Principal's Message

Mr. Kevin Schulte

I am thankful for many things including a great staff, an outstanding community and most importantly, wonderful students. We have had a productive three months of school and are looking forward to the learning that lies in front of us. 

This year, we are mobilizing for an effective roll-out of standards-referenced grading during the 2020-2021 school year. This is an adjustment that the district has been moving toward over the last several years. 

The primary reason we are moving in this direction is that a standards-referenced system provides students, parents, and teachers a more accurate picture of what students know and can do. With this system, students and parents will receive feedback that is Fair, Accurate, Specific and Timely, all of which are essential for learning. This feedback will be based on 4-point learning proficiency targets that have already been developed.

As we move forward with this district-wide endeavor, students in grades 9-12 will continue to have progress reported as a letter grade at the end of a semester. 

The high school staff has been working to identify the standards and measurement topics that will be used in the PowerSchool gradebook. Beginning in January, we will be focusing our professional development resources on standards-referenced grading and how it will impact everyday teaching and learning. 

We are excited to continue with our standards-referenced grading journey and I welcome any questions, comments or concerns.

Fall Sports Academic Excellence

Our fall sports achieved at high level academically throughout the season. As a result, they were recognized for earning the following:

• Varsity Girls Cross Country- Distinguished in Academics (Team GPA 3.88)

• Varsity Volleyball - Distinguished in Academics Achievement (Team GPA 3.657)

• Varsity Cheerleading - Distinguished in Academics (Team GPA 3.564)

• Varsity Boys Cross Country  - Excellence in Academics (Team GPA 3.17)

• Varsity Football - Excellence in Academics (Team GPA 3.1)

Scott Earns All-State Band Honors

Justin Scott earned the tremendous honor of being selected into the All-State Band on the trombone. He traveled to Iowa State University to rehearse for two days under a world-renowned band director, then gave an amazing concert that will be broadcast on Iowa Public Television on Thanksgiving day.

Three Saydel High School band students, senior Gabby Neddermeyer, junior Ben Kayser, and junior Justin Scott, went through the challenging process of auditioning for the Iowa All-State band. This is an incredibly rigorous process that only the best instrumentalists in the state even attempt. All students from the small 1A schools to the large 4A schools directly compete against each other for a limited number of spots.

Valentine Earns All-State Chorus Honors

Students audition for the Iowa All-State Chorus each fall. Making the chorus is considered the highest choral honor a student can receive. Students compete against all schools in the South Central District from 1A to 4A open class for the choir positions.

Saydel had six students audition this year. They were seniors Karlee Nelson and LillyAnn Valentine, junior Paige Pinegar and sophomores Rachel Barton, Gavin Godwin, and Camden Stone. We are pleased to announce that LillyAnn Valentine (alto) was selected to the Iowa All-State Chorus. This is quite an honor and a great achievement for Lilly. Congratulations!

Chemistry Fun

In Chemistry for the past month, students have been observing phenomena and explaining them in terms of energy and matter. Dry ice was a hit--although explaining its phase changes was still a challenge! To finish out this unit, students will apply their knowledge of matter and energy to an engineering design problem.

Crafted Ornaments for The Festival of Trees and Lights

Students in the Skilled Trades 1 class have been learning how to safely operate power tools. They made ornamental projects on the wood lathe and scroll saw. The ornaments were donated to the Mid-Iowa Woodcarvers Club to adorn a tree that will be auctioned off at The Festival of Trees & Lights which benefits Blank Children's Hospital.

Students Give Back to Community

The High School of Business Principles of Management students hosted a Game Night on November 1. The Game Night was open to any high school student and the entry fee was three canned goods. Students who donated canned goods were able to play dodgeball, gaga ball, four square, nine square, volleyball and bags. It was a successful, fun evening! The High School of Business donated the collected canned goods to Hope Ministries.

HOIAC Leadership Conference

The student leaders pictured below attended the HOIAC leadership conference in November at Prairie Ridge Church in Ankeny. They brought back many ideas for school and self-improvement. One of the biggest conference takeaways was that sometimes you have to step out of your lane to do something great!

Students of the Month

Congratulations to our October Students of the Month: Maia Albrecht, Dayanara Hernandez, Kylie Rink and Gavin Godwin.