Teachers open the door.

"Teachers open the door. You enter by yourself."   --Chinese Proverb

Southwest High School is fortunate to have an outstanding teaching staff, wonderful students, fantastic parents and great families throughout the community.  This mixture generates a powerful force that provides outstanding and high level educational opportunities for children.

The Southwest Education Fund provide you a way to share in this celebration of education and student success by donating on behalf of a favorite teacher.  Go to www.sweducationfund.org and then to the Teacher Acknowledgement link.  You should have received an email that included the following link.  It does not work from this page.

Please take a moment to return your Southwest High School Teacher Acknowledgement letter or make a donation in recognition of a teacher by linking here: Southwest Teacher Acknowledgement*

Thank you for a wonderful 2012.  Every student makes the choice for him/herself about participating in the educational opportunities.  But each family encourages, supports and enriches the lives of their sons and daughters.  

21st Century Skills - Good Break Book

The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.  ~Alvin Toffler

Over the break is a grand time to reflect and renew.  Check out a great book a couple years old now -- Tony Wagner's The Global Achievement Gap -- Why Even the Best Schools Don't Teach the New Survival Skills Our Children Need and What We Can Do About It.

Not saying Southwest does everything the book describes, but we try.  The important part of learning is how to learn.  Memorizing a bunch of facts to forget the next day is not the measure of intellect.  How to put new ideas together, how to use information, how o create, and how to problem solve are the important skills.

Southwest is proud to be an IB Global World School which means we strive to empower students following the Middle Year Program (MYP) grades 9 & 10 and the Diploma Program (DP) grades 11 &12.

Least We Forget

The Army executed the 38 remaining prisoners by hanging on December 26, 1862, in Mankato, Minnesota. It remains the largest mass execution in American history.

The Dakota War of 1862, also known as the Sioux Uprising, (and the Dakota Uprising, the Sioux Outbreak of 1862, the Dakota Conflict, the U.S.–Dakota War of 1862 or Little Crow's War) was an armed conflict between the United States and several bands of the eastern Sioux (also known as eastern Dakota). It began on August 17, 1862, along the Minnesota River in southwestMinnesota. It ended with a mass execution of 38 Dakota men on December 26, 1862, in Mankato, Minnesota.

From Wikipedia

During a time of reflection, we need to consider what in the moments of passion and violence what we are capable of in the name of justice.  Is this the way we want our children to live?  Is this the way we need to live?

Too children, too many firemen, too many people are harmed each year by acts of violence.  What must we do to change the violence in our society?

Sourhwest Jazz on Radio

Josh Jones and the Dynamics with guest Charlotte Anderson recorded a holiday show that airs on KBEM 88.5 FM on Christmas Day at 8AM and 7PM. Give a listen to this celebration of the season.

Merry and Happy,
Keith Liuzzi

College-Bound Thoughts to Consider

New Factors for College-Bound Students to Consider

In this ASCA School Counselor article, Don Fraser of the National Association for College Admission Counseling suggests that high-school counselors research the following criteria for students to help them become more savvy consumers of higher education:

• Academic services available – The level and sophistication of support for struggling students is important, even if applicants don’t think they’ll need it.

• Retention efforts and student advising – What is the college equipped to do to help students get through to graduation? 

• The retention and graduation rates for the student’s demographic – Overall retention rates aren’t very helpful, says Fraser. If the college hasn’t broken the data down by race and sex, that’s a red flag.

• Career services available – Are drop-in appointments the extent of support? If so, the college isn’t very invested in helping students find a job after graduation.

• The employment rates for similar graduates – “If your student wants to be a psychology major, then he or she should ask about the post-graduate outcomes for students who graduate with a psychology degree,” says Fraser. 

• Average debt upon graduation – Applicants need to know how well students are funded, on average.

“Beyond the Traditional Factors: Learn How You Can Help Your Students Construct a Better 

List of Potential Colleges” by Don Fraser Jr. in ASCA School Counselor, November/December 

2012 (Vol. 50, #2, p. 22-26), http://www.ascaschoolcounselor.org; Fraser can be reached at

dfraser@nacacnet.org. 

Clubs and Hapenings

Fencing Club Welcomes New Members

The Fencing Club now has equipment and has been meeting on Mondays after school in the Lunch Room.    This alternative sport develops skill and discipline in both mind and body.    Anyone interested should show up in the Lunch Room any Monday after school.  They can also contact Logan Schade or Barry Schade  at:   redflowers@mac.comp

The School for Ethics and Global Leadership (SEGL) is extending the opportunity for Southwest students/families to participate in their program:

Each semester, SEGL selects a small number of promising 11th grade students who represent the rich geographic, socio-economic, and racial diversity of the United States and world. SEGL uses Washington, DC as an ethical leadership laboratory that teaches students through firsthand interactions with diplomats, policymakers, and academic experts.

Please visit the following for more information: http://schoolforethics.org/  and :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFhScn_HMW4

Spoken Word/Poetry Slam:  Did you know that SW has a Spoken Word club?

Spoken word is a way to write and perform your own poetry.  SW poets will be competing with other poets from across the metro area beginning January 26 through the MN Youth Poetry Slam Series.  SW is also hosting a preliminary Slam on Friday February 1 from 5-7 PM in the auditorium.  Come Wednesdays after school to room #212 to participate in Spoken Word activities or just come on February 1st to hear some of the best poetry around.  Contact Ms. Hooper if you have any questions.

CHINA - a really BIG country, a major player in the world economy, and, a partner with Southwest!

This year Southwest is hosting four students from the iNECS China exhcnage program. Stay tuned for information about hosting a Chinese student in the 2013-2014 academic year and an upcoming event wherein you can meet our four students.

Yoga Club

Yoga club will meet Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 at Kula Yoga on 44th and France next to Caribou Coffee. It is free and meets every Wednesday that school is in session. Bring a mat if you have one.

After School Credit Make-up is running!

Please see your counselor for details if you are missing credits in Science, Math, Social Studies, Phy-ed, or Health!

After School Study Center - tutoring and homework help.  Who?  Any SWHS student - all levels and courses

When - Tuesday and Thursdays after school 3:15-4:30

Where - Room E105

What - Help with homework in any subject, writing papers, essays, reports, help studying for tests, tutoring available in math and other subjects.

Staffed by:   University graduates, parent and community volunteers.

Contact: Joan Leverenz 612 668 3072 joan.leverenz@mpls.k12.mn.us

Want to help? Volunteers needed to work one on one and in small groups. Contact Joan 612 668 3072  joan.leverenz@mpls.k12.mn

The Break Dance Club spreads B-boy culture with new and advanced dancers alike through practice, performance and teaching. We meet Mondays3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. in the E110 AND Wednesdays same time in the Room 21. See Ms. Valdez in 109 with any questions or see you there! lhempel@mpls.k12.mn.us 

Anime Club

Anime fans of Southwest High, Anime club meets each meeting will be on Mondays from 3:05-5:00 pm in room E100, you are allowed to bring snacks for yourself or for everybody. So if you love anime come on down.

SPANISH TUTORING

If you are needing help in Spanish, one-on-one help will be given to you. Tutoring will occur every Tuesday in room 107 after school till the end of school year.  stephanie.wegner@mpls.k12.mn.us

Chess Team

The chess team is meeting every Wednesday after school in Room E101 until 4:30 pm.  Anyone interested is welcome to stop by and learn how to play chess or get better.  Mr. Fresco.  See you there.

Seeking Summer Employment?

Barry Schade  at:   redflowers@mac.com

STEP-UP application season is upon us once again!

This year the application is 100% online and the application will go live beginning December 17th. To support you with the new online format, we will have regular help sessions on Tuesdays beginning January 15th in the Career and College Center located in Room 104. The application deadline will be March 4th, 2013.

To apply, please go to the following link: http://stepup.iapplicants.com/

STEP-UP is the City of Minneapolis Summer Jobs Program. We train thousands of students on the skills you need to be successful and then place students in paid, professional summer jobs.

Benefits of STEP-UP:

• Explore a career that interests you while gaining valuable work experience
•  Earn up to $2,000 over the summer
• Build professional skills that look great on your resume
• Meet people who can help you with your college and career goals

STEP-UP is open to Minneapolis residents ages 14-21 that meet income guidelines (listed below) and are not yet enrolled in college.

Family Size /Total Household Income Guidelines

• 1 Person/ $45,500.00

• 2 Persons/ $52,000.00
• 3 Persons/ $58,500.00
• 4 Persons/ $65,000.00
• 5 Persons/ $70,200.00
• 6 Persons/ $75,400.00
• 7 Persons/ $80,600.00
• 8 Persons/ $85,800.00

Information sheets are now available in the Career and College Center, located in room 104. Additional information is attached to this email. Call Joel Lampe at (612) 455-1536 with any questions on the STEP-UP program.

STEP-UP applications must be submitted online by March 4th, 2013.

Mark Your Calendar Jan. 26

8th Annual Hot Notes on a Cold Night Cabaret

The 8th Annual Hot Notes on a Cold Night Cabaret will be held January 26 at The Women's Club of Minneapolis.  Tickets go on sale Monday, December 10, at the Basilica Holiday Concert.  FOR THIS NIGHT ONLY, you can make your reservations for only $35/ticket.   After this evening, the regular pre-event price of $40/ticket will be in effect.  Hot Notes, sponsored by the SW Music Boosters, raises funds for the performing arts.  The evening is a great SW community builder featuring dazzling performances by Southwest students, delicious appetizers and cash bar.   The evening also features an on-site raffle and auction of items donated by local businesses.     Information about on-line ticket sales can be found on the SWHS web page beginning December 11.

Comm. Ed. Drivers Education Classes

Southwest Community Education Updates

These are the dates for our Driver's Education classes this winter. Please note that they are ALL currently open at this time, including the first one which starts the week of January 7th. Cost is $125.00

1. January 7-24 (no class on Monday, January 21) Classes meet Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 3:15-5:45 p.m.
2. January 28-March 4 (no class Monday, February 18). Classes meet Monday and Wednesday only, 5:45-8:45 p.m.
3. February 4-21 (No class February 18). Classes meet Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, from 3;15-5:45 p.m.
4. March 4-21. Classes meet Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 3;15-5:45 p.m.

Registration information:

You can register in-person now by stopping by the office, or calling us with a credit card number. Our phone number is 612-668-3100.

Or... you may register online starting January 2nd at www.mplscommunityed.com