Ryan lely/Sonoma Valley Sun
Principal Micaela Philpot (left) and vice principal Paul Tuohy address sophomore parents. Photo by Max Friedauer.
At the Aug. 25 Sonoma Valley High School Sophomore Parents’ Night, students and their parents were reminded that they can follow the students’ academic progress the way some people do their banking – online.
“Parent Connect,” said Director of Curriculum and Instruction Luann Carlomagno, “is an awesome program,” allowing both parents and students to check in on-line and keep up to date on a whole range of information about themselves. “It’s a great opportunity for kids,” she said. “They can look at PSAT or other dates, assignments turned in or missing, and [check up on] any discipline actions that may have taken place. It’s a way for the kid to keep track of what they’re doing. It’s really dynamite.”
The orientation gave parents a chance to get up to date on the information in the handbook, which delineates the different codes of behavior, forms of discipline and consequences of infractions, including offenses that would cause expulsion or suspension. Each parent received a handbook, based on the California Education Code, which applies to students in grades 9-12.
Principal Micaela Philpot and Vice Principal Paul Tuohy gave parents an overview on the new dress code. Parents had been e-mailed a copy of the dress code, which, in addition to a list of specific items and a general advisement against the showing of undergarments, forbids clothing exhibiting “writing, pictures, or any other insignia which are crude, vulgar, profane or sexually suggestive; which bear drug, alcohol or tobacco company advertising, promotions and likenesses; or which advocate racial, ethnic or religious prejudice.” A number of parents expressed concern about the stricter enforcement this year, some even wearing the forbidden red and blue colors themselves in quiet protest. Carlomagno said, though, that Philpot and Tuohy “did an excellent job of sharing.”
