Welcome Back!

I would like to welcome our students, faculty, and staff back to Seneca High School. I hope that everyone had a safe and restful break and is looking forward to a great 2008. Students and teachers will prepare for exams that begin on January 11, 2008. I have included the exam schedule on the right column of my blog. The schedule can also be found on the school's website. It is important for students to study and do their very best on these exams. Second semester will begin January 17, 2008. As we enter a new semester, please contact the school if you have any questions or concerns. The faculty and staff of Seneca High School enjoy working with your student and want to provide a positive and safe learning environment for all students.

Also included on the right column of my blog is our registration schedule for next school year. Please be sure to mark important dates on your calendar.

Have A Happy New Year!

"Sounds of the Season" performed by Seneca High School Choral Department

Tonight we began celebrating the holiday season by attending our choral department's "Sound of the Season." This year's concert was performed at Seneca Baptist Church, so we enjoyed their facility beautifully decorated for the Christmas Season. More than one hundred twenty-five students participated in the choral concert representing five differen choral groups: Men's Chorus, Women's Chorus, Honors Women's Chorus, Honors Chorale, and Madrigals. The groups performed a wide selection of music. Some of the titles include: "A Joyful Spanish Carol," "Marshmallow World," The Coventry Carol," "Carol of the Bells," "Jingle Bells," "Aspenglow," "Still, Still, Still," and many more. I am very proud of our students-- we have such great talent. A huge thank you to Ms. Diane McFarlane and Ms. Melissa McClain for their expertise and hard work to prepare our students.

Winter String Performance

On Tuesday, December 4, Seneca High School's Chamber and Orchestra performed for family and friends. A variety of music was played including Sarson de Cordes (Season of Strings), Handel's Concerto for Strings Orchestra, and some favorite holiday songs. Mr. Warlick played violin and Sheida Abdi accompanied on the piano to the night's final selection, The Christmas Song. The faculty and staff are proud of our strings students.

Generation Next Votes 2008

Thursday, December 6, 2007, nearly 1,000 students in the School District of Oconee County had the opportunity to participate in Generation Next Votes 2008. Of the 1,000 students, more than 160 were Seneca High School students. These students, who will be 18 before November 8, 2008, had the opportunity to register to vote and to learn more about the Presidential candidates. Candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties were invited to join the students. Senator John Edwards, a former Seneca resident, made an appearance at the assembly and spoke to students about the importance of exercising their right to vote. This was a great opportunity for our students. We would like to thank Mrs. Evie Hughes, principal of Walhalla High School and the Walhalla High's SAGE team (Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship) for inviting Seneca High School to attend.

Students Inducted into National Beta Club

Seventy-seven Seneca High School students were inducted into the school's chapter of the National Beta Club. Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher are eligible to join the National Beta Club. Congratulations to the following students:

10th Grade
Shedia Abdi ; Kira Grimes ; Leirin Smith
Jessica Adams; Joseph Haggwood; Haley Tanner
Samantha Adams; Christopher Hall; Jessica Tollison
Cameron Blassingame; Brianna Hyslop; Jason Vo
Samantha Brown; Hunter Jarrett; Christy Watters
Sam Burchfield; Tiffany Lament; Gregory Watters
Reneisha Butler ; Jenna Lay; Breanna Whitner
Brittany Collins; Carson LeCroy; Devan Williams
Maria Condatore; Corey McCubbin; LaMarcus Wright
Taylor Edens; Morgan Roper ; May Zhu
Erin Garland; Jordan Ross
Kiley Gaston; Tori Schiazza

11th Grade
Zachary Al-Nasser; Mackenzie Garland; Michael Price
Katheline Armentrout; Danielle Gay; Courtney Pund
Paige Blackmon; Brittany Hartman; Ajalek Robinson
Devon Bowser; Jordon Helms; Tripp Ross
Lauren Brock; April Holland; Brytannia Sears
Rebecca Conner; Lauren Klukkert; Jason Smith
Josiah Conrad; Anna Maria Land; Zachary Thompson
Necia Cook; Hillary Lee; Sydney Tran
Rachel Cunningham; Bobby McGill; Paul Watters
Kristopher Dennis; Andrea Oglesby; Anna Williams
John Doud; Alanda Parker; Heather Wright
Kevin Egan; Tamara Parker
Katie Fronck; Adrienne Pitre

12th Grade
Mary Douglas; Leann Nix; Sheena Swaney
Shanice Mayes ; Chase Pate; Levall Wall

Research Says Family Involvement Important

Family involvement in student education is important...even high school students. This month's National Association of Secondary School Principal's Research Review dedicates the issue to promoting family involvement. The article identifies four important facts, and they include:

• Family involvement in education remains a powerful predictor of student academic achievement and other positive outcomes.
• Family involvement in secondary education is associated with higher rates of college enrollment.
• Academic encouragement by parents is more powerful than the support provided by friends.
• Intervention programs can strengthen family involvement with positive results for student school success.

The faculty and staff of Seneca High encourage you to be involved in your student's education. We encourage you to contact a teacher, guidance counselor, or administrator for ways that you can be involved.

Seneca High Opens a New Computer Lab

Students in Mr. Tensley's computer classes began working in a new computer lab prior to Thanksgiving Break. Twenty-eight new Dell computers were purchased so that teachers and students would have more access to technology. The classroom is a state-of-the-art facility equipped with computers, printer, and an LCD projector. Mr. Tensley and his students have enjoyed the new technology. Other students and teachers may access the lab during Mr. Tensley's planning period.

2007 Report Cards are Published

The South Carolina State Department of Education has released school and school district report cards. Seneca High School's Report Grade is Absolute Rating: Average; Improvement Rating: Unsatisfactory; Adequate Yearly Progress: Yes.

The Absolute Rating for high schools is based on four items: Graduation rate, First Time HSAP (High School Assessment Program), Longitudinal HSAP (the percentage of students who pass all three portions of the HSAP(reading, writing, math) prior to graduation, and End Of Course Exams.

Seneca High School's Graduation Rate is 74.3% up from 69.3% last year.
Seneca High School's First Time HSAP is 81.8% up from 79.3% last year.
Seneca High School's Longitudinal HSAP is 89.5% down from 94.9% last year.
Seneca High School's End Of Course is 65.8%. This is the first time EOC has counted in the absolute rating of the report card.

The faculty has reviewed many different types of data this school year. We have also reviewed and discussed our report card grade. As a faculty, we continue to set goals that will allow us to continue improving our school ensuring that we prepare your student for their future. I am very proud of the outstanding faculty we have at Seneca High School.
For more information about our school report card, please contact me.

PLAN Given to Seneca High School Sophomores

Three hundred twenty-four students participated in ACT's PLAN assessment today. PLAN's content is very similar to the ACT. PLAN is given to 10th graders and provides information to schools and school districts about instructional areas that may need to be improved. PLAN is also used as a comprehensive guidance resource that helps students measure their current academic development, explore career/training options, and make plans for the remaining years of high school and post-graduation years. Seneca High School will host a PSAT/PLAN interpretation workshop on Wednesday, January 23rd at 7:30 in the Hamilton Auditorium.

November Student of the Month

Josh Powell was honored today as Seneca High School's November Rotary Student of the month. Josh is a senior at Seneca High School. He is very active in school activities and volunteers in our guidance office. We are proud that Josh represented Seneca High School.

Stephanie Mihaly Signs with Furman University

Congratulations to Stephanie Mihaly! Stephanie signed to play softball with Furman University today. A reception was held for Stephanie in the Media Center with friends, family, and SHS faculty prior to her signing. Stephanie is the 2nd High School Softball player to sign with a Division I school. She has many athletic accomplishments including: CAWS AAA State Player of the Year in 2006, High School Sports Report Player of the Year in 2006, Region Player of the Year 2006 and 2007, and All Region 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007. She also has many academic accomplishments including being in the top 5 in her class and being a Palmetto Fellows Recipient. We are proud of Stephanie's athletic and academic accomplishments and wish her much success at Furman!

Seneca High Students Participate in All County Band

Thirty-three Seneca High School students participated in this year's All County Band. The concert was held at 7:00 Tuesday night at Walhalla High School. Mr. C. Philip McIntyre, band director at James F. Byrnes High School in Spartanburg, was the Senior Band Director. Students worked with Mr. McIntyre on Monday and Tuesday to prepare for the concert.

Congratulations to the following students:
Flute
Taffie Blassingame
Warren Evans
Bassoon
Kristopher Dennis
Clarinet
Brianna Green
Shay Jones
Natalie Leonard
Ashley McJunkin
Elizabeth Robinson
Kim Romero
Ashley Sanders
Alto Saxophone
Sean Lee
Aaron Swarner
Baritone Saxophone
DJ Morris
Tenor Saxophone
Chatham Jones
David Spry
Trumpet
Kate Faires
Ashton Frager
Kyle Martin
Adriano Menin
Aubrie Rushe
Jessica Tollison
Horn
Austin Baldwin
Matthew Sloop
Trombone
Matthew Dunlap
Kyle Gutman
Corey McCubbin
Ingrid Romero
Baritone
Steven Wright
Tuba
Allison Pursley
Tripp Ross
Mallet Percussion
Skyler Switzer
Andi Swarner
Timpani
Devan Williams

Congratulations students! Thank you for your hard work!

Guest Speaker from Clemson University

Mrs. Barbara Kennedy-Dixon visited Seneca High School last week to meet with students. She is one of several speakers to visit SHS this year. Mrs. Kennedy-Dixon spoke to students about the importance of academics, maintaining a good attitude, and working hard to reach your goals. Mrs. Kennedy-Dixon was the first female in Clemson’s history to be inducted into the Clemson Ring of Honor; she is the only female in the history of Clemson women’s basketball to have her Jersey retired. She has been inducted into Clemson’s Athletic Hall of Fame and into the South Carolina State Hall of Fame. In 1987, she joined the Clemson Women’s Basketball Coaching staff and served as an assistant coach. In 1992 she was hired at Clemson as the Minority Omsbudman. Then in 1994 Barbara rejoined athletics as an Athletic Academic Counselor. In 1999, she served as Assistant Director of Compliance Services for the athletic department. She returned to women’s basketball as an Assistant Athletic Director for Women’s Basketball Operations and was the color analyst for the Clemson Radio Network. In June of 2005, she was named as the Associate Athletic Director/Senior Women’s Administrator. Seneca High School is proud to have had Mrs. Kennedy-Dixon share her experiences with our students.

Bobcat Battailion Wins Awards

Congratulations to the Bobcat Battalion drill team!! These students won 3rd place overall at Saturday's Jack Frost Drill Meet at J. L. Mann High School in Greenville. Students presented their trophies to me Monday morning! We are proud of our ROTC students!

HSAP Celebration

Two hundred twenty-three students participated in an HSAP (High School Assessment Program) celebration on Friday. Each spring second year high school students take the HSAP Exit Exam. The HSAP tests students in 3 areas: reading, writing, and mathematics. In order to earn a high school diploma, students must pass the HSAP in addition to earning 24 Carnegie units. Last spring, students were promised a celebration if they passed all portions of the Exit Exam. Students enjoyed a cookout and an opportunity to socialize with their friends during this celebration. We are proud of our students' accomplishments.