LARGO HIGH SCHOOL

PACKER BACKER

Principal Bradley Finkbiner

THE VISION

of Largo High School is to effectively prepare students for post-secondary endeavors by providing a quality education through diverse student activities, varied class offerings and meaningful experiences.

OUR MISSION

Largo High School aims to deliver positive, rigorous instruction designed to empower students’ lifelong learning, successful academic and civic engagement, global understanding, and a respect for individuals and societies.

J U N E

2 0 1 6

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Hello PackerNation!!

It is amazing that this is the last newsletter for this current school year. We have had such great things going on each month; the school year just moves by so quickly. I want to congratulate and thank all of our seniors who will be graduating June 2nd at Tropicana Field. Please make sure to come and celebrate the Class of 2016 as they leave to move on to post-secondary and career opportunities.

I want to also encourage those who need to make up any credits to sign up for Summer Bridge. Our expectation each year is for all scholars to be on track to graduate as they enter their next year. If you know that a course is needed, now is the time to sign up through Mr. Marina’s office. Our credit recovery will be held at Gulf Coast Academy, as it was last year. This is a great partnership we have with them as they are able to hold two different sessions during the day which allows more LHS scholars the opportunity to ensure that graduation is a reachable goal.

I finally want to thank our staff, our scholars, and our community for the past two years. When we began the building project, we did not know exactly what to expect. I truly believe there is no other instructional and support staff in this district that could have handled all of the distractions that come along with a project this large, and maintained their focus on what is truly important – the education of Largo High Scholars. Our scholars have been nothing but fantastic in their pursuit of their own education. Last year, our scores in each area where higher than the year before, and I am optimistic this will happen again this year. Whenever we had a situation which required immediate action (such as the tornado warning), our kids took directions and never wavered in believing that the adults had their best interest at heart. I have the upmost respect for all of our scholars for the way they handled themselves the last two years. I want to thank the families and community who continued to attend LHS even with the construction. Our numbers did not decrease from the years before, and now we see our IB and ExCEL programs have more incoming 9th graders enrolled. I thank you for your loyalty to the Packer Family.

We will open building 1 of the new school on June 13th. For the majority of the summer, only building 1 will be occupied. The rest of the campus will continue to have furniture delivered and assembled to assure we will open in August. On August 6th, we will have Packer Pride day from 9:00 am until Noon. This will give our families who will be enrolled for next year the opportunity to walk the new campus and receive a draft schedule to find their classrooms. We will have scholar guides to escort and direct our visitors. Our grand opening will be the week of our Homecoming - - more information and dates will be coming.

Please remember, the construction project is not fully completed. We will still have Ajax Construction Company on our campus as they demolish the rest of the temporary campus and begin Phase 3 which is the sports complex. We are bringing baseball, softball, and tennis on the Largo High campus. This phase is scheduled to be completed in January/February of 2017 and our stadium will be completed in the summer of 2017.

Again - - thank you so much for a great year. I cannot believe we have been in the learning cottages for two years. I am confident that our future is looking up with our new campus and the outstanding staff and programs we are implementing.

We will see you in our new home on August 6th!!!

Proud to be part of the PACK!!!

BELIEFS:

In order to accomplish our mission, Largo High

School believes:

Learning is a shared responsibility among students,

teachers, administrators and the community. With

strong parental support, LHS will provide the best

possible experiences for ALL students.

Curriculum and instructional practices incorporate a

variety of activities to accommodate different learning

styles and allow students to apply their knowledge in

meaningful contexts.

Challenging expectations and encouraging creativity,

along with a safe and supportive environment, increase

individual student performance and self-esteem.

Graduates will be prepared to positively

impact their community and successfully

meet the demands of our rapidly

changing society.

Teachers will support students in developing

character traits that include honesty,

respect, responsibility and self-motivation.

LARGO HIGH SCHOOLA D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Bradley Finkbiner, Principal finkbinerb@pcsb.org

Judith Jordan, Principal’s Secretaryjordanj@pcsb.org

OFF I CE HOURS6:45 AM - 2:30 PM

Largo High School “Packer Backer”June 2016 • Issue #4 • Published Four Times Per Year

Pinellas County School Board525 Pennyslvania Ave • Palm Harbor, FL 34683-5223

ASSISTANT PRINCIPALSJonathan Marina marinaj@pcsb.org x2114A-Ha, APA, Athetics & Activities, 5000 Role Models, Freshmen Academy

Alec Liem liemal@pcsb.org x2109He-Ma & International Baccalaureate

Nicole Wilson wilsonni@pcsb.org x2111Mc-Z, APC

Joshua Wolfenden wolfendenj@pcsb.org x2202ExCEL

GUIDANCE COUNSELORSJulie Richburg richburgj@@pcsb.org x2137A-Ha

Caitlin Wolfe wolfecai@pcsb.org x2138He-Ma & International Baccalaureate

Lauren Poggiali poggialil@pcsb.org x2177Mc-Z

Shelley Steele steelesh@pcsb.org x2182ExCEL

All attendance questions, notes and corrections for your child go to one of the support staff listed below

SUPPORT STAFFBeth Brock brockb@pcsb.org x2000Absence call-ins, PTL’s

Brenda Chevere chevereb@pcsb.org x2195All other calls

Deb Howard howardd@pcsb.org x2200ExCEL

Dr. Michael A. Grego, Superintendent

School Board MembersPeggy O’Shea, ChairpersonTerry Krassner, Vice ChairpersonJanet R. ClarkCarol J. CookRene FlowersLinda LernerKen Peluso

Officer Zimny, School Resource Officer

Largo High School410 Missouri Avenue

Largo, FL 33770

STUDENT CALENDAR

June 7: Elementary School report cards distributed

June 7: Last day of school

June 15: Middle and High School report cards distributed

PARENTS--WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Every day, we have teachers supplying students with basic items students should be bringing to school, and this adds up. It would be so kind if you could donate some of the following to help those in need:

• tissues, sanitizer, pencils, paper

Thank you!

Virginia Oliva, English Dept. LHS

PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION

Would you like to attend the next Presidential Inauguration in January of 2017? Ms. Pettingill and Mr. Kaplan are starting plans for a Largo High group to be there for this historic occasion. No details yet, but if you are interested, please email Ms. Pettingill at pettingilld@pcsb.org so you can be put on the list to get more information as it comes available.

YEARBOOK

Get your yearbook NOW. They are currently $80, cash in B4R4 or credit at Balfour.com Once the yearbooks arrive the prices goes up to $90, cash only! And when we sell out, we can NOT get more! Make sure to reserve yours today to make sure you don’t miss out AND you save $10!

VISITING JAPANESE STUDENTS

Japanese visitors from our sister school (Yamada High) will be here in October – and we need host families! Share your home for 10 days and get a new family member for life! Host families provide food and lodging for one of our visiting students for the 10 days they are here. Our visiting Japanese students will come to school every day and we will have a schedule arranged for them. Evenings and weekends are all yours! You do NOT have to speak Japanese (in fact, they are coming here to practice their English.) Students will speak some English (but don’t expect it to be fluent.) Nothing fancy required, just a bed to sleep in and a family to be a part of. As an added bonus, a group from Largo High will be visiting Yamada High in June of 2017 and students who have hosted get the first chance to be included. If you would like more information, contact Ms. Pettingill at pettingilld@pcsb.org or you can see her in room B4R4.

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ELECTRONIC DEVICES — We are working diligently to maintain the integrity of the classrooms and learning environment here at Largo High School. Parents, please do not call your students during class time. Students may have cellular telephones and other electronic devices during the school day; however, these items are to be powered off and concealed from view while class is in session (including ear buds from MP3 players). The school staff is not responsible for theft, loss, damage or vandalism to any electronic device brought onto our campus including any electronic device confiscated due to inappropriate use. Bring these devices at your own risk. Administration will not spend any time trying to search for these items if they are stolen. Once again, bring these items at your own risk. Electronic devices are only to be used during lunch.

Class of 2016

Largo High School Class of 2016 Graduation is on

June 2nd 2016 at 6:30pm at the Tropicana Field

4NO TO SKATEBOARDS! Attention parents. Skateboards are still not allowed on Pinellas County Schools buses. We will not allow skateboarding on campus AT ANY TIME.

SUMMER BRIDGE ’16 LARGO HIGH SCHOOL FAQS

WHO is this for? Summer Bridge is for students who are performing below grade level in reading or math and need extra support, or for students who are behind in credits required for graduation and need to make up core English, science, mathematics or social studies courses.

WHAT are the dates of Summer Bridge? June 20th through July 14th, 2016. Monday –Thursday. No Fridays! (20 total days)

WHEN? The time for session 1 is 8-11 am. Session 2 runs from 11:30 – 1:30 pm.

WHERE is Summer Bridge being held this year? There are two sites based upon what your scholar needs. Algebra I has two distinct programs being held at Largo Middle School. All other classes will be held at Gulf Coast Academy.

Pinellas Gulf Coast Academy Largo Middle School

1197 East Bay Dr. 155 Eighth Ave. SE

Largo, FL 33770 Largo, FL 33771-2147

So what can you tell me about these algebra boot camps? Brand new to high school freshmen will take algebra 1 Jumpstart if they have been selected by their middle school for this opportunity. See the full descriptions below:

Algebra 1 JumpstartThis program is for current eighth-graders who have not taken Algebra in middle school. Students will earn a ½ credit in an intensive and engaging mathematics program that will prepare them for success in high school Algebra and set them up for success in future math courses. Students must earn four math credits and pass the Algebra End of Course assessment to graduate with a high-school diploma. This program will help students gain skills to succeed while they are earning high school elective credit, even before their freshman year begins!

Algebra 1 EOC PreparationThis program is for current ninth, 10th and 11th graders who have failed the spring 2015 administration of the Algebra End of Course assessment. The program provides students with prescriptive assistance and practice to close gaps in algebra skills or content knowledge. Students will earn a ½ credit in an Algebra 1 Credit Recovery (elective).

HOW do we sign up? Follow these steps:

1. Go to https://reservation.pcsb.org/ and sign in with your parent portal password;

a. If you do not have a password- have your son or daughter see Ms. Parcel in records or Mr. Marina in administration and they will create a temporary password to enroll your scholar into a virtual “seat” for summer school.

2. Have your scholar pick up a hard copy form of Summer Bridge 2016 Application- Largo High School or pull it from the Largo High website;

3. Fill out the form as best you can and return it to Mr. Marina. Be sure to sign it, indicating if you were able to complete reserving the virtual “seat” in step 1;

What can my kid do now to get ahead? Our scholars have access to Grad Point every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30 – 4:30 pm here on campus in the computer lab behind the main office. Forms are available from any guidance counselor or administrator. PLEASE take advantage of this opportunity! All the work that your scholars do will transfer directly to Gulf Coast Academy. They will be ready to work on day one!

Thank you for working with us here at The Largo High School,

Jonathan Marina, Largo High School, Assistant Principal for Athletics and Activities, Freshman Academy, PTSA, 5000 Role Models, Discipline A-Ha, 727-588-3758 Ext 2114“Be the change you want to see in the world.” - Ghandi

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5SUMMER BRIDGE 2016 APPLICATION LARGO HIGH SCHOOL

Active site for all classes except Algebra I is Gulf Coast Academy

Active site for Jumpstart Math and Algebra I boot camp is Largo MIDDLE school

Student Name ______________________________________________________________ Grade __________

Student ID Number ____________________________ Parent Phone _________________________________

Student Email _________________________________ Parent Email _________________________________

A) Please list courses you need to recover. D’s and F’s can be recovered. List the course name and circle the semester you need to recover. Circle both if the entire year needs recovery.

1) ________________________ Sem 1 Sem 2 4) ________________________ Sem 1 Sem 2

2) ________________________ Sem 1 Sem 2 5) ________________________ Sem 1 Sem 2

3) ________________________Sem 1 Sem 2 6) ________________________ Sem 1 Sem 2

B) Now pick your preferred session you wish to attend. If you want to attend both sessions, please check off both of them. Gulf coast staff will do their best to accommodate your choices. If you are taking the Algebra Boot camp or Jumpstart please indicate this below as well.

_______ Session I 8 am -11 am Monday - Thursday Gulf Coast Academy

_______ Session II 11-30am-1:30 pm Monday - Thursday Gulf Coast Academy

_______ Jumpstart Algebra Monday – Thursday Largo Middle School

_______ Algebra I Boot Camp Monday – Thursday Largo Middle School

C) To ensure that your scholar has enough time to finish his/her class, we recommend that on campus credit recovery known as Grad Point be started immediately if your scholar is not currently enrolled in this program. Grad Point meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30- 4:30 pm in our computer lab directly behind the front office. Please have your scholar see their Guidance Counselor or Assistant Principal for an application. All the work done in Grad Point will transfer directly over to Gulf Coast Academy, streamlining the process and ensuring a day one start as Summer Bridge begins.

D) All rules and expectations of Pinellas County School Board are still in place, even throughout the summertime. Students must come properly dressed and ready to work, with school supplies as needed.

E) We understand that Summer Bridge is an opportunity to repair GPAs and recover credits. We understand that it is a continuation of school, and therefore the rules and expectations of the Pinellas County School Board are still in effect.

Parent Signature _____________________________________________________________________________

Student Signature ____________________________________________________________________________

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POETRY ALIVE PERFORMANCE

Largo High School recently hosted a Poetry Alive troupe during a 7th period assembly. The response from the students was more than anticipated. They gladly volunteered to participate in an Edgar Allen Poe reading acted out by the couple performing. Many other poems were brought to life and acted out by the troupe. Students afterwards were able to meet the performers, ask them questions, and offer their thoughts on the readings. One student said that this was the first time he had ever understood a poem. The LHS staff is grateful to have such gifted actors willing to volunteer their time to our scholars.

FRESHMEN ACADEMY ASSEMBLY

If your student is a part of the Freshmen Academy, then you may have noticed a new shirt and souvenir make its way home from school. College for Every Student (CFES) has been working with our scholars all year to help students plan for their futures. The shirts and souvenirs were purchased by CFES for our freshmen academy and distributed during a Freshmen Academy assembly. Buddy Farmer, a financial advisor and professor at St. Petersburg College, was also present to encourage our scholars to start making choices now that will better their future. He even offered to come back next year and meet with any of these soon-to-be sophomores who want to work towards achieving their goals. Your student will remember him as the speaker who gave away $20 to the first person willing to get out of his/her seat and take it. Largo has been blessed with organizations and community leaders truly willing to support our scholars with their time and money. If you would like to join these volunteers in making a positive impact on our scholars, please contact Jonathan Marina at marinaj@pcsb.org.

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CAFETERIA GUIDELINES

Î Walk to the end of the line Î Use inside voice Î Take only what you need – condiments, napkins Î Clean up after yourself Î Be mindful of others getting lunch and eating Î Seek assistance from adults

PARKING LOT GUIDELINES

Î Access the lot before and after school only Î Drive safely – follow the law Î Be mindful of other people and the cars in the parking lot

Î Keep the parking lot clean

HALLWAY GUIDELINES

Î Walk to the right and keep moving Î Use appropriate language Î Use inside voice Î Walk versus play Î Keep area clean Î Be mindful of others trying to get to class

If we all work together, our hallways will be safe!

GOLF

Anyone interested in playing golf for Largo High School next year, please contact Coach Steve Beck at beckst@pcsb.org for information. You will need to pick up paperwork from the school, have a physical completed on the form in the paperwork packet, and buy school insurance. Please contact Mr. Marina at marinaj@pcsb.org or Mr. Casey at caseyj@pcsb.org to get the date when the school should have the paperwork, and the insurance information for the 2016-17 school year. Tryouts will be during the first week of school. All paperwork has to be in by tryouts. There will also be a meeting the first week of school. This is a competitive Varsity sport. Expectations are that you have experience and your own equipment. Again, contact Coach Beck if you have any questions.

GIRL CROSS COUNTRY

Any girl who would like to join the Largo Girl Cross Country Team for the next year, see Coach O’Donnell in Portable 7.

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Pinellas County School Board

LARGO HIGH SCHOOL410 Missouri AvenueLargo, FL 33770

Non Profit OrganizationUS Postage Paid

Orlando, FLPermit # 2346

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NATIONAL ENGLISH HONOR SOCIETY

Largo High’s Aethelbeort Chapter of the National English Honor Society supported its mission to foster a love of language and literacy in our community this semester. We would like to thank all the adults in our lives for fostering our love of language, and we honor you by passing that love along to others. We led a Socks for Dobby service project, where we collected 392 pairs of new socks for our neighbors at the Homeless Empowerment Project in Clearwater. Copious thanks go to everyone who donated and helped with this project – we appreciate you! We also celebrated Read Across America on March 2nd by reading some of our favorite Dr. Seuss books to students in local elementary schools. Eighteen NEHS members volunteered to read to and inspire children at Bellair, Fuguitt, and Ponce de Leon Elementary Schools. We had so much fun and we look forward to continuing our partnership with these schools. April is Poetry Month, and NEHS members are hosting a free and magical, Black-Out Poetry workshop during B lunch in P26. ! Congratulations to all the Seniors who are about to graduate and move on to the next exciting adventure of your lives – we are tremendously proud of you! Allow the NEHS motto, “Duty Goes With Honor”, to guide your decisions – be joyful in your service to others and you will find that the joy stays in your heart. “It is our choices that show what we truly are far more than our abilities.” Albus Dumbledore