Welcome to Methacton High School

1. Welcome to Methacton High School Class of 2016

2. Who’s Who? • Judy Landis- Principal • Dan Bontempo- Assistant Principal • 9th grade: A- Go; 11th grade: A-Li; 12th grade: LL-Z • Jamie Gravinese- Assistant Principal • 9th grade: Gr-Pf; 10th grade • Karey Kochenour- Assistant Principal • 9th grade: Ph-Z; 11th grade: Ll-z; 12th grade: A-Li • Paul Spiewak- Assistant Principal • Athletics and Activities

3. Student/Parent Handbook • Located online at High School’s website • Contains the school’s policies and regulations, important dates, phone numbers and extensions and attendance information • ALL students and parents must complete the online signature survey. • If you have an academic concern or question please contact the teacher first • First initial and last name @ methacton.org • Ex. jgravinese@methacton.org

4. Attendance • When your child is going to be absent we do require that a parent or guardian call our 24 hour number (610-489-5000 ext. 25037). • If we do not get a call or note regarding the absence within 24 hours, the absence is considered unexcused. • When your child is late and you must drop them off, be aware that the Attendance Office is at the flagpole entrance to the building. This is the only accessible door to the building and to be used for drop-off and pick-up.

5. Tardy to School • Handbook Highlight “Students who are late must bring in a signed note from their parents explaining the lateness. Notes from parents must be brought in within one day. After three parent notes have been submitted during one semester regarding illness, the student must bring in a doctor’s or dentist’s note verifying any illness in order for the tardy to be excused. All lateness to school is unexcused or unlawful, except for the following reasons: medical illness, death in the immediate family or other family emergency, and religious holidays. OVERSLEEPING, CAR TROUBLE, CLOCK FAILURE, MISSED BUS, ETC. ARE UNEXCUSED OR UNLAWFUL.” (pg. 18) • After the third unexcused lateness, detention will be issued.

6. Early Dismissal from School • Handbook Highlight “When a student must be excused from school prior to the end of the school day, the student must present a note specifying the reason for the early dismissal from the parent to the Attendance Office during homeroom. If a note is not presented to the Attendance office before the end of homeroom then a parent/guardian must come in to the sign-out the student at the time of dismissal.” (pg. 19) “After three parent notes have been submitted for one semester dismissing a student early from school for a medical visit, a doctor or dentist note is required to validate the dismissal. If it becomes necessary to leave because of illness or any other valid reason, permission must be obtained from an administrator or the school nurse. The student cannot make these arrangements themselves.” (pg. 19)

7. Cell Phones • We do not permit the use of cell phones in class. • Encourage your child to turn off their cell phones and keep them away during the school day (7:30 – 2:20). • Please remember that we do not promote bringing cell phones to school and any instance of theft or loss of phones is not the responsibility of the school.

8. Discipline • Typically, the teacher will write a referral, submit it to us, and we will conference with the student. • The discipline is progressive in nature. • Please be aware that administrative discretion may be used depending upon the severity of the incident and/or the student’s disciplinary record.

9. Bullying • Handbook Highlight “Bullying means any intentional written, electronic, verbal or physical act or actions against another person that a reasonable person under the circumstances should know will have the effect of: 1. Substantial interference with a student’s education. 2. Creation of a threatening environment. 3. Substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school. Bullying, as defined in this policy, includes cyberbullying. The Board encourages students who have been bullied or harassed to promptly report such incident(s) to an administrator, teacher, counselor, or nurse so the incident(s) can be investigated promptly, and corrective action be taken when allegations are substantiated.” (pg. 28)

10. Restorative Practices The science of building social capital and achieving social discipline through participatory learning and decision-making.  Restorative Practices provides a more useful way of looking at school discipline than the limited punitive-permissive continuum – to punish or not to punish.  The positive relationships created by Restorative Practices helps reduce incidents of bullying as it defines and distinguishes bullying from other problematic behaviors.  Bullying is addressed “on the spot,” consistency is ensured among the staff, and the opportunity to intervene early is provided so the initial bullying type behaviors can be addressed.

11. Appearance The following are examples of items considered inappropriate in Methacton School District: • Bare midriff, low-cut, revealing or any see-through clothing. • Bathing suits, tops or trunks. • Chains, spikes, metal work on boots, pants, shirts, jackets, clothing or accessories. • Clothing/jewelry displaying patches/slogans/pictures which suggest the use of alcohol, and/or drugs, which contain obscene or offensive language, or depict sexual, violent or illegal behavior. • Footwear that leaves marks or abrasions on floor surfaces. • Hats, caps, headbands, other head coverings and sunglasses. • Ragged, holey, or cut-off clothing. • Skirts and shorts of inappropriate length (appropriate length would be shorts with a 4-inch inseam and skirts that are fingertip length). • Sleeveless and off-the-shoulder shirts. • Spandex, tight clothing or ill-fitting garments

12. Additional Information • Lockers –Encourage your child to not bring expensive belongings to school. • Late Bus – We do not have one. Alternative transportation must be arranged on your own. • Cafeteria – debit system – set up online • Back-to-School Night – Tuesday, September 18th from 6:30 – 9 p.m. • Interim Dates – 10/5, 12/13, 3/4, 5/10 • Report Card Distribution Dates – 11/12, 1/30, 4/15, 6/20 • Mid-Term Exam week – January 23rd through January 28th • Website – www.methacton.org

13. Respect - Character building assembly programs are scheduled throughout the school year to motivate students to excel in the classroom and help them develop positive relationships with their peers. • Responsibility - All freshmen students will receive an internet safety supplement in their agenda books. Also, A bi-monthly freshmen newsletter (FR@MEWORK) is distributed to all freshmen students. • Rigor – The CSR is available during the day, before and after school by appointment. • Relationships - A student ambassador will meet your student today at orientation. The ambassadors will serve as positive role models, motivators, and teachers who will guide the freshmen to discover what it takes to be successful in high school. • FR@ME G@ME NIGHT

14. Parent Portal • Directions on how to sign-up will be on the information table outside the auditorium following the presentation. • OR, go to www.methacton.org and select Parent Web Portal and the instructions will follow. • Once the paperwork is completed and you are assigned a pin number, you can check your child’s grades on-line from anywhere.

15. The Most Important Ingredient – You! • High school students need their parents to be interested and involved in their academic progress. • Insist on daily attendance. • See all interim reports (Parent Portal) and report cards. • Deal effectively with homework (encourage son/daughter to e-mail teacher with questions or concerns). • Be aware and be informed • Be involved – FR@ME, Home & School, Post-Prom

16. Guidance • Mr. Peck- A-Co • Mrs. Millrood- Cr- Go • Mr. Midgley- Gr-Li • Mr. Ruminski- Ll-Pf • Ms. Olitsky- Ph-S • Mrs. Hartson- T-Z Guidance Secretaries: • Ms. Fisher, Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Lowery

17. Athletics and Activities- Mr. Spiewak • Welcome to Methacton High School’s Club Activities & Sports Programs

18. Our Mission: • The mission of the Methacton High School Activity/Athletic department is to create an environment that maximizes student participation, supports academic progress, and promotes physical, and social development.   It is expected that all participants display competitive spirit, outstanding sportsmanship, and exemplary character throughout the year.

19. Our Goals: 1. Develop the students individual skill level within the framework of the club/team concept. 2.  Demonstrate a positive impact on the community of the Methacton School District. 3.  Meet individual and club/team goals for academic progress.   4. Create a forum for our students to graduate our clubs and teams as more mature, more responsible, more prepared young adults.

20. Location of our office • We are located by the east wing entrance to the high school just past the cafeteria

21. Our Staff: • Assistant Principal to Athletics and Activities: • - Mr. Paul Spiewak (610) 489-5093 pspiewak@methacton.org • Assistant to the Athletic Director: • - Mrs. Debbie Bennett (610) 489-5054 dbennett@methacton.org • Athletic Trainer: • - Mr. Zach Murray (610) 489-5022 zmurray@methacton.org

22. Methacton High School Activity Clubs2012 – 2013

23. Clubs • Art Honor Society • Student Athletic Trainer’s Club • Band – Marching/Jazz/Concert/Percussion/Color Guard • Class of 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 • Dance Company • Dance Team • Debate - Mock Trials • Electric Car Club • Environmental Club • Family, Career and Community Leaders of America • Fellowship of Christian Athletes • French Club • Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) • GSA: Gay Straight Alliance

24. Clubs Continued • German Club • Honor Society • Key Club • Kids Against Crisis • Knitting Club • Leo Club • Model United Nations • Multicultural Awareness Club • Muse Poetry Club & Literary Magazine • Newspaper • Chamber Orchestra • Full Orchestra, Pit Orchestra, String Orchestra • Peer Connection • Pokemon Club

25. Clubs Continued • Reading Olympics • Red Cross • Robotics Club • SADD • Science Fair Club • Ski Club • Spanish Club • Student Council • Theatre Company • The Tribe • Tri-M Music Honor Society • Video Club • Warrior Performance Group • Yearbook

26. Methacton High School Sports Programs2012 – 2013

27. Football Boys’ Soccer Girls’ Field Hockey Baseball Softball Boys’ Basketball Girls’ Basketball There are 49 athletic teams at Methacton High School-The following sports offer freshman teams as well as varsity and JV teams:

28. MALE Football Junior Varsity Football Freshman Football Soccer Junior Varsity Soccer Freshman Soccer Cross-Country Golf (Co-Ed) FEMALE Field Hockey JV Field Hockey Freshman Field Hockey Tennis Junior Varsity Tennis Cross Country Volleyball JV Volleyball Cheerleading JV Cheerleading Soccer JV Soccer Fall Sports

29. MALE Basketball Junior Varsity Basketball Freshman Basketball Swimming and Diving Wrestling Junior Varsity Wrestling Indoor Track Female Basketball Junior Varsity Basketball Freshman Basketball Swimming and Diving Cheerleading JV Cheerleading Indoor Track Winter Sports

30. MALE Baseball Junior Varsity Baseball Freshman Baseball Track & Field Varsity Lacrosse Junior Varsity Lacrosse Tennis Junior Varsity Tennis Female Softball Junior Varsity Softball Freshman Softball Track & Field Lacrosse Junior Varsity Lacrosse Freshman Lacrosse Spring Sports

31. Required Paperwork • The required paperwork for athletic participation to be turned in at tryouts includes: • Physical Form- Also called a CIPPE, which refers to “Comprehensive Initial Pre-Physical Evaluation” • CIPPE must be dated after June 1st, 2011, and is good for one school year. Recertification's are not accepted. • Sports Eligibility Packet- Will need to be completed for each sport.

32. Handouts Available!!! • Directions to Opponents Event Sites • Coaches Listing • “Importance of HS Sports” packet • Listing of Sports & Clubs

33. School Resource Officer • Officer Mark Stead, Lower Providence Police Department

34. Student Assistance Program • What is SAP? • (Student Assistance Program) • SAP is a process that helps students who are experiencing problems that interfere with learning, such as • depression • emotional difficulties • peer conflict • alcohol • tobacco • other drugs • Students are connected to existing services and/or community resources that will help the student to overcome their problems.

35. SAP Continued • How Are Students Referred to the SAP? • Students can be referred by fellow students, staff, parents, community members, and self. • All referrals are kept strictly confidential. • Contact a counselor, a SAP team member, or refer online • Forms are also available outside of the Guidance Office, the Nurses' Office, or the Athletic Office.

36. Community Service • 30 hours = .25 school credit • College application • Employment • Helping others

37. Community Service • Community service web page • www.methacton.org • Select a school –High school • Click on Students/Community Service • Verification forms • mgallagher@methacton.org

38. Home and School • Sandy Leistensnider

39. Post Prom • Kim Beam • Karen Kilgour

40. Methacton Post Prom

41. Come Join Us on our World Tour!!!!!

42. We Need You!!!!!

43. What is Post Prom?

44. A NIGHT OF FUN FOR EVERYONE!

45. Life’s A Beach…

46. Have a Ball! Post Prom 2012 Theme

47. CASINO!

48. Trike Races

49. Prizes Galore!

50. Dodgeball & Volleyball Tournaments