Key Updates from Principal Scott Cochran
Congratulations to our National Merit Semi-Finalists!
It was announced this week that eight Dow High students earned recognition as National Merit Semi-Finalists! The semi-finalists received this important accolade and can apply for additional scholarship opportunities this spring. Shout-out to Christine Cai, Jessica Chai, Ryan Corle, Elisa Costeux, Amanda Han, Nathan John, Hannah Ober, and Shree Singh. Congratulations, and Go Dow High!
NHS Blood Drive next Tuesday, September 17
Our National Honor Society (NHS) is hosting their first blood drive of the year next Tuesday, September 17, in our Green Gym. If you are interested in donating, please sign up at the link below. Note: to get to the blood drive, enter the school by the Green Gym entrance, near the track at the southwest side of the building. https://donate.michigan.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/161838
Reminder: Graduation 2025 Date is Finalized
The Dow High Graduation date is set for this spring: Wednesday, May 21, 4:15pm, at Dow Diamond, home of the Great Lakes Loons. Seniors’ last day will be Friday, May 16.
Reminder: Fall College Fair at Northwood: Wednesday, September 25, 6:00 – 7:30pm
Northwood University will host their Fall College Fair on Wednesday, September 25, from 6:00 – 7:30pm, at the Hach Student Life Center building. Representatives from more than 30 Michigan colleges will be on hand to talk with students and families about what they have to offer. Additionally, there will be two information sessions about Financial Aid options, one at 5:30pm, and the other at 7:30pm.
Reminder: Homecoming Dates are Set
The Homecoming football game will be Friday, October 4, at 7:00pm. The parade will be the day before, Thursday, October 3 at 4:30pm. Our Homecoming Dance will be here at Dow High, on Saturday, October 5, from 7:00 – 10:00pm.
Reminder: “Powder Puff Football” is Not a School Event
Some parents reached out to me last year, confused about why the school would sponsor “Powder Puff Football,” a flag football game between female students from local high schools that reportedly involved many fights between students, and videos of those fights online. The answer: this is NOT a school sponsored event. We are not involved in any powder puff game, do not supervise, are not involved. If you hear of such an event, know that even if young people put on shirts with school names on them, it is not a school event. If your child asks you about participating in “Powder Puff,” please know in recent years there have been injuries, multiple fights, and embarrassing videos posted online during this privately sponsored event.
Future Events
Wed 9.25, 6-7:30pm Fall College Fair, Northwood University (Hach Student Life Center building)
Th 10.3, 4:30 pm Homecoming Parade
Fri 10.4, 7pm Homecoming Football Game
Sat 10.5, 7-10pm Homecoming Dance
October 11 – 12 Robotics Competition, Green Gym
October 18 Cap and Gown Presentation Herff Jones
Graduation 2025 Date is Finalized!
The Dow High Graduation date is set for this spring: Wednesday, May 21, 4:15pm, at Dow Diamond, home of the Great Lakes Loons. Seniors’ last day will be Friday, May 16.
“Powder Puff Football” is Not a School Event
Some parents reached out to me last year, confused about why the school would sponsor “Powder Puff Football,” a flag football game between female students from local high schools that reportedly involved many fights between students, and videos of those fights online. The answer: this is NOT a school sponsored event. We are not involved in any powder puff game, do not supervise, are not involved. If you hear of such an event, know that even if young people put on shirts with school names on them, it is not a school event. If your child asks you about participating in “Powder Puff,” please know in recent years there have been injuries, multiple fights, and embarrassing videos posted online during this privately sponsored event.
Safety Drills Begin, Including Next Week’s Interior Safety Drill
Michigan schools are required to conduct ten safety drills every school year, including fire drills, tornado drills, and interior safety drills, and the dates and times for those drills are scheduled prior to the start of the school year. We had our first fire drill this week, and everything went well. Next Wednesday we will have our first Interior Safety Drill, where we practice different scenarios, including how we would respond in case of a shooting event. Obviously, given what just happened in Georgia this past Wednesday, we understand this may cause stress for some students, staff, or families. However, it is a fact that we are required by law to have these drills. Additionally, it is important for our students and staff to be prepared in case of an emergency. We will proceed with the drills as planned; if your child expresses concern about a drill, please encourage them to connect with their counselor or any staff member, and we can help them process their feelings about the drills and recent current events.
Fall College Fair at Northwood: Wednesday, September 25, 6:00 – 7:30pm
Northwood University will host their Fall College Fair on Wednesday, September 25, from 6:00 – 7:30pm, at the Hach Student Life Center building. Representatives from more than 30 Michigan colleges will be on hand to talk with students and families about what they have to offer. Additionally, there will be two information sessions about Financial Aid options, one at 5:30pm, and the other at 7:30pm.
Reminder: Homecoming Dates are Set
The Homecoming football game will be Friday, October 4, at 7:00pm. The parade will be the day before, Thursday, October 3 at 4:30pm. Our Homecoming Dance will be here at Dow High, on Saturday, October 5, from 7:00 – 10:00pm.
Reminder: Grief Groups Forming
We are working with local community partners to provide grief counseling to students who would find that helpful. If you have a child that you think would benefit from being part of a grief group, please reach out to your child’s counselor, or call the main office at 989-923-5382.
Helpful Websites for Families
As we kick off the school year, here are some websites you may find helpful.
- Updated sports schedules for all our school teams: www.dowchargers.com
- ParentVue, where you can update your family information, see your child’s schedule, grades, attendance, and more: ParentVue
- SchoolPay, where you can put money into your child’s lunch account, pay for sports, pay for parking, and more: www.schoolpay.com
Future Events
Wed 9.25, 6-7:30pm Fall College Fair, Northwood University (Hach Student Life Center building)
Th 10.3, 4:30 pm Homecoming Parade
Fri 10.4, 7pm Homecoming Football Game
Sat 10.5, 7-10pm Homecoming Dance
October 11 – 12 Robotics Competition, Green Gym
Curriculum Night: Monday, August 26, 6:00 – 7:30pm
Our Dow High Curriculum Night is this Monday, August 26, from 6:00 – 7:30pm. This night is an opportunity for parents to attend shortened versions of your children’s schedules, moving from class to class, and meeting their teachers. We look forward to seeing you there!
No School Labor Day Weekend: Fri 8.30 – Mon 9.2
This upcoming weekend is a four-day weekend, with no school this Friday or the following Monday, for Labor Day weekend.
Last Day for Schedule Change Requests: Tuesday
This Tuesday, August 27 is the last day counselors will be able to accept schedule requests, as we are already into the second week of the semester. If you child is interested in a potential schedule change, they will need to contact their counselor by the end of the day Tuesday.
Reminder: Dropping Students Off at Dow High
Just like all schools these days, our parking lots become very busy in the morning prior to the start of the school day. If you are dropping your child off at Dow High, you have several choices regarding how to enter the property. Options include:
- Turn into Dow High from the light at Saginaw Road and Perrine Road. You will then drop your child off by the Gym Entrance, and continue through the parking lot. You can exit by turning right onto Saginaw Road, or via the light at Saginaw and Perrine, where you can go straight on Perrine or turn either way on Saginaw.
- Pull up to the visitor lot, which is at the corner of Saginaw and Main Streets. You will then drop your child off at the main entrance. In this scenario you are entering via Saginaw or Main Street, and then exiting via the other.
Regardless of how you enter the parking lots, if when leaving you want to turn left on Saginaw, you should plan to do that at the traffic lights at the corner of Saginaw/Main, or Saginaw/Perrine. Note: traffic in our lots is busiest right as the school doors open, at 7:20am. It is much quieter at 7:10am or even 7:15am.
As always, please be safe and look out for others in our parking lots. The morning can be a hectic, busy time for all families, and our number one goal is to keep everyone safe. Thank you!
Reminder: New Policy Regarding Cell Phone and Other Electronic Devices
Our MPS policies regarding usage of cell phones and other electronic devices during school have been updated. Many schools, including Dow High, have seen a dramatic increase in distractions and negative behaviors towards peers as a result of cell phone usage during school, particularly during class time. Highlights of the policy include the following:
1. Students may not use cell phones or other electronic devices during class time. Obviously, this policy does not apply to the school issued Chromebooks.
2. Students may not use cell phones in certain areas of the school, such as locker rooms and bathrooms.
3. Students may use cell phones during lunch time, and before/after school.
It is our hope that these steps will remove a major distraction for students, and also reduce the pressure students feel to constantly “keep up” with social media posts and communications during the school day.
Helpful Websites for Families
As we kick off the school year, here are some websites you may find helpful.
- Updated sports schedules for all our school teams: www.dowchargers.com
- ParentVue, where you can update your family information, see your child’s schedule, grades, attendance, and more: ParentVue
Future Events
Th 10.3, 4:30 pm Homecoming Parade
Fri 10.4, 7pm Homecoming Football Game
Sat 10.5, 7-10pm Homecoming Dance
In the information below you will find important information about the start of the school year. Please review and reach out to the main office at 989-923-5382 if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you soon!
First Day of School: Tuesday, August 20, 7:40am
The first day of school is Tuesday, August 20. Classes begin at 7:40am. The first bell rings at 7:20am, and that is when students may enter the building.
1st period: 7:40 – 8:35
2nd period: 8:41 – 9:36
3rd period: 9:42 – 10:47
(1st lunch = 10:53 – 11:23)
4th period: 10:53 – 11:48
(2nd lunch = 11:53 – 12:23)
5th period: 12:29 – 1:24
6th period: 1:30 – 2:25
7th period: 2:30 – 3:25
Fall Sports: Signing Up, First Day of Practice
Students may now sign up for fall sports. The first day of fall sports practice is Monday, August 12; exact times and locations for practices are determined by coaches and communicated by them. To start practice, students must:
1. Sign up for the sport online, via the website www.dowchargers.com, click on Online Registration.
2. Have a physical on file with the Dow High Athletic Office. The physical must be dated after April 15, 2024.
3. Pay the activity fee. No students should be prevented from participating because of the fee. If this is a barrier for your family, please contact John Streeter, our athletic director, for a scholarship application (streeterje@midlandps.org).
Schedule Walk: Thursday, August 15, 2-4pm
Students may pick up their schedules and walk around the school to find their classrooms on Thursday, August 15, 2-4pm. Schedules will be available online, via StudentVue and ParentVue, prior to that date.
Student Parking Passes
As in years past, Dow High students with a valid driver’s license may purchase a Dow High parking pass. The SchoolPay link for purchasing passes will open on Sunday, August 11, at 8pm. Students may come in to school to choose their parking spot on Wednesday, August 14. Students will choose parking spots in the order in which they signed up on SchoolPay, with seniors choosing first, then juniors, and so on. More details about how to sign up on SchoolPay will be emailed to Dow High families soon.
New Policy Regarding Cell Phone and Other Electronics
Our MPS policies regarding usage of cell phones and other electronic devices during school have been updated. Many schools, including Dow High, have seen a dramatic increase in distractions and negative behaviors towards peers as a result of cell phone usage during school, particularly during class time. Highlights of the policy include the following:
1. Students may not use cell phones or other electronic devices during class time. Obviously, this policy does not apply to the school issued Chromebooks.
2. Students may not use cell phones in certain areas of the school, such as locker rooms and bathrooms.
3. Students may use cell phones during lunch time, and before/after school.
We will distribute the entire policy as we get closer to the start of the school year. It is our hope that these steps will remove a major distraction for students, and also reduce the pressure students feel to constantly “keep up” with social media posts and communications during the school day.
Chromebook Pick-Up: August 14 – 16
Students may pick up their school-issued Chromebooks on August 14, 15, or 16, between 8am and 3pm. Chromebooks that are not picked up during those dates will be distributed during the first week of school.
Future Events
Mon, Aug 12 First day of Fall Sports
Wed 8.14 – Fri 8.16 Chromebook pickup (8am – 3pm)
Th 8.15, 2-4pm Schedule Walk
Tu, Aug 20 First day of school
Mon 8.26, 6-7:30pm Dow High Curriculum Night
Sat 10.5 Homecoming Dance