Hello everybody!
At DHS, we focus on three common expectations with our social norms at Dixon High School.
ENGAGE SEEK SUPPORT BE PRESENT
For the next couple of weeks, I will share information about each one of these expectations so our entire community can support our students.
ENGAGEMENT Starts in Classrooms
Our mission is to prepare all students for college and career in their post-secondary lives. Our primary vehicle for satisfying our mission is engaging every student in rigorous, equitable instruction as an AVID Schoolwide school. Our teachers are REALLY good at this!
Students are supported by participating in engaging learning experiences but we also need our students to do their part to engage. Here are some things your student is expected to do in every class, every day:
- Be in the door, when the bell rings.
- Record the TOPIC and TASK in their planner.
- Use their binder.
- Engage fully in instructions and stay on task.
- Phones and earbuds interfere with engagement. Here is our policy: DHS Phone and Ear Bud Policy – Student Version.pdf
Students Need to Be at School to Engage in Learning
Attendance in high school is critical to student success. When students miss class, it not only affects their academic progress but it also affects students’ socio-emotional and mental health. High school moves fast and it is really hard for students when they miss class. Please make sure your student attends every class, every day, on time and when your student has to miss class, please communicate with our Attendance Office. Please remember that you have 3 days to clear an absence before that absence becomes a truancy. Jennifer Parks is our Attendance Secretary and she welcomes emails or phone calls at jennifer.parks@dixonusd.org or 707-693-6330, ext 7102.
Engagement Support for Students is Available
If your students need additional support or a safe, friendly place to do their homework, please encourage them to visit our Learning Center in the DHS Library. We have the nicest staff there and will soon have paid tutors. The Learning Center is open every day from 7:30-8:30 in the morning and 2:00-4:00 after school (1:00-3:00 on Wednesdays).
Student Clubs and Other Opportunities for Students to Engage
One of the things that we lost over the past few years was student interest in clubs on campus. You can only imagine how nice it feels to have renewed interest from our students this year! We have many clubs – from Chess Club to Barnyard to KPop Club – and our Leadership Class will be sending out more information, along with a Club Fair, very soon.
Athletics are a great opportunity for engagement! If your student is interested in playing a sport, we have both tryout sports and also many sports that welcome all students. Please encourage your student to reach out to our Athletic Director, Brett Peterson at brett.peterson@dixonusd.org if they have any questions or just want to chat about opportunities.
Other Opportunities for Engagement – Announcements
Every day, during 4th period, we have student announcements with opportunities for students. Here are some things coming up:
- Academic Decathlon, a team academic competition, sign ups are coming up.
- If your student is interested in Environmental Science, we have a fantastic opportunity that I will be sharing with students soon. Students will engage in an internship program, Wednesday afternoons, with UC Davis’ Urban Forestry Program. Urban Forestry Internship Program
- DHS students are also invited to learn more about public service and civics directly from the elected leaders and civil servants of Solano County. “Congressman Mike Thompson and California Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Cecilia Aguiar-Curry invite high school students to join their Student Leadership Council. The Student Leadership Council is an exciting program that allows local high school students to work directly with their elected officials and staff to develop leadership skills, learn how government works, and engage with our community. The Council is open to all high school students who live in California’s Fourth Congressional District or California’s Fourth Assembly District.
You can verify your Congressional District at: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member You can verify your State Assembly District at: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/
Applicants should be passionate about helping their community, be eager to learn more about government, and want to tackle issues facing our community. Student leaders are expected to meet online every other week from 4:00 – 6:00 pm on Wednesdays starting in November 2023 and ending in April 2024. This year’s Student Leadership Council will bring together students from the regions represented by Congressman Thompson and Speaker pro Tempore Aguiar-Curry which include Lake, Yolo, Colusa, and Napa counties as well as parts of Solano and Sonoma Counties.
Interested students can submit their application by filling out this form. All application submissions must be made by 11:45 pm on Monday, September 18, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact me or our program coordinator, Brendan Sweeney, by calling (707) 542-7182 or emailing Brendan.Sweeney@mail.house.gov.”
Senior Engagement and How Parents Can Get Involved
It is such an exciting and bittersweet year for our senior parents! We are here to help you keep pace and make sure you are supported in honoring and monitoring your senior as we approach graduation and your student’s future plans. Note: Graduation Ceremony will be June 8, 9:00 AM in the Stadium
Many of our school sponsored senior activities don’t get going until second semester – yard signs, scholarships, decision day, paint the town green, distinguished scholars, etc. – because your senior has a whole bunch of must do’s this fall:
- It is time to start on college applications. Many private colleges and CSU’s start accepting applications this time of year. It is a good idea for your student to get some of these now.
- We encourage parents to let students seek support for applications and complete them themselves. But, it is a great time for you, as parents, to help your child start thinking about what they want in a college or university. Do they want to study a particular subject? Do they want a large campus or small campus? Do they want to play a sport? Do they want to be in a city or smaller town? Do they want to be close to home or far away? Do they want to drive back and forth or fly? Do they want a competitive environment or a more supportive environment? Do they want to go somewhere where it snows, or is by the ocean, or is near extended family? These are the fun questions that are perfect for a carefully timed parent conversation
Senior Portrait Make-Up appointments will be on October 2-3. Prestige Portraits will send out communications as the date gets closer.
Parent Engagement – Families Must Complete Parent Data Confirmation
If you haven’t done this already, we have help available! Mrs. Gonzalez will be having office hours, Monday-Friday from 9:00-10:30am and 3:00-4:00 pm if you need support with completing the Parent Data Confirmation. Or, if you would like to schedule an appointment for a different time, please call her at 707-693-6330 ext. 7126.
Resources
2023-2024 Attendance Calendar
2023-2024 Student and Parent Handbook
2023-2024 Manuel Para Estudiantes y Padres
2023-2024 DHS Bell Schedule
2023-24 Final Board Approved Calendar.pdf
2023-2024 DHS Campus Map
Questions or concerns:
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly if you have any questions or concerns. I proudly serve this community and can be reached by email or phone any time.
Warmly,
Stephanie Marquez
Proud Principal of Dixon High School
smarquez@dixonusd.org
(707) 693-6330 ext.7113