WELCOME

1. WELCOME Class of 2017Freshman Orientation “New Beginnings” September 3, 2013

2. Class of 2017 “We looked at our kingdom, we were finally seen. Sitting on our throne, as the class of 17”

3. " No student ever attains very eminent success by simply doing what is required of him; it is the amount and excellence of what is over and above the required that determines the greatness of ultimate distinction."Charles Kendall Adams

4. Administrator Contacts Mr. Brownridge - Principal 609-387-1713 ext: 1001 Mr. Ilconich – 9TH Grade Vice Principal and the Administrator-in-Charge of the Hopkins Building 609-387- 3774 ext: 2003

5. 9th Grade Graderooms A-Bo H105 Ms. Raufer Bp- Con H106Mr. Milanes Coo-Dei H107Ms. Alexander Dj - Gi H111 Ms. Williams Gj- Ha H112 Ms. Cann Hb- Ja H113 Mr. Lex Jb- La H115 Ms. Harris Lb- Ma H119 Ms. George/Zack Mb - Ni H121 Ms. Byrum Nj- Pe H123 Mr. Marks Pf - R H125 Ms. Harrison Sa - So H127 Ms. Maietta Sp- U H129 Ms. Cannizziaro V- Z H131 Mr. Shirk

6. Anti-bullying Law Requires that we assign a staff member to be our anti-bullying specialist: Mrs. Heidi Roman – Hopkins building (Grade 9) Mr. Troy Scott – Main building (Grades 10-12) The intent of the law is to be proactive to address bullying by encouraging students and on-lookers to report bullying activity when it first happens. All referrals of bullying will be investigated promptly. Consequences and rehabilitative measures and counseling will be determined as a follow-up to the investigations. Training for teachers and informational sessions and activities for students will be provided throughout the school year. More information will be forthcoming.

7. Hot Issues • WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!

8. Frequently Asked Questions9th Grade • We have compiled a list of the questions (and their answers) we get asked most often.

9. FAQ #1 • What is advisory period? Advisory period is similar to study hall where you will have an assigned room. Typically freshmen students will have their lunch and advisory during blocks 5 and 6. This is an excellent opportunity to study, read, work on homework and any other work needed. The teachers will share their policies and procedures for your advisory. There are days when you will be expected to read silently or participate in other programs for a given period of time.

10. FAQ #2 • What is National Honor Society? • www.nhs.com • The selection criteria is based of the following: • 4.0 GPA • Performing Community Service • Holding Leadership Positions • Having Strong Character

11. FAQ #3 • Will I have classes with upperclassmen? If you have a class in the main building there will likely be mixed grade levels in your class. There may be some classes in Hopkins where upperclassmen are a part of the class as well. Most freshmen will be primarily in classes with all 9th graders.

12. FAQ 4 • Who is my vice principal? Who is my guidance counselor? All freshmen will have Mr. Ilconich as their vice principal. He is also the administrator in charge of the Hopkins Building. The high school principal is Mr. Brownridge. Mrs. Roman will be your guidance counselor during your freshmen year.

13. FAQ #5 • How long do I have to get to class? You will have 5 minutes to transition from one class to another. If you are going between buildings you will have 7 minutes. There is a bell that rings 2 minutes before the end of class bell. This is when students that need to transition between buildings can leave class.

14. FAQ #6 • What is grade room? Grade room occurs ONLY a couple times throughout the school year. This is a class that is set up based on your last name. Posters with room numbers are displayed throughout the building. Grade room is used for giving out schedules and disseminating other important information.

15. FAQ #7 • Can we have food and drinks in class/hallways? Breakfast is ONLY permitted to be eaten in the class room for the first 10 minutes of block 1/2. Students are ONLY permitted to have water in a clear container in class or in the hallway unless there is a documented medical reason. There may be times, such as in science labs, where no drinks are permitted.

16. FAQ #8 • Where can I find the student handbook and school policies? The student handbook is located on the high school’s web-page and all of the school’s policies are housed on the district’s web-page.

17. FAQ #9 • Can I listen to my iPod in school? You can listen to music during lunch as long as it is not disruptive to others. If your advisory teacher gives you permission you can listen to music quietly during this block of time. Listening to music is not permitted during class time or in the hallways.

18. FAQ #10 • What is the expectation for cell phones? Students are permitted to have their cell phones with them during the school day, but the cell phone MUST be turned off. However, teachers may permit students to use cell phones in the classroom for academic purposes and students may use their cell phones during lunch ONLY to listen to music.

19. FAQ #11 • Do family vacation days or notes from parents count as an authorized (excused) absence? As per policy #N6147.7, Family vacation days and notes from parents are not considered authorized absences. However, an Attendance Appeal form will allow parents to request further review on any unauthorized absences. The Review Board will meet on a monthly schedule to rule on all appeals, with the exception of January and June, when they will meet on a weekly basis.

20. FAQ #12 • How many unauthorized (unexcused) and authorized (excused) absences are allotted to students? Students are permitted 6 unauthorized absences from a semester course, 3 from a quarter course, and 12 from a full year course without penalty. A student must provide documentation to authorize an absence. Please review the policy to see what absences are considered authorized. This documentation must be submitted to the Attendance Office within 2 days of the student's return from an absence. If documentation is submitted after the 2-day requirement, the absence will be unauthorized. An appeal may be submitted to the Attendance Review Board in such cases when extenuating circumstances interfere with the 2-day requirement. Appeal requests may also be submitted in advance and appeal forms are located on the high school’s web-page.

21. FAQ #13 • Can excessive unexcused absences affect the student’s grade? Yes. For each unauthorized absence in a course beyond the allotted days, students will lose credit for any assessments conducted that day. The student is responsible for any information that was missed on these days, even though credit will not be awarded. Future assignments and assessments may require the student's knowledge of this material.

22. FAQ #14 • Where do I drop off or pick up my student from school? AM Drop-off for ALL high school students before 7:20AM will ONLY be permitted in the Hopkins Building Loop. PM Pick-up for ALL high school students at dismissal time will ONLY be permitted in the Hopkins loop unless pick up is after the buses depart from the campus (2:10PM).

23. FAQ #15 • Are students permitted to use and carry a book bag? Yes

24. FAQ #16 • Where does my student sign-in if he/she arrives to school late? Any student not in his/her block one class by the start of the school day or who arrives to school after the start of the school day is late and must receive a late pass before going to class. Students whose first block class is in the main building should sign in at the Attendance Office to receive a late pass. Students whose first block class is in the Hopkins building should sign in at the Hopkins main office to receive a late pass. A late pass is required for admittance to class. All late passes must be checked and collected by the teacher.

25. FAQ #17 • What happens if my student fails a class? • Student may have to retake the course • Student may not be eligible for afterschool activities including sports • Student may not be promoted to 10th grade • May impact student’s graduation status

26. FAQ #18 • What is the Student in Good Standing Program? • Students who accumulate excessive discipline or lates to school as well as not turning in required forms or fulfilling obligations will not be eligible to participate in or attend after-school activities including sports. • Please see student handbook for more information.

27. Thank You For Attending Our Program Tonight!