April 11 - DSF Connetions Mental Health Series
April 14 - ANGP Fundraiser at Sloop John B.'s
April 17-21 - Prom Tickets sold
April 19 - Project Maverick Community Showcase
April 20 - Little Feet Meet
April 26, May 3, May 9, May 16: English, Science, History, and Math SOL Testing
April 29 - Prom
May 4-7 - Spring Musical
June 2 - Graduation Practice
June 2 - Class of 2023 Baccalaureate (6:30pm)
June 5 - Graduation Practice
June 6 - DSF Class of 2023 Graduation (7pm)
This week, in our DSF Connections Mental Health Series: on Tuesday, April 11: We have The Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation coming out to discuss their Mental Wellness Toolkit for Families. Each evening will include time to ask questions and connect with other parents. All are welcome in the DSF library from 6:30 to 7:45.
Links to view recordings of the previous sessions are available below:
March 14 -- You and your child's relationship with anxiety
March 21 -- Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth: The Parent Perspective
Spring cleaning and getting rid of old jeans? Drop them by the DSF main office any time we are open and Freeman can win prize money if we have the most! Please consider donating any old denim by April 20th!
We have had a concern from our neighbors near Camden Drive as that students are parking and leaving vehicles in the 2-hour parking zone. Please make sure that your students are aware that parking in that zone (indicated by signs) leaves them subject to a ticket from Henrico County Police. Thank you!
We have also been notified that the companies in the shopping centers near campus will be towing cars that are left there all day.
Tickets to the DSF JR/SR prom will be sold during lunches 4/17 - 4/21. Students bringing guests from another school must have a completed guest form with them to purchase that ticket.
This week, students enrolled in English 10 received a score report letter about their progress on the winter writing performance task used to award verified credit. This score report provides information about how your student is progressing towards the final performance task this April. If you have questions about your child’s writing or score, please contact their English teacher. Other questions may be directed to the HCPS Assessment Office at (804) 652-3839.
As we enter teh fourth quarter and the weather warms up, now is a great moment to review the HCPS Code of Student Conduct with your student. You can access the 22-23 Code of Conduct below.
We want to take a moment to celebrate our School Security Officer, Mr. Bob Daly, who helps keep our campus safe and secure, and does so with great enthusiasm and work ethic. Here are some of the roles that our SSO provides for us:
Patrols campus, inside and outside, to maintain order and discipline and prevent crime
Works school-sponsored events to maintain order and prevent crime
Investigates student violations of School Board policies
Escorts disruptive students to the office
Prevents unauthorized persons from entering and leaving school grounds
Reports criminal activity to the appropriate school official or authority
Deters disruptive pupil behavior
Reports truants to the main office
Models appropriate behavior for students to emulate
Performs other duties as required
Thank you Mr. Daly!
Please read below some important information related to Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) testing. Please email Mrs. Carter Reilly, DSF Testing Coordinator, with any questions - csreilly@henrico.k12.va.us.
April 13th & 14th - Students in English 11 class will take the Integrated Reading/Writing Field Test in their English 11 class during the school day. The purpose of this field test is to introduce a new item type that will be used on future SOL tests. Students will read one passage, answer 4-6 multiple choice questions, and then respond to a writing prompt based on the same passage. It is important to know that individual test results from the field test will NOT be available to students, teachers, or schools, but information from the field test will be used by the VDOE to make decisions about using these items on state tests in the future. Make-up testing sessions will occur on April 19th, 20th, and 24th during Freeman Focus. For the full notification letter from HCPS, click here: English 11 IRW Field Test Parent Notification Letter.
April 26th - English 9 & 10 Writing Performance Tasks and English 11 Reading SOL test.
May 3rd - Science SOL tests (Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry)
May 9th - History SOL tests (World History 1 & 2, VA/US History, World Geography)
May 16th - Math SOL tests (Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry)
SOL Information: The bell schedule will be adjusted on the four major test dates listed above to accomodate testing. Students and parents will receive an individual email before spring break letting you know which tests your student is scheduled to take. For more information, you can review the HCPS SOL Parent Notification Letter and the HCPS English Writing Performance Task Parent Notification Letter.
May 23rd, 24th, 30th, 31st - Expedited Retakes: Students who do not pass the first attempt and qualify to retest. Remediation efforts to prepare students will start May 17th.
Common Sense Education Family Tips
Help Kids Make Friends and Interact Safely Online: So much of kids' social lives happens online. Whether they're texting with their study group, flirting on social media, or voice-chatting on game platforms, middle and high schoolers can learn to communicate in safe and healthy ways. These skills will help kids -- and the people they're communicating with -- have positive experiences online.
WEEKLY TIP:
Empathize with the pressure to overshare: Tweens and teens might feel pushed into sharing a sexy photo for different reasons: a dare, fear of damaging a relationship, or just because "everyone else is doing it." But this one is nonnegotiable. Tell them that you understand how bad it can feel to disappoint a friend. Then help them imagine how much worse it would feel if a private picture were shared with their whole school.
For more information and tips from Common Sense, vist: https://www.commonsense.org/education/family-resources
Calling all 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade Parents! Join us Friday, April 14th, for ANGP Fundraiser at Sloop John B from 5-7 PM. $20 ticket includes one free drink, live music, and fun!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/579334042717
Suggestion: Print and have on display at your home from now until June!
Seniors: Mark your calendar for Baccalaureate, Friday June 2!
Join us for Baccalaureate, a special time for graduates and their families and friends to reflect on the past, celebrate the present and look toward the future with hope.
Baccalaureate will be held at West End Assembly of God on Parham Road at 6:30 pm on Friday, June 2. Please encourage your students to participate in the program through sharing personal reflections, readings or musical talents. Sign up here to participate (we can also help you with ideas for what to contribute!). The program will also feature a special guest speaker and a slideshow of pictures. Parents, we are still collecting pictures for the slideshow; please submit up to 5 pictures of your student by uploading them here before April 9.
All students, families and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend! For more information or if you have questions, contact Meridith Ingram at meridith@merdingram.com or Walker Fonville at walkerfonville@SRMFRE.com.
Parent/Guardians of Class of 2023 Seniors,
Please find linked here the Josten’s Graduation newsletter with information about ordering graduation announcements and other senior graduation related gear. Paper copies of this information was given to your Senior by their Government teacher (or 1st period teacher if they are not in Gov’t class) last week. It is recommended to have your order placed no later than December 1st to ensure you receive the custom school announcements for graduation (OPTIONAL). A Josten’s representative will be available on November 30th during all lunches in the cafeteria if your student prefers to place the order in person. You can also order online anytime at www.jostens.com.
Students currently in the 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade who did not pass one of their core academic classes will need to enroll in a credit recovery class during the 2022-2023 school year. Credit recovery classes are only available to students who must repeat the course. These classes are not an option for students taking the class for initial credit (i.e., first time or for a higher grade). Transportation will be provided from local elementary schools. Students may only register for 1 credit recovery course. Students in the class of 2023 may have the option to register for a maximum of 2 credit recovery courses. To learn more, please see page 11 of this document. Registration will open on April 11th and close at 4:00 pm on June 13th. To register, please click here.
Students may register for Driver’s Education in the summer. Space is limited. Registration opens on Tuesday, April 11th. For more information, see page 13 of this document. To register, please click here.
A number of CTE courses are available at no cost to students for rising 6th-12th graders. For more information, please see page 17 of this document.
Henrico County Public Schools will be utilizing Virtual Virginia this summer to provide acceleration course options (NEW credit only) for middle and high school students. HCPS students can enroll in either Virtual Virginia Summer Cohorts. HCPS students can take a total of 2 courses (max) during the summer. For information and registration information, please click here.
Longwood University is offering Economics & Personal Finance online this summer. This is a Dual Enrollment course that will meet your high school graduation requirements AND earn college credit. To learn more or register, please click here.
All students taking an AP Exam will be required to attend an AP Testing informational session in April. Attendance will be taken. 9th and 11th grade AP testers will report to the auditorium during Freeman Focus on Monday, April 10th. 10th and 12th grade AP testers will report to the auditorium during Freeman Focus on Tuesday, April 11th. 12th grade AP testers are required to attend this information session, regardless of approved senior early release. Students who may have a conflict should email Mrs. Smith immediately at jksmith@henrico.k12.va.us.
DSF School Counseling, GRASP and Reynolds CC will be holding an Application and Financial Aid Bootcamp in the Freeman Library on Wednesday April 12th and Thursday April 13th. Both Bootcamps will be held from 1:30-2:15 during Freeman Focus. All seniors are welcome.
What to bring:
SSN
Computer
Phone
Personal email address
DAILY ATTENDANCE
ABSENCES: CALL ATTENDANCE OFFICE (804) 673-3700 EXT. 1 TO REPORT STUDENT ABSENCES OR SEND A NOTE* WITH STUDENT UPON RETURN TO SCHOOL (TECH STUDENTS: CALL DSF AND TECH CENTERS FOR ABSENCES)
*NOTES FOR STUDENT ABSENCES: STUDENTS ARE ALLOWED 10 SICK DAYS PER YEAR (WITH A NOTE OR PARENT/GUARDIAN PHONE CALL); AFTER 10 SICK DAYS, A STUDENT MUST HAVE A DOCTOR’S NOTE FOR THE ABSENCE TO BE EXCUSED – IT IS HELPFUL TO BRING A DOCTOR’S NOTE AFTER A VISIT, SAVING PHONE CALLS AND PARENT/GUARDIAN NOTES FOR WHEN A STUDENT IS HOME SICK
LATE ARRIVALS: SEND STUDENT TO SCHOOL WITH NOTE (FROM DOCTOR [PREFERRED] OR PARENT/GUARDIAN) – LATE ARRIVALS ARE NOT ACCEPTED BY PHONE
EARLY DISMISSALS: IF A DISMISSAL IS KNOW IN ADVANCE, SEND NOTE TO SCHOOL WITH STUDENT (NOTE SHOULD HAVE STUDENT’S FULL NAME & GRADE, REASON FOR DISMISSAL, PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME AND PHONE NUMBER) – THIS WAY, STUDENTS CAN SIGN THEMSELVES OUT ON THE DISMISSAL LOG AND MEET THE PARENT/GUARDIAN IN THE PARKING LOT
IF THE STUDENT DOES NOT HAVE A NOTE FOR DISMISSAL, THE PARENT/GUARDIAN MUST COME INTO THE SCHOOL TO PICK UP THE STUDENT. THE PARENT/GUARDIAN MUST BRING A PHOTO I.D. TO THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE AND SIGN THE STUDENT OUT ON THE EARLY DISMISSAL LOG
NOTE THAT EARLY DISMISSALS ARE NOT ACCEPTED BY PHONE, FAX, EMAIL OR TEXT – IN ADDITION, WE WILL NOT CALL A STUDENT OUT OF CLASS AHEAD OF TIME – ONCE WE HAVE VERIFIED THAT THE PHOTO I.D. IS ON OUR AUTHORIZED PICK-UP LIST, WE WILL BE HAPPY TO RETRIEVE THE STUDENT FROM CLASS.
COLLEGE VISITS
COLLEGE VISIT PRIVILEGES ARE EXTENDED TO JUNIORS AND SENIORS, AND WITH PROPER DOCUMENTATION, WILL NOT COUNT TOWARD SENIOR AND/OR AP EXAM EXEMPTION.
PROPER DOCUMENTATION:
1. LETTER/NOTE FROM THE COLLEGE PROVING THAT THE STUDENT ACTUALLY ATTENDED THE COLLEGE FOR A TOUR/VISIT [PREFERRED] - MOST COLLEGES HAVE THEIR OWN FORMS, AND ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE
2. CONFIRMATION OF THE SCHEDULED VISIT
3. IF A TOUR/VISIT IS NOT POSSIBLE, A PICTURE OF THE STUDENT TAKEN IN FRONT OF THE COLLEGE SIGN WILL BE ACCEPTED
EXAM EXEMPTION:
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED ABSENCES COUNT TOWARD EXAM EXEMPTION – THE ONLY ABSENCES THAT DON’T COUNT ARE:
SCHOOL RELATED ABSENCES
COLLEGE VISITS WITH PROPER DOCUMENTATION
As a part of our culture of appreciation and acknowledgment of the positive things that happen at DSF each week, we ask our staff to share "Shout-Outs" or positive messages about a colleague from the week prior. We publish them for the whole staff to see as a way of growing the good and celebrating wins.
I'd love to have the community's help. I'll post this link each week and deliver any "shout-outs" to our whole staff in our internal weekly newsletter. If you hear of a cool lesson, or a teacher or counselor goes out of their way to make your student's learning experience better, send in a quick note using the form below. Thanks for considering, your appreciation means a lot!
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.
Student drop-off and pick-up locations are in the student parking lot behind the Baseball field, off of Camden Drive. Parents are asked to pull into the main student parking lot when picking up students at dismissal. Parents should not use the visitor's parking lot in front of the school to drop off or pick up students during the start of the school day (8:30 to 9:15 a.m.) or at dismissal (3:30 to 4:15 p.m.). Please note that it is extremely unsafe, at any time of the day, to drop students off on the curb in front of the school. The Drivers’ Education Lot across Camden Drive is ONLY for buses. Let’s ensure the safety of our young drivers by following this request.
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.
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)
We are excited to welcome representatives from numerous colleges into our school this year to lead informational sessions during Freeman Focus. Students are required to sign up ahead of time and will not be permitted to attend without pre-registering. To see a list of visits and sign-up, please click here.
Key Resources:
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/
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