Principal's Desk
August 2010Dear Parent: Welcome back to school! I could not be more excited about the opening of school for the 2010~2011 campaign. We have an outstanding school that is poised to become even better, and we are working hard to keep “learning” our number one priority. As this new school year begins, we must recommit ourselves to our school mission: “In order to excel tomorrow, we challenge all students to meet the highest academic, civic and social standards today.” Please note the following grade reporting days for school opening this year. All students will be reporting to their homerooms upon entry into school.
Mrs. Marie Cote (734-3250 ext 103) will be responsible for grades 9 and 11. Mr. Donald Miller (734-3250 ext 102) will be responsible for grades 10 and 12. Call at any time to discuss your concerns with the appropriate assistant principal. Providing quality education within an appropriate social environment is our responsibility
ATTENDANCE: Children cannot be educated unless they are here. We expect attendance every day unless serious family problems preclude it. Doctor and dentist appointments should not be scheduled during the school day. Remember, there is no such thing as a “Bunk Day”. We will teach every day, test every day, and call parents every day. Habits of good attendance are absolutely necessary for academic success as well as attaining and holding a job after graduation. Students will only be dismissed during the school day for the most serious emergency matters. At any point in time that a student’s combined absence and lateness exceeds twenty percent (20%), she/he will be denied social and/or athletic participation. For example, if a social event was held on the 44th day of the school year, a student’s total of the above could not exceed 8. If it exceeded 8, she/he would not be allowed to attend the social event. This policy is in effect through the entire school year and obviously includes proms, dances, trips, etc. Over the years, a number of students have presented doctors’ notes in May and June to reduce the excessive absence total in order to attend “end of year” social events. If a student is absent for a number of consecutive days, we need to receive a doctor’s note upon a student’s return to school. Do not wait until the end of the school year to collect doctors’ notes to reduce a student’s absence/tardy total.
PROMPTNESS TO SCHOOL AND CLASS: We are trying to develop student promptness as a habit that will carry over to their jobs and their personal lives. Continued lateness will be considered a serious offense and will result in detention or other disciplinary action. Likewise, students will not be permitted to enter school late unless a parent has contacted the school and has given their son/daughter an appropriate written excuse for the tardiness. It is important to remember that there is no homeroom period. Students will report directly to their first period class each day. Since we have a rotating schedule, if a student is habitually late for school, this will negatively impact a number of classes, not just one! School begins at 7:24 a.m.
HOMEWORK: Homework is assigned regularly in every class. Please make sure that your child sets aside time for homework every afternoon or evening. Do not accept the answer, “I don’t have any”. Call the school at any time to check with the appropriate department, teacher or counselor. You may also access schoolnotes.com, which contains many of our teachers’ short term and long-term assignments.
Following is other pertinent information, constructive hints and suggestions: 1. Please encourage your child to report to the bus stop at least five minutes before the normal bus departure time 2. Emphasize the importance of punctual and regular attendance and discourage the practice of writing excuses for tardiness and absences which are not genuinely legitimate. Additionally, written excuses for absences are due on the following day and should be composed by the parent only, regardless of age of the student. Written excuses for tardiness are due upon entrance to school. A limit of two tardiness excuses will be allowed per quarter. After this limit of two excuses, detention and/or placement in the Alternative Education Program (AEP) may result. 3. Academic grade reports are issued during the following intervals: 1st quarter 9/1~11/9~report cards issued Monday, November 23, 2010
INTERIM REPORTS Monday, October 4, 2010, Wednesday, December 15, 2010, 4. Changes in student schedules shall not be entertained unless there is a serious extenuating circumstance that makes a change imperative 5. Please contact your child’s guidance counselor immediately at any suggestion of scholastic difficulty. 6. Each academic department conducts a special department night period at the conclusion of the school day. Students interested in making up work or seeking extra help are always encouraged to attend. Following is a department night schedule: *** No Friday department night except by appointment. 7. Students are promoted to the next grade based upon the appropriate collection of credits. Minimum credits required to promote to grade 10 – 4.75, grade 11 – 9.50, grade 12 – 15.25, to graduate 22. 8. Students must supply their own personal lock for their locker to alleviate losses through theft. However, we reserve the right to inspect all property assigned to them regardless of the circumstances. 9. Physical Education participation is a state requirement for all students. Only a medical authority may excuse a student from this requirement. Furthermore, students must attain a passing grade in the subject to be promoted or to graduate. Failing grades in physical education must be made up the following semester. Students must bring their own lock for physical education. Either combination or key lock is acceptable. If it is a key lock, a spare key is to be kept by the physical education teacher. 10. Attendance at summer school is granted solely per the permission of the Principal. This privilege is extended only to those whose deficiency is not the result of excessive absence without just cause.
CLASSROOM ATTENDANCE: On the first unauthorized absence from class, the student’s parents are notified and they must accompany the student for a conference with the appropriate assistant principal the following day. The student will be assigned one day of AEP or 2 consecutive Friday detentions.
SCHOOL TRUANCY: On the first offense, the student’s parents are notified and they must accompany the student for a conference with the appropriate assistant principal the following day. The student will be assigned two days of AEP and/or a series of Saturday detentions.
CELL PHONES, BEEPERS, WALKMANS, RADIOS, AND SKATEBOARDS are not permitted on school grounds. They are a source of distraction, present opportunities for theft, and lead to student/staff confrontations. Disregard of these rules will result in confiscation until the end of the school year.
SMOKING: There will be no smoking before, during or after the regular school day anywhere on school grounds. The penalty will be automatic out of school suspension followed by AEP.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Also included is any other disorder not specifically listed above which is disruptive of the educational process and would create a hazard to the safety of students or school staff. Rules and regulations specific to a particular school will be published in each school and reasonable punishments, short of suspensions, may be imposed for violation of said rules by the Principal or his designee. Unfortunately, it is necessary to point out rules and sanctions in a large school. However, the overwhelming majority of students never have a problem with a teacher or another student in the course of a school year. I am sure that with proper encouragement at home and sufficient challenge at school, your son/daughter will also have a positive, constructive school year. Parents often ask me what is necessary for their children’s success socially and academically in school. While I certainly do not have a single answer to that question, my experience over the years indicate to me that parents can encourage their children to:
Sincerely, Dennis T. Mullen
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