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Cougar Country
Official Publication for Parents and Students of Craig High School
Fall 2014
Vol. 11 No. 2
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
The months of October and November offer parents several opportunities to get more involved
in their students’ education and to share feedback about the Craig experience.
Later this month, Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held. Teachers will be available to
meet with parents in an arena-style setting on Wednesday, October 28 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. and then
again on Thursday, October 29 from 8:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. and from 2:00-7:00 p.m. Please note that we
shut down for lunch from 1:00-2:00 p.m. on Thursday. Parents do not need an appointment; just come
whenever is most convenient for you. Parents are also welcome to bring their students to conferences.
Teachers will share information about grades and academic progress and answer questions parents
might have.
During Parent/Teacher Conferences, parents will also have the opportunity to complete a survey
about school calendar development. The feedback you offer will be used by District Administration in
creating the 2015-2016 school calendar.
Craig’s Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) meets monthly. Our next meeting will be held Monday, November 3, beginning at 6:30 p.m., in Classroom 113. All parents are welcome and encouraged
to attend. Parents and student representatives attend this meeting, along with the Principal, to review
the school calendar, identify school needs, and work on group projects. Parents can join the group at
any time and are not obligated to attend every meeting – come as you’re able!
On Thursday, November 6, beginning at 5:45 p.m., in Classroom 113, Craig’s Cougar School
Improvement Team (CSIT) for parents will meet for the first time this year. The CSIT has both a parent
and student group. The purpose of both teams is to offer a forum for our most important stakeholders students and their families - to voice concerns, identify areas in need of improvement, and help develop
solutions. At the November 6th meeting, the group will 1) review how/why CSIT was started, 2) examine the work that was done last year, and 3) share feedback about additional items in need of improvement. All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. We would ask that you commit to attending
as many meetings as possible this year to provide consistency for the team.
If you are unable to participate in our formal meetings, please consider communicating with your child’s
teachers by phone or through email and sharing your feedback with the Principal directly (contact information appears below).
I hope to see many of you at Parent/Teacher Conferences and our upcoming PTO and CSIT
meetings!
DR. ALISON BJOIN
CHS PRINCIPAL
abjoin@janesville.k12.wi.us
608-743-5200
(Cougar By Gary Gandy)
Craig Calendar
2014-2015
ST
1 QUARTER ENDS
Staff Dev/Parent Conf(No School Students)
PARENT CONF (no school students)
NO SCHOOL/STUDENTS & TEACHERS
Optional Teacher Work Day
THANKSGIVING BREAK
WINTER BREAK BEGINS (No School)
SCHOOL RESUMES
FINAL EXAMS
ST
END OF 1 SEMESTER
Teacher Dev/Parent Conf(No School Students)
PARENT CONF (NO SCHOOL/STUDENTS)
NO SCHOOL TEACHERS/STUDENTS
NHS Induction Honors Ceremony
ACADEMIC RECOGNITION
RD
3 QUARTER ENDS
SPRING BREAK BEGINS
SCHOOL RESUMES
PROM
SNOW Reserve day
MEMORIAL DAY
SENIOR AWARDS
FINAL EXAMS
SCHOOL YEAR ENDS-STUDENTS
GRADUATION
Optional Teacher Work Day
Friday
Wednesday (4:00-7:00 p.m.)
Thursday
Friday
Wednesday
Thursday, Friday (No school)
Monday
Thursday
Tues, Wed, Thursday
Friday(No School Students)
Wednesday (4:00-7:00 pm)
Thursday
Friday
Tuesday
Tuesday
Friday
Monday
Monday
Saturday
Friday (see below)
Monday
Wednesday
Tues, Wed, Thurs
Thursday
Thursday
Friday
October 24, 2014
October 29, 2014
October 30, 2014
October 31, 2014
November 26, 2014
November 27, 28, 2014
December 22, 2014
January 5, 2015
Jan, 20, 21, 22, 2015
Jan 23, 2015
March 11, 2015
March 12, 2015
March 13, 2015
March 17, 2015
March 24, 2015
March 20, 2015
March 30, 2015
April 6, 2015
TBD
May 22, 2015
May 25, 2015
May 27, 2015
June 9, 10, 11, 2015
June 11, 2015
June 11, 2015
June 12, 2015
Snow Reserve Day:
May 22, 2015 will be a day off (NO SCHOOL) if zero or one (1) snow day is used.
If two (2) snow days are used May 22, 2015 will be a day of school.
*PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES*
Wednesday, October 28 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 29 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. & 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
* No appointment necessary * Students are welcome but need not attend * Enter through Main Entrance *
The purpose of conferences is to share information and build strong partnerships between teachers, parents and students. The Infinite Campus
program allows you to view grades, attendance, and other information; and report cards tell only part of the story. These should not take the
place of conferences. During conferences you find out how students are really doing at school. You can talk about struggles and successes,
homework policies, projects, what parents can do to help, and how to stay in touch.
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Call 743-5262 for hearing-impaired services.
We use the arena format with teachers located by department
If you need more than five minutes, make an appointment.
Craig’s PTO will provide refreshments.
Check your student’s lunch account.
Following conferences, talk to your students about the positive and negative comments made by teachers
Counselors:
Mrs. Shelly Osmond (A-E)
743-5253
Mrs. Audrey Fiore (F-K)
743-5257
Mr. Karl Bryan (L-R)
743-5255
Ms. Sherri Rudkin (S-Z)
743-5254
Seniors:
Counselors met with seniors twice in a large group during
the month of September. The first meeting covered the
College Application Process/Transcript Request Forms. The
second meeting covered some introductory information on
Scholarships/Financial Aid. Students received handouts at
both meetings. All forms are available in the Student Center.
If a senior would like to have an individual meeting with their
counselor, please set up a meeting with Ms. Severin in the
Student Center. Counselors will be available during FLEX time
for students to discuss; credits, graduation requirements,
testing, post secondary options and recommendations. We
look forward to seeing you, so please sign up for a FLEX
opening.
Currently seniors should be:
 Sending in College applications and requesting
transcripts from Mrs. Stange in the Student Center.
 Finishing up College visits.
 Listening/Watching for Scholarships available in the
Student Center.
Scholarships
Seniors, keep your eyes open for new
scholarship opportunities. They are
announced and posted in the Student Center,
they are also posted at:
http://craighighschool.org/chs/StudentServices/FinancialAidResources/tabid/236/Defa
ult.aspx
to explain the filing of the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA). A Financial Aid
representative will be there to
answer any questions you may
have. For more information on
parent resources, www.fafsa.ed.gov
Parents planning on filling out the FAFSA are encouraged
to apply for their PIN number early. Both the student and
parent will need a PIN number in order to file the FAFSA.
Please visit the above website.
Juniors
This is a good time to visit college campuses. The best
way to know if a campus is right for you is to go on a tour and
listen to an admissions presentation. Please visit the college
websites for tour information or stop in the Student Center for
the updated view books. The view books contain great
information on Private Schools, UW-System Schools and the
Wisconsin Technical Schools.
Several College representatives visit the Student Center
during the Fall and again in the Spring. Please encourage
your child to meet with the College or University representative
they are interested in. A list of schools/dates and times are
available in the Student Center.
This is the first year that all juniors
will take the ACT. Students will be
testing in March during the school
day. Results of this test can be used
for College entrance. If a student
wants to increase their score, the ACT National Test dates are
also an option. If registering for a National Test Date, please
go to www.actstudent.org/start
Seniors will receive the local scholarship booklet in
December. The application for local scholarships is due March
1, 2015.
A Word of Caution: Be very careful of any scholarships or
other financial aid opportunities that require you to pay a fee
for their service. These could be scams.
Financial Aid Night
Parents of seniors interested in getting information about
financial aid should plan to attend a financial aid meeting that
will be held at Craig High School in January. The date and
time are yet to be determined. The purpose of this meeting is
Remaining Test Dates are as Follows:
December 13, 2014
April 18, 2015
February 7, 2015
June 13, 2015
Counselors will be visiting Personal Finance classrooms
each semester to discuss the following topics:
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Career Cruising
Career Research
Taking personal assessments
Filing out College applications
Finding information on scholarship and Financial Aid
Sophomores
This is an important time to start discussing interests/career possibilities. Please continue to encourage involvement in extracurricular activities and leadership roles.
Counselors will be offering Sophomore Student/Parent conferences over the winter months. These meetings will cover the importance of current credits/graduation requirements, scheduling options for the next two years, testing, post secondary plans and career
cruising. The meetings are a great time to talk about individual plans and recommendations. More information will be coming.
Freshman
We hope your Childs first quarter is going well. It is important to help your student:
Start establishing good study habits
Choose challenging classes to begin preparing for college
Understand the impact that high school grades and course selection have regarding college admissions
Get involved in extracurricular activities-volunteer, internships, work experiences, etc.
If you have any questions or concerns, please ask your Childs teachers or counselor for assistance.
Reminders from Nurse Campton
* With cold weather coming, students with inhalers need a signed medication form with approval from physician and parents in order to carry
the inhaler for self use.
For the complete district policy regarding medication, please see the district medication policy at:
http://www.janesville.k12.wi.us/Default.aspx?tabid=1227
Cougar Closet
The Craig Cares Campaign is underway. This campaign is focused on providing gifts for
Craig High School students in need during the holiday season.
Families in Need
We have contacted families whose children we know might be in need during the holiday season. If your family has not received a form to fill out and would like one please contact
Christal Lippincott. If the student is being helped by another organization such as ECHO or
the Salvation Army they will be excluded from our gift program. Forms are due no later than
November 7th.
Families Who Can Assist
If your family, organization or company you work for would like to sponsor a student during
the holiday season please contact Christal Lippincott. She will provide you with the information about a student and what their wishes are for the holiday season. The typical amount per
student is $100. If you are able to assist then she will contact you after November 7th. Items
will need to be purchased and returned by December 12th.
Contact Information for Christal Lippincott
Craig High School
401 S Randall
Janesville, WI 53545
CHS Social Worker, Ann Forbeck 743-5433 is available to help with finding resources in the
community and with attendance concerns, including school refusal.
Craig Athletics
Winter Sports Practice Schedule 2014-2015
Gymnastics
Monday, November 10th
Boys Hockey
Monday, November 10th
Girls Hockey
Monday, November 10th
Girls Basketball
Monday, November 10th
Boys Basketball
Monday, November 17th
Boys Swim
Monday, November 17th
Wrestling
Monday, November 17th
CO-CURRICULAR CODE CARD NEEDED FOR ALL ACTIVITIES
The co-curricular code meeting is required of all students wanting to participate in a sport or extracurricular
activity. One parent as well as the student is expected to attend and sign a blue code card, which is an agreement to abide by the rules put forth by the Janesville School District. Once a student attends the meeting, the
blue card, which is kept on file in the Assistant Principal’s office, is good for the four years the student attends
either Craig or Parker High School. Each subsequent year the student is asked to return to the Assistant Principals office to re-sign their card.
CODE MEETING - November 12, 2014
6:30 in the Craig Small Auditorium
ALL athletes planning to participate in CRAIG ATHLETICS this WINTER MUST meet the following guidelines
for PHYSICAL EXAMINATION to be ELIGIBLE TO PRACTICE and COMPETE: WIAA requires a PHYSICAL EXAMINATION for 1 or 2 years based on the following criteria: (1) Examination taken after 4/1 is good for the
following 2 school years; (2) Examination taken before 4/1 is good for the remainder of that SCHOOLYEAR
and the following SCHOOL YEAR. Alternate year cards will be used the second year for students who received a two-year examination. Physical examination cards of new enrollees are eligible to be transferred
based on the criteria above. Cards verifying this information MUST be on file with Craig’s Athletic Office
PRIOR to PRACTICE.
PHYSICAL BEFORE 4/1/13 = ATHLETE NEEDS A GREEN PHYSICAL CARD
PHYSICAL FROM 4/1/13 - 3/31/14 = ATHLETE NEEDS A BUFF ALTERNATE YEAR CARD
PHYSICAL ON OR AFTER 4/1/14 = OK
OTHER REQUIRED CARDS/FORMS
(ALL THESE FORMS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE ATHLETIC OFFICE)
*RED EMERGENCY/INSURANCE CARD
*SIGNED CODE CARD
*SIGNED ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION BULLETIN
*SIGNED CONCUSSION AWARENESS AGREEMENT
ALL ATHLETES ARE REQUIRED TO TURN ALL OF THESE FORMS IN TO THE ATHLETIC OFFICE PRIOR TO
THE FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE OR TRYOUTS. DO NOT TURN THESE FORMS INTO THE COACH.
Craig Athletics
Participation Fees/Surcharges For Athletic Competition
The Janesville School District requires that all athletes pay a fee for participation in any
sport. Most athletes will have to pay $75.00 per sport after he/she has been named to
the roster. The fee is due within 10 days of practice.
Any athlete that has a free/reduced meal application filed with the Food Service Office
will either pay a reduced fee of $15.00 or have the fee waived if receiving free lunches.
A waiver form must be filled out by the parent/guardian in order to take advantage of
this. These forms can be picked up in the Athletic Office.
Checks can be made payable to School District of Janesville. Be sure to include in the
note section at the bottom of your check the name of the athlete and the sport he/she
is participating in to facilitate correct documentation of the fee.
In addition to the participation fee, Boys and Girls Hockey will be assessed a surcharge
of $600.00. This surcharge is also due within 10 days of the first day of practice.
Hockey total is $675.00. If you are eligible for reduced meals, your total fee is $135.00
which is 20% of the total fee. For financial concerns/questions, come to the Athletic
Office.
To get the latest schedule for your favorite team or just find out who’s playing today, go to
www.big8conference.net
You will find not only up to date scheduling and cancellation information by directions to all of the Big 8
Conference game/meet sites. You can also find this information on our website craighighschool.org Once on
our homepage, click on Athletics. Our athletics home page has a link to Athletic Schedules. If you have any
questions, please feel free to call the Athletic Secretary, Mary Adamson at 608/743-5266.
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF JANESVILLE
Educational Services Center (ESC), 527 S. Franklin Street, Janesville, WI 53548
REQUEST TO WITHHOLD
DIRECTORY DATA &
MILITARY/HIGHER EDUCATION
OBJECTION
If you do NOT want student information or photos
released, you must sign a “Request to Withhold
Directory Data” form available at registration and
the school office. If we have not received this
form within 14 days of distribution of the school
handbook, according to state statues, the data
may be released. Please understand that by
signing this form, your child will not have his/her
picture or name in such things as the school yearbook, student newspaper, sports programs,
awards programs, music/drama program, and
The Janesville Gazette (news stories, graduation
issue). There can be no exceptions.
Also, federal law requires educational agencies to
provide recruiters, upon request, names, addresses and telephone listings. If you do NOT
want this information available, please fill out and
return the “Parental Objection” form within 14
days of enrollment.
FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH
APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED ALL YEAR
Applications for free or reduced school meal benefits may be submitted any time during the school
year. Contact your school office or the Business
Services office at the ESC, 527 S. Franklin.
MOVING?
If you move over the summer,
please call 743-5200 as soon as
possible to determine what paperwork is needed. If moving outside
the School District of Janesville, in
most cases students may continue
attending their current school as
long as you complete the paperwork within the required timeline.
No address change can be made
without proof of residency, which
must have your name, current address, and date of the move. If you
have a question about school
placement for a particular address,
contact Tami Carlson at 743-5006.
STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL
TEENS
Every teenager wants to be happy, self-confident, popular, and
successful. Some are willing to do just about anything to obtain
these goals. Some let others make decisions for them, do
things against their best judgment, or trade their own individualism for the chance of being accepted. Making good decisions
can be difficult if you don’t know what you want in life. The following strategies can be used to make a successful teen.
 Setting goals involves thinking about what it is that you wish
for out of life. Start by setting realistic goals, then break larger goals into smaller goals and prioritizing them.
 Discipline is what carries us along toward the realization of a
goal. This means training regularly in order to improve your
skills, even in the face of distraction.
 Effective communication skills allow us to let our needs be
known. At the same time, it’s important to understand the
perspective of the other person. Listening is a key part of this
strategy.
 Often thought of as tedious and boring, organization is actually a way to give your brain a break. When your environment, thoughts, and tools are organized, it makes your work
easier and more effective.
 Risk-taking may seem out of place as a strategy for teens,
but taking positive risks means being willing to operate outside of your comfort zone. Trying something new can be
scary, but can promote personal growth. It may mean following your own path, and separating yourself from the pack.
Sometimes the pack may not always be the safest place to
be.
In Conclusion: Remember only you can change yourself; however, your willingness to change must be there. Every problem
is not going to disappear, or every dream will not come true, but
if you do the work, you will become a stronger, wiser, more
competent person. You already have within you all of the tools
and talents you need to create a better, more fulfilling life. All
that’s left for you to do is to really want it.
MUDARSE!!!
Si piensa moverse de su dirección de casa actual por favor comuníquese con
la oficina escolar de Craig High School al 743-5200 lo mas pronto posible para
determinar que formularios tendrá que llenar para que su hijo(a) continué asistiendo su escuela actual. Por favor note: si esta moviéndose a una dirección
fuera del Distrito Escolar de Janesville, en mucho casos su hijo(a) es elegible
para continuar asistiendo al Distrito Escolar de Janesville, siempre en cuanto
usted complete los formularios apropiados dentro del tiempo requerido.
Si tiene preguntas sobre colocación de escuela para una dirección en particular por favor comuníquese con la Secretaria de Servicios Administrativos Tami
Carlson al 743-5006. La Oficina de Servicios Administrativos esta abierta todo
el año.
Si es padre de un estudiante de primaria y se estará moviendo durante los
meses de verano cuando las escuelas están cerradas, por favor comuníquese
con la Secretaria de Servicios Administrativos Tami Carlson al 743-5006 ó con
la Oficina de Inscribir a Nuevos Estudiantes al 743-5152 para llenar los formularios apropiados.
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EDUCATION IS OUR INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE.
Craig High School provides programs to promote
academic, social, physical,
and emotional development of all students.
craighighschool.org
Log on to Craig’s homepage to keep up-to-date on our activities. Follow links to
telephone extensions, email addresses, calendars, announcements, athletics, Student Services, and more.
~PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP AT CRAIG~
Principal’s Office
Principal Secretary
Mrs. Tricia Jones
743-5210
Principal
Dr. Alison Bjoin
743-5205
Main Office
Mrs. Jessica Warner-Reed 743-5200
Homework Request Line
Mrs. Jessica Warner-Reed 743-5215
Assistant Principal’s Office
AP Secretary
AP Office
Assistant Principal
Assistant Principal
Dean of Students
School Nurse
Ms. Judy Crook
Mrs. Jolene Hess
Mr. Shawn Kane (A-K)
Mr. Monte Phillips (L-Z)
Ms. Sonja Robinson
Mrs. Diane Campton
743-5262
743-5264
743-5260
743-5270
743-5221
743-5235
Athletic Office
Athletic Secretary
Athletic Director
Mrs. Mary Adamson
Mr. Ben McCormick
743-5266
743-5245
Attendance Office
To Report an Absence
Attendance Clerk
Attendance Clerk
Machine
Mrs. Pam Parish
Mrs. Joyce Snyder
743-5230
743-5231
743-5233
Student Center
Guidance Secretary
Registrar
Counselor
Counselor
Counselor
Counselor
School Psychologist
School Social Worker
Police Liaison Officer
Ms. Mary Severin
Mrs. Jill Stange
Mrs. Shelly Osmond (A-E)
Mrs. Audrey Fiore (F-K)
Mr. Karl Bryan (L-R)
Ms. Sherry Rudkin (S-Z)
Mr. Al Gonzalez
Mrs. Ann Forbeck
Officer Thomas Lemery
743-5251
743-5252
743-5253
743-5257
743-5255
743-5254
743-5222
743-5433
743-5213
Food Service
Mrs. Elise Allen
743-5168