October 17, 2021
October 17, 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:
October 18 - HCPS Bands Showcase @ Godwin
October 19 - PTSA Event - Little Known Secrets for College
October 19 - HCPS LifeReady Showcase @ Hermitage
October 22 & 23 - Homecoming Parade/Game
October 23 - Homecoming Dance
November 2 - Election Day (Schools Closed)
November 4 - Schools closed for Virtual PT Conferences
November 11 - Veterans Day
June 16th - Graduation for the DSF Class of 2022 (3pm)
HCPS-School-Calendar-2021-22.pdf This Week at DSF
This Week at DSF
HCPS LifeReady Expo - Oct 19th
HCPS LifeReady Expo - Oct 19th
Oct. 19: Life-Ready Expo, HCPS’ showcase for student career possibilities and pathways
Students in grades 7-12 and their families can find out more about a variety of career and educational pathways Oct. 19 at HCPS’ annual Life-Ready Expo. The event will be held at Hermitage High School. Students and families can explore career paths at the Expo, while talking with more than 70 employers. Attendees will have a chance to:
Henrico County Public Schools Life-Ready Expo
When: Oct. 19 from 6-8 p.m.
Where: Hermitage High School, 8301 Hungary Spring Road, Henrico, Va. 23228
All attendees, regardless of their vaccination status, are required to wear masks at the event.
Being “life-ready” is one aspect of the school division’s Henrico Learner Profile, HCPS’ blueprint for K-12 education. It emphasizes the importance of “six Cs” for students: developing quality character, and becoming effective global citizens, communicators, collaborators, and critical and creative thinkers.
DSF HOMECOMING WEEK:
DSF HOMECOMING WEEK:
Spirit Week
Students are encouraged to participate in our spirit week to have some fun and show their school spirit. See the Flyer below. The Code of Conduct still applies during spirit week.
Homecoming Parade (Friday 10/22)
One of our best community events of the year is great for the entire Freeman Family. Line up along Three Chopt Road between Tuckahoe Middle School and Freeman High School
Cheer on our homecoming court, our club representatives, our honored guests, and of course the Marching Mavericks!
The parade starts at 5:45 pm!
Homecoming Football Game (Friday, 10/22)
Freeman takes on one of our oldest rivals, the Tucker Tigers, at 7pm!
Tickets are $8 and available at the gate or online.
Homecoming Dance
The Homecoming Dance will take place on Saturday, October 23rd from 7 – 10 pm outdoors near the big gym.
Only Freeman students are allowed to attend.
Tickets will go on sale on Oct 20th - 22nd during all lunches in the cafeteria and are $10.00 each.
The theme is “GLOW”. Semi-formal attire. Masks required.
Little Known Secrets for Paying for College
Little Known Secrets for Paying for College
The Freeman PTSA has partnered with “The College Funding Coach” to offer a free workshop called, “Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College.” This virtual event will take place on Tuesday, October 19th at 6:30 pm and will be streamed via a live webinar. The event will last approximately 1 hour. To attend, please register using this link.
Freeman High School PTA Workshop 2021-2022.pdf This Month at DSF
This Month at DSF
New (Temporary) Bell Schedule: Freeman Focus at 9am
New (Temporary) Bell Schedule: Freeman Focus at 9am
Starting on Monday, 10/4, we will make a temporary change to our schedule to alleviate concerns brought on by late morning buses. We will move Freeman Focus to 9 am. We have 12-15 late buses each day and our classes who serve bus riders have been drastically affected by this. We do not see this changing in the near future, so we will adjust in our building to help our students.
DSF Regular Bell Schedule -- 10-4-21 (TEMPORARY).pdfUpcoming surveys Opt-Out Information
Upcoming surveys Opt-Out Information
EOS Student Survey (Delivered the week of October 25th)
Henrico County Public Schools Strategic Plan, Destination 2020 – A Plan for HCPS, includes strategies for providing all students with opportunities to engage in rigorous learning experiences. Towards this effort, a partnership has been established with Equal Opportunity Schools (EOS) to support the school division’s efforts to increase equitable enrollment in rigorous courses, including Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) classes.
During the last two weeks of October your high school child will be asked to participate in the EOS School Culture Survey. The survey will be taken at school and will take approximately 40 minutes. Surveys will ask students about their self-view, learning mindset, sense of belonging, school climate, and advanced coursework enrollment and support. Results generated from the survey will provide schools with student-specific data and trends on information, expectations, and belonging in accelerated coursework. School teams will use this data to surface student potential, interests, and perspectives on school equity. We will be asking all students (besides those opting out) to take part in this survey becuase we believe it will help us better serve our students.
If you would like to opt out of that survey or if you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Marshall via email or phone.
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Parental Notification Form 2021 Virginia High School Youth Survey (Delivered to a ramdonly selected small group of classes at DSF in mid-November)
Our school is taking part in the 2021 Virginia Youth Survey. This survey is sponsored by the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth with the support of the Virginia Department of Education. The survey takes about 40 minutes for the students to complete and will ask questions about the health behaviors of 9th through 12th grade students in areas related to physical activity, nutrition, sexual behaviors, injuries, tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use. Our school was selected as a part of a ramdomized sample and only some our students (a few classes selected randomly from a list of classes) will have teh opportunity to take this survey.
The survey is voluntary; however, we would like all selected students to take part in it. No action will be taken against the school, you, or your child if your child does not take part. It has been designed to protect your child’s privacy; therefore, students will not put their names on it. Students can skip any questions they do not wish to answer and may stop participating in the survey at any point without penalty. In addition, no school or student will ever be mentioned by name in a report of the survey results.
If you do NOT want your child to take part in the survey, please follow the instructions below. A copy of the survey is available online at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/69/2021/08/VAH-Questionnaire-English.pdf
If you have any additional questions, you may contact the Virginia Youth Survey Staff at 804-864-7863 or 804-864-7649. Thank you.
If you would like to opt out of that survey or if you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Marshall via email or phone.
Freeman Halloween
Freeman Halloween
In keeping with tradition, our Freeman Seniors will enjoy the senior privilege of dressing up for Halloween if they choose to. I wanted to share a few stipulations with you and them to make sure our school and our students stay safe this Halloween.
Only Seniors are permitted to participate
The HCPS Code of Conduct still applies, including rules regarding being to class on time, safe conduct in the hallways and standards of appropriate dress.
In keeping with our COVID safety protocols, our masks must still be work properly and students must maintain proper social distancing.
Costume masks that cover the whole face and face paint are not permitted; this is a school safety measure.
Costumes that are deemed offensive, culturally insensitive, or inappropriate for school are not allowed.
We love this tradition and want everyone to have fun, so the smart thing to do is ask a member of the Freeman Admin team about your costume plan ahead of time to make sure you'll be able to participate and have fun on the big day!
Parents and Guardians, thank you for having a conversation about this with your senior this week.
Neighboring Shopping Centers NOT to be used for pick-up
Neighboring Shopping Centers NOT to be used for pick-up
Our neighbors (and community partners) in the shopping centers around Freeman High School have reached out for help in reminding families that these are not locations for pick-up or drop-off of students. Any cars parked in these lots are subject to being towed (they have towed some already) and they have reached out to Henrico police for assistance in monitoring the lots for those using them for anything other than patronizing their businesses. Thank you for your help in using our designated areas for student pick-up instead of our neighbors' parking areas.
Class of 2022
Class of 2022
Information for our Seniors and their families
Information for our Seniors and their families
Convocation Link
Convocation Link
This past week, the Class of 2022 participated in Senior Convocation. Thank you to all of the families who tuned in virtually. If you did not catch the event or if you'd like to re-live it, we have a video re-broadcast just for you:
Ordering Information for Senior Year Items from our partners at Jostens
Ordering Information for Senior Year Items from our partners at Jostens
Graduation Jostens Newsletter_Henrico County Schools.pdf Previously Posted (but still important)
Previously Posted (but still important)
Click the topic to read the collapsed text below it.
Click the topic to read the collapsed text below it.
Afternoon Car-Rider Pick Up: Moved back to Student Lot
Afternoon Car-Rider Pick Up: Moved back to Student Lot
We will alter our dismissal timing and car-rider pick-up location, returning pick-up to the student lot near the baseball field. This also goes into effect on 10/4. Your feedback on the Drivers-Ed Lot Pick-Up Trial was very helpful, and our community remains split on which system worked better. With that divide, we are opting for the plan that does not have students walking across Camden Dr. and will use the timing of our dismissal (student drivers ten minutes before car-riders) to stagger a release and ease (though unlikely eliminate) congestion at dismissal.
3:45 - Student drivers released
3:55 - Car riders and bus riders released to student lot
Student Dress Code
Student Dress Code
The Henrico County Code of Conduct mandates a dress code to ensure a proper learning environment. Students are expected to review that policy prior to choosing clothing and those not adhering to dress-code will be asked to change. Those who repeatedly violate this Code of Conduct policy will be subject to disciplinary action. Please help us avoid that situation by speaking with your student about the dress code.
Cell Phones in Class
Cell Phones in Class
The HCPS Code of Conduct stipulates that student cell phones must be off and away during instructional time. This year at DSF, students may be asked to place their phone in a designated location in most classes during class time. Students who do not and whose phone is out without permission during class time will have that device confiscated and turned into the main office. Phones will be retuned to parents and guardians. Students may use the main office landline to inform parents that their phone was confiscated.
Sign Up for Parent Accounts
Sign Up for Parent Accounts
Now more than ever, staying connected with the school and your child’s teachers is important to your child’s success in school. Henrico parents can create accounts to view grades and attendance information through PowerSchool, access assignment information through Schoology, and receive communications through the SchoolMessenger App. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to set up your access to these tools. If you need assistance, please reach out to our Innovative Learning Coach, Jessica Ciokan (jkciokan@henrico.k12.va.us).
PowerSchool Parent Portal - click here then choose “Create Account” tab
Schoology - click here for directions
SchoolMessenger App - click here to sign up to receive school and teacher communications in one place. (click here to learn more)
Athletics Boosters Membership Information
Athletics Boosters Membership Information
Each year, nearly 800 students at Douglas Freeman compete on multiple athletic teams. With your membership in the Booster Club, you support our programs and you save money on admission to home sporting events. See our website (www.dsfathleticboosters.org) for details about benefits associated with each membership level. Athletic passes and tickets may be used for all home Varsity and JV athletic events, excluding tournaments and Invitationals. Without a Booster Pass, costs per sporting event are $8 for football and $6 for all other sports. Preferred parking applies to all home football games except Homecoming. Tickets and passes from prior seasons are no longer valid.
DSF COVID SAFETY
DSF COVID SAFETY
Reporting Positive Cases at school
Reporting Positive Cases at school
Starting this week, we will begin using this space to report out the number of COVID-19 cases we had on campus along with the number of positive exposures at school that resulted from those cases.
This week (10/11-10/17) our shool recorded 0 positive COVID case and 0 exposures.
Quarantine and Contact Tracing FAQs
Quarantine and Contact Tracing FAQs
Close Contacts:
With almost our entire student body returning to Freeman this year and our classrooms at full capacity, there becomes an increased likelihood that your student could be deemed a close contact if we have a positive case in the building. If that occurs, school administration or health professionals will call with a series of questions to determine if quarantine is necessary. Here's how we can help keep as many students at school as possible:
Encourage mask-wearing at all times as we enforce this every day at school.
If you feel comfortable, have your student get a COVID-19 vaccine. Students with a full vaccination status are better protected from COVID-19.
Please remain patient with our school officials and contact tracing team.
The school maintains and enforces carefully-documented seating charts to ensure that no unecessary students are quarantined.
Our division has amended its definition of a close contact, citing that students that are three-feet apart and fully masked would no longer be considered close contacts. Students should do their best ro remain 3 feet from others at all times that such distancing is possible.
Quarantine Decisions:
HCPS has published a chart to help families and staff understand the decisions being made by our contact tracing team. Only contact tracers and school officials can clear a student for a return in the case of a positive case or exposure.
DSF - School-specific Covid Safety Mitigation Plan
DSF - School-specific Covid Safety Mitigation Plan
School Counseling
School Counseling
Information from our School Counseling team, led by Janet Smith, DSF Director of School Counseling
Information from our School Counseling team, led by Janet Smith, DSF Director of School Counseling
AP Exam Ordering
AP Exam Ordering
AP exam ordering is now live. Students and families will order their exams online through Total Registration. The deadline to order, without a late fee, is November 8, 2021. Each exam costs $100. Please click here for more information.
GRASP Advisor - Financial Aid
GRASP Advisor - Financial Aid
We are excited to welcome Mrs. Beth Metcalf to Freeman as our GRASP advisor this fall. She will be meeting with seniors and their parents/guardians to discuss financial aid and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Mrs. Metcalf will be at Freeman on Tuesdays each week. To sign up for an appointment with her, please click here. You can also schedule a virtual appointment with a GRASP advisor on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays by calling 804-923-0059 or emailing advising@grasp4va.org
Contact Information For School Counseling
Contact Information For School Counseling
Phone: 804-673-3709
Website: tinyurl.com/dsfcounseling
Liz Puckett, School Counselor, Last Names: A-Cr
ebpuckett@henrico.k12.va.us
Morgan Meadowes, School Counselor, Last Names: Cu-Hen
memeadowes@henrico.k12.va.us
Janet Smith, Director of School Counseling, Last Names: Her-K
jksmith@henrico.k12.va.us
Susie Good, School Counselor, Last Names: L-Ph
slgood@henrico.k12.va.us
Corey Hancock, School Counselor, Last Names: Pi-Sa
clhancock1@henrico.k12.va.us
Charlie Williams, School Counselor, Last Names: Sc-Z
cewilliams@henrico.k12.va.us
Graeme Byrne, Administrative Assistant
gjbyrne@henrico.k12.va.us
Sarah Terry, Registrar
sdterry@henrico.k12.va.us
PTSA
PTSA
News from our Parent Teacher Student Associationon
News from our Parent Teacher Student Associationon
All Night Graduation Party
All Night Graduation Party
Graduation 2022 may be months away, but planning for the All Night Graduation Party (ANGP) is well underway! Not sure what the All Night Graduation Party is? The Freeman high school ANGP is a tradition for the senior class. For over 30 years, parents, the Freeman PTSA, and the entire Freeman Community have been sponsoring this party, which takes place on graduation night in an alcohol and drug free environment. This long-standing tradition is something our graduates look forward to, and is the only party of its kind in Henrico County. This event provides the graduates with a fun opportunity to celebrate with their classmates and friends.
We don’t have a date yet, but will know when the graduation date is announced. We won’t know for sure the format of the party until closer to the date. We are definitely hoping for the best and that it will be held indoors as it was before Covid. No matter what, we will have some sort of celebration, we will adapt as we have to like the class of 2021 did and with a fabulous celebration at Deep Run this past summer.
There will be senior tabs and links on the PTSA website that you should keep an eye on to keep up with all the details and information regarding the party and fundraising for it. Remember, the ANGP is 100% planned and financially supported by senior parents and community donations. You can donate now on the PTSA website.
If you would like to volunteer to help with planning or the night of the party, please email Valerie Hendricks at DSFANGP2022@gmail.com.
Key Resources for 2021-22
Key Resources for 2021-22
Click the topic to read the collapsed text below it.
Click the topic to read the collapsed text below it.
Please bookmark www.atdsf.com. This is a one-stop resource for all the links, refences, sign up forms and information you might need. We are constantly updating it and use it to house important school-wide virtual events as well.
Athletics/Activities
Athletics/Activities
(Best viewed on a computer or tablet, Click here to open in a new window)
ANNOUNCING ONLINE TICKETS FOR ATHLETICS EVENTS!
ANNOUNCING ONLINE TICKETS FOR ATHLETICS EVENTS!
Announcing Partnership
Douglas Freeman is now officially partners with @GoFanHS! GoFan is the leading digital ticketing solution for more than 250,000 high school events nationwide.
Get your tickets beginning the week of October 11.
DSF Graphic 2.pdfPage updated
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