Welcome to
Methacton High School
Class of 2016
Who’s Who?
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Judy Landis- Principal
Dan Bontempo- Assistant Principal
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Jamie Gravinese- Assistant Principal
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9th grade: Gr-Pf; 10th grade
Karey Kochenour- Assistant Principal
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9th grade: A- Go; 11th grade: A-Li; 12th grade: LL-Z
9th grade: Ph-Z; 11th grade: Ll-z; 12th grade: A-Li
Paul Spiewak- Assistant Principal
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Athletics and Activities
Student/Parent Handbook
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Located online at High School’s website
Contains the school’s policies and regulations,
important dates, phone numbers and extensions
and attendance information
ALL students and parents must complete the
online signature survey.
If you have an academic concern or question
please contact the teacher first
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First initial and last name @ methacton.org
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Ex. jgravinese@methacton.org
Attendance
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When your child is going to be absent we do require that
a parent or guardian call our 24 hour number
(610-489-5000 ext. 25037).
If we do not get a call or note regarding the absence
within 24 hours, the absence is considered unexcused.
When your child is late and you must drop them off, be
aware that the Attendance Office is at the flagpole
entrance to the building. This is the only accessible door
to the building and to be used for drop-off and pick-up.
Tardy to School
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Handbook Highlight
“Students who are late must bring in a signed note from their
parents explaining the lateness. Notes from parents must be
brought in within one day. After three parent notes have been
submitted during one semester regarding illness, the student must
bring in a doctor’s or dentist’s note verifying any illness in order for
the tardy to be excused. All lateness to school is unexcused or
unlawful, except for the following reasons: medical illness, death in
the immediate family or other family emergency, and religious
holidays. OVERSLEEPING, CAR TROUBLE, CLOCK FAILURE,
MISSED BUS, ETC. ARE UNEXCUSED OR UNLAWFUL.” (pg. 18)
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After the third unexcused lateness, detention will be
issued.
Early Dismissal from School
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Handbook Highlight
“When a student must be excused from school prior to the
end of the school day, the student must present a note
specifying the reason for the early dismissal from the parent
to the Attendance Office during homeroom. If a note is not
presented to the Attendance office before the end of
homeroom then a parent/guardian must come in to the signout the student at the time of dismissal.” (pg. 19)
“After three parent notes have been submitted for one
semester dismissing a student early from school for a medical
visit, a doctor or dentist note is required to validate the
dismissal. If it becomes necessary to leave because of illness
or any other valid reason, permission must be obtained from
an administrator or the school nurse. The student cannot
make these arrangements themselves.” (pg. 19)
Cell Phones
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We do not permit the use of cell phones in
class.
Encourage your child to turn off their cell
phones and keep them away during the
school day (7:30 – 2:20).
Please remember that we do not promote
bringing cell phones to school and any
instance of theft or loss of phones is not the
responsibility of the school.
Discipline
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Typically, the teacher will write a referral,
submit it to us, and we will conference with
the student.
The discipline is progressive in nature.
Please be aware that administrative
discretion may be used depending upon the
severity of the incident and/or the student’s
disciplinary record.
Bullying
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Handbook Highlight
“Bullying means any intentional written, electronic, verbal or
physical act or actions against another person that a reasonable
person under the circumstances should know will have the effect
of:
1. Substantial interference with a student’s education.
2. Creation of a threatening environment.
3. Substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the
school.
Bullying, as defined in this policy, includes cyberbullying.
The Board encourages students who have been bullied or
harassed to promptly report such incident(s) to an administrator,
teacher, counselor, or nurse so the incident(s) can be
investigated promptly, and corrective action be taken when
allegations are substantiated.” (pg. 28)
Restorative Practices
The science of building social capital and achieving
social discipline through participatory learning and
decision-making. Restorative Practices provides a
more useful way of looking at school discipline than
the limited punitive-permissive continuum – to
punish or not to punish. The positive relationships
created by Restorative Practices helps reduce
incidents of bullying as it defines and distinguishes
bullying from other problematic behaviors. Bullying
is addressed “on the spot,” consistency is ensured
among the staff, and the opportunity to intervene
early is provided so the initial bullying type behaviors
can be addressed.
Appearance
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The following are examples of items considered inappropriate in
Methacton School District:
Bare midriff, low-cut, revealing or any see-through clothing.
Bathing suits, tops or trunks.
Chains, spikes, metal work on boots, pants, shirts, jackets, clothing or
accessories.
Clothing/jewelry displaying patches/slogans/pictures which suggest the
use of alcohol, and/or drugs, which contain obscene or offensive
language, or depict sexual, violent or illegal behavior.
Footwear that leaves marks or abrasions on floor surfaces.
Hats, caps, headbands, other head coverings and sunglasses.
Ragged, holey, or cut-off clothing.
Skirts and shorts of inappropriate length (appropriate length would be
shorts with a 4-inch inseam and skirts that are fingertip length).
Sleeveless and off-the-shoulder shirts.
Spandex, tight clothing or ill-fitting garments
Additional Information
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Lockers – Encourage your child to not bring expensive belongings to school.
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Late Bus – We do not have one. Alternative
transportation must be arranged on your own.
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Cafeteria – debit system – set up online
Back-to-School Night – Tuesday, September 18 from 6:30 – 9 p.m.
th
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Interim Dates – 10/5, 12/13, 3/4, 5/10
Report Card Distribution Dates – 11/12, 1/30, 4/15, 6/20
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Mid-Term Exam week – January 23rd through January 28th
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Website – www.methacton.org
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 Respect - Character building assembly programs are scheduled throughout the
school year to motivate students to excel in the classroom and help them develop
positive relationships with their peers.
 Responsibility - All freshmen students will receive an internet safety supplement in
their agenda books. Also, A bi-monthly freshmen newsletter (FR@MEWORK) is
distributed to all freshmen students.
 Rigor – The CSR is available during the day, before and after school by
appointment.
 Relationships - A student ambassador will meet your student today at orientation.
The ambassadors will serve as positive role models, motivators, and teachers who
will guide the freshmen to discover what it takes to be successful in high school.
 FR@ME G@ME NIGHT
Parent Portal
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Directions on how to sign-up will be on the
information table outside the auditorium
following the presentation.
OR, go to www.methacton.org and select
Parent Web Portal and the instructions will
follow.
Once the paperwork is completed and you
are assigned a pin number, you can check
your child’s grades on-line from anywhere.
The Most Important Ingredient – You!
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High school students need their parents to be
interested and involved in their academic
progress.
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Insist on daily attendance.
See all interim reports (Parent Portal) and report
cards.
Deal effectively with homework (encourage
son/daughter to e-mail teacher with questions or
concerns).
Be aware and be informed
Be involved – FR@ME, Home & School, Post-Prom
Guidance
Mr. PeckA-Co
 Mrs. Millrood- Cr- Go
 Mr. Midgley- Gr-Li
 Mr. Ruminski- Ll-Pf
 Ms. OlitskyPh-S
 Mrs. Hartson- T-Z
Guidance Secretaries:
 Ms. Fisher, Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Lowery
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Athletics and Activities- Mr. Spiewak
Welcome
to Methacton
High School’s
Club Activities & Sports
Programs
Our Mission:
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The mission of the Methacton High School
Activity/Athletic department is to create an
environment that maximizes student
participation, supports academic progress, and
promotes physical, and social development. It
is expected that all participants display
competitive spirit, outstanding sportsmanship,
and exemplary character throughout the year.
Our Goals:
1. Develop the students individual skill level
within the framework of the club/team concept.
2. Demonstrate a positive impact on the
community of the Methacton School District.
3. Meet individual and club/team goals for
academic progress.
4. Create a forum for our students to graduate
our clubs and teams as more mature, more
responsible, more prepared young adults.
Location of our office
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are located by the east
wing entrance to the high
school just past the
cafeteria
Our Staff:
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Assistant Principal to Athletics and Activities:
- Mr. Paul Spiewak (610) 489-5093
pspiewak@methacton.org
Assistant to the Athletic Director:
- Mrs. Debbie Bennett (610) 489-5054
dbennett@methacton.org
Athletic Trainer:
- Mr. Zach Murray
(610) 489-5022
zmurray@methacton.org
Methacton High School
Activity Clubs
2012 – 2013
Clubs
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Art Honor Society
Student Athletic Trainer’s Club
Band – Marching/Jazz/Concert/Percussion/Color Guard
Class of 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Dance Company
Dance Team
Debate - Mock Trials
Electric Car Club
Environmental Club
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
French Club
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
GSA: Gay Straight Alliance
Clubs Continued
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German Club
Honor Society
Key Club
Kids Against Crisis
Knitting Club
Leo Club
Model United Nations
Multicultural Awareness Club
Muse Poetry Club & Literary Magazine
Newspaper
Chamber Orchestra
Full Orchestra, Pit Orchestra, String Orchestra
Peer Connection
Pokemon Club
Clubs Continued
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Reading Olympics
Red Cross
Robotics Club
SADD
Science Fair Club
Ski Club
Spanish Club
Student Council
Theatre Company
The Tribe
Tri-M Music Honor Society
Video Club
Warrior Performance Group
Yearbook
Methacton High School
Sports Programs
2012 – 2013
-There are 49 athletic teams at Methacton
High School
-The following sports offer freshman
teams as well as varsity and JV teams:
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Football
Boys’ Soccer
Girls’ Field Hockey
Baseball
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Softball
Boys’ Basketball
Girls’ Basketball
MALE
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Fall Sports
Football
Junior Varsity Football
Freshman Football
Soccer
Junior Varsity Soccer
Freshman Soccer
Cross-Country
Golf (Co-Ed)
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FEMALE
Field Hockey
JV Field Hockey
Freshman Field Hockey
Tennis
Junior Varsity Tennis
Cross Country
Volleyball
JV Volleyball
Cheerleading
JV Cheerleading
Soccer
JV Soccer
Winter Sports
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MALE
Basketball
Junior Varsity
Basketball
Freshman Basketball
Swimming and Diving
Wrestling
Junior Varsity
Wrestling
Indoor Track
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Female
Basketball
Junior Varsity Basketball
Freshman Basketball
Swimming and Diving
Cheerleading
JV Cheerleading
Indoor Track
MALE
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Spring Sports
Baseball
Junior Varsity
Baseball
Freshman Baseball
Track & Field
Varsity Lacrosse
Junior Varsity
Lacrosse
Tennis
Junior Varsity Tennis
Female
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Softball
Junior Varsity Softball
Freshman Softball
Track & Field
Lacrosse
Junior Varsity Lacrosse
Freshman Lacrosse
Required Paperwork
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The required paperwork for athletic participation
to be turned in at tryouts includes:
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Physical Form- Also called a CIPPE, which refers to
“Comprehensive Initial Pre-Physical Evaluation”
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CIPPE must be dated after June 1st, 2011, and is good for
one school year. Recertification's are not accepted.
Sports Eligibility Packet- Will need to be completed
for each sport.
Handouts Available!!!
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Directions to Opponents Event Sites
Coaches Listing
“Importance of HS Sports” packet
Listing of Sports & Clubs
School Resource Officer
Officer Mark Stead,
Lower Providence Police Department
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Student Assistance Program
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What is SAP?
(Student Assistance Program)
SAP is a process that helps students who are experiencing
problems that interfere with learning, such as
depression
emotional difficulties
peer conflict
alcohol
tobacco
other drugs
Students are connected to existing services and/or community
resources that will help the student to overcome their problems.
SAP Continued
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How Are Students Referred to the SAP?
Students can be referred by fellow students,
staff, parents, community members, and self.
All referrals are kept strictly confidential.
Contact a counselor, a SAP team member, or
refer online
Forms are also available outside of the
Guidance Office, the Nurses' Office, or the
Athletic Office.
Community Service
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30 hours = .25 school credit
College application
Employment
Helping others
Community Service
 Community
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service web page
www.methacton.org
Select a school –High school
Click on Students/Community
Service
 Verification
forms
 mgallagher@methacton.org
Home and School
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Sandy Leistensnider
Post Prom
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Kim Beam
Karen Kilgour
Come Join Us on our
World Tour!!!!!
We Need You!!!!!
What is
Post Prom?
A NIGHT OF FUN FOR EVERYONE!
Life’s A
Beach…
Have a Ball!
Post Prom 2012
Theme
CASINO!
Trike Races
Prizes
Galore!
Dodgeball & Volleyball Tournaments
New in 2012 –
LASER TAG!!!!!
INFLATABLES
FOOD
Making Memories…….
More Food!!!
Just having fun……
Black Light Hallway
WATCH THE TRAM CAR PLEASE………
Relax in our All Night Coffee House
Amazing Decorations!
Unbelievable!!!!!!
Sunset Cafe
Arcade Games
Now
Playing
WANTED: Creative Go-Getter to
Lead our Decorating Team of
Volunteers – no experience necessary!!!
What does it take?
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Approximately 400 Adult Volunteers
 Approximately $40,000
Who does it benefit?
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OUR STUDENTS!!!!
Come join our team and help to keep over 800
young adults safe on prom night – one of the
riskiest nights in the life of a teen.
We can’t do it without
Y O U!!
There’s a committee for EVERYONE
Current Committee Chair Openings:
DECORATING
INFLATABLES
CASINO/GAME ROOM
BASKET RAFFLES/SILENT AUCTION
VOLUNTEER! DONATE! SUPPORT OUR
FUNDRAISERS!
The Dates
Kick Off Meeting October 18th
 Monthly Committee Meetings
 Decorating Committee Meets Tuesday
Evenings
 Adult Fundraiser February 9, 2013
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 POST
PROM Friday, April 26, 2013
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Golf Outing, July, 2013
Looking forward to seeing
you!!!!!
Merci! Danke! Toda! Grazie!
Dziekuje! Arigato! Sukria!
Gracias! Do jeh!
Questions?