SCHOOL BEGINS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2010!!
Welcome to the 2010-11 school year. As I begin my third year as principal of Capistrano Valley High School, I am anxiously looking forward to another great school year and the chance to see our students return to school – hopefully rested and ready for a year of both academic and personal growth. Capo is truly a special place, and I am honored to serve as your principal. Below is some IMPORTANT INFORMATION that I hope you will find helpful with the opening days of school.
“BE TRUE TO YOUR SCHOOL – STAND TALL FOR CAPO”
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
LATE REGISTRATION:
Those students who missed walk-though registration can complete a modified drop-off registration in the Guidance Office this week, Monday, August 30 through Friday, September 3 between 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. each day. Students will be able to turn in forms, pay for items at the Activities Office, clear debts, and obtain a locker. ID pictures/school pictures will be taken during the first two days of school. Students who missed walk-though registration should make sure they register this week.
Freshman & New Student Orientation/Freshman Parent Orientation: Be there!
Remember – Freshman & New Student Orientation is scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, September 1st, from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. in the CVHS gym. Also, a special Freshman and New Parent Orientation, sponsored by PTSA and CVHS, will be offered at the same time in the CVHS “mall area,” which is located in the center of the main building. Please plan to attend! Remember: Freshman who attend orientation and stay for the entire program will receive their class schedules at the end of the program – a special bonus for attendees only!!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION – FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL!!
TRAFFIC ISSUES – HOW TO SURVIVE THOSE FIRST HECTIC DAYS OF SCHOOL:
Without a doubt, the first days of school always present a frustration and challenge for anxious parents and students trying to get to school on time. In an effort to assist with this issue, please consider and adhere to the following:
What we are doing to help:
1. CVHS has developed an efficient traffic flow pattern which maximizes efficiency and safety, given the constraints of our school site, streets, etc. The designated student drop-off zone is in the Upper Student Parking Lot only, and if everyone cooperates with the established traffic flow, it is both quicker and safer for everyone. Please follow the established flow of traffic.
2. Campus Supervisors, Administrators, and our School Resource Officer will be actively present during the opening days of school – to assist and help direct the flow of traffic.
3. Students may NOT be dropped off in the Staff Parking Lot due to a danger to pedestrians, traffic back-up down Via Escolar, and a traffic hazard and disruption of flow for those cars exiting from the designated student drop-off area in the Upper Student Lot.
What parents and students can do to help:
1. Remember, the first ten days of school are typically the most challenging as students and parents learn driving routes, times, etc.
2. Please leave early and allow plenty of time to get to school, especially during the first ten days. Those who leave early typically spend much less time in traffic. Also, those who pick up their students 15 minutes after the end of school will find that traffic is greatly reduced by that time.
3. Please be patient, follow all traffic flow patterns/rules; when everyone cooperates, things move more swiftly for all drivers.
4. Arrange for carpools if possible in order to help reduce overall traffic in/out of school.
5. Please be mindful of our adjacent businesses and homeowners and let’s all do our best to be good neighbors.
CLASS SCHEDULE DISTRIBUTION:
Class schedules for seniors, juniors, sophomores, and only those freshman who did NOT attend freshman orientation will be distributed in the gym on the first day of school starting at 7:15 am. Students should arrive early – at least one-half hour before their first class. THERE WILL BE NO ZERO PERIOD ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. NOTE: Those freshman who pick up their class schedule at Freshman Orientation on 9/1/10 but then later misplace or forget it should go directly to the Guidance Office to obtain a replacement schedule, as duplicate schedules will NOT be available in the gym. Replacement schedules cost 25 cents.
SCHEDULE CHANGES:
Those students who wish to request a schedule change must do so by submitting a “SCHEDULE CHANGE REQUEST” form (complete with parent signature) to the Guidance Office. Forms are available in the Guidance Office or on-line by visiting the following link: http://www.cvhs.com/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1219689535735 and then clicking on “Schedule Change Request Form.” NOTE: Specific teacher requests, or schedule change requests designed to obtain a specific teacher, cannot be accommodated. Due to the number of student requests and the hectic nature of the opening days of school, schedule requests cannot be made via telephone or e-mail; however, “SCHEDULE CHANGE REQUEST” forms received will be processed as soon as possible. NOTE: Students must continue to attend all scheduled classes until their schedule has been officially changed and they have been notified; failure to attend classes until the schedule is changed will result in truancies.
SCHOOL-INITIATED SCHEDULE CHANGES
Due to changing enrollment during the first weeks of school, as well as the need to balance class sizes, some students may receive a schedule change during the opening days of school. Please be assured that changes are only made when absolutely necessary in order to accommodate changing enrollment or the need to balance overall class sizes for the benefit of instruction and learning. Every effort will be made to make the minimum number of necessary changes as quickly as possible in order to finalize students’ schedules in a timely manner. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we work to ensure a balanced master schedule during the first few hectic days of the school year.
**WEBSITE REMINDERS:
CVHS Guidance Website Resources:
Perhaps the best source of guidance information for parents and students can be found on the Capistrano Valley High School website at: www.cvhs.com For guidance information relating to college, scholarships, testing, careers, and general information, simply click on the following link http://www.cvhs.com/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1219689535735 and then use the Guidance menu options on the left side of the page, or just visit the CVHS website at www.cvhs.com and then click on the “Guidance” page link at the top.
CVHS Curriculum Guide NOW Available On-line!!
The CVHS Guidance Team is pleased to announce that annual revisions were completed for the CVHS 2010-11 Curriculum Guide, and the Guide is NOW available for download on-line in order to help parents and students answer important questions about course offerings, high school graduation, and college entrance requirements. The Guide is an excellent parent resource and is also distributed every year to incoming freshmen as a part of the registration process. To download or view the Guide, please visit the following link: http://www.cvhs.com/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1274683267366 and then click on “Curriculum Guide.”
ENJOY THE LAST WEEK OF SUMMER; WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON!!
Deni Christensen
Principal
Capistrano Valley High School
Education is a work of heart.
