I want to personally welcome students and families back to South Tahoe High School for the 2011-2012 school year. I also extend a warm welcome to all students attending STHS for the first time. We are all looking forward to a very exciting and rewarding school year filled with Viking Pride as we continue to build and grow our award-winning high school.

This is a historical year for South Tahoe High School. Thanks to all of your support and donations, combined with being awarded multiple grants, this year South Tahoe High School will see the grand opening of the Tahoe Arts and Design Academy, the Blue and Gold Gyms renovation, and our new Viking Stadium for our physical education program in the daytime with lights for our athletic program in the afternoons and evenings. This will be the first time South Tahoe High School athletes will have the opportunity to play a full season in the stadium under the lights and stars. We invite you to join us in the grand opening of the Tahoe Arts and Design Academy and tour our amazing South Tahoe High School campus from 5-7 p.m. Aug. 26.

In addition to our very own “Hollywood Studios,” we recently opened two award-winning, state-of-the-art facilities: the Construction, Arts and Transportation building, and the Stadium View building. These new facilities, equipped with the latest in interactive classroom technology, enable us to offer our students a variety of innovative and dynamic Career Technical Education courses in Architectural Design, Business, Construction, Culinary Arts, Dental, Environmental Sciences, Studio Arts, and Transportation.

Additionally, with our mathematics and Advancement via Individual Determination classrooms housed in the SV building, our academic programs are able to integrate the latest technology into the core curriculum. These are no longer just buildings; they are facilities that provide a whole new way of thinking.

South Tahoe High School continues to be recognized for its excellent academic programs. Support is provided for all students in academics through a tiered comprehensive intervention process matched to student needs. This year, all students at STHS will receive a Netbook computer to improve student learning. Through our AERIES online access, http://www.ltusd.org/parents.php, parents can monitor their students’ progress for grades, attendance and assignments.

In 2000, South Tahoe High School was honored with the distinction of being an AVID National Demonstration School and has maintained that standard ever since. We offer a first-rate Honors and Advanced Placement program with advanced courses in all subject areas. Through our AP program, as well as through the articulated CTE programs, students are able to receive college advancement and/or credits for classes taken at STHS!

We look forward to a great year at South Tahoe High School, a “3A School where Arts, Academics and Athletics Take Center Stage!”

See you on opening day – Aug. 29. Go Vikings!