October 11, 2020
October 11, 2020
This information is important for the upcoming week.
This information is important for the upcoming week.
Embedded Files
Important Upcoming Dates:
Important Upcoming Dates:
Oct 11th: 2nd Nine Weeks Survey Closes
Oct 13th: Mental Health Forum
Oct 14th - Senior Convocation (10 am) - Senior early release from school
Oct 22nd - October School Board Meeting
Oct 29th - PSAT Test (for juniors who've signed up)
OCT 29th - Parent-Teacher Conferences, 3-6pm (Option 1)
Nov 2nd - Parent-Teacher Conferences, 3-6pm (Option 2)
Nov 3rd - Election Day Studnet Holiday
Nov 16th - Start of 2nd Nine-weeks
HCPS 2nd Nine-Weeks Survey
HCPS 2nd Nine-Weeks Survey
Last week HCPS sent out a questionnaire regarding their upcoming decision about virtual or face-to-face instruction. We very much want everyone to complete that to help inform our decision and planning. That survey closes TODAY!
You can find that survey in an email sent from Henrico County Public Schools with the subject: Questionnaire about the “second nine weeks”
We also have paper copies of the survey in mulitiple languages available at DSF on the front steps of the school.
DSF Mental Health Forum
DSF Mental Health Forum
Freeman High School is hosting a Mental Health Forum with Dr. Matt Bitsko on Tuesday, October 13th. This event is intended for Freeman parents and guardians. Dr. Bitsko is a local Licensed Clinical Psychologist, the Founder and Director of Summit Emotional Health, and a Freeman parent. This forum will be facilitated by Janet Smith, Director of School Counseling.
During the fall mental health forum, we will be discussing stress management. This event is limited to 100 participants. Click here to register.
Senior Convocation this Week!
Senior Convocation this Week!
Join us for the Convocation for the Class of 2021 at 10 am on Wednesday, October 14th. This year's convocation will be a virtual event and we are currently working on finalizing the Convocation video. Once completed, the video will be accessible through a YouTube premiere that will go LIVE at 10am on October 14th. We will also broadcast the video through the DSF Facebook account as well as through this Convocation landing page on the banner of www.atdsf.com
A short senior meeting will be held on the morning of 10/14 at 9:30, after which seniors will be released to watch the convocation video. Seniors are encouraged to wear their gowns to watch convocation, and post pictures to social media using the hashtag #dsfconvocation2020 celebrating the “official kickoff” to senior year.
Any senior who did not have an opportunity to pick up their gowns during last week’s gown pick-up, there will be another opportunity on the morning of October 19th 2020. Please look out for a sign-up link in the next day or so and remember that senior class fee must be paid prior to getting a graduation gown.
AP Registration
AP Registration
Earlier this month, we sent AP students this message regarding AP exam registration. You can register now for your Spring AP-Exams. The deadline to sign up and pay is November 6th, 2020. Please refer to the message linked above for links and further details.
Freeman Mascot Update
Freeman Mascot Update
We provided a detailed update on the exciting process to find a mascot and nickname that encapsulates our core values. In short, the VCU BrandCenter identified our core values of Family, Excellence and Pride, along with identifying the importance of tradition, diversity, community and leadership in our school's ethos. Their guiding principles are pointing us toward four possible nickname choices, which we will share with teh Freeman community for feedback this week! Be on the lookout for that message and a chance to engage with our choice this week!
For a quick video explaining where we are in this process, click on this Mascot Update: Core Values Video
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.
Choral Boosters Giftwrap Fundraiser
Choral Boosters Giftwrap Fundraiser
Support DSF Choral Boosters by placing an order with Charleston Wrap by Oct 22 (to receive items by Thanksgiving). Get your holiday shopping started by purchasing UltraHeavy™ gift wrap, gourmet kitchen essentials, personalized gifts & more! Simply click on this link: www.charlestonwrapstore.com and enter our school code: 20330. Your order helps support Chorus students through the Angel Fund, Auditorium Lighting Campaign, Equipment and Props. Thank you!
Senior Picture Day!
Senior Picture Day!
On October 19 and October 20, Strawbridge Studios will take senior portraits in the big gym. If seniors wish to appear in the senior portrait spread in this year’s yearbook, they must sit for this photo session. The Sign-Up Genius link to sign up for individual time slots is listed below.
Attire:
All students must wear their navy blue graduation gown
Students must wear a pressed collared shirt with a tie or a professional blouse
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.
Sign up Link:
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences
On the afternoons of Thursday 10/29 and Monday, 11/2, DSF will host Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences. Families will sign up for ten-minute timeslots (sign-up to post next week) and access Microsoft Teams meets posted by teachers for video conferences. Conference time-slots will run from 3pm - 6pm on these two dates. Look for the sign-up to post in the next week!
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.
Scholarship Newletter
Scholarship Newletter
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
New Virtual Bell Schedule
(posted 9/28)
(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 and above:
Our new bell schedule, effective Tuesday, 9/29 is linked here and above:
Returning Library Books
Returning Library Books
Please have your children return all library materials to Freeman as soon as possible. We will also accept books they have checked out from other HCPS schools. They may return books by
Bringing them to the bus loop during extended library hours (Wednesdays 8-9:00 am and Thursdays 4-5:30 pm)
Putting them in the black and yellow bin located by the front office door
Contacting the library staff to arrange another way
Students may check out books by using the bookhub form. They can pick up books during extended library hours or by appointment.
School Counseling Needs Assessment - Quick Survey
School Counseling Needs Assessment - Quick Survey
DSF Parents - the school counseling department would like your input about which topics we should address with our students this year. We will use this information to shape our school counseling program. Click the link below to fill out a quick survey! Thanks for your help!
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!
Meals Services at Freeman
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.
Fee Payment
Fee Payment
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, HCPS is waiving the laptop fee ($25), the science fee ($5) and the P.E. fee ($4). Some other classes (such as some of our Career and Technical Education options for limited in-person learning) may still require a fee.
If you haven’t used Online School Payments before, you’ll need to set up an account.
There is a 4% fee to pay with a credit card, which pays for the vendor’s costs. If you prefer to pay by check, please mail a check to your school with a copy of the obligation list from the online payment system highlighting the fees being paid.
If you do not want to pay online, you will need to mail a check to
Freeman High School
8701 Three Chopt Rd
Henrico, VA 23229
Little Known Secrets about Paying for College
Little Known Secrets about Paying for College
(A program from School Counseling)
(A program from School Counseling)
Each year our College Funding Coach Team partners with Freeman’s PTSA to teach our free workshop called “Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College”. Parents who have attended our workshop in the past have expressed how useful and invaluable the information we share is, so we’ve always made sure to include Freeman on our list of schools we visit.
Due to COVID, we have been teaching this workshop via ZOOM since March! On Tuesday, October 20th at 6:30pm we will be streaming our free workshop as a webinar. The webinar will run approximately 1 hour. In order to attend the workshop all you need to do is register using this link!
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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