August 16 Newsletter

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, 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.

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.

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