Celebration & Update on
State Testing this Spring
Let’s Start with a celebration. For
the first time, Montrose High
School is now ranked in the top 100
High Schools in Colorado by
coloradoschoolgrades.com. This
year we were ranked 91 of 345
schools, up from 136 in 2013. We are proud of our
students and staff’s efforts to reach this milestone.
This year brings changes to the State’s Standardized
Testing program as Colorado moves away from the
Transitional Colorado Assessment Program (TCAP) to the
Performance Assessment of Readiness for College and
Careers (PARCC) for English Language Arts and
Math. The PARCC is aligned to the Common Core State
Standards, is a computer-based test, and is meant to
measure if students are on track for college and career
readiness. All 9th, 10th and 11th graders and many 12th
graders will participate in the PARCC tests this spring,
which consists of two distinct testing windows: the first is
a Performance Assessment and the second is a End of
Year Assessment. The Performance Assessment testing
window will be 2-6 March & and the End-of-Year
Assessment testing window will be 20-24 April for
Montrose High School.
During the March and April testing windows, the
student body will be divided up alphabetically. Students
will only attend school during their testing time.
This year’s data will become our base line data, since it
is the first year any Colorado students have taken the
PARCC. We ask that you help us ensure students give
their best effort on the tests and do not miss school during
the testing window. Montrose High School seeks to
LEAD from the Front and hope that with maximum
participation and effort we will break into the top 20% of
high schools in Colorado.
L.E.A.D. From the Front!
L.E.A.D.
January 2015
Montrose High School
Employee of
the Month Principal’s Message
When I grow up I want to
be Cheryl Leu. She embodies
the absolute best in what we
do, inspiring young people,
not only with the beauty she
and her groups aspire to, but
with the steel of the discipline
it takes to get them there. Students walk out of her
program knowing not just music but also being a
whole lot closer to knowing who they are, simply
by responding to what this lady expects of them and
knows they can deliver.
She’s been an inspiration to me as a teacher, as a
fellow musician, and as someone who teaches a
creative art and has a long way to go to do it as
well…
It’s really hard to imagine this place without
her…
C – Cheerful, crazy, charismatic, canny, charming,
cantor, caretaker, celebratory
H – Hopeful, helpful, hilarious, happy, harmonious
O – Outstanding, ornery, operatic, Obviously - the
best choir teacher ever
I – invigorating, intelligent, innovative, ingenious,
inspirational, in-love
R – Rambunctious, radiant energy, rascal, ringing
the bells and of course REALLY - will be missed
"When words fail, music speaks." I love words,
but often when I need something; I sneak off to
listen to Cheryl's kids. Sometimes she even let's me
try to sing along. There's nothing better for the
soul; and Cheryl's passion for what she does is
contagious. We're losing a wonderful woman and
magician, and I will miss her.
I can’t imagine life at M.H.S. without her. It’s
definitely going to be a big adjustment when she’s
gone. Not only is Cheryl a great co-worker, but
she’s an even greater friend! She is full of
enthusiasm.
She’s always got a smile and always shows
support for staff and students, even when things are
going rough for her. We’ve laughed together, and
we’ve cried together. I feel very fortunate to have
her in my life and even more fortunate to be able to
work with her on a daily basis. Thanks for all you
do for MHS!
Mission: MHS LEADs academic excellence to prepare students for post secondary opportunities without remediation.
January 2015
Montrose High School L.E.A.D.
Front Row: L-R Hannah Wenman, Brooke Cayo, Morgan Omer, Emma Cooper and Brianna Hale
Back Row: L-R Kourtney Keltz, Colby Rocha, Fernando Torrero, Andrew Eggers and Sara Gladding
Felipe Magallanes
Keigen Huffer Erin Cooper
Shelby Kenney Evan Fletcher
Guidance Office –The Stuff L.E.A.D. Montrose High School
January 2015
Athletics and activities
FAFSA Workshop Montrose High School Library
January 28, 2015 6:30-8:30pm
There will also be a Spanish speaking representative.
FAFSA Workshop: It’s time to do your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for
financial aid, which will help you pay for college. Receive free personalized help to complete and submit your
FAFSA. College In Colorado, a free resource to help families with career and college planning is here to help.
Please be sure to bring the following information:
Student’s driver’s license or Colorado ID number
Student’s and parent’s 2014 Federal Income Tax Return, W-2s and other earning records OR 2013 Federal
Income Tax Return and 2014 W-2s if you have not yet filed for 2014. 2014 Federal Income Tax Return is
preferable
Untaxed income records if applicable (i.e. Social Security benefits statement, Child Support received,
Worker’s Compensation, Non-educational Veteran’s Benefits records, Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF) or Welfare records) Student’s and parent’s current checking and savings accounts
statements
Business net value records, if more than 100 employees
Farm net value records, if you do not work on and operate your farm
Current investment records such as stocks, bonds and rental property, etc.
Your alien registration card if you are not a U.S. citizen
February 10, 2015 6:00-7:30 PM –MHS Library
Parent Panel on Financial Aid-come and hear from parents that have successfully navigated the
Financial Aid maze.
PoWeR 10 We have started PoWeR lessons with our 10th grade students. We will meet with the 10th graders multiple
times throughout this semester in large group, small group and individual settings. The purpose of these
sessions is to help 10th grade students’ focus on postsecondary and workforce readiness goals and to determine
appropriate paths to make their goals a reality. The 10th graders are also being introduced to the Naviance
software.
Come meet Montrose High School Alumni, now Arizona Diamondbacks player, Nate Robertson
at the Montrose Pavilion from 5 PM to 8 PM on January 26th. Also meet and learn about college
and professional athletics and what it takes to become a professional athlete with the proof in
front of you that it can be done! This is a family friendly event hosted by the City of Montrose's Youth Base-
ball League. Baseball food will be available with time for you to have your baseball schwag autographed by
Nate or any of the other Colorado Mesa University baseball players there. Contact Erica Weeks at the City of
Montrose for more information (970) 497-8525.
Calendar of Events
L.E.A.D. Montrose High School
January 2015
1/19/15 MLK—No School
1/31/15 Winter Formal 7-11 PM
2/5/15 Winter Sports Assembly
2/10 & 2/12 Parent/Teacher Conferences
2/12/15 Student Release 12:25
2/13 & 2/16 No School
3/2 Thru 3/6 PARCC Testing
3/27/2015 Talent Show
3/30-4/3/15 Spring Break
4/18/2015 Prom
4/20 Thru 4/24 PARCC EOY Testing
4/28/2015 ACT
5/1/15 No School
5/5/15 Senior Awards
5/7/15 Spring Sports Assembly
5/12/15 ACT Make-up
5/12/15 Baccalaureate
7 PM Grace Church
5/13/15 Senior Last Day
SENIOR PARTY: Meeting dates are scheduled
for the 3rd Wednesday of each month (1/21, 2/18,
3/18) at 6:30 pm, Region 10 office, Sneffels
Room, 300 N Cascade.
We will send out a spreadsheet with the different
committee's that need help. We need to raise a lot
of money! Please follow us on: Twitter:
@MHS2015SenParty
Facebook: https://
www.facebook.com/2015MHSSeniorParty
We still need names for over 100 parents: Please
Email: [email protected] your
student’s name, parent(s) name, email address,
address and phone number.
Please call with any questions: Amy Rowan 275-5251
Tiffany English Moore 209-0932
Bobbi Brown 209-9034
Office Contact Information
General Information 970-249-6636 General School Questions
Administration 970-249-6636 Mr. Barnhill, Principal, Extension 4310
Mr. Pavlich, Assistant Principal-Extension 4313
Students with Last Names L-Z
Ms. Voehringer, Assistant Principal-Extension 4311
Students with Last Names A-K
Mr. Wright, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
Extension 4312
Attendance 970-240-6421 Becky Moreno, Extension 4303
Jonna Adragna, Extension 4304
Activities 970-240-6413 Beth David, Extension 4301
Counseling 970-249-2429 Janey Phillips Extension 4400
Jeanette Williams, Extension 4401
Attendance Advocate 970-240-6421 Amelia Perez Extension 4409
Reminder Policies and Procedures
Students: The library is transitioning to computers with a universal student login. Students will no
longer have access to the Z drive and their personal profile. If they have not already, students need to
create a Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, or Cloud account where they can save their
documents. If you need help transferring the contents of your Z drive to a flash-drive, see Mrs. Ellen or
Ms. Lori.
