1
Grayson
Highlands
School
2012 – 2013 GHS Student Handbook
Home of the Eagles!
“Providing a positive environment where everyone will soar to success.”
Student Handbook
2012-2013
1
Grayson Highlands School … Home of the Eagles!
“Creating a positive environment where everyone will soar to success.”
Page # Contents
1 Greetings and Message from the Principal
2 Faculty Contacts
3 Master Schedule
4 Additional Schedules (Daily, Lunch, Bus, Office)
5 Miscellaneous
6 Miscellaneous
7 SOLS and Accountability
8 Anti-Bullying Policy
9 Attendance Policy
10 Effective School-Wide Discipline
11 Student Recognition
12 Special Education
13 Title 1
14 School Resource Officer, Nurse, MRCSB Day Treatment
15 Guidance, Parent Teacher Organization
16 Helpful Web Resources
17 School Calendar
2012 – 2013 GHS Student Handbook
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Grayson Highlands School … Home of the Eagles!
“Providing a positive environment where everyone will soar to success.” 1
Dear Students and Parents,
Welcome to Grayson Highlands School for the 2012-2013 school year. The faculty and staff at GHS extend
you the warmest greetings. We are all excited to see your smiling faces and hear your laughter in the hallways! At
G.H.S. we are committed to creating a learning environment where everyone will have ample opportunity to find
academic and personal success.
We have provided this handbook so you may become acquainted to the policies and procedures at G.H.S.
Policies and procedures detailed within this handbook allow us to operate a school that is safe, positive, and
academically productive. Parents please review the handbook closely with your child and contact a teacher or
administrator if you have any questions.
Our mission at Grayson Highlands School is to “provide a positive learning environment where everyone will
soar to success.” In effort to accomplish our mission, GHS faculty and staff subscribe to the following educational
belief system:
“Children, who are our future, deserve
1. To be respected.
2. To be educated in an environment that physically and emotionally safe.
3. To be held to high academic and behavior expectations and provided ample opportunity to meet those
expectations.
4. To be celebrated for their individuality.
5. To be taught by teachers are not only effective, but also inspirational.”
As the school year progresses, please do not hesitate to contact me via phone or email with any questions or
concerns. I am always happy to sit down and talk with any stakeholder regarding the direction of the school. I look
forward to working with you throughout the coming year to ensure every student soars to success at GHS.
Sincerely,
Marlin L. Campbell, Principal
2012 – 2013GHS Student Handbook
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Grayson Highlands School … Home of the Eagles!
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G.H.S. Faculty Assignment and Contact Information
Jessica Anders Pre-Kindergarten [email protected]
Diana Booth Guidance [email protected]
Marlin Campbell Principal [email protected]
Daniel Goad Guidance [email protected]
Janna Farmer Special Education [email protected]
Martha Hall 1st Grade [email protected]
Penny Halsey Speech Therapist [email protected]
Rhonda Halsey School Resource Officer [email protected]
Van Harris Physical Education [email protected]
Pauline Houck Secretary [email protected]
Denise King Day Treatment Counselor [email protected]
Joy Lambert 2nd Grade [email protected]
Lynn McClary Title 1 Teacher [email protected]
Vicki Medlen 4th/5th Grade Language Arts and History [email protected]
Karen Miller Special Education [email protected]
Roberta Paisley 4th/5th Grade Math and Science [email protected]
Heather Peak 3rd Grade [email protected]
Jackie Perry School Nurse [email protected]
Sherri Perry US History II and Civics and Economics [email protected]
Missy Plummer 6th and 7th Grade Math [email protected]
Pat Richardson 6th and 7th Grade Language Arts [email protected]
Emily Spencer Appalachian Music [email protected]
Ashley Starkey Kindergarten [email protected]
Melinda Vaughan Librarian [email protected]
Taryn Wooten Brass Band [email protected]
2012 – 2013 GHS Student Handbook
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Grayson Highlands School … Home of the Eagles!
“Providing a positive environment where everyone will soar to success.” 3
GHS Master Schedule -- 2012-2013
8:15-9:00 9:05-9:50 9:55-10:40 10:45-11:30 11:35-12:00 12:05-12:50 12:55-1:40
1:45-
2:30
2:35-
3:20
7 B/X/PE M7 M7 SS7 Lunch S/PE S7 E7 E7
6 B/X/PE SS6 E6 E6 Lunch S/PE M6 M6 S6
5 Writing/Tech M5 M5 EXP Lunch E5 E5 SS5 S5
4 E4 Writing/Tech E4 EXP Lunch M4 M4 S4 SS4
3 EXP Lunch
8:15-9:00 9:05-9:50 9:55-10:40 10:45-11:10 11:15-12:00 12:05-12:50 12:55-1:40
1:45-
2:30
2:35-
3:20
2 PE Lunch
EXP
1 PE Lunch
EXP
K PE Lunch EXP
PK PE Lunch EXP
Specials Schedule
Class Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
5
10:45-11:30
PE Guidance PE Library Music
4 Library PE Music PE Guidance
3 Music PE Library PE Guidance
2
1:45-2:30 Technology Guidance Library Music Music
1 Music Library Music Technology Guidance
K
12:55-1:40 Technology Guidance Library Music Music
PK Music Library Music Technology Guidance
PE
Class Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
5
10:45-11:30 x x
4 and 3 x x
2
9:05-9:50 x x
1 x x
K
9:55-10:40 x x
PK x x
2012 – 2013 GHS Student Handbook
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Grayson Highlands School … Home of the Eagles!
“Providing a positive environment where everyone will soar to success.” 4
G.H.S. Daily Schedule
7:25 The school opens.
7:30 Breakfast service begins
8:10 Students are dismissed from the cafeteria to their classrooms.
8:15 Instruction begins.
3:25 Instruction ends.
4:30 The school is closed.
Lunch Schedule
10:45-11:10 11:35-12:00
PK, K, First, and Second Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh
Students arriving after 8:15 must check in through the main office with a parent. They will be
considered tardy.
We strongly discourage parents from coming into the building to check-out their child after 3:00.
Doing this slows down the parent pick-up process for all students and adults and interrupts vital
instructional time.
No students are allowed in the building prior to 7:25 or after 3:25 unless they are under the direct
supervision of a school employee.
Buses typically leave the GHS parking lot in the evenings at 3:45. Buses that deliver students from
the high school (7, 65, 20, and 17) are the last to leave and they leave in that order.
The bus radio is monitored every evening until 4:45 by the principal (or designee) in order to offer
assistance to the drivers and students as needed.
The office is staffed and the phones are answered between the hours of 8:00 and 4:30 every day. No
one is available to answer the phone before or after these times.
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Grayson Highlands School … Home of the Eagles!
“Providing a positive environment where everyone will soar to success.” 5
Miscellaneous
FaceBook – G.H.S. maintains an official school FaceBook page. During its first year of operation the page was a very
beneficial method of communication. Should you have a Face Book page, we ask that you become a fan of the school
page so you can receive continuous and real-time updates from the school. We do ask that you remember this is
strictly a positive webpage that can be viewed by anyone. Should you have a complaint or grievance, please contact
the school directly.
Friday Snacks – Each Friday students are offered the opportunity purchase a drink and a snack, such as an ice cream
or popcorn. The cost of this snack is $2.00. This is not primarily intended to be a fundraiser, but is a way for students
to celebrate the end of the week and their hard work. Ability to purchase the snack is a privilege and may be revoked
for individuals and/or classes at anytime. Any money left over in the snack account will be used to offer free snacks
to the student body the last few weeks of the year and to provide an end of year celebration for all students.
Lockers – Sixth and seventh grade students will be assigned a top and bottom locker this year. Combination locks for
the lockers can be rented from the school for $3.00. Students may not bring a lock from home. Students and parents
are reminded that the lockers are subject to search at anytime for any reason by any GHS employee. All locker
assignments are a privilege. Students lockers can be taken away at anytime if there is a problem.
Meal Prices --
Meal Prices
Breakfast Lunch
Regular $1.10 $1.60
Reduced $0.30 $0.40
Adult
$2.35
Parent Pick-Up and Parent Drop-Off -- Parent pick-up and drop-off will occur at the second front entrance (NOT the
entrance by the main office). In the event of precipitation, PPU and PDO will occur under the awning by the main
entrance. Having PPU and PDO at the 2nd front entrance allows students to enter the building and be monitored by
one person as they proceed directly to the cafeteria. Doing PPU and PDO in the front of the building and bus pick-up
and drop-off in the back of the building creates a safe and easily manageable process for the students and staff.
2012 – 2013 GHS Student Handbook
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Grayson Highlands School … Home of the Eagles!
“Providing a positive environment where everyone will soar to success.” 6
Miscellaneous (continued)
Parent/Teacher Conferences – Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled at the end of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th six
weeks. Your child’s teacher will contact you via letter to schedule a conference if your child is not performing
adequately. However, it is important to realize you do not have to (nor should you) wait to the end of the six weeks
to meet with your child’s teacher. Please contact your child’s teacher anytime you feel a parent/teacher conference
is necessary.
Parking – We ask that when you visit the school, please park in one of the reserved visitor spaces in front of the
building. We need to keep the area under the awning open for emergency vehicles and other situations.
Payments to GHS – Anytime your child submits a payment to a GHS employee in an amount greater than $3.00
he/she will receive a receipt. Please keep a copy of this receipt as proof of payment.
Progress Reports – Progress reports will be sent on home on the 16th day of the current six-weeks. Progress reports
are to be signed and returned to the teacher the following day. If the 20th day of a six-weeks has passed and you have
not seen a progress report for each of your child’s classes, please contact the teacher for assistance.
School Trips – School trips will be planned primarily by the students’ teacher(s). Trips will be planned to reinforce
material taught within the classroom and will be designed to be as time-effective and cost-effective as possible.
Students will be offered an opportunity to sell Little Caesar Pizza Kits to fund their trip. Individual students in grades
4-7 will receive a $5.00 reduction in the cost of their trip for each pizza kit sold. Funds raised by students in grades
PK-3 through the Little Caesar Pizza Kits sales will be collected as a class and used to fund a class trip. This will likely be
the only fundraiser designated specifically for school trips during the 2012-2013 school year. We will typically take
parent chaperones with us on school trips. Parent chaperones will typically be selected through lottery process and
the number of parent chaperones attending will depend on the number of seats available on the bus.
Volunteering at GHS – If you are interested in volunteering at G.H.S. we ask that you please complete a volunteer
application (available at the main office). Teachers will contact you as necessary throughout the year to request your
assistance
Year Books – GHS will offer a yearbook to all students. The year book sponsor is Roberta Paisley. It will be a 20-30
page soft-cover year book and the price will be $20.00. You are encouraged to pay for your yearbook the night of
open house. The year book will be ordered in early January and will be distributed close to the end of school.
2012 – 2013 GHS Student Handbook
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Grayson Highlands School … Home of the Eagles!
“Providing a positive environment where everyone will soar to success.” 7
SOLS and Accountability
The federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) requires states to set annual objectives for
increasing student achievement to ensure that all children have an opportunity to obtain a high-quality education.
Schools, school divisions and states that meet these objectives make what federal law refers to as “Adequate Yearly
Progress” (AYP).
In order to meet AYP during the 2011-2012, GHS must meet the following Annual Measurable Objectives
(AMOs):
At least equal to a 90% pass rate in Reading and Language Arts SOL assessments.
At least equal to a 91% pass rate in Mathematic assessments.
A second accountability rating awarded by the state is known as “accreditation.” School accreditation ratings
reflect student achievement on SOL tests. Schools are considered “fully accredited” if they obtain the following SOL pass rates during the previous school year:
English – 75%
Math – 70%
Social Studies – 70%
Science – 70%
Students at Grayson Highlands School take the following Standards of Learning assessments during the spring of the academic year.
3rd Grade: Mathematics, Reading, Science, and Social Studies
4th Grade: Mathematics, Reading, and VA Studies
5th Grade: Mathematics, Reading, Science, US History I, and Writing
6th Grade: Mathematics, Reading, and US History II
7th Grade: Mathematics, Reading, and Civics & Economics
Student instruction at all levels is driven by the “Standards of Learning” that are set forth by the Virginia
Department of Education. These standards, along with a curriculum framework and additional accountability and
accreditation information can be found on the Virginia Department of Education webpage.
The GHS faculty and staff thank you for your support as we strive to obtain these rigorous standards!
2012 – 2013 GHS Student Handbook
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Grayson Highlands School … Home of the Eagles!
“Providing a positive environment where everyone will soar to success.” 8
Anti-Bullying Policy Summary
Our school is committed to providing students with a safe and supportive learning environment. We do not
condone harassment, intimidation or bullying in school, on school grounds, in school buses, at bus stops, or at school
events. In addition, we do not condone and will take action against out-of-school bullying incidents that significantly
interfere with student learning.
Definition of Bullying: Bullying is intentional, hurtful behavior, repeated over time. It can be physical, verbal,
emotional, or sexual. G.H.S also recognizes the reality of cyber-bullying as well. Bullying includes the harassment and
intimidation of a person, which may be, but need not be, based on the person’s sex, race, color, ethnicity, religion,
national origin, age, disability or sexual orientation.
Expected Behavior: Grayson Highlands School expects students to treat others with dignity and respect. Student
conduct should contribute to a positive and productive learning environment. We expect students to try to help
students who are bullied, include students who are easily left out and report all instances of bullying to the school.
Reporting Procedures for Bullying Incidents: School employees are required to report alleged violations of this policy
to the principal. Students, parents and visitors are encouraged to report any act that may be a violation of this policy.
Incident Report Forms are available in each classroom and should be submitted to the principal. Reports may be
made anonymously and placed in the Bully Box located by the office. All reports will be taken seriously and will result
in a thorough investigation. Retaliation against any person who files a report is prohibited. Making false reports is
prohibited as well. We will also determine whether a student’s civil rights have been violated according to federal
antidiscrimination laws.
Investigation Process for Reported Bullying Incidents: The principal shall begin a prompt, thorough and complete
investigation of alleged acts of bullying within five (5) school days of receiving an Incident Report. The goal of an
investigation is to obtain an accurate account of incidents and circumstances deemed relevant to the allegations, to
determine whether bullying occurred, and to identify the student(s) responsible for the acts. These procedures are
intended to protect the rights of all parties involved.
Consequences for Bullying Behavior: Our school has developed a rubric of consequences that match specific
behaviors to disciplinary and/or remedial actions. This rubric will be used as a basis for determining appropriate
action. In determining appropriate action, administrators will consider age, development and relationship of
individual involved, degree of harm, surrounding circumstances, the nature and severity of the incident, past
instances and the contest in which the incident occurred.
2012 – 2013 GHS Student Handbook
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Grayson Highlands School … Home of the Eagles!
“Providing a positive environment where everyone will soar to success.” 9
Grayson County Public School Attendance Policy Summary
GHS believes that educators must create an environment that makes learning a challenging, creative, and
stimulating experience for the students. In this type of environment, it is imperative that students make every effort
to be present each day and to be in attendance the entire instructional day. Grayson County Public Schools follows a
three tier student attendance policy. What follows is a brief summary of this policy. Should you need more details
regarding the policy, please review policy file JED which can be found on the GCPS webpage. Grayson Highlands
School makes every effort to implement and strictly follow this attendance policy throughout the school year.
Grayson Highlands School recognizes three types of absences, tardies, and/or check-outs. These include:
1. Unexcused: Occurs when a student is absent and provides no documentation for the reason (no parent/guardian phone call or note). This is considered an “unverified” absence.
2. Excused: Occurs when a student is absent and provides documentation (parent/guardian phone call or note) stating a somewhat legitimate reason for the absence. This is considered an “unverified” absence.
3. Verified: Occurs when a student is absent, tardy, or checks-out and provides official documentation of a
doctor’s visit, court appearance, or family death.
The GCPS attendance policy mandates three levels of intervention for truant students. These are:
Tier 1: 5 Day Attendance Meeting: After a student has accumulated five unverified absences (excused or unexcused)
the parent/guardian is contacted to schedule a School-Based Attendance Committee meeting.
Tier 2: Community Based Attendance Meeting: If a student continues to accrue unverified absences after a school
based attendance meeting, the principal refers the student to a closed hearing with the GCPS Community Based
Attendance Committee . The CBA committee will recommend one of the following actions:
1. Filing a complaint with the juvenile and domestic relations court alleging the pupil is a child in need of
supervision as defined in Chapter 16.1-229 or
2. Instituting proceedings against the parent pursuant to Chapter 18.2-371 or Chapter 22.1-262 or,
3. Sending the case back to the school and request more intervention at the building level.
Tier 3: Referral to Juvenile Services: If the first two interventions are not successful students under 18 are referred
to the juvenile and domestic relations court. The parent may be referred as well.
Anytime a student is absent parents are asked to call the day of the absence and to send a written note detailing the
reason for the absence. In order to obtain a “verified” absence, tardy, or check-out, verification of a dr. visit, court
appearance or death in the family will need to be sent in to the office.
2012 – 2013 GHS Student Handbook
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Grayson Highlands School … Home of the Eagles!
“Providing a positive environment where everyone will soar to success.” 10
Effective School Wide Discipline
During its initial year of operation, GHS faculty, staff, students, and parents worked to develop a positive
behavior intervention and support system (PBIS) to guide our discipline program. The program’s primary focus is to
teach appropriate behaviors to students and then consistently and positively enforce these behaviors.
Through these efforts, GHS stakeholders have established four primary school-wide expectations:
All GHS faculty, staff, students, and visitors will:
1. Strive to be responsible
2. Own our attitudes and actions
3. Always behave safely
4. Respect ourselves and others
Teachers are tasked to develop one to two specific guidelines for each of these expectations for their individual
classrooms. In addition these expectations are used to guide behavior on playgrounds, in the cafeteria, on the, or any
other GCPS property.
GHS faculty and staff have developed many “reward” systems to enforce good behavior. These include the “Eagle
Buck” system, programs and assemblies, and field trips. Disciplinary action for students who fail to follow the
expectations might include parent contacts, silent lunch, in school suspension, out of school suspension and/or after
school detention.
In addition, great effort is made to coordinate this program with other student support programs such as the
school anti-bullying program and the county-wide attendance program.
The second grade teacher, Mrs. Joy Lambert, works as the school’s PBIS coordinator. Please feel free to contact
her or the school principal with any questions regarding the program.
2012 – 2013 GHS Student Handbook
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Grayson Highlands School … Home of the Eagles!
“Providing a positive environment where everyone will soar to success.” 11
Student Recognition
Students at G.H.S. are selected to be recognized for the following awards at the end of each six-weeks:
Principal’s Pick – A student from each wing recognized as mostly closely and consistently following the
school-wide expectations.
Citizenship -- Two students from each grade recognized as mostly closely and consistently following
exhibiting the character trait for that particular six-weeks.
All A Honor Roll – Students in each grade level who have earned all As within the given six-weeks.
A/B Honor Roll – Students in each grade level who have earned all As and Bs within the given six-weeks.
Attendance -- Students in each grade level who been at school everyday during the given six-weeks.
At the end of the school year a seventh grade graduation and school-wide awards assembly will be held. Students in
grades 1-7 will be eligible to receive the following recognition:
Citizen of the Year – Two students selected from the six-week citizenship recipients as having most closely
and consistently exhibited the GCPS character traits throughout the year.
All As All Year—Students who have earned all As all year.
Perfect Attendance – Students who have been at school everyday throughout the year.
Accelerated Reader – The top two A.R. point earners from each grade for the year.
Advanced and Perfect SOL Scores – Students who have scored 500 or higher on an SOL test will receive a
certificate of recognition. Students who have earned a 600 on an SOL test will receive a “perfect score”
certificate of recognition.
Seventh Grade Valedictorian -- The seventh grade student having the highest grade point average for grades
3-7 will be recognized as being the school valedictorian for the year. He/she will be asked to address the
graduating class at the graduation.
2012 – 2013 GHS Student Handbook
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Grayson Highlands School … Home of the Eagles!
“Providing a positive environment where everyone will soar to success.” 12
The Special Education Program
Grayson Highlands School is committed to providing an educational experience that is productive and
appropriate for all students. To this end, GHS is staffed with two highly qualified special education teachers who
oversee the special education program and the development and implementation of Individualized Educational Plans
for students with disabilities. Should you feel your child is having difficulty accessing the curriculum at Grayson
Highlands, we encourage you to talk with your child’s teacher to explore any options, including the special education
program, which might better assist your student!
2012 – 2013 GHS Student Handbook
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Grayson Highlands School … Home of the Eagles!
“Providing a positive environment where everyone will soar to success.” 13
The Title 1 Program
Grayson Highlands School is a “school-wide” Title 1 school. This means that we staff a highly qualified teacher
who is dedicated to providing additional students to any student who needs extra assistance in Math or Reading. The
Title 1 teacher and/or aide will often work with students within the classroom setting, and at times, may pull small
groups of students from the classroom for short periods of time, for more intensive and prescriptive remediation and
attention. Should you have any additional questions regarding the Title 1 program, please consult the school web-
page or contact the Title 1 teacher, Lynn McClary.
2012 – 2013 GHS Student Handbook
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Grayson Highlands School … Home of the Eagles!
“Providing a positive environment where everyone will soar to success.” 14
The School Resource Officer Program
We are very fortunate to have Rhonda Halsey stationed at Grayson Highlands School as the school resource
officer. In addition to traveling throughout the county to teach the DARE program, the SRO maintains an office at the
school and assists with the day to day operation and safety of the school.
In particular, the SRO assumes primary responsibility in handling all calls for service from the school and
coordinates the response of other police resources to the schools with the school principals. As coordinated through
the Youth Services Division, SROs may become involved in the school’s curriculum and provide instruction that will
enhance the student’s understanding of the police mission. The SRO shall also be responsible for assisting training for
the school administration in law enforcement and related areas. Crime trends and changes of the Code of Virginia
shall be disseminated to assist the school staff in effectively providing safe school environments. SROs shall be
responsible in monitoring cultural and social influences and activities to ensure prevention or early intervention with
developing gang structures.
From the Nurse
G.H.S. staffs a full-time registered nurse. Mrs. Jackie Perry’s office is located in the main office suite. She can
be contacted by calling the school or emailing, [email protected]. Mrs. Perry’s role is to provide
medical care in emergency situations, monitor student illness and injury at the school, communicate with
parents/guardians as necessary regarding student health, and provide health related educational programming to the
students and adults at the school. In addition, Mrs. Perry can administer medication to students as directed by doctor
prescription/parent notes. It is truly a blessing for the students and faculty to have a full-time nurse on staff at G.H.S.
Mt. Rogers Community Services Therapeutic Day Treatment Program
The goal/mission for MRCSB Therapeutic Day Treatment is to provide intensive school-based treatment for
youth experiencing significant functioning impairments in the school setting due to emotional, mental and/or
behavioral symptoms. These services intend to provide psychosocial education and treatment to such populations
with the goal that they will stabilize and/or enhance psychosocial functioning and age-appropriate skills.
The program treatment services are person-centered using interventions that build on strengths and focus on
success. The program treatment processes individualized interventions. Structure and expectations are developed
for each child through an individual services plan that provides the greatest opportunity for the youth to have a
successful experience. Day Treatment staff believe that with appropriate interventions, all children can learn new
behaviors that can lead to success, thus replacing the negative behaviors, patterns, and impairments.
Services are provided to individuals who 1) are enrolled in elementary or middle school and 2) who meet
enrollment criteria for Therapeutic Day Treatment Services. Admission criteria are based on the individual meeting
the Seriously Emotionally Disturbed characteristics. Additionally, a Licensed Mental Health Provider must determine
the youth is unable to function adequately in their regular school setting.
Referrals for services are accepted from individuals, families, school staff, public and private agencies and other
MRCSB programs. Referrals can be made by contacting the Day Treatment Counselor at GHS.
2012 – 2013 GHS Student Handbook
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Grayson Highlands School … Home of the Eagles!
“Providing a positive environment where everyone will soar to success.” 15
The Guidance Program
G.H.S. staffs a guidance counselor three days per week; Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. The guidance
counselor position servers several roles at G.H.S. These include:
Maintenance of office hours in which students may meet with the guidance counselor to discuss issues
important to the student.
Guidance Class: Students in grades K-5 meet with the guidance counselor 45 minutes per week as a class to
learn about and practice healthy life skills such as anger management, dealing with bullies, and motivation.
Monitoring and implementation of the Grayson County Public Schools attendance policy at G.H.S.
The Parent Teacher Organization
We are very fortunate to have an extremely active Parent – Teacher Organization at Grayson Highlands. The
executive committee meets monthly. This meeting is typically followed by a general PTO meeting each month.
Please review the school web page or contact Rhonda Halsey, PTO president for more information regarding the GHS
parent teacher organization.
2012 – 2013 GHS Student Handbook
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Grayson Highlands School … Home of the Eagles!
“Providing a positive environment where everyone will soar to success.” 16
Helpful Web Resources
Grayson County Public Schools – www.grayson.k12.va.us
Please access this webpage and bookmark it in your favorites. This is a new webpage that will be updated
throughout the year with valuable G.C.P.S. information.
Grayson Highlands School – http://graysonhighlands.sharpschool.net/
This is a new webpage as well. We are hopeful that by the end of the first semester, you will be able to find
everything you need to know about GHS on this webpage. Please keep checking back.
VA Department of Education – www.doe.virginia.gov
This webpage contains a great number of resources for parents and students. By clicking on the links on the
left hand side of the webpage you can access subject specific SOLs, curriculum frameworks, lesson plans,
released SOL tests and practice programs.
Study Island -- www.studyisland.com
Each student at Grayson Highlands is assigned a Study Island username and password. Your child can log on
to this webpage anywhere there is internet access and receive assistance and participate in activities designed
to assist them with their specific subjects. There are also some great “tracking” tools on the webpage so that
teachers, parents, and students can monitor your child’s progress.
Triple A Math – www.aaamath.com
This is an excellent resource that provides specific directions on completing virtually any mathematics task in
grades K-7. This page can be extremely helpful to parents who need to brush up on Math skills before
providing assistance to their child on homework. Students also can complete tutorials and practice problems
on the webpage.
2012 – 2013 GHS Student Handbook
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 August 2 In-Service Teacher Work Day 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 3 In-Service Teacher Work Day - Convocation 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
29 30 31 6 In-Service Teacher Work Day 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
County Wide Open House 2:00 - 6:00 27 28 29 30 31
A U G U S T 7 In-Service Teacher Work Day
S M T W T F S 8 School Opens F E B R U A R Y
1 2 3 4 September 3 No School Labor Day S M T W T F S
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 19 End of 1st Grading Period 1 2
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 No School - Teacher Work Day 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Report Cards Issued 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
26 27 28 29 30 31 27 Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:30-6:30; 1/2 TWD 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
November 1 End of 2nd Grading Period 24 25 26 27 28
S E P T E M B E R 2 No School - Teacher Work Day
S M T W T F S 6 No School - Election Day M A R C H
1 8 Report Cards Issued S M T W T F S
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 12 Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:30-6:30; 1/2 TWD 1 2
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 21 Schools Close at 1:00 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 22 No School - Thanksgiving Holiday 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 23 No School - Thanksgiving Holiday 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
30 December 19 End of 1st Semester - Close at 1:00 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Christmas Break Begins 31
20 No School - Teacher Work Day - Possible Makeup Day
S M T W T F S 21 No School - Possible Makeup Teacher Work Day A P R I L
1 2 3 4 5 6 January 3 School Reopens S M T W T F S
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 2nd Semester Begins 1 2 3 4 5 6
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 7 Report Cards Issued 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
28 29 30 31 February 13 End of 4th Grading Period 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
14 No School - Teacher Work Day 28 29 30
21 Report Cards Issued
NOVEMBER 25 Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:30-6:30; 1/2 TWD
S M T W T F S March 27 End of 5th Grading Period
1 2 3 28 No School - Teacher Work Day S M T W T F S
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 29 No School - Spring Break - Guaranteed 1 2 3 4
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 April 1 No School - Spring Break - Guaranteed 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 2 No School - Spring Break-Possible Makeup Day 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
25 26 27 28 29 30 9 Report Cards Issued 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
10 Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:30-6:30; 1/2 TWD 26 27 28 29 30 31
May 15 End of 2nd Semester - Schools Close at 1:00
16 No School - Teacher Work Day
DECEMBER 17 No School - Teacher Work Day
S M T W T F S 20 No School - Teacher Work Day S M T W T F S
1 1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31 30
3 Flex Days 2 Professional Development Days at the Principal's Descretion
(12 total hours, 6 hours per semester - after school, Saturdays, etc.)
1 Technology Day
J U N E
M A Y
GRAYSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
J A N U A R Y
ADOPTED APRIL 10, 2012
J U L Y
School Calendar 2012 - 2013
OCTOBER