Dear GHS Parents/Guardians,

The first semester is quickly drawing to a close. Second quarter Progress Reports were distributed to all students on Wednesday, November 17. The first semester will end on Friday, December 17 - that's only four weeks away! The Winter Holiday will be from after school on, Friday, December 17 through the return of students on Tuesday, January 4.

Semester Exam Schedule

Exam days will be Tuesday, December 14 (periods 1 & 4), Wednesday, December 15 (periods 2 & 5) and Thursday, December 16 (periods 3 & 6). Friday, December 17, will be a make-up day. December 17 is a regular day of school.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

We are very pleased to announce that the Pre-IB Program has been approved by the Pasco County School Board to be located at Gulf High School. This academically challenging program is for students on the west side of the county. GHS will draw students for the program from attendance zones of Hudson High, River Ridge High, Mitchell High and Ridgewood High. The program will begin enrolling 9th graders with the next school year (2006-2006 - current 8th graders). During the next two school years GHS will develop a Pre-IB Program to serve 9th and 10th graders. The plan is to begin a full IB Program when the students move into 11th grade.

Dr. Debra Lepley has been transferred from Ridgewood High School (where she has been on staff since 1987 - as an art teacher and then, for the past 5 years, as an Assistant Principal). In addition to other duties, Dr. Lepley will be the Assistant Principal for the IB Program. We are very happy to welcome Dr. Lepley to GHS! If you would like to discuss the program with her please call her (774-3311), e-mail her (dlepley@pasco.k12.fl.us), fax her (774-3391) or call the school's general number (774-3300) and leave a message for her.

Discipline Issues

Please refer to the enclosed white sheet regarding two items of concern. Your assistance in reading this material and discussing it with you child is needed.

School Store

Please refer to the back of this letter to learn more about our school store. Some of the items in the store may make good Holiday gifts.

2003-2004 School Profile

Enclosed is the annual School Profile. This publication is done to inform parents and the community about GHS. Highlights include: The Superintendent's Message, The Principal's Message, The School Mission Statement, Results of the annual Parent Survey and the Continuous Improvement Plan Results.

As the New Year (2005!) approaches I ask you for the same wonderful support next year as you have given this year. I wish each of you a very Happy Holiday season.

Sincerely,
Thomas E. Imerson, Principal

We are asking that parents "link" with the school and their children by discussing these issues both of which relate to having a safe and orderly environment

DISCIPLINE ISSUES

ISSUE ONE: Smoking

This issue has been with schools for many years and continues to be a challenge. This was the number one discipline concern of students when they were surveyed last school year for our upcoming southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) visitation.

In response to this concern we have remodeled the first floor restrooms and have hired additional personnel to supervise the campus. During the school day we have restricted restroom use to those on the first floor. Additionally, the curriculum addresses the health hazards of smoking.

Those who are caught smoking are assigned In School Suspension and are issued a State of Florida civil infraction which requires a 2 hour anti-tobacco class at a cost of $10 plus a $25 fine. If the fine is not paid and the course is not take the student's name is reported to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The student's driver's license is suspended or, if the student does not have a license, he/she cannot get a license until the fine is paid and the class is taken.

Parents please take time to discuss this issue with your child. In addition to the above you might want to do a math question. For example: If a car costs $4,000 and a pack of cigarettes costs $3.00 and a person smokes 1 pack each day how many days will it take to pay for the car if the person stops smoking? Add other information and look for ways to engage students in the discussion.

ISSUE TWO: Physical and Verbal Confrontations

Some confrontations are not unusual at a large high school. However, whatever can be done to minimize conflicts should be attempted.

We have taken the following actions to impress upon students the importance of solving their problems in appropriate ways: (1) each student was issued a Student Planner which was reviewed in all first period classes; (2) during August the administration met with all students in small groups and discussed rules and regulations; (3) a special announcement stressing the need to refrain from verbal and physical abuse was made on October 25 (See the reverse side of this memo).

We have been taking a strong stand regarding confrontations and intend to continue to take actions to reduce violence. In November the School Advisory Council approved Lottery funds to create an Anger Management Program to help students learn ways to solve problems without confrontations. If you feel your child would benefit from such a program please contact Mrs. Haynes, Assistant Principal for Student Services.

Parents need to take an active role in this effort. Please do not tell your child that retaliation is appropriate. It is not acceptable for students to engage in verbal or physical fighting. Such action increases the problem and can lead to very serious consequences. In fact, any fighting can be considered battery. This is not to say students may not act in self-defense. However, self-defense is trying to escape a potentially dangerous situation. Self-defense is not retaliation!