Good afternoon Falcon families! Welcome back to school. We are excited to welcome our students back to school tomorrow. Please carefully read this newsletter each week to receive important information such as dates, athletics, and academic updates. This first one is quite lengthy.

Our school administrators and contact information:
Becky Watson- Principal                                              Rebecca.watson@ocps.net 
Brad Shreffler- Assistant Principal of Instruction       Bradley.shreffler@ocps.net 
Sean Bowmer- Assistant Principal                             Sean.bowmer@ocps.net 
Angela Walker- Assistant Principal                            Angela.walker@ocps.net 
Kacie Hough- School Secretary                                 Kacie.hough@ocps.net 
Please email us with any questions or concerns.
 
Students who have not yet received their laptop will be called down in the first couple of days this week to check out their device. Please note these devices are brand new and students will need to follow some simple but important guidelines to keep the devices free of damage and in the best working conditions:

1. Do not use the device near food and drink. Do not carry liquids in your backpack with your device.
2. Be careful to not trip over the cord of your device. It can fall and shatter the screen. Have a designated place to keep your device at home to charge where it will not fall.
3. Do not throw your backpack. Set it down gently. This is one of the most common ways that the screens get shattered. 
4. Keep the school-issued case on at all times to prevent damage. 

 We will be enforcing the electronic device policy Day 1 at school. Please review the policy below. Students are allowed to use their phones prior to the first bell at 7:15 am and can use them again at 2:20 pm after the dismissal bell.       
                                         Cell Phone/Wireless Communication Device Policy for Students
A student may not possess smart glasses, including prescription smart glasses, on Board property or on school transportation. A student may possess a cell phone on Board property, on school transportation and at school activities, provided that during school hours, the cell phone is silenced and concealed in the student’s backpack or purse. Pursuant to Section 1006.07, Florida Statutes, “elementary and middle school students may not use a wireless communications device during the school day. High school students may not use a wireless communications device during instructional time, except when expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes. A high school teacher shall designate an area for wireless communications devices during instructional time.” For purposes of this section, the designated area for wireless communication use upon express permission of a school administrator will be the front office. Violations of the cell phone policy will be handled in accordance with the Code and may result in confiscation of said device. If the cell phone is used in a criminal act (such as sexting as outlined in Florida Statutes and the Code), the cell phone will be provided to law enforcement and the student may face criminal penalties. The use of wireless communication devices is always prohibited during the school day (from the first morning bell to dismissal) unless expressly directed by a high school teacher solely for educational purposes. Wireless communication devices include, but are not limited to, cell phones, tablets, and/or auxiliary/ancillary devices such as smart glasses, including prescription smart glasses, smartwatches and ear buds. Students may not receive discipline if they use their cellphone and/or ancillary device(s) to monitor a health condition that is documented through medical records provided to the school including, but not limited to, an IEP, a Section 504 Plan, or a Health Plan. OCPS is not responsible for theft, loss, or damage to cell phones or other electronic devices brought onto its property.

 Please also review the OCPS dress code with your student below and check their outfit before leaving for school. Students who are not in compliance will be asked to call home and get a change of clothes.  

1. Clothes shall be worn as they are designed. For example, suspenders should be over the shoulders, pants secured at the waist, belts buckled, no underwear as outerwear, and no underwear exposed.
2. Clothing must cover the body from one armpit across to the other armpit and down to approximately mid-thigh (see image to the right). Tops must have straps. Undergarments must not be viewable. Rips, holes, or tears in clothing must be below mid-thigh.
3. Shoes shall be worn at all times and should be safe for the school environment. The following shoes are not acceptable for any OCPS student: cleated shoes or shoes with wheels. 
4. Headgear shall not be worn on campus during the school day, unless the headgear is approved by the principal.
5. Specialized courses may require specialized attire, such as sports uniforms or safety gear, and must be approved by the principal before being worn during the school day. 
6. See-through, revealing, or mesh garments must not be worn without appropriate coverage underneath that meets the minimum requirements of this dress code.
7. Gang paraphernalia, garments and/or jewelry, tattoos, or other insignias that display or suggest sexual, vulgar, drug, alcohol, or tobacco-related wording/graphics or may tend to provoke violence or disruption in school shall not be worn.
8. Clothing must not state, imply, or depict acts of hate or imagery targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or any other protected class.* 
9. Clothing and accessories that endanger students or staff shall not be worn. This includes clothing that obscures the visual identification of a person (unless approved by the principal). The use of a medical mask worn for its intended purpose is permitted.

 Below is an important safety message regarding the front parking lot from our traffic team. Please read carefully:
Please turn at the first entrance after passing the guard shack, and follow the flow of traffic.  Please DO NOT enter the campus and drop students in the staff or student parking areas as this creates additional traffic and safety concerns.  Once you are near the auditorium all cars merge into one lane for the safety of students that are exiting the vehicles.  Please DO NOT pull into the emergency lane unless you have a student with mobility needs or may need additional time to exit your vehicle.  As you enter the student drop zone it is VERY IMPORTANT that you follow the directions of the three staff member wearing the orange vests.  If all cars continue to pull up as directed, we are able to have students exit vehicles in large volumes which then speeds up the process.  We have multiple doors open for students to enter, so you do not have to stop when you see the first staff member.  Our goal is to move as many vehicles as possible into the drop zone, then letting all 20 plus cars stop and exit at once, while staff and students use the three crosswalks to enter the campus as well.  Thank you for your understanding as we continue to try to make this a better experience for all!!

Parking permits for student drivers is still available in Room 112. Please come before school or at lunch to purchase.

Please complete the following form in you are in need of a car tag for student drop off and pick up: Car Rider Tags

Please see information below for bus riders:

Please consider joining our PTSA and SAC. See the interest form below:
 Students need the following generic supplies and then each teacher may request additional supplies.

• A sturdy backpack with a padded laptop pocket 
• Pencils, blue ink pens, black ink pens
• Highlighters- any color
• Composition notebooks (several)
• Loose leaf notebook paper
• Dry erase markers
• Optional, but useful- wireless mouse

 
Please see the schedule change form below. This form will be available for the first two weeks of school.

  
Please sign up for School Cash online- the new district payment system: School Cash Online
 
Consider supporting our SOAR program to reward students for great behavior and academics:
 

Attached to this message is our weekly Athletic newsletter! Come join us to support our Falcons!   

We are so excited to welcome your student(s) tomorrow! I am blessed to serve and am here to help. Please email me with any questions or concerns: Rebecca.watson@ocps.net . Be safe and kind!
 
Becky Watson
Principal, East River High School
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