September 2025
South High School | Salina, Kansas
Cougar families,
We have had a wonderful start to the school year! Thank you to our students, parents, and guardians for your flexibility with the updated drop-off and pick-up procedures in our parking lot. These changes have already made arrival and dismissal safer for our bus riders, walkers, bike riders, and families in special services. We truly appreciate your support in keeping our school community safe! I want to highlight three key learner characteristics - Perseverance, Accountability, and Willingness (PAW) - that our students and staff chose as guiding traits at South High. These qualities not only support classroom success, but also build life skills that last well beyond high school. Perseverance is about working through challenges. Encourage your child to share how they overcame a tough moment at school. Accountability means taking responsiblity. At home, you might ask, "What's something you're proud of finishing today?" or "What's one thing you want to improve tomorrow?" Willingness is keeping an open mind. Try asking, "What new idea or skill did you explore this week?" These traits connect closely with attendance and punctuality - being at school on time every day gives students the best chance to learn, grow, and stay confident. Thank you for your support in reinforcing PAW at home. Together, we can help our students thrive in school and in life. Warm regards, Dr. Ginger Jones, Principal
We build positive relationships between home and school so that all students are safe, honorable, and successful.
Cougar Pause
{{page}}
Our district is launching a district-wide attendance campaign to reinforce the importance of school attendance and to support families in helping every student achieve their personal best. Did you know that missing just two days a month for any reason, whether excused, unexcused, or due to suspension, can add up to a student being chronically absent? Chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of the school year) can cause students to fall behind academically and feel disconnected from school. As partners in your child's education, we encourage you to help build strong attendance habits by setting consistent routines, scheduling appointments outside of school hours when possible, and avoiding vacations or trips when school is in session. If your child will be absent, please communicate with the school, and don't hesitate to reach out to your child's school counselor or social worker if you have any concerns. They are here to support you and your student. Together, we can help all students grow and succeed because greatness truly grows when you're here!
Greatness Grows When You're Here!
Need Health Coverage? Our School Social Workers Can Help!
Did you know our school social workers can now assist families with Presumptive Eligibility (PE) enrollment? PE provides temporary Medicaid coverage for children and pregnant individuals who appear to be eligible, giving access to important health services while the full application is being processed. If your family is in need of health coverage or you're unsure where to start, our social workers are here to help guide you through the process. It's quick, confidential, and can make a big difference in ensuring your child stays healthy and supported. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please contact your school's social worker directly. We're here for you!
Steps to Success: Communicating with Your Child's School
We strive to be the best place to learn. The Only way we can improve is to know about concerns so we are able to address them. Here are some tips for communicating with your child's school when concerns arise. The fastest way to a positive result is to start with the people closest to the situation in the school. Talk with the teacher or coach about your questions and concerns before going to the principal. Parents and guardians are encouraged to reach out to teachers and school staff by: Calling the school's phone number. Because they are teaching, you often will need to leave a message for your child's teacher or coach. Emailing the teacher or coach directly. All teacher emails are available on our school website. We want to be responsive to parents' questions and requests for information. Our staff will respond to your call or email as soon as possible, in most cases within two school days. If you've had a conversation with your child's teacher and the principal and are still needing assistance, the director of elementary or secondary programs will be able to provide additional support.
Text
SHS Booster Club
Come join the South High Site Council! SHS needs community volunteers and school parents to be a part of our Site Council, which is responsible for providing advice and counsel for evaluating state, school district, and school site performance goals and objectives. We meet monthly in the main office at 5:30 p.m. on the following dates:
February 16 March 23 April 20 May 18
September 15 October 13 November 10 January 12
Join the South High Booster Club! The Booster Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting South High School's sports teams, coaches, and school community. Through membership donations, fundraisers, and tailgate dinners, we raise funds to purchase equipment and provide financial assistance where it's needed most. We would love to welcome your family as a valued member of our community! Memberships start at just $25 a year, with multiple giving levels available. By joining, you will help us grow our booster club and make a bigger impact for South High. Together, we can ensure our students and athletes have the tools, resources, and encouragement they need to succeed. Be a part of something special--be a part of South High Booster Club! Click here for our membership form -
Site Council needs you! email here if you are interested:
A few reminders to get this school year off on the right track: It is important to screen your child for illness every day before coming to school. Keep your child at home if sick with any illness. By making sure students are healthy when they come to school, we all can help prevent illnesses that disrupt learning. All medicines for your child need to be kep in the nurse's office and the correct paperwork must be completed prior to it being used. Please let me know of any major health concerns or changes for your child. If your child is ill, please let the attendance office know. If you are unsure whether you should send your child to school, I'm happy to visit with you and help make that decision. Thank you for your support! Alysha Pierce, RN, BSN 785.309.3716
A Note from Nurse Pierce
Booster Club Membership
September
2025-26 Yearbooks
2024-25 Yearbooks
Be sure to purchase your 2025-26 yearbook through RevTrak on Skyward. The costs are $69 for non-personalized and $75 for personalized. We order very few extras, so ordering one now guarantees that you get one. Payment for the yearbook is due by May 1, 2026.
Apply Kansas
The Kansas Apply Free Days will be held October 6-8, 2025! During these three days, any Kansas resident, regardless of age or income can apply for free at any of our seven public universities, 19 community colleges, six technical colleges, and the 21 private member institutions of the Kansas Independent College Association. Kansas Apply Free Days is during Apply Kansas month, a state-wide application campaign held annually in October that helps support grade 12 students in the completion of applications based on their post-secondary plans. The Kansas Apply Free Days program is designed to increase Kansas's college-going and FAFSA completion rates. In the last 10 years, we have seen our college-going rate decline. As of 2021, we are only sending 59.5% of our high school graduates to a college, university or certificate program, and less than 50% of students submit a FAFSA application-a key indicator of students' likelihood to continue their education. By removing barriers for students to achieve a credential, Kansas can help residents take that first step into continuing their education to increase the number of students who complete their programs and enter the workforce with a degree or competitive skills. Kansas Apply Free Days encourages residents to realize their fullest potential.
9/1 Labor Day - No School 9/6 ACT Test Day 9/29 thru 10/4 HOCO Week
The 2024-25 yearbooks are in! They will be distributed during ELO the first week of September. If you didn't purchase one, there are a few extras for sale. They can be purchased in the main office for $70 on a first-come, first-served basis.
Calendar of Events
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
1
2
3
7
8
9
10
14
15
16
17
21
22
23
24
28
29
30
Thu
Fri
Sat
4
5
6
11
12
13
18
19
20
25
26
27
Earl Bane
Phone | 785.309.3700 Principal | Dr. Ginger Jones Assistant Principals | Krista DeVoe, Tim Quinn Athletic Director | Ryan Stuart Secretary | Julie Work Website | 305southhigh.com
Unified School District #305 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Any person having inquiries concerning Unified School District #305 compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, ADA, Title IX, or Section 504 is directed to contact the Unified School District #305 Executive Director of Human Resources, P.O. Box 797, Salina, Kansas 67402, 785-309-4726.
Credit Recovery Program
Once again, South High is a host site for the ACT test this school year. Our first test date is Saturday, September 6, at 8 a.m. If you did not get registered for this date, the next one is October 18. Please register here by September 12 to avoid late fees.
Beginning in September, SHS College and Career Counselor, Mr. Allen, will be visiting ELOs for grades 9 through 11 to share a presentation on Individual Plans of Study (IPS) portfolios and course planning in XELLO. Our learning intentions are to assist students in updating/reviewing their IPS as well as mapping out core and elective classes for next school year. For freshmen and sophomores, we will look at future school years to map required courses through graduation. Our goal is to provide all students in grades 9, 10, and 11 with a head start on their IPS prior to the pre-enrollment visit with their academic counselor later in the year. Ms. Smith will be visiting grade 12 ELOs to share upcoming senior news and what they can be working on to prepare for post high school planning.
ACT Info
Earl Bane Micro-Scholarship
Counseling Corner
The after-school credit recovery program will begin September 3 and end October 8, Monday-Thursday, from 3:00 to 4:15 p.m. See your grade level counselor to sign up or call 785.309.3715. Catch up on missing credits and get back on track!
#305GrowsGreatness
The Earl Bane First-Time College Student Micro-Scholarship is for $250. Both high schools will award 20 scholarships (10 per semester) or (20 per year) either combination--contingent upon applicants. A student may only receive this scholarship one time. The scholarship may only be applied to tuition for a dual or concurrent credit class and must be paid directly to the college. This scholarship is for anyone in high school enrolling in a CTE or college-level class for credit. However, it must be the first time the student has taken such a class for college credit. The deadline to apply is Friday, September 19, 2025. Please click button to the right.