Buccaneer Family Bulletin

It has been a wonderful first few weeks here at Gulf High School - on campus and mySchool Online.

After a whirlwind of activity getting computers checked out, schedules finalized, and new ways of learning established, we have settled in to a valuable approach to our school year.

For certain, things are different. We wear masks, move apart from one another more, and use hand wash and sanitizing stations that are set up around campus. Every morning, I announce the key ideas to maintaining good health: (1) Wear masks or other appropriate face covering over your nose and mouth; (2) Keep to a 6-foot social distance from others whenever possible; (3) Wash or sanitize hands often; (4) Cover a cough or sneeze; (5) Use your own writing instruments; (6) Clean up your area with the cleaning supplies we've placed in all rooms.

As for learning, all of our teachers are traveling new ground. Resources are online in the myLearning/Canvas system so students can track along with their teachers whether they are on campus or mySchool Online.

But one critical point is this: No matter which model, students must follow our school bell schedule and be present each day each period for class. On campus classes are scheduled into rooms. mySchool Online classes have a Zoom conferencing link and students must log in and participate actively and respectfully with their teacher and classmates.

This is significantly different from last year when we had work for students that they did anytime of day or night.

Once again, our online model now is full attendance and participation using the regular school day schedule.

Always remember, there is nothing we can't achieve together as long as we are Sailing the Rising Tide ~ Forward for the Future.

-Mr. Morgenstein

TOPICS IN THIS BUCCANEER FAMILY BULLETIN

• Principal's Corner
• PTSA - Have You Joined Yet?
• Buccaneer Gear
• Stay Informed by Text Message
• Out of Field Teaching Assignments - Notification to Families
• Our Bell Schedule
• Student Dress Code
• PSAT October 29
• Parent Portal Access - Finish Quarter 1 Strong
• Get Tickets Online at Ticket Spicket
• PBIS - Positive Behavior Supports
• Student Screener
• Visitor Screener
• Pasco Schools Now page

Nationwide, PTA is a powerful advocacy voice for students and families in education. If you have not yet joined the Gulf High School PTSA (Parent-Teacher-Student Association), please fill out the form below and submit the $5 annual membership dues to Mrs. Morrow here at our school.

The first meeting Tuesday evening was a great opportunity to convene the Board and discuss the mission of the PTSA. As well, ideas for supporting our students and school were shared by attendees.

This year's board members are:

Jessica Long – President

Melissa Jacques- VP

Melanie Hill – Treasurer

Emily Ratliff- Secretary

Andrea Morrow – Memberships

Thank you to all who advocate for our students at Gulf High School!

Looking for some great shirts, sweats, and other items to show off your Buccaneer Pride?

Visit our online store!

And for GHS Alumni, have a look at the Gulf High Alumni Collection. Specially designed items just for you!

Here at Gulf, we do our best to send you important information about everything going on. These come to you by phone and email, but can also arrive by text message. Just address a new text message to 67587 and write Yes in the body of the text. Then hit Send. It's that easy and you won't miss out on the great things happening at Gulf High School.

Individuals who are teaching out-of-field are certified in at least one area and are qualified to teach but are required to take additional course work or testing to add a coverage/endorsement to their certificate. The state also requires a teacher to take coursework/inservice towards an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) endorsement, when the teacher is the primary language arts provider and/or reading teacher for an ESOL student.

If your student is served by an educator who is "out of field," a letter was provided in class to be brought home. Therefore, not all families will receive a notification.

Gulf High School has a new bell schedule for our day together. Please be sure that your on campus or online student is following this schedule of classes. I encourage family members to check in periodically to be certain that the student is paying attention and participating in class.

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 and get ALL the details.

All 10th graders will take the PSAT for FREE on Thursday October 29

Bring a pen, pencil, and scientific calculator (if you have one)

9th and 11th Graders can take the PSAT for $18

11th grade students use the PSAT as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

Look on myStudent / Rycor to pay the $18 fee

Iin case you have not yet set yours up, please create a log in to the myStudent information system. It's where you'll find grades, attendance, transportation, and access to Rycor.

This is one of the best ways for families to keep up-to-date on the school life of their student.

We will conclude Quarter 1 on October 16th. That means that students must have all their work - excellent quality - submitted to their teachers. Teachers have been flexible accepting late assignments, but it is not reasonable for students to fall behind and then expect their teachers to grade several pieces of late work.

PARENTS and GUARDIANS: Please make a weekly habit of sitting down with your student to go over the myStudent gradebook (and if submitting online, the myLearning/Canvas gradebook. Talk about anything missing, anything that can be improved, and of course, all of the successful submissions that earned top scores.

Reach out to the teachers directly if you have questions.

At Gulf High School, we encourage our students to adhere to four basic principles:

• Be Present
• Be Engaged
• Be Respectful
• Be Successful

Teachers recognize students who follow through with positive behaviors that meet these principles by awarding them a Bucs Buck. Every Friday, students with two or more Bucs Bucks can have a spin of the Captain's Wheel - the Helm of our Buccaneer Ship. Landing on different spots earns them PBIS Rewards.

Please help us to guide students in positive directions!

Every morning, your students must get in the habit of going over these self-screener questions before heading out for school. If you answer "Yes" to any question(s), please follow the guiding information in italics. Just ONE Yes response means "Don't come to school today."

Note: This is the current edition of the screener. You will be advised if updates occur.

Look for the Student Screener at this link . Enlace en español.

Visitors (parents included) may not be on campus if they do not pass the Visitor Screener at this link.

Gulf High School is a closed campus, so students are here throughout their academic day and lunchtime. Visitors are limited to those with appointments. Please phone the front office (727) 774-3300 or the Student Services secretary (727) 774-3330 if you need to make an appointment to come to school.

All visitors must

• Complete the Visitor Self-Screener found at this link.
• Come to the front office for check-in
• Remain in a designated location as directed during the visit (ex. front office, student services)

NO DELIVERIES Please note that Gulf High School does not allow deliveries from outside services such as DoorDash, Uber Eats, pizza, restaurants, florists, etc. Please do not order or send items to be delivered to the school. Anything that does appear will be sent away.

JESSICA LUNSFORD ACT COMPLIANCE For your peace of mind, please know that any workers contracted to be on campus when students are here must pass a background check consistent with the Jessica Lunsford Act.

VOLUNTEERS As well, all volunteers must be pre-screened by Pasco County Schools through an application found here. We welcome you to apply to be a Gulf High School Volunteer!

Policies and procedures are fluid and may change as new directives are received. This is a current snapshot. Find latest information at the district's Pasco Schools Now page.

To follow are health precautions and procedures implemented throughout our school:

MASKS Masks are required of adults and students. Everyone must wear masks in school buildings and when engaged in school activities. Read the district's face covering policy here.

SIGNS Students and visitors will see signs all around the campus about social distancing, hand washing, directional arrows for keeping to the right when moving about the building, and requirements for people entering campus.

HYGIENE Hand sanitizer stations are being installed in visible areas throughout campus. Soap dispensers are in all bathrooms. Please talk to your student about treating the dispensers gently. We want all to have easy access to soap and sanitizer.

DISINFECTION Custodians will be disinfecting each room daily. Germicide spray is in each room with a microfiber cloth. Cleaning is in place for cafeteria, hallways, handrails, and frequently touched surfaces. Does your student prefer to wipe down the desk when arriving in class? Classroom supplies or your own wipes may be used!

SINGLE USE SUPPLIES: Students will not be sharing supplies. In classes such as Art, we ask that students use their own set of supplies.

WATER FOUNTAINS Fountains will be "on" for the filling of bottles. Bottles or other approved containers must have a lid that stays on tight to avoid spills. No drinking directly from fountains please!

STUDENT BEHAVIOR We believe that all students and families will take health and safety seriously. Overall, students have given full cooperation with wearing masks, staying socially distanced, washing hands, and following all the best practices for good health. Of course, we will give kind reminders. However, if there is a pattern of a student not following the rules (such as for masks), we will enact disciplinary consequences. This may include rescheduling to mySchool Online from Traditional.

CLINIC The clinic will have a separate room nearby for any unwell students exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. We will contact parents/guardians for students to be taken home. We have procedures in place for situations that might come up. Our goal is the safety and well-being of all our Bucs.

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