Creekside High School
The SHIELD
Weekly E-Newsletter

August 30, 2020
Dear Knights,

Welcome to the 2020 school year. Whether your student is on campus or distance learning at home, this e-newsletter is for you.

Monday, 8/31, students coming to campus will report briefly to homeroom. Additionally, students will receive a hard copy schedule in homeroom that provides room numbers for each class on their schedule.

Please review the campus arrival plan below:

  • The Creekside campus will open for students at 8:45. We are asking students not to be on campus prior to 8:45.
  • The parent drop off line is located in front of the gym through Gate A. Traffic will be congested and very slow. We ask for your patience and understanding to ensure student safety.
  • Student arrival and parking will use Gate B.
  • All students are required to wear masks until 1st period temperature checks.
  • Students will report to homeroom at 9:20 to pick up their schedule and then report directly to 1st period. Homeroom list by grade.

Please note: Per SJCSD School Board ruling, masks must be worn for entry into the front office lobby. Please be prepared accordingly for entry. Also, the front office lobby is set up for social distancing. When you enter, please be aware of the stickers on the floor and others in your immediate area.

Thank you in advance for your patience as we all adjust to the new norm.
Together, we are Creekside Strong.
FIRST AND FOREMOST
2020-2021 Return to School Information

Please ask your student to turn their completed/signed form in to their 1st period teacher Monday or Tuesday. Distance Learners may send their completed/signed forms via email to Ms. Mackoul (click this link).

·        Attend a meeting with Administration or Guidance
·        Attend a PTSO or SAC meeting
·        Volunteer time to a Club or Booster on campus
·        Proctor in the classroom, help in the bookroom, library, etc.
·        Drive Team members to a game or tournament
·        Volunteer for Special Events (Ticket Sales, Concessions, pre-game meals for students, etc.)
·        Help at a School Sponsored Event (Performance, Camp, Running of the Knights)

If the answer if YES to any of the scenarios above, you would need school access.

Please note: School Access is active for three years. PLEASE DO NOT submit an online application if you have done so in past years. It is best to email CHSKeepntrack@gmail.com to confirm your status.

Thank you.

  • September 7, 2020 Labor Day- Student/Teacher Holiday
  • November 3, 2020 Teacher Planning Day - Student Holiday
  • November 11, 2020 Veteran's Day - Student/Teacher Holiday
  • November 25-27, 2020 Thanksgiving Break - Student/Teacher Holiday

HERE TO HELP STUDENTS TO CLASS

Link Crew students will be visible on campus throughout the entire day helping fellow students find their way to their classrooms on Monday, 8/31.

PLEASE encourage your student to ask a Link Crew member for assistance if they need it.
STUDENT PARKING
  • Student drivers can park in the regular student lot. Parking permits will be distributed during lunches at a table set up in the courtyard the first few days of school. Parking permit paperwork can also be turned in at that table. 

Questions about student parking can be sent to Dean Hudson – david.hudson@stjohns.k12.fl.us.
ATTENTION:
ANYONE RECEIVING THIS E-NEWSLETTER

If your family has graduated from Creekside and you do not wish to receive this e-newsletter every week, please unsubscribe utilizing the link at the bottom of this newsletter. Please do not SPAM this communication.

Thank you.
CREEKSIDE CAFE
Safety is number 1 at the Creekside Cafe. All items are wrapped or covered as a safety precaution. Our cafeteria is set up with social distancing protocols. Cafe staff will wear masks and are ready to help your student with their selections.

Outside Vendors starting 9/1:

  • Mondays - Chik-fil-A
  • Tuesday - Papa Johns
  • Wednesday - Zaxbys
  • Thursday - Papa Johns
  • Friday - Zaxbys

You may deposit payment for lunches via Paypams.com or send in a check made payable to Creekside High School to Ms Marino in the Cafe'. Your student may hand deliver the check when they go to the cafe for lunch.
TESTING NEWS
2020 PSAT Date: October 14, 2020

The purpose of the test is to give all students an opportunity to experience taking a college readiness test and to identify students who might benefit from advanced coursework.

  • Students in 9th and 11th grade must pay a $21 registration fee in order to take the test and receive their scores.
  • Registration fee payment can be made online though School Pay:  https://schoolpay.com/pay/for/2020-PSAT-Fee–2100/SbfaZNC.
  • The last day to pay for registration is be Friday, September 11th.

All 10th grade students will take the test and receive a score report at no charge.

Your student’s Score Report for the PSAT/NMSQT® will be available in mid-to-late December from College Board.

Distance Learners:
  • 9th and 11th grade Distance Learners may take the PSAT on campus. Please sign up as instructed above.
  • 10th grade Distance Learners do not need to sign up as a test will be ordered for you automatically. All 10th grade students taking the test will receive a score report at no charge.

Specific test information and locations will be provided closer to the test date.

Please note: Students will receive an Official Student Guide to the PSAT/ NMSQT® through their English classes. This guide contains valuable information as well as a full-length practice test with answer keys. Please visit www.collegeboard.org/psat for more information.

As always, you may contact Ms. Mackoul via email: Brooke.Mackoul@stjohns.k12.fl.us with any related questions you may have.
PTSO MEMBERSHIPS
The SJCSD has been hard at work creating a flexible, responsible, and comprehensive plan for returning to school for the 2020-2021 school year. The main focus is on safety and high-quality education for all students. With that in mind, the PTSO membership drive will be completely online. We need your support as we move through this monumental school year.   
​
We appreciate all that you can do! 

Thank you!
Where do your PTSO donated dollars go?
In the past, your CHS ­­PTSO dollars have paid for:

  • Freshman Day & Freshmen T-Shirts!
  • Parchment (Free Transcript service for Jr./Sr cost $3200 a year)
  • Clinic Supplies
  • Senior Breakfast 
  • Media Center Items
  • Teacher Conferences
  • Teacher Appreciation
  • Ramp Up Night
  • Homecoming Carnival
  • “Cocoa and Cram” study for all students
  • Senior Awards
  • ESE Programs
  • Classroom Magazines
  • Guest Speakers
  • Security Updates for the School
  • Electronic Sign
  • Bike Racks
  • Water Filtration System


CREEKSIDE HIGH SCHOOL BUSINESS PARTNERS

Thank you to our 2020-2021 CHS PTSO Business Partners, we appreciate your support! For our Creekside community, please visit our supporting businesses for your personal or family needs. 

Creekside's Volunteer Coordinator is Ms. Sheila Sexton. If you are interested in volunteering or being on her "go-to" volunteer list, please email her and let her know.

Sheila's email is chsknightsvol2@gmail.com
Your Keep'nTrack Coordinator/ School Access expert is Ms. Jeralyn Forcier.

Please apply for school access to:

  • Attend a meeting with Administration or Guidance
  • Attend a PTSO or SAC meeting
  • Volunteer time to a Club or Booster on campus
  • Proctor in the classroom, help in the bookroom, library, etc.
  • Drive Team members to a game or tournament
  • Volunteer for Special Events (Ticket Sales, Concessions, etc.)
  • Help at a School Sponsored Event (Performance, Camp, Running of the Knights)

School Access is active for three years. PLEASE DO NOT submit an online application if you have done so in past years. It is best to email Jeralyn and she will confirm your status and process a renewal if need be. Jeralyn's email address is CHSKeepntrack@gmail.com
ATHLETICS



Fall Sports are practicing and our first competition is scheduled for 9/11. More information about ticket sales will be available next week.

GO KNIGHTS!




Thank you Lady Knights Basketball Teams for your volunteerism. We appreciate your help setting up so many classrooms this week. You exemplify safe teamwork.
CLUBS
Welcome back students!

In search of some creative minds who would like to help lead the Creative Writing Club this year. Interested in an Officer position? Please email Mrs. Reedy by Friday, September 11th at susan.reedy@stjohns.k12.fl.us or drop by to see me in room #550 so we can set our first meeting.
CELEBRATORY NEWS

This summer, FBLA held their National Leadership Conference and Competition virtually, where more than 10,000 students participated. Creekside had nine students to compete and we are happy to announce that five of these students placed:


  • Spencer Reagan, Aryan Tiwari, and Alexander Simes: 3rd place team in Management Information Systems

  • Nicklas Rice: 7th place in Business Calculations

  • Joe Parimucha: 10th place in Cybersecurity

Awesome job Knights!!
Ms. Rakov is pleased to announce this year's Betty Griffin Calendar Contest winners. The annual calendar features artwork and poetry from local students to celebrate A Day Without Violence.

Out of 500 entries for the 2021 “Day Without Violence” Calendar Art & Poetry Project, Ayushi Elhence (1st Place- Cover), Kelsey Zweibohmer (2nd Place), Matthew Jeter, Dylan Keen, Elena Coles, Michaela Phelps, Ashley Cook, Taylor Hawat, Logan Cronin, all submitted a winning entry. The work will be published in the calendar, which is distributed free to every classroom in St. Johns County, pending funding. Art winners will be exhibited throughout October (National Domestic Violence Awareness month) at a local gallery.

Way to Go Knights!!!
COUNSELOR CORNER - GUIDANCE
Student appointments with the School Counselor

A new change this school year is that guidance is requiring appointments to meet with your School Counselor. Students, if you would like to schedule an appointment to meet with your school counselor, you may do so using the link below. Students will receive a confirmation email with their appointment date and time. This email will serve as your pass to leave class and must be shown to your teacher before leaving. 



If you would like to request a schedule change, please use the link below. This link will go "Live" on Monday (8-31) morning at 8:30 and will end Friday (9-4) at 3:00. 


Please join the guidance Schoology page for updates. Use access code 4PTG-F88V-9MK6Q



For your student's convenience, a tray has been placed in the front office for students to drop off service hours. For additional questions regarding community service hours, please email Mrs. Hemmer (click here)
Thank you.
College & Career Night 2020

After careful consideration, St. Johns County School District will not be hosting the Annual District College & Career Night that was scheduled for September 9th 2020 at Pedro Menendez High School. Instead, students are encouraged to register for any of the upcoming virtual NACAC fairs. College representatives may continue to schedule virtual or in-person visits to local high schools. Details are forthcoming from Creekside.

For the virtual NACAC Fairs, more than 600 colleges and universities will be online to talk with high school students on each of these dates this fall:
  • Sunday, Sept. 13 from 12 – 8 p.m. ET
  • Monday, Oct. 12 from 1 – 9 p.m. ET
  • Sunday, Oct. 18 from 12 – 8 p.m. ET
  • Sunday, Nov. 8 from 2 – 10 p.m. ET

Each virtual fair is a free, one-day event. Attend as often as you like. Parents invited, too.

Register at virtualcollegefairs.org and then log in on the fair dates using your phone or computer.
Create your itinerary by selecting which colleges you’re interested in and attend their live and interactive Zoom sessions. Also available are NACAC Meet-Ups on finding your best college fit, paying for college, and more.

Sessions cover topics such as how to apply, financial aid, student life, and more. Watch, learn, and get your questions answered about academics, athletics, diversity, study abroad, and other topics. You can also meet one-on-one with a college’s admission counselor by choosing a convenient virtual meeting date and time.
NEWS FROM ST. JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT