Dear Students and Parents of the Class of 2018,

Welcome to Voorhees High School.  In a few short weeks, you will begin a very exciting and rewarding high school career.  In the next four years, you will have many and varied opportunities for growth and success in academics, co-curricular activities, and student government.  I encourage you to get involved right from the start.  You will find that participation in one or more of these areas will add to your high school experience. The weeks and months ahead will be challenging, but please be assured that we will provide you with encouragement and support in every way possible. 

We have scheduled an orientation program for freshmen on Wednesday, August 27 beginning at 9:45AM in our auditorium.  On that day, a bus will pick you up at your bus stop exactly two hours later than the time indicated on the bus pass you will receive under separate cover. Lunch will be available in the cafeteria on orientation day.  Traditional lunches are offered at $3.00 and Featured Favorites Lunches, including salads and Boar’s Head deli sandwiches, at $4.00.  Students may also bring a lunch from home.  Drinks will be available for sale. The program will conclude at 3:10 PM at which time a bus will take you home.

All students will report for a full day of school on Thursday, August 28. First period, which includes homeroom, begins at 7:45AM. Freshmen who did not attend Freshmen Orientation are to report to the Back Gym to receive their schedules.

Student IDs

Students at Voorhees are required to carry photo identification badges.  You will be photographed early in the school year and provided with a badge as soon as they are processed.

PTSO

The Parent Teacher Student Organization plays a vital role at Voorhees.  One of its most important functions is Project Graduation.  Through a series of fundraisers during the school year, the PTSO provides a substance-free night of celebration for our seniors following graduation.  Click here for membership form.  Please join and lend your support to this very important organization.

Parent/Student Handbook

The Parent-Student Handbook will be available on the Voorhees website. We encourage you to become familiar with the information contained in this reference.  Of particular note, please read over the attendance policy, the dress code, and the electronic devices policies. These are areas that raise many questions every year for freshmen and their parents.

Most of the information we will provide you with throughout the year will be disseminated on-line.  If you do not have access to the Internet, please advise us so that we can be sure to mail information to you.

New Student Database

During the summer, the district changed our student database from School Logic to ASPEN.  Detailed information about this new service will be coming soon from the district office in a separate message.

Technology Acceptable Use Policy

Every student will be assigned a password that will provide access to the Internet. Before a password is issued, each student and his/her parent must sign the Acceptable Use form – click here.  Please have your child return this form to his/her homeroom teacher the first day of school.

Calendar

A link to the district calendar is available on the Voorhees homepage.  For school event information, please visit “Today’s Activities” located on the Voorhees homepage on the right hand side.  We encourage you to mark the dates of important school events throughout the year.

“Meet the Teachers Night”

“Meet the Teachers Night” will be held on Tuesday, September 9 at 7:00PM.  This program is intended to provide an opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and receive an overview of the curriculum. The program is not intended for one-on-one conferences.  If necessary, conferences may be scheduled through your child’s guidance counselor.

Random Substance Testing

The North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District Board of Education has adopted a random substance testing policy. All students who participate in a co-curricular activity not required for graduation are subject to random substance testing. Any student planning to participate in a co-curricular activity must submit the consent form signed by his or her parent or guardian, to be eligible for participation – click here for form.  This form must be returned to the school on or before the first day of participation in an activity. Forms can be given to your child’s homeroom teacher or to Mrs. Bonavita in the athletic office.  If you have any questions, feel free to call me at 638-6116.

Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

Harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) of any kind are not tolerated at Voorhees High School. The complete Board of Education policy on HIB (#5512) can be found on the Voorhees and district websites.

Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application

If your child qualifies for Free and Reduced Price School Meals, please click here to read the letter and access the application.  Completed applications should be returned to Mrs. Schaible in the main office.

TEACHNJ Act

On August 6, 2012, Governor Christie signed into law the TEACHNJ Act, which requires implementation of new educator evaluation systems beginning in 2013-14. Districts must comply with elements of TEACHNJ – as well as other statutory requirements.

One of the requirements is that teachers, with approval from their principals, set Student Growth Objectives (SGOs) for their students at the start of the year and are assessed on whether those objectives are met at the end of the year. National, state, or district-developed assessments should be used where available to identify the measurable goals for each objective. Teachers also may use collaboratively developed assessments for SGOs, including portfolios of student work. Teachers are required to set at least two SGOs for the 2014-2105 school year.

Please understand that due to these requirements our students will be given pre-assessments in most, if not all, of their classes during the first weeks of school.  These pre-assessments will be used as a formative tool to measure growth and will not affect the student’s grade. 

Again, on behalf of the faculty and staff, I welcome you to Voorhees High School.  I look forward to meeting you on August 27.  Until then, enjoy the remainder of your summer.

Sincerely,

Ronald J. Peterson

Principal