Seniors kicked off the year with our second annual senior sunrise. That same morning, we welcomed all students back to school including a fully enrolled freshmen class. It was great to see our hallways full of life again. Students very quickly re-engaged in their learning both in academics and shops. All activities are now in full swing, including athletics, clubs and our after school Homework Center.
Back to Business!
Photos by Tim Rice
NASA Patch
In some literally out of this world news, one of our Engineering teachers - Mrs. Magas - was selected by NASA to be a test astronaut for 10 weeks this fall. She will travel to Johnson Space Center in Houston where she will board a space habitat simulator and live for 45 days as if she were in space. While she will not be able to keep in contact, we look forward to having her bring her experience back to Tri-County. Our Graphic Communication Seniors and several Engineering students created designs for the crew's official NASA Mission Patch. The crew selected a design by Grade 12 Graphics student, Morgan Fleury, who with the help of Ms. Williams, refined the design in response to NASA and crew comments, and produced the final patch which will be made into a large panel and hung on the door of our mission and then put on the official wall of mission patches. The crew will also wear the patch on our flight suits and hand them out to people all over the world. It has been a banner year for Ms. Magas who was one of three finalists for MA teacher of the year!
Family Engagement
I was pleased to see how many parents answered the call for the open seat on the School Council. Anytime I have additional opportunities to invite parents into conversations I will let you know! As building leader, maintaining partnerships with families is a core value.
It was great to meet many families at our Parent Orientation events.
For families new to Tri-County, you will receive a Principal's Newsletter in the first week of each month. It is my primary vehicle for communicating to families. The purpose of this newsletter is to touch on highlights, share important updates and remind families of the month to month events happening here at TC.
If you follow us on social media, we have a great content creator this year who is posting highlights frequently, from news about our current students and programs to legacy and alumni spotlights.
October Calendar
October 2 - Early Release, Students
October 2 - School Council Meeting
October 7 - Exploratory 1 Begins for Grade 9
October 14 - School Closed
October 25 - Early Release, Students
October 29 - PSATs
Graduation: June 5, 2025
Senior Parents
I am going to continue, as I did last year, to reserve a section of the newsletter to keep you up to date on steps that you and your students can take to ensure a clear path towards graduation. Please see this timeline that includes a number of important dates.
There is a Class of 2025 page on the website where we will continue to post information and messages that have gone out to your students that parents might want to be aware of.
Making Connections
We have a number of activities for students to get involved at Tri-County. In addition, students can access extra help via the Homework Center or their teachers after school extra help days. Information about each of these can be found on the website.
Student Activities
Homework Center
Teacher After School Extra Help Days
Stay up to date on the building project here!
In the near future, we will have the opportunity to have on-site learning experiences for students during their vocational programming. We will send waivers home for student participation in tours and other learning experiences at the construction site.
The Building Project
The building project has thus far caused minimal disruptions, although the work is well underway. We continue to address the flow of traffic, including adding stop signs and painted stop lines at the T-intersection. The safety of our students and families goes without saying; with newer drivers and adolescent pedestrians who may be distracted by their phones, we simply ask that you proceed with caution when on campus to pick up or drop off a student. The building activity is contained to the exterior with the construction of an entrance road for construction vehicles and preparing the site for the new building. Last week blasting started; it is expected to continue a few times a day for the next six weeks. Even this is done with minimal noise or building disturbance.
Reminders!
This is your last chance to complete your student's annual forms in Power School. Please do so by Monday, 10/7, before the system rolls over so that your student's contact information is updated.
From the Nurse's Office: We are seeing an uptick in the number of cases of the stomach bug. Please keep your children home if they report symptoms to you. If you have questions about when a student can return to school after a positive COVID test, please see the CDC's updated guidelines. A five day quarantine period is no longer required; a student's return to school is dependent upon symptom remission as with any other respiratory virus.