August 28, 2022

This information is important for the upcoming week.

Important Upcoming Dates:

August 29 - First Day of School
September 2nd- Student Holiday
September 5th - Labor Day
September 22nd - Back To School Night
September 26th - Senior Parent Meeting
October 5th - Student and Teacher Holiday
October 12th- PSAT and Senior Convocation
October 24th - Student and Teacher Holiday
October 28/29th - Homecoming Weekend

HCPSSchoolCalendar2022-23.pdf

This Week at DSF

The First Day of School

Our first day of school is Monday, August 29th. Class starts at 9 am (students should not be dropped off prior to 8:30am) Students will report to their homerooms first for the first day of school and each day that first week. Students' homerooms are listed as "DS" (Directed Study) on their student schedules and are the same class as their Freeman Focus class.

*We have emailed every student a personalized message with their homeroom, bus number and lunch number. They can check their "hcps-students" email for that information.

Student Feedback Survey Opt Out Form:

Freeman High School has been given the opportunity to pilot a partnership with Second Step, a program already in use at all HCPS middle schools, that is focused on teaching high school students interpersonal skills they need to be successful in school. Part of this partnership includes periodic surveys of students to assess their opinions of the Second Step curriculum. We believe strongly in the importance of student voice and are excited that our students are being given the opportunity to provide feedback about what they are learning.

You can read more about Second Step programming here https://www.secondstep.org

If you would prefer that your student not participate in the student feedback surveys, please complete the opt out google form linked here. Opt Out Form

Welcome Letter from our PTSA President

fall 2022 welcome letter.pdf

PowerSchool and Student Schedule

Student schedules have been available at each open house and will go live on PowerSchool on Friday, August 26th. Please note that schedules are tentative until the first day of school and may change, so please check PowerSchool to be sure.

PowerSchool Parent Portal - click here

Fees, Forms and Powerschool

We are strongly encouraging all forms and fees to be completed online. Fees can be paid in the Online School Payments system (linked on atdsf.com) and Forms can be submitted through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. I am proud to announce that our division has waived the Laptop fee and several other required items for every student this school year. With that news, we have moved on from the traditional and terribly-named “fee nights” and are encouraging all families to pay the minor required fees online:

Use this link as a one-stop shop for online HCPS services: https://henricoschools.us/online-services/

Class or 2024 Fundraisers: House Flag!

Buy a flag to support the Class of 2024 and this year's prom! They are full size, double-sided with a pole sleeve. Great as a house flag or as decoration in a bedroom or basement. Show your Freeman Family support by purchasing here!

Choral Boosters Fundraisers!

Support DSF Choral Department by purchasing your Fall Mums and Pansies - sale runs through Sept 16! Order pick up Oct 5:

https://annual-fall-flower-fundraiser.cheddarup.com

Freeman Maverick Tervis Tumbler pre-orders for the month of September! These make great Christmas gifts! 1 for $25 or 2 for $40 - Support the Choral Department and show your school spirit - Go Mavs!

https://dsf-choral-booster-merchandise.cheddarup.com

Early Bird Class Announcement -CORRECTION

Our limited number of Early Bird sections (AP Govt, Driver's Ed, etc.) DOES meet on the first day of school. If this applies to your student, you would be aware; this serves as a reminder. (an earlier edition of the FF had this incorrect)

A Note from the Clinic

Dear Parents and Guardians,

A few reminders from our school health team:

When your student is not feeling well while at school, please advise them to come to the clinic first to be evaluated. If it is determined that the student should go home, the clinic will call you. We have had issues with students coming into the clinic, already prearranged with parents for a pickup/dismissal. If that’s the case student will be asked to go back to his/her classroom and wait for parent dismissal.
As a reminder, the following vaccinations are now required and failure to provide proof of vaccination prior to the first day of school will result in the exclusion from school until proof of immunization is received by the school/clinic:
- - Meningococcal (meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY): One dose is required at age 16 or older and required for 12th grade entry.

Any conditionally enrolled students must have their immunizations up to date before the start of this school year.

If you need help with getting immunizations: Henrico Health District 804-501-4651

VCU Children’s Hospital 804-828-2467

A link to the requirements is available under “Immunizations” at www.henricoschools.us/health-safety/.

Proof of all immunizations should be provided to the school or clinic before Aug. 29, the first day of the 2022-23 school year.

Sincerely,

Megan Wiesak, BNS, RN

Freeman High School

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.

Parking Permits

Parking permits will be offered to seniors on Monday and Tuesday of the first week of school. Juniors may start purchasing parking permits on Wednesday and Thursday. Payment via cash or check made payable to Freeman HS can be made during lunches the first week. Each student needs a copy of his or her valid drivers license and the "Student Parking Pass Application" filled out via the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Permits are $50 and students must be licensed drivers. Parents must sign the contract. Passes are limited and will be issued on a first come first served basis for those with the proper paperwork and payment.

Student Drop-Off and Pick-up

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.

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

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

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)

PSAT Information - October 12th, 2022

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 12th. The county pays for the tests so 9th and 10th graders take it free of charge!
11th grade students can sign up to take the OPTIONAL PSAT/NMSQT test on the same day by registering AND paying the $18.00 fee. Juniors can qualify for college scholarships or the national merit program based on their scores.
- Register here: www.tinyurl.com/DSFPSAT22
- Pay online here: https://osp.osmsinc.com/HenricoVA/login.aspx?ReturnURL=Payment.aspx OR via cash/check (made payable to Freeman HS) which you can turn into the main office by Sept 12th.
- 11th grade students must register and pay by Monday, September 12th! NO LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED!
The HCPS official PSAT letter can be found HERE.
Any questions? Email Mrs. Reilly, DSF Testing Coordinator, csreilly@henrico.k12.va.us

Key Resources for 2022

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.

All Things DSF: www.atdsf.com

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:

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/

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!

Athletics/Activities Calendar

(Best viewed on a computer or tablet, Click here to open in a new window)

Page updated

Report abuse