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July 2006
Dear GHS Parents & Students, The 2006-2007 school year is just around the corner! Here at Gulf High we are very busy preparing for the return of the faculty and students. Our student enrollment continues to climb. Yesterday the enrollment was 1,857 students and each day people are arriving! We will be welcoming approximately 250 new students and 19 new faculty members. The construction projects (Career Resource Center, guidance and cafeteria) are well underway! I hope the year will be enjoyable for all of us. Please take the time to read this communication carefully. It contains many items which apply to all parents and students. THEME FOR 2006-2007: Linking Resources to Improve Student Achievement We will continue to use the same theme as we have for the past four years. This theme certainly includes all of the ideas we wish to follow. Our students need to link to various resources - parents, teachers, counselors, other students and to the community. The adults in the student's life - parents, faculty, counselors, administrators - need to link to each other. All of us need to focus on improving student achievement. If we can each do our part I am sure we will see continued improved student achievement. AWARDS - CONGRATULATIONS GULF HIGH SCHOOL! There are only three awards given to schools by the State of Florida. I am happy to report that GHS has received all three awards! This is the first year in the school’s history this has happened! Five Star School Award - This award focuses on 5 areas: Community/Business Partnerships, Volunteers, Family Involvement, Student Community Service, and the work of the School Advisory Council (which includes attendance of the SAC members). Gulf High School is the only Pasco high school receiving this award for the 2005-2006 school year. Golden School Award - This award is given based upon adult volunteer hours. Each time a parent or community member volunteers their hours are logged. When the school has hours which equal 2 times the number of enrolled students the school receives this award. This past year we had in excess of 3,400 volunteer hours! Silver School Award - This is the first time GHS has received this award. This award is given when the school can verify student volunteer hours twice the number of the student enrollment. NEW BELL SCHEDULE In order to meet the needs of the student population (which will be about 250 more students than last year), last spring a faculty committee was organized to find ways to make full use of the classrooms. As a result of the committee’s work, it was decided to begin the school day 10 minutes earlier than last year and to have a 50 minute lunch period. Therefore, the first period will begin at 7:40 and there will be a 7 period day (with students having 6 classes + a lunch period).
IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE OPENING OF SCHOOL Wednesday, August 2 - Countywide Schedule & Fee Day (Secondary) 8:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. On this day you are asked to report to the school to pick up the student's schedule, pay fees, and secure locker assignments and bus passes. Report to the Activity Center off Madison Street. Also Wednesday, August 2 - Orientation 6:30 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. for new students (both upperclassmen and first time freshmen). This will be the time to tour the campus, meet various personnel and learn about the clubs and activities GHS offers. There is NO formal meeting. Tuesday, August 8 - First Day of Classes - Report to first period class by 7:40 A.M. (Warning Bell: 7:35 - Late Bell: 7:40) It would be good to arrive a bit early on this day. FEES Fees are optional but they are Board approved and do help offset the expenses connected with some classes and the general running of the school - specifically student recognition programs. Student fees for various classes will be indicated on the schedule which will be picked up on Countywide Schedule & Fee Day (August 2). Fees can be paid in cash or by check (made payable to: Gulf High School).
NOTE: If fees cannot be paid on Schedule & Fee Day, they may be sent to school on the first few days of school where they will be collected during the first period classes. SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL (SAC) Enclosed you will find a pamphlet outlining the duties and responsibilities of the GHS School Advisory Council. At Gulf High School this is a very important and active group. The SAC meets monthly. For the past few years, the meetings have been scheduled for the third Monday of the month and have begun at 6:00 P.M. and have concluded by 7:30 P.M. Any parent who would like to become a part of the GHS SAC should contact Mrs. Lucy DeCubellis, the Principal’s secretary, at 774-3302 or 774-3300 OR should write to the Principal expressing their interest. It is very important that people who serve on the SAC attend all meetings. In order to receive the 5 Star School Award, attendance at SAC meetings must be at 85% of the group for each meeting. If we receive a large number of volunteers for the SAC an election of members will be held at the fall open house (which has not yet been scheduled). DRESS CODE FOR 2006-2007 Since we are trying to instill in the students the need to be clean and modestly dressed, we are asking for family support in our efforts. Remember: Dress regulations are in effect 24/7 (at all times). A complete copy of the dress code is enclosed. We will be enforcing a strong adherence to the dress code. Highlights: When selecting tops for school be sure the student's midriff (including the back) does not show - this includes while sitting at the cafeteria tables. The neckline cannot dip below an imaginary line drawn from right to left armpit (no cleavage). Shorts cannot be shorter than 4 inches above the knee. Pants are to be secured at the waist and underclothing may not show. Naturally, shoes must be worn. Hats and head coverings may not be worn on the campus at any time. Adherence to dress regulations begins with the first day of school. To avoid problems (and referrals which will appear on the report card) students are encouraged to adhere to the dress code. Referrals will be written from the first day. If in doubt, do not wear the item(s) until you have checked it out! SCHEDULE CONCERNS If Your Schedule is Enclosed (yellow sheet): Enclosed is a copy of the first semester courses which have been scheduled for the upcoming school year. These courses are based upon the most current schedule (as of July 13). In some cases the courses which appear are not exactly those the student selected in March and April. Reasons for changes in courses may be any one (or a combination) of the following:
If Your Schedule is NOT Enclosed: This means your schedule has not been completed as of this mailing. We are continuing to work on schedules through the next two weeks. If you would like to have a copy of the schedule (classes only - no rooms and no teachers indicated) you may come to the school on the schedule indicated below. At that time you will be given a copy of the schedule or, if the schedule could not be finalized, you will be asked to speak to a counselor. Schedule Pick Up/Schedule Problems: At these times students may pick up their schedule and counselors will be available to work with students to correct any errors. Conferences with the counselors will be on a first come, first serve basis. Wednesday, July 26: 12:00 - 2:00 & 4:00 - 6:00 - Media Center Thursday, July 27: 8:00 - 11:00 - Media Center NOTE: Schedule Changes Schedule changes are closely monitored to insure classes do not become too large and to be sure students are meeting requirements. It was clearly stated during the registration process that course changes would not be made after the selection process. There are three reasons a schedule change can be approved: Reason # 1: The student has already taken the course and passed it; Reason # 2: The student does not have the prerequisite course(s) to take the course; Reason # 3: Another course is needed for graduation (this applies to Seniors). If, at this point, a student has a full schedule and meets one of the three criteria for a schedule change they may complete a Schedule Change Form which will be available on Schedule & Fee Day and during the first few days of school. The form will be reviewed by guidance and administration. If appropriate, the schedule will be changed as soon as possible. We cannot guarantee that the changes will be completed by the first day of school. REPORT CARDS In addition to grades, teacher comments and attendance as found on a traditional report card, the following items are a part of the quarterly report to parents:
Report cards will be distributed on the following dates: October 25, 2006; January 17, 2007; March 21, 2007; and the final report card will be mailed on June 6, 2007. All students receive Progress Reports on the following dates: September 8, 2006; November 15, 2006; February 7, 2007; and April 18, 2007. NoGo LIST Each year many students do not return books or other items such as team uniforms or money collected from fundraisers. These non returned items add up to quite a financial burden for the school. In an effort to collect these monies, GHS has a NoGo List containing the names of all students who owe from previous years. As events come up through the year, students whose names are on the list will not be allowed to purchase tickets or participate in events until they have paid their outstanding debt(s). Events will include: Homecoming Dance, Fashion Shows (homecoming and prom), Grad Night, Prom and any event during the school day for which tickets are required (i.e. talent shows, sports events, etc.). It will be very important that all debts are cleared. Note: If you owe from previous years you will be notified by mail so you may pay the fee on county Schedule & Fee Day (August 2). By state statute, textbooks may be withheld until textbook debts from previous years are paid. CONSTRUCTION We are very excited about the construction projects which are taking place this summer. The Guidance Department was completely removed and now a new guidance office with Career Resource Center is being constructed in the area of the old Guidance Department reaching out into the commons to the stairs. The cafeteria is being renovated. I am sure the students will be very pleased when all is completed. Unfortunately, as with many projects, these changes will not be completed when school opens and we will be dealing with construction through the first two months of the school year. Plans now call for :
These inconveniences will be in effect from the first day of school, so please plan accordingly. As the summer break comes to a close I encourage each family to discuss goals for the 2006-2007 school year. It has been proven that people who have a specific goal and take time to discuss that with others have a greater chance of reaching that goal. To improve academic achievement is the school’s goal and I hope it will become each student’s goal also. We are here to serve the families which make up Gulf High School. We are looking forward to a tremendous year. Most sincerely, Thomas E. Imerson Principal ENCLOSURES: |