Welcome to Western Branch High!

1. Welcome to Western Branch High! WBHS Freshman Orientation August 28, 2013 Home of the Bruins!

2. Introduction Principal – Dr. Thomas A. Whitley Introduction of Administrators

3. Western Branch High School PTSA “everyVoice.Connected” 2013- 2014 PTSA Officers President Kymberly Pool 1st Vice President Alicia Hurdle 2nd Vice President Cheryl Creekmore Corresponding Secretary Leah Gottlieb Recording Secretary Ziette Hayes Treasurer Heather Bowen Financial Secretary Kim Barbish • Take advantage of merchant discounts • Take advantage of great opportunities (Scholarships, Reflections Program, Volunteer…) • Know what is happening at your school • Share parenting tips • Connect with parents, teachers, & students Join Today, Every One Connected!! wbhsptsa.org

4. Arriving at WBH Student drop off is designated for the Auditorium Entrance in the front of the building Students arriving at school after 8:40 may be dropped off at the front entrance and should proceed to the tardy table or attendance to receive a late pass

5. Buses Buses will drop off and pick up at the back of the school near the stadium Students are to ride designated bus Any bus change must be requested in writing and approved by an administrator. The note should include bus numbers as well as a parent phone number to help administrators verify the change

6. THE SCHOOL DRESS CODE AND YOU!

7. LEGGINGS, TIGHTS, JEGGINGS, YOGA PANTS OR SPANDEX CANNOT BE WORN AS PANTS. THESE ITEMS ARE TOO REVEALING. * LEGGINGS WORN AS PANTS; TOP DOES NOT MEET REQUIRED LENGTH

8. TIGHTS OR LEGGINGS DO NOT ALTER THE REQUIRED LENGTH OF SHORTS, SKIRTS, DRESSES OR TOPS– GARMENTS MUST STILL MEET THE 3INCH RULE

9. REMEMBER: ALL SKIRTS, DRESSES AND SHORTS SHOULD MEET THE THREE-INCH LENGTH REQUIREMENT

10. TUBE SKIRTS AND TUBE DRESSES ARE TOO REVEALING; THEY ARE USUALLY MADE OF SPANDEX AND ARE BY NATURE TIGHT AND SHORT

11. SHOULDER STRAPS MUST BE AT LEAST THREE-FINGERS WIDTH. ONE- SHOULDER TOPS, SPAGHETTI STRAPS AND MIDRIFF-BARING TOPS ARE NOT APPROPRIATE

12. CLOTHING SHOULD BE IN GOOD REPAIR; JEANS AND/OR PANTS SHOULD NOT HAVE HOLES

13. PANTS SHOULD BE SECURED AT THE WAIST; UNDERGARMENTS SHOULD NOT BE VISIBLE

14. IN ALL CASES, WEARING REVEALING OR INAPPROPRIATE CLOTHING WILL RESULT IN REMOVAL FROM THE GENERAL STUDENT POPULATION UNTIL PROPERLY DRESSED. STUDENTS WHO ARE REPEAT OFFENDERS WILL FACE HARSHER CONSEQUENCES.

15. Tardy Policy • Location: M Hall for tardy passes • Lunch: If late for lunch you will receive a tardy. • Recorded by semester • Miss 30mins of class=absence • Tardies - 6,7=ISS • Tardy 8= OSS

16. Good Morning Bruins…

17. Technology at WBHS • Technology Rich • Every room – SMART Boards, • 1:2 ratio of computers to students • Webpage – www.westernbranchhigh.com • Edline – www.edline.net or link from WBHS Page • Parents Account • Student Account

18. Grades Numerical Conversion Ten-Point Conversion Conversion Scale

19. Grades • Final Grade Calculation • Year long course terms – even terms only • Two credit classes – all terms count • Homework – max. 20% of grade . Must be completed in reasonable time • Grade of Zero if student cheats, skips class or fails to complete assignment • Impact of Zero (0) on grades • One zero takes 3 scores of 100 to bring to a passing level • A grade of fifty (50) only takes 3 scores of 83 to bring to a passing level– something better than nothing

20. PE Uniforms and Lockers • Required Physical Education uniform: • Bruin shorts, Bruin shirt, Athletic shoes and socks. • Uniform prices are as follows: • Shirts: $4 (Small to XL) $5 (2X and 3X) $6 (4X) • 7” Shorts: $7 (Small to 2X) $10 (3X) $11 (4X) • 9” Shorts: $ • Students can purchase their P.E. uniform from their Physical Education teacher the first week of class (either Fall or Spring). • A Locker Room is available for students to use during their P.E. class. All items in the locker must be removed at the end of class each day. • Students are strongly recommended to bring a key or combination lock to secure all belongings.

21. Lockers Lockers will be assigned on the first day of school from the first block teacher. Students will keep the same locker the entire school year.

22. Homework Levels • Honors = Avg. 30-45min. Per subject, per night • Non-honors core = Avg. 20-30min

23. Extended days • Be on time • Have 90min of work • Have signed extended day slip from teacher • WBHS rules apply

24. Attendance Procedure • Parents notify the school if your child is absent. Please call 484-9247 before 9:30 AM • Parental notes to homeroom teachers required for: • Students upon return from absence return to school. • Students early dismissal (include the reason and means of transportation • Students who arrive late report directly to the attendance office. • Students missing more than 30 minutes of class are considered absent.

25. Attendance and Grades • Missing more than 9 days of a semester will fail the course and not earn credit • Extended Day • Help students who could fail courses due to excessive absences. • May redeem up to four days per course during a semester • Dates and times for the extended day program on school website

26. Code of Conduct CELL PHONE USE Violations, AND VERBAL/PHYSICAL ALTERCATIONS WILL RESULT IN SUSPENSION!!! DEFIANCE, DISRESPECT, CLASSROOM DISRUPTION,

27. Electronic Devices • BYOD • Must be educational use only • School provided Internet access • Permission slip – See Media Specialists • Red / Yellow / Green Zones

28. BYOD Responsibilities • Student’s Responsibilities: • Register their device with the media center if they intend to use it. • Present their registration card/sticker to any teacher allowing device usage when they ask for it. • Ensure they device is turned off and either stored in locker or backpack when not in authorized classrooms or media center. • Ensure device is in “airplane mode” while in authorized classrooms. Wifi may be turned on for smartphones, tablets and laptops. • Use the device only in green or yellow zones as authorized.

29. BYOD Responsibilities • Teacher responsibilities: • Let students and parents know your intent on if you will allow the use of personal devices in the classroom on your syllabus (as a minimum). • Ensure device usage is solely for instructional purposes. • Ensure device usage fully follows school board and administration policy. • Verify that students have authorization to use devices • Provide opportunities for students with and without devices

30. BYOD Responsibilities • Administration responsibilities: • Encourage the use of the devices within set guidelines • Support the faculty in their individual decisions to allow/disallow usage. • Ensure clear and consistent enforcement of device policy. • Provide opportunities for faculty to learn how to properly utilize their devices.

31. BYOD RED ZONES CELL PHONE USE NOT PERMITTED *Cafeteria *Between classes in hallways *Before school *Classroom that teachers prohibit use *Bathrooms and Locker rooms

32. BYOD • Yellow Zones • Classrooms and Media Center when allowed by Teacher • Must have signed permission form on file • Green Zones- Cell phone use allowed • * After school at 3:38 anywhere in building

33. Guidance Guidance Director – Ms. Tammy Strek Counselors • A - CLMs. Millicent Lee - Career Counselor, CT, CCST & Governor’s School for the Arts • CO – GO Ms. Dianna Ransom, Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) • GR - KMrs. Carol Vaughan • L - PAR Mrs. Kate Lennon • PAT - SOMrs. Amy Legg • SP – Z Mrs. Eve Bell Guidance SecretaryMrs. Ann Turner Records ClerkMrs. Anna Van Laethem Testing ClerkBeth Somers

34. Guidance • Edline – Combined reporteach Wednesday • Guidance Bulletin • CPS Secondary Catalog 2013 – on website • Graduation Requirements, Grading Scale, Course explanations • Parent/Teacher conferences • Contact student’s counselor to arrange meeting • Ph. 638-7908

35. Open House • Sept 9th • 6:30 PM – PTSA Meeting followed by Open House

36. Media Center • Hours 8-4 everyday • Policy: NO FOOD and DRINKS ALLOWED • Make-Up Center: Tues and Thurs • Lunch Pass: attain through media staff before lunch (not available first week of school)

37. School Store / Chick-fil-a Located on M Hall, in front of the auditorium Open before school and during lunches School supplies, clothing, spirit items, gift items Chick-fil-a DECA fundraiser. Every Thursday morning in main hall. $3 per biscuit.

38. Get Involved! Research shows participation in extracurricular activities is related to students' success ! • Fewer unexcused absences. • Academic achievement • Aspirations for continuing education beyond high school

39. Get Involved • Extracurricular activities: • Reinforce the lessons learned in the classroom • Offer the opportunity to apply academic skills in a real-world context • Part of a well-rounded education. • Research suggests that participation in activities: • May increase students' sense of engagement • Sense of attachment to their school • Decrease the chances of school failure and dropping out. • National Center for Education Statistics

40. 2012 WBHS Clubs Art Club Band Bible Club Chess Club CHROME Chorus Debate Team DECA FBLA FCCLA Forensics French Club Future Teachers of America German Club Interact Japanese Club Key Club Kitty Hawk Society Latin Club Literary Club Marching Band Marshals National Art Honor Society National Honor Society Orchestra Parkour Club Psychology/Sociology Club PTSA Red Cross Club Scholastic Quiz Bowl Spanish Club Stage Crew SCA Surfrider Club Technology Service Association Theatre Club Willett Service Club Writing Club Yearbook

41. Freshman Class Office Freshman Class Sponsors • Angie Robinson and Martha King Freshman Elections Applications Campaign Speeches Elections

42. Freshman Class Elections • Sponsors – Angie Robinson and Martha King • Applications available 9/17 – 9/26 • Applications due 9/27 by 3:45 • Candidates Notified 10/2 • Campaign 10/3 – 10/15 • Speeches Taped 10/11 • Voting 10/16

43. A Hero’s Homecoming September 28 • Spirit Week • Morning Pep Rally • 5:00 Parade • 6:15 Pre-game Parade • 7:00 Kick-off • Half-time Ceremony

44. Sports

45. Sports • Athlete's pass (athletes only) - $15.00 • On a WBHS team now or last spring/winter • Bruins Pass(anyone) - $40.00 • Good for all home WBHS regular season games or matches • Parent Pass - $4.00 • Entitlesparents of fall athletes to purchase tickets

46. Get Involved! • Again, students who are involved in 3 or more extracurricular activities: • Are engaged • Are attached to school • Increase social links • Are more likely to be successful in school

47. Parent Contact / Edline Numerous ways to contact teacher • E-mail • Phone • Edline – Parental Account • Must have active account AND “live” email • Go to Manage Account to activate email

48. School Nurse If you have medical problem – notify school nurse! Nurse located on K-hall in back of Guidance Office Medication policy on CPS Website

49. Deliveries Note: All deliveries must come through the main office Students will not be called out of class, but will be contacted between classes to pick up delivery. Only brown bag lunches and lunch money will be excepted. Students are not allowed food from area restaurants (ie. McDonalds, etc)

50. Lunch Prepay • Parents encouraged to prepay for lunches online • School Website or CPS Website • MyPaymentPlus • Make payments, Check account balances, Low balance notifications, Monitor purchases • CPS Website • Free and Reduced Pay – www.cpschools.com • Deadline Oct 15 – MUST BE DONE EACH YEAR! • See cashiers in morning or at lunch for offline payment