High School 101 for Parents and Guardians

1. High School 101 for Parents and Guardians Unionville High School

2. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT Did you Know... When parents are involved in their teen's high school experiences, students… • have higher achievement. • are better adjusted. • are less likely to drop out of school.

3. SCHOOL HOURS • Show your teen that school is important by doing your part in getting your teen to school by 8:25 a.m. every morning. • School begins at 8:30 • Students who are late for school miss crucial routines, announcements and learning • Being at school at least 15 minutes before the bell allows time to get to their lockers and organize their materials for the day • Excuse your teen from classes only for urgent or unavoidable reasons. • Students who continually arrive after 8:30 a.m. will have consequences (often detentions).

4. PARKING LOT • Our school promotes healthy lifestyles. We encourage our students to walk to school! • The school driveway is very busy in the mornings between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. • Please do not stop your car in the “No Idle Cars’ zone. • Parking passes are required for all cars. Please Cars that do not have a parking pass will be ticketed by the Town of Markham

5. CLASSES • Students will have the same four classes each day for the semester. • Classes are 75 minutes long. • Supplies – binder, pen, pencil, ruler, eraser, calculator, lined paper, USB key • Optional subjects may require special supplies. • Physical Education t-shirt + shorts are required.

6. ATTENDANCE • Emphasize Perfect Attendance: Try to book appointments for after school or at lunch. • Student Absence: A Parent/Guardian must call the main office before 8:30 am. • Daytime Appointments: Send a note – students must be signed out in the attendance office (room 230) • Extended Absence: Students must complete an extended absence form to be signed by parents and your child’s teachers. The form must be returned to the attendance office prior to the absence.

7. ATTENDANCE • Planned Absences: Your child should inform his or her teachers prior to the date of absence. • Sports or Other School Activities : Students should inform teachers well in advance of absences. • Exams : Do not book holidays in January and June! Exam dates must be adhered to and exams can NOT be re-arranged. They are a critical demonstration of learning and missing an exam can have a significant impact on your child’s final mark.

8. Unionville High School Administration: • Principal Ms. M. Weaver • Vice-Principal (A – K) Ms. L. Perez • Vice-Principal (L – R) Mr. J. Mancuso • Vice-Principal (S – Z) Ms. M. Schmidt

9. Who Can Help You? • Student Success Team • Ms. Choi– Student Success Teacher (rm. 301) • Ms. Bowmile- Head of Special Education (rm. 216) • Ms. Pugh- Head of English as a Second Language (rm. 233) • Ms. Philippson- Head of Guidance School Settlement Worker Angela Guo – Thursdays and Fridays (rm. 323)

10. Student Council Executive • OriannaMak - President • William Politis-Barber - Vice-President • Veronica Wong - Clubs Director • Aeron Jeyaseelan & Willa Zhu - Athletics Directors • Alex Russo & Carol Yao - Arts Directors • Kyle Wang & Rosemary Li - Community Directors • Michelle Moayedi & Parmida Dian - Social Justice Directors • Vivian Lee & Peony Chang - Special Events Directors

11. Safe and Supportive Schools • This policy can be found in the school agenda book. • Make sure that your child is aware of the consequences that apply for inappropriate behaviour. • There are clear consequences for violence, intimidation, weapons, bullying/cyber bullying, and possession and/or use of drugs/alcohol. • If students feel threatened or bullied they should report it to an adult (teacher, guidance counsellor or administrator). We work closely with York Regional Police and have officers assigned to our school. You will often see them in the building.

12. Safe and Supportive Schools • Safety Week • 3rd week of September (17th-24th) • Fire Drill & Lock Down drills • Displays & Workshops will be offered

13. VALUABLES • Leave valuables (e.g. money, i-pod, digital cameras) at home. • The school does not take responsibility for lost or stolen articles. Students should not leave expensive items in their lockers or Phys. Ed. changerooms. • Students should not share their locker combinations.

14. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES • Cell Phones & iPods • May not be used in any way to record another person without their permission • Absolutely may not be used or visible during evaluations (tests, exams, in-class evaluations) • They may be used in classrooms only with the permission of the teacher and as part of the learning activity

15. HOMEWORK • Expect approximately 1-2 hours of homework per day. • Establish a routine. Setting a regular time and sticking to it helps teens complete their homework assignments. • Set the mood. Ensure the room your teen studies in is quiet, has plenty of light, and has school supplies close at hand. • Remove distractions by turning off the television, monitoring the Internet and discouraging social phone calls during homework time. • Show an interest. Ask your teen about what he/she is discussing in school each day.

16. ASSIGNMENTS • Be involved in your teen’s school life! • Students should write due dates of assignments in their Agenda Books. Check your teen’s agenda regularly. • “I FORGOT that the assignment was due,” is not an acceptable excuse. • Set up a schedule so the assignment can be completed on time and not at the last minute! • Look over completed assignments to ensure that all requirements have been met. • Encourage your teen to share returned assignments so you can read the teacher's comments.

17. AGENDA BOOKS • Take note of Unionville’s calendar of events.(Exams, P.A. Days, Holidays, School Events) • Encourage your child to write down daily homework, due dates for assignments, and dates for tests or quizzes. • Organization is the key to success!

18. INTERNET • Computers should be in a common area in the house and not in your child’s bedroom. • Limit the time spent on the Internet each day. • Be aware of the websites your child is visiting.

19. INTERNET • MSN and CHAT ROOMS – Parents should be aware of who their children are chatting with and what they are saying. Walk by your child when they are on the computer to see what they are doing. • Safety – Any information or photos posted online are public and can be viewed and manipulated by anyone. • Report Suspicious Activity. If you or your child encounter suspicious or dangerous situations online, report them to your Internet Service Provider and local police.

20. EXTRA HELP • UHS teachers always provide extra help! • The student should set up a time to meet with his/her teacher before school, at lunch time, or after school. • Many departments in the school offer extra help rooms after school. • Ensure that your teen keeps this appointment. • Our Student Success teacher, Student Achievement Teachers and literacy teachers are also available to provide assistance to students who are at risk. • Call your teen’s teacher or the Guidance Department if you have concerns.

21. TIPS FOR PARENTS • Encourage your teen to do his/her best in school. • Remember “personal best” does not mean “perfect” and learning is not the same as achieving high grades. • Teens, like adults, need the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them. • Encourage your teen to get involved in UHS’s sports teams, clubs, or councils!

22. Tips for Parents cont’d • Your attitude toward education makes a strong and lasting impression on your teen. • Help your teen set goals. • At the beginning of each term, help your teen identify three or four goals. Post the goals where they can be seen. (The refrigerator is always an excellent spot.) • Make sure the goals are specific.

23. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT • Attend parent/teacher interviews. (November & March) • Interpreters can be arranged for parent interviews. • Attend school council meetings. (listed in Agenda Book) First Meeting: September 19th, 2012 • Attend concerts, sports events, and multi-cultural events.

24. SOME TIPS • Encourage your teen to become independent. • Communicate - Encourage your teen to talk about school, social events, and their peers. • Friends – Get to know your teen’s new friends. • Bullying- Watch for symptoms that your teen may be a bullying victim. Be aware of signs such as withdrawal, a drop in grades, physical signs, or needing extra money or supplies. Inform administration immediately!

25. E-mail Addresses Please ensure that we have your email address. Many school communications are sent through email…. This is a great way to keep on top of what is going on at the school.

26. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns. We Look Forward to working with you over the next 4 years!