Message from the Principal...

Dear Parents and Students,

I want to take this opportunity to welcome you to the 2011-2012 school year. I hope all students are well-rested and eager to return. Much preparation has taken place in order to be ready for the return of 2,190+ students.

Academically, 2011-2012 will be exciting. Indio High School will:

- Continue to work on increasing our API scores. Our most recent API score is 703.

-   Continue to academically challenge students by placing more students into Honors and Advanced Placement classes thus increasing the number of students eligible to go onto college.

There have been a number of changes and a lot of work that has occurred over the summer:

-   Indio High School is implementing a new bell schedule for the 2011-2012 school year. We have adopted an “Eight (8) period - A/B Bell Schedule” allowing students to take eight classes over a two day period. Students will attend period 1, 2, 3, 4 on one day and periods 5, 6, 7, 8 the next.

-   There continues to be much talk about Indio High School’s renovation plans. We will build a completely new high school on the current site. Plans for the new school were recently approved by the State of California. Construction will begin later this school year.

-   Demolition of classrooms.

o The 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, most of the 300 wings are slated to be demolished in the next couple of weeks.

o The construction of Phase I will start soon after that.

-   In order to be ready for the construction of the new buildings, we have installed temporary portable classrooms:

o 34 temporary portables have been installed, next door to our campus, in the old Ralphs’ supermarket parking lot. Along with the 34 portable classrooms, you will find the College Career Center, a staff workroom with a copy machine, bathrooms, cafeteria (will be ready in January), and a lunch shade structure.

o 12 temporary portables have been added to the “IE” area for a total of 25 classrooms.

o A number of classrooms and offices have been relocated:

> Library, business classrooms, chemistry, health office, broadcasting, and Excel.

-   The addition of the 34 portables has increased our supervision responsibility. We have added 2 additional security agents to help us maintain a safe campus.

-   To help us get ready for the construction, other changes have taken place:

o Rajah Way has been fenced off. The main entrance to the school will be off Highway 111.

> For everyone’s safety, I am asking that you enter into the staff parking lot, from Highway 111, using only a right turn.

> Also for safety reasons, you will only be able to exit the staff parking lot, onto Highway 111, making a right turn.

o Half of the student parking lot will be used as a construction staging area.

o Student drop off will be along Avenue 46.

The 2011-2012 school year promises to be academically challenging and rewarding for those who choose to make this our finest year. It is my hope that all students and parents make it a point to get involved. As always, if I can be of any assistance, please feel free to call or send me an e-mail. The teachers and support staff are eager to help and want the best for all students.

Sincerely,

Rudy Ramirez

Principal

rudy.ramirez@dsusd.us