Buccaneer Family Bulletin
Gulf High School July 18, 2022
~ Back to School Issue ~
Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence
Principal's Corner
Greetings Bucs!
It's incredible to believe, but this year Gulf High School is 100 years old! We are gearing up for celebrations throughout the school year - some during school; others at evening events. You and your student will be a part of this momentous occasion.
There is a lot of information for you in this Buccaneer Family Bulletin. Please read through carefully, click and follow links, download fliers, and come back to the Bulletin when you want to have another look at the details.
We are embarking on a brand new school year filled with opportunity. All of us at Gulf High School are eager to see our students return and help them grow academically and as members of our community.
Always remember that our students and families are important members of our Buccaneer Nation. The administration, counselors, teachers, and staff are here for every student and parent/guardian. Our goal is your success and well-being.
As we celebrate our 100 year legacy, remember we can achieve great things together as long as we are Sailing the Rising Tide ~ Reaching New Horizons.
-Mr. Morgenstein
School Supplies
- Book bag or backpack
- 2" binder with dividers
- Notebook paper - college ruled or high school ruled
- Notebook - with perforated edges so pages can be removed cleanly
- Black or blue ink pens
- Pencils
- Colorful markers - fine-tip for color marking text
- Highlighter(s)
- Pocket folders
As well, we are pleased to say that Gulf High School keeps supplies on hand for classrooms and to restock students' needs when they run out!
Important Dates Quarter 1
- July 28, 2022: Freshman Orientation 8am to 11am -- See Below (Freshman students, parents, and guardians only!)
- August 5, 2022: On-Campus & Virtual Orientation/Meet the Teacher (see entry below)
- August 8, 2022: Elementary Schools - Meet the Teacher
- August 10, 2022: First day of classes for students - Plan to arrive before 8am!
- August 16, 2022: Title I Annual Meeting 6pm cafeteria
- September 5, 2021: Labor Day - No classes for students
- September 7, 2022: Early Release Day (Dismissal at 12:30am)
- September 9, 2022: Progress Reports Available on myStudent
- September 16, 2022: Alumni Football Game (An Official GHS 100th Anniversary Celebration)
- September 19-23, 2022: Homecoming Week / Football Game 9/23
- September 24, 2022: Homecoming Dance
- October 5, 2022: Early Release Day (Dismissal at 12:30am)
- October 14, 2022: End of Quarter 1
- October 17, 2022: Teacher Planning Day - No classes for students
- October 25, 2022: Quarter 1 Report Cards Available on myStudent
Student Planner
Parents/guardians should ask to see their student's planner each day or week and talk through the work they are required to do, assignments and readings to prepare, and studying for tests.
And if you discover that your student isn't using the planner to write all this down, we urge you to set the expectation so you can work together at home for your child's success.
Celebrate Success with Bucs Bucks!
When our students are "caught" being excellent GHS Buccaneers, staff members will recognize them with Bucs Bucks. These are used to spin the Captain's Wheel each Friday for prizes and collectibles.
This just another way we celebrate students who are making the most of learning and being a great citizen of our school!
BE PRESENT ~ BE ENGAGED
BE RESPECTFUL ~ BE SUCCESSFUL
Stay Informed By Text Message
Here at Gulf, we do our best to send you important information about everything going on. These come to you by phone and email, but can also arrive by text message. Just address a new text message to 67587 and write Yes in the body of the text. Then hit Send. It's that easy and you won't miss out on the great things happening at Gulf High School.
Registration / Orientation / Meet the Teacher 8am to 2pm August 5
ON-CAMPUS ORIENTATION and MEET THE TEACHER
On August 5th, we will host Registration/Orientation Day and visitors will have an opportunity to see where classrooms are located and stop in to say "hello" to teachers.
8:00am to 2:00pm - Please begin in the Commons and continue into the Cafeteria
Families will begin by completing the Emergency Contact information, then the Lunch Form. After that, move through to pick up schedules. Families will have the opportunity to get bus, athletics, and community information, and pay fees.
Our student and parent portals are open for you to go in, review and acknowledge some information from Pasco County Schools, pay school fees, download schedules, check bus information, and be ready to start the new school year off right!
Do you have a myPascoConnect/myStudent account to see your student's courses and grades online? If not, click here to set one up! And please update all emergency contact information on myStudent.
Get started by downloading the documents that follow:
FRESHMAN ORIENTATION JULY 28
On July 28th from 8am to 11am, we welcome our freshman students and parents/guardians to our Freshman Orientation.
Please join us as we welcome you to your campus! We'll provide you with quick insight on high school life and answer questions you might have about your next four years.
You'll engage in a powerful presentation followed by refreshments and a scavenger hunt!
During this time, you'll also be able to register early and receive your schedule (subject to revision).
We look forward to seeing the Class of 2026 on July 28th at 8am. Please park in front of the building along School Road or access the student parking field entrance on George Road halfway between School and Cecelia.
Our Bell Schedule for 2022-23
Gulf High School has a revised bell schedule for our day together. Please make note of the times below. Students will need to be at their bus stops ahead of the scheduled arrival of the bus. Upon arrival at school, students should get their breakfast and be in class by the 8:10am late bell.
STUDENTS: Do not come down for breakfast after the bell. Make it a priority to be in your assigned seat on time please!
Anyone who arrives late to school must check in at the front office and receive a pass to class. If the student arrives with an excused note from home or a doctor, the entry will be "Tardy-Excused." Otherwise, the arrival is "Tardy-Unexcused."
Rules for Dress & Appearance
Our goal is that each student arrives on campus ready to learn. This includes being dressed appropriately for learning.
When leaving the house for school each day, check that your student's clothing adheres to our dress code.
In its simplest form, clothing should cover the body and not be full of holes. The top you're wearing should overlap the waist of the bottoms. There shouldn't be any offensive art or writing on clothes. No hats, hoods, or other types of head coverings are permitted (except for documented medical or religious purposes).
Download a copy below, read it carefully, and get ALL the details.
Building Passes
Gulf High School will again be using the eHallpass system this year. The electronic eHallpass MUST be paired with a lanyard classroom pass.
- Students may download the eHallpass app or log in through myPascoConnect and select the app on their dashboard.
- Students must first ask permission from the teacher to be allowed to use the bathroom, go to the clinic, see a counselor, or visit the office.
- No passes during the first 10 minutes of class - to allow learning to get started for all.
- Once okayed by the teacher, the student will use a personal device (phone or tablet) to initiate the pass with location and purpose. (The teacher can also do this on a computer.)
- The teacher will approve the pass on his/her own computer or device.
- If the system says that the student cannot have a pass at that moment, please wait patiently about 5 more minutes or so until there is less congestion around the building and request again.
- No student may be out of class during instructional time without an approved eHallpass AND must carry the classroom lanyard pass for that teacher.
- Approved locations are: Upstairs -or- Downstairs -or- 300 Building bathrooms; Clinic; Front Office; Media Center; Student Services (Guidance) or a specific teacher's room.
- Students who arrive late to school must check in at the front office. Send your student with a note justifying lateness otherwise it will be an "unexcused tardy." Students will be sent to class on an eHallpass from the office indicating "excused" or "unexcused" status. Patterns of lateness will receive an appropriate consequence. This may include loss of parking privileges for student drivers.
- Students may not leave class to go to the vending machines during class time. Please be respectful of this rule!
Bus Transportation
Hello, this is transportation services calling to inform you that beginning today bus pass information will be available in the myStudent portal.
As a reminder, Pasco County Schools eliminated Courtesy Ridership at middle and high school levels. Florida Statutes and Administrative Code provide that transportation is provided when students live two miles or more from their school. The state does not provide funding for students living less than two miles from the school based on the belief that two miles is a reasonable distance for families to plan their own transportation to schools.
We wanted to remind you of this for planning purposes. Please check the parent portal if you are expecting a bus pass. Thank you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We Take Personal Health & Safety Seriously
No Drugs or Alcohol
No Vaping, Tobacco, or Marijuana
No Weapons of Any Kind
Not Permitted Anywhere on Our Campus --- Students or Visitors --- Leave it Home
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lunches and Seating
As part of 4th period, we will have three lunches of 30-minutes each with passing time built around them. Your schedule tells you which lunch you have - A, B or C - and what time is lunch and what time is class.
STUDENTS MUST REMAIN ON CAMPUS
And remember: Gulf High School is a closed campus. No one is permitted to leave during the day. We are all here from arrival to departure at the end of your scheduled class day. This includes lunches.
Students may not go out to the parking lot or any vehicles - their own or another person's.
NO MEAL DELIVERIES PERMITTED
We do not permit food deliveries from services such as DoorDash, UberEats, GrubHub or others. Nor do we allow delivery of food from outside restaurants - whether delivered or brought by parents/guardians. Delivery drivers will be sent away from campus and not permitted to unload. Family members should send students to school with their meals. Please do not drop by with bags of food to be delivered to your student. It will be held in the office until the end of day. This includes the bringing of treats, birthday cakes, or other items for a type of "in school celebration" - with their friends Please plan celebrations for after school hours.
Thank you!
CAFETERIA GUIDELINES
Cleaning Our cafeteria is sanitized each day and tables cleaned with germicide between each lunch period. We've installed hand sanitizer dispensers across campus - in the cafeteria as well. We encourage hand-washing and custodians check soap dispensers throughout the day.
Must be Seated All students will be required to be seated at lunchtime. No one is permitted to be standing up or walking when eating their food or snacks (at lunch or during passing periods). There is NO wandering about or going back and forth between areas.
Cafeteria and Patio Students in all grades may eat in the cafeteria. Juniors and Seniors only may eat on the Patio. No going back and forth.
Media Center The Media Team will approve special eHallpass "Appointment Passes" for students they allow in for Academic Study Hall during lunch. Passes are limited in number. Stay seated in your assigned seat. To request a pass, stop by the Media Center if you wish to use that space for a quiet study hall during your assigned lunch.
Tutoring in the Classroom Some teachers may choose to allow students to eat in their classroom for lunch tutoring. If you have a teacher who offers this, please express your gratitude by being polite and keeping the room clean. The teachers who offer this will issue eHallpass "Appointment Passes," limited in number. Stay seated in your assigned seat. Remember: These teachers are giving up their lunch break to be with you, so be kind!
End of Day Dismissal
There are two areas for afternoon bus service:
- Front bus loop
- Basketball court bus area
Students should know their bus route and where to board.
Get right on your bus or head directly home please! No one is permitted to gather on campus after dismissal unless with a teacher or coach for school-related activities.
Parking Permits - Vehicles on Campus
Student parking is a privilege and granted only under certain circumstances. The privilege may be rescinded at any time by decision of the administration or School Resource Officer.
- To apply for a Gulf High School student parking permit, visit the Student Parking webpage.
- Students must successfully complete the "Safe Behind the Wheel" course, download, print, and retain their certificate.
- Students must complete the Student Parking application, upload all required documents for review, and pay the appropriate fees.
- Students must have their approved current year parking permit displayed in their vehicle in order to park on campus.
- Unauthorized vehicles are subject to booting, ticketing, and/or towing at the owner's expense.
- Parking permits are NOT transferable.
- Parking for students is ONLY permitted at the student lot that is entered from George Street. No student may park anywhere along School Road or lots in front of the school.
IMPORTANT: From August 10 through August 26, students may park without the approved permit. Beginning August 29, 2022, only authorized vehicles will be permitted.
Student Email - Get Set Up Now!
Parent Linked Account to myLearning (Canvas)
Click HERE and then click where it says "Parent of a Canvas User?"
Use the link above to connect with your student's account. This will give you the ability to review assignments, progress, and offer encouragement to your student. As well, you can use what you see on myLearning and in the gradebook called myStudent to reach out to teachers and discuss your child's efforts in school.
Navigating High School Resources
Click to see the Navigating High School Page
Visitors To Campus
(727) 774-3330 if you need to make an appointment to come to school.
All visitors must
- Be in good health
- Come to the front office for check-in
- Remain in a designated location as directed during the visit (ex. front office, student services)
NO DELIVERIES We do not permit food deliveries from services such as DoorDash, UberEats, GrubHub or others. Nor do we allow delivery of food from outside restaurants - whether delivered or brought by parents/guardians. Delivery drivers will be sent away from campus and not permitted to unload. Family members should send students to school with their meals. Please do not drop by with bags of food to be delivered to your student. It will be held in the office until the end of day. This includes the bringing of treats, birthday cakes, or other items for a type of "in school celebration" - with their friends. Please plan celebrations for after school hours.
Students may not go out to vehicles of any sort - their own or visitors'.
JESSICA LUNSFORD ACT COMPLIANCE For your peace of mind, please know that any workers contracted to be on the GHS school campus when students are here must pass a background check consistent with the Jessica Lunsford Act. Any others must remain beyond our gated learning spaces.
VOLUNTEERS As well, all volunteers must be pre-screened by Pasco County Schools through an application found here. We welcome you to apply to be a Gulf High School Volunteer!
Join the GHS School Advisory Council
We value your commitment as either a family member or business partner. If you are interested in being part of this valuable team, please contact Mrs. Drury at ldrury@pasco.k12.fl.us.
INFORMATION about millage referendum August 23
As part of the August 23, 2022 primary election, Pasco County registered voters will have the opportunity to vote regarding a proposed referendum to add up to one mill with the full funding going to the school district for the exclusive use of increasing the salaries of teachers, instructional support staff, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians, and any employee who is NOT an administrator. The school board is requesting this millage in order to attract and retain outstanding teachers and other employees by paying them a competitive salary instead of losing fresh talent to neighboring districts or companies that pay more.
Citizens are encouraged to learn about this referendum and consider all information relating to supporting non-administrative school employees. Visit the information page for Lift Up Pasco to find out more!
#gulfhighschoolstrong
About Us
Email: jmorgens@pasco.k12.fl.us
Website: http://ghs.pasco.k12.fl.us
Location: 5355 School Road, New Port Richey FL 34652
Phone: (727) 774-3300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GulfHighSchool/
Twitter: @GulfHSPrincipal