Buccaneer Family Bulletin

Greetings, Bucs! Welcome to the first issue of the Buccaneer Family Bulletin for the 2024-25 school year. We are all gearing up to begin another wonderful year of learning here at Gulf High School. To families and students new to our area and our school, we are glad to have you as part of the #GHSBuccaneerNation. For those students who are returning for another year here at Gulf, together we will build on the foundations of last year.

We are fully settled in to our new building and the campus is (nearly) free of all construction. You'll notice some important changes, many of which are detailed throughout this Bulletin.

1. Our student parking lot and bus loop are finished and now located on the north end of campus along School Road. Both are expanded to handle our growing student numbers and vehicles.
2. The Car Loop for morning drop off and afternoon pick up is now at the far south end of campus along Cecelia Drive. Below, you'll find a map and instructions on using the new Car Loop. It is a much longer pathway than we have ever had in the 102 year history of Gulf High. Thus, we expect it to alleviate traffic congestion on surrounding roads and provide greater safety.
3. Walkways have been installed in a variety of locations with most having overhead canopies to protect students from the weather.
4. Our bike rack has been relocated to the center of campus near the locker rooms. No locking up of bikes or scooters in other places or along fences please!

As you read through this issue, you'll find downloadable resources. Please click and save these for your reference.

So, welcome back for another great opportunity of Reaching New Horizons for all Gulf students!

-Mr. Morgenstein

• Principal's Corner
• Two Important Dates
• Meet the Teacher and Orientation Day August 6
• First Day of Classes August 12
• Important Documents - Please Download
• Teacher and Student Calendar 2024-25
• GHS Regular Bell Schedule with Rotating Expanded Learning Time
• Cell Phone and Electronic Device Use Policy - NEW Please Download
  
• Student Use of Electronic Devices - ("Cell Phone Policy")
• Electronic Device Use Flier
• Dressing For School Each Day - Please Download
• Dress For Success Flier
• Dress and Appearance Policy
• Academic Integrity - Doing Your Own Best Work Everyday! - Please Download
• Academic Integrity Policy
• Car Loop: Drop Off and Pick Up Plan (incl. Map) - Please Download
• Morning Arrival to Start the Day
• Dismissal At the End of the Day
  
• Signing Out for Early Dismissal
• Closed Campus - No Leaving / No Deliveries
  
• Visitors to Campus - Entering Reception for A Scheduled Appointment
• Hall Passes Are Color-Coded by Hallway
  
• Student Parking Passes - Please Download
• Celebrate Success with Bucs Bucks!
  
• Join the School Advisory Council (SAC)
• Navigating High School Resource Pages
• Safety First - Prohibited Items

Meet the Teacher and Orientation Day is Tuesday August 6th!

• Please park in the South Parking Lot (normally a Staff-Only lot) from Cecelia Drive
• Enter campus and go to the Galley - our Cafeteria
• Complete necessary steps for Orientation including the Parental Bill of Rights section
• Pay student fees
• Tour the campus and visit classrooms

First Day of School is August 12th!

• Set your alarm to wake up early
• Plan for transportation needs
• Arrive early and have breakfast at the Central Commons
• First bell is 7:05am - be ready to go!
• Arrive in class before the late bell at 7:10am
• No electronic devices!!

Please check out the school year calendar and our bell schedule. We ask that families plan travel or college visits to not conflict with scheduled school days. There are several opportunities for students and families to enjoy longer weekends for trips or other needs. As well, students are required to be on time to school each morning. Our day begins with the first bell at 7:05am.

As in school districts nationwide, Pasco County Schools has a strict cell phone and electronic use policy. This applies to all personal electronics including (but not limited to) cell phones, earbuds, headphones, smartwatches, tablets, gaming devices, etc.

Simply put, there are only 3 times of the day that students may use, have out, or be wearing their devices:

Device Use is Permitted

• Before school
• During the student's scheduled lunch time
• After dismissal

Device Use is NOT Permitted

• Any time during the school day (other than lunch)
• During passing periods
• Going to and from locations on campus such as the office or restrooms
• In the restrooms, locker rooms, gym, etc.
• During drills or emergencies
• During testing
• When an adult has told the student to turn off/silence and put away devices

INTERVENTIONS AND CONSEQUENCES ARE IN PLACE

• Students will be redirected and given one chance to comply: They must turn off/silence AND put away the devices in their book bag.
• Lock boxes are available in every classroom so students can lock the device away.
• Students will be issued an incident infraction or office referral.
• Students will lose privileges and/or serve detentions, etc.
• Devices will be confiscated and not returned to the student.
• Parent/guardian will have to pick up confiscated devices.

Our goal is that each student arrives on campus ready to learn. This includes being dressed appropriately for learning. When leaving the house for school each day, check that your student's clothing adheres to our dress code.

In its simplest form, clothing should cover the body and not be full of holes or see-through. The top you're wearing should overlap the waist of the bottoms and have straps. There shouldn't be any offensive art or writing on clothes. No hats, hoods, or other types of head coverings are permitted (except for documented medical or religious purposes).

Download the documents below, read them carefully, and get ALL the details. The Dress for Success flier also provides a visual to help guide you!

At Gulf High School, we promote all students engaging in learning with an honest approach to their work. Academic integrity in high school is essential for fostering a culture of honesty, trust, and respect for knowledge. Students are expected to uphold ethical standards by not cheating or plagiarizing. By maintaining academic integrity, students demonstrate their commitment to learning, critical thinking, and ethical behavior, which are crucial attributes for success in all levels of education, careers, and life.

Artificial Intelligence has become more present in all our lives. AI can be used... but this must be done responsibly. Students should approach AI as a tool to aid and enhance their learning, rather than a shortcut to their academic responsibilities.

The Car Loop is on the south end of campus. It is more than double the size of what we were using last semester! This will alleviate traffic on surrounding roads and speed up the process in the morning and afternoon.

INSTRUCTIONS

• Enter the driveway on Cecelia Drive just west of Madison Street.
• Turn in and make an immediate RIGHT turn.
• Follow the loop all the way around the edges of the parking lot remaining in line with other vehicles.
• Drop Off & Pick Up Location: At the area marked with a star on the map below.
• Students must be ready to exit or enter the vehicle quickly.

IMPORTANT

• All vehicles must follow the Car Loop route all the way around.
• No cutting in or out of the line as this is a safety hazard.
• NO PARKING. (Parking is only for Staff.)
• Please wait patiently - especially the first few days as everyone learns the pattern. THANK YOU!

Walkers

Many Gulf students walk to and from school each day. We welcome you to arrive starting at 6:50am. Walkers have easiest access to campus through three locations (marked on the map above):

• The North Entry Gate along Madison Street near the school marquee
• The South Entry Gate at the south parking lot off Cecelia Drive
• The covered walkway onto Buccaneer Blvd. from the Student Parking Lot and Bus Loop along School Road

Students entering at either end of campus must follow signs to go around the back of the new building to Buccaneer Blvd. and make their way to the Central Commons. This will be our gathering spot each morning and where you’ll find outdoor seating, the Galley, and the Breakfast Carts. Restrooms and vending are located inside the Galley.

Car Riders – Dropping Off in the Morning

The Car Loop is located at the South Parking Lot entering from Cecelia Drive west of Madison Street. Please refer to the Car Loop information and map above for details!

Bus Passengers

Transportation Services will be dropping off non-wheelchair buses at the bus loop located along School Road. Students will follow the sidewalk to the North Commons and Buccaneer Blvd. and make their way to the Central Commons. This will be our gathering spot each morning and where you’ll find outdoor seating, the Galley, and the Breakfast Carts. Restrooms and vending are located inside the Galley.

IMPORTANT: Buses with wheelchair lifts will drop off and pick up along the front of the school building (inner roadway the runs parallel to Madison Street). ACP students will be met by their teachers and guided into class. Non-ACP students will walk around to the Central Commons.

Bicycle, Skateboard, and Scooter Parking

The bike rack is located along Buccaneer Blvd. nearer the north end of campus. Students are required to lock up their bikes, skateboards, and scooters in the racks designated for this purpose. Bike, scooter, and skateboard locks are sold at stores and online. All must be locked up. If not secured by a lock, the item will be removed, and you will not be permitted to bring it to campus until you get a lock. Anything locked in an unauthorized location (such as a fence or along the street) will be removed.

Gulf High School is not liable for theft or damage of bicycles, skateboards, scooters, or other transportation devices brought by students to school. Please take all precautions.

Students must follow signs to Buccaneer Blvd. and make their way to the Central Commons. This will be our gathering spot each morning and where you’ll find outdoor seating, the Galley, and the Breakfast Carts. Restrooms and vending are located inside the Galley.

1. Plan your travel time to arrive at school BEFORE the first warning bell at 7:05am
2. Students will all gather in the Central Commons and Galley each morning before school
3. Breakfast carts are stationed around the Central Commons
4. Students must be in their assigned 1st period class by the late bell at 7:10am – Arrive on time or early to class otherwise be marked Tardy (excessive tardies lead to disciplinary consequences)
5. Students must pick up their breakfast BEFORE the late bell – No returning to the Central Commons after the late bell
6. Students may use the restrooms and vending in The Galley in the morning – Keep the restrooms clean!
7. No prohibited materials allowed on campus at any time (ex. vapes, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, weapons)

Walkers

Students who walk to and from school are to exit either to the north or south of campus and head directly home.

Bicycle, Skateboard & Scooter Riders

Students who travel by bicycle or scooter are to pick these up from the approved racks along Buccaneer Blvd. Skateboards should be picked up from the rack or 6th period classroom. Exit safely. No riding of bicycles, skateboards, or scooters through campus. WALK!

Getting to My Bus and Passenger Expectations

The bus loop is at the north end of campus. Students are to walk north along Buccaneer Blvd. to the bus loop and student parking area. Please follow signs and staff members to find your bus.

Wheelchair-accessible buses will pull up along the curb along the inner drive at the front of the building parallel to Madison Street. Please be patient waiting for the wheelchair lift operators.

Car Riders – Meeting My Car, Where to Wait

At dismissal, car riders are to proceed along Buccaneer Blvd. to the south end of campus and the Car Loop. There will be signs about where to wait for your vehicle. Drivers are reminded to enter and turn right following the entire loop up to the pick-up point by the South Entry Gate.

Leaving School Early – Sign Out Procedures and Where to Go

Gulf High School is a closed campus. No one is permitted to leave during the day. We are all here from arrival to departure at the end of the scheduled school day. This includes lunches.

Students may NOT go out to the parking lot or any vehicles – their own or another person’s.

OJT students will receive special parking passes to allow them to exit campus at their scheduled time. Be prepared to show your schedule with OJT when asked by an adult. Thank you for staying respectful and cooperating with these requests.

SIGNING OUT: There are specific procedures to being signed out early from school. The student’s registered parent or guardian must be the one enacting this through communication with the Main Office. Upon approval by the principal or designee, the student will be instructed where to report to be released from school.

NOTE: School staff will not permit students to leave with an unauthorized individual. This includes car service drivers.

IMPORTANT: No signing out during the last 20 minutes of the school day. Families must wait until the scheduled end-of-day dismissal.

STUDENTS MUST REMAIN ON CAMPUS

Part of being a closed campus with no one permitted to leave during the day includes a prohibition against deliveries of all kinds.

NO MEAL DELIVERIES PERMITTED

We do not permit food, flower, or gift deliveries from services such as DoorDash, UberEats, GrubHub, florists, or others. Nor do we allow delivery of food from outside restaurants - whether delivered or brought by parents/guardians. Delivery drivers will be sent away from campus and not permitted to unload. Family members should send students to school with their meals. Please do not drop by with bags of food to be delivered to your student. It will be held in the office until the end of day. This includes the bringing of treats, birthday cakes, or other items for a type of "in school celebration" - with their friends Please plan celebrations for after school hours. Thank you!

The Main Office is at the northwest corner of the property. It houses our Administrative Offices, Student Services (counselors), Registrar, Bookkeeper, and Data Entry services. Those wishing to enroll a student or come for a meeting with an administrator, school counselor, or the SRO will do so through the Main Office.

Parking is available just outside the Main Office. Handicapped parking is reserved for those with a valid permit to utilize these spaces. Please be courteous when parking.

Gulf High School a color-coded classroom pass system. Students must first ask permission from the teacher to be allowed to use the bathroom, go to the clinic, see a counselor, or visit the office.

• No passes during the first 10 minutes of class - to allow learning to get started for all.
• Once okayed by the teacher, the student will be given the color-coded classroom pass for travel only in that color hallway.
• Have students sign out and back in using the register (below).
• No student may be out of class during instructional time unless carrying visibly the classroom lanyard pass for that teacher.

Late Arrival Passes

Students who arrive late to school must check in at the front office at the attendance kiosk. Students will be sent to class with a paper from the office indicating arrival status. Patterns of lateness will receive an appropriate consequence. This may include loss of parking privileges for student drivers. Teachers will note the check in time on the pass or in myStudent. Students will be issued an incident report and appropriate consequences.

IMPORTANT: Students may not leave class to go to the vending machines during class time. As well, no electronic devices may be accessed at any time other than the student's assigned lunch.

SPECIAL NOTE: Remember, hallways are color-coded for restroom access. Students with an authorized hall pass may ONLY use the facilities coded to the pass. Students found elsewhere will face disciplinary consequences.

Student Drivers – Entering and Exiting Safely

The ability to drive and park a personal vehicle on campus is a privilege. Students must abide by all traffic laws. Students are issued a permit after having completed the Safe Behind the Wheel course (one time), uploaded proof of insurance and driver license, and paid the permit fee. The student hangtag must be displayed visibly (facing outward) at all times on campus. Parking privileges may be revoked at the discretion of the administration. Please see information on the school webpage for details.

Driver Safety

• Enter and exit the student parking lot safely
• Students are not permitted to hang out in the parking lot
• Students are not permitted to go out to their vehicle during the school day
• Students may not park in any other campus location during the school day

Gulf High School has an online store for Buccaneer school spirit wear. Have a look at the extensive variety of Buccaneer Gear! Items may be added to your shopping cart for production and delivery to your home.

We encourage students and families to wear our Gulf High colors with pride!

Gulf High School students are expected to observe certain guidelines that make for an excellent day at school. We call these our Buccaneer Expectations and they talk about how we behave as we move about campus - in classrooms, public areas, and quiet spaces.

When our students are "caught" being excellent GHS Buccaneers, staff members will recognize them with Bucs Bucks. These are used to spin the Captain's Wheel each Friday for prizes and collectibles. Staff members will begin finding Bucs Bucks in their mailboxes as we get into the academic year.

This just another way we celebrate students who are making the most of learning and being a great citizen of our school!

Once each month, we host a meeting of the School Advisory Council (SAC). The SAC learns about school initiatives, reviews and has input into the School Success Plan, and has a voice in matters related to our school.

We value your commitment as parents, guardians, and as business and community leaders. If you are interested in being part of this valuable team, please contact Mrs. Downing (adowning@pasco.k12.fl.us) or see her in the main office.

Gulf High School on Twitter @gulfhighschool

Email: jmorgens@pasco.k12.fl.us
Website: http://ghs.pasco.k12.fl.us
Location: 5085 Madison Street, New Port Richey FL 34652
Phone: (727) 774-3300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GulfHighSchool/