Southwest Guilford High School
Dr. Monell's Weekly Message - 10.8.23
Vision and Mission
Vision 2023-2024
We are Engaged Learners
We are Diverse and Inclusive
We are Ethical Community Members
We are Southwest...
Because This Is Where We Belong
Mission 2023-2024 (Updated)
In order to develop global citizens, Southwest Guilford High School will provide rigorous, culturally relevant, and equitable educational opportunities using specific evidence that will engage students in a safe, inclusive, student-centered, and collaborative community that will prepare students for post-secondary success.
Dates to Remember
October 11th - Senior Night (See information for underclassmen under Counseling Corner)
October 12th - PSAT (10th and 11th graders)
October 25th - Fall Pictures
November 1st - Quarter 1 Ends
November 1st - ASVAB
November 2nd - Mandated Workday - No School
November 3rd - Optional Workday
Nov. 8 - PreACT (10th graders)
November 10th - No School
Learning Hub
Looking Ahead!!
Mid-Way Check-Up - Be Empowered with PowerSchool
To facilitate seamless communication and timely updates about your child's grades, we encourage all parents and guardians to claim their PowerSchool Parent Portal account.
To get started with the PowerSchool Parent Portal, please follow these simple steps:
1. Visit www.gcsnc.com/Page/17246
2. Click on the "PowerSchool Parent Portal" link.
3. Follow the instructions to create your account or log in if you already have one.
PSAT - Oct 12th - 10th and 11th Grade Students Only - Asynchronous Day for 9th and 12th
Southwest High will give the PSAT test for 10th and 11th-grade students on Oct. 12. 9th and 12th-grade students will be able to access their work asynchronously from Canvas to complete their assignments posted by their teachers. Teachers will capture attendance by using Canvas login information and work submissions. Students will not be called for early dismissal or early checkouts once testing has begun. Students will need to stay in their testing site until school-wide testing is complete.
Parents should have received a letter from their student informing them of the upcoming test. In addition to helping students prepare for the SAT, the PSAT is the route of entry to the National Merit Scholarship Program.
The test will be digital, so students will need to bring their school-issued Chrome book fully charged. No personal devices will be allowed.
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Plan ahead. The PreACT test will be given Nov. 8th here at SWGH. This test is for current 10th grade students.
Dancing Vibes!
ASVAB
Any students interested in taking the ASVAB the following dates will be offered for the 2023-2024 School year.
Dates
November 1, 2023 Time: 9:30 am -12:30 pm
February 7, 2024 Time: 9:30 am -12:30 pm
April 25, 2024 Time: 9:30 am -12:30 pm
ASVAB FACT SHEET
https://www.officialasvab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ASVAB-Fact_Sheet.pdf
Preparing for the ASVAB Resources
https://www.officialasvab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ASVAB-Fact_Sheet.pdf
If you have more questions about the ASVAB see Mr. Anderson or speak with your school counselor.
Fall EOS Survey
The Equity Committee will be administering the Fall EOS Student Survey beginning the week of September 18th and ending October 31st , during Homeroom Enrichment. Students attending GTCC or Weaver will need to complete the survey during 3rd Block. The surveys are designed to examine school culture for equity. Reports generated from the survey provide trends on information, expectations, and belonging in our Advanced Placement (AP) program. Maximizing student input (9th-12th graders) helps identify access barriers and increases the likelihood of enhancing and expanding our AP program.
Freshman Academy Incentive Trip - Planning is in the works!
- Cs or better in each of their 4 classes
- no disciplinary consequences of any nature assigned by an administrator
- no unexcused absences
- no more than 3 tardies total in all classes
More information will be coming soon!
Lunch Application - Resources to Benefit All Students
Lunch Application - English
What you need to know!
file:///C:/Users/monella/Downloads/Lunch%20app%20v2-Spa%20(1).pdf
Aplica Ahora Para Las Comidas Escolares!
Counseling Info and Assignments
Ryan Schnaith-Ivan - Freshman - schnair@gcsnc.com
Tammy Bowman (10-12) - A-D -bowmant@gcsnc.com
Denesha Moore (10-12) - E-L - moored@gcsnc.com
Syreeta Williamson (10-12 - M-R - willias16@gcsnc.com
Nakesha Varner (10-12) - S-Z - varnern@gcsnc.com
Counseling Corner
Senior Parent Night
Senior parents and students are invited to attend senior parent night on October 11th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. We will begin the night with a short presentation reviewing important next steps for going to college, finding a career and joining the military. After the presentation, families are invited to visit tables represented by various colleges, employers and branches of the military to get more information. A specific list of representatives will be posted on the school’s website under the counseling department beginning Friday, September 29th. Underclassmen are welcome to attend to get a head start in planning for after high school.
One Stop Pop Up Shop for College Admission Help
Guilford County Schools Counseling Services has partnered with Shift-Ed and the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) to host their first One Stop Pop Up Shop to assist students and families with setting up their FSA ID, complete college applications, and the residency determination service application. This event will take place on October 19th from 6pm to 7:30pm at the High Point Library in the Morgan Community Room.
Governor’s School
If you are in 10th or 11th grade and you are interested in attending Governor’s school this summer please go to the school website or the counseling canvas page to fill out the interest form by Oct 6th. All final applications are due by Oct 20th to Ms. Moore.
Social Working It! - From the Desk of Mr. Pemberton
National SAVE Day: Wednesday, October Wednesday 18th - Wear Orange Day
DESIGN A NATIONAL SAVE DAY LOGO!
Host a National SAVE Day logo contest in your community by inviting individuals and groups to submit National SAVE Day logo designs to your Club.
A few guidelines for the logo:
- Includes the phrase “National SAVE Day”
- May incorporate the official SAVE Promise Clubcolors: Green, Orange, Purple, and Blue
- Share the winning logo on social channels:
Tag on Twitter and Insta using...
@nationalsave
#SAVEPromiseClub
#NationalSAVEDay
Parking Permits
All students who park a vehicle on campus must purchase a student parking permit and pay online through K-12 payment center, located on our website and the GCS website. The cost is $50.00. Students and a parent/guardian must complete a permit application found in the literature rack by the door into the front office beginning on Tuesday. Students must bring their completed application, registration, receipt from the K-12 payment center, proof of valid NC Driver's license, and proof of insurance. The cost of a replacement parking permit is $50.00. Please see Mrs. Karant in the front office before or after school to get your parking permit.
Our team canvases the parking lot during the week and gives out warning slips. The team will give out orange warning stickers on cars without parking permits. Those stickers are very difficult to get off. Any cars without parking permits are not allowed to park on Southwest Guilford High School's Campus.
Students are not allowed to go to their cars during the day without permission from an administrator. Students who leave campus without permission will lose the privilege of driving to school. Students who are chronically late to school will lose parking privileges.
Be aware, that the pass must be visible at all times!
Graduation 2024
Graduation Day
Saturday, Jun 8, 2024, 04:00 PM
Greensboro Coliseum, West Gate City Boulevard, Greensboro, NC, USA
SEL Theme for the Week - Identifying Your Feelings
Our focus on SEL last week was about Responding to Conflict. A look back at why it is important:
- You are more likely to get what you are looking for out of a situation
- It helps you avoid damaging your relationships
- You are less likely to hurt other's feelings and create additional problems to solve
- People will be more likely to work with you and resolve conflicts in the future
- You build a reputation as a mature, responsible person, the kind of person that people want to spend time with and trust in leadership roles
We are going to look at Identifying Feelings this week. Something to consider is awareness.
- Notice how your body feels and what you're thinking about.
- Think of words for different emotions and decide which word describes what you're currently experiencing.
- Label your feeling: 'I feel _____.'
Parents can support the process by letting someone at the school know what is happening, following their student on social media, and setting boundaries with technology if it seems to be the root of the issue.
Restorative Responders to Help with Student Conflict or Concerns
Giving Our Students a "High Five!"
Classroom Environment
Communicated, posted, and agreed upon classroom norms to include technology and tardy policy
Academic Focus
Clearly posted and visible standard and skill that is being addressed in the class session.
Essential Question visible for that class session
Evidence of student discourse and collaboration
Evidence of rigorous task(s) aligned to the standard for the day
Weekly Athletics 10.9-10.14
Tardy Sweeps Conducted Daily
Daily Operations
As a reminder, our school hours are from 9:15-4:15 and students may enter beginning at 8:55. To maximize health and safety for our faculty, students, and all families, students will enter at 8:55 and move immediately to their initial class. Please understand that our staff does not begin their duty until 8:55 which will allow them to safely support your student's movement to class each day. Students are not to enter the building until 8:55 and there is staff on duty to receive them.
As a reminder, our doors are locked during the school day as an additional safety measure for the school community. If you need to enter the campus to pick up your child, you will be required to buzz in, have identification ready and state your purpose for entering the building. All visitors must still check in with either attendance or the main office. We have worked to make changes in our duty roster to support students as they transition and enter the building.
Check-outs will need to be done by 4pm. This will allow our staff to call your student out in a timely fashion and get them to you safely while understanding surrounding movement and traffic in the parking lot as we prepare for buses and dismissal.
Back parking lot drop-off prohibited - Student drop-off is only to be in the front of the school. This year, we will have buses dropping off in the back parking lot for our exceptional children. To keep the volume down and to support our student drivers, parent drop off will only be in the front parking lot.
We are grateful to you for following the guidelines and helping your student to follow guidelines as well. Thank you in advance for understanding that we have worked to ensure the health and safety of our school community through scheduling, school operations. We are #bettertogether because we #belong
Dress Code
GCS Code of Conduct and SWHS Cell Phone/Technology Policy
Guilford County Schools has updated its Student Code of Conduct. Two important district policy updates on technology:
Dr. Oakley's Letter - Code of Conduct
SWHS 2023-2024 Technology Policy
I-6 - Technology Violation: Students may not use any electronic device or personal entertainment device during instructional time unless authorized by the classroom teacher or other school personnel with supervision responsibilities during instructional time. With this, during the instructional time at Southwest, students will have technology put away while they are in class and engaged in instruction. In addition to other interventions we have in place, any device used in violation of this policy may be confiscated and only returned to the student's parents/caregiver.
I-9 - Technology Violation - Students are prohibited from taking photographs, videos, or other media of any other student or school personnel without permission. Students are further prohibited from posting any such media or images in public spaces including online or via social media platforms. This rule includes but is not limited to posting videos of fights or other disruptive conduct where permission is not granted for the posting of each person’s image, and posting pages including images designed to make fun of or negatively target a particular student or staff member without their permission.
Students may have technology during transitions and during lunch, however, the instructional time will be protected as your student's engagement in lessons and content is important to us as we know it is to you.
Attendance
Attendance Policy (Updated 2022-2023)
Bell Schedules
2023-2024 Bell Schedule
Evolv Screeners and OneCard
OneCard is the Guilford County School's student identification and access card. One Card provides many functions including school attendance, identification, media center checkout, public library access, and more. Students will need to have their OneCard to enter the building at any time of the day.
OneCard
In addition to fostering a safe learning environment and enhancing school safety and security One Card creates a feeling of unity among students; boosts school identity and pride; and assists with building community partnerships.
OneCard Distribution
OneCards will be distributed within the first couple of weeks of school. All students will be reissued a new OneCard. If a student is new to GCS or does not have a picture on file, we will ensure that the student's picture is taken in order to get a OneCard issued as soon as possible.
All students who are car riders, bus riders and student drivers will be expected to enter the building through designated entrance areas using their One Card. It is expected for students to have their One Card visible throughout the school day and will need it to enter the building at anytime of the day.
Students who lose their One Card will have to pay $5.00 for a replacement card.
Evolv Body Scanners
- Every person, student & visitors, entering our building will travel through the body scanner.
- The body scanning system highlights and locates material that is deemed to be in question on our school grounds.
- If there is a ping from the body scanner, the administration will locate and identify the item in question.
- Body scanners are located at the main entrance of our building and near the student parking lot entrance.
- Students will walk through the body scanners and navigate to the OneCard machines prior to going to classes each morning as part of our daily safety protocols.
(Items to watch for a ping: magnetic closing eyeglass cases, large barrell spiral notebooks, or larger laptops with a metal barrell on the spine) If these items ping, we have a protocol to check for these items and students may pass these items through instead of having them in their bag as they walk through.)
School District Resources
Power School Parent Portal
To facilitate seamless communication and timely updates about your child's grades, we encourage all parents and guardians to claim their PowerSchool Parent Portal account.
To get started with the PowerSchool Parent Portal, please follow these simple steps:
1. Visit www.gcsnc.com/Page/17246
2. Click on the "PowerSchool Parent Portal" link.
3. Follow the instructions to create your account or log in if you already have one.
Here Comes the Bus
In addition to the PowerSchool Parent Portal, we highly recommend downloading the "Here Comes the Bus" app, available for both iOS and Android devices. This user-friendly app will provide you with real-time tracking, allowing you to monitor your child's bus location and estimated arrival time conveniently from your smartphone, and will be available for tracking on August 28.
To download the "Here Comes the Bus" app, please follow these steps:
1. Go to the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
2. Search for "Here Comes the Bus."
3. Install the app on your device.
4. Sign in using the same credentials as your PowerSchool Parent Portal account.
We are committed to ensuring the well-being and security of all our students during their daily commute. If you encounter any difficulties or have questions regarding the transportation process, please feel free to reach out to our Transportation Call Center at (888) 511-4GCS (4427) or your child’s school for assistance. Thank you for your partnership in making this school year a successful and enriching one for our students.