July 2004

Dear Parent/Guardian and GHS Student:

The summer is about over. We here at the school are working hard hiring new faculty, enrolling new students, reorganizing facilities and making last minute preparations for the faculty and students to return. There are many important items contained in this communication.

Theme for 2004-2005: Linking Resources to Improve Student Achievement

We will continue to use the same theme as we have for the past two 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.

Beginning of the School Year

Tuesday. August 3 - Countywide Registration 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.

Also Tuesday- August 3 - 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.

Monday. August 9 - First Day of Classes - Report to first period class by 7:40 A.M. (Tardy Bell: 7:45 - Late Bell: 7:50) It would be good to arrive a bit early on this day.

Fees

Student fees for various classes will be indicated on the schedule which will be picked up on Countywide Registration Day (August 3). Fees can be paid in cash or by check (Made payable to: Gulf High School).

• The general fee is $7.00 (all are to pay this fee).
• Other fees are based upon the specific classes the student takes. If a fee is charged, semester classes have a $6.00 fee and year-long classes have an $8.00 fee.
• Hallway locker and Locks: $9.00 (Returning students may return last year's lock and receive credit - this applies Registration Day only.)
• The Driver Education fee is $20.
• Band ($25), chorus ($15), ROTC ($16) and PE Locker ($9) fees are paid to the individual teachers and are not collected on registration day.
• Parking tags ($15) are sold at school after the year begins. For the first few days of school students are allowed to park in the student lot without a tag.
• Athletic Participation fees are not collected at registration. The fees are as follows: First Sport Tryout Fee of $25 + Participation Fee of $35 = $60 (Note: Each Additional Sport: $50 - Not to exceed $200 per family) Note: All fees and forms are required on the first day of participation.

If Your Schedule is Enclosed (yellow sheet):

Enclosed is a copy of the courses which have been scheduled for the upcoming school year. These courses are based upon the most current schedule (as of July 9). 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:

• Those who did not do well on the last administration of the FCAT have been scheduled into either an Intensive Math and/or an Intensive Reading course. If this occurred an elective course was eliminated to make room for the Intensive classes.
• Some courses are not being offered due to low enrollment.
• Schedule conflicts necessitated a change in courses.

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:

Thursday, July 29, 12th Grade Only from 12:00 (noon) - 2:30 P.M.

Friday, July 30, 9th, 10th and 11th Grades Only 9:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. OR 1:30 - 3:30. Report to the Media Center on the second floor. 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.

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: (1) The student has already taken the course and passed it; (2) The student does not have the prerequisite course(s) to take the course; (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 Registration 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

The report card format which was changed last school year will continue this year. 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:

• Tardies - Since GHS has a very stringent policy about tardies, it will be important that students understand that each time they are tardy (to school or to an individual class) they will be sent to Tardy Hall. Exceptions to this are when a parent note is presented with an approved reason for absence or the student uses a free Tardy Pass found in the Student Planner. Each time this occurs it will be recorded on the student's attendance record and will then appear on the report card.
• Referrals - Each time a student is "written up" by a teacher it will be recorded on the student's report card. Referrals will be reported cumulatively through the year. Level 2 and Level 3 infractions are recorded in the student's cumulative folder at the end of the school year.
• As in the past, the report card will include additional important information: Grade/Graduation Status, GPA information, and Progress in relation to meeting Minimum District Standards in Reading, Writing, Math and Science.

It will be important for families to review each report card and to keep copies of the report cards from quarter to quarter so comparisons can be made. Report cards will be distributed on the following dates: October 20, January 12, March 30 and the final report card will be mailed on June 8.

Dress Code for 2004-2005

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 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 (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!

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, this 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 or participate 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 on county Registration Day (August 5) with an attachment to the student's schedule. Books for this coming school year will not be distributed to students who owe from previous years.

For those who are new to Gulf High School: A most hearty WELCOME! To our "oldies": WELCOME BACK! I do hope the information found in this letter will be helpful to you. If there are other questions or concerns you may have please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to LINKING with you so every student at GHS will have a most productive year.

Sincerely,
Thomas E. Imerson,
Principal

Enclosures