Each month information will be sent out to GCHS families with updates, important information, reminders, and celebrations. I look forward to offering you this communication and I encourage you to stay in touch through Infinite Campus, connecting with teachers, and me.

We have initiated new technology that will keep you up to date on your students' attendance.

• VisitU is the platform being used for students and guests to check in and out of the building. Each time your student checks out or in using VisitU, you will be notified via text and email.
• Infinite Campus Automated calls will occur at 9:35 a.m. each day if your student has been marked absent 2 consecutive periods. It is important for you to call the office by 9 a.m. if your child is going to be absent. Another round of calls will occur after lunch at 1:35 p.m.

80 families submitted the feedback survey! There were many good insights, but two themes presented themselves loud and clear.

1. Desire for more communication (from the teachers, school, and centralized location for events)
2. Fair, consistent follow through on expectations

At GCHS, we will work to improve those things!

We appreciate and value your input.

Turn notifications on so you can see schedule changes! (Click link above. Once on the website look on the left side for green "Notifications" button. Fill out to set up what notifications you'd like to receive!) If you'd like notifications on specific sports, click on that sport to choose desired notifications. You can also set up notification through the BOUND app on your cell phone.

• 2.5 GPA
• 90% attendance in class
• Form signed by parent/guardian and returned
• Grade/attendance checks every 3 weeks
• Check in and out at the office when using Open Campus

Homecoming Week is Sept. 18-22. Stay tuned for more details on an adjusted schedule on Friday, Sept. 22.

In talking with local businesses and employers, their largest struggle with employees is attendance and arriving on time. High school is an opportunity to develop the most basic life skills such as attendance and arriving on time. Because we take the task of preparing our students for real-world experiences seriously, we include the following attendance and tardy policies as parallels to an employed individual who would have defined vacation time, personal days, or sick days.

Excused Absences - Absence with an official slip produced. Please provide the office with the appointment card or note from the medical personnel.); funeral of a family member, court appearance, school-sponsored activity, or other absence approved in advance by the building principal.

Verified - Parent/Guardian provides verbal or written notification to the school of the student’s

absence

Unexcused - Any absence beyond the 6 verified that does not have proper documentation to be excused

The school determines if an absence is excused or unexcused. (from page 8 in Student/Parent Handbook)

TARDY POLICY

● 2 tardys per trimester - the student will meet with the teacher of that class to develop a plan for

success

● 4th tardy - to a single class, communication home to review and adjust the plan for success

(conference call with student, teacher, parent) 20 minute detention with teacher to be served within

2 school days (the detention can occur before or after school, or during lunch, based on teacher

availability)

● 7th tardy - 30-minute detention to be served before or after school in the office. A call will be made

home by office personnel to inform and seek assistance on the repetitive behavior.

● 10th tardy - face to face meeting with parent, teacher, student, administrator

The State of Iowa now requires all parents/guardians to acknowledge they have received the Student/Parent Handbook. If you have not done so, please click the document above for your review, then go to Infinite Campus and look for "One document pending" on your home screen/inbox. Once there click the box to acknowledge your receipt of the handbook.

• Sept. 4 No School
• Sept. 5 RVTV on the Square (Dunk the Principal 5 p.m.)
• Sept 12-13 MAP testing
• Sept 18 First 1:40 dismissal at the HS
• Sept 18-22 Homecoming Week
• Sept 22 Alternate Schedule for Homecoming Parade
• Sept 28 School Pictures

Karen Shannon

• shannonk@greenecountycsd.net
• 515-386-2188

It is my honor to be serving the students, staff, and families of GCHS, and I am looking forward to a great 2023-2024 year.