HOUND HIGHLIGHTS
A Weekly PTSA E-Newsletter for Pope High School Parents and Students
Georgia's Most Outstanding High School PTSA in 2003, 2004, 2006 & 2007
National PTA School of Excellence in Parent Involvement
Vol. 6, No. 37
Friday, May 9, 2008
3001 Hembree Road, Marietta GA 30062, 770-578-7900
Send submissions to Suzanne Harman at popehoundhighlights@comcast.net
Deadline: Tuesdays 6pm
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Important Dates
Pope Band Concert in the Park & Auction Friday, May 9, 6pm
Relay for Life Event at Jim Miller Park Friday, May 9, 6 – 10pm
Prom at the Fox Theater Saturday, May 10, 7:30pm
Mother’s Day Sunday, May 11 – All Day
EOCT: 9th Lit, Amer Lit, Biology, Phys Sci Mon & Tues, May 12 & 13
Honors Night in Pope Gymnasium Tuesday, May 13, 7:00 pm
Senior Final Exams Mon & Tues, May 19 & 20
Underclassmen Final Exams Thurs & Fri, May 22 & 23
Baccalaureate at JFBC Thursday, May 22, 7:00 pm
Graduation at Roswell Street Baptist Church Friday, May 23, 7:00 pm
*Other events are listed throughout this newsletter
Principal’s
Notes
Relay for Life
The annual Relay for Life Event will be held at Jim Miller Park in Marietta on Friday, May 9, 2008 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM for Pope students. There will be no overnight for Relay for Life this year. Mr. Sorensen, National Honor Society sponsor, will be at the site to supervise only until 10:00 PM. Students must have their own rides to and from the event.
Thank you to all the students and faculty who helped to raise money for the American Cancer Society through Relay for Life. Each year the students and club sponsors plan fund raisers to support Relay. Every effort is appreciated and all monies are dedicated to research.
Al of us in the Pope family has been affected by this devastating disease. If you would like to make a last minute contribution to the Pope team, click on the link http://relay.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeSouthAtlanticDivision?fr_id=8026&pg=entry under donate and choose Pope as the team you would like to contribute under. We appreciate all donations.
New Pope Sign at the Main Entrance on Hembree Road!
Pope High School will be receiving a new LED sign to be placed at the main entrance! Signs and Graphics by Roman will be doing the installation. Risa Mendleson and the Pope PTSA have been instrumental in the process of obtaining the sign. A big thank you goes to the PTSA for their hard work to bring this project to completion! They have made a generous contribution along with the Senior Class, the Pope Foundation and one of our Partners in Education, The Avenues. The Pope Foundation is continuing to raise revenue for additional monies needed to complete the project. If you or your business would like to help in any way, please contact jean.mason@cobbk12.org .
Lost and Found Department: Mrs. O’Neill in the front office has been the recipient of hundreds of lost articles throughout the school year. She would like them to go back to their owners. Please encourage your children to come and check out Lost and Found to claim their lost items!
Pope PTSA wins School of Excellence Award for Parent Involvement for 2008-2011! Congratulations on achieving this prestigous national award. Only 500 schools in the country are awarded this distinction each year. Thank you to our dedicated PTSA members who volunteer their time at Pope and to the team who devoted the many hours to prepare the documentation to renew this significant designation.
Prom Frequently Asked Questions
The prom is arriving soon and it is always an exciting event. I am providing answers to some frequently asked questions and tips in hopes that it will make your plans run smoother.
When: Saturday May 10, 2008
Where: The Egyptian Ball Room in the Fox Theatre on Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta
Time: 7:30 - 11:30pm
Theme: Under the Northern Lights
Senior Walk/King/Queen Announcement/Song: Lineup will begin at 10:30
For more Prom details go to www.popehigh.com and click on Prom FAQ’s.
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SCHOOL NEWS
Spring 2008 Exam Schedule:
Senior Exams: Monday May 19 - 3rd and 4th Blocks
Tuesday May 20 - 1st and 2nd Blocks
Seniors will be dismissed after 2nd block on Tuesday
All other Exams Thursday May 22 - 1st and 2nd Blocks
Friday May 23 - 3rd and 4th Blocks
No exams may be given early.
Students will receive information about early release on Exam Days on Friday, May 16, 2008, and it will be placed in the Hound Highlights next week as well.
Spring 2008 Senior Exam Exemption Procedures
On Friday, May 9, seniors with 0-3 absences will be notified via homeroom that they are eligible to exempt an exam. Students are responsible for getting the Exam Exemption Signature Form (YELLOW) signed by their teacher and returning the form to PPO on or before Tuesday, May 13. Failure to get a teacher’s signature or not turning the form in on time will void their exemption status. Also on Monday, May 12, seniors who did not get a yellow form because they have more than 3 absences can pick up an Exam Exemption Appeal Form (BLUE) from their homeroom or PPO. Forms must be turned in to PPO on or before Tuesday, May 13. Please attach all pertinent documentation to the appeal form. The more information & documentation that the committee has, the better judgment they can make regarding the appeal. Return completed forms to PPO.
The appeals committee will meet on Wednesday, May 14. The committee will be made up of teachers, students in the senior class, and members of the PTSA. All information and documentation is confidential and anonymous.
Seniors will be notified via homeroom by Thursday, May 15, if their appeal has been approved. The notification will include a yellow exemption form which must be signed by the teacher and returned to PPO no later than Friday, May 16, by 3:30 pm -- NO EXCEPTIONS!!! On Friday, May 16, PPO will post the list of approved appeals on the staff drive in the PPO folder.
Attendance will continue to count for this privilege until the actual day of the exam. Teachers do have the right to revoke exemption status after forms have been submitted based on grades or attendance. Please notify PPO if anything changes so we can update the list.
Seniors who are exempting an exam do not have to report to school during that exam period on the day of the final exam, but must report to homeroom. If they have minimum day and are exempting an exam the same day, they do not have to report at all that day.
Exemption Policy Reminder
· Seniors Only
· Seniors must have 3 or fewer absences in a class to qualify for exemption.
· Seniors must be passing the class in which they wish to exempt an exam. There is no appeal to this process. If a student is not passing the class when forms are due, student must take the exam.
· Field trips and religious holidays do not count as absences.
· College visits and suspensions (in school and out of school) do count as absences from class.
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Korean Exchange Program. All 9th, 10th, & 11th grade girls interested in a Korean Exchange Program, please pick up an application from the media center. Ten girls will be chosen for this exciting opportunity. Girls will host a Korean student in their homes from December 28, 2008, through January 10, 2009 (over part of the winter break) and then have the opportunity to travel to Korean from April 4 through April 17, 2009 (this will include spring break and a week of school). After applications are collected, an interview will be scheduled for the morning of Thursday, May 15, or Friday, May 16. Once selections are completed, girls will be notified Monday, May 19. A parent/informational meeting will be held Tuesday, May 20, at 6:30pm in the media center.
The Library Media Center is in need of donations to spruce up our space. If you could donate any of the following items, we would be grateful: a sturdy, gently used wooden coffee table (please, no glass or metal) or 10 pieces of colorful student artwork to adorn the walls of our new learning lab. We would prefer canvas mounted oil or watercolor pieces. If you have one of these items that you would be willing to donate, please e-mail sara.allegood@cobbk12.org.
Summer Reading Lists: http://www.cobb.k12.ga.us/~pope/information_readinglist_2008.htm .
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Parking News. Parking applications will be available through Junior homeroom teachers from May 12-16. Be aware your student is not eligible if:
§ He or she has any outstanding tickets
§ He or she has more than 6 unexcused tardies or absences
Students must return the following to the teachers by May 16:
1. Completed form
2. Signed sheet acknowledging parking rules (There are a few changes so please
be sure to read carefully). We will not be taking money at this time.
Monday July 21 and Tuesday July 22: Mark your calendars. Students must bring the following to receive a decal:
1. A copy of their license
2. A copy of their insurance
3. $50.00 parking fee in cash or a check made out to Pope High School.
All Seniors wanting a decal must complete the application process by August 12. We have limited space on the Pope Campus, and we do try to always be fair and consistent. Seniors are first to receive these privileges. Underclassman in mentorships, internships, and the RISE program are next and will receive applications the first week of school. Depending on availability, top GPA juniors and coaches choice (1 junior per sport)are eligible. August 20 is the deadline for all Juniors in 2008 to obtain a decal. Alternate decals are only given if accompanied by a parent; please make an appointment. If you have any questions please contact Jean Mason jean.mason@cobbk12.org.
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Graduation
News for
Class of 2008
Friday, May 23, at 7pm
Roswell Street Baptist Church
774 Roswell St SE, Marietta, GA
Graduation Information
- Tickets will be given after the Friday morning practice. Extra tickets are given in a lottery process after all initial tickets are given out. Please refrain from calling or emailing; we can not make any exceptions for extra tickets.
- Valedictorians, Salutatorians, and Class Officers will receive a pass to enter early at 6pm for seating in a designated reserved section.
- Handicapped persons are asked to enter at 6pm also from an HC accessible side entry; there will be students and staff there to assist. Contact john.canter@cobbk12.org if you or a family member is in need of handicapped seating
- The outer lobby where the four center entrances are located will be closed at 6:50pm as we are using all four doors for the graduates to enter. They will file in up the stairways to the seating to the side of the stage.
- If you arrive after 6:50pm, you may access the balcony by the stairs near the doors where you enter. Student ushers will assist you in finding a seat.
- Parking is limited to onsite and adjacent parking lots. Do not park at surrounding businesses.
Honors Night will be held on May 13 at 7:00pm in the Pope gym and you will receive a letter if your child is being honored that evening.
Please be sure to pay all parking tickets, lost textbooks or media fines, as your student will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony if they remain unpaid. You should receive notice of these shortly.
Senior exams are Monday, May 19, and Tuesday, May 20. Exam exemptions for those who qualify will be sent out the week prior to exams.
Graduation practices (MANDATORY) will be held for three days:
- Wednesday, 5/21, from 8:30-11:30am in the Pope Gym
- Thursday, 5/22, from 1:30-3:30 pm at Roswell Street Baptist Church.
- Friday, 5/23, the final practice will be held in the POPE Gym from 8:30 – 11:30am.
PLEASE REMEMBER practice times are fluid depending on student cooperation. The sooner they get it right, the quicker the practice will be over!!!! At the final practice, the students will receive their transcripts, honor cords they qualified for and 4 tickets each. At the end of practice, we will dismiss and hold a lottery for the remaining tickets available to students.
*****Attendance at all three practices is MANDATORY*****
Students are required to be at the Church Friday evening by 5:45pm prior to the ceremony. Please encourage them to dress appropriately and do not bring any valuables as there will be no place to store them during the ceremony. Handicapped seating, and seating for those requiring extra assistance will begin at 6pm at the side entrance of the sanctuary. One additional person with a ticket may accompany that person with seating. After the ceremony, students will receive their diplomas from their homeroom teachers and then will meet with family and friends OUTSIDE of the Church, so please arrange a meeting place ahead of time.
* * * * The Deadline for bringing the scholarship letter to Guidance is Monday, May 19, 8:30am* * * *
ATTENTION SENIORS AND SENIOR PARENTS. While guests are being seated prior to the graduation ceremony on May 23, Pope High School would like to recognize seniors who have earned a scholarship. Seniors, if you have received and accepted a scholarship, please bring your award letter to the Guidance Office. We will make a copy and include you in our presentation. In order for a student to be recognized the Guidance Office must have a copy of your award letter. We are very excited to have an opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of the Class of 2008. Please contact Mrs. Ledbetter in the Guidance Office if you have any questions.
Thank you for helping to make this a wonderful and memorable occasion for your senior.
Any questions contact either:
Ms. Clune at 770-578-7900 ext 234 or loretta.clune@cobbk12.org
Ms. Mason at 770-578-7900- 2xt 259 or jean.mason@cobbk12.org
BACCALAUREATE. The Baccalaureate is a "spiritual sending forth" of our 2008 graduates at Pope High School. It is a student-led, non-denominational service planned for Thursday, May 22, at 7:00pm. All senior students and their families are invited. The program and reception will be held at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church. A formal invitation has been mailed to each graduate and their family. At the reception hors d’oeuvres, cake, and punch will be served. If you would like to help with this evening or make a donation to defray the cost, please contact Carole Noble at 770-565-3963 or by e-mail at cptnoble@earthlink.net. A check can be made out to the “Pope High School Baccalaureate” and then given to your student’s homeroom teacher.
ADDRESS CHANGE in the school year 2007-2008. The emergency cards do NOT update your address. If your address changes during the school year, you need to send copies of 2 "proof of address change" (bills with the new address) to the Guidance office and request that they change it in SchoolMax. If you do not, once the 'forwarding' service from the post office expires, you will no longer receive Pope mail.
Attention Summer Birthdays: If you will need a Certificate of Attendance during the summer, you can apply during lunch in PPO until May 16. Ms. Reddick will process and date it effective 5/23/08, which will make it valid for the whole summer. You can pick it up on Wednesday, May 20, or Thursday, May 21, in the PPO office during lunch. If you neglect to do this, call Ms. O'Neill at 770-578-7900 to find out the summer process.
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SUMMER SCHOOL 2008 REGISTRATION!
Registration for summer school will begin Monday, April 21, and continue until Friday, May 16. The late registration date is Wednesday, June 4, from 8am until 11am at Pope High School. The summer school site will be at Walton High School this year. Pick up the registration information and materials in the guidance office.
e-High School Summer Session 2008
Registration for Cobb’s eHigh School summer session will begin on Monday, May 5, at 7am for all students, and ends at 4pm on Monday, May 19. Students wishing to take courses register online at www.cobbk12ehighschool.org. FAQ’s, student participation expectations, refund and withdrawal policies are found on the eHigh School website along with the course offerings for Summer Session 2008. A late registration will be held on Thursday, May 29, from 9am – 3pm at Wheeler HS in the Magnet Building.
Summer session classes, with the exception of Personal Fitness, will begin on Tuesday, May 27, and end Wednesday, July 9. Final exams and EOCT’s will be administered July 7 – 8. Students are required to complete a mandatory orientation online prior to the start of their course. Students registering for Personal Fitness will be required to attend the mandatory fitness pre-test and polar watch training from 5 – 8pm on Monday, May 12, or Thursday, May 15, and end on July 7 with the mandatory post-assessment session.
Tuition for .5 unit courses is $275 and $550 for a 1.0 unit course. A student staking a .5 unit course should be able to devote 15 - 20 hours per week to completing coursework. Student taking a 1 unit course should be able to devote 30 - 40 hours per week to completing coursework.
While the courses are available to students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, students and parents should be aware that there are specified deadlines for coursework and that students will also be required to attend Live Classroom instructional sessions. Students are also responsible to insure that their home computers meet the technical requirements specified on our website to be able to access and use all informational components posted in their course. Additional questions should be addressed to ehighschool@cobbk12.org.
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Freshman Orientation
Pope High School STARS Program
(Striving Towards Achieving Responsible Students)
Freshman Orientation for rising Pope High School students will be held on August 5. Students will meet in the main gym at 11:30am to begin their activities and end at 2:30pm in order to participate in Fall Madness. The program is designed to acclimate students to high school with the help of Pope Ambassadors, upperclassmen who are assigned to Freshman homerooms throughout the year.
Freshman permission slips will be available at the middle schools and on line. Upon completion, slips should be returned to their 8th grade homeroom teachers or the guidance office. All students must have a permission slip to participate. The deadline for the slips is July 25. A box will be provided in the front office of Pope High School for those students who register during the summer.
With the help of Pope Ambassadors, we hope that we can make your student’s transition into high school a rewarding experience. We look forward to meeting your students! For further information please contact Nancy Wells, nancy.wells@cobbk12.org or Marion Lister, marion.lister@cobbk12.org.
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Hound Highlights Archives. The last four issues of Hound Highlights will be posted on the following link http://popehs.typepad.com/hh/. To view click on "Hound Highlights Archive" in the right hand margin. This will shorten Hound Highlights and still provide access to past issues and information.
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PTSA NEWS
ALAN C POPE HIGH SCHOOL is certified as Parent Involvement School of Excellence!
We have one more reason to take pride in our school. National PTA has certified Pope as a Parent Involvement School of Excellence. PTA’s Parent Involvement Schools of Excellence certification recognizes schools that uphold the highest standards in parent involvement. See last week’s Hound Highlights for the complete article.
2008-2009 PTSA Board. Congratulations to the 2008-2009 PTSA Officers who was voted at the April General meeting: Co- Presidents Pam Ziskend and Becky Melton; Vice Presidents Suzanne Harman and Sue Woods; Secretaries Monica Anderson and Lisa Armitage; and Treasurer Amy Boyette.
There are Chairman Positions available for the following committees: