Sunday Weekly Update 1-5-24
Happy New Year! This is Rick Parker, Principal of Indian Land High School, calling with a Sunday Weekly Update. I sincerely hope you had a fun, relaxing, and safe holiday break! We are now moving to the second half of the school year with great anticipation, excitement, and accomplishment ahead all the while keeping that W.A.R.R.I.O.R. Mindset of turning up of the volume, pushing through and rising to the top by putting these three words into action: PLAN-WORK-WIN.
I am very proud of all our students who took an EOC in English, Biology, Math, and Social Studies. Before the first semester EOC exams I visited every EOC class and challenged each one of them to score an 80% or better. If they did, they would receive a special invitation to an EOC Celebration Party with food, drink, and music. Well, I am excited to report that they rose to the challenge with 394 scoring 80% or higher! I will be delivering those special invitations in the next week.
Some other exciting events for second semester include recognizing the Top 20 Seniors for the Class of 2025 with a special student breakfast. This recognition will be based on the Top Twenty GPAs. The Top Twenty Senior Portraits will be displayed on the wall in the front atrium showcasing where those students plan to attend college and their major.
We will have a Commitment to Graduate Signing Day for the Class of 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028. The Class of 2025 will sign a white graduation gown showing their commitment to walk across the stage earning their diploma. Our 2024-25 Graduation Date is May 29th @ 11 am. Class of 2026, 2027, and 2028 will sign a giant Indian Land Diploma showing their commitment to graduating On Time On Target! These will be displayed in our Commons Area for all students to see it every day reminding them of the commitment they made. “Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality.” Abraham Lincoln
I will be launching a new Monthly Newsletter “From the Land” with first edition in January. Each month we will share all the upcoming cool opportunities and events for students and parents as well as showcase past events and accomplishments. My goal is to help keep everyone in constant communication of what’s happening. I firmly believe we are stronger together! We are a TEAM - Together Everyone Achieves More!
To improve driving safety, I hope you notice the front entrance of the school. I had the medians painted a reflective yellow to help with visibility and the safety of turning into Indian Land High School from Hwy 521. This should help everyone enter the campus safely.
Here is What’s Important Now for next week:
· On Tuesday, all students will report to Homeroom first to make sure they have their correct second semester schedule then move to their first period. Wednesday, January 8th thru Monday, January 13th, students will report to Homeroom during FLEX time. They will be learning about the SC required by law topics of Gavin's & Erin's Laws during the beginning of Flex time, 1/8 - 1/16. I will have grade level “Reset” assemblies during this time. Wednesday, 1/8 - Freshman; Thursday, 1/9 - Sophomores; Friday, 1/10 - Juniors; Monday, 1/13 - Seniors.
· Spring '25 semester course change form: Here is the link for the Spring 25 Course Change Form with the guidelines: https://forms.gle/wFwwJwpNp2skEKfk8 - This is for any student who wishes to make changes to their spring semester courses- Please be sure to read the form, as not all course changes will be honored- there is criteria. We have your course requests from your last year's IGP on PS, and verify your request.
Save the date for all January Warrior University topics:
1/23 6-7pm- Trafficking presentation by LightHouse For Life
1/28- Lancaster County Career Center- 5:30-7pm- 8th & 9th grade family night @ LCCC
1/30- 6pm- Rising Junior (Sophomore) Family IGP Night- this will prepare you for your student's upcoming IGP meeting where, among other topics, they will choose courses for their Junior year- come hear about the new SC Math Pathway that will be in effect next academic year
1/31-4th block- Rising Junior (Sophomore) IGP Workshop for all sophomore students
Cell Phone Policy: As you all know, beginning second semester, 1/7/25, Lancaster County School District will enforce the state mandate of no cell phones allowed to be used during the school day. Students may bring a phone and keep on their person, but will only be allowed to use it before school or after school. No cell phones will be allowed to be used in class, during class transitions or lunchtime. Consequences on the Behavioral Student Matrix will begin with warnings and lead to Refuse to Obey. The attached video on the Cell Phone Policy was sent out December 18th to the District and all school websites. LCSD Cell Phone Policy
I leave you with this quote: “What the New Year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the New Year.”
Have a great evening!