ZAP at High School–“Zero’s Aren’t Permitted”

Dear Parents,

Entering high school begins the process of preparing teenagers for the real world. High school teachers practice tough love and hold their students especially accountable because, once in 9^th grade, students have to pass all of the classes they take in order to receive credit. Without these credits, students cannot graduate from high school. Part of preparing students for the real world is allowing them to make mistakes and figure out solutions; when a student stumbles, we help them get up, brush themselves off, and try again. It is our job as a school to help put processes in place to help students stick to the pursuit of a goal and be successful academically and socially.

Starting on Wednesday, September 23^rd, we will be implementing an academic support for 9^th-12^th graders called ZAP. It stands for “Zeros Aren’t Permitted.” High school students who have made the not turned in academic work, not completed an assignment, or are not meeting the expectations for one or more classes will be required to stay at school on Wednesday afternoons to catch up. Here are the details of the program:

• Each Tuesday, teachers will identify students who are missing work, haven’t completed their work, or are not meeting expectations for the class.
• These students are then notified that they are required to attend ZAP on Wednesday. Students in ZAP will stay in their 4^th period class during lunch on Wednesday. Lunch will be brought to students if they are eating school lunch.
• During this time, students will work on getting the academic work done that they are missing.
• If students do not finish missing work or assignments by the end of lunch at 12:45pm, they will be expected to stay and continue their academic work in our Wednesday afternoon tutoring program.
• The tutoring program is staffed by certified teachers, school staff and community volunteers.
• The tutoring program is staffed until 6:00pm on Wednesdays. Students participating in Wednesday afternoon ZAP tutoring can ride a school bus home at 3:35 or 6:00.

There is also tutoring available after school from 4:00-6:00 Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays for students in 7^th-12^th grade to get help on work or to have a quiet place to complete assignments.

It is important that students pass every class so they are on track for graduation. We have a goal of 100% of students to be on track with their credits! We very much appreciate your support in making sure that your student is caught up on his or her academic work, and, if s/he falls behind, that s/he participates fully in the ZAP program to get caught up and on track.

If you have any questions regarding ZAP, we are available by phone or email. We will also be going over the ZAP program and expectations for students during our Open House at LCHS on September 29^th from 6:00-7:00. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Sincerely,

Christina Gosselin

Principal LCHS