lots of amazing things already happening in our College and Career Center!
60 Colleges Coming to Campus This Fall
Over 60 colleges have representatives coming to Anderson this Fall to connect with students! Often these representatives are the people who read their applications. Sometimes it is the Dean or Assistant Dean of Admissions themselves. It is a fantastic way for our Juniors and Seniors to learn about different schools. Sign up in Naviance by going to the Student portal. Once you are in Naviance click > Colleges > Research Colleges > College Visits.
Next week we will have the University of Arizona Tempe and UT Austin coming, and then the next week there are 14 schools signed up to talk to students!
College Colors Day
Anderson will celebrate National College Colors Day on Friday, August 29! On National College Colors Day, students and staff are encouraged to wear apparel or accessories in the colors of their favorite college or university. No matter what your college of choice, it's a spirited way to show pride and unity across the district.
College and Career Counselor Ms. Jill Spencer will be sporting her ACU Purple and White, and we hope that all of you will proudly wear your college colors!
Tutoring Center Opens Tuesday, Sep 2nd
If you're looking for a quiet place to study and receive help on academic work, you have access to free tutoring from Anderson teachers and NHS tutors TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS in the library from 4:45 to 6:00.
After tutoring, there is a late bus that will take students home. Students MUST be in the tutoring center in order to ride the late bus home. Bus stops for the late bus are listed below.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, August 25th -
Back to School Night, 5:30pm
Tuesday, August 26th -
Volleyball @ Rouse
Wednesday, August 27th -
Sub-Varsity Football vs. McCallum @ House Park
Thursday, August 28th -
Shoal Creek Showdown! Anderson vs. McCallum @ House Park
