Basic Information for Incoming Students

This page contains basic information that incoming students will benefit from. Other information can be found on the FAQ Page and throughout the rest of the site.

Counseling

The counselor assigned to your class is with you for all four years. Freshmen and Juniors share two counselors, and Sophomores and Seniors share two other counselors. The counseling office phone number is 534-5110.

Attendence

It is the parent or guardian's responsibility to phone the attendence office after 6:45am on the day their child is ill and will not be coming to school. Students who know that they will be absent in advance for religious reasons should bring a note to school beforehand, have it signed by all their teachers, and return it to the attendence office the day before they're absent so that their attendence record is not affected. Special field trips work the same way; the teachers in charge of field trips will hand students excused absense forms, which are to be signed by the students' teachers and returned to the teacher in charge of the trip. Unreported absenses go unexcused. To report by telephone, call: 534-5103.

Gym

If you don't own a gym suit already, you need to buy one from your gym teacher. Gym suits are also sold during freshman orientation, and during the year can be purchased in room 126. A gym outfit is $24.00 for the T-shirt and shorts. Additionally, you need a Master Lock combination lock to lock your gym locker with. You may buy locks from the school, but you may also bring in your own. Do not bring a lock that requires a key. Master Locks cost $5.

Backpack Policy

Purchase a strong bookbag that will last the entire school year. Bags with wheels (that would be dragged on the floor) are permitted, but may not be wheeled in the building, as this is a safety hazard.

Your School ID

Your ID needs to be worn around your neck at all times. If you lose the string, you can pick up a replacement at the front door when you enter the building. If you lose the ID, you will have the option of purchasing a temporary ID, good for one day, for $1, or a new permanent ID for $5. Both need to be paid for at time of purchase, so don't leave the house without a little extra money, just in case.

ID pictures are now taken during orientation in August.

Participate!

Von offers many extra-curricular activities. Colleges and universities are looking for students who not only have good academic scores, but are involved in after school activities.

How The Year is Divided Up

Von's year is split up into quarters. Each quarter is about 10 weeks, and each semester is about 20 weeks, evenly dividing each semester in half. Additionally, gym "blocks" change every half-quarter (every five weeks).

Performance Reports and Report Cards

A performance report is sent home through the US mail after the 5th week of each quarter. Reports are now printed on specially water-marked/holographed fraud-proof paper, and are sent home with the students at the end of each semester. Do not accept a report card printed on plain white paper! Also take note of the Report Card Pickup days, where parents can pick up their child's report card and talk with their teachers about their performance. Report Card Pickup days are listed in the calendar, and are typically in November and April.

Student Fee

Don't forget to pay your $100.00 student fee each year. It covers all lab fees, department fees, the yearbook, school newspaper, Orpheus, hall locks and lockers, first ID card and admission to home athletic events with the exception of basketball games. Personal items such as your gym outfit, chemistry apron/goggles, drafting equipment and some workbooks are not covered in the student fee. The fee may be paid in installments or all at once in room 126.

Entrace Health Checkup

All incoming freshmen are required to have a physical examination (after March this year). Health records are to be given to the division teacher. Please make a copy of your health records. Additionally, please inform the school nurse, Mrs. Bjurstrom of any medical conditions that Von should be aware of, including if your child is taking any prescribed medications that need to be taken during the day.

Graduation Requirements

24 Credits are needed to graduate, though most students graduate with more. The minimum credits/class are: 4 in English, 3 in Science, 3 in Math, 3 in Social Studies, 2 in a World Language, 2 in Fine Arts (Music/Band and Art/Drafting), 2 in Physical Education. This leaves the student with at least 5 electives.

Additionally, for students enrolled in the General Program, 40 clock hours of service learning are required. Service learning consists of community service outside or inside school (during or afterwards). More information can be found on the Service Learning page. For students enrolled in the Scholars Program, 60 clock hours of service learning are required. Students who become members of NHS Junior/Senior year are required an additional 10 hours of service learning per semester (to stay in NHS, not to graduate).

Support Programs

Before and after school tutoring is available to all students in all academic areas. Freshman students will be programmed for a double period of Algebra if their Grade Equivalent score is below grade level. In addition to their English class, freshman students who are below grade level in reading will be programmed for a reading class. Our special education program supports all the students who have special needs.

What to Bring the First Day of School

Forms that you recieved at orientation: Lunch, Internet, Health Records, Emergency Parent Contact Form, Cell Phone Use Form (can be found in 111). Don't forget your bookbag, lunch money, a notebook and pen, and any other school supplies you may wish to bring. Bus cards (for student discounts) will be sold for $5.00. Bring money for the gym suit and student fee if you haven't already purchased/paid. You do not need to bring your gym suit the first day of school. If you're a freshman, you will be given instructions on when to begin bringing it to school.

What to Bring the Second Day of School

Remaining forms that have been completed. Many of your teachers will inform you of what types of supplies you need for their classes. If you wish to purchase any items beforehand, a good rule of thumb is to have an organizational method for each class. This could be a small binder or folder for loose papers/handouts. You'll also want a notebook for most of your classes. Some teachers require specific types of notebooks -- if not told, ask them. You'll also need filler paper for writing during class that needs to be turned in -- or, for keeping notes if you prefer to store it all in a binder. Finally, think about a method for holding on to your papers after a unit ends. A mistake some students make is to discard course material when a unit ends. Unfortunately, you'll need those papers for studying for semester midterms and finals. One approach is to leave everything in your class folder or binder. However, folders and binders can be hard to manage with many, many documents in them. You could purchase a crate at an office supply store that uses hanging folders to place old papers in.