Message from the Principal

Dear Parents/ Guardians:

On behalf of the faculty, staff, and administration of Peninsula High School , I extend to you a sincere welcome to the 2008 – 2009 school year. You are an important member of our educational family and team. Whether you are a returning family or joining us during the school year, I urge you to embrace this new school year with enthusiasm and involvement.

Peninsula High School takes great pride in providing our students with a quality education. We strive to make our school a place that honors individual differences, nurtures self-esteem and fosters both trust and mutual respect.

In March, 2006, we earned the honor, by the California State Department of Education, of the title Model Continuation High School (2006-2011). This honor is akin to the California Distinguished School Program for the traditional high schools. The Model Continuation Recognition Award title is given to the top continuation high schools in California . We are now one of this state’s 84 continuation high schools who have received this award out of the 525 continuation high schools in the state. In that same year, at the California Continuing Education Association (CCEA) state conference, we also received the Exemplary Program Award which recognized our Counseling Intern Program. The Exemplary Program Award recognizes outstanding programs and best practices that have been created by continuation high schools to enhance the education and personal growth of ‘at risk’ students.

During 2007, we were extremely pleased to announce that Peninsula had successfully achieved a full term (six year clear) accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The announcement follows the WASC Visiting Team’s report which was prepared following their three day visit to our campus in February 2007.

The start of a new school year is an opportunity to renew a conversation around ways to demonstrate a Commitment to a New Beginning at Peninsula High School .

Some of the basics to include in this conversation are as follows:

• Attendance: Students must be in class on time to take full advantage of the opportunity to learn and accumulate credits necessary for graduation. Three tardies to class will result in a day of suspension. Please schedule all appointments after 2:00 p.m.

• Clearing Absences: Peninsula High School has an automated phone dialer system. You will receive a phone call any time from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. if your student was marked absent without an excuse for any period during the day. Clearing absences as soon as possible will prevent any unnecessary phone calls in the evening. Please call in all absences to 558-2408. A permit to leave and an admit policy is in place for legitimate period absences. If you have any questions regarding the phone calling system, or believe there has been an error, please call the attendance clerk at 558-2408.

• First Days of School: There are six entry dates at Peninsula High School . They are August 18, 2008; September 26, 2008; November 7, 2008; January 8, 2009; February 17, 2009; and March 30, 2009. School starts at 8:20 a.m. Students will receive their schedules on the first day, and there will be an orientation program for students new to Peninsula High School .

• Emergency Information:Please fill out the enclosed emergency card and return it to the school no later than your first day of school. Students are required to have emergency contacts and information on file and will be sent home if we do not have a signed emergency card.

• Late Start: Late start for students will be every Wednesday, except minimum days. The buses will pick students up one hour later on Wednesdays.

• School Calendar: The school calendar for the year is included in the School Handbook. This calendar will provide you with information regarding school holidays, minimum days and grading periods.

• Parent Conferences: Report cards for grading periods will be passed out at the Parent Site council Meetings on October 11, 2007; November 29, 2007, January 24, 2008; March 20, 2008; and April 24, 2008. May 8, 2008 will be the Graduation Parent Night. Our Back to School Night coincides with our first Parent Site Council Meeting on August 30, 2007.

• Messages for Students: There is a student message board outside of the attendance office. This board will be used for posting all non-emergency messages for students. You can leave a message for a student by calling the Attendance Office at 558-2408. In an emergency, contact the Administrative Assistant at 558-2401.

• Work Experience: If your student has a job, be sure he/she is enrolled in work experience. This program translates work into credits. If he/she is interested in some particular vocation, they should meet with the Work Experience Coordinator.

• School Community Service: All students are expected to do community service, i.e. volunteer work to gain elective credits. They should meet with the Work Experience Coordinator in the Career Center .

• Students need 50 elective credits to graduate. The majority of these credits will come from ROP classes Work Experience and Community Service. Please encourage your student to get started on these credits right away. Encourage them to meet with the Work Experience Coordinator in the Career Center as their first step.

Finally, we need your help in several other ways. If you can serve as a mentor in the above-mentioned programs, or if you use the internet at work, and have some ideas for challenging internet projects for our students, please contact the Work Experience Coordinator at 558-2433. If you would like to assist in graduation planning or you would like to join us on our Leadership Team or Site Council, please call my Administrative Assistant at 558-2401.

In conclusion, we recognize that you may have many questions about Peninsula High School . This Student-Parent handbook was written to keep you informed and involved in the home-school partnership. Should you have questions or concerns not addressed in this handbook, please feel free to visit our school or to contact me. Again, welcome! I look forward to seeing you and working with your student.

Sincerely,

Cheryl A. LeBeouf, Ed.D.

Principal