2020 Freshman OrientationWelcome Class of 2024Monday, August 24, 2020Defiance High School

#716 #5012

Introduction of Defiance City Schools Staff

Bob Morton - Superintendent

Jay Jerger - HS Principal

Joe Pennington - HS Asst. Principal

Thom Singer - HS Counselor/Senior

Ashley Peters - HS Counselor/Freshman & Sophomore (Last name A-L)

Bryn Lehman - HS Technology Coordinator

John Williamson - School Resource Officer (SRO)

School Day Structure

8:05-2:25

9 Periods

3 minutes between classes

3 Lunch Periods (6th/7th/8th Period Lunch)

Absences must be called in prior to 8:30 am

Freshman Expectations

Truthfulness/Honesty

Freedom/Independence

Responsibility/Accountability

Competition and Rigor

New Friends

Balance between NOW and THEN

Important to enjoy and participate fully in your year NOW

Also important to start to look ahead or years to come:

1) Plan courses for high school2) Take advantage of different tools for career exploration3) Meet with adults in areas of interest and explore the career4) Keep running list of all activities, honors, clubs etc for letters of

recommendation

Graduation Requirements

21 Total Credits

Credits: 4 - Math; 4 - English; 3 - Science; 3 - Social Studies; 1 - Fine Art; .5 - Health; .5 - PE; 4.5 - Electives; .5 - Economics/Finance

Pass End of Course Exams from ODE: Algebra; Geometry, English I and English II; Biology; US History; Gov’t (at least 4 from Math, 4 from English and 6 from Bio, US History, Govt.)

Must obtain 18 points from the 7 state tests...potential of 35 points available

Flexibility in scoring allows for students to score high in one area to help with another area.

Honors Diploma

Credits: 4 - English, Math, Science, Social Studies

1 - Fine Art

3 - Foreign Language or 2 of two different foreign languages

3.5 Cumulative GPA after 7 semesters

27 ACT/1210 SAT

Must meet 7 of the 8 criteria

College Credit Plus - CCP

Replaces Post Secondary and Dual Enrollment Programs

Students may earn college and high school credit while taking college level courses.

Registration process starts in December of year prior to taking courses.

Examples at DHS: Calculus; Spanish III; Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD)

Building a Strong Transcript

Credits: Awarded at semester for passing grades; Semester courses are worth .5 credits

Course History: Strength of schedule and total number of credits in subject area

Cumulative GPA: Calculated each semester

Class Rank: Calculated each semester and based upon cumulative GPA

Student’s Schedule

Students will have to set up a appointment with their counselor to discuss schedule changes, no later than Friday, September 4, 2020

Year-long courses can be dropped at the semester, if you have a D or F or you withdraw fail (with parent written permission)

Teacher changes/requests will not be permitted.

Freshman will not be permitted to be a ‘teacher’s aide’.

Top 8 Freshman PitfallsLow Grades: Believing your freshman year doesn't really count and you can improve your grades later.

Social Interference: Do not sacrifice your grades for your social life.

Attendance: Be at school. You must be present in the classroom to obtain the information.

Homework: Make up missed assignments. This is YOUR responsibility. Complete all homework!

Social Media: What you post WILL be seen by EVERYONE somehow, someday. Leave it off of the internet.

Drama: BE KIND- do not spread rumors.

Poor Attitude: Stay positive and only YOU can be the change you wish to see. Do not blame others!

Not Being Involved: Join a club or sports team and be a part of something.

Chromebook Information

Device is a TOOL not a TOY….the Chromebook is property of Defiance City Schools

$25 deposit must be paid to meet the insurance guidelines...declining the insurance option prevents financial protection against an accident.

Deposit covers the normal wear and tear….purposeful, neglect, or irresponsibility may result in $205 replacement fee.

Mr. Lehman is available 1st-3rd, 7th-9th period for assistance.

InfoSnap - Family Demographic Info

Online registration/data validation system

Demographic, Medical, Emergency, and Other information

Replaces the hard copies that DCS used to utilize

Snap Code issued and information submitted

online

Attendance Mandates

Parents must call absences in prior to 8:30 am...you may call as early at 7:00 am.

Parents will be notified if their son/daughter is absent without an excuse.

**All absences must be documented/excused/be accounted for.

Students are permitted to be excused from school for up to 5 days, per year, without a doctor’s note...any absences after 5 days must have supporting documentation.

Attendance - State Requirements

Excessively Absent - 38 hours in a month or 65 total hours in a school year….with or without an excuse.

Habitual Truant (UNEXCUSED) - 30 consecutive hours, 42 hours in a month, or 72 hours in a school year...Attendance Plan, may be referred to SRO and Defiance County Juvenile Prosecutor.

Defiance High School Points of EmphasisNo Shorts after October 1 and prior to May...shorts must be appropriate length

No Holes above the knees in pants

No piercings in nose, eyebrow, lip, or other...ears only

Facial Hair is not permitted….hair must be natural color

Attendance - Tardies are not permitted and absences must be excused.

Social Media - Leave the drama outside of school.

SRO - School Safety is our #1 Priority!

Support Defiance City Schools in keeping the district safe and secure.

Assist with improper behavior - Fights, Drugs, Vandalism, Weapons, Sexual Assault, Bullying, and other potential criminal activity.

Assist in student attendance and home checks.

Parking - Pick up and drop off.

Open Door Policy - Both students and parents.

Athletic Participation

Eligibility is determined each quarter and must have maintained a 1.5 GPA

4th quarter of their 8th grade year determines eligibility of the 1st quarter of their Freshman year.

Must have completed proper paperwork, including physical, athletic code of conduct, and more.

Random Drug Testing for athletes only

Participating in athletics is a privilege, not a right!

Defiance High School is Your School

Get involved - Classes, Athletics, Music, Clubs, Quiz Bowl, Student Council, Dances, and more.

Be a Leader - Do the Hard Right vs. the Easy Wrong...Lead

Help - Lend a hand to those that you wouldn’t normally talk to

Take Pride in your building - Pick up the hallway, clean your lunch table, hold the door for someone, etc.

Make your school Awesome - Don’t make excuses, find solutions!

Best of Luck thru the next 4 Years!

Thanks for your time and reminder:

First Day of School - Monday, August 24, 2020

716 Days or 5,012 hours of School until Graduation!