Posted August 7, 2023
Dear George Washington High School Students and Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year at George Washington High School! We hope this letter finds you excited and ready to embark on another year of learning and growth. We have some important information to share about the start of the school year.
First Day of School
Monday, August 21: Class of 2027 first day of school
Tuesday, August 22: All students
Plan to arrive at your Community Learning classroom at 8:25am on August 21 and 22.
Parent/Guardian Information Night
Please join us for a Parent/Guardian Information Night on Thursday, August 17 from 6:00 to 7:00pm in the GWHS Auditorium. This meeting will review the first day of school, as well as school policies, including our revised grading policy and our new cell phone policy.
Cell Phone Policy
We would like to introduce an important update: our new cell phone policy.
At GWHS, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible educational experiences. We firmly believe that our Patriot Principles – Be Present, Be Prepared, Be Engaged, and Be Positive – are essential for creating a positive environment for meaningful learning. We have updated our cell phone policy to reinforce these principles and promote a focused and respectful atmosphere in our classrooms.
Effective immediately, student cell phone use is prohibited in classrooms, restrooms, and school offices during instructional time unless expressly permitted by a school staff member. During class, we kindly request that all cell phones remain out of sight and silenced to ensure students can fully engage in their lessons and interact with their peers.
Students are welcome to use their cell phones on school grounds before and after school, during lunch, and during passing periods. However, we encourage responsible use and respect for others in these settings.
In case of emergencies, students needing to make an urgent phone call during instructional time must request their teacher’s permission to step out briefly. Likewise, parents/guardians who need to reach their student during the school day should call the main office at 720-423-8600.
The use of headphones and other listening devices in the classroom during instructional time will not be permitted unless specifically allowed by a school staff member.
Please note that the school and its staff cannot be held responsible for any damage to or theft of a student’s cell phone, listening devices, smartwatch, or other technological devices. It is the responsibility of each student to properly secure and take care of their personal belongings.
Any student found to be misusing their cell phone or technological devices in ways that disrupt the educational environment, such as cheating, bullying, harassment, unlawful recording, or violating school rules or DPS Board of Education policies, may be subject to disciplinary action as defined by DPS BOE policies, set forth in JK-R.
To maintain a fair and consistent approach to enforcing the cell phone policy, consequences for non-compliance will be as follows:
I. Verbal reminder of GWHS’s cell phone policy.
II. Redirection and contact parent/guardian.
III. Teacher-assigned intervention (detention during Student Enrichment, Restorative Justice process, etc.).
IV. Teacher writes a behavior referral in Infinite Campus; the Dean team intervenes.
We believe that with your support, we can create a positive and productive learning environment for all students at GWHS. We are confident that by adhering to this updated cell phone policy, students will be better equipped to focus on their studies, engage in meaningful interactions, and grow academically and personally.
We kindly request all students and parents/guardians to read and understand this policy thoroughly. Your cooperation is vital in ensuring a successful and enriching school year for everyone. If you have any questions about the new cell phone policy or any other school-related matters, please do not hesitate to reach out to our staff.
Thank you for being a part of our community. We look forward to a fantastic year!
Sincerely,
Dr. Dackri Davis
Principal, George Washington High School
————————-
Please sign and return to your Community Learning teacher the first day of school.
Student Signature: _________________________ Date: _________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: ___________________ Date: ________________________