Excel in Mind, Body and Character

George Mason High School Newsletter

Tyrone Q. Byrd, Principal August 2011

Dear Mustang Parents and Guardians, American writer and Pulitzer Prize winning novelist John Steinbeck said, We find that after years of struggle we do not take a journey, but rather a journey takes us. The George Mason community will soon begin the next step in our journey toward providing future generations of children with the skills, abilities and confidence they will need to serve as constructive contributors to the global community. While the journey continued during the summer months, we collectively begin the formal process of another school year in early September, a school year filled with opportunities to collectively and individually Excel in Mind, Body, and Character. Our commitment to each other and the children we love sets us apart from other schools and makes us George Mason High School. The 2010 11 school year concluded with the graduation of the amazing class of 2011. While we celebrate the bittersweet experience of sending off another outstanding collection of Mustangs into the world, our melancholy is assuaged by the knowledge that there is yet another outstanding group of children ready to take up the standard for our school and community. Last year we instituted a significant change to our schedule. Our Mustang Block provided all students with an unprecedented opportunity to autonomously determine academic priorities and work to address them. Students were daily afforded time to interact with their instructors, counselors, and other advocates throughout the building to address academic needs and interests. We recognized the need to provide our eighth grade students with support and therefore assigned each of them to a Starting Gate. The Starting Gate was designed to provide eighth grade students with guidance regarding their usage of this instructional time. As is the case with any new initiative, both the Mustang Block and Starting Gate met with both success and failure. The vast majority of our students used this time wisely, but others did not. While the Mustang Block will continue to be a part of our daily schedule, we have decided to incorporate a five minute Homeroom session at the beginning of the block. This decision was based on multiple requests from our students and teachers who missed the relationships built during Teacher Advisory (TA), which was a program used for several years at Mason to enhance student faculty relationships. To provide this opportunity, every student at Mason has been assigned to a Homeroom. They will attend Homeroom from 9:40 am until 9:45 am each morning. It is my expectation that teachers not only work to become trusted advocates for the children in their homeroom, but that they also provide consistent guidance about effectively using Mustang Block as an academic resource. Five minutes is not a long time, but if used effectively it can help us develop relationships based on trust and mutual respect for each other, academic achievement, and pro-social behaviors. Two years ago George Mason teachers led the charge in providing access to their grade books to students and parents/guardians. Access GM will continue to provide you and your child with real-time academic information. This year we are committed to enhancing the consistency with which we utilize technology to inform students and families throughout the year. Parents and students will need NEW access codes for the 2011-12 school year. These codes will be distributed to students during Homeroom on Tuesday, September 6th. Please ask to see the RED folder your child received during Homeroom. Soon you will receive a packet of very important information. Items that must be returned on the 1st day of school include: Residence Verification Form 4-Part Payment Forms (PE, Yearbook and 9 Muses)

GEORGE MASON HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

PAGE 2

3-Part Payment Form (Sophmorphing Field Trip 10th grade only) IB/AP Agreement (Only for 11th grade students enrolled in an IB or AP course) HS PTSA Membership Form and Volunteer Form

You may have already noticed that students had a brief opportunity to view their preliminary schedules via Access GM. Their final schedule will be distributed Tuesday, September 6th during their homeroom period. Your childs homeroom teacher is listed on the information packet which was sent home recently. We are excited by the promise of a new school year and eager to continue our journey together. The faculty of George Mason is committed to engaging you as partners and we expect to have multiple opportunities to work collaboratively for the benefit of all Mason children. Enjoy the rest of your summer, and I look forward to seeing each of you soon. Sincerely, Tyrone Q. Byrd Principal

Go Mustangs!

BUS SCHEDULES
Bus routes are included in your August packet and will be posted online by August 26th at www.fccps.org/bus/.

IMPORTANT
Attendance Policy Regarding Excessive Absences for Any Reason
In courses for which high school credit is earned, a student who is absent for any reason twelve times from a class that meets daily or six times from a blocked class during a quarter will receive a grade of F for the quarter. Long term illnesses supported by a medical doctors written requirement of medical confinement will be considered for an exception to be decided by the principal after consultation with the class teacher and guidance counselor. Students who are being provided homebound instruction are considered present for attendance purposes. Reference School Board Policy 9.22

GEORGE MASON HIGH SCHOOL

PAGE 3

Important Information Regarding Infosnap Online Registration Process

In June with report cards, instructions for updating student information via Infosnap were mailed to parents of returning students. As you may remember, the online process was implemented to reduce paper use and to make more efficient the registration process for both parents and staff. The more lead time we have in obtaining the information, the greater opportunity we have to ensure each student has the best possible start to the school year. If you have not already updated your information, please do so as soon as possible. It is imperative that this information be completed no later than September 2. If you have questions, please contact our counseling office at 703-248-5525.

Fee Cards An explanation of the various fees...

Physical Education Shorts and Physical Education Shirt GR8s (8th graders), freshmen and sophomores are required to take physical education at George Mason High School (GMHS). Students taking these classes must have and dress out in a standard uniform. The shorts and shirt required this year are the same as those required in previous years. The shorts (boys and girls styles) are black or red with a white George Mason logo on the front. The shirt is gray with George Mason in large red letters across the front. If you already have these items, you do not need to purchase them again. (If you have a physical education shirt and/or shorts that your family no longer needs, please bring them to the GMHS office marked PTSA uniform donation. The PTSA will make every effort to get uniforms to those who cannot afford them.) The MustangHigh School YearbookEach year GMHS students produce a hard cover yearbook that is over 200 pages in length. The yearbook will be distributed in August. 9 Muses Literary Arts MagazineThis is a single issue art and literary magazine produced entirely by students and distributed at the end of the school year. It contains prose, poetry, art and photography and is about 50 pages in length. Both of the above publications must be purchased in advance to ensure availability. Sophmorphing Field TripThis Sophomorphing field trip is for 10th grade students only and is designed to build teamwork and friendship. Parents/Guardians are reminded to please read and sign the Acknowledgement of Liability located at the bottom of the prepayment fee form.

GEORGE MASON HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

PAGE 4

Food Services
The Food Services Department will be offering three lunch entrees with a choice of vegetables and fruit each school day. Also available will be pre-packaged cold sandwiches. George Mason participates in the National School Lunch Program. School lunch menus are posted on the George Mason web site (www.fccps.org/gm) and this year student lunch account balances can be viewed and paid by setting up an account at www.pay4lunch.com. The website accepts the following credit cards: Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover Card. A small fee is charged. Applications for free or reduced-price lunches are included in this packet and will also be posted on the www.fccps.org website. Please return your free/reduced-price lunch application or send payment directly to food services in the enclosed business envelope addressed to FCCPS c/o GMHS before September 6, 2011.

Special Information Items

Fall Sports practices are underway. Any student in grades 8-12 who has not joined a team but would like to do so is urged to call our Athletic Director, Mr. Tom Horn, at 248-5598. Senior Make-up Pictures will be taken Wednesday, September 21, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. in the TLC. The New Student Orientation and New Parent Coffee will be held on Wednesday, August 31 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. The orientation is for 9th 12th graders and their parents who are new to our district. The Student Council sponsors the new student orientation and the PTSA sponsors the parent coffee. The student orientation is a way for new students to meet other students and to hear about the many activities and programs available at GMHS. It will be held in the Mustang Caf. The parent coffee will be held in the TLC and will have a similar program. GR8 Orientation for students only will be held on Wednesday, August 31, beginning at 1:30 at the Mustang Caf entrance. This informative program will introduce all 8th graders to their teachers, administrators, counselors, activities leaders and Mustang Ambassadors. Back-to-School Night will be on Thursday, September 15, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (For parents of ALL grades.) Yearbook pictures for grades 8-11 will be taken on Friday, September 23, and make-up pictures are scheduled for Friday, November 4. GR8, Freshman, Sophomore and Junior Parent Night will be held on Tuesday, September 20, at 7:00 p.m. in the Mustang Caf. (For parents of 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th graders.) Senior Information Night will be held on Thursday, September 29, at 7:00 p.m. in the Mustang Caf for seniors and their parents.

GEORGE MASON HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

PAGE 5

Notes from the Counseling Office

Homeroom Assignments and Student Schedules
Homeroom Assignments will be posted throughout the high school the first morning of school, September 6. All students will go first to their Homeroom. Student Schedules will be distributed during Homeroom on the first day of school and students will follow the schedule assigned to them. If there are errors in a schedule, the student should schedule an appointment in the Counseling Office as quickly as possible. After errors are corrected, the counselors will consider other requests for scheduling changes. Changes that involve adding a new class must be completed by the 10th day of school! Students may not begin a new class after 10 school days have passed. Adding or dropping a class after school begins requires a special form signed by the students parent/guardian, the current teacher, the new teacher, the students Homeroom teacher, and the student's Case Manager/IB Coordinator/Athletic Director if applicable. These forms are available in the Counseling Office.

Notes from the Math Department

All high school math credit classes require a graphing calculator. Calculus AB/BC -- TI-89 as recommended by the College Board. 8th Grade Pre-Algebra -- Students must provide their own 8-digit display calculator that includes a square root key. Two recommended styles are Texas-Instruments-TI-503SV-8-Digit-Display-Calculator or the Sharp-EL-233SB-8-Digit-Display. These can be purchased at Staples or other office supply store. All other math classes -- Graphing calculator (TI-83 or TI-84 recommended) The Mathematics Department lends TI 83/83+ graphing calculators to all students who do not have their own. Students are required to supply 4 AAA batteries. Students who did not return graphing calculators lent to them from past school years will not be eligible to borrow another calculator until the fine is paid or the calculator is returned in working order. Used calculators are sometimes procured from sources such as eBay. Please be certain that these calculators are in complete working order before purchase.

GEORGE MASON HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

PAGE 6

Notes from the Clinic

The Health Department requires that the clinic strictly adhere to all policies regarding the administering of medication. In the FCCPS School Board Policies and Legal Information Packet (which your student will receive on the first day of school) you will find the School Board Regulation on Administration of Medication (R 9.38). Every medication requires an Authorization for Medication/Inhaler (Form HE 24-B or HE 24-D). If medication is to be kept in the clinic, please deliver the necessary forms (downloaded from the FCCPS website at www.fccps.org/forms/index.html) and medication directly to the clinic. A few points of note from Ms. Patricio Medications can be given a hour prior or after the time stated on the prescription/authorization. Please remember the time to be given on early school closings. The label on the prescription must match the instructions on the medical authorization. The dosage must be stated per prescription label, (i.e. not as directed). Over-the-counter medication must have the dosage stated. The start and end time must be indicated (i.e. Current school year/Start date to End date). Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines given for 10 days and antibiotics require only parent's/guardian's signature. Part I & II should be completed. High school students are permitted to carry a single day dose of painkillers (Tylenol, Midol, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Advil, and Aleve) in its original container with the parents completed and signed medication authorization given to the Clinic.

If you have any questions, please call Mrs. Patricio at 703-248-5530.

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Thursday, September 15 Back to School Night Friday, October 14 Parent/Teacher Mini Conferences Friday, March 9 Parent/Teacher Mini Conferences

GEORGE MASON HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

PAGE 7

Athletic Boosters Membership

The Athletic Boosters exist to encourage participation of parents, teachers, and other adults in active support of all of GMHSs athletic programs. Through membership dues and fundraising activities, the Athletic Boosters are able to provide funds to sponsor scholarships, hold special events, and contribute to the Go Mustangs! purchase of athletic equipment. The Boosters Association also produces the Student Directory each year and members receive a copy as part of their membership benefits, which also include discount game passes. The directory is distributed to Boosters members in October. Athletic Boosters Association meetings are held on the second Monday of each month in the Mustang Caf at 7:30 p.m. The first meeting of the 2011-2012 school year will be Monday, September 12. Please look for membership materials in this mailing or go to www.masonathletics.org and select the SHOP tab to become a member on-line!

PTSA Membership
The largest membership organization for parents (and teachers and students) at GMHS is the PTSA. Please look for PTSA membership materials in this mailing. PTSA meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month in the Media Center at 7:30 p.m. The first meeting of the year will be Wednesday, September 7. We look forward to seeing you there.

Band Booster Membership

Also in this packet you will find Band Booster membership materials. Support the Band program by becoming a Band Booster member.

Graduation Wednesday, June 13, 2012 5:00 p.m. DAR/Constitution Hall Washington, DC