August 2025

The calendar has once again turned to August and the start of another school year is upon us. Before we address this year, I believe it is important to thank all of our students and their parents for supporting our efforts to improve student attendance last year. We finished the year with an average daily attendance of 96%. I realize that it is important that we do not focus on money or the cost of educating our children. However, I would not be doing my job if I did not tell you that improved attendance equated to two full teachers in our district. Placing great teachers in the classroom is the number one way to positively impact our children and their education. So, thank you. I hope you will once again support our efforts to maintain the momentum from last year. On that note, please remember that all absences count. As the parent or guardian, you are expected to contact the school within 24 hours to excuse your child if they are unable to attend. At Declo High School, a student will lose credit if they miss a class more than eight times in a given semester. Also remember that four tardies equates to one unexcused absence. The number one indicator of student success is and always has been their attendance in class. Second is you mom and dad, yes you. We need you. Together we are molding the next generation of great leaders and neither of us can do this alone. If you do not know how to access PowerSchool, please let us help you. If you have never taken time to talk to your Childs teachers lets change that. You can come visit with them before and after school, you can call them at school, or every teacher in our school as an active email account and they are expected to check it and respond in a timely manner. If you have questions come ask the classroom professional.

I am a little old fashioned and I struggle with change. That’s crazy talk, right. I’m involved in education, a world that should be embracing change and striving to prepare our children for it. I truly believe that one of the greatest secrets to the success of America has been public education and the fact that we strive to teach all of our citizens to read and write. Yes, we teach much more than that, but literacy, or the ability to communicate and advocate for oneself is paramount to our children’s future. Today there are a myriad of ways a child can access classroom instruction. Knowing that I want you to know that I believe there will never be a replacement for talented, caring classroom teachers. We have some of the very best in Declo. From kindergarten to high school your children and mine are blessed to be taught by talented professionals who sincerely care about them. Thank you for trusting us with your children. Come see us, be an active participant in your Child’s education. We welcome you, and are grateful for the opportunity to teach your children. It’s going to be a great year. GO HORNETS!!

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There will be no early finals given at DHS. If you are planning a trip or know you will be gone plan accordingly. Finals can be taken when you return but not before the scheduled finals week. IDLA: If you are taking an IDLA class it is your responsibility to communicate with the teacher and our site coordinator. This year Ms. Barbara Blau is the site coordinator. She will be in the building every class period of the day. She will have an assigned room for IDLA. Not the library. Mrs. Bott, and Mrs. Dial, can also help you with IDLA. All students taking IDLA will be required to sign our attendance form stating their intentions to be here or at home during their given IDLA class period. If you sign stating that you are going to be home then you must not be in the building during that time. If you are going to be in the building you must be in the IDLA classroom and all attendance rules will apply. Athletic Eligibility: (This includes IDLA classes) Grade checks will be Monday morning. If you are on the list for poor grades you will miss your next scheduled event. Athletes be on top of this. You can no longer just turn something in the day of the game and think you are good to go. Academic Lab: Lab will be for 40 minutes Wednesday, morning. Come to lab with your homework and use the time to get things done. Parents, it is not our desire to load your children with homework. The intent of this time is to allow for students to get one on one help, or to make up work missed due to an absence. Lab will be between second and third hour on Wednesday. District Detention Room: If your child is given detention or in school suspension, please be aware that they will be completing their time at Cassia High School. During this time, they will not be allowed access to their cell phone or their Chromebook. School work and pass room work will be paper and pencil. The most common reason our students are assigned in school suspension? You guessed it, truancy, or more commonly recognized as poor attendance.