Gulf High School
5355 School Road
New Port Richey, FL 34652
Office of the Principal
June 2003
Dear Parent/Guardian of a GHS Student:
This will be the last parent mailing for the 2003-2004 school year.
Thank you so much for the fantastic support so many of you have given during the course of the year. I do hope your child has enjoyed the year and is looking forward to next year. Take time over the summer break to encourage your child to rest and relax and to read a book or two. Reading is the most important skill a person can acquire. Reading is the cornerstone to writing and is an essential ingredient to being able to do math. Along with a number of other important items which are enclosed is a summer reading list. Please encourage your child to refer to this list when making summer reading selections.
Report Cards
Enclosed you will find your child's final report card for the 2002-2003 school year. It is filled with very important information regarding your child's academic progress. We have tried to review each card for accuracy but errors do occur. If you find an error please call the school and leave a message for Mrs. Haynes. She will review your concern and contact you.
The front of the report card indicates grades for this school year, credits for this year, attendance for the 4th quarter, conduct feed-back, current and cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA), and possibly comment codes which teachers have completed.
The back of the report card indicates 10 items the district feels all students and parents should know. If you have a student you think will be graduating in 2004 be sure to review the back of the report card for important information.
Theme for 2003-2004: Linking Resources to Improve Student Achievement
Next year we will continue to use the same theme as we did this year. 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 lives - 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.
Dress Code for 2003-2004
As you may have been reading in the newspaper, the Pasco County dress code is being revised for next school year. We will be enforcing a strong adherence to the dress code. Therefore, when selecting tops for school be sure the student's midriff (including the back) does not ever show - this includes while sitting at the cafeteria tables. All tops must have material beyond the shoulder seam (cap sleeve). The neckline cannot dip below an imaginary line drawn from armpit to armpit. 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 (this year backless shoes will be allowed). We are trying to instill in the students the need to be clean and modestly dressed. We ask for family support in our efforts.
NoGo List
Each year many students do not return books or other items such as team uniforms or money collected from fund raisers. These non-returned items add up to quite a financial burden for the school. In an effort to collect these monies next year, GHS will have 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 for the events until they have paid their outstanding debts. 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 on country registration day (August 5) with an attachment to the student's schedule.
ID Badges for 2003-2004
We continue to insist that students wear their Identification badges. Badges are distributed within the first few weeks of the beginning of school. Wearing of ID badges is a county policy that is an additional safety precaution for the students and adults on the campus.
FCAT Results
In mid-May the newspapers ran articles which listed FCAT scores. We were very happy to see that the scores for GHS improved from last year: Up 7 points in Math (to 319) and up 6 points in Reading (to 302). The Math represents a 2.24% increase and the Reading represents a 2.02% increase.
The raw score does not always tell the full story. Upon reviewing additional data I am happy to report that GHS had very high learning gains in both Reading and math:
2002-2003 Learning Gains for Gulf High School
. School District State Reading Gr 9 20 14 8 Math Gr9 63 44 57 Reading Gr 10 138 128 110 Math Gr 10 76 76 69 Additionally, the % of students in each achievement level has been improved with fewer students in the lower levels (1,2) and more students in the higher levels (3, 4, 5)
% in Each Achievement Level
. # of
students1 2 3 4 5 Grade 9 Reading 01-02 398 49 27 15 6 3 Reading 02-03 461 44 32 15 7 3 Math 01-02 404 25 29 30 11 5 Math 02-03 458 17 31 33 15 4 Grade 10 Reading 01-02 280 39 35 16 5 5 Reading 02-03 311 32 39 17 8 4 Math 01-02 270 23 28 25 19 5 Math 02-03 307 18 20 33 27 4 Note: In a separate mailing parents should have received their child's individual results from the March administration of the FCAT.
Books Available
Each year books are left at the school or books will not longer be used due to outdated copyrights. We have placed these books on a table in the commons area outside the administrative offices. Please feel free to come to the school and take these books. Some are paperbacks, some are workbooks, and some are outdated textbooks. Some are in great shape and may be helpful in preparing for next year's courses.
Fees and Beginning of School Year 2003-2004
Registration Day for next school year will be Tuesday, August 5 - 8:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. On this day schedules should be picked up and fees paid. In a July mailing information about fees will be communicated.
The first day of classes will be Monday, August 11 - 7:40 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Enjoy the summer. Take time to read and then read some more!
Sincerely
Thomas E. Imerson
PrincipalLinking Resources to Improve Student Achievement
Return to front page