Welcome to Methacton High School

Welcome to Methacton High

SchoolClass of 2016

Who’s Who?

Judy Landis- Principal Dan Bontempo- Assistant Principal

9th grade: A- Go; 11th grade: A-Li; 12th grade: LL-Z Jamie Gravinese- Assistant Principal

9th grade: Gr-Pf; 10th grade Karey Kochenour- Assistant Principal

9th grade: Ph-Z; 11th grade: Ll-z; 12th grade: A-Li Paul Spiewak- Assistant Principal

Athletics and Activities

Student/Parent Handbook Located online at High School’s website

Contains the school’s policies and regulations, important dates, phone numbers and extensions and attendance information

ALL students and parents must complete the online signature survey.

If you have an academic concern or question please contact the teacher first First initial and last name @ methacton.org

Ex. jgravinese@methacton.org

Attendance When your child is going to be absent we do require that

a parent or guardian call our 24 hour number

(610-489-5000 ext. 25037). If we do not get a call or note regarding the absence

within 24 hours, the absence is considered unexcused. When your child is late and you must drop them off, be

aware that the Attendance Office is at the flagpole entrance to the building. This is the only accessible door to the building and to be used for drop-off and pick-up.

Tardy to School

Handbook Highlight

“Students who are late must bring in a signed note from their parents explaining the lateness. Notes from parents must be brought in within one day. After three parent notes have been submitted during one semester regarding illness, the student must bring in a doctor’s or dentist’s note verifying any illness in order for the tardy to be excused. All lateness to school is unexcused or unlawful, except for the following reasons: medical illness, death in the immediate family or other family emergency, and religious holidays. OVERSLEEPING, CAR TROUBLE, CLOCK FAILURE, MISSED BUS, ETC. ARE UNEXCUSED OR UNLAWFUL.” (pg. 18) After the third unexcused lateness, detention will be

issued.

Early Dismissal from School Handbook Highlight

“When a student must be excused from school prior to the end of the school day, the student must present a note specifying the reason for the early dismissal from the parent to the Attendance Office during homeroom. If a note is not presented to the Attendance office before the end of homeroom then a parent/guardian must come in to the sign-out the student at the time of dismissal.” (pg. 19)

“After three parent notes have been submitted for one semester dismissing a student early from school for a medical visit, a doctor or dentist note is required to validate the dismissal. If it becomes necessary to leave because of illness or any other valid reason, permission must be obtained from an administrator or the school nurse. The student cannot make these arrangements themselves.” (pg. 19)

Cell Phones We do not permit the use of cell phones in

class. Encourage your child to turn off their cell

phones and keep them away during the school day (7:30 – 2:20).

Please remember that we do not promote bringing cell phones to school and any instance of theft or loss of phones is not the responsibility of the school.

Discipline Typically, the teacher will write a referral,

submit it to us, and we will conference with the student.

The discipline is progressive in nature. Please be aware that administrative

discretion may be used depending upon the severity of the incident and/or the student’s disciplinary record.

Bullying Handbook Highlight

“Bullying means any intentional written, electronic, verbal or physical act or actions against another person that a reasonable person under the circumstances should know will have the effect of:1. Substantial interference with a student’s education.2. Creation of a threatening environment.3. Substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school.Bullying, as defined in this policy, includes cyberbullying.

The Board encourages students who have been bullied or harassed to promptly report such incident(s) to an administrator, teacher, counselor, or nurse so the incident(s) can be investigated promptly, and corrective action be taken when allegations are substantiated.” (pg. 28)

Restorative PracticesThe science of building social capital and achieving

social discipline through participatory learning and decision-making.  Restorative Practices provides a more useful way of looking at school discipline than the limited punitive-permissive continuum – to punish or not to punish.  The positive relationships created by Restorative Practices helps reduce incidents of bullying as it defines and distinguishes bullying from other problematic behaviors.  Bullying is addressed “on the spot,” consistency is ensured among the staff, and the opportunity to intervene early is provided so the initial bullying type behaviors can be addressed.

AppearanceThe following are examples of items considered inappropriate in

Methacton School District: Bare midriff, low-cut, revealing or any see-through clothing. Bathing suits, tops or trunks. Chains, spikes, metal work on boots, pants, shirts, jackets, clothing or

accessories. Clothing/jewelry displaying patches/slogans/pictures which suggest the

use of alcohol, and/or drugs, which contain obscene or offensive language, or depict sexual, violent or illegal behavior.

Footwear that leaves marks or abrasions on floor surfaces. Hats, caps, headbands, other head coverings and sunglasses. Ragged, holey, or cut-off clothing. Skirts and shorts of inappropriate length (appropriate length would be

shorts with a 4-inch inseam and skirts that are fingertip length). Sleeveless and off-the-shoulder shirts. Spandex, tight clothing or ill-fitting garments

Additional Information Lockers – Encourage your child to not bring expensive belongings to school.

Late Bus – We do not have one. Alternative transportation must be arranged on your own.

Cafeteria – debit system – set up online Back-to-School Night – Tuesday, September 18th from 6:30 – 9 p.m.

Interim Dates – 10/5, 12/13, 3/4, 5/10 Report Card Distribution Dates – 11/12, 1/30, 4/15, 6/20 Mid-Term Exam week – January 23rd through January 28th

Website – www.methacton.org

Respect - Character building assembly programs are scheduled throughout the school year to motivate students to excel in the classroom and help them develop positive relationships with their peers.

Responsibility - All freshmen students will receive an internet safety supplement in their agenda books. Also, A bi-monthly freshmen newsletter (FR@MEWORK) is distributed to all freshmen students.

Rigor – The CSR is available during the day, before and after school by appointment.

Relationships - A student ambassador will meet your student today at orientation. The ambassadors will serve as positive role models, motivators, and teachers who will guide the freshmen to discover what it takes to be successful in high school.

FR@ME G@ME NIGHT

Parent Portal Directions on how to sign-up will be on the

information table outside the auditorium following the presentation.

OR, go to www.methacton.org and select Parent Web Portal and the instructions will follow.

Once the paperwork is completed and you are assigned a pin number, you can check your child’s grades on-line from anywhere.

The Most Important Ingredient – You! High school students need their parents to be

interested and involved in their academic progress. Insist on daily attendance. See all interim reports (Parent Portal) and report

cards. Deal effectively with homework (encourage

son/daughter to e-mail teacher with questions or concerns).

Be aware and be informed Be involved – FR@ME, Home & School, Post-Prom

Guidance

Mr. Peck- A-Co Mrs. Millrood- Cr- Go Mr. Midgley- Gr-Li Mr. Ruminski- Ll-Pf Ms. Olitsky- Ph-S Mrs. Hartson- T-Z

Guidance Secretaries: Ms. Fisher, Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Lowery

Athletics and Activities- Mr. Spiewak

Welcome to Methacton High School’s

Club Activities & Sports Programs

Our Mission: The mission of the Methacton High School

Activity/Athletic department is to create an environment that maximizes student participation, supports academic progress, and promotes physical, and social development.   It is expected that all participants display competitive spirit, outstanding sportsmanship, and exemplary character throughout the year.

Our Goals:1. Develop the students individual skill level

within the framework of the club/team concept.2.  Demonstrate a positive impact on the

community of the Methacton School District.3.  Meet individual and club/team goals for

academic progress.  4. Create a forum for our students to graduate

our clubs and teams as more mature, more responsible, more prepared young adults.

Location of our office

We are located by the east wing entrance to the high school just past the cafeteria

Our Staff: Assistant Principal to Athletics and Activities: - Mr. Paul Spiewak (610) 489-5093

pspiewak@methacton.org Assistant to the Athletic Director: - Mrs. Debbie Bennett (610) 489-5054

dbennett@methacton.org Athletic Trainer: - Mr. Zach Murray (610) 489-5022

zmurray@methacton.org

Methacton High School Activity Clubs2012 – 2013

Clubs Art Honor Society Student Athletic Trainer’s Club Band – Marching/Jazz/Concert/Percussion/Color Guard Class of 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 Dance Company Dance Team Debate - Mock Trials Electric Car Club Environmental Club Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Fellowship of Christian Athletes French Club Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) GSA: Gay Straight Alliance

Clubs Continued German Club Honor Society Key Club Kids Against Crisis Knitting Club Leo Club Model United Nations Multicultural Awareness Club Muse Poetry Club & Literary Magazine Newspaper Chamber Orchestra Full Orchestra, Pit Orchestra, String Orchestra Peer Connection Pokemon Club

Clubs Continued Reading Olympics Red Cross Robotics Club SADD Science Fair Club Ski Club Spanish Club Student Council Theatre Company The Tribe Tri-M Music Honor Society Video Club Warrior Performance Group Yearbook

Methacton High School Sports Programs

2012 – 2013

-There are 49 athletic teams at Methacton High School-The following sports offer freshman teams as well as varsity and JV teams: Football Boys’ Soccer Girls’ Field Hockey Baseball

Softball Boys’ Basketball Girls’ Basketball

Fall SportsMALE

Football Junior Varsity Football Freshman Football Soccer Junior Varsity Soccer Freshman Soccer Cross-Country Golf (Co-Ed)

FEMALE Field Hockey JV Field Hockey Freshman Field Hockey Tennis Junior Varsity Tennis Cross Country Volleyball JV Volleyball Cheerleading JV Cheerleading Soccer JV Soccer

Winter SportsMALE

Basketball Junior Varsity

Basketball Freshman Basketball Swimming and Diving Wrestling Junior Varsity

Wrestling Indoor Track

Female Basketball Junior Varsity Basketball Freshman Basketball Swimming and Diving Cheerleading JV Cheerleading Indoor Track

Spring SportsMALE

Baseball Junior Varsity

Baseball Freshman Baseball Track & Field

Varsity Lacrosse Junior Varsity

Lacrosse Tennis Junior Varsity Tennis

Female

Softball Junior Varsity Softball Freshman Softball Track & Field Lacrosse Junior Varsity Lacrosse Freshman Lacrosse

Required Paperwork The required paperwork for athletic participation

to be turned in at tryouts includes: Physical Form- Also called a CIPPE, which refers to

“Comprehensive Initial Pre-Physical Evaluation” CIPPE must be dated after June 1st, 2011, and is good for

one school year. Recertification's are not accepted. Sports Eligibility Packet- Will need to be completed

for each sport.

Handouts Available!!!

Directions to Opponents Event Sites Coaches Listing “Importance of HS Sports” packet Listing of Sports & Clubs

School Resource Officer

Officer Mark Stead,

Lower Providence Police Department

Student Assistance Program

What is SAP? (Student Assistance Program) SAP is a process that helps students who are experiencing

problems that interfere with learning, such as depression emotional difficulties peer conflict alcohol tobacco other drugs Students are connected to existing services and/or community

resources that will help the student to overcome their problems.

SAP Continued

How Are Students Referred to the SAP? Students can be referred by fellow students,

staff, parents, community members, and self. All referrals are kept strictly confidential. Contact a counselor, a SAP team member, or

refer online Forms are also available outside of the

Guidance Office, the Nurses' Office, or the Athletic Office.

Community Service

30 hours = .25 school credit College application Employment Helping others

Community Service

Community service web page www.methacton.org Select a school –High school Click on Students/Community

ServiceVerification formsmgallagher@methacton.org

Home and School

Sandy Leistensnider

Post Prom

Kim Beam Karen Kilgour

Come Join Us on our World Tour!!!!!

We Need You!!!!!

What is Post Prom?

A NIGHT OF FUN FOR EVERYONE!

Life’s A Beach…

Have a Ball!

Post Prom 2012 Theme

CASINO!

Trike Races

Prizes Galore!

Dodgeball & Volleyball Tournaments

New in 2012 –

LASER TAG!!!!!

INFLATABLES

FOOD

Making Memories…….

More Food!!!

Just having fun……

Black Light Hallway

WATCH THE TRAM CAR PLEASE………

Relax in our All Night Coffee House

Amazing Decorations!

Unbelievable!!!!!!

Sunset Cafe

Arcade Games

Now Playing

WANTED: Creative Go-Getter to Lead our Decorating Team of Volunteers – no experience necessary!!!

What does it take?What does it take? Approximately 400 Adult Volunteers

Approximately $40,000

Who does it benefit?Who does it benefit? OUR STUDENTS!!!!

Come join our team and help to keep over 800 young adults safe on prom night – one of the

riskiest nights in the life of a teen.

There’s a committee for EVERYONECurrent Committee Chair Openings:

DECORATINGINFLATABLES

CASINO/GAME ROOM BASKET RAFFLES/SILENT AUCTION

VOLUNTEER! DONATE! SUPPORT OUR FUNDRAISERS!

We can’t do it withoutWe can’t do it without

Y O U!!Y O U!!

The Dates Kick Off Meeting October 18th Monthly Committee Meetings Decorating Committee Meets

Tuesday Evenings Adult Fundraiser February 9,

2013 POST PROM Friday, April 26,

2013 Golf Outing, July, 2013

Looking forward to seeing you!!!!!

Merci! Danke! Toda! Grazie! Dziekuje! Arigato! Sukria!

Gracias! Do jeh!

Questions?