Cherie Allison, Assistant PrincipalCurriculumKim Stalcup, Assistant PrincipalAttendance and Discipline

Michal Durik, Assistant Principal

Clay Terrell, Assistant Principal

Erik Timko, Activities DirectorPeg Reale, Director of GuidanceA

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Main Number: 377.2400Fax Number: 377.2401

http://www.collierschools.com/schools/prh.asp

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From the Principal’s Desk Fellow Bears, we have come to the end and the closing chapter in the 2015-2016 school year. It has been a great year for the staff, students, families and the community of ‘The Ridge’.

First and foremost, we congratulate the students and families of the class of 2016. This group of students has left their mark on PRHS. Many of the students have contributed to the school and community through volunteer hours, club activities, athletic contributions, academic achievement, and leadership roles. The class amassed in excess of $1.6 million dollars in scholarships and awards to reward their individual accomplishments and achievements. As a school, we will forever be grateful for the class of 2016.

Palmetto Ridge continues to raise the bar on excellence and achievements. We were recently recognized in U.S. World News & Report as one of the top achieving high schools in the United States. This is the second year in a row that Palmetto Ridge has made the annually published list. PRHS was also recognized by the Florida High School Athletic Association as one of the top academic schools in class 6A for our athletic programs. The Ridge is making a name for itself as a school on the rise, and placing academic achievement at the forefront of our mission.

With the end of the school year, comes the end of teaching careers. PRHS says goodbye and best wishes to Ms. Deb Bowen and Mr. Richard Sandfort as they retire from education and begin the next phase in their life. The Ridge appreciates your time and energy to the school and the students. You have both left your mark on our school and will be missed. We wish you best of luck and say ‘thank you’. Once a Bear….always a Bear.

I wish all of our staff, students and families a safe summer break. Please take time to relax and enjoy time with family, friends, and loved ones. If you travel, please be safe and enjoy the opportunity. Follow PRHS on twitter at @PalmettoRidgeHS to get updates regarding summer events and the next school year. Another year of the #bewarethebear will begin soon.

One School, One Family!!!

Yours in Education,

“Bear Facts”JUNE 2016

Published Five Times Per YearCollier County Public Schools

5775 Osceola TrailNaples, FL 34109

Issue #5

PRHS Parents and Students As the 2015-16 school year begins to wind down, we are excited for the future but it is also bittersweet to see a special group move on to their next stage of life.

To our seniors- Thank you for all you have done for The Ridge. Many of you were in the final classes where I was a teacher. You have created many memories for yourselves, but also for us that have watched you. Life continues to get better, and I know greatness awaits this class. Take care, and remember- Once a Bear, Always a Bear!

For our returners- We are excited for next year. A few items as we prepare for SY17:

1. Those who are participating in Sports and Marching Band: we are doing our paperwork online now at www.registermyathlete.com . We have added instructions on our website to help go through this new process. We will have a registration night on July 28th from 5-7pm in our media center. However, don’t wait until the last minute to sign up!

2. Fall Sports begin August 1st- Cross Country, Golf, Swimming and Diving, Volleyball, Cheer, and Football. Athletic paperwork done online must all be completed prior to that start date.

3. Reminder athletes- the CCPS Code of Conduct is in affect for 365 days a year (yes that includes summer). Please make wise decisions.

Enjoy your summer. Go Bears!

Erik Timko

Activities Director

From the Desk of Curriculum and Instruction I hope this newsletter finds everyone enjoying a restful summer! Many of our seniors are off to college or embarking on their new careers. Our incoming freshmen have chosen their classes and many are starting their summer assignments for advanced studies classes. If your student is taking an advanced studies class, please check the website for their summer assignments if you have not already done so. If your student is choosing to take advanced studies they must also have completed and signed the Advanced Studies Contract prior to the beginning of the school year.

Interested in Engineering, Hospitality and Tourism, Culinary, or Construction? Our Academies are specialized programs that provide the foundational knowledge to succeed in Post- Secondary Programs. Each program offers opportunities to work with business and community partners on projects, internships and mentoring programs. If this sounds like something that may interest you, please feel free to contact me directly with any questions or for additional information.

The offices of curriculum and guidance are working diligently to ensure that every student has a great schedule that meets all requirements for graduation before the first day of school. Schedules are based on student selections but are driven by test scores to meet state and county requirements. If you or your student has any questions about course requests you are welcome to contact me by email over the summer or call any time after July 18th. Also, if your student decides to take a CTE or NAF based course please feel free to call my office to receive additional information!

I am so looking forward to the year ahead. There is nothing more exciting than our new freshman coming on campus. Band and football practices are in full swing and there is no better time to get involved. Every decision that is made makes a direct effect on the next few years of school and beyond. I ask you all to work closely with your counselors, join a club or activity and make every moment count. We look forward to the next school year as there is no better time to be a Bear!

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3Guidance DepartmentCommunity Service Community service sites must be PRE-APPROVED by the guidance department. Forms are available in the guidance office on Wednesdays over the Summer, and on our school website. Please note that church activities or hours worked at “for profit” organizations will not be accepted as community service. IT IS DISTRICT POLICY THAT WE CANNOT GIVE CREDIT UNLESS THE SITE HAS BEEN PRE-APPROVED.

Class of 2017 The Florida State Universities open their applications in August. It pays to be the early bird especially with schools who have rolling admissions! Rising seniors who wish to apply to a Florida school should be working on the following over the summer;

• List of colleges

• Resume – list of all sports, clubs, activities, awards etc

• Ask for letters of recommendation

• Study for SAT/ACT if you wish to retest in the Fall.

• Register for September ACT or October SAT if needed.

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will be available beginning October 1st for the class of 2017. Students will need to use their parent’s 2015 tax return information. Please go to www.fafsa.ed.gov for more information.

Financial Aid Night – Mark your calendars for September 26th at 6:30 in the PRHS auditorium for this important information session. Lori Auxier from the FLDOE will be at PRHS to answer all of your questions about financial aid and scholarships. This evening is open to all interested parents!

Graduated Seniors – Class of 2016Final Transcripts

Seniors who plan to attend college next year will be given a chance to request that their final Palmetto Ridge High School transcript be sent to their college. Any student who has taken dual enrollment courses must also make arrangements for their FSW or FGCU transcript to be sent as well. This can be done at the FSW or FGCU registrar’s office. THE STUDENTS ARE ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THAT THEIR COLLEGE HAS ALL OF THEIR FINAL INFORMATION. Please check with your child to make sure that they have completed all of the appropriate paperwork.

Summer Hours The Guidance Department will be open on Wednesdays during the summer months. If you need assistance please call 377-2416 or stop in between the hours of 7:00 – 3:00.

#BewaretheBear –PRHS Student

Government Association Another year is now in the books and what a year it was. The Student Government Association (SGA) had an extremely busy year. Homecoming, Ridge Rowdies, the Holiday Adopt-a Family, a variety of on-campus activities, Pep Rallies, the Moving up and Moving on Ceremony, serving as the FASC District 4 President, and finally the production of our second Lipdub Video with can be viewed on youtube.com. So a very busy year indeed. We want to thank our SGA Officers (President Dylan Scallan, Vice-President Trevor Groll, Secretary Katie Colvin, Treasurer Christina Mule, Historians Ariel Robinson and Kayla Modesto, and Chief Operations Officer Jonathan Valle) for guiding us through this very busy year.

However, 2015-2016 is now behind us and it’s time for us to prepare for the 2016-2017 school year. Incoming SGA Officers (President Matthew Burton, Vice-President Harold Benavides, Secretary Joseph Brunner, Treasurer Carlos Martinez, Historian Jazmin Zavala, and Parliamentarian Annette Gonzalez) will be attending the South Florida Leadership Training Camp in July and then it’s time to get busy preparing for the new school year. Below are a list of important start up dates and more will be posted in the next newsletter.

• Freshman/New Student Orientation, Friday, August 5th from 8:00 am -12:00 pm

• Welcome Back Pep Rally, Monday, August 15th

• Homecoming 2016 Tickets go on Sale, Monday August 15th. The cost is $35.00 and can be purchased by check to “PRHS” or cash. We know, so early? Homecoming is early this year.

• Football Games galore and SGA will again be providing FAN BUSSES to away games and right now, 1st trip is August 26th to Lehigh and then again September 9th to North Port. The cost of the busses are $5.00 which includes your game ticket.

• HOMECOMING 2016, September 12-17. More details about this week will be coming soon but it’s the most exciting week on the PRHS Campus. You’ll want to get involved for sure.

So, it’s never a dull moment at the Ridge and that’s just the way S.G.A. likes it. Should you have any questions about the upcoming events, please feel free to contact me at brickzbr@collierschools.com.

Have a peaceful, fun and enjoyable summer PRHS. See you on August 15th, if not before.

Brent Brickzin

SGA Advisor

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From the Student Relations Office

Dear PRH Bear Families,

As we look back on the year at Palmetto Ridge, we focus on the reasons we have a positive school culture and the motto, ‘One School, One Family.’ In the 2013-14 school year, we renamed the Attendance and Discipline office, the “Student Relations Office” since we are student-centered and desire to assist students in social issues and conflicts, provide interventions, and take a proactive approach to discipline. Our Youth Relations Bureau Deputies, Cpl. Josh Pence and Cpl. Mike Varaly visit classrooms to educate our students and work to provide a safe environment on campus. Although we work hard to be preventative, we continue to hold students accountable and uphold high expectations for students. We truly have a school climate of a family who works together. We strive for that in every situation for every student. We hope you are having a wonderful summer and look forward to the 2016-17 school year at Palmetto Ridge!

With Bear Pride,

The Student Relations Office Staff

• Kimberly Stalcup, Assistant Principal of Attendance and Discipline

• Clay Terrell, Assistant Principal

• Michal Durik, Assistant Principal

• Alison DePrisco, Secretary to the APD

• Zaida Nunez, General Secretary

• John Pratt, School Safety Assistant and General Secretary

• Kelly Rosenbalm, General Secretary

• Barb Long, ISS Coordinator ...continued on next page

For A&D…Students – PARKING: Mark your calendars for parking permits! Starting July 25th, you can pick up the 2016-17 Application Form Monday through Thursday in Student Relations between 7:30am – 3:00pm. The Parking Permits will go on sale Monday, August 1. You need a 2.0 GPA, your driver’s license, current registration, current insurance card, and the parent/guardian signed Application Form. Seniors will come to Student Relations on Wednesday, August 10th between 10am and 2pm to buy permits. Juniors come Thursday, August 11th between 10am and 2pm, and Sophomores on Friday, August 12th between 10am and 2pm. The cost this year is $20.

DRESS CODE: Before you buy next year’s school clothes, please check online for our dress code. It is strictly enforced. Highlights are: ripped or torn jeans are not allowed. No leggings, jeggins, yoga pants, or tights. If a students’ fingertips exceed the length of their shorts or skirts the outfit may not be worn. No flip flops, slippers, hats, or shirts with flags unless it’s the United States, POW-MIA, or Florida flag. No spaghetti straps or straps thinner than the short side of a PRHS ID card. No see-through clothing without appropriate clothing underneath (strap width requirement). No sweatshirt hoods or “hoodies” shall be worn on the students’ heads at any time.

TARDIES: All students receive 4 late warnings per semester. After that, consequences of lunch detention and then after school detention will be received. A parent calling in with an explanation will not excuse the lateness and things such as your alarm not going off and your car breaking down are not considered excused.

Thank you for understanding these guidelines. We look forward to a good year!

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From the Student Relations Office

5Highlights from the PRHS Attendance and Discipline Office and Code of Student Conduct: For a full guide, please access the PRHS 2016-17 Handbook at www.collierschools.com/prh.

Attendance Policy At PRHS we feel that it is important for students to be in school as much as possible, any non-essential absence from school can negatively impact the student’s educational outcome. As you plan for the 2016-17 school year, please make note of the school calendar posted on the PRH and District’s website, and schedule any known vacations or appointments so that your child can attend school as much as possible. Please notify the Attendance and Discipline Office if your child is absent by leaving a message on the PRHS attendance hotline (239-377-2435). Be sure to leave the student name, grade level, student number (if you know it), your relationship to the student, and how you may be reached during the day. PRHS’s attendance policy is aligned with the district policy. The CCPS Code of Student Conduct contains the current attendance policy. The Code of Student Conduct may be found online by following this link: http://www.collierschools.com/student_services/docs/CodeofConduct.pdf

Dress Code Before you shop for school clothes… please review the dress code!

The following dress code guidelines include some highlights to remember when preparing back to school attire. To access the full code, please visit the PRHS website.

The following proper attire is expected:

• TOPS: Halter tops, tube tops, short shirts, muscle shirts, midriff, or backless shirts and blouses shall not be worn. Shoulder coverings must cover the shoulder area. No halter-tops, tank tops, or spaghetti strap tops of any kind are allowed without an appropriate covering. No bare skin should be exposed at the waist or abdomen area. Transparent, mesh or see-through clothing may not be worn without other appropriate clothing underneath. Clothing must cover the chest area to ensure that cleavage is not exposed.

• HATS: Hats or other head coverings shall not be worn in the school building except for approved areas identified by the Principal. Exceptions may be made by the Principal for head coverings worn for religious purposes. No sweatshirt hoods or “hoodies” shall be worn on students’ heads at any time on campus.

• SKIRTS, SHORTS & DRESSES: The length of skirts/dresses and shorts shall reflect modesty and good taste and be monitored by regulations enforced at PRHS. If a student’s fingertips exceed the length of the outermost garment then the clothing item is too short and may not be worn. No stretch skirts allowed as they cinch as a student walks. Shorts/pants must be fitted or cinched so as not to slip.

• TIGHTS, LEGGINS, JEGGINGS and YOGA PANTS: No nylon tights without a skirt or shorts of appropriate length; no jeggings, leggings or yoga pants to be worn at any time.

“Go Bears!”

Proud Supporter ofPalmetto Ridge High School

6The Pause Before You Post™ Campaign Continues for the 2016-17 School Year!

For Students: Posting comments and photos on Facebook, writing blogs and tweets, and uploading videos to YouTube is second nature to most students. And participating in social media can be a great way of communicating, but sometimes posts are taken out of context or you’re tagged in a photo you didn’t know was taken. Consider the following to help avoid misunderstandings and potential consequences:

Would you want your family to see what you post?

Do not post or send it if it would cause you any measure of embarrassment in the eyes of family, close friends, future spouses, employers, colleges, or law enforcement now or in the future. What if the statement or image was forever branded and tied to your full name for the rest of your life. What does it say about your character, attitude, behaviors, or values?

Post in the right state of mind

Never post or respond to anything when you are emotionally charged up. Step away from your computer. Put down your cell phone. Take a few hours, or even a day or two, and allow your brain some downtime to think through the best action or response. Responding based on emotion and in quick fashion rarely helps a problem go away, and usually compounds the issue.

Avoid being “guilty by association”

You might not post an incriminating photo of yourself, but your friend might do so and tag you in it. Or, if your friends often post about unethical or illegal behavior, you could be grouped with them.

You’re not obligated to respond

Don’t feel obligated to respond to messages and friend requests that are bothersome. Disallow certain people from communicating with you or reading certain pieces of content you share, and allow access only to those you trust.

Pause Before You Post™ - Parents Many parents and families are concerned about cyberbullying and other consequences of poor decision-making when using social media. Pause Before You Post helps address these concerns directly with students, their families and throughout the school.

How can parents help?

If you see that your child has posted mean or hurtful comments or photos, discuss it with them rather than ignoring it. Talk with them about why it is wrong and how people may judge him or her based on what they see online. Also, reinforcement of positive values such as respect and integrity encourage children to show compassion for others in real life and online.

Students and Parents! Make the Pledge to Pause Before You Post

Make a statement to spread the word in your community by pledging to take the time to Pause Before You Post. Visit the following site to make the pledge: http://www.jostens.com/pause/pause_cp_students.html

Bullying And Harassment Policy Information It is the policy of the District that all of its students and school employees have an educational setting that is safe, secure, and free from harassment and bullying of any kind. The District will not tolerate bullying and harassment of any type. The administration and guidance department would like to educate our school community on the definitions of bullying and harassment, policies and consequences.

Definition of Bullying: “Bullying” means systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees. It is further defined as unwanted and repeated written, verbal, or physical behavior, including any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, by a student or adult, that is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment; cause discomfort or humiliation; or unreasonably interfere with the individual’s school performance or participation; and may involve but is not limited to: teasing, social exclusion, threat, intimidation, stalking, physical violence, theft, sexual, religious, or racial harassment, public humiliation, or destruction of property.

Definition of Harassment: “Harassment” means any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, use of data or computer software, or written, verbal or physical conduct directed against a student or school employee that: (a) places a student or school employee in reasonable fear of harm to his/her person or damage to his/her property; (b) has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s educational performance, opportunities, or benefits; or (c) has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school.

While it is important to note the difference between bullying and harassment, neither is tolerated. Cyber-stalking or cyber-bullying is also a concern and major initiative this school year. The campaign “Pause before you Post” will be launched to educate students, parents, and educators on posting comments on social media sites. Please ‘Pause before you Post” information below and discuss them with your child.

Cyberstalking also known as Cyber-bullying “Cyberstalking”, as defined in F.S. 784.048(1)(d), means to engage in a course of conduct to communicate, or to cause to be communicated, words, images, or language by or through the use of electronic mail or electronic communication, directed at a specific person, causing substantial emotional distress to that person and serving no legitimate purpose.

Consequences for Bullying, Harassment, and/or Cyberstalking: Consequences and appropriate remedial action for students who commit acts of bullying or harassment or found to have falsely accused another as a means of bullying or harassment may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion, as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct.

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ZONE

Collier County Public SchoolsPalmetto Ridge High School1655 Victory LaneNaples, FL 34120

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JROTC News

Academy Publishing School Newsletter Program™ • 800-644-3541

8JROTC

The Palmetto Ridge Bear Battalion had an incredible SY 15-16. We once again hosted the Collier County Raider Challenge competition here at the Ridge. Our Raider Challenge team consisted of males and females and did an outstanding job. The Battalion supported the Collier County Health Department with health screenings and Vision Quests, at all local elementary, and middle schools. We cleaned up Wiggins Pass during Collier County’s Coastal Cleanup, and enjoyed a battalion bar-b-q at the beach. We also traveled to Busch Gardens for some rest and relaxation. The Battalion supported the Bike Rodeos sponsored by the Collier County Sheriff’s Department. We supported many school events such as the Career Fair, orientations, and color guards for various on-campus and off-campus events. Our very unique and exclusive Winter Awards Ceremony honored several outstanding members of the Collier County Community as well as the cadets in the Battalion. The JROTC Bear Battalion hosted a Meals of Hope event, teams of cadets descended on ST Mathews House throughout the year for Service Learning hours. The Battalion helped park over five hundred vehicles/buses at the Botanical Gardens annual flower show, we were inspected during the annual Junior Program of Accreditation (JPA)and we were awarded the Honor Unit with Distinction (HUD). Cadets spent the Memorial Day Weekend in the Hodges Cemetery, decorating the graves of Veterans and supporting the Memorial Day celebration at the cemetery. Our Assist team worked with various assisted living, nursing and memory care facilities throughout the County, providing comfort and support. The JROTC Bears dominated the Collier County Drill meet and earned the right to go to States. Cadets provided critical support to the first annual Band Boosters 5 k race at the Ridge. College admissions officers from various colleges and universities provided professional development to all of our cadets throughout

the school year. The Battalion conducted car wash fund-raisers, parked cars for all home football games, and assisted the Guidance Office throughout the year. The Battalion participated in the annual JROTC 5 k race. We conducted the first ever in Collier County, Military Dinning In, in which the entire Battalion participated. We sent a cadet on the Honor Flight to Washington DC. The Battalion End of Year Awards Ceremony provided a multitude of awards to all of the cadets. The Junior Cadet Leadership Camp (JCLC)/summer camp at the Price Sanders Boy Scout Reservation was an incredible learning experience for all of the PRHS cadets that attended. Cadets learned throughout the year from a critically acclaimed National curriculum, developed by U.S. Army Cadet Command in conjunction with Advanced Ed, that included leadership development, personal skills identification, history, ethics, conflict resolution, financial affairs, career planning, self-awareness, thinking maps, service learning, college preparation, goal setting, teaching skills, nutrition & exercise, drug awareness, global citizenship and the list goes on…

Our intent; to do it all again in SY 16-17 with even more rigor. If you are an incoming freshman, we challenge you to be a part of the mighty Bear Battalion. The experience and skills you will be exposed to will stay with you as you continue on the road of lifelong learning, and academic excellence.

Hoahhhh!