Welcome to Western Branch High!

1. Welcome to Western Branch High! WBHS Freshman Orientation August 27, 2014 Home of the Bruins!

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

3. Western Branch High School PTSA “Time to Connect!” 2014- 2015 PTSA Officers President- Kymberly Pool 1st VP- Allicia Hurdle 2nd VP- Loleta Hammond 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, Get Connected!! Wbhsptsa.org *Pending

4. 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 – KMs. Carol Vaughan • L– PrMrs. Kate Lennon • Pat – SoMrs. Amy Legg • Sp– Z Mrs. Eve Bell Guidance SecretaryMrs. Ann Turner Records ClerkMrs. Anna Van Laethem Testing ClerkMrs. Beth Sommers

5. Grades Numerical Conversion Ten-Point Conversion Conversion Scale

6. Grades • Course syllabus for each teacher (Check Edline) • Four marking periods; one exam grade (20% each) • Year long course terms – even terms only (A/B alternating day classes) • 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 is always better than nothing!

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. School Flyers by Peachjar Online access to flyers Email already submitted – not required Can register if you want to receive notifications via email

11. BYOD – Bring Your Own Device • Student may bring electronic devices for instructional purposes • Must be educational use only • Internet access provided by CPS • Permission slip – See Media Specialists

12. BYOD - Zones RED ZONES ELECTRONIC DEVICE USE NOT PERMITTED *Cafeteria during school *Between classes in hallways *Classroom that teachers prohibit use *Bathrooms, locker and dressing rooms *Testing areas

13. BYOD - Zones • Yellow Zones • Classrooms and Media Center when allowed by Teacher • Must have signed permission form on file • Green Zones- Cell phone use allowed • * Before 8:40 and after school at 3:38

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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)

18. 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

19. PE Uniforms and Lockers • Required Physical Education uniform: • Bruin shorts and Bruin Shirt • Athletic Shoes • Uniform prices are as follows: • Shirts: $4 (Small to XL) $5 (2X to 4X) • Shorts: 7” $6 X-small- 2X, $8 3X, $9 4X • Shorts: 9” $7 Lg and XL Only • 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

20. Lockers Lockers will be assigned “at the end of the first week of school.” Student’s first block teacher will assign lockers. Students will keep the same locker the entire school year.

21. 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

22. Media Center • Hours 8:15-3:30 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)

23. THE SCHOOL DRESS CODE AND YOU!

24. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

31. 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.

32. 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

33. 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.

34. 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

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

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

37. 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

38. 2014 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

39. 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

40. 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

41. 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

42. Questions?

43. Thank you!