SWHS Principal's mid summer updates and reminders

Good evening, this is Mike Hettenbach, Principal of Southwest Guilford High School with some mid summer updates and reminders...

First and foremost, I hope that each and every one of you are enjoying your summer. With that being said, I would like to welcome the incoming freshmen, the class of 2022 and also congratulate while challenging the incoming senior class, the class of 2019, as we need your help in leading the way for a very positive and successful school year. For those of you new to my communications, once school starts you will receive a weekly phone message on Sunday evenings. This message will be posted on the school's website, posted to Facebook and Twitter and I am working to get future postings on Instagram as well. This will be a great way to review my messages and keep you connected to what's happening on the ranch. 

Freshman Orientation is on August 23rd with only students reporting from 8:30Am -12:30 and parents reporting that evening from 6:30PM to 8:00. This orientation has proven to be extremely successful in providing a very successful transition for both the students and parents who attend this event. 

We are a little over a month away from the start of the school year. The first day for all students is Monday, August 27th. All students should have already started their summer reading. Students will be tested in the first couple weeks of school. If a student has English in their 2nd semester, they can still get their test out of the way during the beginning of the first semester. Summer reading lists for all grade levels can be found under the students tab on the SWHS website. https://www.gcsnc.com/southwest_guilford_high

This summer, Guilford County Schools created a uniform Open House schedule for all Elementary, Middle and High schools. Open House for all High Schools, specifically SWHS,  will be August 20th from 5:30-7PM. This is an opportunity for students and/or parents to pick up schedules as well as walk the building and meet teachers. There will be a food truck on site which will provide a percentage of the proceeds back to the PTSA if you are interested in eating dinner this evening. This will also be an opportunity to sign up for the PTSA, order the jean day incentive bracelet, pay for the student parking lot pass, and more. It is important to become well versed with the student dress code before you go shopping for clothes. Last, GCS recently increased the student parking lot passes to $30 for the year so we feel it is important you are aware of this information prior to the start of the school year. You will have the opportunity to pay for your child's parking pass at open house.  

As it relates to schedules for this coming school year, it has been informed to us that students are viewing schedules online. Please understand that these schedules are not finalized. Due to the daily fluctuation in enrollments, this causes us to alter classes, levels, and times of the day in which they are taught. This causes a ton of shifting in the scheduling matrix. As this is a daily process. we appreciate your understanding with this and we look forward to providing a more firm schedule come August 20th. At that time, if you need more guidance with your schedule, feel free to contact the assigned counselor. Counseling responsibilities are now alphabetically assigned in grades 10-12.
9th grade will all have Ms. Compton
A-D  - Ms. Graves
E-L - Mr.  Hawkins
M-R - Mrs. Richards
S-Z - Mrs. Hudgens 

The following information comes from Mrs. Meier, our Media Specialist... Library will be open on Monday July 23, 10am-Noon for student check out and on August 8, 1-3.  Also, summer reading incentive – student can earn a ticket to Kersey Valley Spooky Woods or Maize Adventure just by reading and logging their time over the summer.  Students will also get extra credit on their summer reading assignments.  See the website for details!

In regards to Safety and security, one of our two main entrances have now been installed with magnetic door locks with surveillance. We are anticipating the other install before the school year starts. We are also expecting a pilot program for a student identification card system as well as a visitor monitoring system. We will keep everyone updated as we receive these programs in place. Thank you for working with these changes and understanding that these measures are being put in place to increase the level of safety and security at SWHS.

 On the morning of July 23rd, the HP Police department will be using our Freshman Academy building for training. Please do not be alarmed if you see a couple of dozen Police vehicles on site.

As it relates to athletics,

The first official day of fall athletic practices start on Monday, July 30^th.  Times and locations can be found on our athletic webpage at www.cowboysports.org .

All athletes are required to have a current physical and concussion form on file at school in order to practice and tryout.

There is a required GCS Athletic Fair Play Meeting for football, volleyball and cheerleading on Aug. 2^nd at 6:30 PM in the auditorium.  This meeting is to inform you of the eligibility requirements, fair play paperwork, residency form requirements, and GCS Athletic Fee of $45 that is required by all student athletes.

A second Fair Play meeting will be held on Monday, August 6^th at 6:30 PM for golf, tennis, soccer and any others that missed the first meeting.

Questions and concerns in required to practices, please call SWGHS during the office hours of 8-5 PM.

Remember, you are always able to access this message on our school website under School News and titled Principal's Weekly Updates or on Facebook and Twitter and son, Instagram. Please follow Southwest High School at SouthwestGHS for both Twitter and Facebook. This is a great way for us to communicate and stay connected. 

We are... Southwest!