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Wizard Families,
Welcome to the 23-24 School Year! We are so excited to welcome all of our Wizards to campus for the first day of school, which is August 15, 2023. You are all invited and welcomed to attend our Back to School Events. Details and information regarding these events is in the Student Support Section below.
Updates:
There are several updates in place as we begin this school year, including our new Uniform Policy and clear or mesh back packs. Please reach each section below for details about updates, and check out additional information on the YES Prep Back To School Site by clicking this link: https://www.yesprep.org/families/backtoschool.
One major Southeast update is the launch of our new traffic pattern. Our traffic pattern has officially merged with Southeast Elementary. The only campus entrance will be via the new gate on Shaver Street. All cars must enter and exit through this gate for both arrival and dismissal. The other big change is that Southeast elementary families will also be using this entrance and exit, so any Southeast Secondary families will no longer be able to come early to sit/park in our parking lot. Elementary traffic must flow through our parking lot first, so if you arrive early, you will be directed to continue moving through the car lane with elementary cars. We appreciate your patience as we navigate our new traffic pattern. While it will likely be challenging at first and require a slower arrival and dismissal, we thank you in advance for following our new procedures and following the directions of any staff member or police officer so that all Wizard and Spark students, staff, and families are safe. You can experience the new traffic pattern during Back to School Night, and we will also be posting a video to show you the new route.
We are thrilled to announce our first family engagement opportunities for this school year:
Coffee with the Principal
We will host a Coffee with the Principal on August 23, 2023. We will be sending a link to confirm the time and so you can RSVP to this event to ensure we have enough space to welcome those who would like to attend. Ms. Ryans will be sharing updates to our family engagement opportunities and structures for the year, as well as talking about some of our most important campus goals.
Wizard Family Association
Wizard Family Association is back in action! We will continue to host meetings on Wednesdays with a morning meeting option and an evening meeting option. Our first Wizard Family Association meeting will be August 30, 2023, and our second meeting will be on September 20th. We will be sending links to confirm the time and so you can RSVP to this event. The meeting topics for our first two meeting are as follows:
August 30, 2023
Meeting Topics:
- Introduction of Directors Team
- Introduction of Student Support Team
- Using our campus platforms: Skyward, HERO, POSSIP, and Cardstock
September 20, 2023
Meeting Topics:
- Safety and Security Systems at YES Prep and at YES Prep Southeast
- Emergency Response Protocols at YES Prep and at YES Prep Southeast
New Family Opportunities:
Family Association Representative
YES Prep Public Schools has made a shift in family engagement at the system level. YES Prep will no longer have Family Fellows, but will now hire Family Association Representatives for each campus. The deadline to apply for this opportunity is August 30, 2023. To learn more about the role, review the job description, view dates for interest meetings, and view the application, click on this link: https://www.yesprep.org/departments/family-engagement/family-association
Family Advisory Council
YES Prep Southeast will launch a Family Advisory Council so that there is a collective effort to continue to engage families and elevate more voices. We will include one parent/guardian from each grade level to be members of the Family Advisory council for the 23-24 School Year. Council members must be active members of Wizard Family Association. The Advisory Council will meet the week after each Wizard Family Association meeting to discuss trends, prepare for upcoming association meetings, and engage more families in connecting with campus through volunteer opportunities. More information will be shared as the school year begins.
Principal Office Hours
Ms. Ryans will launch Family Office hours, which will be held by confirmed appointments on Tuesday mornings from 8:30-9:30. Office hours will begin on September 5, 2023. Office hours will be held for Families seeking a one on one connection opportunity with Ms. Ryans for a specific purpose. There will be time for four, fifteen minute appointments within the hour. For those families interested in meeting with Ms. Ryans during office hours, please email our Executive Assistant, Mr. Manuel Garcia, at manuel.garcia@yesprep.org. Families should include the desired topic and focus of the meeting when they email Mr. Garcia. Appointments will be scheduled in the order in which emails are received by Mr. Garcia. He will reach out via email and phone to confirm your appointment. If all appointments are booked for a given week, he will offer a time for the following week.
Grading Updates:
Students will have reassessment opportunities again this year; however, all students must complete work within a two week window or the end of the quarter, whichever is sooner. Students must have a strong first attempt at an assessment because they will only be able to earn 1/2 points back. For example, if you got a 60 on your assessment, the highest grade that you can get is an 80. These grading policies can be found in the Student Handbook.
School Supplies:
The following school supplies are required for each student. Individual teachers may request additional supplies relevant to their courses. Items with ** will be collected anddistributed as needed throughout the year
- 4 pocket folders- any color
- 2 packages of notebook paper**
- 1 1 ½ inch binder
- 1 box of pre-sharpened pencils**
- 1 package of mechanical pencils or pencils of your choice
- 1 package of pens (blue or black)
- 1 package of 4 expo marker **
- 1 package of Clorox wipes **
- 2 boxes of Kleenex
- 1 pair of wired headphones or ear buds (Bluetooth will not work on student computers)
- Clear or mesh backpack
Required Calculator for Math 8-12
All students in grades 8-12 are required to purchase a TI-Nspire. Students may have the cx, cxii models. CAS models are NOT allowed).
Here are links to current listings for these calculators.
Wizard Camp (6th Grade Only)
We are so excited to welcome Class of 2023 to Wizard Nation! WIZARD CAMP is offered to all incoming 6th graders as an opportunity to get familiar with our campus, our traditions, and to make new friends. This event will take place on:
- August 10th and 11th from 9am -1pm.
Back To School
Families are invited to attend our back to school event that will take place on:
- August 9th - High School (9th -12th) from 4:00-6:00pm
- August 10th - 6th Grade Only from 1:00 - 2:00pm
- August 10th - Middle School (7th -8th) from 4:00-6:00pm
During this time families will have the opportunity to meet teacher, engage administrators, and learn more about the also opportunities available to their students after school. Parents will experience our new traffic pattern and will received a passport at the door that will help them keep track of which stations they have visited. Parent will also have the opportunity to collect school uniforms for their student before leaving this event.
Backpack Expectations and Week One Procedures
Homeroom teachers will visually scan students for dress code, ID badges, and backpacks compliance every morning. Students are expected to bring a mesh or clear backpack to school. If the student brings backpack that does not meet this description it will be collected at the start of the day by their homeroom teacher. The backpack will then be tagged with the students name and taken to a secure room. Students will not have access to their backpack if collected and it may only be picked up after school. Parent meetings will be scheduled with families of students who bring backpacks past the first week of school.
Cell Phone and Personal Devices.
Cell phone and personal devices are allowed on campus, but can only be used in the Union during the students designated lunch time. Teachers and staff will provide students with frequent reminders at the start of class and before every transitions. If a student's cell phone or personal device is in use outside of the union during class, homeroom, advisory, or during transitions it will be collected and turned in to the office. If collected, parents will need to collect the item with the receptionist. These items will not be returned to the student directly
Student Laptops
Student will receive their school laptop on first day of school August 15th. Laptops will be delivered to student during homeroom and they will be provided with step-by-step instructions on how to access the computer with their individual credentials. Student will also be provided with a presentation outlining consequences for misuse and/or mistreatment of the device.
Food and Beverage Policy
Students are not allowed to share food on campus. This includes snacks, meals, candy, and beverages. Students are allowed to consume water throughout the day from the campus water fountains or from a water bottle (original packaging or in a clear spill-proof container). Beverages such as soft drinks, sports drinks, and juice can only be consumed and disposed of in the Union. Morning beverages such as coffee should be consumed and disposed of in the Union/Gym before being released to class at 8:30am Additionally, students are not allowed to receive any food deliveries during school hours or at school sanctioned events. This include deliveries from platforms such as UberEats, Grubhub, and DoorDash. Students will always have free breakfast and lunch provided on campus as an option. We appreciate your support in upholding this policy to ensure the health and safety of all Wizards.
SAVE THE DATE FOR OPEN HOUSE!
This year open house will take place on :
- September 6th - High School (9th -12th) - 4:00 to 6:00pm
- September 7th - Middle School (6th - 8th) 4:00 to 6:00pm
Mark your calendar! Additional details around specific programming and logistics to come.
YP Southeast Secondary 23-24 Add/Drop Process
What is Add/Drop?
An opportunity to request an alteration or change to your current schedule.
Add/Drop Window:
August 17 - August 22
August 17th - First opportunity to submit the Add/Drop Request survey
August 22nd - Last day to submit the add/drop request survey
ALL requests will be processed and a decision communicated by Friday, August 25th.
What can I do during this window?
Students may use this opportunity to Add or Drop a course from their current course load.
Who is eligible to request Add/Drop?
Current 9th - 12th
9th Grade students will ONLY be reviewed for adjustment if the concern is related to a core course missing or out of sequence.
Acceptable examples for requesting schedule changes:
- I am missing a credit that I need to graduate (PE, Art, Spanish, etc.)
- The courses I am set to take are out of sequence (ex: I am scheduled for SPAN 3 but have not taken SPAN 2)
- I am missing a period, or it shows as empty on my schedule
- I am scheduled for a course for which I have already earned credit
Examples NOT acceptable for requesting schedule changes:
- I didn't get my first-choice elective
- My friend is in another period
- I don't like the order in which I have my classes
- I hear Ms. Leon is really hard
- I don’t want to challenge myself with an AP course
Steps for submitting an Add/Drop request
- Fill out the Add/Drop survey
- Speak with teacher of record for any AP course you are wanting to either Add or Drop from your current course schedule
- Submit your Add/Drop survey
What are potential outcomes from an Add/Drop request:
- Alteration to your overall schedule
- Changing teacher of record for a course
- Loosing existing electives to accommodate change requested
What can I expect after submitting my Add/Drop Request?
- Members of our College Initiatives team will review daily submissions
- Response to your request within 48 hours
- Context for denial if we were unable to meet your request
Why would my request be denied?
A request is simply that, a request. We will work to try to approve where we can but be mindful of the guidance we will follow as we process these.
We will always prioritize a student's progress towards graduation - meaning, a schedule change that puts you at jeopardy of not meeting graduation requirements will not be approved.
Additional reasons for a denial:
- Limited course offerings - some courses have a limited number of sections
- When a course is taught - keep in mind not every course is taught every period
- Seating capacity in sections - if the class is full, we can no longer add students
Helpful Hints:
- Only one submission will be accepted per student
- Communicate all change requests with parents/guardians - they will be included in final communication
- Check your YP Email - this will be a requirement for submission and how a decision will be communicated to you
- ALL requests will be processed and a decision communicated by Friday, August 25th
Wizard Family Association
Wizard Family Association is back in action! We will continue to host meetings on Wednesdays with a morning meeting option and an evening meeting option. Our first Wizard Family Association meeting will be August 30, 2023, and our second meeting will be on September 20th. We will be sending links to confirm the time and so you can RSVP to this event. The meeting topics for our first two meeting are as follows:
August 30, 2023
Meeting Topics:
- Introduction of Directors Team
- Introduction of Student Support Team
- Using our campus platforms: Skyward, HERO, POSSIP, and Cardstock
September 20, 2023
Meeting Topics:
- Safety and Security Systems at YES Prep and at YES Prep Southeast
- Emergency Response Protocols at YES Prep and at YES Prep Southeast
New Family Opportunities:
Family Association Representative
YES Prep Public Schools has made a shift in family engagement at the system level. YES Prep will no longer have Family Fellows, but will now hire Family Association Representatives for each campus. The deadline to apply for this opportunity is August 30, 2023. To learn more about the role, review the job description, view dates for interest meetings, and view the application, click on this link: https://www.yesprep.org/departments/family-engagement/family-association
Family Advisory Council
YES Prep Southeast will launch a Family Advisory Council so that there is a collective effort to continue to engage families and elevate more voices. We will include one parent/guardian from each grade level to be members of the Family Advisory council for the 23-24 School Year. Council members must be active members of Wizard Family Association. The Advisory Council will meet the week after each Wizard Family Association meeting to discuss trends, prepare for upcoming association meetings, and engage more families in connecting with campus through volunteer opportunities. More information will be shared as the school year begins.
