Golden Family Newsletter

Dear Golden HS Families,

I hope our students had a great first day. It was wonderful to see all 1492 students in the gym this morning for the first day assembly. The energy and excitement I could feel from our student body to be back together as a Golden High School community was a joy for me and our staff. Here are a few reminders as we begin the year and everyone gets settled back into our school day routines.

Bell Schedule

We will operate on a normal Bell Schedule next week. You can view the bell schedule on the Golden High School website on the main page.

Health School Meals for All

• Thanks to Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA), the district will continue to provide all students with one breakfast and one lunch daily at no cost through the 2024-25 school year, regardless of income eligibility. Research consistently demonstrates that students who are well-nourished perform better academically. By prioritizing nutrition, we can help create a more productive learning environment that enables all students to reach their full academic potential.
• Though meals are free for all Jeffco students, families are still encouraged to visit SchoolCafé and complete a Student Benefits Application. While this application does not determine your student’s access to meals under the HSMA program, it may help their school secure additional state or federal funding. Additionally, your student(s) may be eligible for other benefits, such as school-related fees or testing fees, based on information provided on the application.

New Visitor Check-in System

Safety of our students and staff is our utmost priority. We will be implementing our new visitor management system starting on Monday. The new Raptor Technologies keep potential threats out by instantly screening each visitor’s government-issued ID card to ensure the safety of our students. The Raptor system identifies visitors as approved by requiring them to wear a badge that shows their role type, name, destination, date and time of entry, and photo. Moving forward, all visitors will need to bring a government issued photo identification and check in at the security desk in the main “A” building when visiting Golden High School.

Attendance Policy

It is important that students attend school regularly in order to be successful. As a reminder, JeffCo attendance policy distinguishes excused and unexcused absences and should be reported to the GHS Attendance Office within 24 hours of the absence. The following shall be considered excused:

• A student who is temporarily ill or injured or whose absence is approved by the school administration on a prearranged basis. Prearranged absences shall be approved for appointments or circumstances of a serious nature only, which cannot be taken care of outside of school hours.

• A student who is absent for an extended period due to physical, mental, or emotional disability.

• A student attending a funeral, legal obligations, medical procedures or extenuating circumstances determined by the principal.

• A student attending a school sponsored activity or receiving Jeffco educational services.

• A student who is suspended or expelled.

• A student in out-of-home placement (as that term is defined by C.R.S. 22-32-138 (1)(h)), absent due to court appearances and participation in court-ordered activities so long as the student´s assigned social worker verifies the student's absence was for a court appearance or court-ordered activity.

Cell Phone Practice

Ensuring each student’s academic, social, and emotional growth is paramount to our purpose as a learning organization. Studies indicate that when cell phone usage is limited, students are more equipped to engage in academics, create meaningful relationships with their peers, and improve mental health by reducing a source of stress and anxiety. We have, therefore, developed campus-wide cell phone practice that limits personal cell phone usage during the school day. This year, students will be restricted from using cell phones during instructional time but may use their cell phones during passing periods, lunch and off blocks. This is a practice that has been in place in many teachers’ classrooms at Golden, and has been successful in those classrooms. We are now implementing it in all classrooms. We know this will be a change for our students, and we are committed to working with our students in a kind and caring way to feel comfortable during this change.

Traffic and Student Drop-off and Pick-up

I appreciate everyone's patience this morning. I know traffic was heavy this morning, but all students arrived safely and that is always our first priority. A couple of quick reminders. From 7:30 until 8:15 a.m., and from 2:45 until 3:45 p.m., no cars will be permitted in the bus loop for any reason. Use the main parking lot for drop off and pick up. Parking is also not permitted in the bus loop at any time. We know traffic gets backed up on 24th street and many students cross 24th St. to be dropped off and picked up, so please plan accordingly to ensure timeliness to class and maintain a safe environment for our walkers and bike riders.

We appreciate your continued support as we try to continuously improve our processes and student experience.

I look forward to the weeks ahead and getting to learn more about our new and returning students. I appreciate everyone working together to make the first day amazing.

Regards,

John

Golden High School has teamed up with Way to Go to offer Schoolpool, a safe carpool matching service. Schoolpool connects neighboring families who may be a good fit for driving, walking or biking to school together. For more information, click here.

For information regarding parking at GHS: 24-25 Parking Info

Just a friendly reminder for all seniors wanting to purchase a parking pass. All mandatory course fees/fines must be paid along with the $125 parking permit fee. If you only pay your parking fee but not your mandatory course fees/fines, it will automatically be applied to any outstanding course fees/fines. If all fees/fines are not paid, you will not be guaranteed a parking permit.

Don't know what bus route your child takes to and from school? Click here

Eleventh-grade students will have the opportunity to take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) at Golden High School on the morning of Thursday, October 10th. We highly encourage eleventh-grade students to take the exam as it prepares them for the SAT and provides opportunities for scholarships, college searches and Advanced Placement (AP) potential.

Please complete this registration form by August 28th, if you would like your eleventh-grade student to take the PSAT/NMSQT.

Picture day is next Wednesday August 21st and Thursday August 22nd. Students will go get their picture taken and receive their student ID during their ELA class. Pictures taken will be printed onto your Student ID and will also be used in the yearbook.

School Dress Code will be enforced. Specific clothing that is not allowed at GHS includes articles which displays words, writing, or graphics that are inappropriate for a school setting. These may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco (including all Golden based companies)
• Nudity (including logos such as Playboy)
• Vulgarity
• Weapons
• Gang-related activity
• Material of a sexist or racist nature
• Phrases with a double entendre or dual meaning
• Sports bras, tube tops, or backless tops, or excessive midriff

To request a change, student must come into Counseling to fill out a schedule change request form by August 28, 3:15 p.m. Phone calls and emails from parents and students to request changes will not be considered.

Schedule change requests will not be considered for:

• Teacher preference
• Off block preference or schedule change to accommodate a job, sport, carpooling or other activities

Schedule change requests will be considered if:

• Student doesn't have a full schedule
• Student is scheduled for a class that requires a prerequisite that student hasn't taken
• Student is missing a core class (English, Math, Social Studies, Science)
• Student did not get first choice elective

All families must complete the annual registration process by Friday, September 13. Please call the registrar at 303-982-4163 if you need help logging into Campus.

The PTA meets the second Tuesday of the month. If you would like to be part of our PTA, please go to the PTA website in order to join. All are welcomed.

Golden High School has a proud tradition of success which can only be continues by the ongoing support of the community, parents, staff and students of Golden. Thank you so much for choosing GHS - The Home of the Demons!

August 21 - School Picture Day

August 22 - School Picture Day

September 2 - Labor Day No School

September 4 - Club Rush during homeroom

September 5 - Varsity Theatre: Alice in Wonderland

September 6 - Varsity Theatre: Alice in Wonderland

September 7- Varsity Theatre: Alice in Wonderland

September 11 - NHS Induction Ceremony

September 20 - No School - Teacher Work Day

September 22 - Golden Gallop