Dear Colleagues,

Opening day is here! I know each of us is focused on our individual responsibilities, but I want to take a moment to remind everyone, including myself, that we are in this together. We will succeed together, taking every day as it comes. Our primary goal for the week is to set high expectations with a positive, warm delivery.

Thank you in advance for bringing your best to the Central High School community.

The goal is to welcome our Knights into a warm, supportive environment where they feel welcomed and valued. We will do so by intentionally creating positive interactions to set the tone for our school year.

We will:

• Greet every student with a smile and a welcome.

• Approach every student with “How can I help you?” or “I can help” when you notice they might be unsure of where to go or what to do.

• Remember that students are excited to see each other. If they are socializing when the bell rings, please approach the situation warmly. Instead of “Get to class,” let’s say, “That’s our class bell. It’s time to find our classes. If you need help with your schedule, I can help you.” Be warm and patient while continuing to guide.

• Remember, WE are setting the tone for the year. Patience will be key today.

The "Opening Day Assignments" link takes you to the logistics for opening day. There will also be hard copies available in the office.

If you teach period 2, please review the lunch assignments with your students so they know where to go after your class. Assignments differ from last year. Thank you!

We are going to have two assemblies today. Grade 9 students will be called down period 4. Grade 10 students will be called down period 5. Please accompany your students and sit with them in the gymnatorium. If you have a mixed-grade class, send the students, please.

Please follow the 10 minute rule, meaning no passes the first 10 minutes and the last 10 minutes of class. The feedback I received about the color coding of passes was that it was difficult to enforce, so let's use blue passes and see how it goes.

If a student insists they need to go to the main office, please call 0 and let someone know a student is on their way.

We are currently making the final changes to office assignments. Please reference this list until a hard copy is available.

Please do not send students to guidance. Instead, please have them scan the QR code to make an appointment. The code below works, and you received a flyer in your mailbox.

School Counselors divide the student roster by alpha as follows:

• A-C Clifton Peasley
• D-J Christina Yates
• K-Q Carla RIcci
• R-Z Jimps Jean-Louis

Bus passes will be available after school in the gymnatorium. Students are not allowed to leave class to get a bus pass. No exceptions. RIPTA is free for the first few days of school, so if a student does not get a RIPTA pass right away, they have some time to do so.

My understanding is that students were given Chromebooks and that they are expected to bring them to class charged. I'm wondering how this going. Please encourage students in grades 10-12 to bring any and all Chromebooks they have to school. Freshmen will receive a Chromebook after returning the acceptable use policy.

Please select the following administrators for disciple referrals by grade:

• 9th grade Renee Walker
• 10th grade Bianca Bevilacqua
• 11th grade will be Marcela Astudillo; select Gail DeCecco until Dr. Astudillo becomes available on Skyward
• 12th grade Matthew Buchanan

PPSD uses many platforms. In order for us to begin the year, everyone must ensure that they can access the top 3. If you are unable to do so, please complete this form linked below immediately.

Please plan to have your Canvas gradebooks set up to match your Skyward grading categories by 9.13.24. The image on the left is captured from our Canvas portal. If you need any assistance with Canvas, please know that in addition to the guides, PPSD pays for the live chat and help features.