What's New?
A Message from the Principal
Hello Deer Park Families! Happy Sunday!
We hope everyone has a great Labor Day Weekend. Our students and staff have certainly earned an extra day off!! Ms. Brown our Assistant Principal has a great saying in her office: ”I’VE LEARNED THAT PEOPLE WILL FORGET WHAT YOU SAID, PEOPLE WILL FORGET WHAT YOU DID, BUT PEOPLE WILL NEVER FORGET HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.” I have seen so many incidents thus far this year of our students making other students feel good about themselves. Young people get criticized for being selfish and all about themselves, but rarely get credit for being a great person or making someone else feel special! Thank you for raising children who see past themselves and support their classmates!!
Don’t forget, September 21 will be our first "Coffee with The Administrators." This month will be an opportunity to get to know Ms. Brown and I, and ask the two of us any questions you might have. It will be 6-7 p.m. in the Cat Den at Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School. We hope to see you there!!
John Vander Meer
Principal
Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School
Classroom Spotlight
7th Grade ELA teacher Ms. Troxell is working with her class to personalize the needs of her students as well and using a great system to engage her students in their learning.
This year in 7th grade ELA, is working on expanding their vocabulary, finding context clues, and examining word choice. At the beginning of the year, students completed their MAP tests, which are benchmark assessments that give insight about individual student abilities, specifically in the areas of informational (non-fiction) texts, literary (fiction) texts, and vocabulary. After the students took this assessment, their individual scores in the area of vocabulary were viewed and the best way to practice their skills based on this information was determined. Students who require more support when working on vocabulary and comprehension are focusing on words from our vocabulary curriculum that they are most likely to see in their independent reading and in other classes, while students who show proficiency in this area are not only focusing on these words, but are also given some challenge words to master. Before winter break, each student will take the MAP test again and meet individually with Ms. Troxell to assess their growth in vocabulary as well as in the other disciplines!
In the meantime, next week they are starting their “Vocabulary in Context” Challenge. Throughout the year, students will be rewarded and recognized for finding vocabulary words out in the “wild”, whether it be in their independent reading novel, a science article, or a math problem! Last year, one student found over 40 examples of vocabulary words used in “real life”! These initiatives help students master 7th grade standard, L.7.4, which states that students will be able to “determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.” They love a great challenge and an opportunity to increase their vocabulary!
Building news
New Crisis Lifeline
If you haven’t heard, the new suicide and crisis lifeline is 988. You can also text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org
For more information about this new system, please click the attached link to go to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Homecoming Information
Parents & Students in grades 9-12. Save the date for the 2022 Homecoming game 9/16 & Dance 9/17. Homecoming tickets start this week and can be purchased at lunch this upcoming Tuesday and Thursday. Tickets are $25.00 You must have your student fees paid down to $300.00 to purchase a ticket. Listen to morning announcements for information on ticket sales and other details.
Conferences
Our first round of conferences will be September 29 & September 30. We will have more information for you in next week's Wildcat Weekly.
After-School Assistance
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Need other academic help after school? We have homework club after school M-F from 3-4 p.m. at these days/locations:
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Wednesday: Ms. Troxell, Rm 58
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Monday: Mr. Marsh, Rm 157
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Tuesday: Mrs. Deller, Rm 226
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Thursday: Ms. Taylor, Rm 252
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Friday: Mr. Moore, Rm 155
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Junior High:
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High School:
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Need some academic help? Morning Intervention is available all year for students to come in for extra help from teachers on Thursdays at 7:35am. Students also have a daily “extra help” bell during the day to meet with their teachers.
Counselor's Corner
Check out important info from the guidance office by clicking the link below.
Looking Ahead
Please mark these important dates on your calendar:
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Labor Day (No School): Monday, Sept. 5
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Boys & Girls Cross Country at Little Miami Invitational: Saturday, Sept. 10 | 10 a.m.
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Varsity Volleyball vs. Madeira (Youth Night): Tuesday, Sept. 13 | 6:30 p.m.
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Boys & Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Seven Hills (AHA Game and Spaghetti Dinner): Thursday, Sept. 15 | 5/7 p.m.
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Varsity Football vs. Taylor (Homecoming Parade and Game): Friday Sept. 16 | Parade: 6 p.m., Football Game: 7 p.m.
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Homecoming Dance: Saturday, Sept. 17
In Case You Missed It
PSAT Information for Sophomores and Juniors
If you are interested in taking the PSAT, please sign up at the counseling office. If your student needs accommodations, the deadline is August 23rd; otherwise the deadline for registration is September 9th.
The PSAT will take place at the high school on Wednesday, October 12th.
Coffee with The Administrators
We want to know what you think and what your questions are. Starting in September we will have one night a month where you can meet with us and ask questions or learn more about the different things going on at the Jr./Sr. High School. Sometimes we will bring in experts on specific topics and sometimes it will be more question and answer. We will let you know when our September night will be and hope to see you there.
Staying Connected
There are multiple ways to stay connected to Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School. Please see the links below for ways to stay connected through Email, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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Newsletters: All parents who have completed FinalForms should receive Wildcat Weekly Newsletters. If you are not currently receiving them, please register for the e-mail communication. To register, simply go to https://www.deerparkcityschools.org/ and click on the button on the bottom of the page that says “Subscribe to District News”.
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Twitter: Follow Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School for the most up-to-date news and happenings! @DeerParkHS, @DeerParkSchools and @dpcounselor.
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Facebook: follow us at Deer Park Community City Schools and Deer Park Jr/Sr High School
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Instagram: follow us at DPHS Principals
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Inspiring & Empowering Lifelong Success
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