October 3, 2021
October 3, 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 7 - Senior Graduation Gown Pick up (at lunches)
October 11 - Student Holiday
October 12 - Principals Coffee (10am)
October 13 - PSAT & Class of 2022 Convocation
October 22 & 23- Homecoming Parade/Game
October 23 - Homecoming Dance
November 2 - Election Day (Schools Closed)
November 4 - Schools closed for PT Conferences (Virtual)
HCPS-School-Calendar-2021-22.pdf This Week at DSF
This Week 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).pdfAfternoon 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
October PTSA Meeting
October PTSA Meeting
Our October PTSA meeting will be Monday, Oct. 4 at 5:30pm in the Freeman library. We decided to switch to the library in order to have more room for everyone. Masks are worn in the school building. All are welcome!
If attending virtually works better for you, please use this Zoom link for our Oct 4 PTSA meeting. The Zoom opens at 5pm; meeting starts at 5:30pm.
Topic: PTSA meeting - October 4, 2021
Time: Oct 4, 2021 05:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83735124248?pwd=WWVGZ1oydEF5d0FFNCtQNGgzNXRGZz09
Meeting ID: 837 3512 4248
Passcode: 235652
This Month at DSF
This Month at DSF
Class of 2022 Senior Convocation
Class of 2022 Senior Convocation
Seniors and Families,
We will hold the class of 2022 Senior Convocation on October 13th at 10am. This
event will be held in our school gym, with all seniors present in their
graduation gowns.
Students will kick off their senior year with messages from our class officers, Mr.
Marshall, and our Convocation speaker, Freeman alum, parent, and Hall-of-Famer:
Vance Harmon.
Due to COVID 19 protocols and available space in our gym, this event will be live
streamed to families via our YouTube channel. We apologize sincerely that we
are not able to host all families for this event in our gym or at another
location on our campus; we explored multiple options to make that a possibility
but are unable to due to logistical obstacles.
In keeping with tradition, seniors are released from the rest of the day of school
if they wish.
Additional Information:
Convocation is a formal ceremony and all seniors are glad to take this rite of passage. Considering that seniors are wearing their graduation gowns to this ceremony, please be sure you have paid the $60 senior class fee so that your senior can obtain a cap, gown and tassel on October 7th during lunches.
For this event, seniors must be dressed appropriately. Every senior will wear their graduation gown (no cap) Every senior will wear dress clothing under the navy gown. (no cords/caps or tassels, etc). No tennis shoes/casual shoes/flip flops/jeans or t shirts. Ties or bowtie are acceptable.
Students will report to their 9:00 am Freeman Focus class, or period 1 class, depending on whether or not the temporary schedule has been returned to the regular schedule due to the late bus issues we are having.
Student will report to Auditorium at 9:30 am when a bell rings.
Immediately following convocation, a traditional Senior Picture will be on the outside bleachers. Students will remain in their seat until instructed to proceed to the bleachers outside. There will be recessional out to the outside bleachers if there is no rain. If there is rain, there will be no processional, and seniors will take their pictures in the gym and be set up the bleachers.
Since Seniors traditionally have the rest of the day off after convocation, If you DO NOT approve the early release of your senior, please email Dr. Rodriguez, the senior administrator nurodriguez@henrico.k12.va.us
October Principal's Coffee - 10/12
October Principal's Coffee - 10/12
Out next Principals Coffee will take place on Tuesday, October 12th at 10 am. Unfortunately, this will have to be a virtual event due to HCPS policies related to non-student visitors during instructional hours. Please mark your calendars for this optional event, which will be streamed on Facebook and on www.atdsf.com
Hispanic Heritage Month at DSF
Hispanic Heritage Month at DSF
Please visit our website for resource, information and ways to celebrate.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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 (9/26-10/2) our shool recorded 3 positive COVID cases and 30 exposures. All close contacts have been notified.
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
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.pdfContact 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
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.
Important Links:
Important Links:
Key Resources:
All Things DSF Website (AKA: “at dsf”): www.atdsf.com
Freeman PTSA Website: www.freemanptsa.org
DSF Athletics Calendar (always up to date): www.colonialdistrictva.org
Mr. Marshall on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@dsfMrMarshall
Freeman Official Instagram: www.instagram.com/freemanhighschool.official
Freeman Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreemanHighSchool.official/
PSAT Information - October 13th, 2021
PSAT Information - October 13th, 2021
9th and 10th grade students are automatically registered to take the PSAT 8/9 (9th grade) and the PSAT/NMSQT (10th grade) tests on Wednesday, October 13th. The county pays for the tests so 9th and 10th graders take it free of charge!
11th grade students who registered and paid will also take the test on October 13th. There is a wait list if you missed the deadline for registration. Please email Mrs. Reilly to be put on the wait list.
The bell schedule will be adjusted to accommodate testing but it will be a full school day with classes held in the afternoon.
The HCPS PSAT official letter can be found HERE.
Any questions? Email Mrs. Reilly, DSF Testing Coordinator, csreilly@henrico.k12.va.us
Athletics/Activities
Athletics/Activities
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