FRESHMAN PARENT 101:

ACADEMY FOR PARENTS OF FRESHMEN

Welcome Westlake High SchoolClass of 2019!

Welcome & IntroductionsPRINCIPALDr. John Carter

ASSISTANT PRINCIPALSDonna Jackson (LU – O)Michael McKelvey (P – W)Casey Ryan (A – FL, X – Z )Stephen Shands, (FO – LO)

Michel Froneberger (Special Ed & 504)

GUIDANCE COUNSELORSCarol Niemann (A – B, X – Z)Caty Broderick (C – FL)Eric Jackelen (FO – JI)Heidi Sauer (JO – LO) – Lead Teri Ochoa (LU – O)Andrea Clifton (P – SH)Debbie Choate (SI – W)

Student Support Services• Located near the Chap Room in the 250 Suite

• Available for any social and/or emotional issues on an individual or group level.

Katie Bryant, LCSW

Kristi Waidhofer, LMSW

Jason Van Meter, Academic Interventionist

Masters-Level Interns from UT

Opportunities for Parent Involvement

Booster Clubs

Mum Moms

Safe Homes

Guidance Moms Carol Niemann, Counselor

Eanes Education Foundation (EEF) Wally Moore, Executive Director

PTO Liza Savage Richardson & Reesa Thorne, Co-Presidents

Eanes Education Foundation

Carrie WilkinEEF Board Member

WHS Parent

PTO

Liza Savage Richardson

Reesa Thorne

Co-Presidents

First Meeting

Friday, September 25

Noon

General Information•HOURS• Westlake is open from 7:30 to 4:30• Classes begin at 8:40 and end at 4:05• 8 class periods with 6 minutes between each period

• STAY INFORMED• whs.eanesisd.net• Principal’s Weekly Newsletter (subscribe)• Chap Recap• Naviance• Twitter: @WHSCounselInfo• Skyward – Family Access (grades, attendance, etc.)

Skyward – Family Access

Online Payments: Lunch Money

• Start at whs.eanesisd.net

Then, under District Links, select “Online Payments”

iPads• Distribution takes place in early September• Insurance coverage• The wifi website is rich with resources

School Pictures / Student IDs• School Pictures• September 9 and 10 in English Classes

•Make Ups• Both school pictures and ID pictures• October 19

Class Schedules• Available in Skyward Family Access• Check for accuracy, let counselor know if you have a change/correction BEFORE school starts• Fill out a Schedule Change Request Form (available on the counseling webpage or in the counseling office)• “See Counselor”• Master Schedule limitations• Courses offered once in the school day• Classes that are full

• No guarantees that changes can be made

Class Schedules• Schedules are not static: reprint schedule Sunday before school starts in case something has changed

• All students report directly to 1st period.

• School day starts at 8:40

• School day ends at 4:05

STARR EOC EXAMS• Students must pass five STARR End-of-Course (EOC) exams:• English 1 Reading & Writing• English 2 Reading & Writing• Algebra 1• Biology• US History

• Students enrolling from out-of-state or private school who have already earned credit in a tested subject will NOT have to take those subject area tests.

Advisory: Easing the Transition

•During English class on Fridays

• 20-30 minutes once every six weeks or so

• Starts with pertinent information and answering questions

• Continues with topics including study skills, how to make good choices and make the most of your high school career

• Led by our Teen Teachers

Survival Tips• Review freshman schedule• Balance between academic, extracurricular, and personal time commitments

• Encourage student to attend tutoring• With teacher

• In the NGC Library Monday – Thursday

• Provide structure at home with a designated homework place and time•Use Family Access to monitor grades

Survival Tips•Work on organization / time management• Calendar (digital, paper)• Teacher syllabi• Websites, eBackpack

•Work on good study skills and test-taking skills• Encourage student to get involved at WHS• Find clubs/organizations on our website under “Student Life/Resources”

• Ask for help! Counselors, APs, and teachers are valuable resources.

From the Nurse’s Office• Over-the-counter medications may be carried by a student.• Prescription medications must be dispensed through the nurse’s office and must have a signed parent permission form.• If a student is ill, he/she should request to go to the clinic and the nurse will help contact parents or let the student rest.• Please enter emergency contacts through your Family Access account.

To Wear and Not to Wear• Dress Code• Clothing must be appropriate and not suggestive or

revealing• The student’s back, chest, and stomach must be covered• Skirts and shorts should not be so short as to distract from

the learning environment• See page 48 of the WHS Student Handbook for details

• Not to Wear• Plunging or low-cut tops or tops with no straps• Sheer or see-through clothing• Visible undergarments• Pajamas/sleepwear of any kind

Attendance Policy• 90% Law: the state of Texas requires students to be in class 90% of the time the class meets, which equals about 9 class meetings a semester. School-sponsored activities, such as sports, choir, orchestra, band, and field trips do not count under this law.• How to report an absence:• Send a note with your child to the Attendance Office. All

notes should include the date, reason for absence, and include a parent signature.• 512.732.9280, ext 33014• whsattendance#@eanesisd.net• FAX 512.732.9271

*Notes will not be accepted after 48 hours

FINAL EXAMS / EXEMPTIONS• Final Exams are given as part of the semester grade in all subjects.• Freshmen who meet specific criteria are eligible to exempt two final exams in the fall and in the spring.• See the Student Handbook, page 29-30, for details• Students who exempt final exams must still be present for the attendance period each day

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Locations

Navigating our Website• http://whs.eanesisd.net• Master Calendar• Summer Assignments• Weekly Message -- subscribe• Counseling• Clubs and Organizations• Chaps in Service• Teacher Websites• WiFi / iPad Initiative• Transportation

Questionsand

Answers