PRINCIPAL'S  MESSAGE

Dear Canyon High School Families,

Canyon High School is committed to graduating students with the academic, interpersonal, and vocational skills necessary to compete and contribute as global citizens. Specifically, our students will:

• use critical thinking skills to succeed in a rigorous curriculum and apply their learning to real world situations.
• communicate effectively using technological, written and verbal expression.
• articulate the relevance of classroom instruction by setting, pursuing, adapting and achieving career and personal goals.
• develop an awareness of opportunities available to them in our changing world.
• develop collaborative relationships with staff and peers for the purpose of achieving a common goal.
• maintain academic honesty and integrity, act in a responsible manner and actively contribute to society.

Canyon High School has maintained its focus on Academics, Athletics, and Activities. Students have excelled in each of these areas – and we will continue to support all our programs with the assistance of the Canyon Education Foundation.

At Canyon High School, we recognize the value and importance of timely and ongoing communication with parents. If you have questions or concerns regarding your children, please don’t hesitate to call. The following list serves as a general guideline for contacting the appropriate person:

• If you have questions or concerns regarding a particular class, the initial point of contact is the classroom teacher. Please call (714) 532-8000 and leave a voice mail message for the teacher. In addition to including a phone number in your message, it is useful to include times that you may be reached.
• The easiest way to reach teachers is by email. If you would like the email address for a particular teacher, please inquire at (714) 532-8000 or go to the Canyon High School link at the Orange USD website listed below. Please sign up for the Parent Portal by completing the Request for OUSD Parent Portal Account application available in the counseling office. It provides easy access to your child’s attendance, grades, progress reports and other key student information.
• If you have questions or concerns relating to course credit, career pathways, 4-year plans, financial aid, or personal, academic, or social concerns, please contact the appropriate school counselor at (714) 532-8000. Canyon High provides grade level counseling and your students’ counselor will track with them for a 4 years of high school. Each grade level counselor provides a weekly listserv email communication to parents who have opted in to the program. You can see the school website for information on how to join this valuable service.
• To enhance and expand our means of communication with parents, Canyon High School utilizes a web-based application known as Blackboard. On Blackboard, teachers post their classroom management plan, classroom activities, and email address. I encourage you to visit Blackboard, the link to valuable information regularly posted by the teachers of your children.

The entire Canyon High School staff and I are looking forward to the 2009-2010 school year as we work together “preparing our students for the global economy”.

Sincerely,

A. Greg Bowden, Ed. D.
Principal