WELCOME PANTHERS!

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATIONFall 2012-13

BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND

Your child’s journey to college begins now

CHHS Administrative Team

PrincipalJoe Harrington

CHHS Administrative Team

• Assistant Principals

– Ted Beal

– Dr. Susan Foster

– Miranda McLaren

– Bobbe Knutz

Counselors– Lindsey Hopkins A – Ey

– Leslie Walden Ez - K

– Martha Sharp L-P

– Claudia McWhorter Q -Z

– Kay Tergerson Freshman interim counselor

CounselorsRobin Davis Student Advocate Services Specialist

Responsible for providing support services and/or outside referrals to students struggling with difficult personal relationships, ineffective or poor coping skills, substance abuse or those lacking basic needs. Supportive services include campus based support groups, substance abuse screening, Big Brother Big Sister mentoring and conflict mediation.

A Word from our Principal

Dr. Joe Harrington

Nuts and Bolts of Colleyville Heritage

Policies and General Information

We Believe…• Cultivating relationships with dignity, care and

respect

• Highly effective Instruction

• Honest, Open and Responsive communication

• Success for each student

Attendance• If student is absent a parent should call in or send a

note with student the next day.

• Parents will receive an automatic phone call if a student misses class. Make sure the number you want called is listed!

• Please bring in doctor’s notes when a student visits a physician, is in the hospital, etc.

Attendance

• Attendance for credit – The 10% Rule! – The parent or guardian will receive written notice prior to and

at such time when a student’s attendance drops below 90% of the days the class is offered.

• Semester 1 = 8 days• Semester 2 = 10 days

– A student may work with their principal to complete a plan if they have attended at least 75% but fewer than 90% of class days. At CHHS we call this Seat Time!

– If students fail to attend 90% of the class day OR do not complete seat time they will lose credit for the class even if they pass. This means your student will have to retake the course!

Parking, Pick up and School Visitation

• Traffic –– Afternoon pick up – area of parking lot near tennis courts is one

direction from Heritage to the access road– Please note that you may no longer turn left into the student parking

lot from Heritage. Students must go down to Gateway.

• When visiting campus park in circle drive, do not park in reserved numbered spots

• When entering the building please check in with main office

• If you would like to eat lunch with your child we encourage you to check them out and take them off campus. Please do not join your student in the Panther Den.

What if my child is sick?

• Make sure to call the attendance office.• Class continues…so

– Check teacher web sites for missed work– Check Skyward for missing grades– Get a Study Buddy for each class– You have ONE day for every day absent to turn in

assignments.

Medications• Prescription medicine must be given to the

nurse in the original container and will be dispensed according to package directions.– Exceptions Epi Pens and inhalers

• must have doctors signature on file in the nurses office

Medications• Students may carry non prescription

medication as long as:– The medication is in the original container– The student has a signed permission slip on

file. • Permission slips are available online or on the table in

the back as you leave the auditorium. Please return them to the nurse

Lockers• We do have lockers available for those who

want one.• Please see the receptionist in the front office if

you would like to request a locker.

Lunches• 3 lunch periods – 50 minutes long

• Students can bring or buy lunch – Free and reduced forms are available to qualifying students.

• Students may attend tutorials, make up exams, or work quietly in the library during this time.

• Students may also see their counselor during this time.

Telecommunication Device Policy• Students are permitted to use their technology

during passing periods and at lunch• A student may use their device for instructional

purposes during instructional time with the permission of the classroom teacher and in accordance with district policy.

• District employees may confiscate devices used in violation of applicable campus rules. The student or student’s parents may retrieve the device after paying the fee.

Dress Code• What Not to Wear

– If you are wearing a hat, it will be taken up and returned Friday after school.

– Don’t wear sunglasses inside

Dress Code• Don’t do this to you hair

Dress CodeWear This

Not This

Dress CodeInstead of these, wear

these please

Dress CodeSkirts and Shorts

Remember the Fingertip Rule: Arms FULLY extended to the side

Dress CodeLeggings

Leggings are ok as long as the skirt over them meets the fingertip rule. Leggings are NOT pants!

OKNot OK

Dress CodeNO Tank tops – girls or guys

Dress CodeAnd remember…

NO advertisements of alcohol, drugs or tobacco

No inappropriate content

And please wear shoes!

Dress CodeIf you are out of dress code, you will be sent to the office.

In the office, you can:Call for new clothesGo to ISS for the day

The office provides t-shirts ONLY, no pants.

Nuts and Bolts of Colleyville Heritage

The Academic Piece

Freshman Initiative• Beginning this year, freshmen students will

have a dedicated counselor and assistant principal.

• Students will participate in Freshman orientation and class meetings the first week of school.

• Kay Tergerson, Interim Counselor• Ted Beal, Assistant Principal• 9th grade teaching staff

When to contact a teacher• Your child’s grades drop• Your child does not want to attend class• Your child shares stories that seem unusual• Your child expresses concern about other students

Tutorials• Tutorials scheduled by teacher – are

usually posted on door or web site.• Teachers usually have a list of outside tutors available.

Homework and Teacher Websites• If your child misses school, he/she missed

work !• Teachers will post their assignments and

calendars on their websites. Be sure to check regularly.

School Supplies• Teachers will state the needed supplies

for their course during the first few days of school. Please ask your student what supplies they need after the first few days.

• Freshmen will be required to have one 3” 3 ring binder and tabbed dividers with pockets (one for each class).

When to contact the counselor...• To share personal information that may be

affecting your child – divorce, health issues…• Help with interpretation of test scores• To get information about career, colleges,

graduation• You see a drop in grades/ a marked change in

behavior• Unresolved issues with other students, teachers…

Setting up a counseling appointment• Your student may request an appointment

with his counselor by speaking with the counseling office receptionist. – Students are able to schedule appointments at a

time convenient for them.– We encourage parents to make their child

responsible for their own school business by scheduling their own appointments.

SKYWARD

• Parents and students have their own access codes for Skyward.

• Please be sure to check your student’s grades OFTEN. A zero will significantly effect a student’s GPA.

• You may also check your students attendance records in Skyward.

Credits• 26 state credits are required for graduation

– Review the Program of Studies for course requirements – available online.

– Credits are earned by semester.

– Check the district calendar on line for progress reports and report card dates.

– A transcript is the legal document of course completion

Transcripts

Schedule changes & level Changes

• Schedule Changes– Students may request a schedule change any time during the first

week of the semester for any class pending space availability.

• Level Changes– Students may request a level change (AP/PAP) any time during the

first week of school, pending availability. At the end of the first six-weeks of the year, students may request a level change pending tutorials, teacher contract, parent approval, attendance, and committee approval. Deadline times and dates will be posted in the counseling office. (Students will not be removed without the above interventions.) Again, all changes will be based on space availability.

The GPA Game

What really matters in the world of college admissions?

Develop a Post Secondary Plan

Freshman – Career Exploration – what do you want to be when you grow up? Select a high school curriculum that will support your goals!

Sophomore – Refine career goals and begin researching ways to achieve your goals

Junior – College entrance exams and being narrowing your post secondary options

Senior – apply, apply, apply!

Changes in GPA calculation

For students who entered grade 9 before the 2012–13 school year, the District shall include in the calculation of class rank semester grades earned in all high school credit courses taken

in grades 9–12 only, regardless of the manner or place in which they are earned, except as excluded in this policy.

* The calculation of class rank shall exclude grades earned in summer school for the purpose of credit recovery.

Beginning with students entering grade 9 in the 2012–13 school year, the District shall include in the calculation of class rank semester grades earned in all high school credit

courses taken in grades 9–12 only, except as excluded in this policy. The calculation of class rank shall exclude grades earned:

1. In summer school for the purpose of credit recovery; 2. Through credit by examination, with or without prior in- struction; or

3. Through a traditional correspondence course. This exclusion does not include courses taken through the Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN).

Changes in GPA calculation

Beginning with students entering grade 9 in the 2012–13 school year, the District shall include in the calculation of class rank semester grades earned in all high school credit courses taken in grades 9–12 only, except as excluded in this policy.

The calculation of class rank shall exclude grades earned: 1. In summer school for the purpose of credit recovery; 2. Through credit by examination, with or without prior

instruction; or 3. Through a traditional correspondence course. This

exclusion does not include courses taken through the Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN).

Get Involved! Studies show that students involved in extracurricular activities have higher

grades & universities like well-rounded students!

• Enjoy different activities such as:– Theater– Athletics– Choir– Band– Cheerleading– Pep Boys– Multicultural Club – Drill team– Student Council

Parenting Tips• Get involved – know your child’s friends

and parents• Set boundaries – you are still the parent!• Use the district, school, teacher and

counselor web sites• Participate in activities and presentations at

school• Make sure your child is getting a good

night’s sleep – not texting or watching TV!

We are a Panther TEAM!• It takes a village to raise child… student, parent, teacher, administrator,

counselor, nurse.• Check out stories that seem unusual. • Ask questions without accusing• Follow your instincts• Allow your child to learn from his/ her

mistakes

Visit our website for additional information:

www.gcisd-k12.org/chhs

Under Counselors

The Counseling Department has a Facebook page!

Search Colleyville Heritage High School Counseling

Center