Back-to-School 2017

“The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn…and change.”

~Carl Rogers

  • I am delighted to be starting my first year as the principal of Vernon Township High School and I look forward to working with you and your children during the upcoming school year. My office was relocated from the previous principals’ office; the door just beyond the main office door will always be open for students, staff members and parents/guardians. Please be sure to encourage your children to stop by to say hello!

 

  • I would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete the surveys I distributed over the summer. Your input will help to guide me throughout the school year.

 

  • The first day of school is rapidly approaching and we are looking forward to welcoming our new ninth graders–as well as those who have transferred into the high school. We are also looking forward to welcoming (back) our tenth and eleventh graders–and the Class of 2018! The Vernon Township School District will open schools for all students on Friday, September 8, 2017.

 

  • The Parent Portal opened with students’ schedules last week; if you are unable to see your child’s schedule, it may be the result of unpaid fines or unmet responsibilities. If your Portal does not open, please call the main office of the high school; one of the secretaries will be able to assist you.

 

  • The Freshman Academy will be holding its Freshman Orientation on Thursday, August 31, 2017. (A copy of the letter regarding the event and the bus schedule for the day are available on the VTHS Digital Backpack.)

 

  • If your child will be new to the high school–but will not be participating in the Freshman Orientation–and you would like to tour the building prior to the first day of school, please call the main office and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

 

  • This year, every student in VTHS will receive a Chromebook, which they will use in the majority of their classes. In the high school only, students may bring their Chromebooks home each day, so that their learning opportunities will extend far beyond the walls of the high school! (If a student chooses to leave his/her Chromebook in school overnight, charging carts will be available in the lower library so the device will be ready to use on the next day of school.)

 

  • Please be sure to encourage your child to attend school each day. We want every student to experience success while attending VTHS—and that begins with good attendance!

 

  • There have been a few adjustments to the procedures formerly followed at the high school. This year:

 

  • All students who drive to and/or dropped off at school may enter the school via the main front doors beginning at 6:45 am. (This will no longer be just a Senior Privilege, as it is imperative that we address all students’ need to eat breakfast. This also eliminates the crowding in the front lobby prior to 7:00 am.) Students are to go directly to the cafeteria upon entering the building. There they can purchase breakfast, eat something they have brought from home, complete homework, and/or just gather with friends. When the 7:05 am bell rings, they may go to their lockers and to their first period classes.

 

  • As the busses arrive, seniors will be dismissed (prior to the 7:05 am bell).

 

  • All other students will be dismissed from the buses at 7:05 am (when the bell rings) and may purchase breakfast in the cafeteria or at one of the breakfast kiosks, which will be located throughout the school. Students should then go to their lockers and proceed to first period.

 

  • First period will not begin this year until 7:17 am, which will allow an extra 5 minutes to purchase breakfast. After the first period bell rings, breakfasts will not be sold and/or purchased. Students may eat breakfast during period 1–or period 2 if period 1 is a physical education class.

 

  • Some of the students asked about opening additional stairways in an effort to be on time for class and/or not having to go out of their way to use alternate routes. As a result, the front stairway will now be available for student arrival, student dismissal, and for use in between classes. Students may also use the staircase from the upper to the lower library—and visa-versa—although we may have to remind them about staying to the right side! Weather permitting, we will be unlocking the doors to the “courtyards,” which join one wing to another; this will save some steps and provide students with a few minutes of fresh air and sunshine between classes!

 

  • The Vernon Township High School Back-to-School Night is scheduled for Tuesday, September 19th, beginning at 7:00 pm. We hope to see many of you at this important event!

Thank you for the privilege of working with your children this year!

Respectfully yours,

 

Pauline F. Anderson, Ed.D.

Principal