December 13, 2020

This information is important for the upcoming week.

Important Upcoming Dates:

Dec 17th - Chorus Winter Concert Premier (atdsf.com)
Dec 21st - Jan 1st - Winter Break
Jan 18th - MLK Holiday
Jan 29th - Half Day for Students (End of Q2)
Feb 1st & 2nd - Ninth Grade students return to school (those opting for in-person)
Feb 3rd - Start of Virtual Wellness Wednesday
February 4th - All HS students return to school (those opting for in-person)

Semester 2 In-Person Learning Expectations

We will use this section each week to highlight key pieces of information that students returning to in-person instruction will need to know by February

Student Expectations

Students will be required to wear face coverings over the mouth and nose at all times. Those in violation of this are putting others at risk and will face school consequences.
Students will be required to maintain 6-feet of distance from others at all times. Those in violation of this are putting others at risk and will face school consequences Consequences include:
- - - Removal and parent contact, RESET, short-term removal from physical classroom, permanent shift to virtual instruction
Outgoing students will clean desks and seating area at the conclusion of each class with a disposable wipe
Incoming students will clean desks and seating area at the start of each class with a disposable wipe

Hallway Transitions

Students will maintain social distancing when in the hallways

Teachers will be required to monitor hallway traffic between classes
Hallways and stairwells will shift to one-way traffic during transitions. Students will be provided a map prior to school re-opening.
Restroom breaks must be carefully tracked for contact tracing purposes, students must sign out of class and into restrooms. We will consolidate to two or three restroom sets for the school during class periods. Restroom breaks will occur during class time.
The small gym is no longer a hallway/cut-through. Except for those access the small gym suite of classes (Reset, health rooms)
The quad is now open and encouraged for travel between the math hall and green acres
One-way traffic could lead to longer walks. Those with a transition that is made significantly shorter by going against the direction, they can apply for an against the flow

Restroom Breaks

Restrooms will be closed during transitions between classes and for the first ten minutes of each class. This is for cleaning and monitoring purposes
Three restrooms will be open during class time for student use
Students must obtain permission and a pass to be released from class (as has always been the case)
Students will be monitored using a sign-out process for contact tracing purposes when they leave the room
All water fountains are closed. Students are permitted to bring their own filled waterbottles to school

New Information:

This information has not been shared in a Sunday message yet, so it is listed here for the first time. Consider this the "breaking news" for this week.

Scholarship Information Session

GRASP is partnering with the College Funding Group for an evening of Questions and Answers for students and parents about scholarships. The event is Tuesday, December 15th from 5:30 - 6:00 PM. Registration is required to participate in this free virtual event. To register, please click here.

HCPS CTE LifeReady Expo Series

For the next few months, students in grades 7-12 and their families will have a chance to connect

virtually with employers across the region at Henrico County Public Schools’ Life-Ready Expo events.

Student registration is not required. The virtual event will be conducted using Microsoft Teams. Attendees can take part using a browser without creating a Teams account. To attend on Tuesday, go to

https://tinyurl.com/LifeReadyExpoAgriculture

Schedule of HCPS Life-Ready Expos:

• Jan. 13, 2021: Human Services

• Jan. 26, 2021: Business Management and Technology

• Feb. 9, 2021: Health Services

• Feb. 23, 2021: Industrial and Engineering Technology

• March 9, 2021: Arts and Communications

DSF Masks for sale

The SCA is holding a DSF MASKS FUNDRAISER!! Check out the attached flyer to purchase a DSF mask. There are four styles. Proceeds benefit the SCA for student scholarships, teacher appreciation, and charitable donations. Only $12.00 per mask. A great holiday gift. Share with your friends and family! Pay here: www.tinyurl.com/FreemanPayment. Thank you for considering!

Henrico ACE Centers Informational Events

Hermitage and Highland Springs ACE Centers will host five virtual “Live on Location” events starting Dec. 2 where students can meet and ask career questions of professionals in the field while we stream live from various business locations. Students are able to learn more about ACE programs, ask teachers questions and apply to an ACE program!

Click this link to get started.

ACE Applications

To apply for an ACE center program, please click here. Applications are due by January 15th, 2021. Please reach out to your school counselor for more information. To learn more about the wonderful programs offered at the ACE Center, please click here.

Rythm and & Brew Coffee for sale to benefit DSF Band

December 2 - December 13

Rhythm & Brew AND Rhythm & Brew Seasonal Perk - (Holiday Blend, a perfect holiday gift!!)

Order from Two Labs Coffee: https://www.twolabscoffee.com/collections/all?page=2

Pick up will take place on December 17thin the parking lot of Mod Pizza, 8671 Quioccasin Road from 4:30-6:30. Pick up location is for Seasonal Perk and Rhythm & Brew pre-orders only; all other coffee varieties purchased must be shipped.

DSF Winter Concerts

Join us on Thursday, December 17^th at 7:00PM for the DSF Winter Chorus Concert and enjoy an evening of holiday music assembled by our amazing choral students! In the midst of such difficult and uncertain times, we hope that our virtual performance inspires joy and hope in you and your family during this season. Find all the info you need to join us at tinyurl.com/winterconcert20
The combined orchestra and choral program will take place during the school day on Friday, 12/18 at 11:15am. Please tune in to celebrate the holidays with us!

Evening School/Spring Online PE

Registration for the Evening School of Excellence spring term is now open. All applications and payment must be received no later than January 29th, 2021. For more information, please click here

Freeman Mavericks Shop Open

The DSF Athletics Boosters club has opened a Freeman Mavericks gear shop this week. Click below to order some Mavs gear before the holidays and look for news on free Mavs apparrell for all students in January!

https://whalehook.ignitecx.com/freemanmavericks

JanuaryPrincipals Coffee

Please join Mr. Marshall and his team for the next Principals Coffee Town Hall event. This will take place at 9 am on Wednesday, January 6th.

Please join us on Facebook Live or by following the link at www.atsdf.com

MOD Pizza Night - 12/17!

https://www.groupraise.com/events/170076

Picture Day CHANGE

Underclassmen Portrait Day

Our underclassmen school pictures were scheduled for next week, but we've been asked to close the school buildings for the weeks after the holiday breaks, which necessitates a change.

Pictures will now take place January 19-22nd

Here is the link to sign up for your session: Underclassmen Portraits Sign Up

Strawbridge will take photos for all underclass grade levels (9, 10, and 11) during these sessions. Please be sure to wear a mask and observe the state’s social distancing rules.

Sitting for your portrait is an excused absence. We will provide your teachers with a record of your time slot and confirmation of your attendance.

Laptop Update on HCPS wireless

In August, students/families were requested to bring their laptops to the schools and self- perform an update to optimize the laptop for virtual learning. The Technology Department is suggesting that students who have not completed the laptop update process yet, if possible, please bring their laptop on any weekday during school hours to Technology Support Technician (TST), up until December 18th, to help perform the update. This update is not required but will help optimize and best secure the laptop. TSTs will not be in buildings from December 18th through January 4th due to Winter Break.

For any questions or concerns, please contact Brian Maddox at bemaddox@henrico.k12.va.us.

Information We've Previously Posted:

The information below had been posted in weeks prior, but is still relevant and important. Click the topic to read the collapsed text below it.

Introducing the Freeman Mavericks

www.freemanmascot.info/announcement

Scholarship Newsletter

Parents, please be aware that the scholarship newsletter is available to all seniors. New information is posted every two weeks. You can access the scholarship newsletter on All Things DSF: https://www.atdsf.com/scholarship-info

New Virtual Bell Schedule (posted 9/28)

-Synchronous School Day ending at 2:55

-Freeman Focus moved to the morning

After listening to all the groups that we serve (students, families, teachers), including many of you who have voiced a concern about the length of the school day to me and other school officials, we learned last night that HCPS is shortening the virtual school day for secondary students. For DSF, that means the synchronous school day will dismiss at 2:55, providing more time for students to complete homework and other asynchronous work and providing our teachers time to plan engaging lessons, meet with students virtually and provide meaningful feedback. This new schedule will go into effect on Tuesday 9/29.

Our new bell schedule, effective Tuesday, 9/29 is linked here:

UPDATED DSF VIRTUAL BELL SCHEDULE

Virtual College Tours

The Virginia Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Counselors (VACRAO) is proud to present a Virtual College Exploration program, for all Virginia students, September 14-November 5.

The eight-week program consists of hundreds of opportunities for students to learn about the college search process and about many different colleges through panel presentations and weekly Virtual College Fairs. To learn more, visit https://www.strivescan.com/virginia/

GRASP

Our school has an Advisor from GRASP to support students and families through the college financial aid process, including the FAFSA and searching for scholarships. Our GRASP Advisor is Janet Andrews. You can reach Janet by calling or texting 804 233 0854 or via freeman@grasp4va.org. Virtual appointments are available!

Meals Services at Freeman

Distribution of free meals will take place at Freeman starting on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 on the bus ramp side of the building.

Monday through Thursday (Friday meals are distributed on Thursdays.)
7-9 a.m.: Hot breakfasts (when available) and cold lunches.
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Hot lunches as well as cold breakfasts for the next day.

DONATE to the Freeman Fund (Our only academic fundraiser)

Each year, Freeman’s PTSA relies on the Freeman Fund to pay for programs, teacher supplies and other activities that benefit each child and build a strong Freeman community. In previous years, the fund has provided items like classroom sets of books, microphones, microscopes and other teacher needs that extend beyond their budgets; events like We the People and All-Star Prom; and programs like Teacher Appreciation as well as the Angel Fund, which helps students and families in need. As we start the school year virtually, we anticipate the fund will help with unexpected expenses that arise from virtual learning. Even now, teachers are thinking about and anticipating needs for supplies and support that students may not have access to at home. We hope the Freeman Fund will be able to help with those efforts right out of the gate.

These funds are provided solely through the generosity of donations from the Freeman community. Please visit freemanptsa.org and click on “Donate to the Freeman Fund” to learn more. On behalf of the DSF PTSA, thank you!

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