James Madison High School

MEMORANDUM

August 15, 2012

Dear Parents, Guardians and Students:

Despite the recent heat wave I hope you have enjoyed your summer break with family and friends. I have spent my summer dealing with some health issues and am very happy to report that I am back in the swing of things, and ready to begin another year of study, activities, friends, and experiences at the "Home of the Warhawks.” We will learn together by challenging ourselves and each other. We have “Great Expectations” for all our students, as well as the faculty and staff, and we are looking forward to another exciting year at Madison High School.

The first day of school is right around the corner. What follows is Madison’s Back to School Information. There is a wealth of information contained in the documents we have compiled for you. We have done our best to make it convenient and user friendly and included a checklist below, broken into categories, to make the process a bit easier. It is important that you review this information before school starts on September 4. Clicking on the link in the left column will connect you with the information that is described in the right column.

Please take special note of the following:

o Emergency care information must be updated electronically by August 30. (FCPS Info block)

o Attendance Policy and Procedures have been revised for this year (JMHS Info block)

o Free & Reduced Lunch applications must be submitted each school year.

o The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities booklet, which outlines the FCPS rules of conduct, as well as the policies governing students riding buses, acceptable use of technology, and attendance, will be reviewed with students in school on Wednesday, September 5, 2012. Parents must sign and return the parent signature page on Thursday, September 6, 2012. The booklet is yours to keep for reference.

o Cell phones may be used by students at certain times, and under certain circumstances, during the school day. (JMHS Info block)

Please keep up-to-date with Madison HS by bookmarking Madison’s web site at www.fcps.edu/madisonhs. We look forward to the start of another great year at JMHS.

Sincerely,

Mark A. Merrell

Principal

FCPS INFORMATION - For ALL students Please review before the first day of school
Emergency Care Info Blackboard Create weCare acct.	Information should be reviewed and updated, if necessary, through the parent access on Blackboard no later than August 30. Parents needing to create an account may do so through any FCPS school.
Health Room Information	Includes information on taking medications at school and scoliosis and links to a multitude of health forms you may need, including health information, prescription and OTC medications, EPi pens, inhalers, etc.
Bus Schedules	For safety reasons, bus schedules are not posted on the internet. Routes and schedules will be posted in Warhawk Hall during the Fall Kick Off Festival; hard copies will be available in the Main Office.
FCPS Grading Policy	Includes scales and weights for honors and AP classes.
FCPS Privacy & Opt Out Forms	In accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), FCPS has provided opt out forms pertaining to student records and privacy. Forms need only be signed and returned to exempt your student from any of the activities.
FCPS Family Life Education Opt Out Forms	Family life curriculum materials may be reviewed in the school library. Forms need only be signed and returned to exempt your student from all or part of this curriculum.
FCPS Student Participation Policy	All students and parents must sign the acknowledgement form, indicating their understanding of the consequences of alcohol and other drug use on and off-campus and during and after-school hours. No student may participate in any club, athletic, or honor society activities without a signed acknowledgement form on file in the Student Activities Office. Return signed form to school.
FCPS Handbook	An overview of FCPS. Hard copies can be picked up in Warhawk Hall during the Fall Festival, Aug. 28, 5-7:30pm, at Back to School Night, Sept. 6, or in the Main Office at any time.
FCPS Homeless Students	(SS/SE201) Assistance for needy students/families.
FCPS Parent Resources	FCPS information for parents and families (Familygram, etc.)
FCPS Food Services	Breakfast & Lunch will be served at JMHS. Free & Reduced Lunch Program applications must be submitted each year.
Student Insurance	Student accident insurance is available. Applications are available online only this year.
Translation Services	Many FCPS documents have been translated into multiple languages. Please contact the school for help with locating translated documents.

JMHS Information - For ALL students Please review before the first day of school
Red-Black Calendar	First day of school—all 7 classes will meet.
Daily Bell-Lunch Schedule	Lunch periods are assigned by classes during 4^th period on Black days and during 5^th period on Red days
Attendance Policy	A written note (or phone call to the Attendance Office at 703/319-2319) must follow all absences by the end of the next school day in order to qualify for excused status.
FAQs re: electronic devices	JMHS policy for cell phones, IPODS, etc.
JMHS Calendar	Dates of interest for parents and students (i.e., report cards, SATs, college planning, etc.)
Counseling Dept. Updates	Updates and contact information from the counseling office.
Dress for Success	Established policy for appropriate dress at school.
Supplies & Costs	PE uniforms, art fees, career & technical ed costs, instrument rentals
Science Fair Judges	The science department needs volunteers to be judges for the annual science fair (during February). A scientific background is not required, and no experience is necessary! Complete the form, save a copy to your desktop, then attach the copy to an e-mail message to MRomeo@fcps.edu
Fall Sports Schedule	Go Warhawks . . . hope to see you there!
Warhawk Season Pass	Athletic season pass for students.
Athletic Booster Membership	Athletic season pass for families
Fall Kick Off Festival	August 28, 5-7:30 pm, Back Parking Lot
Hawk Talk Subscription	Have this year’s student newspaper mailed to your home.
Yearbook Information	Order the 2012-2013 Montpelier for your student.
Vienna-Madison Community Coalition	Community outreach to promote a drug, alcohol, and violence-free environment for all children and youth within the school boundaries of the greater Vienna school community.
Map of School

PTSA Information for ALL Parents, Teachers & Students
Madison’s PTSA has its own web site at www.jmhsptsa.org . Please take a few moments to review all the information listed below. Direct links to the items below are found on its homepage.
President’s Message	This year’s vision of the PTSA and its mission to support all the students at Madison High School.
Membership	Gives you voting rights on all issues before the PTSA
Volunteers	Share your time and expertise with the students, faculty and staff
Student Directory Information	Your student’s name, address and phone number will be included in the Student Directory unless this form is signed and returned to school on or before the first day of school. To be sold by the PTSA at Back To School Night (Sept. 6).
Academic Boosters	Enriching the educational experience for all JMHS students
Giants & Safeway Receipts	Yearly registration required
Mad Memos	Monthly newsletter
All Night Graduation Celebration	The All Night Grad Celebration will be held at the Vienna Community Center on June 14, 2013. Information will be available to all at the Fall Kick Off Festival; more details can be found on the PTSA web site.

Grade level specific information continues below.

FOR SENIORS ONLY
Parking Information	Application to park on campus
Senior Information	Senior expenses—senior dues, graduation info, caps and gowns, etc. Senior dues do NOT include the cost to attend the All Night Grad Celebration!
Yearbook Information	Order the 2012-2013 Montpelier for your student.
Senior Ad in Yearbook	Commemorate your student’s senior year with a personal ad. Deadline is September 26.
All Night Graduation Celebration	The All Night Grad Celebration will be held at the Vienna Community Center on June 14, 2013. Information will be available to all at the Fall Kick Off Festival; complete details can be found on the PTSA web site in the near future.

FOR JUNIORS ONLY
Parking Information	Application to park on campus
Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT)	Please complete and return to school ASAP…test is Oct. 17

FOR SOPHOMORES ONLY
Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT)	FCPS will pay for all 10^th graders to take this test, and have it scored. You do not need to return this form to school.

FOR FRESHMEN ONLY
Warhawk Flight School	Orientation for incoming 9^th graders--find out who’s who, what’s what, and where to find it all at JMHS; August 23, 2012--bus transportation from certain elementary schools will be provided
Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT)	Please complete and return to school ASAP…test is Oct. 17.