9th Grade Parent Meeting , September 3, 2008

Dear Parents:

At the 9th grade parent meeting, Sept. 3, Principal Brian Levesque, Guidance Director Kim Marinan, and I answered many questions from parents regarding security, parent-teacher contacts, freshman failure rates from 2007-08, and other subjects.

RE security: Over 100 video cameras will be installed over the next month to monitor entrances, exits, stairwells and halls. Doorways other than the main entrance will be locked, and openings will trigger camera sensors to record offenders.  Students  with privileges must sign in and out at the office. Additional security, deterrence, and positive engagement are provided by Vernon Police Resource Officer Middleton, major-door monitors, and teachers who are expected to be present outside their classrooms during passing times. Random inspections of bathrooms, random dog-searches of car exteriors and locker exteriors (i.e. no personal inspections), and breathalyzers for events, e.g dances, have proven to discourage crime and contribute to the safety of your children.

Off campus, staff is limited as to how far they can intervene. They can address incidents, e.g. fighting, bullying, at bus-stops and on buses as seriously as they do on campus. However, once off campus, if walkers and drivers experience incidents, the Vernon police have jurisdiction. The Rails-to-Trails path is not under the jurisdiction of the high school. Students are advised not to leave campus on foot alone, especially after dark.

RE: Parent-Teacher contact: Parents are encouraged to call and/or email teachers if their student is not performing up to standards. Teachers are required to respond within 24 hours of a parent phone or email message. (Please realize that teachers are teaching/advising/coaching most of the daytime.) Parents are encouraged to be pro-active in contacting teachers, and not to wait until surprising midterms or report cards are issued. 

Pro-activity includes daily monitoring of “agenda/planbook” entries; completed homework assignments; preparation for quizzes and tests; follow-up with students for poor performance; referring students to tutors in schools; contacting teachers to learn specific weaknesses and the best ways to improve them.

Personal Note: As a parent of an RHS graduate who’s faced the college application process; and parent of an RHS sophomore, I cannot under-estimate the importance of supervision of academics. Students should fulfill their responsibilities; but it’s up to the parents to enforce their positive behavior and to not hesitate to address sub-par performance. Your children’s future depends heavily on these four years of performance. “They’re just teenagers” is not an excuse. End of personal note.

The phone number for RHS is 870-6050. Any teacher can be emailed using this formula address:   firstname.lastname@vernonct.org

RE: Freshman Transition: Principal Levesque announced that the Freshman Academies initiative in its first year last year reduced the freshman failure rate of about 50% in half. Still, he emphasized that 25% is not acceptable; that he’s shooting for zero, without lowering any standards of performance.

Activities: He emphasized how important it is for all students, especially freshman, to get involved in an extra-curricular activity. There are numerous sports, clubs (with booths set up at Open House including music groups, gaming, career), and other activities available. New club ideas are always welcome.

Other 9th Grade Transition initiatives include Junior and Senior  “Link Crew” mentors trained to lead learning and adjustment seminars during freshman study halls; freshman wing—a hall  in which most freshman classes are held; Academy team teachers meeting frequently to discuss students’ needs;  and privileges to be earned by freshmen meeting grade and citizenship standards. Suggestions, such as classroom tours, during freshman orientation, have been acknowledged and will be implemented in next year’s orientation.

More data and information about the Freshman Academies will be discussed in detail at the Parent Group meeting Oct. 6. There is basic information about it on the PG website.