News from New Century

FYI

2012-01-19T14:24:00.000-08:00

All -

Here is the proposed calendar for the next school year.

Here is the presentation to the Board regarding the move to the new campus..

Best,

ST

Cyber Patriot

2012-01-18T06:21:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Donte Brock, Alex Cole, Zack Hobbs, Orlando Garcia, and Kelli Little who placed first in the State of Alabama in the Cyber Patriot competition.

/ST

New Century in the News

2012-01-06T07:19:00.001-08:00

All –

Once again we are getting good press for the outstanding work the students, teachers, and staff are doing.

Check out this article in the Times:

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2012/01/school_board_public_get_detail.html

And this link from WHNT:

http://www.whnt.com/videobeta/84d94b89-0042-4b52-b1be-324fd6b65234/News/Huntsville-City-School-Board-Meeting

Stewart Thorson, Principal

New Century Technology High School

300 Explorer Blvd

Huntsville, AL 35806

(256) 428-7800

PowerPoint from PTSA

2011-12-07T11:06:00.001-08:00

POWERPOINT

All –

This was the PowerPoint I presented at the PTSA Meeting.

/ST

Student Opinion Survey

2011-12-07T10:58:00.001-08:00

New Century Students:

Please take the following survey:

https://sites.google.com/a/ncths.net/thorson/

/ST

PTSA and Online Grades

2011-11-28T13:09:00.001-08:00

All -

Our next PTSA meeting will be Tuesday, Dec. 6th, at 6:00PM in the CHS Auditorium. Topics will include:

School move update
Access to student grades online (information)
STAR Testing
PLAN Testing (10-11th graders only)

New Century representatives will also be available on Monday evening (12/5) to distribute online grade information.

/ST

9th & 10th Grade Students

2011-11-21T07:03:00.001-08:00

Students:

We are the in the process of planning course offerings for next year at the new school. Please take the following survey to assist us.

Survey link

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9F2GHQ2

/ST

WAAY TV Story

2011-11-14T09:14:00.001-08:00

All – Here is a tasteful news story from Channel 31.

http://www.waaytv.com/news/local/story/New-Century-HS-Parents-Speak-Out-on-Lee-HS-Merger/isui9yYhGkSXnnc5CLlEqg.cspx

/ST

2011-11-09T12:10:00.001-08:00

Parents – Please let your voice be heard regarding the transition.

Please click below and take the parent survey.

https://sites.google.com/a/ncths.net/survey/

Best wishes,

Stewart Thorson, Principal

New Century Technology High School

PLAN

2011-11-08T06:45:00.000-08:00

Homeroom Representatives - Jordan Elkins, Paige Jackson, and Bethany Campbell

PLAN Test - Nov 9

2011-11-07T09:27:00.001-08:00

All 10^th graders will take the PLAN test on Wednesday, Nov. 9^th.

The PLAN Test is developed by the same organization that created the ACT college entrance exam. The PLAN is virtually identical to the ACT and will give students an idea of what their performance would look like on the ACT.

At New Century we use the data to advise students on taking AP courses in 11^th and 12^th grades, and what options are available for scholarship opportunities and college major choices. For more information, click below:

http://www.actstudent.org/plan/

http://www.actstudent.org/plan/tests/index.html

http://mycollegeguide.org/blog/10/2011/5-tips-acing-plan-test/

US News and World Report Ranking

2011-10-25T07:45:00.001-07:00

Everyone –

New Century has been recognized in another prestigious list. This time we are honored for our advances in technology. Check out the following links.

http://education.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/education/high-schools/slideshows/top-10-most-connected-classrooms/6

http://education.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-high-schools/rankings/most-connected

http://education.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/education/high-schools/slideshows/top-10-most-connected-classrooms

Stewart Thorson, Principal

New Century Technology High School

Check out the multimedia publications website

2011-10-11T12:13:00.001-07:00

https://sites.google.com/a/ncths.net/ncths-multimedia-publications/

It’s under construction

/ST

Pep Rally and AP Celebration

2011-10-05T08:06:00.001-07:00

All –

Please join us for our annual pep rally celebrating all things New Century.

Date: October 14

Time: 2:00PM

Where: Columbia HS Gym

All students who received qualifying scores on AP tests will also be recognized and presented with $100.

All fans, alumni, parents – past and present, students, are invited.

/ST

Goodbye...

2011-09-30T11:00:00.000-07:00

Today we say goodbye to our fabulous bookkeeper Mrs. Lynda Senkbeil. Congratulations on your retirement.

Mr. T

New Century student named National Achievement Semi-Finalist

2011-09-29T07:34:00.001-07:00

The National Achievement Scholarship Program has announced the names of more than 1,600 semifinalists in the 48th annual competition.

New Century Technology High School: Braxton J. Baugh

The National Achievement Scholarship Program was initiated in 1964 to recognize academically promising black students and to provide scholarships. This year's semifinalists will compete for approximately 800 scholarships worth more than $2.4 million to be awarded next spring.

More than 160,000 high school juniors requested consideration in the 2012 National Achievement Program when they took the 2010 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

Semifinalists were designated within geographic regions and are the highest-scoring program entrants in the states that make up each region.

Stewart Thorson, Principal

Teacher Blogs

2011-09-20T09:45:00.001-07:00

Teacher	URL
Young	http://ncths-young.blogspot.com
Hornby	http://ncths-hornby.blogspot.com
Gullatt	http://ncths-gullatt.blogspot.com
Elliott	http://ncthselliott.blogspot.com
Williams	http://ncthswilliams.blogspot.com
Cotton	http://ncths-cotton.blogspot.com
Huggins	http://ncths-huggins.blogspot.com
Morse	http://ncths-morse.blogspot.com
Donnelly	http://ncthsdonnelly.blogspot.com
Buxton	http://ncths-buxton.blogspot.com/
Savage-Owens	http://ncths-so.blogspot.com/
Brewer	http://ncths-brewer.blogspot.com/
Jones	http://ncthsjones.blogspot.com/
Bloom	http://ncthsdbloom.blogspot.com/
G. Watson	http://www.newcenturyteacher.blogspot.com/
Counselor Watson	http://www.ncths-bwatson.blogspot.com/
Agnew	http://www.ncths-agnew.blogspot.com/
Thorson	http://ncths.blogspot.com/

Federal Cards

2011-09-15T07:36:00.001-07:00

Each year Huntsville City Schools conducts a pupil survey to count how many students are federally connected.

The school system is paid by the federal government in lieu of property taxes based on the number of federally connected students. Since Federal properties are exempt from local taxation, the assistance received helps replace local taxes required for operating schools and constructing school buildings.

Collection of this information is required by Federal regulations. It is important that federally connected parents complete the form for every pupil in area schools whether or not the parent or guardian is living or working on Federal property.

Upon completion please ensure your child returns it to his or her homeroom teacher. The information provided will be kept strictly confidential. Dr. Wardynski has agreed to allow New Century to keep a portion of the money granted from our school.

Stewart Thorson, Principal

New Century Technology High School

NCTHS PTSA

2011-09-12T08:48:00.001-07:00

Hello Parents, Grandparents, Guardians, Students & Teachers,

Thank you for joining PTSA. I apologize for the delay in getting you your membership cards. We were only sent 80 and have ran out. I have requested more and hope to have them soon so we can get them out to you. We will try to keep you posted of any events or information that we come across. We have a few projects we are sketching the details out on and will let you know more information as soon as we can so you can participate. I hope everyone has gotten off to a Fantastic start of their school year. Please feel free to contact the PTSA if we can be of any assistance.

In case you might be wondering "What are some of the benefits of joining PTA?" Here's a link to a few member benefit providers. http://www.pta.org/member_benefit_providers.asp

Thanks for extending a helping hand to make NCTHS a great place to learn.

Lisa Berry
NCTHS PTSA Treasurer/Membership

Junior / Senior Night

2011-08-30T06:22:00.001-07:00

Junior/Senior Night (Tentative) Agenda

Tuesday, August 30, 2011 @ 6 pm

Color Guard/Pledge of Allegiance – JROTC

Welcome – Nicole Fields

Columbia Senior Fees, Activities Calendar, Etc. – Nicole Fields

New Century Senior Fees, Calendar, Etc. – Rebecca Savage-Owens

College & Scholarship Information – Ruthie Whitman

Testing Schedule ( AHSGE, SAT, ACT) – Bob Watson

Questions & Answers

Closing Remarks

NCTHS / ST

Congratulations from A+

2011-08-26T08:53:00.001-07:00

Teachers, Parents, & Students – an update from the A+ College Ready celebration conference yesterday:

http://apluscollegeready.org/

In brief:

I met with Governor Bentley yesterday at Gadsden City High School with the other schools in the A+ College Ready Initiative. I was the sole representative from Huntsville City, however I was extremely honored to represent New Century and Huntsville City Schools.

Highlights:

New Century had the 2^nd highest increase of students taking AP courses (295%), 2^nd highest increase in AP qualifying scores (400%), and the tied for first with the highest increase in minority qualifying scores.

Overall 41 New Century students took 103 AP exams this past year – we had 40 qualifying scores.

I could not find any local coverage, but here is an article from the Gadsden Times.

6 Seniors from last year have been recognized as AP Scholars.

Congratulations!

Stewart Thorson, Principal

New Century Technology High School

300 Explorer Blvd

Huntsville, AL 35806

(256) 428-7800

OPEN HOUSE

2011-08-22T07:10:00.001-07:00

New Century will host Open House on Tuesday, August 23^rd beginning at 6:00PM. If you have not joined PTSA, please do so at Open House.

Stewart Thorson, Principal

New Century Technology High School

300 Explorer Blvd

Huntsville, AL 35806

(256) 428-7800

New Century recognized by UA

2011-07-15T07:35:00.001-07:00

All – see the attached letter.

UA Letter

Madison Record Article

2011-06-23T07:50:00.001-07:00

This article is about the Newsweek rating:

http://www.madisoncountyrecord.com/2011/06/22/huntsville%E2%80%99s-new-century-technology-makes-america%E2%80%99s-best-high-school-list/

NEWSWEEK Top Schools

2011-06-21T09:02:00.001-07:00

We are again ranked among the top schools in the country. NCTHS is the only school representing N. Alabama.

http://www.newsweek.com/feature/2011/americas-best-high-schools.html

Stewart Thorson, Principal

New Century Technology High School

300 Explorer Blvd

Huntsville, AL 35806

(256) 428-7800

Relocation

2011-06-14T13:56:00.000-07:00

Click below for my view regarding the move of NCTHS.
CLICK HERE

Recent Accomplishments

2011-05-09T10:53:00.001-07:00

New Century students have recently entering several technology related competitions the regional and state ACTE Technology Fair. Here is a link with all our recent winners.

https://sites.google.com/a/ncths.net/accomplishments/

Stewart Thorson, Principal

New Century Technology High School

300 Explorer Blvd

Huntsville, AL 35806

(256) 428-7800

speakup.org

2011-04-07T07:47:00.000-07:00

What is Speak Up?
Speak Up is a community engagement effort designed to bring the community together in a meaningful way, to be part of the decisions and processes that impact public schools, and to work for change and improvement.
Speak Up is designed to bring individuals and organizations together to achieve the following goals:

To increase student achievement
To expand local support for public schools
To develop a unified education voice
To share a common community vision for education

The process invites citizens to talk about education, develop a shared vision, identify shared expectations and responsibilities, and provide resources necessary for success. This work will take place over a 12-18 month period through a series of 150 small group conversations that seek input and opinions about education from individuals in the community.

Why is this work important?
Education is the means to a competent, reliable, and productive workforce, and a healthy economic community. Great schools happen when a community is unified in support of high education standards. The health of our local economy and quality of life in our community is directly dependent on the quality of our public schools. Our students must graduate prepared to compete in today’s global economy and to meet local workforce needs.

Speak Up Invitation

Exam Schedules and End of Year Activities

2011-04-07T07:28:00.000-07:00

Please click on the link to access a Google document with the exam schedules:

click here

Parent Survey

2011-03-29T14:06:00.001-07:00

Parents: I am interested in receiving your feedback. Please click here.

Updates and Reminders

2011-03-17T14:25:00.001-07:00

We will be sending 3^rd quarter report cards home on Monday of next week, March 21^st..

Required fees for graduation are due at this time. In order to ensure that your child is provided with everything necessary for graduation, the $90 fee must be paid no later than May 2.

Lastly, I need to remind all seniors about absences: students are allowed to be absent 10 days with a parent note. If you have accumulated more than 10 absences with a parent note, you will need to have an excuse from a doctor. Additionally, students with more than 5 unexcused absences are in danger of losing credit for their classes. There is no sanctioned senior skip day. The last day for seniors is May 13^th, which is 8 days before the official end of the school year. I will post the text of this message on the school blog at ncths.net should you need to refer to it. Have a great evening.

1st Semester Exam Schedule

2010-12-13T13:47:00.001-08:00

1st Semester Exam Schedule

THURSDAY, Dec. 16 - A 1 & 2
FRIDAY, Dec. 17 - B 1 & 2
MONDAY, Dec. 20 - A 3 & 4
TUESDAY, Dec. 21 - B 3 & 4
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 22 - Makeup (must have principal permission)

Students are dismissed at noon during exams.

New Century Graduate Makes the News

2010-11-16T16:31:00.000-08:00

From the Huntsville Times

Adam McMurray was anticipating coming home from the U.S. Air Force Academy to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family.

McMurray, 19, got an earlier vacation than expected, however, when he learned he was being awarded the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement. The 2010 New Century Technology High School graduate will be awarded the medal during a Nov. 22 presentation at Columbia High School.

The presentation begins at 9 a.m. in the school's auditorium. The official presentation will be made by retired Lt. Col. Leo Thorsness of Madison, a Medal of Honor recipient.

McMurray said he was surprised to learn he was chosen to receive the Bronze Cross, which fewer than 60 cadets are awarded each year. It is the highest honor a JROTC cadet can receive in the United States. "I'm excited about it, but I don't feel that I did anything spectacular," McMurray said Monday. "I just did my best. That's what I promised to do when I joined."

Harry Hobbs, McMurray's former JROTC instructor, praised McMurray's dedication to JROTC. Hobbs, a retired warrant officer who is now the Huntsville Police Department spokesman, submitted McMurray as a candidate for the Bronze Cross. "It was just my honor to submit him," Hobbs said. "This young man is phenomenal. He started out at the bottom in JROTC and rose to both the highest enlisted position and highest officer position in three years. "I'm humbled that he was there during my time in charge of JROTC," Hobbs added. "He made me look good."

Besides his achievements in JROTC, McMurray also served as a volunteer firefighter before entering the Air Force Academy. His father, Darrell McMurray, said while his son has always been interested in the military, a mock disaster he participated in during high school seemed to ignite his interest in public service. The younger McMurray first got involved with the Big Cove Volunteer Fire Department at 17. He finished training to become a certified volunteer firefighter shortly after his 18th birthday, becoming the youngest in the state. "I spent almost two years in the fire department, and it affirmed my belief that I wanted to go into the military," Adam McMurray said.

The teenager began basic cadet training at the Air Force Academy in June. He received his appointment with the recommendation of U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith. Darrell McMurray, who graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1981, said he is thrilled about his son's achievements.
"I'm very proud of him," Darrell McMurray said. "Not for following in my footsteps, but for figuring out his goals and pursuing his dreams."

Waiting for "Superman"

2010-11-12T07:23:00.001-08:00

Oscar-winning filmmaker Davis Guggenheim follows a handful of promising kids through a system that inhibits, rather than encourages, academic growth. Guggenheim undertakes an exhaustive review of public education, methodically dissecting the system and its seemingly intractable problems. However, embracing the belief that good teachers make good schools, Guggenheim offers hope by exploring innovative approaches taken by education reformers and charter schools.

An educator’s special, teachers who join us Monday through Thursday for the film “Waiting for Superman” will receive admission for the price of the child ticket, just $7.25. This applies only to teachers and only for the film “Waiting for Superman” on the dates of November 15th to November 18th.

November 15th to 18th, 2010

Monaco Theatre

FYI - Social Networking

2010-11-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2010/11/grissom_students_disciplined_f.html

Report Cards

2010-10-19T14:07:00.000-07:00

Report cards will be issued on October 25th.

NCTHS Relocation Discussion

2010-09-28T07:12:00.001-07:00

A discussion regarding the possible relocation for NCTHS will be on the agenda for the Huntsville City Board Meeting on Thursday, September 30. The meeting starts at 5:30PM in the Board Room (2nd Floor) of the Merts Building on 300 White Street. I encourage all interested parents, teachers / staff, and students to attend. (Mr. Thorson)

A Smart Place

2010-09-24T07:58:00.001-07:00

http://www.asmartplace.com/

PLAN

2010-09-16T11:24:00.000-07:00

All NCTHS 10th graders will be taking the PLAN test in October. The plan is a pre-ACT test.

Graduation Schedule (September 20-24)

2010-09-16T11:18:00.000-07:00

Monday - Social Studies

11th graders taking for the 1st time or 12th who have not passed the exam

Tuesday - Biology
All 10th graders who passed 9th Grade Biology class
11th graders taking for the 1st time or 12th who have not passed the exam

Wednesday - Math
9th graders who are taking Unified Geometry or higher
10th graders who successfully passed Algebra I in 9th grade
11th graders taking for the 1st time or 12th who have not passed the exam

Thursday - Reading
11th graders taking for the 1st time or 12th who have not passed the exam

Friday - Language
11th graders taking for the 1st time or 12th who have not passed the exam

Seniors -

2010-09-13T07:11:00.001-07:00

Sept. 17^th is the deadline for Senior Baby Photos – see Yvonne Andrews.

2010-2011 SGA Officers

2010-09-10T12:46:00.000-07:00

SGA
President Jasmine Hyter
Vice-President Alicia Faria
Secretary Jocelyn Moreno
Treasurer Geoffrey Thompson

Senior
President Celia Thomason
Vice-President Francine Lane
Secretary Jordan McClain
Treasurer Geoffrey Thompson

Junior
President Braxton Baugh
Vice-President Alicia Faria
Secretary Porsha Bell

Sophomore
President Amber Dickey
Vice-President Franco Camarillo
Secretary Alec Yarbrough

Freshmen
President Jamaya Jones
Vice-President Robert Locke
Secretary David Deaton

Progress Reports and STI PINs.

2010-09-09T09:39:00.000-07:00

Progress Reports contain current grade information and they may also be accessed online using the STI Home instructions. Report Cards for the 1st Nine Weeks will go home on Oct. 25.

School forums to give Huntsville residents voice with board

2010-09-09T08:55:00.001-07:00

The Huntsville school board is hosting a set of forums designed to give residents an opportunity to make their voices heard.

The first, "Facing Challenges. Reclaiming Greatness" forum, focusing on academic achievement, is slated for tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The second forum, to be held at the same time Monday, will deal with education funding.

Share Both forums will be held at three simultaneous locations: Columbia High School, 300 Explorer Blvd.; Huntsville High School, 2304 Billie Watkins Drive; and Johnson High School, 6201 Pueblo Drive.

Each location will conduct small roundtable discussions, the results of which will be shared in a simulcast at each site.

For more information call 256-428-6941.

Top in the State (AYP)

2010-09-03T09:41:00.000-07:00

NCTHS in the news

2010-08-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

This is great article about our new program entitled Project Lead the Way.

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2010/08/saic_grant_helps_establish_pro.html

Welcome to Open House

2010-08-24T14:50:00.001-07:00

Parents:

Feel free to drop by my office at any time. We are actively seeking parent volunteers to join PTSA or to assist with various activities including Robotics, Programming Team, and Engineering. My email address is sthorson@hsv.k12.al.us

Open House

2010-08-19T06:21:00.001-07:00

Parents and Students –

New Century and Columbia will host Open House on Tuesday, August 24 at 6:00PM. This event is sponsored by our PTSA and we will also have an iGoogle parent session starting at 5:00PM.

New Traffic Pattern

2010-08-12T14:22:00.000-07:00

New Century car riders are asked to enter the Columbia Campus from the Farrow Road entrance and exit to Explorer Blvd. This is due in large part to our increased enrollments combined with Columbia's. Columbia car riders will enter from Explorer and exit via Farrow.

AYP 101: Understanding the state's annual rating of schools | al.com

2010-08-04T12:32:00.000-07:00

AYP 101: Understanding the state's annual rating of schools | al.com

2010-08-04T12:16:00.000-07:00

AYP 101: Understanding the state's annual rating of schools | al.com

Graduation

2010-06-09T12:21:00.001-07:00

Graduation Photos

http://photos.al.com/4462/gallery/new_century_technology_high_school_graduation_2010/index.html

Texting - Courtesy WHNT

2010-05-12T06:34:00.000-07:00

Robotics - courtesy al.com

2010-02-23T06:21:00.000-08:00

High schools, mentors work together on robotics program

By Pat Ammons Newcomb

February 22, 2010, 6:40AM

Members of the Redstone Robotics team work on their robot during a recent demonstrationH UNTSVILLE, AL - Most evenings, down a long empty hallway at Lee High School, you can find a group of people bent over a bunch of wires and motors otherwise known as the robot "Striker."

The 18 members and 11 adult mentors are part of the Tennessee Valley Robotics Team, which is taking part in the US FIRST Robotics competition. The members are from Lee High, New Century High and Columbia High School, a joint effort that combines talent and resources for the expensive endeavor.

It's the third year of the collaboration, said Jane Jones, a teacher at New Century.

"Lee had been doing their own thing, and New Century had been doing their own thing," Jones said.

With limited space to work at New Century, which shares a building with Columbia High, the two teams began talking about joining forces, Jones said.

Both teams were small, and finding the money - $5,000 just for the kit to build the robot - is tough. To compete with the robot can run between $15,000 to $35,000, said Doreen Forsythe, a retired teacher who is the team manager.

The team is packing up the robot to send off to a regional competition in Orlando, Fla., on March 11-13. It is one of several regional competitions, with the top three teams from each region winning an invitation to compete at the national-level competition in April.

"It's been a great merger," Jones said. Not only have they gotten a larger team, the students from different schools have made new friends and learned how to manage a project when all the players aren't always in the same place.

"Not only that, look at the diversity," Forsythe said, gesturing to a room full of busy teens of every color.

Raytheon and Boeing are the two main sponsors of the Tennessee Valley Robotics, and several of the team's volunteer mentors come from those companies, including Andy Cusack, a systems engineer at Raytheon.

This is his second year with the team, and "it's a lot of fun," Cusack said. "I wish I had had something like that" when he was in high school.

Each team has six weeks to build a robot and make it perform several tasks. This year, that includes navigating an obstacle-filled playing field, kicking a soccer ball into four targets and winching its 112-pound weight up a metal frame. The students have built a partial field at the end of the hallway where they've built their robot.

The robotics program "really adds a practical aspect to the book learning they do in classes," Cusack said.

The students have learned to use Microsoft Project software, something many engineers use in their daily work, Cusack said. That has helped keep the design and construction of the robot on track.

They've also implemented a change board, an engineering component in which everyone involved has to sign off on a change in design.

"The products are different but the concepts are the same," as in the professional workplace, Cusack said.

"We run this like we were a company," Forsythe said. Each team member has a time card, and the team has a CEO, project manager and all the members have a specific task.

Alexander Davis, a Lee senior, is the CEO and oversees fundraising and makes sure each part of the project is ready for competition.

He's been involved with robotics since middle school and is in the pre-engineering magnet at Lee High. He's heading to the University of Alabama in Huntsville in the fall on a full-tuition scholarship and plans to major in mechanical engineering with an aerospace focus.

"This is what made me want to go into mechanical engineering," Alexander said.

Now enrolling for 2010-11

2010-01-28T14:29:00.000-08:00

NCTHS is accepting applications for the 2010-11 SY. The online application is the quickest way to apply. I would like to encourage all interested students to apply.

NCTHS Wins Silver

2009-12-11T10:38:00.000-08:00

NCTHS was recently awarded the Silver award for the 2010 US News and World Report for Best Schools in the US.

This is an great accomplishment for our students and school!

http://www.usnews.com/listings/high-schools/alabama/new_century_technology_high_school

Poetry Out Loud Winners

2009-11-24T14:31:00.000-08:00

I would like to congratulate two NCTHS students for their accomplishments at the recent Poetry Out Loud competition. Jeriel Johnson placed 2nd place for original poetry and Carson Goodman placed 4th in the Anthology division. Both students will compete in the state competition.

Here is a link to Jeriel's original poem

Upcoming Dates

2009-11-09T14:00:00.000-08:00

11/11 - Veteran's Day (no school)
11/18 - Progress Reports
11/23 - Food Drive ends
11/25-27 - Thanksgiving Holidays (no school)
12/7-11 - Graduation Exam

Exam Schedule
Dec 16 - B Day 1st & 2nd
Dec 17 - A Day 1st & 2nd
Dec 18 - B Day 3rd & 4th
Dec 21 - A Day 3rd & 4th
Dec 22 - Make ups (with prior permission)

All students are dismissed at noon during Final Exams

BEST Robot

2009-10-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

Recently the NCTHS Robotics students along with Lee HS competed in the BEST competition. They won the following awards:

3rd Place Overall

1st Place - Most Photogenic Robot
3rd Place - Web Page Design
2nd Place - T-shirt Design

By placing 3rd, the team qualified for the state competion in December at Auburn University.

Mrs. Jones was awarded the Toyota Leadership Award for 2009.

REPORT CARDS / PTSA MEETING

2009-10-22T12:57:00.000-07:00

Report cards were issued today -

Here is the formula that NCTHS uses for grading purposes.

Each 9-weeks grade counts 40% of the semester average and the semester exam counts for 20%.

1st 9-weeks (0.4) + 2nd 9-weeks (0.4) + 1st Semester Exam (0.2) = 1st Semester Average.

The process is the same for the 2nd semester and the two semesters are averaged to calculate the Final Average. Semester averages and the Final Average appear on transcripts.

NASA Visit

2009-10-19T14:04:00.000-07:00

Big News!

The director of NASA will visit the Columbia Campus Wednesday, Oct. 21. He will give a brief presentation to our students and meet with several of our student leaders.

Charles Bolden Bio

Charles Bolden with Adam McMurray

Mr. Thorson, Charles Bolden, Dr. Garrett, and Dr. Moore

Administrator Bolden talks to the Columbia / NCTHS students.

Student Enthusiasm Experience

2009-10-19T06:52:00.000-07:00

Pep Rally - Friday, October 23

Though we don’t have organized sports at NCTHS, we have several athletes competing for their home schools across the city. We have competitive teams here including the Robotics Team, Academic Team, ACTE Team, Programming Team, Chess Team, etc… We will recognize the accomplishments of these students at our first PEP RALLY on Friday. Also there will be “Feats of Strength,” appearances by the NCTHS Spirit Squad, and the competition for the SPIRIT STICK.

Appropriate dress for the Student Enthusiasm Experience:

Favorite Sci-Fi, video game, anime, or superhero character (awards for best costume)

Engineering Students

2009-10-06T09:46:00.000-07:00

This was the winning structure that Mrs. Jones' Engineering Concepts students created out of newspaper that supported the weight of 13 books. - Just one of the cool things that occur in the Aerospace Concepts class.

Site Visit

2009-09-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

Monday, Sept. 28 -

New Century will host two school systems from east Tennessee who are looking to form a school like ours. It will be a great opportunity to show off all the great things we do here.

Hudson Alpha donates $7,000 worth of genetics equipment

2009-09-22T06:21:00.000-07:00

We recently were privileged to receive $7,000 worth of genetics equipment from Hudson Alpha. THANK YOU!

Graduation Exam Details

2009-09-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

Monday—Sept. 21 (Language)
Tuesday—Sept. 22 (Social Studies)
Wednesday—Sept. 23 (Science/Biology)
Thursday—Sept. 24 (Math)
Friday—Sept. 25 (Reading)

General Instruction:

1) Please send your students to the appropriate testing sites each morning after they have checked in to their first period class.

2) INFORM ANY FIRST BLOCK TECH STUDENT WHO IS TESTING TO NOT GO TO TECH SCHOOL ON THE DAY THEY ARE TESTING.

3) Testing will begin promptly each morning. There is no time limit for the test.

4) Remind the student to get a good night’s rest the night before the test.

5) Remind the students to get a good breakfast.

6) Remind the students to take the test seriously.

7) Remind the students to bring two #2 pencils into testing.

Grades Online

2009-09-14T12:28:00.000-07:00

We will be mailing IDs and PINs for checking grades online this week. Alternately, parents may come to the registrar's office and request the #s.

Week of September 14

2009-09-14T05:44:00.000-07:00

Tuesday (6:00PM) - College Night (parents of juniors & seniors encouraged to attend)
Thursday (3:20PM) - Freshmen Mixer

H1N1

2009-09-14T05:41:00.000-07:00

We do have a confirmed case of H1N1 on the Columbia Campus.

Our custodians are following all cleaning and disinfecting procedures.

The school nurse as well as other Central Office personnel has been contacted for advisement regarding this situation.

Our students, faculty and staff will continue to follow procedures to promote good hygiene. School will be open with business as usual.

Just as a reminder, if your child is sick please keep them at home until he/she is fever free for 24 hours.

If you would like information on the H1N1 flu virus, please visit the HCS website at www.hsv.k12.al.us.

Thank you for you help in this matter.

PTSA Meeting

2009-09-09T19:53:00.000-07:00

There will be a PTSA meeting on Tuesday, September 15th starting at 6:00PM in the auditorium. The program will feature a presentation about applying for college and scholarships.

Thursday / Friday

2009-09-09T19:49:00.000-07:00

Thursday: College Day (say hi to the UA rep)

Friday: Fall Pictures (for the yearbook)

Progress Reports / Federal Cards

2009-09-09T14:13:00.000-07:00

Parents: Progress Reports and Federal Cards were sent home today. If you work for the US Government (Military or Civilian) or live on Federal Property, please fill out the Federal Card and return it to school ASAP. If you have questions about your child’s grades, please contact the office to arrange a conference time (428-7800).

Early College at the University of Alabama

2009-09-08T09:40:00.000-07:00

Seniors / Juniors:

NCTHS is proud to partner with the University of Alabama in the pilot year of the Early College program. More information can be found here. If interested, please see Mr. Thorson or Mr. Watson. This is a program to allow you to earn college credits while in high school by taking online classes from the University of Alabama. Some of the classes could be considered for dual enrollment.

Robotics

2009-09-08T08:22:00.000-07:00

• Redstone Robotics team (composed of interested students from New Century, Columbia, and Lee Engineering Magnet) will begin building a robot for the BEST competition. The kickoff is 9/12 at Calhoun/Decatur with the competition set for 10/24, also on the Calhoun/Decatur campus. The top four placing teams qualify for the Southeast Regional competition to be held at Auburn on Dec. 11/12.

• Redstone Robotics will host the FLL (First Lego League) regional competition to be held at New Century/Columbia on Dec. 4/5.

Thanks to Mrs. Jones for the information.

BE THANKFUL

2009-09-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

I recently attended a conference in Prattville for 1st year principals. It was truly an outstanding experience. Lots of motivational talk and sessions on how not to get fired, but the thing that I will remember the most is how thankful we should be for a school like New Century. Of all the people I came in contact with, responses ranged from “Wow,” and “that would never happen here,” to “you’re so lucky.” Even though proration is keeping a lot of our innovations and initiatives “in development,” a tremendous amount of praise and gratitude should be showed to our superintendent and Board of Education. Also – it is our outstanding students who keep the ship afloat, but the teachers do the paddling (with oars!).

Fall Testing Dates

2009-08-31T13:57:00.000-07:00

ACT: Sept 12, October 24, December 12

SAT: October 10, November 7, December 5

PSAT: October 14 - This test measures verbal and mathematical reasoning. All New Century sophomores will take the test (HCS is covering the cost of the test). Interested college-bound Juniors should also take the PSAT to qualify for National Merit scholarships.

Technologically Speaking

2009-08-31T13:17:00.000-07:00

Welcome! This purpose for this blog will be for me to inform students and parents quickly as to things that are occuring at NCTHS, or things that may be of interest.

Important September dates:

September 7: Labor Day holiday

September 10: College Day (NCTHS / UAH)

September 11: Fall Picture Day

September 17: Freshmen Mixer for clubs and organizations (after school)

September 21-25: AHSGE (Seniors who haven't passed all sections, Juniors who haven't taken a portion; Sophomores who haven't taken math and science, and selected Freshmen who are taking Unified Geometry.)

Students receiving an Advanced Diploma must pass all 5 sections: Reading, Language, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies