August 15 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 new Centegix system, full-time School Resource Officer, Officer David Perkins, 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 will be 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”.

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.

HNGA Chromebook CARE (English)

HNGA EL CUIDADO DEL CHROMEBOOK

Families, please click the link to offer us input on the use of our Habersham County Schools' Websites. The purpose is to improve our efficiency and your access to information.

HCSS Website Survey Link

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.

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