George Washington High SchoolGeorge Washington High School

Grade Level AssemblyWednesday, August 14, 2013

Believe it or not!

Only 179 school days until you walk across the graduation stage!

Agenda Your School Principals Mission Statement Vision Statement Our School Motto Who Makes the Most Money? Eagle Academics Eagle Extra-Curricular Activities The 8-Block Schedule

Agenda / continued. Attendance Tardiness Bell Schedule / Lunch Schedule Food and Beverage Consumption Bus Transportation Campus-Wide Expectations Internet Safety Car Riders Cell Phones

Agenda / continued. Cheating / Plagiarism Promotion / Classification Graduate of Distinction Program National Honor Society Dress Code Early Release / Late Arrival Fighting Who Are My Guidance Counselors? Hall Passes Lockers

Agenda / continued. Lost and Found Make-Up Work Mid-Terms Exemption Final Exam Exemption Medications Open Defiance Parking Regulations Senior Lunch Privileges School Resource Officers (SRO) Water Bottles on School Grounds Questions & Answers

Your School Principals Mr. Jackson, Principal – Grade 12 Mr. Toomer, Assistant Principal – Grade 11 Ms. Owens, Assistant Principal – Grade 9 Ms. Shelton, Assistant Principal – Grade 10 Ms. Hawkins, SPED Coordinator

Mission Statement George Washington High School will provide

educational services of high quality that meet or exceed the needs of each student to achieve success in life.

Vision Statement George Washington High School will prepare students

to enter the world of work or post-secondary education in an effort to become productive citizens.

Our School Motto

Soaring to Greatness in “Leadership, Integrity, Character and Pride.”

Who Makes the Most Money?

High School Dropout $17,299 High School Diploma $26,933 Associate’s Degree $36,645 Bachelor’s Degree $52,671

Eagle Academics College Preparatory program Dual Enrollment Advanced Placement courses in Calculus AB,

Statistics, Environmental Science, Biology, English 11, English 12, US History, European History/World History II, Government Foreign Language

Governor’s School $2.1 million awarded in scholarships

Eagle Extracurricular Activities

GWHS has 27 Interscholastic Athletic programs available Academic Competition for Excellence (ACE) 16 of our student athletes have committed to playing at the

collegiate level Varsity Football Boys Basketball Boys Track / Girls Track Boys Golf Girls Basketball Wrestling

The 8-Block Schedule▪ Each school day is divided into approximately four 95-

minute class periods, plus a 5-minute locker period. Each class meets every other day on an “A” day schedule and “B” day schedule. Students must plan for each day in advance and check their calendars and schedules carefully.

The 8-Block Schedule / continued.

▪ All students are enrolled in 8 classes, which allows them to experience a wide variety of academic possibilities – college preparatory, Career and Technical and general education. After September 2013, there will be no non-scheduled periods in any student’s schedule.

The 8-Block Schedule / continued.

▪ The “8-Block” schedule is more than simply an innovative way of using school time. Rather, it is a scheduling system, which embraces the philosophy that it is more important to teach students to learn than to teach them facts. The “8-Block” schedule cannot be implemented simply by asking teachers to combine two of their “old” 45-minute lesson plans into one 95-minute period. The curriculum has been restructured, with some parts of the old content being discarded and teaching strategies put into place that emphasize student involvement, research and learning.

The 8-Block Schedule / continued.

The typical “8-Block” class period will be designed to include: reviews, homework assessment, presentation of new content, quiz and test time, constant feedback techniques, hands-on experiences and guided practice.

We hope our attendance rate increases and encourage you to study the attendance policy in the Student Handbook very carefully.

The staff and administration at GWHS are pleased to share the “8-Block” schedule experience with you.

Attendance School Attendance – It’s the law! Student are required by law to attend school until age

18, as stated in the Code of Virginia § 22.1-254

Attendance Late Arrival, Checkouts report to Pupil Accounting.

See Ms. Martin, Secretary Excused Absences:

1. Doctor/Medical appointment (Documentation)

2. Court appointment (Documentation)

3. Death in immediate family (Parent contact)

4. Religious holiday

5. School related activity approved by administration

Attendance / continued. An absence will only be deemed “excused” if a note is given to the

attendance officer the day the student returns to school. The note submitted to the attendance officer MUST contain the following information:

1. Full name of the student (PRINTED)2. Exact reason for the absence, including date of the

absence3. Student’s grade level4. Phone number (home and work) of the person writing the note5. Signature of the person excusing the student

Tardiness It is important for all

students to be in the classroom “ready to work” when the tardy bell rings. Students who are not in the classroom when the bell rings will be considered “tardy.”

Tardy Consequences 1st Offense: Verbal Warning 2nd Offense: Documented parent phone call by teacher 3rd Offense: Discipline referral and administrative letter 4th Offense: Teacher assigned Lunch Detention 5th Offense: Referral, 1-day of ISS for that particular

class Subsequent tardy: See Student Handbook, page 16

Bell Schedule 08:10 a.m. – Locker Bell 08:15 a.m. – Warning Bell 08:20 a.m. – Tardy Bell 08:20 a.m.-09:50 a.m. – 1st Block 09:55 a.m.-11:30 a.m. – 2nd Block 3rd Block – See Next Slide 01:45 p.m.-03:20 p.m. – 4th Block

What Lunch Do You Have? 1st Lunch 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 3rd Block Class 12:05 p.m.-01:40 p.m.

– E-Wing– A-Wing

What Lunch Do You Have? 3rd Block Class 11:35 a.m.-12:20 p.m. 2nd Lunch 12:20 p.m.-12:50 p.m. 3rd Block Class/Continued. 12:55 p.m.-01:40 p.m.

– N101– Basement– C-Wing– W-Wing

What Lunch Do You Have? 3rd Lunch 01:10 p.m.-01:40 p.m. 3rd Block Class 11:35 a.m.-01:10 p.m.

– CTE– Gymnasium– S-Wing

Food and Beverage Consumption

All food and beverages must be consumed in the cafeteria. Students who bring lunches from home must also consume this food in the cafeteria.

The administration is researching the feasibility of extending the privilege of students having lunch in the courtyard. This will an opportunity for each student to demonstrate PRIDE for our school.

Food and drinks purchased from outside vendors or restaurants are prohibited on school grounds.

Selling candy or other food items are prohibited by individuals not associated with an approved campus club.

Bus Transportation Riding the bus is a privilege When the dismissal bell

sounds, walk orderly and quickly to your designated bus

If you’re late, you will most likely be left behind

Campus-Wide Rules and Expectations

Be SafeBe ResponsibleBe Respectful

Be Safe … Keep hands and feet to self; Know emergency drills; Walk quietly into classroom, library, auditorium, computer lab

and find seat; Keep chair legs flat on floor; Walk to the right side of the hallway; Know your PIN number; Never share your PIN number with another student(s); and Follow directions first time given.

Be Responsible … Turn off and put away cell phone or electronic device; Be prepared and participate in class; Take out materials for class; Make good choices; Accept ownership of your actions; Do not leave the room unless permission is given by teacher; Have materials organized; Always try to do your best; Respect privacy; Report problems to campus security, administrator, SRO; and Accept consequences without arguing or complaining.

Be Respectful … Listen politely; Follow teachers’ directives; Respect others thoughts/opinions; Talk with an appropriate volume and respectful tone; Raise your hand to speak and wait patiently; Ask permission to use things that don’t belong to you; Keep assigned area clean, including desk; Discard trash appropriately; clean up eating area; Don’t cut the lunch line; Use good table manners; and Use a “restaurant” voice in the cafeteria.

Internet Safety I WILL NEVER …

1. Give out my name or my parent’s names.2. Give out my address or phone number.3. Send or receive pictures from anyone4. Give my e-mail address or password to anyone.5. Get together with anyone I meet on the Internet.

I will tell my parents if I get a message that is mean or makes me feel uncomfortable.

Car Riders Car riders should be dropped off and picked up in

the Gymnasium/Cafeteria parking lot only.

Cell Phone Usage GWHS is NOT responsible for items lost or stolen. Music playing devices must be used with headphones

or ear buds. Music playing devices may be used during limited times during the school day.

Cell phones may be used during limited times during the school day.

This Usage Policy will operate on a “trial basis” only from August 12-December 13, 2013.

Cell Phone Usage Cell phones may NOT be used during class time. Can I use my cell phone if I have a note to report to the

restroom, guidance, main office, library, etc., etc., etc.? Answer – “NO!” Remember, cell phones may not be used during class (instructional) time.

When the Warning Bell sounds, cell phones and all electronic devices must be powered down and put away.

Cell Phone Usage No calls may be placed during the lunch block as most

students are in class at that time, only before first lunch and after the last lunch.

Absolutely no pictures shall be taken during the school day.

Students are not permitted to possess a cell phone or electronic device during SOL testing, PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP, or teacher-made tests/quizzes.

Cheating / Plagiarism Cheating directly undermines the integrity of the

educational process and will not be accepted or condoned by any teacher.

Cheating corrupts true learning and denies fair evaluation of all students.

Consequences: No credit for that particular work and disciplinary referral

Promotion / Classification Promotion is based upon EARNED credits: To be classified as a 10th grader, a student must have earned a

minimum of five (5) standard units of credit. To be classified as an 11th grader, a student must have earned a

minimum of eleven (11) standard units of credit to include ninth and tenth grade English, and three (3) verified units of credit.

To be classified as a 12th grader, a student must have earned a minimum of seventeen (17) standard units of credit, one of which must be eleventh grade English, have five (5) verified units of credit to include the End-of-Course SOL English 11-Reading, English 11-Writing, and one (1) EOC SOL Mathematics.

Graduate of Distinction The Graduate of Distinction program is designed to

recognize those students who have demonstrated the characteristics and traits necessary to be a successful high school student.

These are the same characteristics and traits that form the foundation for a successful post-secondary life.

For more information, please refer to page 28 of the 2013-2014 Student Handbook.

National Honor Society Membership is an honor bestowed upon a student. Selection is based on outstanding scholarship, character,

leadership, and service. Candidate must have been in attendance at GWHS the

equivalent of one semester. Candidate must have a cumulative scholastic average of at least

a 3.25 as determined by GWHS weighted ranking system. Any disciplinary offense is considered a flagrant violation of

school rules; therefore, no warning is necessary for dismissal.

Dress Code (1 of 3 slides)

The administration, faculty and staff of GWHS feel that young adults will want to take pride in their appearance and dress.

Through the dress code, we seek to protect you and to prepare you for the expectations of the work and academic worlds beyond high school. Dress with self-respect and decency in mind.

Dress Code (2 of 3 slides)

Hats and headdresses of any kind are not be worn in school building during the regular school day. Hats worn in the building will be confiscated.

Clothing which advertises controlled substances and/or tobacco products are not permitted in school. Likewise, clothing with vulgar language and/or weapons are not to be worn.

Students must wear shoes. Sunglasses are not permitted to be worn. Bandanas, bandana print paraphernalia, gang insignia and

tagging of any sort are not allowed at school, on any book, book bag, skin or any other item.

Dress Code (3 of 3 slides)

SHIRTS: The neckline of all garments must not be low or revealing. The shoulder seam of the garment must be at least 2 inches wide and be worn on the natural shoulder. While standing, no skin may show at the waistline, front or back.

BOTTOMS: The top layer of dresses, shorts and skirts must hang at the knee at all times. Jeggings, Leggings, Yoga pants or bike shorts may not be worn. No sagging pants, no undergarments may be visible at any time. No holes in jeans above the knee.

No see-through fabric allowed.

Dress Code Consequences 1st Offense – WARNING; Student is sent to office either to

change or have parent bring appropriate clothing. If clothing is not changed, student will be sent to In-School Suspension (ISS) for the remainder of the school day.

2nd Offense – 1 day ISS 3rd Offense – 1 day Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) 4th Offense – 3 days OSS 5th Offense – 5 days OSS 6th Offense – 7 days OSS

Early Release / Late Arrival Students will only be granted Early Release or Late Arrival

based solely on the following conditions. DPS established these conditions in an effort to ensure that time spent away from school is meaningful and will advance the students in their future endeavors:

– The student is enrolled in a college course at Danville Community College (DCC) or online;

– The student is enrolled in an internship with a local business or organization;

– The student is gainfully employed.– Supportive documentation is required for verification.

Fighting Fighting will not be tolerated on school grounds. Neither verbal

nor physical confrontations will be tolerated and both will result in a referral. Students are encouraged to seek mediation through the guidance office, an administrator, or School Resource Officer (SRO) prior to escalation.

Major physical confrontations will result in a maximum of ten (10) days out-of-school suspension for the first offense with a recommendation to the Disciplinary Hearing and Review Board for a long-term suspension for the remainder of the school year.

Who Is My Guidance Counselor?

Mr. Geyer Grade 9: Health Careers Academy (HCA) Grade 10: HCA and Technology Studies Academy

(TSA) Grade 11: HCA and TSA Grade 12: HCA and TSA

Who Is My Guidance Counselor?

Ms. McKinnie Grade 9: G – M Grade 10: H – M Grade 11: C, K – Q Grade 12: C, L – R

Who Is My Guidance Counselor?

Ms. Lyons Grade 9: N – Z Grade 10: N – Z Grade 11: A, D, E, R – Z Grade 12: A, D, E, S – Z

Who Is My Guidance Counselor?

Mr. Wilkes Grade 9: A – F Grade 10: A – G Grade 11: B, F – J Grade 12: F, F – K

College Advisor

Ms. Quilpa College Prep Academic Presentation Resources SAT and ACT Registration Financial Aid FAFSA

Hall Passes Hall passes are REQUIRED

when students are dismissed from class during scheduled class time.

Hall passes must be properly filled out to be valid, and must be shown to school personnel upon request.

Lockers Student lockers are property of the school and remain at all

times under the control of the school; however, students are expected to assume full responsibility for the security of their lockers.

Do not share your locker with anyone, including your locker combination.

Periodic general inspections of lockers may be conducted by school authorities for any reason, at any time, without notice, without student consent, and without a search warrant.

Lost and Found During the course of the school year, many articles are

lost or misplaced. If a student finds an article, it should be delivered immediately to the Campus Security Desk.

If the loss is reported to the student’s teacher when the article is discovered missing, attempts will be made to locate lost articles.

Make-Up Work Students who are absent from school or classes are responsible

for making up work missed during their absences. Students will be granted one (1) day to make up work for every

day absent, unless the individual teacher gives permission to extend the time.

If this procedure is not followed, the teacher is not required to accept the work.

It is the student’s responsibility to get the work from the teacher.

Medication Students are not to take prescription or non-

prescription medicines at school except as provided for by the guidelines set forth by Danville Public Schools.

No medicine will be given at school without prior written parental consent and the student’s own medication.

Students are NEVER to be in POSSESSION of over-the-counter medication or prescription medications.

Mid-Term Exams There will be no

exam exemption for mid-term examinations.

Final Exam Exemption Any student in Grade 9 through Grade 12 who has a course

average of at least a “C” (i.e., 77-85) or better computed prior to the exam and has had no more than six (6) cumulative absences during the school term may be exempt from the final examination in a class.

In order to offer an incentive for students to succeed on the EOC SOL tests, a point system was created where students can earn credit towards their final exam grade. Refer to page 31-32 of the 2013-2014 Student Handbook for more details.

Open Defiance / Disrespect No student shall show disrespect towards a staff member or another

student. Disrespect includes abusive language to staff members and students. Any student who disobeys a reasonable or otherwise openly defies a

school staff member shall be subject to out-of-school suspension and considered for expulsion.

The minimum penalty is some type of suspension; the maximum penalty is three (3) days of OSS.

Failing to give a staff member your correct name will be considered an act of defiance, resulting in at least one (1) day of out-of-school suspension.

Parking Lot Regulations Parking Permits may be purchased at the Security

Desk at $15.00 each. Senior Parking Only – Parking lot across from Broad

Street Junior, Sophomore, Freshman Parking – Gymnasium

parking lot, Technology Studies Building parking lot (Vocational Building), or Christopher Lane parking lot.

DO NOT PARK IN THE AUDITORIUM PARKING LOT

Senior Lunch Privileges Absolutely NO UNDERCLASSMEN have the privilege to leave

campus for lunch. Any student leaving school grounds for lunch will not be covered

by school insurance. Students are prohibited from bringing food purchased off

campus at lunch back to the school for consumption. All tardies resulting from students leaving campus for lunch will

be recorded as “unexcused.” Seniors are held responsible for students riding in their vehicles.

Violations of Senior Lunch Privileges

Seniors who leave campus with a Non-GWHS person(s). Failure to return to campus on time from lunch. Bringing food and/or beverage on school grounds from outside

vendors or restaurants. Consequences:

1st Offense: The senior student is restricted to having his or her lunch in the cafeteria for one semester and one day of ISS.2nd Offense: The senior student in violation is assigned a 1-day OSS. The student is issued a restriction to the cafeteria for the remainder of the school year (with assigned seating).

School Resource Officer The School Resource Officer

(SRO) program is designed to provide a liaison between school and law enforcement.

The major purposes of the program are to facilitate communication and foster positive relationships.

Water Bottles Students are permitted to only bring water in a clear

water bottle to school.

Questions & Answers

A Diploma. Don’t Leave School Without One!