WelcomeWelcome JHS Freshman Academy Parent Orientation Information

Ten Things All Freshman Academy Parents Should Know… From the School’s Perspective by Linda M. Williams adapted from NMSA’s Middle Ground, August 2007

1. IMPACT is what you know as homeroom. Students will report to IMPACT at 7:20 for the first ten days. Then, they will go to IMPACT twice a week for thirty minutes. Individual responsibility Meaningful learning Personalization Academic rigor College/Career exploration Transition assistance

2. JHS does have a dress code. Please review this policy in the handbook. No yoga pants or leggings. No tank tops- shoulders must be covered. Shorts and skirts must be finger-tip length or longer. No sagging. Parents will be called to bring a change of clothes.

3. Ask Questions There is no stupid question. Contact the teacher first if you have questions or concerns. JHS administration will discuss any situation or concern you have, but they will want to know that you have talked to the teacher if it is a classroom question or concern. You can the teacher or call the school to speak with the teacher. The phone number is

4. We place a great emphasis on your child’s education. We have placed your child into classes that best fits his/her needs. We are protective of class time. Students are expected to be on time and prepared for class. First period starts at 7:20!

5. Everything counts. Your child’s transcript begins today. Everything he/she does from this day forward will follow him/her to the college of their choice or the college that will have them. Good grades, a high GPA, class rank, sports, clubs, and organizations help your child to go to the college of their choice.

6. We call our tests Common Exams and End of Course Exams (EOCs). The state mandates that students taking English II, Algebra I, and biology. Other content areas will take NC Final Exams or teacher made exams. There are no exam exemptions.

7. We are on a 4 x 4 block schedule. Your child will take four classes each semester. Final exams for first semester are January The second semester starts on January 26. Your child will take four new classes. Final exams for these classes will be June

8. We have an attendance policy. A student can miss no more than ten days in each class. Credit for the course will not be awarded if the student misses more than 10 days. * Also, students must pass 3 classes each semester in order to remain eligible to play sports.

9. Students are not permitted to eat lunch purchased from outside vendors on campus. If a parent brings a lunch that is purchased from an outside vendor, the student will eat his/her lunch during his/her lunch period in a designated area in the office.

10.We want your child to GET They should be part of a club, an organization, the marching band or a sports team. They should support sports teams by attending games. We have wonderful musicals each year. They should be part of the cast, crew, or pit band.

Your child is most important to us. We promise to do all we can to give them the skills that they need to be globally competitive in the 21 st century!

JHS Administration Dr. Donna Lynch - Principal Stacey Gillette – Assistant Principal Jerome Gidrey– Assistant Principal

Go Cardinals!