Gulf High School
5355 School Road
New Port Richey, FL 34685
Ph 774-3300

November 2003

Dear GHS Parent/Guardian,

Here it is almost Thanksgiving! So many great things are happening here at GHS it is hard to decide which items should be included in my letter.

First Quarter Grades

We are happy to report that 472 students were on the first quarter honor rolls. This represents 31% of the student body! The breakdowns by class are:

Grade	Total Enrollment	Number / % 3.20-3.999	Number / % 4.00+	Number / % Totals Honor Roll
9	582	113 19%	22 4%	135 23%
10	408	106 26%	12 3%	118 29%
11	298	89 30%	24 8%	113 38%
12	231	80 35%	26 11%	106 46%
Total	1519			472 31%

Progress Reports

This last Monday (November 17) the second quarter progress reports were distributed. All students were issued a report. Parents are encouraged to review these. They give an indication of how well the student is doing (or not doing) at this point in the quarter.

Facility Renovations and Construction

I am very happy to report that construction projects continue to move forward. Air conditioning has been installed in the PE locker rooms.

Last year a new locker room was approved in concept and at this point contracts for the construction of the new building are being negotiated. In preparation for the new facility other areas are undergoing major changes. The free-standing building south of the home football bleachers has become a wrestling room and the locker room under the home bleachers has been renovated to make room for a new weight room.

These two projects were the result of a concerted effort by many individuals: students, teachers and community volunteers. Go to the GHS web site (GulfHigh.org) to see pictures of these projects!

The next phase will be construction of the new locker room. Plans have been drawn and we are hopeful that the construction will begin soon.

GHS was in great need and thankfully we are able to see these projects becoming reality.

Sports Recognitions

We are very pleased with the results of our fall sports records. Many are to be congratulated: Students, coaches, parents and the many community people who supported us. In the next issue of the Gulf High Gazette more information will be included. This publication is very full already. Thanks to everyone for their support!

Clinic

Mrs. Schneider, our clinic assistant, continues to be very busy. Through October 3: 839 students had visited the clinic for medical reasons. Of these 685 returned to class and 154 students were sent home. Phone calls to parents: 201. Early Dismissals: 316!

Regarding Early Dismissals: To save waiting time and frustration, we ask that students be given a note for planned early dismissals. Students should then present the note in the clinic before school. Mrs. Schneider can then process the dismissal forms prior to parents arriving on campus to pick up the student. Following the above procedures should decrease parent inconvenience and classroom interruptions.

Guidance Items

The Guidance Counselors and Career Specialist continue to meet with students individually and in groups. As of November 5: 87 new students have been registered, 43 parent/teacher conferences have been held, and 35 parent/counselor conferences have been held. The phone number for guidance is (727) 774-3330.

Some Happenings Through Guidance

Career & Academic Planning forms have been completed with 10th graders and will be done with 9th and 11th graders by January. These forms are used in the registration process for the next school year.

Credit Check (10th, 11th & 12th): The credit check includes information about various scholarship programs (i.e. Florida Bright Futures)

PLAN Test was given and interpretation for 10th grade was completed on November 3.

PSAT for selected 9th, 10th, and 11th graders. A PSAT seminar was held prior to the test's administration. The interpretation will be done on December 12.

Facts.org & Scholarship Applications have been discussed with the 12th graders. Local Scholarship Applications are due November 21. The Scholarships Scoop come out periodically.

On December 12th: Seniors will go to the computer lab to complete the State Student Financial Aid Application.

ASVAB - Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, which is a very good interest inventory, was administered to the 11th and 12th graders who chose to take the inventory. The results were given out on November 14.

Enclosures

Release Form for Publication of Student Information: Please sign this form and return it to the school. Kids love to be on the web site and very soon we will limit pictures to only those who have this form on file.

Additional Enclosures: 10th grade - PLAN test information; 11th grade - Check List; 12 grade - Scholarship information, check list.

Phone Messages

We are receiving many many phone calls to deliver messages to students. Although we want to be service oriented, please limit these requests. We attempt to call students over the PA at about 10:35 and again at 1:55. Please remember that students may not hear or may not respond to the PA announcements. Our office staff does its best, but ultimately the staff should not be held responsible for undelivered messages.

Pre-Paid Breakfast & Lunch

The cafeteria offers a pre-paid plan. Those wishing to participate may send a check (made payable to: Gulf High School). The student's name and ID number should be on the check. The check should be turned in at the cafeteria and the student's account will immediately be credited with that amount.

ID Badges and Tardiness

These two issues continue to be a challenge!

The ID badges are required by the Pasco County School Board policy. They serve as a safety precaution.

We need to know who is on the campus.

Lateness is a problem in every workplace. GHS is no exception. The Tardy Hall helps to make students and parents aware of how many times students have been tardy to school and class. The Tardy Hall procedure was established to limit the number of classroom interruptions. Continual tardiness can lead to ISS and OSS (when it becomes an issue of defiance). Note: Tardies appear on the student's report card.

I do hope you are finding our many communications helpful and informative. We are here to assist. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
Thomas E. Imerson, Principal

Enclosures

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