Dear Parent(s), Guardian(s) and Students,

Welcome back to Croom High School. As we arerapidly approachingthe end of the summer,I hope that you are enjoying these last weeks of your summer vacation. To all newly enrolled students and their families, I trust you are looking forward with enthusiasm getting the Croom experience started.We are very proud of the many accomplishments made during the 2014-2015 school year and are confidentthat the measure of success the 2015-2016 school year will be even more rewarding.

Croom High School is an institution where aligned Prince George’s County Public School (PGCPS) instruction affords students the opportunity to experience teaching and learning in a small, close knit environment. Our goal is to have every student graduate college or career ready, without the need for remediation. Additionally, we realize that the competitiveness all students face in the global community mandates that they be challenged intellectually and socially to develop the moral fiber necessary to become people of character who are good independent thinkers.

Parents/Guardians: we need your support! This means all stakeholders should have the same high measure of student expectation and achievement. Please make every effort to attend meetings that are scheduled for parental/guardian support (i.e. regularly scheduled PTO meetings which will be held the second Tuesday of October; January; March and May at 6:30 p.m. Additional dates and times of other parent/guardian meetings will be forth coming. However, please pay particular attention to the dates listed below).

During the 2015-2016 school year every member of the Croom High School staff will be committed to providing your child with curriculum-based instruction that will lead to academic success. Every student has the responsibility to follow the policies and procedures that will assist with this endeavor.

First: Students must come to school every day and on time, and prepared with books, notebook, paper, pens, and any other required school supplies needed to learn. Students are no longer required to wear mandatory school uniforms, but will be expected to follow the PGCPS dress code guidelines. School begins promptly at 9:30 am, and students will be expected to be seated ready for instruction prior to the ringing of the late bell for each period. We will not tolerate leisurely transitions; students have exactly three minutes to move from class to class. Hall sweeps will be conducted as needed. Students caught out of location without a pass will receive progressive discipline. Please be mindful that progressive discipline will align with the PGCPS Students Rights and Responsibilities. Furthermore, we ask that particular emphasis is given to infractions that may warrant interaction with the Parent/Guardian requiring the following: Parent/Guardian Shadowing, Suspensions pending a Parent/Guardian conference, or Parent/Guardian accompanying students returning from an out of school suspension.

Second: In an effort to ensure that a viable monitoring tool to help measure student achievement/outcomes is in place, we have implemented PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Support). PBIS is a school wide approach to discipline and process for creating safer and more effective schools. PBIS is an initiative that promotes academics and positive behavior, supports teachers and students and evaluates and assists in classroom management and lesson planning. At Croom High School, five principles of code of conduct have been selected: Respectful, Organized, Achieving, Responsible and Self- Disciplined, to help our Croom Cougars ROAR! In the past, Croom High School has given rewards to students reaching a set goal. If you would like to help with incentives for this program, please let the school know. Most immediately, please keep the following dates in mind:

◦Monday, August 24, 2015 - Student Orientation, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – Students will receive their schedules and be able to meet their teachers. The Transportation Department of Prince George’s County Public Schools will mail home the student’s bus schedule. Please remember to be at the stop 10 minutes before the pickup time and have your student wait at least 10 minutes after the pickup time in the event a bus may be tardy. If the school bus is more than 10 minutes late, please call the school at 301-372-8846 for instructions.

◦Tuesday August 25, 2015 - First day of school for students (School Hours 9:30 a.m. - 4:10 p.m.).

◦Thursday, September 10, 2015- Back to School Night, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

We will have our first year of sanctioned varsity athletics.In addition, we are always amenable to starting up new clubs and extracurricular activities. We will solicit input to determine what students and stakeholders are most interested in doing. Please stay tuned for any updates detailing events throughout the year. Be sure to watch for flyers, newsletters, and announcements via the school website, pertaining to school wide events and activities. Croom High School is a place where "Cougar Care and Commitment Create Cultured Citizens." We are looking forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,

William R. Henderson

Principal