Lee Joffre (principal) started the evening out with thanking all of the parents and students for coming to the orientation (Monday night) and said that we are here to tell you about what is new and what our expectations are for the junior and senior classes.

Joffre went on to talk about some of the new changes that are going to take place. First, school will start at 7:55 am and end at 3:00 pm. Joffre explained that this will decrease the amount of time that students will be missing from classes for events they participate in.

He went on to say there will be new virtual computers for students, new computers for teachers, mimeo boards for classrooms (like smart boards), new science tables in the labs which makes for a nicer work environment, an additional Ag barn for projects, replacement instruments for band and picnic tables with umbrellas so students can eat outside.

Expectations from students was the next topic discussed. Attendance and punctuality is expected as well as completing assignments on time. They are encouraging students to try to schedule appointments for after school.

Saturday school will continue twice per every six weeks. Joffre said Saturday school was very effective last year so it will be continued this year.

He also said that learning increases when students behave but when they don’t there will be after school detention, ISS, OSS, corporal punishments and DAEP. Joffre explained, corporal punishment is swats with a paddle. He said he will speak to the parents first before this would happen and hopefully he and the parents could figure something out because this is not his favorite punishment. But if it is needed it will be given.

Incentives for good behavior were also discussed. For good behavior they have come up with some types of rewards like special trinkets to encourage the kids to exhibit good behavior.

There will be incentives for good attendance also. For 100 percent attendance awards will also be given out. Special passes and ice cream socials things along those lines.

There will be a Gold Performance award. To earn this the students will achieve and maintain an attendance rate of 95% or higher, attendance will be measured each six week grading periods and the award will begin after the first six weeks. The students also must have acquired 18 or more required credits toward graduation, maintain a discipline report with zero DAEP placements and no more than two ISS placements during the school year, will pass all exit level TAKS tests and must take an ACT or SAT test.

The awards for these excellent achievements will be free on campus parking, a recognition cord to wear at graduation, free entrance to all home games, three tardy passes, their name in a drawing for a special give-away at the end of the school year and off campus lunch. Joffre explained that qualifying students will be required to have a signed parent permission form on file to participate in off campus privileges.

There is a new scholarship that has been put in place. It is IHS Faculty College Readiness Scholarship. This scholarship is to recognize students that score well on SAT and ACT exams. Mr. Joffre said he and his wife will donate the first $500.00. $250.00 for high scores on SAT’s and $250.00 for high scores on ACT’s.

Mr. Joffre said it had come to his attention that some parents were concerned about the lack of academic learning tools. So they were able to purchase the Plato courseware and Study Island for the students.

Communication with parents will be done by email. Mr. Joffre has asked for all parents to give him their email addresses. He also asked the parents to sign up for the Parent Portal. This is a tool that parents can use to have alerts come up to let you know if your child’s grades are dropping, attendance or anything else about your child that you would like to be alerted about. This year they also have implemented Remind 101. Remind 101 is a safe free way for teachers to send text messages to keep in touch with parents.

Mr. Joffre said that he has asked for the ISD Facebook page to be kept up so that parents can use this to be informed. He also will make available his email address and a phone number so he can be reached. To be kept in the loop you may also view the Italy ISD web page and read the school calendar on the Italy Neotribune.

Problem solving procedures were explained. Joffre explained if you have a problem contact the staff member who you are having trouble with, if that is not satisfactory then contact the campus principal and then the superintendent if you have a problem with Mr. Joffre. These procedures are in place to help us serve the community. Mr. Joffre said “Please contact us with any of your concerns and support your child’s teacher. In this way you become a positive force for the school and the students.”

The school counselor, Mrs. Miller, talked about scholarships, college visits, graduation requirements, guidance and mentoring programs. She said taking the PSAT test is a very good test to take because you will then know by your score what you need to work on for the ACT and SAT tests.

On scholarships she emphasized the importance of not only looking for local scholarships but to apply for non local scholarships also because a lot of times you do qualify and then you just have a little more help toward your college expenses.

Mrs. Miller said, “Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Please call me, I am here to help you it is my job.”

The evening ended with students and parents getting their class schedules.

Tuesday evening Mr. Joffre and Mrs. Miller addressed the sophomore and freshman parents. Junior high parents will have meeting with them on Thursday of this week.