Wednesday In-Person Instruction Update From Dr. Gusick

Last night the TESD Education Committee approved an instructional model modification that will carry us through to the end of this unpredictable year. We gathered information from staff, students, and parents about how our current model of 4 days of in-person instruction with all virtual instruction taking place on Wednesdays could look after April 19. I understand that developing a schedule that meets all the needs of nearly 7,000 students and the professional recommendations of 1,000 staff members is daunting to say the least, and some of you may wish to see a different outcome. Taking this into account, as well as preset calendar days, mandated state instructional hours, standardized testing requirements, and end-of-year school activities and events, the plan will look like this: Click here for more information

2021 AP Exams

College Board announced significant modifications to the 2021 AP Exam schedule and testing format. Decisions for 2021 AP Exams were made to prioritize the health and safety of educators and students while preserving opportunities for motivated students to earn college credit.  Review the letter and AP Exam schedule that was sent to AP Students and Families last month.

Key Points:

• We will be administering AP Exams during Administration 1 and 2. Please review which exams will be administered in-person paper/pencil and which will be at-home digital. 
• Administration 3 is for testing exceptions only. For students who need to request an exception to Administration 1 or 2, a contingency digital exam can be requested for Administration 3, by logging into your Total Registration account. Please submit your request by April 16^th. NOTE: This does NOT apply for World Language and Music Theory exams, which are only being offered as in-person paper/pencil exams per College Board. 
• All cancelation fees are waived this year to give students utmost flexibility. To request a full refund, students should log into their Total Registration account by May 27^th to cancel their exam(s). 

AP Teachers will be discussing exam administration in detail with their respective AP students, and information will be posted often to the CHS Advanced Placement Schoology Group. Please contact Megan Smyth ([email protected]) or Katherine Barthelmeh ([email protected]) with questions.

Attention Sophomores and Parents:

Sophomore Springboard

April 22, 2021

Attention to all tenth-grade students and their parents: 

The CHS Student Services Department is pleased to invite you to a evening program for sophomore students and their parents called "Sophomore Springboard". This VIRTUAL program will be held on Thursday, April 22^nd at 7:00pm. We will cover all the questions you may have about your upcoming junior year and beyond. Please join us for an informative evening. Links will be sent via Schoology closer to the date. 

Attention Interested College-Bound Athletes and Parents!

Conestoga Student Services will offer a new virtual program - Athletic Recruitment: NCAA Updates and Finding Your Fit. Come learn the “how-to’s” of being a recruited athlete. We will be joined by a panel of college admissions experts and college coaches. If you are serious about playing a sport in college or if you just want to learn more, this event is for you! We hope to see you on Tuesday, May 11^th at 7pm (link to follow). All grades welcome.

April PARENT MEETINGS

We are looking forward to meeting with Conestoga parents at the monthly parent meetings this April. The dates and times are below, along with the Teams Meeting link.

9th Grade Parent Meeting

10:00am Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

+1 717-431-7267 United States, Lancaster (Toll)

Conference ID: 772 159 115#

10th Grade Parent Meeting

10:00am Thursday, April 15, 2021

 Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

+1 717-431-7267 United States, Lancaster (Toll)

Conference ID: 544 339 188#

11th Grade Parent Meeting

10:00am Tuesday, April 20, 2021

 Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

+1 717-431-7267 United States, Lancaster (Toll)

Conference ID: 264 190 595#

12th Grade Parent Meeting

10:00am Thursday, April 22, 2021

 Join Microsoft Teams Meeting 

+1 717-431-7267 United States, Lancaster (Toll)

Conference ID: 537 256 324#

Spring Sports

Spring Sports are well underway and we have begun competitions. As a reminder, all spectators must wear a mask and be socially distanced from others who are not residing in the same household. We will continue to follow the guidance from PIAA and the health departments as the situation evolves.



We are planning on having a fall Sports meeting before the end of the year. The Athletic Department will be sending out information as the format and date is finalized.  As always, let’s keep up the fight in mitigating the spread of Covid-19. Go Stoga!

Conestoga's Virtual MiniTHON!

Sign up for a Virtual Cooking and/or Paint with a Pioneer Class to Support Conestoga’s Virtual MiniTHON!

Fun for the entire family! Help support Conestoga High School’s effort to help Pediatric Cancer Patients by signing up for any of the virtual classes!

If you are unable to attend a class but would still like to donate to our efforts use this link:

Donor drive Fundraising Link: https://fourdiamonds.donordrive.com/event/conestogahsminithon

Virtual Cooking Classes:

When: April 15^th 6:00-7:30PM

Presenter: Suzanne Steinberg (Conestoga Grad and Retired Valley Forge MS teacher)

Recipe: Two kinds of EASY and DELICIOUS Ravioli and Sauces (no pasta maker necessary!)

Cost: $10 to register (all goes directly to help the cancer patients) plus the cost of supplies

Use the link below to register! The recipe/ingredient list will be emailed along with a link to join the class once you have registered.

Sign up TODAY! 

Cooking 4/15 6:00-7:30 PM: https://fourdiamonds.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=3237

Virtual Paint Classes:

When: April 14^th 5:00-6:30 PM

Presenter: Isabel Torres (Conestoga Senior and National Art Honor Society Member)

Activity: Isabel will lead participants step-by-step to paint a piece of artwork (no creative or artistic skills needed)

Cost: $10 to register (all goes directly to help the cancer patients) plus the cost of supplies

Use the link below to register! The supply list will be emailed along with a link to join the class once you have registered.

Sign up TODAY! 

Painting Class 4/14: https://fourdiamonds.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=3239

Traffic Safety Reminders

TESD urges all parents to exercise traffic safety around our schools. Please be reminded to: 

• Drive slowly and carefully in school parking lots, drop off areas and nearby roads
• Obey all traffic flow patterns and rules of the road
• When dropping off and picking up students, please pull all the way up allowing traffic to flow
• Discuss pedestrian safety with your kids (use crosswalks/sidewalks, look both ways, don't "walk and text," etc)

Traffic patterns around the schools are always busy at the start and end of our school days. We appreciate your attention to the safety of all of our students. 

***VISITORS***

Per our district's safety plan, we are not permitted to have visitors or parents/guardians in the school building. Exceptions will be made for emergency situations. Thank you for your understanding as we begin our reopening plan for hybrid instruction. 

A Note from the Attendance Office

During the hybrid model, daily attendance will continue to be taken through homeroom Schoology pages. If your child is scheduled to attend school in person but remains home (and participates virtually), there is no need to send an absence note to the attendance office. If your child is unable to attend school in person or participate virtually, please contact the attendance office at [email protected]. 

Tech Update

In order to streamline and provide service for any district laptops that may have hardware/software issues please follow these guidelines:

1. Open any Internet browser. 

2. Type https://helpdesk.tesd.net.

3. Log in with your network user name (ie. 202ldoej) and password. Do not include @tesdk12.net.

4. Click on Report an Issue in the "I am facing an Issue" box in the middle of the page.

5. Click on the Others tab on the left and click on Student Helpdesk Request.

6. Fill out the required fields (with red asterisks). Include as many details as you can regarding your issue in the Description area. Include screenshots, too! 

7. Add request. An IT technician will reply to your ticket 

If you have an issue that necessitates an in-house visit you will be directed to visit the CHS Main Lobby. The Tech hours will be 7:30am-3pm Monday thru Friday. You will need to report any issues via the Student Helpdesk Request first or call the Family Helpdesk at 610-240-1730.

We are here to make your virtual learning experience the best it can be!

Your Helpdesk Staff

2020-2021 School District Calendar Information

Please visit the T/E School District website to view the 2020-2021 School District Calendar information. School staff members have begun planning events and activities

for the 2020-2021 school year. To view the single page summary of the 2020-21 school year, please view this link. 

Inbox to Receive Feedback on TESD 

Virtual Instruction Program

TESD has created an inbox to receive comments and feedback on our virtual

instruction program. Members of the school community may email comment to [email protected]. Feedback received through this inbox will be

shared with School Board members and members of the TESD administrative

team on a weekly basis. Please note: this inbox is designed for feedback on

the TESD virtual instruction program. Technical questions regarding virtual

instruction should be sent to [email protected]. Specific

questions about individual classroom procedures or lessons should be directed

to the teacher or school principal.

QUICK LINKS

• Student Services Department
• Conestoga High School website