From School Counselor Mr. Jeff Peeples
While there is some relief in sight, we’re still in remarkably difficult times. Please know that I am available. If you sense your student is experiencing anxiety, please
contact me. I’ll be glad to set up a session for them where we can talk and work through this together. Dr. Nai Brooks and I are working on a video including some of our Senior Mentors discussing their feelings this year. It’s important for all of us to remember what Viktor Frankl said: “An abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation is normal.”
3rd Quarter Grade Reporting: 3rd quarter ends this Friday, March 12. Next week, registrar Linda Thomas will communicate when 3rd quarter grades and Upper School teacher comments are live on Parent Portal. As always, we encourage parent/teacher communication should you have any questions. Remember, this 3rd quarter grade is a 9-week snapshot of second semester grades. We look forward to finishing strong.
Choosing Virtual Learning
Remember that in order for your student to Zoom into class virtually, he or she must first have approval from Upper School Principal Mrs. Jennifer Woods. We are working to build a consistent learning environment for both students and teachers. To develop this consistency, it is very important for teachers to know which students to expect as virtual learners.
Remember, families who have concerns about COVID may opt-in to virtual learning for two-week increments. If you need to opt your student in to virtual learning due to COVID-related concerns, you should communicate directly with Mrs. Woods with as much advance notice as possible. Students who do not have approval to learn virtually will not be admitted to virtual classrooms and will be counted as absent. Please take time to review the complete remote learning protocols. We appreciate your partnership in this area!
Spring Chapels
This month, our students will be challenged and encouraged to continually form their thoughts with biblical insight versus the call of culture, using Romans 12:2 as the springboard: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” The timing of spring break allows us to point out the purpose of a break, which gives us a chance to go (away from our daily routine, work or school), to rest (hopefully less rushing around and commitments and maybe even a vacation), and to renew (returning rested and ready to re-engage). Our hope is that we can give a gospel framework for what it truly means to Go, Rest, and Renew.
Senior Events Update
Class of 2021 parents, here is the timeline of events for our seniors this spring. We will continue to keep you updated as we progress through the spring. Please note that we are working on a plan to expand the guestlist for Commencement on Saturday, May 15, to include grandparents. Stay tuned for more information!
Class of 2021 Prom Information
Friday, March 26, 2021, from 8:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Atlanta History Center, Grand Overlook Ballroom
130 West Paces Ferry Road NW
Atlanta, GA 30305
We are eagerly anticipating the 2021 senior prom! I am thankful to Mrs. Addie Cochran and Ms. Bethany Brant for planning such a memorable event for our students. In addition to the established COVID protocols, see below for details. Please note that seniors attending prom will be dismissed at 11:45 a.m. that day (or once their test results are returned). We will send additional information regarding the mandatory COVID rapid test for students planning to attend prom in the coming days.
Tickets are $60 per person and may be purchased via cash or check (made payable to Whitefield Academy) in the US Office or online using this link. Free parking is available onsite.
Please reference the following dress code guidelines, which can also be found in the handbook on page 23:
The standard attire for gentlemen is a formal suit or tuxedo to include a tie or bowtie, dress shirt, and dress shoes. No shorts, sportswear, tennis shoes or athletic shoes, or earrings are allowed.
The standard attire for ladies is formal. Dresses may be strapless or one-shouldered or include spaghetti straps if the rest of the dress fits properly. While cocktail length dresses are considered formal, the length must be mid-thigh or fingertip length. Full-length dresses should not have a slit higher than mid-thigh or fingertip length. An appropriate dress does not reveal front or side cleavage, the flesh of the torso area, or the lower half of the back. If a dress is two pieces, the top must overlap the waist of the bottom. In addition, an appropriate dress should avoid being skintight for the full length of the dress.
Everyone will have the opportunity to have their attire approved prior to the dance (dates TBD). Select members of faculty and administration will be available on the predetermined dates and times to approve students’ intended attire. While pre-approval is not mandatory, having attire approved will remove any question as to whether the student meets dress guidelines.
If we believe an outfit is inappropriate, we will address the situation at the dance and ask the student to correct the concern until the outfit has been approved.
If the student is unable to correct the concern, the student will be asked to change. If the student is not able to change, we will present the option for a parent to pick up the individual student or to utilize an attire alternative that we will have available to include shawls and/or cardigans for ladies and neckties for gentlemen.
These standards also apply to Whitefield students’ guests. If the guest’s attire does not meet established guidelines and he or she is unable to correct the problem, he or she will not be allowed to participate in the event. His or her parent will come pick him or her up from the event. It is the Whitefield student’s responsibility to make his or her guest aware of attire guidelines.
We will closely adhere to this established dress code. Prom is a formal event for Whitefield Academy students. Our goal is to maintain the formality and integrity of this special event. Thank you for your cooperation in adhering to these guidelines. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Jennifer Woods or Mr. Dan Moorer.
Academic Coaching Reminders
As you complete your Academic Coaching, please note the following deadlines:
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The deadline to appeal a course level recommendation or appeal the AP cap is Wednesday, March 31, at 3:00 p.m. Mentioning to your child’s Academic Coach or teacher that you might appeal is not an official appeal. Please use the online portal to request an appeal for course placement or AP cap.
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To change a course request, the deadline is Wednesday, March 31, at 3:00 p.m.
To take any of these actions, please fill out the forms online under the Parent Portal --> Academics Information --> US Academic Coaching and then use the correct link listed for your request.
Definitions:
Appeal course level recommendation: To request to move to a higher level in a course progression. Example: on-level English to Honors English. Deadline: Wednesday, March 31, at 3:00 p.m.
Appeal the AP cap: To request to take one more AP in a school year than the stated AP cap; 3 – Junior year, 4 -- Senior year; Deadline: Wednesday, March 31, at 3:00 p.m.
Change a course request: To simply change your mind on what course(s) you want to take within your recommendations or electives. Deadline: Wednesday, March 31, at 3:00 p.m.
Irregular Middle School and Upper School Schedule
On Monday, March 29, the Middle School and Upper School will follow an in-person, late-start Friday schedule. This shift during the four-day week leading into Easter break allows classes to meet an equal amount of times even when there is no school on Friday. Students should wear Friday uniform.
Community Service Requirement Reminder
The purpose of our community service requirement is to build within our students an awareness of the needs of the communities in which God has placed them and to gain an understanding of how their gifts can be used by God to meet those needs. The requirement is 15 hours per school year, 10 of which must be performed as a service to those outside the Whitefield community.
All service hours must be logged into our computer program www.x2Vol.com. Seniors must have their 15 hours completed, submitted, and verified before March 31. Freshmen-Juniors must complete, submit, and verify their 15 hours by April 30.
Page 17 of the handbook provides detailed information regarding the goals and policies for community service. Please see Mr. Shaheen, Mr. Holthus, or Ms. Kraehe if you have any questions.
Rising Senior Uniform Ordering
As your student approaches senior year, we want to make you aware of some uniform options that are “senior privileges.” The senior boys are permitted to wear navy pants and shorts and the gold tie. The senior girls are permitted to wear the plaid skirt. Since these items are not standard uniforms, they are not fully stocked in the store and are available in a very limited number in our current stock. We are offering the option to special order these items now through April 17 to rising seniors. The orders will arrive no later than mid-June and will be available for pick up in the store. Senior uniforms can be ordered after this time, but we cannot guarantee that they will arrive before the start of school.
If you would like to order the items, please have your student visit the campus store to try on the items for sizing. Special order items will be paid for at the time of ordering and are not eligible for exchange or refund. Once your items arrive, you will be notified that they are available for pick up in the Campus Store.
Please be aware, these uniform items are optional, and your senior is not required to purchase any of them. However, we have seen that the seniors are eager to wear these special pieces the first day of senior year. The store is open Tuesdays 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and Fridays 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. to receive orders. We hope this special order option will simplify uniform shopping for your rising senior.
Masks and Water Bottles
As we all seek to partner together and build a healthy and safe school environment, we encourage parents to please ensure that their children come to school with multiple masks and a refillable water bottle. The Upper School is equipped with a touchless water dispenser. Currently, we are handing out dozens of masks per day, as well as dozens of small, plastic water bottles per day. This pace is not sustainable. We appreciate your partnership in helping your child form these healthy and environmentally-friendly habits.
