July 13, 2017

Greetings D.M. Therrell High School Parents,

I want to officially welcome you to the 2017-2018 school year! We anticipate an exciting year where we will collectively strive to foster an engaging environment for all students.  As of May 2017, D.M. Therrell High School became an International Baccalaureate (IB) candidate school for the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Career-related Programme (CP).  As we pursue authorization as an IB World School, we share a common philosophy- a commitment to high-quality, challenging, and international education- that we believe is important for our students.

High expectations and accountability will be top priorities at D.M. Therrell High School.  We will continue to focus on making our vision and mission the core of our daily work with children, teachers and parents. We are creating a culture of college readiness and we will build shared understandings about what this means and ways parents and teachers can work together to ensure that every D.M. Therrell student is prepared for the future.  

To help support us in achieving this goal we ask that you guide and support your child’s learning by ensuring that he/she:

1. Attends school daily and arrives on time, ready for the day’s learning experience
2. Completes all assignments and projects on time assigned by teachers
3. Shares school experiences with you so that you are aware of his/her school life
4. Informs you if he/she needs additional support in any area or subject
5. Knows that you expect him/her to succeed in school and pursue college, military or other post-secondary opportunities

Please be reminded that D.M. Therrell High School is a uniform campus.  Students are expected to adhere to the uniform policy at all times.  Please support our effort to create a safe and positive learning environment by ensuring your child is in uniform every day.  In addition to the required grade level uniforms, all students will be expected to adhere to the following:

1. Clothing, including spirit wear, must be modest and of appropriate length and fit. Extremely tight clothing, sagging shorts or trousers, or baggy, oversized clothing is not permitted.
    
2. Clothing and/or jewelry must not contain words or symbols that are gang-related, offensive, insulting, embarrassing, obscene, or promote illegal behavior.
    
3. Clothing and/or jewelry must not contain any advertisement or display of words or symbols associated with alcohol, illegal drugs, or tobacco.
    
4. Appropriate undergarments must be worn at all times and must not be visible.
    
5. Caps, hats, head wraps, bandanas, hoods, or other head coverings must not be worn in the school building during the school day unless there is a special activity where they are deemed appropriate by the school principal.
    
6. Appropriate shoes must be worn at all times at school and school sponsored activities.  For the safety of students, open-toe shoes/ sandals are not allowed.

We invite you to be an active participant in our school community through volunteering, joining our PTSA or supporting school events.  Research clearly states that when parents participate and are involved in their child’s education, there is a greater likelihood of academic success.

We look forward to continuing our work as partners and eagerly anticipate a meaningful year of learning and engagement for our students.  

With Panther Pride,

Shelly H. Powell, Principal

     D.M. THERRELL HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION SHEET