George Washington High School

GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL

Home of the GWHS Eagles

“EXPECT THE BEST”

Welcome to George Washington High School! GWHS has a long history of academic, athletic, and extracurricular excellence as well as award-winning publications and performances. GWHS graduates have gone on to impact our community and the world because of this tradition of excellence.

STUDENT NAME: ______

GRADE LEVEL: ______

FIRST BLOCK: ______

SCHOOL YEAR: 2016-2017

A LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Eagles,

The George Washington High School administrative team, faculty, and staff, welcomes you as we begin the 2016-2017 school year! As always, it is hard to believe that the summer break has come to an end and it is time to start another year of school! We hope that you have enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating summer spending time with family and friends.

Our motto will continue to be “Expect the Best.” This means do your best at all times. Students, join us to create an environment full of enthusiasm, energy, and love for learning. I look forward to being your Principal and working for the betterment of all students. Please aspire to: 1) being on time 2) not making excuses 3) protecting our school family 4) being confident 5) and having fun when learning.

In addition, we ask that you follow the keys to a successful year 1) attend school daily ready for the day’s learning experience, 2) read daily to develop a love for reading and to improve literacy skills, 3)and lastly, inform us if you need additional support in any area or subject.

Best wishes for a great year,

Randall K. Stokes

Principal

ADMINISTRATION

Mr. Randall K. Stokes, Principal

Mrs. Gayle H. Breakley, Assistant Principal

Mrs. A. Michelle Ramsey, Assistant Principal

Ms. Carolyn Stephens, Assistant Principal

CONTACT US

Address: 701 Broad Street

Danville, VA 24541

GWHS phone #: 434-799-6410

GWHS Fax #: 799-5251

School Board Office phone #: 434-799-6400

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page / Page 1
Letter from Principal and Contact Information / Page 2
Table of Contents / Page 3
GW Alma Mater and
School Spirit Information / Page 4
2016-2017 School Calendar / Page 5
Bell Schedules / Page 6
School Map / Page 7
Attendance / Page 8
Transportation / Page 9
Academic Information / Pages 10-11
Guidance Information / Pages 12-13
Cell Phones and Electronic Devices / Page 14
Dress Code / Pages 15
School Safety / Pages 16-17
Senior Privileges / Page 18
School Organizations and Other Information / Page 19-21
Academic and Career Plan / Page 22

GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL

ALMA MATER

Hail, All Hail George Washington,

Hail, All Hail to Thee.

We love your halls, your campus fair,

our high school days so rare.

Our alma mater will always stand

glorious to view.

We will hold in our memories

cherished thoughts of you.

EAGLE PRINCIPLES

Be Early

No Excuses

Protect this House

Be Confident

Have FUN

GWHS SCHOOL SPIRIT INFORMATION

School Colors: Navy Blue & Silver

School Mascot: Eagles

GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL

2016-2017 CALENDAR

August 2-9Teacher Work Days

August 10First Day of School for Students

August 31Early Release/Prof. Dev.

September 5Labor Day Holiday / Schools Closed

September 13The 43rd Annual College Night, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.,

at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research

September 28Early Release/Prof. Dev.

October 12½-Day Early Release for Students/ 1st 9-Weeks

Grading Period Ends

October 25Report Cards Issued

October 26Early Release/Prof. Dev.

November 7Election Day/Professional Development

Day / Schools Closed for Students

November 8Professional Development Day

November 23½-Day Early Dismissal

November 24-25 Thanksgiving Holiday / Schools Closed

December 212nd Nine-Weeks Grading Period Ends / End of 1st

Semester / Early Release / Teacher Workday

December 21-31Winter Break

January 1-4Winter Break Continues

January 5-6Teacher Workdays / Schools Closed for Students

January 9Beginning of 2nd Semester

January 16Martin Luther King, Jr., Day / Schools Closed

January 17Report Cards Issued

February 22Early Release for Students / Professional

Development Day

March 153rd Nine-Weeks Grading Period Ends / Early

Release

March 20-24SPRING BREAK

March 25½-Day Early Dismissal

March 28Report Cards Issued

April 14-17Schools Closed for Easter Break /

Good Friday & Easter Monday

May 26½-Day Early Dismissal for Students /4th9-Weeks

Grading Period Ends / End of 2nd Semester

May 27Graduation

MAP OF GEORGE WASHINGTON

HIGH SCHOOL

ATTENDANCE

Regular school attendance is a vital factor in school achievement. Excessive absences and tardiness interfere with the orderly development of sound progress in a student’s education. Excessive unexcused absences may result in a Truancy Referral.

ABSENCES & MAKE-UP WORK

When it is necessary to be absent, it is the student’s responsibility to make up missed work. Students with excused absences will have the same number of days to make up work as the number of days absent. When returning to school after an absence, the student shall report to the Pupil Accounting Office before school to obtain an Admit Slip.

School-authorized activities such as field trips are not counted as absences; however, the students who are involved must notify teachers before the event and are responsible for make-up work.

CHECK-OUT PROCEDURES

• Parent/Guardian must report to the Pupil Accounting (PA) Office to use the computerized checkout system.
• Valid Identification and signatures are required.
• Parent/Guardian will remain in the PA office until the student arrives.

TARDY TO CLASS

Students are to adhere to the tardy practice set forth by administration. Students who come in after the tardy bell without a pass are considered tardy. Teachers will follow the tardy practice accordingly.

TARDY TO SCHOOL

All students late to school are required to report to the Pupil Accounting Office immediately upon their arrival on school grounds. Students with excessive unexcused tardies to school or to class will be referred for disciplinary action. Students who drive to school may have their driving privileges suspended or revoked if they have frequent tardiness.

TRANSPORTATION

BUS TRANSPORTATION

Students who have the opportunity to ride Danville Public Schools buses may do so as long as they display behavior that is reasonable and safe. Danville Public Schools strives to provide a safe and pleasant bus ride for all students. Students choosing to follow unacceptable or unsafe behavior will face a temporary or permanent loss of bus riding privileges. Riding a school bus is a privilege, not a right. The number to DPS Transportation Department is 434-799-6451.

CAR RIDERS

Car riders are prohibited from using the auditorium parking lot, faculty parking lot, and bus entrance. Parents should unload and/or pick up car riders by entering the car loop in the gymnasium parking lot, located in the rear of the school, in a single file line.

STUDENT DRIVERS

Parking areas are available for student parking. Student parking is located in the parking lot on Broad Street across from the school’s entrance. Any student needing access to their vehicle during the school day must obtain permission from an administrator.

PARKING PERMITS

Parking Permits may be obtained at the Security Desk at a cost of $15.00. Students must have a student ID card, automobile license tag number, and a current driver’s license. Parking permits must be visibly displayed in a student’s vehicle. Failure to obtain a parking permit may result in loss of driving privileges.

OTHER TRANSPORTATION GUIDELINES

• No student is to be in a parked vehicle during the school day.
• Improperly parked cars may be towed away at the owner’s expense. Further, the violator may incur a loss of driving privileges.
• Students riding bicycles or skateboards must secure them during the school day. GWHS is not responsible for the loss or theft of a student’s skateboard or bicycle.
• Skates are not permitted on school grounds.

ACADEMIC INFORMATION

GRADING SYSTEM

George Washington High School’s Grading System is set up on the 100-point scale, giving periodic reports every nine weeks. The letter grade requirements are as follows:

100 – 94 / 93 – 86 / 85 – 77 / 76 – 70 / 69 – Below
A / B / C / D / F

Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment Class grading scales will be adjusted according to the College Board and/or Danville Community College requirements.

HONOR GRADUATES & CLASS RANKINGS

Class rankings and Honor Graduate status (students who have earned a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2) will be calculated using all high school credits earned from middle school through classes taken the first semester of the twelfth grade year. Junior Marshals status is contingent upon first semester standings.

MAKE-UP WORK CRITERIA

It is the student’s responsibility to obtain makeup work from their teacher upon their absence. A student is allowed the number of days equal to the days absent to complete missed work. If a student is absent for an extended period of time, parents should contact the Guidance Department to request assignments.

FINAL EXAM INFORMATION

EXAM ATTENDANCE

Students are required to be present for exams unless their absence falls within the guidelines set by George Washington High School. In extenuating circumstances, parents should contact an administrator for a student to make up an exam.

Students who miss an exam for any other reason will receive a zero on the exam. Students who arrive tardy must have permission from an administrator to take the exam. Students are required to remain in the classroom where the examination is being given for the entire exam period.

Students may not check out during an exam period. Students that are exempted from an exam are not required to attend the exam session. However, if the student does not leave the campus during the break between exams, they will be required to report to their next exam.

EXAM TRANSPORTATION

DPS transportation will be provided on exam days. However, DPS Transportation will NOT be available on make-up exam days.

EXAM EXEMPTION CRITERIA FOR FALL & SPRING

Any student in Grade 9 through Grade 12 who is currently enrolled in an SOL course or a Non-SOL course qualifies for an exam exemption provided he or she has a course average of at least a “C,” (i.e., 77-85) or better computed prior to the exam and has had no more than five (5) cumulative absences during the school semester..

Students enrolled in an SOL class must also have passed the SOL for that particular class.If a student has passed the SOL a previous semester and is retaking the class for high school credit, the exam exemption criteria shall apply provided the student has earned a “C” average or better and has had no more than five (5) cumulative absences during the school year.

FALL FINAL EXAM DATES (ALL STUDENTS)

Fri., December
16 / Mon., December 19 / Tues., December 20 / Wed., December
21
Review / Block 1
8:20AM-10:20AM / Block 3
8:20AM-10:20AM / Make-Up Exam Day
Block 2
10:45AM-12:45PM / Block 4
10:45AM-12:45PM

Morning Break: 10:20AM-10:40AM

SPRING FINAL EXAM DATES (UNDERCLASSMEN)

Mon., May 22 / Tues., May 23 / Wed., May 24 / Thurs., May 25 / Fri., May 26
Review / Block 1
8:20AM-10:20AM / Block 3
8:20AM-10:20AM / Make-Up Exam Day / Teacher Work Day
Block 2
10:45AM-12:45PM / Block 4
10:45AM-12:45PM

Morning Break: 10:20AM-10:40AM

CLASS OF 2017 FINAL EXAM DATES

Mon., May 15 / Tues., May 16 / Wed., May 17 / Thurs., May 18
Block 1
8:20AM-10:20AM / Block 2
10:45AM-12:45PM / Block 3
8:20AM-10:20AM / Block 4
10:45AM-12:45PM

GUIDANCE INFORMATION

The mission of the Danville Public Schools Guidance and Counseling Program is to prepare students for a lifetime of learning and productive, meaningful participation in a complex, changing world. Guidance and counseling services are available through classroom guidance, small/large group counseling, and individual guidance/counseling.

CONTACT

Telephone Number: 434-799-5108

SCHOOL COUNSELORS

Ms. Genevieve Lyons, Department Chair

Mr. Boyd Pearson

TBA

TBA

DRIVERS EDUCATION CERTIFICATION

Drivers Education certificates (Green Card) will be available in Guidance upon completion of Health/PE 10.

PARENT PORTAL

Parents have the opportunity for greater involvement in their child’s education by accessing parent portal. Please see guidance for information.

TESTING

Students enrolled in Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment classes need to see guidance for testing information. Students needing assistance with the ACT, SAT, or PSAT need to see their school counselor. All students enrolled in an End of Course class must pass or have passed the corresponding SOL test to obtain verified credit.

CEEB Code: 470660

SAT Test Center: 47255

ACT Test Center: 238680

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS & CLASSIFICATION

The Virginia Board of Education and the Danville Public School Board established these requirements. School counselors will share these requirements to students in Fall and Spring conferences.

Standard Diploma candidates must have at least 22 Standard Credits and 6 verified credits to graduate. Advanced Studies Diploma candidates must have at least 26 Standard Credits and 9 verified credits.

Promotion is based upon earned credits. Before a student can graduate, he or she must earn the required credits as indicated below:

1. To be classified as a 10th grader, a student must have earned a minimum of five (5) standard units of credit.
2. To be classified as an 11th grader, a student must have earned a minimum of eleven (11) standards of credit to include English 9 and English 10, and three (3) verified units of credit (SOLs).
3. To be classified as a 12th grader, a student must have earned a minimum of seventeen (17) standard units of credit, one of which must include English 11, have five (5) verified units of credits (SOLs) to include the End-Of-Course SOL English 11 – Reading, English 11 – Writing, and one EOC SOL Mathematics.

Transfer students from within the Commonwealth of Virginia must meet these promotion requirements. The classification of all other transfers will be considered on an individual basis in accordance with The Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia.

STANDARD AND VERIFIED CREDITS

A standard credit is awarded based on successful completion of the requirements of the course. A verified credit is awarded based on successful completion of the requirements of the course; and achievement of a passing score on the end-of-course SOL test or additional test for that course as approved by the Board of Education.

COURSE REGISTRATION AND SCHEDULES

Individual and group counseling sessions are conducted to discuss diploma requirements and course offerings and to plan an individual program of studies. The counselor makes every effort to recommend a course of study that is challenging and academically appropriate for each student. Parents and students may obtain a four year checklist from Guidance.

In the spring of each school year, students will receive a copy of their course registration for the next school year. Parents will have the opportunity to give final approval of the student’s course selections before schedules are created.

Schedule changes are initiated with the student’s school counselor prior to the start of the school year. During this time, all requests for changes must be made.

CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Possessing a cell phone on school grounds is a student privilege and not a given right. Students are responsible for the care and use of their phones.

Cell phones and electronic devices may be used during the school day as prescribed by the school. Cell phones must be turned off and out of sight during scheduled class time, unless otherwise deemed appropriate by the teacher for instructional purposes.

Students may use cell phones in the hallways and during lunch. While listening to music, students must use earbuds and adhere to the practice of “One in, One out” for safety purposes.

Cell phones may not be brought into any testing situations, to include but not limited to classroom quizzes/tests, Virginia SOL testing and AP/ACT/SAT testing. Violation of cell phone policy during a testing situation may result in an additional charge of cheating.

Disciplinary consequences for cell phone and electronic device violations will adhere to the Danville Public Schools Student Code of Conduct.

Refusal to surrender a cell phone at the request of a school administrator shall result in the charge of failing to follow directions.

DRESS CODE

In order for a positive learning atmosphere to prevail, the following expectations have been established:

TOPS

• Shoulder straps must be at least three inches wide. (Use a 3x5 index card as a measurement.)
• Tops/Shirts that show cleavage, backs, or midriffs are not allowed.

BOTTOMS

• Jeans, shorts, skirts, and skorts (whether tapered or with slits) must not show skin five inches above the knee. (Use a 3x5 index card as a measurement).
• Sagging bottoms are not allowed. Bottoms must be worn at the waist.
• Leggings may be worn with a covering five inches above the knee (Use a 3x5 index card as a measurement).

OTHERRESTRICTIONS

• Clothing that is obscene, offensive, inappropriate or degrading as determined by administration are not allowed. This applies to all adornments, such as symbols, designs, suggestive language, and references to drugs, sex, alcohol, tobacco, gangs, and/or violence.
• Gloves, head coverings (including caps, sweatbands, hoods, “do-rags,” bandanas, scarves), and coats that are meant to be worn only outdoors are not permitted during the school day, except for religious and/or cultural reasons.
• See-through clothing is not allowed.
• Chains of any type are not allowed.
• Shoes must be worn at all times. Closed-toe shoes are required during science labs and machine shop classes.
• Sunglasses and non-prescription dark glasses are not permitted unless prescribed by a physician.

• Pajamas and loungewear, including bedroom slippers, are not permitted.

Disciplinary Consequences for Dress Code Violations:

First Offense:

• The student will report to the Pupil Accounting Office for proper documentation and will be granted an opportunity to call the parent/guardian to have the proper attire brought to the school.
• Students will report to ISS until appropriate attire is received.
• If the student is not able to make phone contact, he/she will spend the day in ISS.

Subsequent Offenses:

• Multiple offenses could result in additional disciplinary action.

SCHOOL SAFETY