August 9 Newsletter

It's hard to believe we are finishing the first full week of school! It has been so enjoyable to have students back in the building! Classes are in full swing, and students may already be experiencing the increased academic demands of high school.

The beginning of the school year is similar to the old sports adage, "You can't win the game in the first quarter, but you can lose it." Students cannot accomplish all their goals in the first part of the semester, but if a student has fallen behind in his/her course work or has missed school frequently, his/her goals may already be in jeopardy by the time the calendar flips to September.

At HNGA, our goals are simple and are still within reach for each student. One of our main goals is to have 100% of our students earn all 8 of their potential credits, including their core content (math, English, science, and history) classes. By following HNGA's A, B, C'S (Attendance, Behavior, Course Performance, and Safety), our students can experience tremendous levels of success and be on the path to high school graduation in May of 2028.

C.S. Lewis said, "You can't go back and change the beginning. But you can start where you are and change the ending." For our students, if they've fallen behind in their work or have had poor attendance so far this year, they cannot change that. But they can decide to come to school every day and put forth 100% effort from here on out.

If there is anything I can do to support you or your student, please do not hesitate to contact me. While we strive to meet the needs of each student, we are not perfect and we truly value your feedback.

FOR Students,

David Leenman

Principal

The safety of our staff and students is our main priority each day. Supervision, monitoring, and building relationships with our students are paramount to ensuring our safety and well-being each and every day.

Our full-time School Resource Officer, Officer Anthony Cianci, our Raptor visitor check-in system, and the security cameras throughout the building are just a few of the vital components of school safety. If you are coming to the school to check out a student or attend a meeting, please bring your ID with you.

We have been communicating our safety expectations to our students, including the vital role they play in school safety as we encourage our students to “See Something, Say Something”.

Research shows that one of the main indicators of a freshman's future high school graduation is his/her attendance. In fact, a student's attendance during the first 30 days of their 9th-grade year is a better indicator of high school graduation than any other factor. Students with fewer than 5 tardies, no unexcused absences, and fewer than 2 parent or doctor notes will be able to participate in a major incentive on Sept. 13, the 30th day of school!

Good school attendance directly impacts a student's grades, emotional wellness, and more. It is our goal that each student is absent no more than 5 school days throughout the school year. Simply being at school each day moves a student closer to graduation!

This year, we will have monthly attendance competitions between the 7 Houses. The winning homeroom will earn House points (see below), the coveted attendance trophy, and bragging rights. The House with the best attendance each month will be treated with a sundae bar, s'mores, hot chocolate, or other great prizes!

In order to graduate on time with their peers,, students will need to earn a minimum of 24 credits. However, research shows that a student's freshman year is the most important year of high school. We know that students who finish the 9th grade with minimal behavior issues and earned credits in ELA and math are four times more likely to graduate on time than their off-track peers (John Hopkins School of Education). These facts are at the center of each decision we make for the students.

Each student will begin the fall semester with a schedule that includes four, 90 minute classes. A typical student schedule will include two academics and two electives each semester.

In order to finish 9th grade on track and be promoted to Habersham Central as a sophomore, students must earn a minimum of 5 credits, though students will have the ability to earn up to 8 credits as a freshman. It is our goal that 100% of freshmen finish the year with credits earned in each core content area; science, math, English, history, and Health and Personal Fitness.

In order to be academically successful, students need to be at school when healthy, actively participate in each class, and take advantage of all the opportunities given to them by their teachers. Students and families should communicate with their teachers should any academic questions arise.

Parents and guardians, we have begun enforcing the student dress code.

A few issues that we have observed during the first few weeks of school have been shorts, skirts, and dresses not meeting the length requirement. According to the dress code all shorts (male and female), skirts, and dresses can be no shorter than a student's fingertips with their hands by their side. In addition, there should be no holes in pants higher than a student's fingertips with their hands by their side, and pajama pants are not appropriate for school. Please take the time to read the dress code in its entirety.

Also, shirts must be long enough to extend beyond the top of the pants, shorts, or skirt. No cleavage or undergarments should be exposed.

Students not adhering to the dress code will be asked to change clothes if they have another option with them, or a parent will be contacted to bring a change of clothes to the school. Thank you in advance for your support as we endeavor to create a wholesome environment focused on student learning.

In an effort to create a school where students are actively engaged and want to be at school each day, and the type of school that meets the needs of all of our students while building self-confidence and a sense of belonging, HNGA instituted a school-wide House System. A House is much like a team, and the members of each House become very close-knit.

According to Evie Reid (Education Week, June 2017), “Students pick up signals from their schools and peers about whether or not they belong; perceptions that can affect their success both inside and outside the classroom.” It is difficult to see students who try unsuccessfully to fit in at school or be accepted by their peers. According to research, approximately 25% of students are involved in extra-curricular activities such as sports, clubs, or fine arts.

The purpose of our House System is:

· To create a sense of family, camaraderie, and belonging for all students

· To create an avenue for consistent recognition and healthy competition

· To create excitement and a sense of pride in our school

· To create an environment where every child feels valued, nurtured, and loved

· To improve school engagement

Every student is randomly assigned to one of seven Houses. Each House has its own name and meaning. Tiyaga which means perseverance in Filipino; Respectus is Latin, and it means respect; Bonté, which means kindness in French; Uaminifu which means loyalty in Swahili; Zeren which means responsibility in Chinese; Mahalo which means generosity in Hawaiian, and Onore which is Italian for honor.

Students received a letter over the summer with their House assignments and were given a House t-shirt on the first day of school. This helps create a sense of belonging from day one of the school year. Houses met on the first day of school to learn about the House System. This was followed by a school-wide assembly where students sit with their own House and compete in a variety of fun competitions.

Throughout the school year, students earn points for their House by passing all of their classes, making the honor roll, having good attendance, performing random acts of kindness, participating in community service, and much more. In addition, a quarterly “Battle of the Houses” is held to keep the momentum going throughout the year. This includes a variety of competitions (sporting events, trivia, relay games, eating contests, etc.).

Finally, a full day of celebration is held for the House with the most points at the end of the school year. This may include a special breakfast and lunch, field trip, on-site laser tag, inflatables, ice cream break, and of course, plenty of candy and soft drinks.

The House System has gotten better every year. Student and teacher buy-in has increased; we have experienced an improvement in attendance and student engagement, which in turn has increased student achievement as measured by End of Course assessments, course performance, and credits earned. In addition, the implementation of the House System has brought a sense of excitement among students and staff and a drastic improvement in our school culture.

Students are to have their electronic communication devices and other electronic media turned off and put away upon entering the school, throughout the school day, and until they leave the school each day. A student using a cell phone outside of instructional purposes (including, but not limited to use in commons’ areas, cafeteria, restrooms, locker rooms, and hallways) will result in the following consequences:

• First Offense: Cell phone will be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the school day.

• Second Offense: Cell phone will be confiscated and returned to a parent at the end of the school day.

• Third or additional Offenses: Cell phone will be confiscated and returned to a parent at the end of the school day. The student will also serve one day in In School Suspension (ISS).

Students who repeatedly violate the cell phone policy may be required to leave their cell phone in the office at the beginning of each school day.

Students are not permitted to video, take pictures of, or audio record other students violating any section of the Code of Conduct.

Parents and Families,

Your 9th grade student is receiving a school chromebook and charger that they will be responsible for. At this level, students ARE allowed to bring them home with them every night to charge. IF YOU DO NOT WANT your student to charge a chromebook at home then that student needs to bring their charger and chromebook to the Media Center for us to set them up a charging station. Most students and parents elect to charge the chromebook at home but there is responsibility involved. It will be important for them to charge their chromebook every night and remember to bring it with them to school every day. Below is a Chromebook User agreement form that you signed at the beginning of the school year that has some good CyberSafety tips and Chromebook care. Also, there is a quick video of care and responsibility of chromebooks that you may want to watch. (It is only 6 minutes) August is a time period that we DO NOT charge for accidental damage but starting in September, any damage to the chromebooks or chargers will accrue a charge and students will be responsible for paying on their media account. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at sshubert@habershamschools.com. Thanks!

Chromebook Care and Responsibilities

Habersham Co. Schools Cyberagreement/Chromebook Usage

If you have had an opportunity to visit our building you may have seen the very large #RaiderReg signs posted throughout our hallways. These are school-wide behaviors and/or skills that we teach and reinforce with our students each day. At HNGA we believe it is important to take an active role in teaching essential skills that are not only important for them to be successful students but also soft skills that employers look for in their employees. Some of these include putting forth 100% effort in every class, completing homework without complaining, looking adults in the eye, punctuality, saying "please" and "thank you", etc.

If you have an opportunity, please reinforce these skills at home. Learning these soft skills will help your student stand out to future employers and/or colleges.

Habersham Ninth Grade Academy will provide a positive, safe learning community, equipping and empowering students with skills necessary for graduation and post-secondary pursuits.

Email: Dleenman@habershamschools.com
Website: https://hnga.habershamschools.com/
Location: 171 Raider Circle, Mount Airy, GA, USA
Phone: 706-778-0830
Facebook: facebook.com/HabershamNinthGradeAcademy