Welcome Back Raptors Principal’s Letter August 2022

Dear Silver Creek Raptors,

We are looking forward to a great school year at Silver Creek!  Our Raptors have been hard at work this summer with so many programs engaging in summer activities ranging from P-Tech Cybersecurity Classes, to 9th Grade Jumpstart, to Band Camps, Volleyball Camps, Football Camps, Cheer Camps, Basketball Camps, Raptor Leadership Crew planning for the Class of 2026 Orientation Day, designing senior capstone projects and so much more!

We were able to accomplish some capital improvements during the course of this summer, namely a new and upgraded HVAC system in the D and E wings.  We also have refinished floors in the gymnasium.  We look forward to projects this year including artificial turf on our main playing field.

We have two new teachers joining us.  Ms. Rachel Turner comes to us after having led the Science Department at her previous school in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  She also was an acclaimed coach, coaching her team to a state golf title recently.  Ms. Turner looks forward to teaching Chemistry and supporting the kids of Silver Creek.  Mrs. Tracy Knick joins our World Languages Department.  Ms. Knick has taught French at the high school and collegiate levels.  She most recently oversaw the Advanced Placement Programs throughout Department of Defense Schools and served as the IBM P-Tech Coordinator for Skyline High School.  She looks forward to being in the classroom and cultivating a love for language acquisition.

Our kids continue to achieve academically at exceptional levels.  Our students posted an average of 3.2 on Advanced Placement Exams (823 exams taken), with 72% of exam takers earning college credit and 58 new AP scholars.  Our Graduation rate for all students is coming in at 95% with improvements for students with disabilities and Hispanic students. These results far exceed local, state and national averages.  Our feedback from the National Science Foundation on our Cybersecurity Program, is that we are showing tremendous student growth while posting impressive and “statistically significant” increases in student skill development.  Our students also performed at the top of SVVSD on the Grade 11 SAT.  In spring our school received accolades from US News and World Report on being named a top public high school in the United States and also received accolades for our college preparation of students.  Congratulations to our students, faculty, staff and the Silver Creek Community!  We have much to build upon in 2022-2023!

We would like to welcome our incoming Class of 2026 and our returning classes of ‘25, ‘24 and ‘23!  Let’s make this our best year yet!

Upcoming Events at Silver Creek – 

8/8/22 – Fall Athletics Begin (Information on Athletics Page)

8/11/22 – Fall Athletics Meeting

-6:30 p.m. Fall Athletes, Parents, Coaches

8/12/22 – Picture Locker Day

-9th Grade 8:00-10:00 a.m.

-10th, 11th, 12th Grades 10:00-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3:00 p.m.

-ID Cards issued, Athletic Passes, Yearbook Sales, Locker Requests, New Student ipads, Parking Passes, School Store, Parent Group Tables

8/17/22 – Class of ‘26 and New Student Orientation 

-7:45-2:45 p.m.

– Please visit this site for additional information:  Orientation Site 

8/18/22 – All grades Back to School Day

-A Day classes 1-4

8/22/22 – First Day of Classes at CETC and IC

8/24/22 – Back to School Night

-6:00-8:00 p.m.

-Parents to follow student schedule

9/19 – 9/24/22 – Homecoming Week

-Homecoming Dance 9/24/22

Silver Creek Calendar (Subject to Change)

SVVSD Calendar

We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming concert or contest and celebrating our Raptors!

Sincerely,

Erick Finnestead

Principal, Silver Creek High School

Silver Creek High School