A PARENT’S GUIDE TO GREELEY 2014-2015 A publication of the Greeley PTA GREELEY AT A GLANCE Address Horace Greeley High School 70 Roaring Brook Road Chappaqua, New York 10514 Main Office Telephone: 914-238-7201 School Website: www.hg.ccsd.ws School Hours 7:45 am - 2:35 pm Attendance: Betsy Rice 238-7201 x 2131 Nurse’s Office Kathy Brehm 238-7201 x 2104 Athletics: Peter Kuczma, Athletic Director 238-7201 (press 5, then 3) Principal Mr. Robert Rhodes [email protected] 238-7201 x2101 Jill Rossing, Secretary to Mr. Rhodes 238—7201 x 2103 Assistant Principals Mr. Andrew Corsilia [email protected] 238-7201 x2102 Class of 2015 and Clss of 2018 Ms. Michele Glenn [email protected] 238-7201 x2106 Class of 2016 Mr. Michael Taylor [email protected] 238-7201 x2107 Class of 2017 Thank you to the faculty and staff for their help updating this publication. Special thanks to Jill Rossing for her assistance. Class of 2015 Andrew Corsilia, Assistant Principal Class of 2017 Michael Taylor, Assistant Principal IMPORTANT CONTACTS FOR EACH GRADE Diane Lugo//Debbie Kanuk, Secretary Class Advisors: Kathryn Ward, Lauren Reisner PTA Parent Liaisons: Leslie Kuhn and Lucille Rossi Gabrielle Giordano, Secretary Class Advisors: Nancy Becerra & Lauralyn Stewart PTA Parent Liaisons: Stephanie Klein and Lisa Paget-Kahn Class of 2016 michele Glenn, Assistant Principal Debbie Kanuk, Secretary Class Advisors: Benedicte Uguen & Angela Russo PTA Parent Liaisons: Steffi Green and Ellen Miller Class of 2018 Andrew Corsilia, Assistant Principal Diane Lugo/Debbie Kanuk, Class Advisors: Jon Hirsch, Melissa Lugo PTA Parent Liaisons: Janet Diamond and Bella Sheth Please contact us with any questions or concerns: Lori Townsend Greeley PTA Chair 14-15 [email protected] Stephanie Klein Greeley PTA Vice-Chair 14-15 [email protected] 4 Dear Parents, WELCOME to Horace Greeley High School. This guide was created by parents in an effort to help your family have the best possible experience at Greeley. At first, Greeley can feel like a large, complex place. There are eleven wings spread out across the campus and hundreds of different classes. Students find the scope of offerings and choices both exciting and rewarding! Initially, they can also feel that the program and space are challenging to navigate. We have a number of transition programs to ensure students find what they need, and this guide is one small piece of that design. I encourage both students and parents to read the guide, talk with each other and the staff, and ask lots of questions. I can assure you that after a few months, students always make sense of the building and program. As your family begins the journey through the high school the information contained here will help you to understand the many opportunities available. Inside you will find information you will need – both to support your child’s emerging interests and to seek counsel when necessary from the professional staff at school. Here are the first six places I look for information, and they are all available to you as well: School website, www.hg.ccsd.ws – outward facing website with general information Infinite Campus – internal website containing schedules, progress reports, etc. Son/daughter’s counselor – responsible for 5 scheduling and social emotional well-being Son / daughter’s Assistant Principal – assigned alphabetically by name in 9th grade PTA, www.chappaquapta.net: Click on Greeley link – Chair and Vice-Chair meet weekly with me GreeleyMail – emailed Sunday evening by the PTA. I use it to track all the school events! I invite you to spend some time reading through these pages and hold on to this guide as a reference through the first year and the years to follow. Use the information enclosed to start conversations with your children. We truly believe that continual communication makes our school community stronger and that school-parent partnerships help support students. I hope that you will always reach out with your questions and that this guide will make it easier to find the contact person or information you may need. The guide is available online as well. Best wishes, Robert Rhodes Principal 6 Table of Contents Cover 4 5 9 13 17 19 20 21 24 27 31 32 34 36 37 39 41 43 44 Greeley at a Glance Campus Map Getting to Greeley Finding Your Way Around Staying Informed Ninth Grade Orientation Academic Schedule Academic Guidelines Grade Reporting Support Services Who’s Who at Greeley Academic Support The Counseling Department Clubs Performing Arts Sports How You Can Be Involved Community Resources and Programs Chappaqua Board of Education Emergency Preparedness GREELEY CAMPUS MAP 4 Getting to Greeley Parking If visiting Greeley during school hours, please park in the visitor parking spaces, which are the spaces closest to the Main Office and along the softball field. Parents should not park in middle bays as these spaces are assigned to faculty and staff. For students, only seniors are permitted to park on campus. They must have a school parking permit, which is available from their class assistant principal (For 2014-15, Mr. Corsilia). Seniors may park in the senior lot, the gym lot and in the second row by K building. Any seniors or juniors parking in unauthorized areas will be booted or towed and will lose all parking privileges. Juniors are not allowed to park on campus. 5 Transportation to/from School By Bus You will receive a postcard with your child's bus information in August. Encourage your child to use the school buses whenever possible to cut down on dangerous traffic congestion, especially in the morning. In addition to the regular bus service leaving school at 2:42 pm, there are two late buses available for students staying after school for extra help, athletics, or other after school activities. The first late bus leaves Greeley at 4:00 pm and the second late bus leaves at 5:45 pm. Contact Joan Corwin (238-4404) at the Chappaqua Bus Company with questions. By Car Students are strongly encouraged to take the bus to and from school to alleviate traffic congestion on Roaring Brook Road, both coming from Route 117 and crossing the Saw Mill River Parkway. However, if you drive your child to school: please drive right up to the front of the school. Drivers tend to stop in front of the cafeteria and let passengers out one car at a time. Please use the entire length of the drop-off zone (Front door through the cafeteria), allowing several cars to let out passengers simultaneously and move the drop-off line along. Seniors who are going to park in the senior lot should turn left into the first parking bay they come to and then make the loop around to the senior lot. The only other cars entering the bays should be those driven by faculty and staff. 6 Please follow any directions from school staff who may be supervising traffic. If you need to pick up your child at dismissal (2:35 pm), please try to wait until the buses have departed at 2:45 or later. Visitors All visitors must sign in and receive a pass from the Security Guard at the main entrance before proceeding into the school. Teachers and other staff members have permanent badges, workers and contractors are given work badges, and anyone without a badge will not be allowed in the school, even if you are just making the short trip to the Counseling Office. Please always bring your license for identification, be cooperative with the security efforts, and allow a few minutes of extra time for this process. Attendance and Tardiness Absence Please call the Attendance Office (238-7201 x 2131) as early as possible on any day that your child is late or absent from school. When your child returns to school from an absence, he/she needs to bring a note to Betsy Rice in the Attendance Office (within the Main Office) explaining the absence. Your call does not substitute for a note. When an absence can be foreseen, advise the Attendance Office in writing prior to the absence. 7 Whenever possible, students should discuss with their teachers, in advance, assignments to be completed during the absence. Absences are reported to homes through Infinite Campus. Do not be alarmed if your child has an excused absence but you receive an alert: excused absences may take 48 hours to process through the system. Arriving Late to School/Leaving Campus Early When arriving late or leaving early, ninth and tenth grade students must have a parent sign them in or out at the small table outside the Attendance Office. Juniors need to bring a note from a parent and sign in/out at the Attendance Office or have the parent sign the student in/out. Seniors may sign themselves in and out, but an absence cannot be excused without a note from a parent. Only seniors may leave campus during free time. Detention Detention is held from 2:45 pm-3:20 pm. 8 Finding Your Way Around Academic Commons Located between D and L buildings, the Academic Commons provides a space in which students may study in quiet and comfort. Teachers may arrange to meet their students here, or students may study alone or in small groups. Cafeteria Food is served from 7:30am to 1:15pm. The cafeteria remains open (for relaxing, studying, etc.) until 3:30pm. Students may pay for food with cash or use their ID cards. Each ID card acts as a debit card. (ID cards are issued in the beginning of ninth grade and to new students.) To replenish the lunch fund account, students may bring checks payable to “Chappaqua School Lunch Fund” to the cafeteria, where they will be deposited in the student’s account. Parents may also pay by accessing www.myschoolbucks.com using the student’s ID number. There is a minimal charge for using this online service. The monthly school lunch menu can be accessed on www.chappaquapta.net (click on Cafeteria Menu) and on www.ccsd.ws (click on What's For Lunch). Edward J. Hart Library and Media 9 Center Named for Greeley's former, long-time principal, Edward J. Hart, the school library is open from 7am to 4pm. The library has a wealth of resource materials and provides student access to computers during the school day. Teachers often use the library during instructional time, and students work there during free periods. iLab The iLab at Horace Greeley High School is a state-of-the-art, multipurpose educational facility that provides opportunities to further the development of the 21st-century skills all students will need for college and the transformational jobs of the future. Located in E Building, the iLab features cutting-edge technology along with an innovative open floor plan providing the flexibility to simultaneously support small and large group instruction, independent study, team collaboration, and presentations. Both teachers and students are utilizing the space to extend current classroom work to further incorporate problem-based learning, in-depth inquiry, formulating questions and researching, task-based self-directed learning, creativity, problem solving, multidisciplinary projects, communicating work to a variety of audiences, and two-way feedback. Lockers All ninth graders are assigned a locker in the beginning of the school year. However, the layout of the school makes use of 10 a locker difficult and most students do not use a locker. Any other student who wants a locker should request one from his/her assistant principal. The lockers are equipped with locks. Gym Lockers: Students should bring a combination lock for the gym locker on the first day of school. Lost Items Students are encouraged not to bring valuable items to school. Ensure that your child does not leave personal belongings, including backpacks, unattended. If your child is missing a valuable item, such as a phone, contact Terry Michelotti, Greeley Receptionist (238-7201x 2100) in the Main Office and the Custodial Office (H Building). If necessary, contact New Castle Police. Nurse’s Office – C Building Kathy Brehm and Donna McBride: 238-7201 x2104 Personal Electronic Equipment Cell phones, laptop computers and other personal electronic devices are allowed on campus, and wireless access to the internet is available throughout the campus. If students bring valuable electronic items to school, they are encouraged to keep them within their possession at all times. Students may not use cell phones while in class or in any other area 11 where students are working. Cell phones must be turned off in the classrooms, at assemblies and during testing. Dropping off items at the school There is no drop off area for forgotten lunches, books, homework, etc. In the past, dropped off items have gone missing and many food items were left unclaimed. We ask that you discuss with your child the importance of organizing and remembering the item(s) needed for school. As always, if your child should forget his/her lunch, lunch may be purchased in the cafeteria. No one should leave items in K Building or anywhere else as students and staff are being trained to treat unattended items with suspicion. Sports equipment for afterschool practice or games can be brought to the Physical Education/Athletic Office. Cancelled classes In the event a teacher is absent, every effort is made to have a substitute teacher cover the class. However, on rare occasions, a class will be cancelled. Unlike middle school and elementary school classrooms where students require direct supervision at all times, high school students are used to having free periods from time to time. In those instances when a class is cancelled, the students are instructed to work independently and catch up on assignments. 12 Staying Informed Infinite Campus Register or update your contact information in order to receive communication from this districtwide internet-based information management system. The Infinite Campus Portal provides parents with e-mail access to all of their children's current teachers, cumulative attendance information, course selection (February only), progress reports, report cards and New York State Regents exam results. To open an account, please follow the direction listed on the sign up on www.ccsd.ws (click on Infinite Campus Portal). This system also notifies subscribers about newsletters, school district budget information and other school-related matters, including emergency dismissal and school closings. For alternative sources of emergency dismissal and school closing information, check the following: Radio Stations: WHUD (100.7 FM); WFAS (103.9 FM or 1230 AM) Television Stations: Westchester News Channel 12; NCCMC on Cablevision channels 75/77/78 and Verizon channels 45/46/47 Websites: www.ccsd.ws (Chappaqua School District), fasstormcenter.net, cancellations.com, and whud.com (click on WHUD 100.7 Storm Center) 13 Chappaqua PTA Register your e-mail address at www.chappaquapta.net/HGHSHome.php (This will ensure that you receive timely notices from the Greeley PTA, including our weekly eblast GreeleyMail which is sent every Sunday evening. Greeley Website www.hg.ccsd.ws is an essential and critical communication tool for the Greeley administration. Please check the website regularly for timely notification of upcoming events, deadlines, etc. Greeley Update Student-maintained website advertising school activities. Link to Greeley Update is on Greeley High School home page. District Calendar Available online in early August, the calendar includes information regarding meetings, events, school holidays, PTA events, district and school board information. A printable PDF is also available on the district website. Be sure to check the online calendar occasionally as there are sometimes changes. 14 Student Directory The Board of Education is establishing an online directory. More information to follow. There will be no printed directory going forward. School Newspapers Greeley publishes three newspapers, The Greeley Tribune, The Advocate (ADVO), and The Quake, which are available free to students. To keep your finger on the Greeley pulse, you may subscribe to these papers. Look for student representatives from the papers in the cafeteria during Open House. Student Agenda Every Greeley student receives a new Student Agenda at the beginning of each school year. It contains the daily bell schedule, as well as condensed information from the Student Handbook (For the full Handbook, go to www.hg.ccsd.ws, click on Students, then Student Handbook). New Castle Community Media Center (NCCMC) The NCCMC website can be accessed by going to www.NCCMC.com. Greeley NCCMC programming can be seen on Cablevision channel 77 and Verizon channel 46 on Fridays. All programming is listed on the website. (NCCMC also includes Cablevision channels 75 and 78 and Verizon channels 45 and 47.) School Board meetings, like most school-related meetings broadcast on NCCMC, are also 15 available on demand at www.NCCMC.com. From September to June, emergency school closings are posted on NCCMC’s educational 15 channels, Cablevision channel 77 and Verizon channel 46. 16 Ninth Grade Orientation Tours of Greeley Campus Incoming ninth graders have the option of touring Greeley in late August before school starts. During the tour, students meet in small groups with their counselor, receive their class schedules and are invited to explore the campus using a copy of their schedule. Any student who is unable to attend a tour of the school in late August can arrange for his/her class schedule to be picked up for them during tour times. Peer Leadership Program Your child will be assigned to a ninth grade peer group that will meet once each six-day cycle. Two trained peer leaders will lead the peer group. Juniors and seniors are selected to be peer leaders through a written and group interview application process. Each peer leader attends two training retreats, peer leader community meetings and supervision periods with a faculty member. A peer leader will call your child within the first week of school to welcome him/her to Greeley. Your child's peer leaders will serve as supports to answer any questions that arise during ninth grade and simply provide two friendly faces who will greet your child as he/she travels through the school year. 17 Freshman Orientation On Thursday, August 28th, the school and Greeley PTA will host an orientation for all ninth graders. This is a great opportunity for your student to meet classmates and his/her Peer Leader before school starts. Guidance Groups In the first quarter of the school year, ninth graders meet once per cycle with their counselor in small groups to discuss the transition to high school. Ninth Grade Parent Meeting On October 9th before the general Open House, parents are invited to a meeting run by the Counseling Department where they have the opportunity to meet his/her student’s counselor. 18 Academic Schedule The District’s schedule runs on a six-day cycle. On the first four days of the cycle, all classes are sixty minutes long, and most classes will meet on three of those four days. On the last two days of the cycle, all classes are eighty minutes long and all classes will meet on one of those two days. The Greeley website has a copy of the 2014-15 daily schedule under the ‘Calendar’ tab and the upper right corner of the website displays the day of the schedule, type of schedule that is running, and the current period of the day. See also the inside back cover of this Guide. This year’s Greeley schedule begins with “Day 0.” Students will meet with all of their teachers in an abbreviated schedule – more information will follow. The District Calendar displays the days of the six-day cycle, which is not interrupted by weekends, vacations, or snow days. If the school's opening is delayed due to weather, classes will be shorter, but earlier classes will not be dropped. Activity Period Clubs meet on Day 5 of each six-day cycle at 7:45am. On this day, the first academic course starts at 8:30am. Buses will still run on their regular schedules and students are encouraged to attend club meetings. 19 Academic Guidelines Decisions Decisions, the Greeley Course Catalog, is available online on the Greeley home page. A comprehensive explanation of graduation requirements is available in Decisions. Student Handbook A condensed version of the Student Handbook is contained in your student’s agenda and can be accessed on the Greeley website. It contains everything you need to know about Greeley, including the academic honor code. Course Change If your child needs to change a planned course, contact your child's high school counselor at the beginning of the last week in August when the counseling staff has returned for the new school year. Adding courses that do not require any other changes in the schedule should be done within the first cycle of each schedule. Adding a course in lieu of “free” time will be allowed when space in the class is available. No course may be dropped after specific dates that will be listed in your child's Student Agenda. The approximate time frame is noted on the following page: 20 First semester courses: early November Full year courses: early December Second semester courses: mid-April Although changes of level within disciplines are usually made prior to the dates listed, such changes are occasionally permitted after those dates by agreement among the student/parent, teacher, department chair and counselor. Grade Reporting Report Cards Report cards are distributed to students and families electronically via the Infinite Campus at the end of each quarter, generally during the last week of November, the first week of February and the last week of April. Interim reports are also posted electronically mid-quarter as an additional means of communicating student progress. The final report card is posted online in early July. Principal Rhodes will send an email message to each family at the time each new report becomes available. Any family wishing to receive hard copies of any of these reports must let the school know in September. Reports cards should be printed or saved at the end of the school year, as they will no longer be available through the portal in July. Hard copies can be obtained through your counselor. 21 Grade Point Average (GPA) Each course is assigned a unit credit (one credit for full-year course) or partial unit credit (0.5 credit for a half-year course). Grade Points (GP) are equivalent to the course credit value earned multiplied by sum of the final grade and the weight factor of any Advanced Placement courses, which is 0.4. No extra weight is given for honors or accelerated courses, although such courses are indicated as such on college transcripts. GP = credit earned x (grade + weight factor) Grade Point Average (GPA) = total grade points earned divided by total attempted credits, excluding pass/fail courses and Physical Education courses. Grade Key Grade 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0 % Equivalent 95-100 90-94 85-89 80-84 75-79 70-74 65-69 Failure (below 65) Class Rank Since 1985, students have not been assigned a class rank, with the exception of the valedictorian and salutatorian. Colleges receive an official 22 transcript reflecting the cumulative GPA for all courses taken through junior year. Cum Laude Society In October of senior year, Horace Greeley hosts an after school ceremony where Cum Laude awards are presented to recognize academic achievement: Cum Laude 3.8 and higher GPA; Magna Cum Laude 3.9 and higher GPA; Summa Cum Laude: 4.0 and higher GPA. GPAs will not be rounded in this determination. For example, a 3.99 GPA would receive Magna Cum Laude recognition and not Summa Cum Laude. Any student(s) with a transcript of all 4.0 marks will also be awarded the distinction of Valedictorian. Beginning with the Class of 2015, there will be no Salutatorian designation. 23 Support Services It is the philosophy at Greeley that students use the high school years to attempt to handle their own issues and problems, with the strong support of parents, school administrators and faculty. For that reason, your child should, with your guidance, be strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate adult to resolve any issues that might arise. The faculty is well trained to deal with students in a respectful, helpful manner. If your child faces difficulty in this process, please feel free to follow up on your own. Remember that an issue with a teacher should go to that teacher first. If not resolved, you or your child might contact your counselor, the department chair, the class Assistant Principal or the assistant principal overseeing the relevant department. Psychologists Dr. John Alkalay Dr. Stephanie Lia Dr. Patrick McAuliffe 238-7201 x2108 238-7201 x2116 238-7201 x2117 The psychologists provide a range of services including individual and group counseling, diagnostic testing and crisis intervention. When emotional, academic, social and/or family problems arise, the psychologists are available for assistance to students and families. Meetings are confidential and can be arranged by stopping by the Counseling Office or calling the numbers listed above to sign up for an appointment. 24 Social Worker Ms. Amy Valentin 238-7201 x2123 The school social worker is available to meet with any student or family who needs to discuss academic, social or emotional concerns, whether school or non-school related. Students can meet with the social worker privately or in group discussions. All discussions are kept confidential. You can call the Counseling Department to schedule an appointment or to obtain referral information of any type. Student Assistance Counselor Ms. Carolyn D'Agostino 238-2111 x2111 Student Assistance Services is a substance abuse prevention, early intervention program. The student assistance counselor, located in D Building, is available to meet with students who are experiencing a substance abuse problem at home, using alcohol or other drugs themselves or have personal, school or family problems that could lead to alcohol and other drug use. If you are worried about your child's behavior or the impact of another family member's substance use on your child and would like to meet with the counselor, please call her directly. All calls are kept confidential. Special Needs Students 25 Dr. Gail Schlenger, Special Education Chair, (238-7201 x2622) Student Life Coordinator Ms. Kristin Spiros Department Chairs Department Chairs are listed on the school website and noted in the student directory. Assistant Principals in Charge of Departments: Andrew Corsilia: English, Social Studies, Performing Arts and Science Michele Glenn: Special Education, World Language, Art & Life Skills, Teaching Assistants and Clinical Counseling Michael Taylor: Counseling, Math and LIFE School 26 Who’s Who at Greeley 2014-15 People to see if you need help: AP Exam Coordinator Michele Glenn Alumni Information www.hghs.org Athletics Peter Kuczma, Athletic Director Pam Mitchell, Assistant to Mr. Kuczma Attendance Betsy Rice Audio-Visual Mike DeBellis Building Repairs Michael Taylor Building Use Forms Terry Michelotti (Main Office) Cafeteria Staff Deidre McManus, Food Service Director Arlene Steinhardt, Food Services Manager Clinic Schedules Jill Rossing, Principal’s Secretary & Michele Glenn, Asst. Principal Clubs/Activities Kristin Spiros, Student/Life Coordinator College/Career Center Carol Hughes - Counseling Office 27 Computer Lab Aide Annmarie Tetelman Counseling Camille Barecchia (Lia, McAuliffe, Valentin, Alkalay) Jane Perito (Brennan, Dunphy, Mullen, Sposito) Carol Hughes (Dougherty, Petrillo, Kenny, Colpa) Rita Campana (Registrar) Course Credit Approval Angela Russo, then Robert Rhodes Custodians Dave Fernandes – Head Custodian, Henry Morel, Roy Woodruff, Diego Palacios Department Clerical Support Math, English, Art & Life Skills – Alicia Daly Life School, Foreign Language – Terry Michelotti Science, Performing Arts, Social Studies – Alice Stagno Detention Coordinator Michael Taylor, Assistant Principal Grade/Transcript Changes Greeley Registrar Camille Barecchia Rita Campana Keys Jill Rossing, Principal’s Secretary & Andrew Corsilia, Asst. Principal 28 Librarians Sally Cochran and Regina Luersen Nurse Nurse’s Aide Kathy Brehm Donna McBride Peer Leadership Advisors Vita Materasso, Brian Petruso, Amy Valentin, Steve Warren Principal’s office Robert Rhodes, Principal Jill Rossing, Secretary to Principal Professional Development Chris Louth Psychologists John Alkalay, Stephanie Lia, Patrick McAuliffe Receptionist Terry Michelotti Seminar Day Donna Versace & Jennifer Chemerov Senior Parking Stickers Diane Lugo Senior Health Day & HGHS Senior Class Advisors Parent Liaisons Social Worker Amy Valentin Student Government Donna Versace & Jennifer Chemerov Student/Life Coordinator Kristin Spiros 29 Substance Abuse Counselor Carolyn D’Agostino Technology Darleen Nicolosi, Director of Instructional Technology Joy Guido, Senior Office Assistant Linda Mosler, District Lab Aide Annmarie Tetelman, Lab Aide Josh Block, Instructional Technology Specialist Zach Arnold, Mike DeBellis, John Louch, Howard Giebel, Vincent DiBenedetto, John Gorman, Edgar Rubinshteyn, Samir Patel, Vincent Panettatechnology staff Transcripts Rita Campana – Counseling Office Contacting Staff A phone directory of teachers and support staff can be accessed on the school website at www.hg.ccsd.ws (click on Quick Links; Phone Directory). To e-mail any school district staff member, use the first two letters of the first name followed by the entire surname of the recipient and @ccsd.ws (e.g., [email protected] for Robert Rhodes). Please be aware that a few exceptions to this rule occur in the case of multiple staff in the district with similar names. 30 Academic Support Academic Clinics/Center Clinics are open to all students seeking assistance during school hours and are available for English, World Language, Math, Science, Social Studies, Art, Health, and Study/Academic Success. The exact times and locations of all academic clinics are posted outside the Academic Commons and the Math/Science Clinic and on the school website. Academic Intervention Center Students with a 1.00 or lower grade in foreign language or math may be referred to the AIC to work with a peer tutor to improve performance. The office is located in Lower L Building; tutoring takes place in the Academic Commons. Learning Center This is a scheduled class to provide supportive services for students with special needs. The Learning Center is located in L205, L210 and L212. 31 The Counseling Department In the summer, your incoming ninth grader will receive the name of his/her Greeley counselor. In most cases, this counselor will follow your child throughout his/her four years at Greeley. Siblings are usually assigned to the same counselor. The counselor assists students and parents with social, emotional and academic issues and monitors your child's academic progress. Your family will have the opportunity each year to have a private meeting with the counselor to discuss your child's progress and future plans. The Counseling Dept. also holds evening meetings with parents (and sometimes students) of each class to discuss, in a larger group setting, the issues particular to each grade. For a list of meetings held over your child’s four year high school career, visit the Counseling Department’s “Our Work Together” page on the Greeley website Guide Lines Guide Lines is a newsletter published by the Counseling Department periodically throughout the year and emailed to all Greeley families. It contains pertinent information about ongoing work with students, grade-specific information, standardized test dates and deadlines. It also highlights upcoming events and is a resource of information. Meetings Your child can see his/her counselor at any time 32 by stopping into the Counseling Office and making an appointment. Students are also welcome to "drop in," although counselor availability is unpredictable. Career-College Center Located in the Counseling Department, the Career-College Center provides information on most colleges and universities, college entrance testing programs, financial assistance and scholarships, career preparation and summer programs. During the fall semester, over 150 colleges send admission representatives to Greeley to meet with interested juniors and seniors. A team of dedicated parent volunteers assists in hosting these visitors and compiling information provided by the college representatives. 33 Clubs and Activities Activity Fair The Activity Fair, scheduled for September 16, is an introduction for students to the many activities and clubs at Greeley. In addition to the Activity Fair, students should consult the bulletin board across from the cafeteria for postings (including times, places and advisors) for newly formed clubs and organizations. For the 2013-14 school year, there were over 80 clubs at Greeley. There were over 50 clubs promoting community service, at least five student publications, and clubs formed around academic, leadership, athletic or entertainment interests. New clubs are formed each year depending on students' interests. Students are welcome to join clubs at any time during the year. A list of Greeley clubs operating as of 2/14 can be found under the “Students” tab on the Greeley website. BPT: Building Planning Team BPTs were created at each school in the Chappaqua School District in response to a 1991 statewide mandate from the Board of Regents to implement "shared decision making" by school districts and community members. The Greeley BPT brings together representatives of the teachers, staff, administrators, parents, and students to address issues of importance to the school, its community and its culture. Each year, the BPT identifies a new goal focused on 34 maintaining the best of Greeley while also implementing new ways to ensure that the education of our children and future students is satisfying and successful. Student Government There are two forms of student government at Greeley. 1) The Student Council works to plan activities and initiatives, such as Homecoming and the Spring Dance, for the entire school population. 2) Class Governments plan social and philanthropic activities for a particular grade. Both the Student Council and the Class Governments have student officers (usually elected) by the appropriate student population, as well as faculty advisors. Selection of the ninth grade class government will take place in the fall. Elections for upper classes are typically held in the spring. China Trip/exchange Over spring break 2014, Greeley students and faculty traveled to Beijing and Shanghai on the first annual trip to China. More information to come on this year’s trip. 35 Performing Arts Many opportunities exist for students to participate in various musical and theatre performance groups. Some groups have auditions and/or prerequisites. Music Department Orchestra, String Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Chorus Orchestra, Band, and Chorus are offered as graded electives. Each has at least two concerts annually. Concert Band and String Orchestra are 9th grade-only groups. There are numerous other performance groups, some by invitation or audition only. Contact the Music Department Chair for more information. Theatre Department There are numerous theatre performance opportunities for Greeley students, including a fall musical, a winter comedy and a spring play, in addition to SpringFest, a festival of plays written and produced by Greeley students. Theatre Repertory Company is a graded elective for which students must have a prerequisite of two Theatre classes and audition to be admitted. Productions are in January and June. Senior Musical Each April, members of the senior class perform a musical. Profits are donated to the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund. Any questions concerning any of the Performing Arts Department offerings can be directed to Mr. Christopher Schraufnagel at [email protected]. 36 Sports Athletic Director Peter Kuczma, 238-7201 (press 5 then 3) [email protected] Pam Mitchell, Administrative Assistant to the Athletic Director 238-7201 (press 5 then 2) [email protected] or 238-7201 x 2408 Sports Hotline 238-7201 (press 5 then 1) Interscholastic Sports Greeley's philosophy is to include as many participants as each team will allow. This may be determined by the nature of a particular sport. Whether or not there is a separate ninth grade team may depend on the number of students wishing to participate in that sport as well as the existence of matching teams in other districts. Practices for all fall teams typically begin two weeks prior to the start of school. Check the Greeley Athletics webpage, www.hg.ccsd.ws/webpages/pkuczma/, for information on each sports team and practice and game schedules. The Athletic Director hosts an orientation meeting in the winter of 8th grade for parents and incoming ninth graders (see district calendar for date) to discuss, among other things, the high school team experience and the exact dates when the athletic seasons begin. For winter and spring season sports, the coaches post flyers throughout the school 37 to announce the preseason meeting at which students receive additional information about practices and games. Greeley Sports Boosters Sports Boosters is a parent support group for the interscholastic sports programs at Greeley, sponsoring such activities as Homecoming, an annual Boosters Basketball Weekend, and Senior Athlete Awards Banquet in June. Check their website for more information: greeleysportsboosters.org Intramural Sports This program is offered for students who enjoy sports but cannot devote the time required for interscholastic sports, and for students who need to improve skills before they make the school teams. The sports offerings vary each year, but may include Co-ed Volleyball, Badminton, Basketball, Strength Training and Conditioning. Contact the Athletic Director for more information. 38 How You Can Be Involved High school is a time when parents step back a bit and allow students to grow and try to handle things on their own. However, it is important for students to know that their parents are still involved and that they are there for them as they complete their journey through the Chappaqua schools. Greeley PTA The Greeley PTA Chair and Vice Chair serve as liaisons between the parent community, the faculty and the administration. Please see the Greeley PTA website, www.chappaquapta.net/HGHSHome.php, for a complete list of all the Greeley PTA committees and look for an email in late summer detailing all of the volunteer opportunities throughout the year. The Greeley PTA hosts two meetings a year, one in the fall (October 16, 2014) and one in the spring (tbd). Each meeting includes a report from our principal, Robert Rhodes, and features a topic of interest to the parent community. Attending PTA meetings will keep you informed and participating on PTA committees will allow you to be a part of life at Greeley. For more information, please contact the Greeley PTA Chair at [email protected]. 39 Greeley Program Fees are collected each year. These fees support the many PTA-sponsored, parent-supported events planned by the student government each year. From the Freshman Orientation all the way to the Senior Week Activities and a Reunion Brunch during the Thanksgiving weekend following graduation, the Program Fees fund many of the exciting PTA-sponsored events that take place during the students’ four years at Greeley. Our programming counts on your payment of these fees for each child. 40 Community Resources and Programs Chappaqua School Foundation (CSF) The not-for-profit CSF was founded in 1993 to help shield our schools from cutbacks in state aid to education. CSF has awarded numerous grants to all six Chappaqua schools to fund innovative programs, enriching equipment, and important education experiences for children from K-12. Most recent projects have included a contribution to Greeley’s iLab. Administrators, teachers, parents, or students may make grant requests. For additional information, go to www.chappaquaschoolfoundation.org. Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program (CSSP) This is a long-standing tradition in Chappaqua. Students from New York City schools, chosen based on their character and academic achievements, come to Chappaqua during the summer. They live with families within our school district during the school week and participate in activities planned by the scholarship program or by their host families. CSSP is supported by donations from the community. For additional information, go to www.chappaquasummerscholarship.org. 41 Continuing Education The Chappaqua School District's Continuing Education program provides courses from college test prep, essay writing, guitar and yoga for students under 18. The Drivers Education Program is offered to qualifying students twice during the school year and once in the summer. For information, call 238-2317/2318, email at [email protected], or visit the website link on the left of the District website, www.ccsd.ws. Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund (HGSF) HGSF is a non-profit organization whose mission is to fill the gap between a student's available resources and the anticipated cost of postsecondary education. Grants are available to all Greeley graduates who are enrolled in undergraduate college programs or postsecondary schools. HGSF is funded entirely through donations, and the grants process is strictly confidential. Speak to your child's counselor for more information. To make a donation, or to apply for a grant, visit www.hgsf.org. 42 Chappaqua Board of Education Meeting Schedule The Chappaqua Board of Education meets on Wednesday evenings at least once each month at 7:30 pm. Parents should check the district calendar for exact dates and location. Minutes and agendas for all meetings are posted on the District website under the Board of Ed.Tab, www.ccsd.ws/board-education.cfm. Board of Education meetings are rebroadcast on NCCMC, www.nccmc.com. Policies The Board policy manual is available online at www.ccsd.ws, in each school building, at the Chappaqua Library, and at the District Clerk's office in the Education Center. 43 Emergency Preparedness Emergency Response Team The Emergency Response Team (ERT) at Greeley is composed of representatives of the administration, faculty, staff and the PTA and meets regularly. Team members receive professional training annually. Emergency Contacts The Student Verification Form you receive during the summer should be completed and returned promptly to the school office. The information on this form will be used if your child becomes ill at school or if there is an emergency dismissal. Changes to your contact information should be made through the Infinite Campus portal. The district uses an automated service, Blackboard Connect, for regular and emergency communications. When receiving a Blackboard Connect message, telephones equipped with Caller ID will display "914-861-9555" as the originating number. If your telephone blocks incoming calls that do not display a name as well as a number, you must disable the blocking feature to receive Blackboard Connect calls. If you have any questions about the blocking feature, please contact your local telephone service provider. 44
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