January 24, 2021
January 24, 2021
This information is important for the upcoming week.
This information is important for the upcoming week.
Embedded Files
Important Upcoming Dates:
Important Upcoming Dates:
Jan 25th - DSF Late work deadline for Q2
Jan 26th - Fall Sports Pre-Season Meeting
Jan 28th & 29th - Asynchronous Learning Days (scheduled sheduled as full days but without class meetings)
Feb 2nd - First day of Sem 2 (This is still a Day 2 schedule - 1,2,FF,4,6)
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
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
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
Lunch
Lunch
Students will eat lunch with their Freeman Focus classes in either the cafeteria, large gym, or small gym, seated in assigned lunch pods.
Students will remain 6 feet apart during lunch. Masks will obviously be down while eating
Students will have assigned seats in their pods (teachers will work with students to request seats within their pod). This is essential for contact tracing purposes.
Students can bring lunch or take advantage of grab-and-go lunch provided for them.
Students in A lunch may assist with setting up their individual lunch table and chair.
Students in B Lunch may assist with putting away their individual lunch table and chair
Stuents will wipe down seating and eating area at the end of lunch and when arriving to lunch. (similar to classes)
Bell Schedule
Bell Schedule
Our Bell Schedule will be similar to the existing 2020-21 calendar with slight variations for arrival, dismissal and lunch. All students must note this change in schedule
https://docs.google.com/document/d/13HsATd_2RZIBxKyvvSAKKlWlCmPP3VbDxHjJr3AxcpI/edit?usp=sharing
Day1/Day 2 Schedules
Day1/Day 2 Schedules
We will use the following schedule for each week once we return to in-person instruction, regardless of holidays.
Mondays - Day 1 Schedule (1,3, FF,5,7)
Tuesdays - Day 2 Schedule (1,2,FF,4,6)
Wednesdays - Wellness Wednesdays + Asynchronous work
Thursdays - Day 1 Schedule (1,3, FF,5,7)
Fridays - Day 2 Schedule (1,2,FF,4,6)
Headphones added to supply list
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
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)
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)
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
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
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
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
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:
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.
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.
Fall Sports Pre-Season meeting - 1/26 @ 7pm
Fall Sports Pre-Season meeting - 1/26 @ 7pm
There will be a parent/athlete FALL SPORTS informational meeting with Suzanne Criswell, Director of Activities at Douglas S. Freeman High School on Tuesday, 1/26 at 7PM. Please use This Link for this virtual meeting. We will cover what paperwork is required to participate, academic eligibility information and general practice/tryout/competition information that applies to all of the Fall Activities. There will be an opportunity for you to forward questions to Mrs. Criswell that she will respond to on the following day through a Q and A document.
8th grade parents – please be aware that you must be enrolled in an HCPS middle school and be in the DSF attendance zone to participate in our High School program. 8th graders also may only participate on the JV level and so only sports that offer a JV program.
These are the fall sports offered: Cheer, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Boys’ and Girls’ Volleyball.
IF you need sport specific information please reach out to:
Cheer: eswalthall@henrico.k12.va.us
Cross Country: bmreutinger@henrico.k12.va.us
Field Hockey: crperez@henrico.k12.va.us
Football: gbbland@henrico.k12.va.us
Golf: bawilliamson@henrico.k12.va.us
Boys’ Volleyball: tlbjr40@aol.com
Girls’ Volleyball: djlovering@henrico.k12.va.us
Recording of meeting:
Student Parking 2020-21
Student Parking 2020-21
Please use the following link to submit your student’s application for parking for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year. Soem key details for this year:
Parking will not have a fee associated with it this year, but students must have a parking permit for this school year to park in our student lot.
Completing the application is NOT a guarantee of receiving a permit.
Parking will be granted to seniors first, then juniors and if spots remain to underclassmen.
To complete the application, you must submit:
Pictures of your student’s license (or permit and 180-day VA Driver Training Certificate)
The vehicle’s valid registration.
You will also need to acknowledge several policies and procedures.
Seniors will have until February 12, 2021 to secure their spot. After February 12, juniors will be considered and the remaining spots will be offered at that time. If you have questions, please email Laura Hollowell at lmhollowell@henrico.k12.va.us.
https://forms.gle/hQimgox854K6JvREA
Materials Distribution Event for Virtual Learning
Materials Distribution Event for Virtual Learning
MASS DISTRIBUTION ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021 AT 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM
The following teachers will be participating in the mass distribution for Q3 materials on 1/26/21. If you are enrolled in any of these classes, Listed below) please use the link below to sign up for a time to pick up materials.
Link: https://calendly.com/lmhollowell/materials-distribution-3-for-select-classes?month=2021-01
HCPS CTE LifeReady Expo Series - Business and Technology
HCPS CTE LifeReady Expo Series - Business and Technology
Any student interested in a career in business or technology is strongly encouraged to take advantage of HCPS's Life-Ready Expo where they can make connections and interact with local companies in those fields.
Click here to attend:
Freeman Yard Signs for Sale for all students
Freeman Yard Signs for Sale for all students
Freeman is selling class-specific yard signs.
We want to blanket the community with school spirit! You can order today!
In order to order your yard sign, students/ families need to complete the google form AND make their payment through our Online School Payments system (OSP). OSP is linked in the google form for easy access. Signs are $20 each and orders must be submitted by 1/27. A tentative distribution date is 2/8. Families can reach out to Mr. Cook or Mrs. Walthall (Class of 2024 sponsors) with any questions.
In-Person required forms - Complete by 1/29.
In-Person required forms - Complete by 1/29.
This message is for those who have opted for a return to in-person learning. In accordance with CDC Health and Safety requirements, parents are required to complete and submit two Covid-19 safety forms for each student prior to them returning to the building.
We are very excited to welcome students back into the building and we want to do everything within our power to ensure their safety. Before your student is permitted back into the building, you need to log into your PowerSchool Parent Portal account and sign the two required safety forms.
How Do I Access the Forms?
Parents need to have an active PowerSchool Parent Portal account to access the forms. If you have a parent portal account, please complete the forms through the RYCOR system:
● Sign into your PowerSchool Parent Portal account.
● Go to the menu tab and select “Access Online Forms”.
● From there, select your student(s) name(s) and follow the instructions on the screen for each student. Please complete the following forms:
○ COVID-19 Health Screening Acknowledgement
○ COVID-19 Addendum to the Health and Safety Acknowledgement
Transportation Information needed:
Additionally, if you have not yet done so, please use the link below to let us know your plan for getting your student to and from school. We need this information to plan for student parking, and to ensure a safe and socially distant dismissal of walkers, car riders, student drivers and bus riders.
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 the survey below prior to the start of in-person learning.
Survey: DSF-Specific transportation survey
Complete and submit asap or at your earliest convenience so that we are best positioned to welcome all students back once we are cleared to do so.
Student Variance Request Deadline - Feb 15th
Student Variance Request Deadline - Feb 15th
In rare cases, students apply for and are granted requests to attend HCPS schools outside their atttendance zone boundary. The high school (grades 8-11) deadline for submitting a variance request is February 15th. Because variances are only requested on a year-to-year basis, this includes those who attend DSF on a variance this year.
Student Variance Request Deadline - Feb 15th
Student Variance Request Deadline - Feb 15th
In rare cases, students apply for and are granted requests to attend HCPS schools outside their atttendance zone boundary. The high school (grades 8-11) deadline for submitting a variance request is February 15th. Because variances are only requested on a year-to-year basis, this includes those who attend DSF on a variance this year.
Information We've Previously Posted:
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.
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
Introducing the Freeman Mavericks
Scholarship Newsletter
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
Evening School/Spring Online PE
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
HCPS CTE LifeReady Expo Series
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.
Click here to attend:
Schedule of HCPS Life-Ready Expos:
• 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
PSAT INFORMATION FOR 9TH & 10TH GRADE STUDENTS
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.
New Virtual Bell Schedule (posted 9/28)
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:
Our new bell schedule, effective Tuesday, 9/29 is linked here:
Virtual College Tours
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
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)
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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