Jaguar Bytes

Dear Seckinger High School Students and Families,

Welcome back to another exciting school year at Seckinger High School! As we embark on the academic year 2024-2025, I am filled with immense pride and anticipation for what lies ahead. It is with great pleasure that I extend a warm welcome to our returning students and families, and a heartfelt greeting to those who are new to our Seckinger community. All students will report in person on the first day of school, Monday, August 5.

At Seckinger High School, we are committed to building our brand, the Seckinger Standard. Our standard of a collective identity built on caring, inclusivity, future-ready learning experiences, and participation in and outside the classroom. This year, we will continue to strive for academic achievement, personal growth, and community engagement.

For our new families, we are thrilled to have you join us. Seckinger High School is a place where every student is valued and supported. Our team is here to guide you through this transition and ensure that you feel at home in our vibrant school community.

Communication and partnership with our students, parents, and guardians is vital to our success. We invite you to stay connected with us through our school newsletter (Jaguar Bytes), school website, and social media channels. Additionally, please do not hesitate to reach out to our administrative team with any questions, concerns, or suggestions.

Relationships matter; we want you and your family to connect with our teachers and staff as we begin the school year. We invite you to join us for an Open House on Thursday, August 1, to gather all the information needed for a seamless start to school. Our “flipped” Orientation consists of the following components that should be completed prior to Open House.

1. Review the Welcome/Orientation Packet that you receive in the mail.

2. Review school processes and procedures by accessing MyPaymentsPlus at https://mypaymentsplus.com/ starting on July 22, 2024. You will electronically sign the receipt of these documents. You will be given the opportunity to complete the free and reduced application and make school contributions that will directly impact your specific academic programs. To assist your use of MyPaymentPlus, we have created two videos that will walk you through setting up an account as well as reviewing and signing documents.

a. How to Set Up A MPP Account for Parents: Streaming: https://vimeo.com/345028817

b. How to Review Signed Documents in MPP: Streaming: https://vimeo.com/345054468

3. Access your schedule and teachers through the GCPS Student Portal (eCLASS) on Wednesday, July 31.

4. Learn about Teaching and Learning in our building by watching content-specific curriculum videos. Open each teacher’s eCLASS Course Page on Wednesday, July 31. Record questions and bring them to Open House to discuss with your teachers.

5. Review and update the Student Profile (in this packet) and give it to your first-period teacher at Open House. If updates are needed, mark corrections directly on the Student Profile Sheet. Our primary form of communication is by email. Please inspect all emails that we have on record.

Open House hours will be extended this year to give you and your family time for a Red-Carpet Photo Op, Walk Your Schedule, Meet Your Teachers, Transportation, and more.

· Last names A-G should report anytime between 8:00-9:30

· Last names H-O should report anytime between 10:00-11:30

· Last Names P=Z should report anytime between 12:00-1:30

Please adhere to your allotted schedule. Student Ambassadors will greet you at the door with instructions for your visit.

As we begin this journey together, I am confident that we will achieve great things. Let us work collectively to create an environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. I look forward to seeing the remarkable accomplishments we will achieve as a school community this year.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to Seckinger High School. Here’s to a fantastic school year ahead!

Warm regards,

Jimmy Fisher

Principal

Seckinger High School

Please be sure to take time to review the Seckinger Student Handbook (attached below).

We are excited to announce that our school district will continue with Parent Square for all school-to-home communication. This unified communications platform is designed to keep parents and guardians informed and encourage greater engagement and connection with your child’s school and Gwinnett County Public Schools.

ParentSquare provides a safe way for district administrators, school principals, teachers, staff, and parents to receive and send information, such as:

• Weather-related closings & delays
• School and class information
• Share pictures and files
• See calendar items
• Upcoming class activities

To mark the beginning of our journey toward graduation, we will hold our Class of 2025 "Senior Sunrise" event the Friday before school starts. It will occur at our football field on August 2nd from 6:15 AM - 7:30 AM. It’s time to SHINE, to set examples for the younger classes, to make the most of your final year, and to make lasting memories. Let's step into this year together, cheering each other on as we venture toward the finish line of high school!

To maximize instructional time and keep students focused on teaching and learning, cell phones are not permitted to be out during class time. We ask that all students keep their phones put away during each class period. Of course, there are exceptions for emergencies or medical reasons. Reinforcing the importance of this rule at home will help us maintain an environment focused on learning. Your cooperation in emphasizing the importance of keeping their cell phones stowed away during class time is greatly appreciated.

As a possible alternative to the bookbag, we've installed 12 - 15 cell phone lockers in each classroom. These are voluntary for students and/or their parents that would like the phone distraction removed from the learning environment.

If you'd like for your child to use a cell phone locker in one or more classes, please talk about this option with your child and/or reach out to their teacher by email.

Students may use cell phones to connect to family and friends during all class changes, before/after school, and at lunch.

We want to provide information on traffic patterns to our entire community early and often! The good news is that our campus has two entrances. Our school hours are 7:10-2:10. Please help us spread the word. Attached is the traffic pattern for bus and vehicle entry/exit to campus. Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we all learn to follow the traffic pattern to ensure safety and efficiency.

Buses will follow the red pattern and enter/exit at the traffic light.

Parents are now able to drop off in the front of the school and in the back of the school.

Once the buses have exited the bus lanes, students will be permitted to be dropped off at the front entrance between 6:55 and 7:10. All after school pick up will remain in the back of the building.

Parent drop off will follow the blue or green traffic pattern. Students may be dropped off at the lower attendance office entrance beginning at 6:20 AM and proceed to the Commons for supervision. The car rider line begins to back up at 6:50. Students may not exit cars in the parking lot. We encourage you to practice this traffic pattern beginning on July 29.

Parent pick up will follow the blue traffic pattern in the afternoons.

Student drivers will also enter/exit from W Rock Quarry Road (back of campus near baseball/softball fields). Student drivers will be provided a lot assignment at Open House. Each student who drives an automobile to school must register the vehicle by purchasing a parking permit. Parking permits cost $70.00 for the year. Parking will go on sale beginning July 22, through MyPaymentsPlus. Parking on campus is a privilege. Therefore, certain rules and regulations are expected of the student to maintain this privilege.

Walkers will use the sidewalks on Sardis Church Road and cross at the light. Walkers will leave campus through the side doors in the tower, cross at the gate at the top of our drive, and proceed to the traffic light.

Each student who drives an automobile to school must register the vehicle by purchasing a parking permit. Parking permits cost $70.00 for the year. Parking for the 2024-2025 school year is on sale beginning July 22nd through MyPaymentsPlus. A parking application, a copy of a valid driver's license, and proof of insurance will be required to receive the parking decal at Open House on August 1. Parking on campus is a privilege. Therefore, certain rules and regulations are expected of the student to maintain this privilege. If you have any questions, please reach out to Assistant Principal Chris Bess at chris.bess@gcpsk12.org.

Be sure to complete the Free and Reduced Lunch application by Monday, September 16, 2024. Families need to apply every year. The online application for the 24-25 school year is available now at www.gwinnett.schoollunchapp.com and you can find more information about the application using the following link: https://ow.ly/y1u050SBCnV

It's More Than a Meal! Beyond the Free & Reduced meal price benefits, filling out an application has other positive benefits. Check out the image below for those added benefits!

K&K Insurance provides coverage for Student Accident Insurance if needed. For more information please visit K&K's website at www.studentinsurance-KK.com.

SKG PTSA is excited to kick off our 3rd year! Membership dues are only $10. Sign your student up, too! We are working on student incentives, and scholarship opportunities are available for SKG PTSA Seniors.

We hope to see many of you at our upcoming AP Workshop on Wednesday July 24th. If you haven't registered already you can use the following link to sign up: AP Workshop Sign Up

Seckinger High school is looking for substitute teachers for the upcoming school year. At Seckinger we value everyone who walks through the doors of our school and would love to be able to support you as a substitute teacher. As a sub at SKG we will provide you with detailed lesson plans, maps of the school, seating charts, and other helpful information and support. Information regarding perks and compensation can be found on the district website. https://www.gcpsk12.org/Page/24537

If you are interested in being placed on the preferred substitute list at Seckinger High School, please complete the form using the following link: tinyurl.com/SKGSub

It's not too late to participate in the GCPL Summer Reading Challenge! More info can be found on the GCPL Summer Reading Challenge web page.

GCPL App: Did you know that you can check out up to 75 books for free at the Gwinnett County Public and that you are exempt from late fees through our Branch Out Program? You can download the Gwinnett County Public Library app and seach for books to put them on hold for pick up at your location. You can login using your student number as your barcode and your password is the month and day of your birthday (MMDD).

LIBBY App: Read books for free on your devices using the Libby, the Gwinnett County Public Library App with free ebooks and audiobooks. Click here for Libby direction.

Seniors! Booking for your senior photo has begun! To make things extra easy for the class of 2024, CADY has created a step-by-step senior booking guide. Please see the attachment using the button below. The last day to be photographed for the 2024-2025 yearbook is Tuesday October 15, 2024.

Please note: Some scenes and session types are available in-studio only and will not be available when CADY is at SKG. If a senior is booking a session at SKG, they will need to book a SIMPLE or STANDARD session. For seniors with any additional questions, our customer experience team can be contacted at 678.722.3449.

Senior Tributes are now on sale on yearbookordercenter.com through October 31, 2024 to be included in the 3rd volume of the Seckinger Rosarium Yearbook. Use code 25067 when ordering.

Please have a look at the following document for detailed information about Seckinger Athletics. It contains crucial details about the athletic calendar, spirit wear, and available sponsorship packages.

• Only Seckinger HS students and opposing HS students will be permitted in games without a parent. High School IDs will be checked.
  
• Students must leave school on game day and can return thirty minutes before the start.
  
• All games are available for purchase online. Visit the GoFan website here: https://gofan.co/
  
• All elementary and middle school students must be accompanied by an adult at all sporting events.
• Please click here to access the head coach's directory and email the coach for more information.

The Falcons are coming to the Jaguar Stadium! This open practice at Seckinger High School will take place on Saturday July 27th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. This event will be first come, first served with free walk-up entry beginning at 5 p.m. until capacity is reached.

More information can be found here: https://www.atlantafalcons.com/training-camp

See attached for a list of clubs and when they meet. E-mail the club sponsor listed for more information. https://www.gcpsk12.org/domain/14382

To support your child’s individual needs and interests, we offer multiple ways to connect with your family to address questions.

• Phones – Our main line is 678-288-0800.
• Email – You may email Administration with your child’s name, questions, and a preferred method of contact, email or phone. Administration Directory
• SKG Student Handbook - Check out the Student Handbook for useful information to help you navigate Seckinger HS.
• SKG Student Calendar - Follow our SKG Student Calendar to keep up with all events at Seckinger.
• Social Media - Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. See details below.