“ S TAT E O F T H E S TAT E ”

GRAFTON HIGH SCHOOL

Kimberly Vegliante, Amelia Bochain, PJ Prather, and Sarah Duffy

RESEARCH SHOWS…

• Family engagement is critical to students’ success. But what is the best way for families – and schools – to support students’ achievement? Research by Westmoreland, Rosenberg, Lopez, & Weiss (2009) shows that when schools reach out to families and invite them to become involved in the school community, students benefit. Check out the following presentation to see what’s going on at Grafton, and how YOU can get involved.

Citation: Westmoreland, H., Rosenberg, H., Lopez, M., & Weiss, H. (2009). Seeing is Believing: Promising practices for how school districts promote family engagement (Harvard Family Research Issue Brief July 2009). Retrieved February 13, 2013, from http://www.hfrp.org/family-involvement/publications-resources/seeing-is-believing-promising-practices-for-how-school-districts-promote-family-engagement

COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT

Daily morning administration meetings

Inter-disciplinary common pacing guide and assessment planning

School-wide professional development seminars with mixed discipline workshops

Veteran teacher mentorship program for first-year teachers

General education and special education inclusion classrooms

Lots of informal collaboration between and within departments

Grafton High School strives to have positive and effective school-wide collaboration in order to maximize the learning outcomes of students. Some ways in which Grafton fosters such a collaborative environment include:

ACADEMIC PRESS

• Met all federal annual measureable objectives

• Met all accreditation benchmarks

• 28.79% of students are enrolled in an advanced placement course

• 94% of students in the 2011 cohort graduated within 4 years

• 98% of students passed testing on English performance, topping the division average of 94% and the state average of 89%

• 85% of students passed testing on mathematics performance, topping the division average of 80% and the state average of 68%

RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY

- Grafton High School serves approximately 1,327 students, consisting of 76% Caucasian, 10% African American, 10% Asian, and 4% Hispanic students.

- The male/female ratio is about 50/50

- All students are welcomed and valued in the Grafton community and have an equal opportunity to participate in school life.

RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY

African-American History Club

Art Club Asian Association Band Blue Crab Bowl Bowling Club Caritas/Acts Chess Club Chinese Honor Society Chorus CHROME Debate DECA Drama/Thespians Faculty Friendship FBLA FCA FOR Club Forensics French Club

French Honor German Club German Honor Society GSA Interact Key Club Glover Latin Club Latin Honor Society Literary Magazine Model UN Mu Alpha Theta National Honor Society NJTOTC Odyssey of the Mind Quill and Scroll SCA Scholastic Bowl Sight and Sound Spanish Club Spanish Honor Society Virginia Math League

Yearbook Young Life Cheerleading Cross Country Field Hockey Football Golf Volleyball Basketball Track Swimming Wrestling Baseball Softball Track Tennis Track and Field

Grafton has about 60 extra curricular activities and clubs to meet the diverse needs and interests of a diverse student body:

RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY

Physical and mental safety is a primary concern of Grafton’s. All students are expected to feel like they can be who they are without fear of repercussions. To demonstrate such respect for diversity, Safe Zone Signs for LGBTQ are posted around the hallways and in classrooms.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

There are four primary ways Grafton parents and guardians can get involved in school life:

PTSA

Athletic Booster Club:

Grafton High Band Parents Association:

EDLINE:

PARENT INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES: PARENT-TEACHER- STUDENT ASSOCIATION (PTSA)

“Where Parents, Teachers, and STUDENTS are ONE!”

The PTSA sponsors many programs and opportunities for families to get involved in school life. All programs support the students and teachers at the school. From volunteering to be a teacher’s assistant to fundraising for after-prom festivities, the PTSA is in itself a vital aspect to Grafton. You can choose to be a full time member, or just volunteer when time permits. Please click here to browse the PTSA website and learn about all the programs and member benefits in store for you!

Examples of program areas include: Hospitality Scholarships and Awards Faculty Improvement Communications Arts

PARENT INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES: GRAFTON HIGH BAND PARENTS ASSOCIATION

All parents who have students in the GHS Band are automatically members of the organization. Participation is highly encouraged and benefits all band members. Board meetings are held on the second Monday of every month at 7:00pm in the GHS Bandroom.  A general membership meeting is held once in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. 

To learn more,please click here.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES:GRAFTON ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB (GABC)

“The GABC Board and the Grafton Athletic Department encourage each Grafton family to become a member of the GABC and help support our student athletes. The GABC raises money primarily by selling concessions and spirit wear at the home sporting events. Over the last 3 years, the GABC has provided an average of $21,000 each year to support Grafton High School and Grafton Middle School Athletics. Come be a part of what makes Grafton great. Come be a member of the Grafton Athletic Boosters Club.”

Bill RinehartPresident, Grafton Athletic Boosters Club

Please click here to learn more.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES: EDLINE

Don’t have time to attend meetings or participate in these organizations? Grafton understands that parents and guardians lead busy lives in order to give their teens the best. However, Grafton still wants to give all families the opportunity to be involved with their teen’s academic life. That is why Grafton utilizes Edline. Edline is an online toolkit where families can access their teen’s grades, contact teachers, and look at lessons and homework. Edline is free and is highly encouraged! Please click here to sign up and learn more.

COMMUNITY YORK COUNTY

Demographics: Gender: Males: 49% Females 51%Average age: 35.7 yearsRace: White 76% African American 14% Asian 4%Latino 4%Two or more 2%Most common occupation: Females: elementary educationMales: management Residents below the poverty level: 3.5%

City-data.com

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Grafton students and families aren’t just supported by the school, they are supported by the community as well! Some great community resources to check out are:• Yorktown Public Libraries• York County School Division Parent

Resource Center (PRC)• New Horizons Family Counseling

COMMUNITY RESOURCE: YORKTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Resources for Students:• Computers for Public

Use• Research and

Homework Help• Teen Book Club• Summer Reading

Programs

Resources for Families:• Computers for Public

Use• Employment

Assistance• Job & Career

Resources• Voter Registration

COMMUNITY RESOURCE: YORKTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARIES

• Tabb Library  100 Long Green Blvd.  Yorktown, VA  23693Phone:  Information:      757-890-5100  Administration:  757-890-5105  Circulation:       757-890-5130  Reference:         757-890-5120  Youth Services: 757-890-5110  Phone Renewal: 757-890-5131  TDD:                 757-890-3300

• Yorktown Library  8500 Geo. Wash. Mem. Hwy.  Yorktown, VA  23692Phone:  Information:      757-890-3377  Circulation:        757-890-5209  Reference:         757-890-5207  Youth Services: 757-890-3236  Phone Renewal: 757-890-5131  TDD:                 757-890-3300

To get started exploring the resources available at Yorktown’s Public Libraries, visit the Library homepage at http://www.yorkcounty.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=4115 Or visit one of the two Public Library Locations:

COMMUNITY RESOURCE: YCSD PARENT RESOURCE CENTER

The Parent Resource Center (PRC) offers families information and support in the following areas:

• The IEP process and Special Education Programs• Vocational Opportunities for Students• Training Programs for Parents• Monthly Support Meetings

COMMUNITY RESOURCE: YSCD PARENT RESOURCE CENTER

The Parent Resource Center provides presentations and workshops during the day and at night for families’ convenience. To learn more: • Visit http://

yorkcountyschools.org/parents/specialEducation/parent_resourceCenter.aspx• Contact the PRC directly at (757) 898-0300

COMMUNITY RESOURCE: NEW HORIZONS FAMILY COUNSELING

The New Horizons Family Counseling Center provides free services to families of students attending public school in York County. Counseling services are offered at the New Horizons clinic at the College of William and Mary as well as at several off-site locations. To explore the options available for family counseling, visit http://education.wm.edu/centers/newhorizons/aboutus/index.php or contact the central clinic at (757) 221-2363.

RESOURCES FOR MILITARY DEPENDENTS

• Student Online Achievement Resources (SOAR)• A resource that allows families to play an active role in

their student’s education that is accessible worldwide

• Military Families on the Move• A guide for helping kids and their families during PCS

moves

• School Transfer Checklist• Checklist for transferring military students

• Virginia Operation: Military Kids (OMK)• Nationwide initiative that provides support to the

children of families impacted by the Global War on Terrorism

COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR MILITARY FAMILIES

• Joint Military Services School Liaison A committee that serves the Hampton Roads area to ease the transition into area schools. It is comprised of 10 liaison officers who work with families to reduce the stress of relocating for students and families. They can assist students in navigating thevarious courses offered at Graftonand the resources available for families.

AREA FOR IMPROVEMENT IN THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY

• Out of the 56 high schools in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, Grafton is ranked the 12th highest for alcohol, tobacco, and drug offenses. • Out of the four high schools in York County,

Grafton is ranked #1 for alcohol, tobacco, and drug offenses.

MEDIA ADDRESSES DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE AT GRAFTON

• Three Grafton High students facing drug charges• Grafton High Students face drug related charges• Grafton High Student caught with spice

RESOURCES

At Grafton, we are working hard to address our concerns regarding alcohol, tobacco, and drug related offenses. Here are some resources available in-school to help!

• Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E. program)

• Substance Abuse Awareness Vital for Virginia’s Youth (SAVVY)

DRUG ABUSE RESISTANCE EDUCATION

• D.A.R.E. provides students the skillsthey need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence.• Police officer-led series of classroom lessons that teaches children how to resist peer pressure in order to live productive and violence-free lives. • Led by our in-school resource officer, every

student at Grafton completes the D.A.R.E. program in their Health classes.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AWARENESS VITAL FOR VIRGINIA’S YOUTH

• SAVVY is a new statewide prevention initiative meant to bring awareness to students about the dangers of substance abuse.• Through this initiative, there will be expos

held in the area to inform about substance abuse and prevention.• The expos will focus on bath salts,

synthetic cannabinoids, alcohol, inhalants, and other commonly-abused substances.

OUR VISION TO IMPROVE COLLABORATION

• In order to benefit our students, we hope to improve collaboration between families and the school community. This will be addressed through: • Increased involvement opportunities• Monthly newsletters to parents to inform them

about new events and the overall school community • Biannual forums on school improvement