Updated: Aug. 15, 2012 Volume 19 Issue 1 Mrs. C. Perkins, Principal Website: www.howesoundsecondary.bc.ca Ms. Ji Ai Cho, Vice-Principal Email: [email protected] Dear Parents & Guardians, Aug. 20 Online Booking opens for Counsellor Appts. Sept. 4 School Opens Sept. 11 PAC Mtg. 7 PM Sept. 14 Photo Day Sept. 21 PRO-D Day Oct. 2 S1 Interim Report Oct. 4 - Two Events 6:30 pm - Gr. 11/12 Grad Transition Parent/Student Mtg. 7:30 pm - Dry Grad Committee Mtg. Oct.8 Thanksgiving Day NO SCHOOL Oct. 9 PAC Mtg. 7 pm Oct. 11 Parent Teacher Conferences 5-8 pm Oct. 19 Pro D—NO School Oct. 23—26 Grad Photos Oct. 30 Fall Fiesta Concert Nov. 1 Photo Retakes Nov. 1 Dance 7—10 pm Nov. 2 PRO D-NO School Welcome back! 2012-2013 promises to be an exciting year in senior secondary school. Howe Sound welcomes all of our new students from around the world to our International program and, in particular, we welcome our new Grade 10’s who are entering senior high school. Howe Sound Secondary along with many other schools in our district is about to embark on an exciting journey into project-based learning (PBL). Many of our teachers are attending a three day Symposium in Whistler and we look forward to a year filled with excellence culminating in many public presentations of learning (POLs) from our students. Please check out the following website to learn more about project-based learning: www.bie.org/about/ what_is_pbl We are aiming for excellence in all areas of school and have high expectations for our students. The next three years are geared specifically toward ensuring your child is ready for the world beyond high school. For information about the Ministry of Education’s Graduation Program, we high recommend you take a look at the following website: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/ graduation/ Our professional teaching and support staff work collaboratively as teams across a variety of areas including: academics, athletics, arts, service, special education, trades, the Vancouver Community College (Chef’s Training) program, and Kwantlen Polytechnic University (Carpentry) program. There is truly something for everyone at Howe Sound Secondary. Throughout the year, we constantly update events and activities on our own school website: http:// howesoundsecondary.bc.ca/ Almost everything Howe Sound can be found there. Please feel free to contact me at any time, should you have questions, concerns, or need assistance with your child’s education. Sincerely, Mrs. C. Perkins Principal [email protected] HOW TO BOOK COUNSELLOR APPTS. Nov. 6 PAC Mtg. 7 pm Nov. 12 Remembrance Day Stat NO School Nov. 20 Report Card Mailout Dec. 12 Winter Gala Dec. 21 Last Day of Classes before Christmas Break August 20th Starting at 9 AM Online booking begins http://hss.schoolappointments.com You will find the system very easy to use and it will take only a few minutes to setup your account, your children and your appointments. To register for an account, click "REGISTER" tab. 38430 Buckley Avenue P.O. Box 99 Squamish, BC V8B 0A1 604 892-5261 tel / 604 892-5618 fax Email Address: 1st Letter of their first name AND full last [email protected] Page 2 Daily Schedule 2012 -13 Monday—Thursday Bell Schedule Warning Bell 1st Class (78) Class Change 2nd Class (95) (includes REBEL) 8:50 8:55 – 10:13 10:13 – 10:20 10:20 - 11:55 LUNCH 11:55 – 12:32 Warning Bell 12:32 3rd Class (76) Class Change 4th Class (75) Parent Teacher Interviews There will be two parent-teacher interviews this year from 5:00—8:00 PM October 11 April 4 Note: School will close one hour early on the above dates to permit the teachers time to prepare for the meetings. Student Counsellors Semester 1 & 2 Ms. G. McCormick 12:37 - 1:53 1:53 - 2:00 2:00 - 3:15 Semester 2 Mrs. C. Cunneyworth As you can see school ends at 3:15 pm and students should not plan on being able to start employment before this time. Friday Bell Schedule Warning Bell 1st Class (51) Class Change 8:50 8:55 – 9:46 9:53—10:59 Class Change 10:59—11:06 11:06—11:55 LUNCH 11:55—12:32 Warning Bell 12:32 th Magnetic Qualities Use the enclosed fridge magnet to keep up-to-date and in touch with us. 9:46 – 9:53 2nd Class (66) (includes REBEL) 3rd Class (49) Thursday Thursday 4 Class (50) 12:37—1:27 Ex-Block (65) 1:27—2:32 School Photos School Photo day will be on Friday, Sept. 14th. Students will bring home an information package prior to this date. Please do your best to ensure attendance on this day. Block Pattern: Week 1 A B C D Week 2 C D A B Week 3 B A D C Week 4 D C B A Page 3 STUDENTS WILL NEED TO BRING: $18.00 for student Fees & $7.00 for a lock (if required) Grade 12’s: Will need to bring $65.00 for Commencement Fees SCHEDULE **Check the District & School websites for School Bus Schedule in late August** REGULAR BUS Pick Up Gr. 10 Students 8:55—9:25 AM Gr. 10 Assembly 10:20 AM Gr. 11/12 Bus Pick Up STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE: Schedules & Lockers Student Agenda Books All students will have the opportunity to receive a student agenda handbook. The book contains the school calendar, school policies, the student conduct code and space to keep track of homework assignments. Many teachers require their use for regular classes. It is our sincere wish that students will use this book and that parents will monitor its use. Semester One Course Changes Students may change up to one course the first week and a half of school, until Sept. 14, upon consultation with their counsellor. 11:00—11:30 Block A (HM RM) 11:35—11:50 Block B 11:55—12:10 Block C 12:45—12:30 Block D 12:40 pm Buses Depart Parent Advisory Council The first PAC meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 11 at 7:00 pm at HSS. Subsequent meetings will be on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm. Dry Grad 2013 Parent Mtg. Attention all parents of grade 12's. The Dry Grad Committee needs your help to make the 2013 Graduation Dry Grad weekend a success. Please come to an organizational meeting on Oct 4— 7:30 PM in the library. Page 4 Guidelines for Dropping Courses Students can discuss course changes with their counselor within the first two weeks of each semester. If a Grade 12 student wishes to drop a course after the second week, the following procedure will be required: The parent (s) should be involved in and in agreement with the decision as the first step The student should then discuss dropping the course with first the teacher, then the counsellor. In cases of questionable reasons, or if the request is later on in the semester, the student must meet with the Principal to have his/her request approved. Students are not permitted to drop a course during the last month of each semester. Students in grades 10 & 11 will NOT be able to drop courses. If any grade 12 students are allowed to withdraw from a course, they will not be allowed to have a free study block or be unsupervised in the MPR. All students need to register and complete a DL course. Students should be aware that to be eligible for Honour Rolls Grade 12’s MUST have a minimum of 6 different courses. To be eligible for Passport to Education Grade 12’s MUST have a minimum of 5 different courses. Attendance on Quiz, Exam, or Test days You must be present! If not, your excuse must be valid (i.e. medical) A note or phone call from your parent/guardian must be received on the day of the test/quiz/exam AND deemed valid by the teacher If, and only if, the excuse is deemed valid by the teacher, a make-up test/quiz/exam may be allowed If you have an excused absence, you must be prepared to write the test /quiz/exam upon your return to school at a time that is convenient to the teacher. If you know you’re going to be away on the day of a test/quiz/exam and you have a valid reason, you should make arrangements to write the test/quiz exam ahead of time or at a time selected by the teacher. If students do not meet these conditions, they may receive a zero on the test. Attendance Policy At Howe Sound Secondary, we believe that regular attendance and punctuality is fundamentally important. To increase the probability that students will succeed, we expect you to: attend 100% of the time except for illness or emergency. An absence can only be excused by a parent or guardian. arrive at classes on-time, prepared to learn. Students should not request permission to leave classes except for illness, or in an emergency situation. Where possible, appointments should be scheduled outside of school hours. remain in their classes for the first 15 minutes and last 15 minutes of each block. have parents/guardians inform the school in advance by telephone, 892-5261, or in writing, when late, or when absent. discuss any absence with teachers. Missed work and assignments are the responsibility of the student. Makeup opportunities may be provided at the teacher’s discretion. Students may receive a Fail if they miss classes and do not make arrangements with their teachers for missed time and/or work. sign out at the office if required to leave during the school day. We expect the parent/guardian’s written permission for early dismissal. In cases where written permission is not provided the office staff will phone to obtain verbal permission from the parent/guardian. If lates and absences become habitual, a parent/guardian will be notified in writing and should this behaviour continue removal from the class and/or school may result. Page 5 MEDICAL INFORMATION In order to ensure the safety of your child please advise us of any life threatening condition. If your child is anaphylactic or diabetic please notify us by Friday August 31st AND drop off updated medication to the school office before start of this school year. Please ensure this is clearly labelled with your child’s name on it. Thank you for helping us to ensure the safety of your child in the upcoming school year. Mrs. C. Perkins, Principal