Start of Sophomore Year

Greetings Parents:

The payoff for going in to Newport this morning to help stuff fall packets was that I got to bring home my kids’ packets. Most of you will receive your envelope within the week. I’d like to spend some time going through the contents so you’ll know what to expect and your student will be well prepared for Check-In Day on August 20.

So, starting with the first document in the envelope ….

Student Profile (white)

Review carefully and mark any changes.
Sign and turn in at Check-In Day even if there are no changes.


Schedule (white)

Review carefully and note any changes.
Your student will get another schedule at Check-In Day; it may be revised from the version you get in the envelope.
Your student will pick up the final schedule on the first day of school; it may be revised from previous versions.


Student Fine Ledger (white)

Your envelope will include this document if your student has an outstanding fine or lost book. I know this because my daughter apparently has an outstanding fine and a lost book.

You may pay fines at the Accountant’s Office prior to Check-In Day to avoid lines: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to noon and 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm


Letter from the Principal (white)

Review for anything you can note on your calendar.


Check-In Day Agenda (white, stapled)

Check-In for sophomores is Thursday, August 20 between 8:00 am and 9:15 am. Look for the alphabet sequence listed on the bottom of page one. This schedule is intended to avoid long lines and it will be enforced.
Drop off your student near the entrance facing the ball fields, not the entrance facing Factoria Boulevard.
Your student will turn in most of the forms included in the packet on Check-In Day.
Review this agenda carefully with your student so s/he knows what to expect. Most students will remember the process from last year. There will be many adult volunteers on hand to direct the students around the Commons.


Fee Payment Worksheet (orange)

This handy worksheet is a great tool to determine the fees your student must pay.
Work through this document with your student and write one check for the total amount made out to “Newport High School.”
If your student ends up adding or dropping a class with an associated fee, s/he can work with the accountant to arrange reimbursement or payment after school gets underway.


Second Letter from the Principal (white)

This letter is about the one-semester Health class that all sophomores will take this year.
Review and file or follow up as needed.


Newport High School Parking Policy 2009-2010 (white)

For the most part, our students do not yet have a driver’s license so this document does not apply.
If your student does or will soon have a driver’s license, it is unlikely that s/he will get a parking permit on campus as priority goes to juniors and seniors. Your student’s name will go on a waiting list.


Student Vehicle Registration 2009-2010 (goldenrod)

See above.


Student High School Carpool Parking Policy 2009-2010 (pink)

See above.


Student Vehicle Registration Carpool Permit 2009-2010 (pink)

See above.


Letter from Bellevue School District Nurses (white)

Review and file or follow up as needed.


High School Health & Immunization Policies (white)

Review and file or follow up as needed.


Confidential Emergency Health Information (yellow)

Fill out completely and turn in at Check-In Day.


Future by Design (blue)

I warned you last spring that I would start using the “C” word this year. That’s right …. college. This flyer announces the Bellevue School District’s annual college conference on October 7 at Interlake High School and October 8 at Newport.
It is not too early to attend this conference, preferably with your student.
If it’s anything like last year’s, the conference starts with a general session in the school auditorium and then there are three consecutive breakout sessions so you have the opportunity to attend three of the seminars listed on this flyer. You might consider having both parents and the student participate so you could hear 9 different seminars! Or, you could attend the conference at both locations.
Plan to attend this conference for the next three years.


Newport High School Attendance Policy 2009-2010 (white)

Review and file for reference.


Back-to-School Night for Parents (white)

This flyer announces the important event for parents on Thursday, September 24.
Sophomore parents will meet in a designated area from 6:15 pm to 7:00 pm to hear a presentation from a guidance counselor. Between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm you will follow your student’s schedule to meet classroom teachers.
I’ll share more information about this event as we get closer to it.


Letter from PTSA President Eric Dawes (purple)

Read and file for reference.
FYI: My contact information on the back of the letter is incorrect – please use Newport2012@comcast.net to contact me.


Newport High School Directory Changes (green)

Review and note any changes.
Your student will turn in this form at Check-In Day if there are changes.


Classroom Bucks (white)

This annual fundraising event occurs during Back-to-School Night on September 24.


Join Newport’s PTSA (yellow)

Please join! Attach a check made out to “Newport High School PTSA” and have your student turn it in at Check-In Day.


2009-2010 PTSA Parent Volunteer Form (yellow)

Fill out the form and have your student turn it in at Check-In Day.


24th Annual Newport PTSA Ski & Snowboard Swap (pink)

This flyer announces the very successful annual ski swap and explains how to volunteer to help at this huge event.


Knight Valor (blue)

This flyer describes the PTSA program that honors students who earn 100 or more hours of community service. About 20 from our class earned this recognition as freshmen – let’s see how many can earn it this spring.


Knight Valor Application (blue)

This form explains how to log and submit your hours.


Newport Tailgate Party (bright yellow)

This form announces some fundraising efforts sponsored by the Grad Knight Committee for the Class of 2010.
Please consider participating in as many of these fundraisers as possible; remember, our class will eventually benefit from similar fundraisers and we’ll want everyone to contribute.


Memorandum August 2009 (white, stapled)

This document spells out the Bellevue School District policies regarding weapons, truancy laws, and photographing students.
Review and file or follow up as needed.


2009-2010 Accident & Health Insurance Program (pamphlet)

Review and follow up as needed.


Dorian Portrait Order Form

Fill out the form and attach a check made out to “Dorian” for the amount of the package you wish to purchase.
Even if you do not want to purchase pictures, your student must have a picture taken for the picture ID card.
Picture make-up day is September 9 at 12:40 pm.

OK then. That takes care of all the documents you will find in the fall packet. As always, do not hesitate to contact me with questions after you’ve received the envelope and had a chance to review the documents! Most likely I will email you at least one more time before school starts to relay information that I receive about the first days of school. In the meantime, enjoy what’s left of summer although I’m sitting here writing this wearing a sweater so summer may be over already.

One last item … if your student hasn’t yet started the summer reading packet, it’s probably a good time for some firm reminders. I don’t know about your house but gentle reminders don’t really work around here. Good luck.