Principal's Message - 2010-11
Dear Buccaneer Family,
As you read this edition of the newsletter you are keenly aware that there remain but a few short days of summer before students return to Mainland High School for the 2010-2011 school year. I want you to know that the leadership team has been working hard to put programs, activities, and policies into place so that every student will have a great Buccaneer year!
I would like to take this opportunity to share some new policies that will go into effect this year and other policies that are not new, but represent some very important, “need to know” information for parents and students. Some of the policies are in place due to the budget challenges we face as a school system, new legislative policies that go into effect this school year, and yet others as a result of our concern for the safety and security of our students, and what has been determined to give each student the opportunity to excel in their academics. Here is an overview of the things you will find to be in place at Mainland High School this year:
- Current legislation, the class size amendment, and the ongoing budget crisis will indeed impact the way we do business. Because core classes (science, social studies, math, language arts, and foreign language) are restricted to 25 students in each section, there will be little opportunity for students to request schedule changes. Once the master schedule is set, any movement that alters the 1 to 25 ratio will put the school into non-compliance resulting in huge fines from the state. In short, what this means is that except in rare and deliberate cases (graduation requirements), requests for schedule changes will not be granted.
- There is a new tardy policy in place for the new school year. Details of that policy, which will be strictly enforced, will be reviewed with your student and sent home in writing to you with other important information during the first week of school. This paperwork will also include an emergency information card that needs to be filled out and returned to the school as quickly as possible.
- The lunch policy at Mainland High School allows juniors and seniors only to leave campus for lunch with parental permission and no outstanding financial or textbook obligation to the school. Any student leaving for lunch must have the proper ID stamped and in their possession before leaving campus. Both the school and the parent have the right to revoke a student’s lunch privilege at any time.
- You can apply NOW for Free and Reduced meals by going to www.myvolusiaschools.org click school way café’/meal application. This procedure is faster and more accurate than the paper application.
All students will be required to wear their ID so that it is visible. This rule is in place for the safety and organization of our campus.
Finally, I would like to share some important dates. Our first School Advisory Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 31 at 5:30 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room on campus. All parents are invited to attend where information for joining the council will be available. Also mark your calendars for Open House on Thursday, September 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
On the first day of school, Monday, August 16, students can begin picking up their final schedules at 7:00 AM in the Vince Carter Athletic Center. School starts at 7:35 AM. See you there!
In Buc Pride,
Cheryl A. Salerno
(386) 258-4665