Dec. 11, 2023
Rogers Heritage High School
Volume I, Issue II
Saturdays Save Heritage High Strives for Daily Growth Student Credits State Report Grade Puts Pressure on Students and Admin Perez & Portal Talon Staff
Students at risk of losing credit for attendance have received a golden opportunity: Saturday school. Heritage designates the first Saturday of every month to help students catch up on missing work and get a second chance to regain credits for absences. The Administration believes everyone deserves a second chance to change their habits. “We understand that sometimes there are extenuating circumstances that prevent students from attending school on a day-to-day basis, and sometimes those absences can build up,” Assistant Principal Ashlye Pool said. “With the opportunity to earn back some seat time, it allows students to continue to have the opportunity to get credit for their classes and stay on track to graduate while also holding them accountable for showing up [and] doing what they’re supposed to be doing everyday.” The students who use Saturday Fraire school for credit recovery have an overHeritage High School received a C from the state on the school report card published in September. all positive outlook. “I’m grateful to have gotten a secPullen and letter grades, for each public student growth and 35% coming ond opportunity,” said Allye Hernanschool in the state. The grade is from student achievement.” dez (10). “I believe everyone in need of Talon Staff based on multiple factors including Unlike traditional letter grades help should attend because it’s a great In September, the Arkansas Distudent attendance, graduation rates in school, the ADE rating scale desway to have a quieter time to study on your own assignments as well as catch vision of Elementary and Second- and community service. However, ignates 73.22 and above as an A, ary Education (ADE) published 85% of the grade is determined by 67.96-73.21 as a B, 61.10-67.95 as up on attendance.” Hernandez feels that the environ- their annual school report card, re- student performance and growth on a C, 52.95-61.09 as a D and 52.94 ment at Saturday school is what sets it vealing that Heritage High School state tests. and below as an F. Heritage’s acapart. had maintained its grade as a C “State testing is ultimately how countability score is a 62.1, which “I personally think it works better school. we are judged,” Principal Chip is 1 point above the threshold for a for me because I’m more focused on Since 2016, Arkansas law has Greenwell said. “85% of our school D. (Chart on p. 2.) work than I am in regular class,” she required annual school report cards, grade card comes through those said. “I think they should add more SatGrade continued on p. 2 urday schools because it could benefit which include performance data high-stakes tests: 50% coming from more students. However, I do believe that some people could take advantage of this and not attend school regularly on purpose.” Howard Other students use this day to make up absences that they were not Talon Staff in control of. Heritage’s information and “Being that it was not my personal specialist, along choice to miss school for a long period technology with the rest of the IT specialists of time, I am thankful that the school district has given me this opportunity around Rogers schools, are being to attend Saturday school for credit transferred to different schools at recovery,” said Reese Powers (11) “It the end of the semester. has allowed me to give my complete Randy Lusk came to Heritage attention to school work and to recover by way of the district technology missing credit.” office in January because of a new Teachers have also been highly supinitiative to give all IT specialportive of Saturday school and encourists experience at the high school age students to attend when it’s needed. “Saturday school is important for level. He replaced Mike Harris, Heritage to offer because it allows stu- who had been at Heritage since dents to get the opportunity to make 2019. “As I understand, they are doup for missing work in time for their classes,” said Brittany Ray who teach- ing the switch to give everybody Salazar es freshman English. Randy Lusk, who has served Heritage since January, will be changing schools The next opportunity to attend SatTech continued on p. 2 due to a district policy about rotating IT specialists between schools annually. urday school is Jan. 6, after winter break.
Tech Support Staff to Change Over Break
Meet the Admin: Greenwell p. 4
Competition Dance Takes State p. 7
Staying Local for Winter Break p. 5
“Because of her teaching styles, I feel like I work and learn better.” - Maria Hermios in “Students Cope With Changes” p. 6