Golden Family Newsletter

Dear Golden HS Families,

It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the 2024-2025 school year. I hope students and families have had a wonderful summer and are looking forward to the upcoming school year. I am excited about the start of school and am honored to serve as the Golden High School Principal. Much of this back-to-school information was sent to families in May and in early August but please do review it if you have not had an opportunity to do so.

This correspondence is to provide our families with information regarding some changes that have been made at Golden High School to ensure our students are safe and that they engage in a positive school experience. It is important to me that you are familiar with following new systems aimed to positively impact our school community.

New Visitor Check-in System

Safety of our students and staff is our utmost priority. Thus, early in the school year we will be implementing a new visitor management system. 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 Lunch

We will most likely experience a higher volume of traffic during drop-off and pick-up the first few weeks of school. Please allow for more time in the mornings and afternoons to accommodate the back-to-school traffic patterns. In addition, students may experience longer than usual lunch lines the first few days of school as they are learning the cafeteria procedures. For students who eat lunch on campus, we will ensure everyone has an opportunity to eat lunch no matter how long it takes to get through the line. Students will be provided a pass to class if extra time is needed the first days of school.

We are all excited to have our Freshman return to school on August 15th and the rest of our students on the 16th.

Regards,

John

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

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.

Seniors and families, please join us at Golden High School on August 13 at 5:00 OR 6:00 p.m. to learn all the GHS steps for applying to colleges.

We do not have a grade level school supplies list. Students should come to school on the first day with a pen/pencil, a notebook and their fully charged--District issued--Chromebook. They will get needed requirements for each class from their teachers, but the first day will primarily be introductions and community building.

The first day for freshmen is Thursday August 15. This is Freshman Orientation Day and is a required day for 9th graders. Buses will run as normal before school and depart at 12:45. The cafeteria will be serving both breakfast and lunch.

• Orientation will start in the main gym at 8:15; students are asked to gather in the main courtyard to be let into the gym at 8:05.
• New Chromebooks will be distributed to all freshmen. If your student was an 8th grader at a Jeffco school, they will need to bring their 8th grade Jeffco issued Chromebook and charger so they can exchange it for a new Chromebook and charger.
• Students will have their pictures taken for the yearbook and for student IDs.
• Students should dress comfortably, as they will be moving around. Students should be prepared to sit on floors, be active, and climb up and down stairs. *Dress code will be enforced. School will end at 12:20, and buses will depart at 12:45.
• For more information about this day, visit the Freshman Information page on our website.

New Student Orientation will be on August 15, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. This orientation is for 10th, 11th, 12th graders who are new to Golden High School.

The regular school year starts for all students on Friday August 16. On this day, students will have all seven class periods.

• Student hours are 7:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Classes begin at 8:15 a.m. and end at 3:15 p.m. Access time is 3:15 - 3:30 p.m.
• The Main Office hours are 7:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Fridays.
• The link to the bell schedule is available on the Golden High School website on the main page.

Over the past year, Golden High School has collaborated with Jeffco's website redesign team to create a new site that better serves our families, students, and staff. Be sure to bookmark and visit the new website for the latest updates and information throughout the school year.

Please complete the registration process for your student(s) before each school year. The Annual Update ensures that we have the most accurate information about your family and provides you with access to various services and opportunities. Please register through Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Learn more at www.jeffcopublicschools.org/enroll

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 12 - First day of Fall Sports (Golf August 5)

August 13 - Back to School Night 5:00 -7:00 p.m.

August 13 - College Application Process Presentation, 2 sessions, 5:00 OR 6:00 p.m.

August 15 - Freshman Orientation (half day)

August 16 - First Day for All Students

August 21 - School Picture Day

August 22 - School Picture Day

September 2 - Labor Day No School