Parent Back to School Ledger '26-27

• 8/17 9th and 11th Grade Orientation 8AM-10AM
• 8/18 10th and 12th Grade Orientation 8AM- 10AM
• 8/19 First Full Day of School for ALL Boys' Latin Students

Dear Warrior Parents and Guardians,

I hope this message finds you and your family refreshed, recharged, and enjoying the final days of summer. On behalf of the entire Boys' Latin High School team, welcome back! We are excited to begin another incredible year with our returning Warrior families and extend a special welcome to the newest members of our community—the Class of 2030.

Last school year, our school community embraced our theme, The Pursuit of Excellence, inspired by Coach Pat Riley's words:

"Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better."

Throughout the year, we witnessed that pursuit come to life. Excellence was not measured by perfection, but by the growth we achieved together. Because of the collective efforts of our students, families, faculty, and staff, we made meaningful progress toward many of our schoolwide priorities for the 2025–2026 school year. We saw improvements in student achievement, attendance, school culture and climate, college and career readiness, and opportunities for our students to lead and belong. While we are proud of how far we've come, we know that excellence is never a destination—it is a commitment to continuously raising the bar.

As we begin this new school year, The Pursuit of Excellence remains more than our theme—it is our promise. We will continue challenging every Warrior to grow academically, develop as leaders, strengthen their character, and prepare for success beyond high school.

We are especially excited to officially welcome the Class of 2030 to Warrior Nation. Our newest freshmen recently completed an outstanding Freshman Academy, where they began building relationships, learning our expectations, and discovering what it means to be a Boys' Latin Warrior.

One of the highlights of the academy was our annual Tie-Tying Ceremony, a meaningful tradition that symbolizes the beginning of their high school journey and their commitment to integrity, scholarship, and brotherhood. We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm and promise they have already demonstrated.

Families will also notice exciting changes throughout our building this year. Over the summer, our campus underwent significant facility enhancements, including beautiful new flooring throughout the building and new wall graphics, imaging, and messaging that reflect the values, traditions, and aspirations of our school community. These improvements have transformed our learning environment into a space that inspires pride, excellence, and a sense of belonging for every Warrior who walks through our doors.

As always, your partnership remains one of the greatest factors in your child's success. Together, we will continue fostering a school culture where students are challenged, supported, and inspired to become the very best versions of themselves. We encourage you to stay engaged, communicate with us often, and celebrate both the big accomplishments and the everyday moments of growth.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's high school journey. We are honored to partner with you and look forward to another year filled with purpose, perseverance, achievement, and unforgettable memories.

Together, let us continue The Pursuit of Excellence—one day, one lesson, and one Warrior at a time.

Principal Parker

Orientation Days

During orientation days students need to be in full spring uniform. Students will about new schedules, updates to uniform policy and updated cell phone policy. Students will also receive their rosters, lockers and laptops*.

*Laptops will ONLY be distributed to 9th grades students who paid Chromebook fee or returning students who have paid laptop replacement fees. We DO NOT accept cash or any in-person payment.

Click Here to Pay Chromebook Fee

Back to School Supplies

Once school starts teachers will share syllabi that will provide information on what materials students will need for specific classes. It would be a best practice to purchase items listed below

10 - Dividers( if student has binder)

2- Composition Books

3- Subject Spiral Notebooks

2- Pencil Pouch

Water Bottle/Containers( For Water Station)

Throughout the School Year Purchase

As part of our continued Pursuit of Excellence, we have updated the language and structure of our school uniform policy to better reflect the values we seek to instill in every Warrior. Our new Vestitus Apparatus ("Attire Made Ready") framework emphasizes that our uniform is more than a dress code—it is a tool for preparing students to lead with confidence, professionalism, and purpose.

Please notice a clearer progression of attire expectations throughout the school year and greater flexibility for students to dress appropriately for different occasions while maintaining our high standards. We encourage all families to review the updated Uniform Guide together before the first day of school so that every Warrior begins the year prepared for success.

All Students are required to be in the full Business Casual Uniform on the 1st day of orientation. Students should be wearing the Business Casual uniform. Boys’ Latin maroon polo, khaki pants, black belt, and black shoes( NO sneakers, NO boots)

• Students will be sent home if they do not have an appropriate uniform. See images below of both uniforms.

We have a Business Casual uniform (formerly Spring/Summer) and a Business Professional uniform (formerly Fall/Winter uniform) . It is mandatory that all students began wearing the Business Professional uniform on October 26. We highly recommend you begin ordering or purchasing The Business Professional uniform NOW. You can purchase items from Flynn O’Hara or Cramer’s.

As part of our commitment to creating a focused learning environment and preparing for Pennsylvania's upcoming statewide cell phone restrictions in schools, Boys' Latin is strengthening our student cell phone expectations this school year. Pennsylvania's policy emphasizes reducing classroom distractions and maximizing instructional time so students remain fully engaged in learning. In preparation for the anticipated 2027–2028 statewide cell phone restrictions, Boys' Latin will begin implementing expectations that support this transition.

Our Student & Family Handbook has always stated that student cell phones are prohibited during the school day. Last school year, teachers supported this expectation by collecting cell phones from students as they entered each classroom. This year, that procedure is changing. Rather than collecting phones in individual classrooms, students will now be responsible for securing their own devices in their assigned lockers for the duration of the instructional day.

Beginning this school year:

• All student cell phones must remain in students' lockers throughout the instructional day.
• Every student will be assigned a locker and school-issued lock.
• Students are expected to store their cell phone inside lockers during the instructional day.
• Students may not share lockers or remove the school-issued lock from their assigned locker.
• Students may not use or access their cell phone at their locker during the school day. If a student is observed using a cell phone at their locker, the device will be confiscated for the remainder of the day.
• If a student is found with a cell phone in a classroom, hallway, restroom, or any other area of the building, the phone will be confiscated for the remainder of the school day and returned to the student at dismissal.
• As an incentive, students who have followed the policy throughout the instructional day will be permitted to use their cell phones during their assigned lunch period while inside the cafeteria only. Cell phones must be returned to students' lockers immediately following lunch.

These updated procedures provide students with greater responsibility while ensuring that instructional time remains free from unnecessary distractions. We appreciate your partnership as we prepare for Pennsylvania's statewide cell phone restrictions during the 2027–2028 school year. Together, we can create an environment where every Warrior is focused, engaged, and prepared to achieve excellence.

Bookbags and Back Packs

During the day students will be required to LEAVE their book bags or backpacks in their lockers during the day. Students can visit lockers during transition to retrieve any important items for their classes or lunch.

Students are allowed to carry Shoulder Zipper Binder(see image below) or small Laptop Sleeves NOT bags (see image below)

My name is Ms. Sheppard and I am the Administrative Assistant for the high school. I’m excited to be working with you all again this year and look forward to getting to know any new families. Please take note of my email address, as you will be using it for various reasons throughout the year. Also, please read this letter in its entirety.

1. Early Dismissals- We understand that early dismissals are necessary at times. Here are some things to keep in mind when seeking an early dismissal:

• Some parts of our day are busier than others, for this reason, we ask that all early dismissals happen before 2:30pm. We are preparing for the close of the day and do not want to overwhelm the front office so close to dismissal.
• I cannot accept requests for early dismissals over the telephone. Once you submit the request form, I will call you to confirm the dismissal. Please make sure that all contact information is updated in our system. You can use this link to update your contact information.
• Students are not permitted to leave class to request a dismissal from me. This request must come from the parent, via the early dismissal link on our website.
• To request an early dismissal for your student, please visit our website at boyslatin.org, select "families", then under high school, select "contact information" and it will be the first link listed. For your convenience, I've included the actual link. Please use this request form and include the time you are expecting your student to leave and whether or not they are leaving on their own.
• Our students are permitted to leave on their own for an early dismissal, but please keep in mind that you must still request the dismissal through the link and I will still call you to confirm the dismissal. Students over 18 must still follow this rule, and get permission from the parent to leave.
• Please do not call your student on their mobile phone during the day. Students are not allowed to use their phones during the school day. If your student is running behind to leave for their early dismissal, please call me. If you cannot reach me by my desk phone, please call or text my cell. The number is 215-704-7195.

2. Excusing an Absence- Reporting a student's absence is done through a form that must be filled out. The link to the form can be found below. Please review the following information:

• When your child is absent, an absent note is required to excuse the absence.
• You are able to excuse the absence for up to 2 consecutive days with the parent excuse note.
• If your child is absent for more than 2 consecutive days, a note from a medical professional is required.
• Vacations are not considered excused absences and we would use your parent notes to excuse 2 of those days in a row.
• Only 9 parent excuse notes are accepted during the entire school year.
• The form to excuse your student's absences can be found here.
• The Attendance Policy has been attached to this email

3. Transportation- Only students that live 1.5 miles or more from the school qualify for transportation and will receive a Septa Fare Card. The fare card is of no cost to families. The School District of Philadelphia determines whether your child is eligible for transportation. If your child is found to be eligible for transportation, they will receive (1) YELLOW fare care.

Although issues are isolated, please be advised that you may have to provide transportation for your child for up to the first 2 weeks of school if there is an issue with your transportation status. The school district does not furnish us with day passes, vouchers or any other fare items. More information regarding the Septa Student Fare Card can be found here.

• If you live outside of Philadelphia, the school district where you reside is responsible for providing transportation for your student. Please visit that school district in-person and apply to their school for "transportation only". Your child will still be a student at Boys' Latin, but we do not provide their transportation(this includes lost, stolen or damaged Septa passes).

• If your child was a student at Boys' Latin High School last year and was issued a Septa Student Fare Card, your child will continue to use that same card this year, as long as your address qualifies for transportation. It will be activated by the School District of Philadelphia at the beginning of the school year. If that card was lost, stolen or damaged, please email me and I will issue your student a new card.

• If your child has never received a fare card from Boys' Latin or was a student at Boys' Latin Middle School last year, your child will be issued a brand new card as long as your address qualifies for transportation to and from the high school.

4. Contact Information- Please make sure that all of your contact information is up-to-date. We use the contact information that you provide to issue early dismissals, emergencies and communication, etc..

• If you need to update any information, please use the following link.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me. I can be reached at [215] 387-5149, ext. 221 or via email. My contact information can be found below.

If you would like the nurse to administer Tylenol and other over the counter medicine. Please print the form below, sign it and have your warrior return the form the school nurse.

Who to Contact:

Attendance and Transportation Questions

Administrative Assistant Ms. Sheppard

Csheppard@boyslatin.org

Academic Questions:

History and ELA- Mr. Goodwin lgoodwin@boyslatin.org

Math, Science, and Latin - Mr. Padilla tpadilla@boyslatin.org

Electives and Scheduling- Mr. Parker rparker@boyslatin.org

Specialized Services Questions:

Ms. Shaki- lshaki@boyslatin.org

Climate and Culture Questions

Mr. Swiggett- Jswiggett@boyslatin.org

Laptop/Technology Issues

IT Support - support@boyslatin.org

Dr. Washington's Virtual Counseling

If you need resources or want to connect with Dr. Washington visit her virtual page

Dr. Washington's Counseling page

ALL RETURNING STUDENTS === If your warrior’s laptop was lost or stolen over the summer or during last school year you must pay a $300 replacement fee for your student to receive a laptop. Please click the link to make a payment link: https://www.boyslatin.org/for-families/chromebook-fees Payment Plan option is available.