Greetings Bucs!

We have had a fantastic start to the new school year here at Gulf! In just a few short weeks, we have welcomed families to six big events.

• Even before we began, our freshman orientation was incredibly well attended with more than 200 families learning about the journey through high school and all that awaits.
• High School Orientation Day/Meet the Teacher was another hit with hundreds of students and families coming to school and working through the new year's electronic forms, getting schedules, and paying fees. Then on to visit classrooms and say hi to teachers.
• Our Title 1 Annual Meeting and Student Success Information Night was next on tap. We presented a great deal about our school, Title 1 services, and learned about being on-track for all the benefits of learning.
• Our Athletics Information Night brought another big crowd to school and the energy filled the room.
• Speaking of athletics, our pre-season Football Classic was a huge success with our team's first win against Weeki Wachee here on our home turf.
• Finally, we just hosted our Naval JROTC students and families for an evening to find out what it means to be a GHS Cadet.

This is only the beginning. Look forward to a Parent University evening each quarter addressing a variety of topics that are important to our families as well as grade-specific information. We'll have some fliers going home and advertising on our GHS webpage.

And for our 100th Anniversary celebrations, have a look at the list of events printed in the entry below. To kick things off, the City of New Port Richey is issuing a Mayoral Proclamation to honor our school and its history. Following that will be our Alumni Football Game on September 16th to recognize the many people over the years who have been involved in football, cheer, band, color guard, and NJROTC. Check out the links below to purchase a commemorative shirt.

Then it's Homecoming Week starting September 19th with our big game on Friday and Dance on Saturday. See the information below about Homecoming, our Parade, Game, and Dance.

So much more is in the works to celebrate our school, honor alumni, involve families and community, and partner for the success of our students. In this our centennial year, Gulf High School is truly Sailing the Rising Tide ~ Reaching New Horizons.

-Mr. Morgenstein

• September 5, 2021: Labor Day - No classes for students
• September 7, 2022: Early Release Day (Dismissal at 12:30pm)
• September 9, 2022: Progress Reports Available on myStudent
• September 16, 2022: Alumni Football Game (An Official GHS 100th Anniversary Celebration)
• September 19-23, 2022: Homecoming Week / Football Game 9/23
• September 24, 2022: Homecoming Dance
• October 5, 2022: Early Release Day (Dismissal at 12:30pm)
• October 14, 2022: End of Quarter 1
• October 17, 2022: Teacher Planning Day - No classes for students
• October 25, 2022: Quarter 1 Report Cards Available on myStudent

It's getting near that time! Homecoming Week is September 19-23 with the dance on the 24th. We'll have all details coming out, but wanted to share this flier listing the days and events planned thus far. We're working with the City of New Port Richey to finalize parade plans - so more on that to come.

The Homecoming Dance will be on September 24th in our GHS Gymnasium. The specifics are being shared at school. Students must be on-track and making progress in their learning and attendance.

*C's or higher in all classes
*No level 3 referrals
*No more than two referrals total of any level(s)

*No more than 3 absences

There will be an appeals process so we can be sure to consider prospective attendees individually as needed. If you wish to attend the Homecoming Dance but do not meet these criteria, and you want to ask for an appeal, fill out this Appeal Form.

As well, there is a process for guests who are not current GHS students.

Click below to download the flier (as of Aug 24, 2022 - subject to revision). Check back for updates!

Can you believe it's senior year! We are so proud of the progress our students have made as they've journeyed through high school. We are focused on so many great aspects of this very busy final year of your studies and that walk across the stage at the USF Yeungling Center in June!

Your go-to people are:

• Assistant Principal - Ms. Kathryn Leeper
• School Counselor - Ms. Elizabeth Behner
• Graduation Coach - Ms. Hailey Forstell
• College & Career Specialist - Ms. Liz Diaz
• Class Sponsor - Mrs. Angela Brown

Click below for all the senior activities listed month-by-month. As details are finalized for each, you'll be given additional information. Note: This file will be updated as needed. Keep an eye out for yearbook info, graduation fees, and related items!

The team has done classroom presentations to share much of this with our seniors, as well as all they need to do to remain successful on the road to graduation.

Since we don't have a paved parking lot for students while we construct our new building, we'd like to offer a different approach to senior parking spot painting. Once parking tags are authorized, we are going to section off the spots along the fence for SENIORS ONLY.

For those who wish to pay the $40 fee and participate, we are getting 30" x 30" banners to affix to the fence. But first, you'll have to submit an electronic design to be printed on the banner and, once approved, we will have it professionally produced. This will assure the depth of color to stand up to our Florida climate. School staff will get the banner put up on the fence in front of your designated spot.

• Fill out the application available from Mrs. Martin.
• Submit your design printed in full color with your application.
• Once approved, you will submit the $40 fee.
• Then you will email your electronic design to Mrs. Martin for production.

We suggest you use a free account on canva.com or another graphic arts program to produce your design. Please save in PNG format - best resolution. If you are drawing your design, please scan your drawing with best resolution.

Important: The number of these spots is limited. First come with a completed application and approved electronic/printed off design, first paid.... first assigned until they're sold out.

Juniors – It’s Our Year! You will hear this a lot, as we have now shared this journey for three years at GHS. We are doing presentations in your AICE classes over the next week, and we will follow up after progress report, pushing into US History classes to do specific goal setting.

Please remember you have a wonderful “Quad Squad” supporting you, and they are Mrs. De Sousa, Graduation Coach; Ms. Maz, Assistant Principal; Ms. Medina, Success Coach/Discipline; and Mrs. Stroka, Counselor. We look forward to a wonderful year, and remember, “It’s Our Year!”

Click the link below to see the class presentation.

Sophomores – It’s year two and we have some work to do! You have a wonderful Quad Squad. This is the team here to support your education and help you be successful. Over the next week, you will see us in your English classes. This is your time to ask questions and have reminders of expectations. We will continue this journey as GHS Buccaneers together, and here’s to Sailing the Rising Tide.

These are the people you can come to and count on:

• Mr. King, Assistant Principal
• Ms. Cotney, School Counselor
• Mr. Messamore, Graduation Coach
• Mr. Buonsanto, Success Coach/Discipline

Check back soon for the presentation document so you can refer back when questions come up at home!

The Class of 2026 has set sail quite smoothly!! Students have adapted to the campus and have been following their schedules and school expectations. This week, the Freshman Success Team pushed into all English classes to present critical information about starting out High School strong. Attached find a power point presentation that was used to address their schedule, school expectations, on track status and ways to connect and engage in order to be successful. We encouraged students to set goals and begin their journey with their sights set high!

Class of 2026 Success Team

Mrs. Martin- Assistant Principal

Mrs. Askins- School Counselor

Mr. Halilic- Graduation Coach

Ms. Hawkins- Success Coach

The new school year is officially underway! IB juniors and seniors have begun work on their extended essays and will continue this work every month during early release days. Seniors can expect to take a trip to the Daniel Cannon Memorial Library at St. Leo University to assist them in obtaining research for this 4000-word paper.

Other upcoming important dates include:

• College Application Night- September 14th 6:00PM @ GHS Cafeteria
• World Fair- November 18th @ GHS
• IB Alumni Day- December 16th @ GHS
• School Choice Window- January 9th- 20th

Our Pre-IB students are working hard as they build the critical inquiry skills that will help them be successful now and to the future. We are always proud of our 9th and 10th graders who challenge themselves with honors level and college curriculum.

IB is truly a four-year integrated program of study that brings incredible opportunities to our GHS Buccaneers!

Every Gulf High Buccaneer received a spiral bound copy of the school planner. It is a to-do list/calendar that will be used every period of the day to write down what's due for homework, studying, or other commitments. Also in the planner is the full-year calendar of important dates - like progress reports and report cards; GHS Buccaneer Expectations; Rules for Dress and Appearance; and AVID strategies for learning and engagement.

Parents/guardians should ask to see their student's planner each day or week and talk through the work they are required to do, assignments and readings to prepare, and studying for tests.

And if you discover that your student isn't using the planner to write all this down, we urge you to set the expectation so you can work together at home for your child's success.

Please make note of our GHS Bell Schedule. Students will need to be at their bus stops ahead of the scheduled arrival of the bus. Upon arrival at school, students should get their breakfast and be seated in class by the 8:10am late bell.

STUDENTS: Do not come down for breakfast after the bell. Make it a priority to be in your assigned seat on time please!

Anyone who arrives late to school must check in at the front office and receive a pass to class. If the student arrives with an excused note from home or a doctor, the entry will be "Tardy-Excused." Otherwise, the arrival is "Tardy-Unexcused." If the student's bus arrives late, each person will be given a small "late bus" pass to be given to your first period teacher.

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. The top you're wearing should overlap the waist of the bottoms. 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 a copy below, read it carefully, and get ALL the details.

Gulf High School on Twitter @gulfhighschool

Email: jmorgens@pasco.k12.fl.us
Website: http://ghs.pasco.k12.fl.us
Location: 5355 School Road, New Port Richey FL 34652
Phone: (727) 774-3300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GulfHighSchool/
Twitter: @GulfHSPrincipal