Issue: 17 April - May 2021

Conestoga High School

Attention Parents

TESD is currently planning for 5 days/week of in-person instruction for the 2021-2022 school year. At the middle and high school levels, this would include a return to the traditional 8-period bell schedule that has been used in prior years. Additionally, the District is exploring an all virtual option for families who may have an interest in an alternative to in-person instruction.

This virtual instructional option would be a stand alone program that would be dedicated to TESD virtual students only. It would not be integrated with the in-person instructional model.
Students who opt to participate in the TESD virtual program would be taught by District teachers using the TESD curriculum.
Virtual students would have the opportunity to participate in TESD extracurricular activities and schoolwide events in-person.
Enrollment in the virtual instructional option would be a full year commitment.

While details about the virtual program are still being developed, we would like to collect feedback from TESD families in order to determine whether enough interest exists to pursue a virtual instructional option. This survey is an initial assessment of interest and is not a commitment to an instructional model. It is our hope that all TESD families will complete the interest survey regardless of their instructional model preference. The survey will be open through Wednesday, April 28, 2021. If you are unable to access the survey using the link below, the survey is also available on the T/E School District website at www.tesd.net.

Click here to take the 2021-2022 Virtual Instruction Interest Survey.

Attention Class of 2021 Parents

We will hold a traditional graduation on Teamer Field, Tuesday, June 8^th. The current Chester County Health Department (CCHD) guidelines limit the capacity for outdoor events and therefore do not permit us to have a ceremony with unlimited seating. As such, we will need to determine preferences for holding ONE ceremony with two seats per graduate or TWO ceremonies with four seats per graduate. We will be conducting a survey of parents and seniors next week to determine the best course of action. The final decision will be announced by mid-May in order to finalize plans. Graduation rehearsal will be held at 9AM the morning of graduation where caps & gowns will also be distributed.

Please click here for more information on senior timeline and events.

Senior Internship Program

Seniors going on internship have turned in their paperwork and preparing to begin their internship on May 11, 2021. If your student is planning on doing an internship and has not turned in their paperwork, they must turn in the Sponsor Agreement (2 pages), Student Proposal and Parent Release form as soon as possible.

Seniors who have not been able to secure an internship will be offered other learning activities for the four weeks. Those options will be shared with students next week. All information, materials, deadlines, and communication for the Senior Internship are available to students through the Senior Internship Course in Schoology.

Questions about the Senior Internship Program can be directed to Jeanne Braun at [email protected].

AP Exams are coming up, beginning May 4^th!

Click here to 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.
Important reminder to check the “CHS Advanced Placement” group in Schoology daily leading up to AP Exams. You will find important information regarding how to download the 2021 AP Exam Application (required to test digitally) and how to prepare for exam day.
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 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.

May PARENT MEETINGS

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

9th Grade Parent Meeting

10:00am Tuesday, May 11, 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, May 14, 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, May 18, 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, May 20, 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!

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