January 10, 2021

This information is important for the upcoming week.

Important Upcoming Dates:

Jan 13th: Principals Coffee (9am)
Jan 18th - Schools Closed MLK Holiday
Jan 19-22: DSF Picture Days (Grades 9-11)
Jan 23rd: New Year/New Gear Event (10am - 2 pm)
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
Feb 4th - All HS students return to school (those opting for in-person)
Feb 15th - Student half day, staff professional learning day
March 12th - March 12: Student half day, teacher professional learning
April 2: Student half day, staff clerical day
April 5-9: Schools Closed - Spring Break

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

Headphones added to supply list

Each year students are asked to purchase pencils, paper, notebooks, etc. for the school year. This semester we would add headphones to that supply list for those opting for in-person instruction. Students are asked to purchase earbuds that work with student laptops and bring them to school each day. Families, please reach out to the school if this is a hardship so we can support you.

Parallel Hybrid Instruction and Student Schedules

Student Schedules Update: After a thorough review of each student, class and classroom space, we have elected to use a parallel-hybrid model for nearly every class section in semester 2 due to the benefits it provides our students.

In this model, students in the classroom and those looking in virtually through Microsoft Teams learn from the same teachers simultaneously. We piloted this learning style for the county in December. This allows for the most flexibility and allows us to keep every student’s schedule and teacher the same as semester 1, regardless of virtual/in-person placement.
With the exception of some classroom number changes, nearly every child’s schedule and teachers will remain the same for semester-2. Parent and student feedback about possible schedule changes was a large driver of this decision.

Arrival To School (Mornings)

Students will not be allowed on campus prior to 8:45 am
Students will enter through bus ramp doors, math hall doors and Green Acres doors
Students getting breakfast will grab and go and eat in designated areas in the cafeteria
Students will report to their first period class upon arrival to school, where they will engage in quiet study, supervised by teacher or classroom monitor
First period schedule will be adjusted with a late start (tentative: 9:10am) due to multiple bus runs. Quiet study will continue until 9:10 am. This will lead to a change in the daily schedule for all periods.

Dismissal from School (Afternoons)

Goal: To ensure a safe and socially distant dismissal of walkers, car riders, student drivers and bus riders. Students will be expected to follow the one way traffic directions during dismissal. All students will stay in their last class and be dismissed from there, via a PA announcement and electronic bus board. Students will engage in asynchronous work while awaiting dismissal.

To facilitate dismissal, DSF will need accurate, up to date information regarding how students plan to travel home in 2021. All families are required to complete this DSF-Specific transportation survey prior to the start of in-person learning in February.

Dismissal Times

2:45pm - Student Drivers

2:45 pm- 3pm: Bus Riders - as each bus arrives

2:50pm - Car Riders/Walkers

Exits for Everyone

Green Acres Doors: All rooms in Green Acres, the Annex, the Center (including Larkins’ room) and Rooms 223-227
Main/Auditorium Doors: Rooms 117 - 129 & Rooms 200-222
Doors 8 or 13: Rooms 100 - 116

Alerting Admin to Protocol Breaches

It is essential that all members of the Freeman Family (Studnets, staff, families, leadership, etc.) follow health and safety protocol. For that reason, we want to encourage all stakeholders to alert school and division leadership to any lapses in protocol. We will use our anonymous alerting system, called "Anonymous Alerts" to do so. This system can be accessed from the Freeman High School website or by using this link: https://report.anonymousalerts.com/henrico/

Breaches in protocol will be addressed by school or HCPS personnell and corrected. This is about all of us doing our part to keep eachother safe, so we will learn from any mistakes in order to minimize risk.

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.

NEW YEAR/NEW GEAR: A Drive-Through Event for every student on Saturday January 23rd in the DSF Parking Lot

All students and Freeman famlies are invited to visit DSF on Saturday, 1/23 to pick up their brand new, FREE Freeman Mavericks T-shirt!

This drive-through event will also kick off our Rebels gear trade-in program. Students, bring a Freeman T-shirt or hoodie that says "Rebels" on it, and we'll give you an additional, different Mavs equivalent for free. (limit 1 per student for now).

This event will be a welcome back and celebration of both the new era of Freeman high school, another layer on our lasting tradition and history, as well as reminder of why we love DSF. Participants will see old faces, have the chance to participate in interactive covid-friendly activityies (from their cars) and purchase other Mavs items while driving through!

We can't wait to see everyone on Saturday, January 23rd!

Go Mavs!

PSAT INFORMATION FOR 9TH & 10TH GRADE STUDENTS

The Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test (PSAT) will be offered free of charge to all 9th and 10th grade students. 9th and 10th grade students who chose to remain VIRTUAL for the second semester can sign up to test on Wednesday, April 14th. This is OPTIONAL and there will be no negative consequences if students choose NOT to test. 9th and 10th grade students who chose to come IN PERSON for the second semester will automatically be signed up and given the test on Thursday, April 15th.

An email with the sign up link and more information was sent to all guardians of students who chose to remain virtual. If you did not receive one, please email Mrs. Reilly, testing coordinator, at csreilly@henrico.k12.va.us.

More information and test day details will be sent to all testing 9th and 10th grade students in late March.

Freemanettes Canned Food Drive for Feed More

The Freemanettes will be hosting a Canned Food Drive for Feed More on January 13th and 14th from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. on the DSF bus loop. Please drop off items in a bag if you are able to donate! Items of need: peanut butter, leaned canned protein, canned vegetables, canned fruits, tomato products, beans, whole grain cereals, grains, healthy snacks. Thank you!

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 flyer to purchase a DSF mask. Proceeds benefit the SCA for student scholarships, teacher appreciation, and charitable donations. Only $12.00 per mask. Pay here: www.tinyurl.com/FreemanPayment. The next pick up date is January 20th from 11 a.m.-12:30 and 3:30 -5 p.m. 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.

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

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!

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!

Page updated

Report abuse