Dear Parent / Guardian:

As a parent/guardian of a Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech student, you play a crucial role in fostering a healthy learning environment at the school. We are excited about partnering with you to help your child succeed.

What can you do to help? First, tell your child that you expect him/her to work hard each day. Sending your child to school, every day, and on time is the first step to ensuring that they will have a productive learning experience. Secondly, please read the Student Handbook to become familiar with the school, its programs, and its disciplinary code. Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School prides itself on creating a safe, secure, rigorous learning environment. We will not tolerate a lack of respect or tolerance for others. Proper behavior is expected of all students at all times.

Every parent must understand that while cell phones are a primary means of electronic communication, using a cell phone during the school day is not permitted. Our students have the privilege of possessing a portable communication device; however, use of their device is only permitted outside the school building before and after the instructional day.

Every year, a number of Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech students lose their chance to continue attending our school because of failing grades, lack of effort, safety concerns, disciplinary action, and/or attendance problems. While we do not treat such decisions lightly, we want you to know that we will not hesitate to discipline, or remove from school, any student whose behavior is disruptive to the learning environment. We owe that to the school and to its hard-working students, teachers, and staff.

We know that parents may not always agree with the discipline measures taken when a student violates a school rule, but our goal is to educate students. This includes educating them about discipline and the consequences they face when they decide to break the rules.

Over the years, Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech has built a reputation for providing a positive atmosphere in which students can excel. We are continually working to make the learning environment at our school even better. As we do so, we will be looking for your understanding, cooperation, and support. We thank you, in advance, for your support and look forward to partnering with you in the education of your child.

Sincerely,

Warley J. Williams, III

Principal

To download this letter or see it in Spanish or Portuguese, click here

Dear Parent/Guardians,

Welcome to Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School! There are a few new policies in our student handbook that you will need to become familiar with. Please take a few minutes to review the Dismissal Policy and the Tardy/Detention Policy in the student handbook.

The Attendance Department does not allow phone call dismissals barring a serious family emergency. Please understand this is for the safety of all our students and staff. If you are coming in to pick up your child you will need to show Identification, if you are sending another family member or friend to pick up your child, they must be listed on the 10A Emergency form so please make sure your emergency information is updated. All students getting dismissed who are self-drivers are required to drop off a permission note from a parent/guardian to the Attendance Office before school in the morning, the note should include the student’s name ID #, your telephone number and indicate that the student is a self-driver. We will call you to verify you wrote the note.

Tardy/Detentions have now been centralized and are held after school in the Cafeteria Extension Monday through Thursday from 2:31-4:00 p.m. and late bus transportation is provided. Please remind your child that all tardy/detentions must be served within a (2) day period unless there is a valid excuse for missing the detention. For more detailed information please refer to the student handbook.

I look forward to meeting you and working with your child over the coming school year. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call my office. (508) 998-3321.

Respectfully,

Jennifer Carreiro

Supervisor of Attendance

Phone: (508) 998-3321 ext. 341 or 734

To download this letter or see it in Spanish or Portuguese, click here

Dear Parent/Guardian:

The enclosed brochure explains the SCHOOL-TIME COVERAGE which the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School has purchased for all students enrolled as of the first day of school. This coverage is only for school related activities and supervised travel to and from school. This insurance supplements but does not take the place of your personal insurance coverage. It is designed to cover those expenses not covered by other insurance the student might be insured under, not to duplicate benefits from such other insurance. Should a student have an accident, claim forms will be sent to the student’s home by mail.

Forms should be filled out and mailed to:

• Bob McCloskey Insurance, P.O. Box 511, Matawan, New Jersey 07747 (within 90 days of the accident)

Any bills received by the parent should be forwarded to the above agency and not to the school. The brochure also offers coverage that provides benefits for all accidents during a twelve-month period, 24-hours a day wherever they occur, thus ensuring the student is adequately covered at all times. I urge you to read this brochure, remember, the school district will provide the school-time coverage. If you decide to purchase the 24-hour coverage, please fill out the enrollment application and mail it directly to Bob McCloskey Insurance.

The Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, through its School Committee and its employees, in selecting an insurer to offer this coverage, does not mean to restrict your choice in selecting any other insurer. The District does not benefit from such selection and does not warrant or guarantee the solvency of any insurer.

Sincerely,

Michael Watson,

Superintendent Director

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SUMMER CLASS WORK

Information regarding summer assignments for 2023 is coming soon.

Class Advisor/Officers

Class of 2023:

Class Advisors:

• Pam Baptista
• Stacy Martin

President: Elijah Gonsalves

Vice President: Joher Cacho Lopez

Secretary: Brayden Bassett

Academy Reps: Nasaiah Algarin & Olinda Tavares

Class of 2024:

Class Advisors:

• Tracy Gullimette
• Brittany Lynch

President: 

Vice President: 

Secretary: 

Academy Reps: 

Class of 2025:

Class Advisors:

• Aimee O’Neil
• Brooke Fatula

President: 

Vice President: 

Secretary: 

Academy Reps: 

Class of 2026:

Class Advisors:

• Kendra Arruda
• Katelyn Roberts

President: 

Vice President: 

Secretary: 

Academy Reps: 

Dear Parent /Guardian:

A comprehensive health education curriculum has been developed by our professional staff under the guidance of the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School Advisory Council. The overall goal of the program is to continue efforts begun in earlier grades to promote the health and the well-being of our students and to help them make wise and informed decisions during their teenage years and beyond.

Sex education is part of the health education curriculum in grade 9, including topics such as puberty; dating; relationships and communication skills; responsibilities of human sexuality; pregnancy; prevention of HIV+/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases; prevention of sexual abuse and dating violence; and other human sexuality issues. The instructional materials we use for these courses include up-to-date materials from Responsible Attitudes about Pregnancy Prevention and Parenting (RAPPP) which is a program provided by the SouthCoast Hospital Systems. If you would like to review any of these materials at the school, you are welcome to do so. Please call Ryan Methia, Coordinator of Health and Physical Education, to arrange a convenient time at (508) 998-3321, ext. 293.

During this course, students will be able to ask questions which will be answered factually and in an age appropriate manner. Each student’s privacy will be respected and no one will be put on the spot to ask or answer questions or reveal personal information. Material will be presented in a balanced, factual way that makes clear that people may have strong religious and moral beliefs about issues such as birth control and abortion, and that these beliefs must be respected.

Under the Massachusetts Law and School Committee Policy, you may exempt your child from any portion of the curriculum that primarily involves human sexual education or human sexuality issues. To receive an exemption, simply send me a letter at least three (3) days before the scheduled lesson(s) requesting an exemption for your son/daughter. No student who is exempted from this portion of the curriculum will be penalized. We may provide an alternative assignment to students including, but not restricted to, written, oral, or physical activities based on the school’s ability to provide adequate supervision to students exempted.

We look forward to working with you to ensure that your child has a positive and educationally enriching experience during his/her school year. If you have any questions about sex education or any other matter concerning your child’s education, please call me.

Sincerely,

Warley J. Williams, III

Principal

To download this letter or see it in Spanish or Portuguese, click here.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Morning Drop-off:

• All parents dropping off their child must drop them off in the “horseshoe” in front of the building and NEVER IN THE PARKING LOT.
• Follow all signs.

Pick-up:

• Entry into driveway for student pick-up is not allowed between 2:00-2:45p.m. unless you are dismissing a student. Pick up in the rear of the school is not allowed.
• All pick-ups must be done on Ashley Blvd.

Bussing:

• Bus routes are final and bus stops will not be added to bus routes.
• If your child has a disability, and requires accommodations, please call Mrs. Thurbide at ext. 790.
• Once students are issued an ID, they must wear it onto the bus to gain access.
• Once a student has an established bus stop, they will not be able to ride on another bus unless they bring a parent/guardian note or a parent/guardian call is made to confirm the bus change with Mrs. Martin (Security Dept. Administrative Assistant).

 

Matthew Silva,

Assistant Principal / Director of Security

508-998-3321 ext. 381 

Re: Parking Permits

Dear Parent/Guardian,

As you may know, it is required that your child must have a parking permit to use the school parking lot. As stated in the Student Handbook: Parking on school property is a privilege, not a right. This privilege is limited to students with a parking permit. Students without a parking permit may not park on school grounds except on weekends, during school vacations, or when attending evening functions. Students that have a parking permit may park in white lined parking spots. Students will only be allowed to park in the yellow lined parking spots after 2:30 p.m., as these parking spots are reserved for teachers and staff.

The parking permit must be visible, and placed in the middle of the windshield, behind the rearview mirror. Parking permits will be strictly enforced for the school year. Students will have until the third week in September to park in the parking lot without a parking permit. After that, they will be told to park off campus until they get a parking permit. Students will be able to attain a parking permit free of charge, which can be picked up at the Security Office with Stacey Martin.

If you have any questions, please contact Stacey Martin at 508-998-3321 ext.286

Sincerely,

Matthew Silva, Assistant Principal

Derek Medeiros, Assistant Principal

The purpose of the Dean’s List is to encourage student achievement and recognize successful freshmen who have contributed to our school in a positive way. To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:

• Average of 85 or above in academic courses
• Average of 85 or above in their career and technical program
• No grade lower than 75
• ” 3 ” or better in conduct and effort

No disciplinary action resulting in suspension. If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact the Dean of Freshmen.

The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since their beginning in 1921. Today, it is estimated that more than one million students participate in activates of the NHS. NHS chapters are found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, many U.S. Territories, and Canada. Chapter membership not only recognized students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activates and community service. Four main purposes have guided chapters of NHS from the beginning- ” To create enthusiasm for scholarships, to simulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the student in secondary school” (From the NHS constitution) Theses purposes also translate into the criteria used for membership selection in each local chapter.

Poor attendance is the leading cause of failing grades. Students are expected to be present – and on time – everyday that school is in session. School starts at 7:30 AM sharp. GNB Voc-Tech and the state expect a 95% student attendance rate. Students with more than three (3) unexcused absences in a single quarter will receive a grade of “Incomplete” until they make up that time with their assigned mentor. Students that are absent (unexcused) from school are not allowed to participate in athletics or school activities on the day of their absence. Parents or guardians are required by law to send their children to school. We follow state laws on attendance. The General Laws of Massachusetts include the following:

M.G.L. Chapter 76, Section 4:
Whoever induces or attempts to induce a minor to absent himself unlawfully from school, or unlawfully employs him or harbors a minor who, while school is in session, is absent unlawfully from school, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $200. M.G.L. Chapter 76, Section 1A: (in part) The parents and guardians of each pupil shall, annually, at the commencement of each school year be sent a notice instructing them to call a designated telephone number at a designated time to inform the school of the absence of a pupil and the reason therefore. Said notice shall also require such parent or guardian to furnish the school with a home, work or other emergency telephone number where they can be contacted during the school day. If a pupil is absent and the school has not been notified by the designated time, the school shall call the telephone number or numbers furnished to inquire about said absence. M.G.L. Chapter 76, Section 2 Duties of Parents; Penalty: (in part) Every person in control of a child described in section one shall cause him to attend school as therein required, and, if he fails so to do for seven day sessions or fourteen half day sessions within any period of six months, he shall, on complaint by a supervisor of attendance, be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dollars.

Renaissance Honor Roll

Renaissance aims to increase school attendance rates, improve overall academic performance, increase graduation rates, and support a positive and safe school environment.  Criteria for the four different honor rolls that compromise Renaissance are as follows

• Principal’s List: GPA 3.6 or Higher
• First Honors: GPA between 3.4 and 3.59
• Second Honors: GPA between 3.2 and 3.39
• Honorable Mention: GPA between 3.00 and 3.19

For the four categories of academic awards, students must also maintain a three or better in conduct.