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December 2006
Dear GHS Parent/Guardian, The first semester is almost over and 2007 is just around the corner. The year has gone by so quickly and many wonderful things have happened here at GHS during 2006! I thank each of you for the support you have given to Gulf High. I am happy to report that, after two years of work, the visiting team for International Baccalaureate of North America came to the school on November 27 and 28 to evaluate our work. As a result of our application and the team's visit we will be notified by April of the standing of the GHS IB Program. During their two day visitation they had the opportunity to meet and speak with students, parents, GHS teachers and administrators, and with Mrs. Heather Fiorentino, Pasco Superintendent of Schools, and Mr. James Davis, Assistant Superintendent. Before departing, the visiting team expressed appreciation and gave praise to all who had a part in the GHS IB Program. We are hopeful all of our work will prove worthwhile and the program will be officially sanctioned for the Class of 2009 (our rising Juniors). We currently have 125 students in grades 9 and 10 who are in our PIB Learning Community (PIB: Program to Identify Baccalaureate Students). This is one of many programs GHS supports to meet the needs of individual students who wish to have a rigorous academic curriculum. As the first semester comes to a close (on December 21) students need to prepare for their exams. Exams for each course will be given over a two-day period (part 1 on the first day, and part 2, if needed, on the second day) with academic disciplines pre-assigned to specific days. WE WILL BE ON A REGULAR BELL SCHEDULE EACH DAY. All teachers are asked to give some kind of comprehensive review. Weighted courses (honors, AP, IB) must give a comprehensive review. In these classes the exam grade appears on the report card and is figured as 15% of the semester grade. In other courses the exam grade becomes part of the 2nd quarter grade and the two quarter grades are averaged to determine the semester grade.
We hope each student will take the exams seriously. Our facility continues to become more and more updated! The Guidance Department and Career Resource Center are now open and being used daily. The cafeteria renovation has been stalled awaiting the arrival of the new serving lines. The installation is now scheduled for the end of this month! At the stadium new handicapped bleachers are being installed. We are also in negotiations about the widening of School Road which will include some new sidewalks and safer approaches to the school. GHS is "on the move" thanks to the Penny for Pasco and the support of many community and district people. Important Dates: 2006
December 13, 14, 18, 19, 20 & 21: Exam Days 2007 January 8 - No School for Students - Teacher Plan Day I want to encourage each of you to go to gulfhigh.org each day. The web site is great and offers a great deal of information about all phases of the school. Special thanks to Mr. Jeff Miller, math teacher, for all of his effort in creating the site and keeping the information current. As 2006 comes to a close I want to wish each of you a very Happy New Year. Because of you, it is great being the principal of GHS. Most sincerely, |