Senior Handbook Class of 2016
Policies, Procedures, and Programs
Gorman E. Brown, Principal Eric M. Summers, 2016 Administrator
Class Sponsors: Chauntia Bego and Akilah Benons
Charles Herbert Flowers
High School
“A Mecca Of Excellence”
Prince George’s County Public Schools
10001 Ardwick Ardmore Road 301-636-8000
Tenacious Leaders of the Class of 2016:
As you near the end of this long road, we congratulate you in advance for the efforts that you have made to maximize your learning opportunities while at CHFHS. Though your prior accomplishments are notable, they will pale in comparison to what you realize this year if you embrace the challenges ahead. This booklet was designed to help you successfully complete this journey. With the policies, procedures and resources embedded we have created a roadmap to graduation, college acceptance and scholarship attainment. Please keep this tool readily available as you embark on the challenges of this transition.
For those of you have spent your previous years building a solid academic record, steeped in service to your community, consistently demonstrating leadership through your actions, I offer you kudos. I, also, urge you to continue to push as there are still several barriers that will require your concerted efforts. For those who have had setbacks during your enrollment at CHFHS, I encourage you to “throw down the gauntlet” and commit to working to improve your performance during this final year of high school. As we focus on ensuring that all of our Jaguars graduate college and career-ready, you should begin preparing for the SAT and ACT. We will be offering a school-based administration, but taking BOTH of these exams more than once is a best practice. This will help you to secure placement in the institution of your choice. Also engaging in challenging course work, such as AP classes, will validate your ability to perform on a collegiate level. AP coursework is one of the parameters taken into consideration by college admissions officers for acceptance.
Though we have designed a host of wonderful activities to commemorate your senior year, your participation will be predicated on your ability to meet expectations for academic and behavioral performance. These standards are detailed within the handbook. It is our hope that we will not have to exclude any students from participation, but failure to adhere to policy and procedures in this regard will require that we do so.
As I conclude this correspondence I would be remiss if I didn’t let you know how proud I am of each one of you. You have come so far. From walking into your first kindergarten classroom twelve years ago, to graduate from high school and embarking on your own post-graduate journey, you have demonstrated the resiliency and intestinal fortitude that will lead to success in your adult life.
Wishing you a memorable senior year,
Gorman E. Brown
Principal
Charles Herbert Flowers High School
“A Mecca of Excellence”
Prince George’s County Public Schools
10001 Ardmore Ardwick Road, Springdale, MD 20774 301/636-8000
Gorman E. Brown
Principal
Eric M. Summers
Assistant Principal
To the Class of 2016:
I cannot begin to describe my feelings of excitement for all of you who will be graduating as students of Charles Herbert Flowers High School. This is a historical moment of this “Mecca of Excellence”. The achievements and accomplishments of your class will set the tone for the numerous classes of students to come after you in the future.
I have a vision that all of my students will successfully complete this stage of their educational career of life long learning on the way to attaining the goals and dreams that have been a natural part of their lives. We all have aspirations of what we would like to become and do in life. Most of you have worked so very hard at making your dreams come true. Do not let anything come between you and your goals. Keep your Eye on the Prize.
There will be trying times in this coming school year that will put you to the test, but do not falter. Keep your eye on the prize and your diploma. Do not let negative influences enter into your presence. Some will try to lure you into doing the opposite of what you know is the right thing to do. They will try to make the wrong thing seem right. Just do the right thing and make the right choices.
Always remember to “COMPLY AND APPEAL”. Comply with what you are asked to do and not argue with adults, and then appeal to me, or another adult with respectful dialogue to express what your concern is with the directive you disagree with. If you follow this doctrine you will eliminate 99% of the difficulty you will encounter.
I so look forward to the up coming school year for you as well as for myself. You all will set the World on Fire.
Sincerely
Eric M. Summers
Class of 2016 Administrator
Alma Mater
Mr. Charles Herbert Flowers
United we stand
With peace we lead
To present our love and integrity
We are strong
And we do the impossible
We give our best
And more
Charles Herbert Flowers
Airman of Power
You inspire our hopes
To fulfill our dreams
With the silver, the black and the green
We are
A Mecca of Excellence
Through the many trials
That come day to day
We will press on and keep the faith
To believe----
And fulfill our destiny ----
Charles Herbert Flowers
Airman of Power
You inspire our hopes
To fulfill our dreams
With the silver, the black, and the green
We are
A Mecca of Excellence
Lyrics by: Patrice Jones
Helena Nobles-Jones
Eric M. Summers
Orchestrated by: Eric M. Summers
Ernest Mitchell
Sample Senior Calendar
Never Fail to Plan
Month / Activity / Activity / Activity / ActivityAugust / Check Status
Request Recommendtions
Review Booklet / Submit Summer Packet
Prepare for the SAT / Submit Service Learning Hours
Read a Classic Novel / Join Organizations
September / Inauguration
Back-To-School Night
Organize Finances for Dues
Review Booklet / Search web for college info
Register for SAT
Prepare for the SAT / Register for SAT
(October)
Read a Classic Novel / Apply for Scholarships
October / Take the SAT/ACT
Progress Reports Issued
Review Booklet / Search web for college info
Prepare for the SAT/ACT / Register for SAT
(December)
Read a Classic Novel / Apply for Scholarships
November / Take the SAT
Visit Colleges
Report Cards Issued / Prepare for the SAT
Read a Classic Novel / *Take the High School Assessments(HSA) / Apply for Scholarships
December / Take the SAT/ACT
Apply to colleges
Progress Reports Issued
Review Booklet / Prepare for the SAT
Organize FAFSA Info / Register for SAT
(January)
*Take the HAS / Apply for Scholarships
Visit Colleges
January / Semester Exams
Semester
Review Booklet
Apply to colleges / Prepare for the SAT
Submit FAFSA Application / Read a Classic Novel
Study for Finals / Apply for Scholarships
February / Semester II
Report Cards Issued
Apply to colleges
Visit Colleges
Review Booklet / Prepare for the SAT
Apply to colleges
Take the ACT / Register for SAT
(March)
Read a Classic Novel / Apply for Scholarships
March / *Take the SAT
Progress Reports Issued
Review Booklet / Prepare for the SAT / Register for SAT
(May)
Read a Classic Novel / Apply for Scholarships
April / Report Cards Issued
Celebrate College Acceptance
*Apply to colleges
Review Booklet / Prepare for the SAT
Read a Classic Novel
Take the ACT / Register for SAT
(June)
*Take the (HSA) / Apply for Scholarships
May / *Take the SAT
Senior Finals
Apply for Summer Employment
*Apply to colleges
Read! Read! Read! / SAT 1,000 Club
Celebration
BAccalaureate
Prepare for the SAT
Take the ACT / Prom
Graduation
Picnic
Awards Night
Report Cards Issued / Celebrate
Apply for Scholarships
*High School Assessments
June / *Take the SAT / job interviews / Start work / Save Money!
*If Necessary
Decision-Making
Whether attending college, entering the world of work, or completing the last year of high school, you must begin/continue to make good decisions. Good decisions soundly and profoundly support personal and career goals. Take the following steps when faced with decisions.
10 STEPS TO BETTER DECISION-MAKING
Define the decision to be made.
Gather the necessary information.
List all possible choices.
Consider possible outcomes for each choice.
Check out how you feel about each of the choices.
Relate the choices to your values and priorities.
From the possible alternatives, chose one.
Commit yourself to your decision and disregard the others. Concentrate your energies in one direction.
Take steps to turn your decision into positive action.
Evaluate your progress from time to time. Change your decision if necessary.
Now that you have been acquainted with the steps, ensure that you use them as the foundation for making all decisions. By doing so you will find that throughout life making the right decisions will lead you in the right direction!
Before reviewing the content of the remaining pages of this booklet, it is extremely important for you to decide now to make the right decisions. A right decision is one one that will bring you the most positive result from your actions. Whether deciding to execute the duties and responsibilities associated with being a senior at Charles Herbert Flowers High School, choosing “friends” or associates, deciding what to wear to school, being on time, or studying each night, you must make the decision that will bring you the most positive result!
SENIOR STANDARDS and EXPECTATIONS
Standards solidify the foundation for success. They provide measures of accountability and equity for all students. The following are the requirements to be considered as a senior in good standing for the Class of 2004. These include, but are not limited to, Senior Inauguration, Graduation, Prom, Senior Picnic, and other senior events.
To be considered a SENIOR, you must have the following:
15 Credits including English 9, 10, and 11
Passed all Maryland Tests
Not re-taking in the Senior year, Biology, LSN, or any 9th grade class that requires the student to take the High School Assessment Tests (HSA). The ONLY exemptions are registrants who did not attend a state or county high school.
Completed and have documented ALL Service Learning Hours (24). Submit form to Mrs. Brockleman in the Guidance Office.
Know the Alma Mater (School Song)
Pay all dues ($250.00)
Þ There will be a “NO PARTICIPATION” list for students who violate the Code of Student Conduct of Prince George’s County Board of Education, and the Standards and Expectations of Charles Herbert Flowers High School. Upon the first offense, seniors/twelfth graders will be placed on the “NO PARTICIPATION” list and will be automatically placed on probation for participation in senior related events. Subsequent violations will result in an automatic exclusion from one or more events.
Þ This is your last year of high school and you are required to serve as role models for freshmen, sophmores, and junior. You must also demonstrate that you are ready to enter college or the world of work. It is also wise to remember that participation in all events is a privilege; not a right.
PARTICIPATION STANDARDS
Faculty members are responsible for supervising all senior events; therefore they must be respected at all times. In addition to fulfilling academic requirements in all classes, seniors must adhere to the Prince George’s County Public Schools Student Code of Conduct and the Participation Standards of Charles Herbert FLowers High School, in order to earn the privilege of participation.
The following policies will restrict participation in Senior Events:
One (1) Suspension + two (2) PS 74s = loss of Prom privileges
No more than 10 (ten) tardies or absences for the year = loss of prom privileges
One (1) Suspension + three (3) or more PS 74s = loss of commencement exercise privilege
Acts of disrespect to any faculty or staff =loss of prom privilege. Conflicts between you and adults must be resolved by an administrator.
Two (2) or more Suspensions or Act(s) of Gross Misconduct = loss of all senior events
ALL students are reminded to exercise the following doctrine:
“COMPLY AND APPEAL”
Required attire for senior events
senior inauguration
An inauguration is the induction into the senior class by a formal celebration. It honors those who have achieved all the requirements to be certified as a senior. To participate in this event, students must wear ALL BLACK and accent with their class colors. Athletic attire (tennis shoes, sweat pants, muscle shirts, tank tops, etc) is prohibited.
Baccalaureate
A baccalaureate is a farewell address in the form of a sermon delivered to the graduating class in most United States colleges, universities, and high schools. This event is regal in nature, thus the request for special attire. The dress for young ladies is white dresses, white stockings, and white shoes. For young men, an all-black tie, black trousers, black dress shoes, and black socks. A black suit is optional for young men.
PROM
The Prom is a formal social event that serves as a culminating gala for seniors to celebrate the final days of high school. Since it is formal, young men must wear Tuxedos or Formal Cultural attire, and young ladies must wear Approved after-five dresses or Formal Cultural attire. In other words, if a seamstress makes the dress, administrators must approve the design and pattern. It is expected that young ladies keep in mind that you should always dress for respect, and not for attention. Any Non-Charles H. Flowers High School Student escorting a Flowers student to the Prom MUST be age 21 and under.
AWARDS Program
The awards program is held to recognize senior achievement. At ceremony, the proper dress is after five. Casual and athletic wear are prohibited
GRADUATION
The dress for young ladies is white dresses, white/nude stockings, and white shoes. For young men, an all-black tie, black trousers, black dress shoes, and black socks. A black suit is optional for young men.