Dear Churchill Families,

It’s been a great week at Churchill, full of energy and engagement across campus. From safety drills to student activities, we’re seeing our students settle into routines and really embrace the opportunities available to them. As always, I’m excited to share a few highlights and updates with you.

First, we conducted our first lockdown drill of the school year, and I’m proud to report that it went very smoothly. Our students and staff followed protocols with calm focus and professionalism. These drills are an important part of our commitment to keeping everyone on campus safe and prepared.

This week also brought our Club Fair, and it was a huge success! The courtyard was buzzing with excitement as students explored the many clubs and activities available at Churchill. From academic teams to interest-based groups, it was clear that our students are eager to get involved and make the most of their high school experience. We strongly encourage every student to find a way to connect—whether through clubs, sports, or the arts—because being involved enriches the high school journey in so many meaningful ways.

I like to occasionally use this space to share insight into our school procedures, to keep our families informed and aware of how we operate. This week, I’d like to talk briefly about administrative searches.

Like many schools, we continue to see instances of vaping on campus, although I’m told it’s less frequent than in previous years. When we have reasonable suspicion of a student engaging in prohibited activity—such as multiple students in a single bathroom stall, a visible vape device, or credible reports from others—school administrators are legally allowed to conduct a limited search. This might involve checking a backpack or asking a student to empty their pockets. I want to emphasize that this is not something we do lightly or frequently, but it is part of our responsibility to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment. I believe it’s important for both students and parents to understand these procedures.

As always, thank you for your continued support of Churchill High School. We are proud of the positive energy on campus and the many ways our students are stepping up, engaging, and representing what it means to be part of the Churchill community.

Go, Lancers!

Kevin Rodemack, Principal

🗓️ Monday, 10/13

🗓️ Tuesday, 10/14

Lancer Pageant Sophomore Organizer Information Meeting, at lunch

CHS Food Pantry, 3:45–4:45 PM

🗓️ Wednesday 10/15

Lane Community College Visit, 10:45 am – 11:15 am

Whitman College Visit, 11:20 am – 11:50 am

OSU | Extension & Engagement Visit, 11:55 – 12:25 pm

Pamona College Visit, 2:30 – 3:00 pm

🗓️ Thursday, 10/16

📸 PICTURE RETAKE DAY

Lancer Pageant Sophomore Organizer Information Meeting, at lunch

🗓️ Friday, 10/17

PSAT TESTING (only for 11th-graders who signed up for the test)

University of Portland Visit, 11:45 am – 12:15 pm

University of Oregon Visit, 12:55 – 1:25 pm

🗓️ Monday, 10/20

🗓️ Tuesday, 10/21

College Application Workshop, 2:15 – 4:00 pm

CHS Food Pantry, 3:45–4:45 PM

4J Community Budget Forum at Churchill, 6:00 – 7:00 pm

🗓️ Wednesday, 10/22

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family BINGO Night! 🏆, 6:30 – 8:00 pm

🗓️ Thursday, 10/23

🗓️ Friday, 10/24

Linfield College Visit, 12:55 – 1:25 pm

The CHS Food Pantry will now be open every Tuesday from 3:45–4:45 PM.

The pantry is open to any Churchill students/families or community members.

The pantry’s first day open this year is next Tuesday, October 14th.

The cafeteria chefs are excited to announce the After-School Snack Program!

Be sure to grab a snack at the following times:

Enjoy!

Our school will be administering the SAEBRS (Social, Academic, and Emotional Behavior Risk Screener) universal screening tool in three windows throughout the 2024–2025 school year. SAEBRS (teacher version) and MySAEBRS (student version) is a brief, norm-referenced tool for screening students to identify areas of potential areas of growth. This universal screening tool is built to align academic and socio-emotional learning opportunities and interventions to increase well-being and developmental competencies.

Students will also have the opportunity to take the student assessment 2–3 times. To learn more about the student assessment, see:

Get a jump start on financial aid! The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has opened early and is accepting applications now.

Find more information and resources on the College and Career Readiness Website.

The Lane Youth Transportation Advisory Council (LYTAC) is actively recruiting new members, inviting youth ages 13–19 in Lane County to apply. LYTAC offers valuable opportunities to engage with local transportation issues, projects, and policy. Members commit up to 7 hours per month and receive a $100 stipend.

Interested parties may click here to apply. 

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. More information can be found at www.eugenespringfieldsrts.org/lytac1.

Mark your calendars for several important college information events this month:

Join ECMC for their live Paying for College webinar next Wednesday, October 8! They’re hosting the annual Paying for College webinar with The Ford Family Foundation and the Oregon Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. They’ll cover financial aid basics, scholarships, and how to plan for life after high school. The session will be available in English, español, and русский язык, with live Q&A from Oregon's financial aid administrators. [That's English, Spanish, and Russian!] 

 https://bit.ly/PFCE_OR

Opportunities Guides - A great workbook for college-going students and parents/guardians. Copies are available in the CHS College & Career area or online at https://www.ecmc.org/studentseducators/student-resources/opportunities-guide-and-workbook. These booklets are packed with resources and available in both English and Spanish.

Oregon Promise is OPEN - The Oregon Promise application is open! The Oregon Promise is a state grant that helps cover tuition costs at any Oregon community college for recent high school graduates and GED® test graduates. Students must apply during their senior year or immediately after GED® test completion. 

Apply via the OSAC Student Portal: https://app.oregonstudentaid.gov/.

All students who graduate between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, can apply for Oregon Promise NOW! Students must also submit the FAFSA or ORSAA by their applicable deadline, based on their graduation date.

CSS Profile Now Available - The CSS Profile is an online application used by colleges and scholarship programs to award non-federal institutional aid. The CSS Profile is open. CSS is used by about 200 colleges and universities to award institutional aid. If your student is applying to private or out-of-state schools, they may need to complete this form in addition to the FAFSA or ORSAA. p Check participating schools https://profile.collegeboard.org/PPI/participatingInstitutions.aspx.

Seniors – It’s time to start thinking about Honors Diploma Recognition. To receive recognition, students must complete all three of the following:

This year, seniors need to submit their hour logs to Kari Ludington, School Counselor, by January 30, 2026. More information about the Honors Diploma can be found in the CHS Course Catalog, or see your Counselor with questions.

When we talk about diploma options, we are frequently asked if community service is required for graduation. It depends on the type of diploma you are pursuing. We have different types of diploma options at Churchill: 

International High School (IHS): IB Diploma and IHS Diploma.

IHS requires Creativity, Action, and Service hours (CAS Hours).

Churchill: Honors Diploma Recognition, Standard Diploma, Modified Diploma, Extended Diploma, Alternative Certificate.

The Churchill Honors Diploma Recognition requires community service. The other diplomas do not require community service.

Get involved. Consider joining a club at Churchill. Many have volunteer or service opportunities. Watch the announcements for volunteering needs at the school. Talk to your School Counselor or College & Career Coordinator, Mary Beth Hepp-Elam, about volunteer opportunities. Check organizations in the community. Many post volunteer opportunities on their websites.

Regardless of which diploma you are pursuing, community service is a fantastic way to engage with the community, show potential employers/colleges/scholarship committees that you’re involved, and give back.

Do you want to help Churchill High School students get essential items like clothing, food, and school supplies that aren't provided by the school?

Sign up to be a Churchill Community Responder to get alerts when our students need a hand:

Your support for Mike's Closet and the Churchill Food Pantry is always appreciated:

For questions or more information, please contact:

15th Night Coordinator 

Having difficulty scheduling a sports physical for the Fall? Call the Churchill Health Center, sponsored by PeaceHealth.

School-Based Health Center Flyer (PDF)