Weekly Bulletin
for City High School Families

January 30, 2006

Principal’s Notes

As we all know, good attendance is extremely important to ensure student success. The project-based nature of City High School’s curriculum requires that students are actively participating in their classes everyday. We want to work together with parents to encourage good attendance. Please review the policies and procedures (on back). The policies have not changed – they are the same as the ones outlined in the Student Handbook since August – however, we are working as a staff to reduce student absences and to communicate clearly with students and parents the right steps to take when there is an absence.

~ Carrie Brennan, Principal (carrie@cityhighschool.org)

Welcome to New Counselor

On February 1, Angela Daniels will begin working at City High School in a nearly full-time capacity (35 hours/week). Angela is an experienced counselor who has worked with adolescents in a variety of settings. Her title is Intervention Counselor, and her focus will be working with students on issues that are getting in the way of their academic success (for example, attendance problems or emotional or behavioral issues). Meanwhile, David Spire will continue his role as College/Guidance Counselor and is now available to meet with students 3 afternoons per week. David’s focuses on graduation and post-graduation plans, working with students on things such as credit checks, testing schedules, and college applications. The counseling staff were hired, in part, with funds from a three-year federal grant that City High School recently received.

Join us for one of two meetings on February 7 …

Community Advisory Council

The governing board is seeking parents and students who would like to participate on the school’s Community Advisory Council. The Council is a group that provides board members and school administrators with input and feedback on the school’s progress and helps with big-picture planning. The Council will meet 3-4 times this semester. The first meeting is Tuesday, February 7 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. If you are interested, please contact Carrie Brennan, 623-7223, or carrie@cityhighschool.org.

City Highlights Planning Committee

The second annual City Highlights spring fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, April 29 from 2:00-6:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed for the Planning Committee. The first meeting is February 7 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Some of the main components help is needed with are a raffle, a silent auction, decorations, and food and drink. So far, the committee consists of a small group of parents and board members – and they’re looking for more folks to join them.

And don’t forget the college info night on Feb. 9 at 7:00 p.m.

CITY HIGH SCHOOL

ATTENDANCE POLICY & PROCEDURES

REPORTING ABSENCES

When students need to miss school because of an illness, emergency, or other reason, parents need to call the school office or submit a note to excuse the student’s absence. If a student misses school without parent permission, the absence will be recorded as unexcused. An unexcused absence is considered a serious offense in the City High School discipline matrix and results in an administrative referral.

EXCESSIVE ABSENCES

Any student who has 10 absences in a core class or elective (excused or unexcused) during a semester will lose credit for the class. Due to the block nature of City Works classes, a student will lose his or her City Works credit with 4 Wednesday absences. Students can have medical absences waived with proper documentation. Students with extenuating circumstances can also appeal to the principal for a waiver.

PROCESS TO ADDRESS ABSENCES

After 5 absences, the advisor calls home to check in with parents.

After 7 or more absences, parents need to meet with the advisor or an administrator.

At 10 school day absences, the student will be placed on an attendance contract that includes strategies to remediate the problem and consequences for further absences. Contract will need to be signed by parent(s), student, advisor, and administrator.

If a student has a particular problem with missing City Works classes on Wednesdays, the following steps will be taken:

• After 2 Wednesday absences, the advisor or City Works teacher calls home to check in with parents.
• After 3 Wednesday absences, the parent needs to meet with the advisor and/or an administrator to create a City Works attendance contract.

1st PERIOD LATES/ABSENCES

Students who miss more than half of first period (arrive after 9:00 a.m.) will be considered absent from the class.

LATE ARRIVALS & EARLY DEPARTURES

Parents are encouraged to schedule all appointments during non-school hours; Wednesday mornings are an ideal time. When a student has to arrive late, leave early, or leave during lunch, parents need to call ahead or the student needs to supply a note to the office.