FORT HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL 

Kaye Houlihan, Principal 

 

MISSION STATEMENT 

 

To provide all students with “Excellence in Education” 

The Fort Hamilton High School community is diligently striving to meet the academic and social/emotional challenges of the 21st century. The continual refinement of teaching and learning is the school’s focus to enhance scholastic achievement, strengthen student attendance, and promote cultural responsiveness. Our philosophy is that every member of our diverse population is capable of succeeding and realizing their potential in an encouraging, nurturing, and rigorous learning environment designed to address individual needs. 

We make our large community safe and inclusive by encouraging student voice, supporting expansive co- and extracurricular activities, reinforcing high expectations, applying learning to real-life experiences, and preparing all students to be college and career ready as well as civically responsible. 

 

From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Fort Hamilton Community: 

Striving for excellence is the ongoing mission of Fort Hamilton High School. When there are challenges, such as the pandemic and frequent policy changes, we face them together and build upon the strength of our inclusive and committed community.  

Fort Hamilton High School is a culturally diverse community with students from over 65 countries. Our dedicated staff members prepare students to meet, even exceed, the academic challenges of New York City and the New York State Education Department’s performance standards and assessments. All curriculum is aligned with the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards (NGLS), and we set our instructional focus on literacy based on the needs of our students. We engage them with a variety of learning choices and opportunities to guide their development as positive and productive citizens of the 21st century. 

Parents and families are an integral component, and we share information and decision making to better enable participation and input. Preparing our students for college and/or career necessitates that we work together to maximize every learning opportunity for all students. We encourage active participation in the Parent Teacher Association in addition to the use of New York City Schools Account and Jupiter, the latter an online gradebook and communication system that helps students and families monitor academic progress. 

During the 2024-2025 school year, student activities will be in full swing with parades, competitions, live performances, Saturday Academy, clubs, etc.. We will continue with our Fort Food Pantry to support students and families, and community service remains a core value of Fort Hamilton.  Our commitment to support the school and larger community is exhibited by Leadership, the National Honor Society, JROTC, and dozens of clubs that contribute to the broader community. 

At Fort Hamilton High School, our focus is quality instruction provided in an environment safe and conducive to learning with mutual respect for all. Fort Hamilton is a highly regarded large comprehensive New York City public high school. We are proud to share it with you as we continue to set the standard for excellence and prepare students for college and career. 

 

 

Very truly yours, 

Kaye Houlihan 

Kaye Houlihan, Principal  

ADMINISTRATION / ORGANIZATION

Jennifer Gagnon, Assistant Principal

 

The Assistant Principal Organization (APO) at Fort Hamilton High School oversees the facilities, budget, staffing and legal issues. In this capacity, the APO works with the organizational team on a daily basis to ensure teachers are covered by substitute teachers in their absence, in addition to assisting with long-term absence coverages and hiring. 

 

A larger role is overseeing the facilities of the building in conjunction with the Division of School Facilities and School Construction Authority.  

 

Fort Hamilton’s main building was constructed in 1939 and is over 220,000 square feet. The modular units, which provide an additional 18 classrooms, were added in the late 1990s, and the natatorium in the early 1990s. Overall, the building has well over 2,000 classes each day, within three sessions, and between 500 and 900 students in physical education classes each period. This equates to many demands on our facility and the need for many repairs. More importantly, we are constantly working to improve and upgrade our facility. 

 

The APO also oversees and manages the school’s budget. While we are the second largest high school in New York City, due to our Title 1 funding, we have the largest budget. The Principal and Assistant Principals of Administration and Supervision work closely together to organize and allocate the school’s funding after staffing needs are met (personnel is 90% of the budget). The remaining funds go to supplies and other non-personnel services. Finally, the APO consults with the principal and staff on any legal issues which may arise. 

 

Fort Hamilton High School is a unique and special place with many opportunities for students of various interests. We have 90 clubs, 31 PSAL teams, a cheer squad, and two drama productions each academic year as well as multiple instrumental, vocal, and dance performances. In this small city we call Fort Hamilton High School, there is an enormity of interest and expertise on behalf of young people.  

ARTS AND BUSINESS

Thomas Oberle, Assistant Principal

The Arts and Business Department offers a variety of courses to both challenge and provide students an opportunity to explore and achieve in the performing arts and business. All students are required to earn a minimum of two credits (2 terms) in the arts.   

 

The Arts and Business Department is comprised of the following departments: 

• Business / Technology 
• Dramatic Arts Academy 
• Fine Art 
• Joffrey Dance Academy 
• Music (Vocal and Instrumental) 

 

Performing Arts Audition Program 

• Dramatic Arts (K17T) 
• Instrumental (K17R) 
• Joffrey Dance Academy (K17J) 
• Vocal (K17S) 

Please see the NYC DOE High School Directory for additional information. 

 

Business / Technology 

Course offerings include: 

• Computer Applications 
• Entrepreneurship • Marketing 
• Virtual Enterprise • In this class we run a virtual business (Seniors Only)  

Dramatic Arts Academy 

Course offerings include: 

• Acting 
• Directing 
• Play Production 
• Stage Design 

 

 

We present a minimum of two fully staged productions a year. Recent productions include Legally Blond, Gypsy, Avenue Q, the School Addition, the 25th Annual Putnam Valley Spelling Bee, In the Heights, West Side Story, Into the Woods, The Addams Family and The Prom. In addition, we present a Fall Play Production which has included Merchant of Venice, The Complete Works of Shakespeare, Doubt, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, The Crucible, The Miracle Worker, Arsenic and Old Lace, Green Bird and Clue.

Fine Art 

Course offerings include: 

• Calligraphy 
• Ceramics 
• Design Studio 
• Drawing 
• Fashion 

We offer the three-year Art Comprehensive Exam for Regents credit in addition to Advanced Placement art courses. 

Joffrey Dance Academy 

Our partnership with the Joffrey Ballet Academy is now in its 11th year.  Students 

are trained in the Joffrey Ballet School’s technique in both Classical Ballet 

and Contemporary Dance, Jazz, Improvisation, Dance History, Dance 

Composition, and Pointe. Students have performed at the Joffrey Ballet School’s annual performance of the Nutcracker. In addition, scholarships are available to study at the Joffrey Ballet School’s summer intensive program in New York City.  Students audition across New York City for this prestigious program. 

Music 

Instructional and Vocal courses: 

• Guitar 
• Percussion 
• Strings
• Marching Band* 

 

Performance Ensemble Classes: 

• Treble Chorus 
• Mixed Chorus 
• Concert Chorus 
• Vocal Training
• Symphonic Band 
• Concert Band 
• Intermediate Band
• Brass Ensemble 
• Woodwind Ensemble 
• Symphonic Orchestra
• String Orchestra 
• Jazz Band 

 

*Marching Band is required for all Brass, Percussion, and Woodwind Performing Arts students. 

  You earn Physical Education credit.

DATA AND COMPLIANCE

  Jacob Baty, Assistant Principal

 

Schools in New York City are charged to be data driven. The role of the 

Assistant Principal of Data and Compliance is to work in conjunction with the Principal and Assistant Principals of Administration and Supervision to analyze various data sets such as: 

 

• Student Attendance Rates 
• Student Classroom Performance 
• Student Progress towards Graduation 
• Regents Exam Results 
• College and Career Readiness  

 

School leaders need to be informed on how various subsets of courses and students are performing to make informed decisions about resource allocations, staffing, budget, programming, and instruction, and to determine what interventions are necessary to ensure all students are meeting cohort graduation requirements and are prepared for life after Fort Hamilton High School. 

 

Additionally, the Assistant Principal of Data and Compliance identifies data trends in the school and creates target groups of students so that the school leadership is proactive in planning ways to support students in meeting cohort graduation requirements in a timely manner as well as ensuring students leave Fort Hamilton High School college and career ready. 

 

Finally, in a school as large as Fort Hamilton High School, collecting, analyzing, and ensuring all data is presented to all stakeholders in a clear manner is essential to ensure that no student’s needs go unnoticed. 

 

Beyond data processing and analysis, the Assistant Principal of Data and Compliance monitors that the school is compliant with all city and state mandates. 

    

ENGLISH

Denise Kritikos, Assistant Principal 

 

 Fort Hamilton High School’s English Department is committed to engaging and meeting the needs of all students. We strive to maintain a wide variety of courses ranging from the traditional survey to interdisciplinary, honors, a balanced literacy program, and elective courses. Our approach is based on flexibility, response to student aspirations and goals, with emphasis on the highest standards of scholastic excellence. 

 

To qualify for graduation, students are required to successfully complete eight 

terms of English and pass the English Language Arts Regents Exam given in January of junior year. To qualify for college and career readiness, students must achieve a score above 75. Instruction is aligned to the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards.

 

All classes emphasize a workshop approach to acquiring college-level skills in reading and writing, as evidenced in a portfolio of narrative, argumentative, creative, and research-based writing. The Honors program culminates in Advanced Placement English Language offered in junior year and Advanced Placement English Literature offered in senior year. All seniors who have completed the English Regents requirement have the opportunity to take a college-level selective in the senior year, in place of English 7 and English 8 such as: College and Career Writing; The Immigrant Experience; Psychology and Literature; Philosophy and Literature; Human and Civil Injustice in Literature, and Poetry and the Arts.  

ELA electives such as College Inquiry and Research, ELA College Aptitude 

(SAT and College Prep), Journalism, and Public Speaking are also offered in addition to Core English in grades 9-11. 

 

Students with an interest and strong writing portfolio are encouraged to request Honors and Advanced Placement courses with their English teacher.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION, HEALTH & JROTC

Kristin LaMacchia, Assistant Principal 

 

All students are required to take and pass seven terms of Physical Education and one term of Health. The following Physical Education classes are offered: 

 

Basketball	Polar Bear
Fitness	Survey
Flag Football	Swimming
Football (Advanced)	Volleyball
Golf	Weight Training
Martial Arts / Fitness	Yoga
Badminton

 

In addition, with special permission from the staff, students may request 

Advanced Football, Lifeguard Training and Swimming.                         

Every student must change into appropriate athletic attire to participate in their Physical Education class. A Fort Hamilton High School uniform is preferred. This includes a Fort Hamilton High School T-Shirt, athletic shorts/sweatpants, and sneakers. These items can be purchased at our online store – WWW.SMOOTHUSA.COM/FHHS-GYM. You can email [email protected] with any questions.

A Fort Hamilton High School lock must be used on the lockers. Both the lock and the uniform may be purchased from the S.O. Store located in the students’ cafeteria (C-1).  Prices are listed below. 

Locks	$13.00 (C-1)
Shorts	$20.00 (on-line store)
Sweatpants	$25.00 (on-line store)
T-Shirt	$14.00 (on-line store)
Long Sleeve T-Shirt	$18.00 (on-line store)
Hoodie	$27.00 (on-line store)

INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Christine Ciccarone, Assistant Principal

 

The ISS department’s mission is for each student to graduate with a plan. We create an educational environment that maintains high standards, assists students who need academic support, and addresses their social / emotional development.  Classes are designed to parallel the general education curriculum. Instructional practice is rigorous as students are expected to achieve success on New York State assessment exams. 

 

We provide the following educational settings: 

• Special Education Teacher Support Services (SETSS – 8:1) 
• Special Class (Self-Contained – 15:1) 
• Integrated Collaborative Teaching (ICT – 12:1) 

 

Related services include adapted physical education, hearing services, mandated counseling, occupational therapy, paraprofessional support, physical therapy, speech/language therapy, and vision services. 

 

Single or double-period English classes are offered to select incoming freshmen based on ENL level in the special class setting. These classes are conducted in standards-based classroom settings utilizing various instructional models and methodologies. In all classes, lessons are conducted to help students establish their academic goals, and rubrics are used for assessment by teachers and student self-evaluation. 

 

 MATHEMATICS 

Mary Minucci, Assistant Principal 

 

The Mathematics department at Fort Hamilton High School offers a variety of courses to accommodate the needs of students at all academic levels – from classes designed to support incoming students with Algebra skills to Advanced Placement courses. Students at Fort Hamilton High School are prepared to meet the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards in Mathematics. 

 

It is important for parents and students to know that in order to graduate from high school in New York State, a student must complete six (6) terms of mathematics (including two terms of advanced mathematics such as Geometry or Algebra II) and pass at least one academic level NYS Regents examination. To obtain an Advanced Regents diploma, students must pass three Regents examinations (Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra II).  Students are expected to take mathematics in all four years in alignment with College Board recommendations. 

 

To be college and career ready, students are expected to complete three full units (years) of mathematics: Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra II and pass each respective Regents exam with at least one of the exam grades being 70% or above. 

 

Algebra 

• two-term sequence (Regents) 
• two-term sequence (Regents Honors) 

Geometry 

• two-term sequence (Regents) 
• two-term sequence (Regents Honors) 

Algebra II 

• two-term sequence (Regents) 
• two-term sequence (Regents Honors) 

 Advanced Courses 

• Pre-Calculus 
• Advanced Placement Pre-Calculus
• Advanced Placement Calculus 
• Advanced Placement Statistics 
• Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles

Elective Courses: 

• Financial Algebra 
• Coding 
• Computer Networking and Hardware Design 

The school’s Literacy focus is incorporated into all of the courses offered by the Mathematics department. To receive a (complete) mathematics education, students should be able to approach everyday problems employing the skills of reading comprehension, writing, and vocabulary as well as mathematics. 

Our experience indicates that students who tend to do well in mathematics maintain excellent attendance, hone their skills through homework practice, ask questions in class when there is something that is not clear to them, and attend tutoring sessions in school when they feel they need extra support. We are fortunate to have a number of free tutoring services available to students at Fort Hamilton High School. 

  

 

PARENT COORDINATOR 

Janet Saquisili

The Parent Coordinator, Janet Saquisili, located in room 149, engages with and involves parents in the school community by working with the principal, school staff, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), and community groups. The Parent Coordinator’s role is to provide information, answer questions, help access resources for parents and students, and work closely with the PTA and Title I Parent Committee. Answering telephone calls and meeting face-to-face with parents is a vital role to assist with any issue that may arise or if parents have concerns about their child’s education.

The Parent Coordinator is also the Language Access Coordinator. She speaks, writes, and reads Spanish. She assists with translation and interpretation service needs during PTA meetings, parent workshops, Parent-Teacher Conferences, and other events, if needed.

If you do not already have a NYCSA account, we encourage every parent to register for a NYC School Account (NYCSA). NYCSA is a valuable resource and will help you stay connected to your child’s education and more in the NYCSA portal. The Parent Coordinator will assist every parent to register. Once registered, you will have access to view your child’s program, attendance, grades, test scores and to complete DOE forms such as the Blue Emergency Contact card and more. 

Our school uses the Jupiter web-app to help keep parents/guardians informed about their child's progress. Parents/Guardians can login anytime to check the child's current grades, homework, missing assignments, test scores, and to contact teachers. The Parent Coordinator will share opportunities, such as scholarships, internships, workshops, and summer jobs via Jupiter. If you do not already have a Jupiter account, we encourage parents/guardians to contact the parent coordinator. She also supervises SYEP students working at Fort Hamilton High School during the summer.  

Students are provided with a DOE student account (___@nycstudents.net) which is necessary to log into our Chrome books, access grades, join Google Classrooms, and stay connected with the school. If a student needs assistance with a forgotten password or username, they should see the Parent Coordinator in room 149 during their lunch period.

 

During virtual learning, the Parent Coordinator is always available to ensure communication with parents and students. Resources for parent and student opportunities are forwarded to parents and students every week using the Jupiter and DOE email.

 

We urge parents to take the opportunity to contact the Parent Coordinator, attend PTA meetings, partake in parent workshops, and be involved in your child’s education.   

 

When parents and school staff work together to support learning, students: 

• earn higher grades and test scores,
• enroll in higher-level programs, 
• are promoted more and earn more credits, 
• adapt better to school and attend more regularly, 
• have better social skills and behavior; and 
• graduate and go on to higher education.

 

The Parent Coordinator may be contacted at jsaquisili@schools.nyc.gov or via telephone at (718) 748-1537, ext. 1457.  Please visit our website www.fthhs.org  for PTA meeting and parent workshop dates. 

PROGRAMMING AND TECHNOLOGY

Ismail Salem, Assistant Principal 

 

The role of the Program Office, located in room 268, is to ensure all students receive programs that keep them on-track for graduation in four years, are accurate, and are produced in a timely fashion. The Program Office works closely with various constituencies within Fort Hamilton High School to meet these goals. 

 

The Program Office also generates various school-related reports and performs necessary program corrections. The Program Office does not create student schedules. These recommendations come from the guidance department (guidance counselors) and the respective department supervisors. 

 

The Assistant Principal Programming and Technology is responsible to maintain all computer-related products within the building by servicing or replacing the necessary equipment. 

 

A number of laptops are available to sign-out for student/family use during the school year to support online assignments and checking NYCSA and Jupiter. Students and families must agree to parameters for computers to be assigned for use at home.

 

In an effort to keep students, parents, and staff updated and informed, we maintain the school website. Please visit www.fthhs.org to receive information about school events, testing dates, school closures and more. 

 

MINIMUM COURSE CREDIT REQUIREMENTS 

 

Subject	# of Credits
English	8
Social Studies	8
Mathematics	6
Science	6
Language	2
Art or Music	2
Health Education	1
Physical Education (.58 credit)	4 (7 terms)
Electives	7

 

ELECTIVES 

Based on students’ expressed interests and availability 

 

LOCAL DIPLOMA* 

(for students with an IEP) 

 

Students have the Safety Net Option of obtaining 55-64 on Regents Exams or a Compensatory Option to earn a local diploma. The Compensatory Option allows students who obtain a minimum of 55 on the ELA and Math Regents to earn a grade of 45 on another Regents as long as there is a corresponding grade greater than or equal to 65 on another Regents exam. Students may also use the low Regents score (52-54) appeal on up to two exams, but only if the ELA and/or Math Compensatory Option is not being applied. Students with an IEP may also graduate with a local diploma by obtaining a Superintendent Determination of Graduation by earning a Safety Net or appealable score status on the English and Math Regents exams. Students with an IEP may also receive an existing credential via a CDOS credential. 

 

*General Education students may appeal up to two Regents exams via the low Regents appeal option (60-64) and are eligible to graduate with a Local diploma. Students must show evidence of tutoring, passed all the required classes in the subject area, and have taken and failed the Regents exams under appeal at least two times. Students entitled to ENL services who first entered school in 9th grade or after may appeal the ELA Regents with a low Regents score option of 55-59 and receive a Local diploma. Students must show evidence of tutoring, passed all the required classes in the subject area, and have taken and failed the ELA Regents at least two times. 

 

PUPIL PERSONNEL SERVICES

Rosaria Mancini, Assistant Principal 

Fort Hamilton High School’s Pupil Personnel Services Department (also known as the Guidance Department) is a multi-faceted department that addresses the academic, attendance, social-emotional, and college and career needs for 4,100+ students. The department’s overarching goal is to support students through targeted academic advisement and to provide all students with the social-emotional skills necessary to graduate high school within a 4-year time frame, while ensuring that students are productive individuals during and beyond the high school experience.  To this end, Fort Hamilton is staffed with 20 highly trained guidance counselors that engage students in individualized programming and progress interviews and who conduct individual and group counseling. Students are provided with Naviance guidance lessons, a web-based College and Career exploration program, to ensure that students graduate from Fort Hamilton High School with a viable post-secondary college and/or career plan. Fort Hamilton High School students are also afforded the expertise of three highly effective College guidance counselors who provide targeted college and financial aid advice as well as support school-to-career pathways via work-shadowing and internship opportunities. In addition, all guidance counselors conduct college and career interviews during junior and senior year, to ensure all students have considered and explored viable post-secondary options. 

 

The Guidance department interfaces with Project Success, the school’s attendance squad, to ensure students attend school regularly and parents are informed in the event of extended absences. Additionally, the Guidance department collaborates with all Assistant Principals of Supervision and teachers to support students in meeting academic benchmarks and coordinates academic intervention services when necessary. 

    

 

REGENTS DIPLOMA 

Regents exams required* 

Algebra (1)	65+
English (1)	65+
Global History (1)	65+
Science (1)	65+
U.S. History (1)	65+

 

Students who earned an exemption for any Regents exam in June and August 2023 are eligible for Regents diplomas or higher. The “WA” grade on the transcript equates to 65. 

 

*Students may appeal via the Low Score Regents appeal (60-64) on one exam and still receive a Regents diploma.  Students must show evidence of tutoring and have taken and failed the particular Regents at least two times. 

 

Students may substitute the second Social Studies Regents with either a second Math Regents or a second Science Regents or an approved LOTE exam or a CTE approved exam or a CDOS credential. This is called a 4+1 Option. 

 

ADVANCED REGENTS DIPLOMA 

 Same subject class requirements and five Regents examinations (65+) mentioned above PLUS  

• An additional Regents examination in Science (65+) 
• Two additional Regents examinations in Mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, 

     and Algebra II) PLUS 

• Three years of foreign language and a Regents examination in a Foreign 

     language (65+) OR 

• 10 credits in Art or Music and a Regents examination in Art or Music (65+) 

 

MASTERY IN MATH ENDORSEMENT 

 Achieve a score of 85 or higher on each of the three required Math Regents examinations (Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra II). 

 

MASTERY IN SCIENCE ENDORSEMENT 

Achieve a score of 85 or higher on any three Science Regents examinations. 

 

Report cards, distributed six (6) times in an academic year, will indicate progress towards completing graduation requirements. The following approximate time frame is set with report card distribution: 

 

Term 1: Fall (September to January)
Marking Period 1	Mid-October
Marking Period 2	Early December
Marking Period 3	End of January (final grade for the term)

 

Term 2: Spring (February to June)
Marking Period 1	Mid-March
Marking Period 2	Late March
Marking Period 3	End of June (final grade for the term)

 

Most courses are annualized and students will continue with the same program in the Spring term. Program changes will only be made in the Spring for seniors and/or sophomores with regard to Health and Physical Education, senior lateral College Now course changes, and/or replacing elective courses for required courses to graduate. 

 

Students must be in a senior official class in order to participate in senior activities and must meet all graduation requirements in order to participate in graduation exercises. 

 

 

GUIDE FOR PROMOTION – FALL 

 

TO ENTER	YOU MUST HAVE
A Sophomore (2) Official Class	8 credits and 1 year in High School
A Junior (3) Official Class	20 credits and 2 years in High School AND  At least 4 terms of English and Social Studies At least 4 terms of Physical Education At least 3 terms of Math and Science Satisfied a Science Regents
A Senior (4) Official Class and for Graduation	30 credits and 3 years in High School AND    At least 6 terms of English and Social Studies  At least 4 terms of Math and Science  5 terms of Physical Education  2 terms of a Foreign Language  A graduating program OR be in Credit Recovery and/or online course  Satisfied a Social Studies Regents (including the 4+1 option), satisfied a Math and Science Regents  Received a 60-64 on Regents – candidate for an Appeal  Received a 55-59 on the English Regents – for newly arrived ENL students  Received a 52-54 on Regents – candidate for an Appeal (ISS students)  Received a 55 or more on a Math Regents AND an English Regents – candidate for a Superintendent Determination (IEP students)  Met the requirements for a Compensatory Option  Met the requirements for the Safety Net  Met the requirements for CDOS

 

Note: To participate in senior activities, a student must be in a 4 homeroom by September and must be carrying a program which enables him/her to graduate in June with his/her cohort. 

 

GUIDE FOR PROMOTION – SPRING 

 

TO ENTER	YOU MUST HAVE
A Sophomore (2) Official Class	14 credits and 1.5 years in High School
A Junior (3) Official Class	25 credits and 2.5 years in High School AND  At least 4 terms of English and Social Studies At least 4 terms of Physical Education At least 3 terms of Math and Science Satisfied a Science Regents
A Senior (4) Official Class and for Graduation	34 credits and 3.5 years in High School    At least 6 terms of English and Social Studies  At least 4 terms of Math and Science  At least 6 terms of Physical Education  At least 2 terms of a Foreign Language  A graduating program, which may include Credit Recovery and/or online course  Satisfied a Social Studies Regents (including the 4+1 option), satisfied a Math and Science Regents  Received a 60-64 on Regents - candidate for an Appeal  Received a 55-59 on the English Regents – for newly arrived ENL students  Received a 52-54 on Regents – candidate for an Appeal (IEP students)  Received a 55 or more on a Math Regents AND an English Regents – candidate for a Superintendent Determination (IEP students)  Met the requirements for a Compensatory Option  Met the requirements for the Safety Net  Met the requirements for CDOS

 

Note: To participate in senior activities, a student must be in a 4 homeroom by February and must be carrying a program which enables him/her to graduate in June with his/her cohort. 

 

CREDIT RECOVERY OPPORTUNITIES 

 

We support students to earn the credits and Regents exams required to graduate 

in four years. Students who fail a course will be given the opportunity to recover the credit to stay on-track. Below are credit recovery models that are offered to students. 

 

• 3:2 Split: Reserved for seniors with credit deficits in Physical Education.  Make-up classes are added to a student’s program. 

 

• Blended Learning: Reserved for upperclassmen in the area of Math and Physical Education. The instruction may be supplemented with assignments via Edgenuity. Note: Under-classmen may participate in Blended Learning opportunities and recover credit in core content areas as part of their day program, supervised by a licensed teacher and overseen by a licensed content-area teacher. 

 

• Credit Recovery by Application: A student qualifies for this program if he/she fails a course with a grade below 65% and had an attendance rate of 66% or higher in the deficit course. Eligible students will be identified by the Credit Recovery Committee and assigned a licensed subject-area teacher who will assess the academic deficit and assign work accordingly. The teacher will meet with the student and support the student in completing the assigned work to meet the required learning standard. The work must be completed no later than the end of the term immediately following the failure. 

 

• Double-Up: Reserved for upperclassmen. Eligible students may double-up in Social Studies and English if numbers permit. An additional class is added on the student’s day program. 

 

SCHOOL-WIDE HOMEWORK POLICY 

 

Rationale: 

 

Homework is an integral part of our educational program.  It is one of the many components used to support instruction and increase student learning. 

 

Homework helps to: 

 

• Prepare students for future lessons 
• Provide feedback to the student regarding comprehension of the material 
• Provide feedback to the teacher as to the success of the day’s lesson 
• Review, reinforce, and enrich skills and concepts introduced in the subject class 

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION AND STUDENT SERVICES

 

Attendance Policy 

In the event of an absence, the student must present a signed note indicating the reason for the absence to all subject teachers. Absence notices must have the following information:  student’s name, official class, OSIS number, reason for absence, and the dates of the absence(s). After all teachers have signed the note, the completed note must be brought to the student’s guidance counselor. 

 

Attendance Squad 

The Project Success House Structure addresses students’ cutting and overall attendance status, resulting in improved academic performance/scholarship. Project Success includes an attendance team, which is made up of an attendance teacher, family assistants, and school aides, monitoring daily attendance and cutting and responding to teacher attendance referrals. Through direct interfacing with the guidance offices/houses, which include assistant principal(s), guidance counselor(s), dean(s), and school aide, Project Success personnel work closely with these key staff members, assisting students in attending school on a regular basis and improving their academic performance. Project Success’ overarching goal is drop-out prevention through focused and consistent attendance outreach. 

 

Bathrooms 

Student bathrooms are available on the first floor, third floor, in the 83rd and 85th Street modules, locker rooms and student cafeteria. Student bathrooms are closed the first ten and final five minutes of each period. Students must also have a pass from their teacher if they are using the bathroom during class time. A gender-neutral bathroom is located on the 2nd floor, room 239. 

 

CAASS 

The CAASS system, a student identification card system, is located throughout the school building. ID stations are located at the main entrance, library, locker rooms, and student cafeteria. Students must swipe their ID cards to pass through these machines to gain entrance into the school and other areas of the building including the library, cafeteria and locker rooms. 

 

Entrance Gate Procedures 

There are two main entrances to the campus of the school – the 85th Street and Narrows Avenue gate and the 83rd and Narrows Avenue gate.  Students can exit the building during dismissal via Exit 10, Exit 83A, Exit 83C, or Exit 85C into the module courtyard and onto Shore Road where MTA shuttle buses will be waiting to take students to 4th Avenue. Students choosing to walk should walk up 86th Street (safe corridor). Students cannot walk across the front of the campus during dismissal. 

 

Health Office Policy 

In the event of sickness or injury, a student may go to the Health Office, located in room 256, with a hand-written pass from a staff member. There, the student may rest and recover. If the student is too ill to remain in school, a phone call to the parent/ guardian or an individual listed on the Blue Emergency Card will be made and that person will be required to pick up the student from school. If the parent/guardian is unable to pick up the student from school, the parent/guardian may give verbal consent for the child to leave. If the student is not well enough to travel home, the parent/guardian or a person listed on the Blue Emergency Card must pick up the child. All incoming students must have their medical records on file along with completed immunizations. Students are expected to keep their medical records and immunization records updated throughout their high school career. 

 

Identification Cards 

All students must have a FHHS ID card with them at all times. Students must have an FHHS ID card with them in order to enter the school building. Any teacher can ask to see your ID card and students are required to present it. ID cards are also needed when taking Regents, ACT, PSAT, and SAT exams, obtaining a MetroCard or working papers, and to gain entrance to the school, cafeteria, library and locker rooms. New school ID cards may be obtained every day in the B77 (located in the student cafeteria). The school provides one replacement ID card. A $2.00 fee is charged for further replacements. 

 

Library 

The Library Media Center is staffed by three librarians and one school aide and is open periods 1-10 for individual students and whole class instruction. To enter the library, students must swipe their FHHS student ID card. Students may work, read, use computers, or conduct research quietly. Books may be borrowed for two weeks and must be returned. The Library Media Center is equipped with a computer lab and mobile laptops labs complete with printers for student and staff use. Students and staff may access the Fort Hamilton High School website at www.fthhs.org to access links to our library’s extensive collection of subscription databases. The catalog and databases may be accessed from any internet computer in the library or at home. As funding permits, the library will be open afterschool until 5:00 pm to allow students access to computers, resources, and a place to study. 

Violations of school rules and policies may result in a student being asked to leave the library and/or lose library privileges for a period of time to be determined by the librarians. 

 

Meals 

Universal breakfast and lunch is provided to students every day. Breakfast is served from 7:00 am to 8:50 am and lunch is served periods 3 thru 9. While meals are provided at no cost, we urge all families to complete the Meal Inquiry Form to ensure an accurate accounting of our eligibility for federal funds via Title I. 

 

MetroCards 

MetroCards are distributed during the first week of the fall and spring semesters. In order to receive a MetroCard, a student must have their FHHS ID card and a cleared school book account. If a student’s MetroCard is lost or does not work, they must go to room B77 (located in the student cafeteria) and request a new one. All MetroCards must have the student’s name written on the card. Students who repeatedly lose their MetroCard will be asked to have a parent/guardian come up to school to obtain a new MetroCard. 

 

Online Program - Edgenuity: We offer online courses to provide students an opportunity to recover credits needed for graduation if they fail a course and need to repeat the entire course. Eligible students must sign a contract, complete an online orientation, and initiate online course work on Edgenuity, an online instructional program aligned to NYS Next Generation Learning Standards. A subject-area teacher will support completion of online assignments no later than the end of the term. 

 

Program Cards

Students must always have a current FHHS ID Program Card with them. Any staff member can ask to see a student’s Program Card and the student is required to present it. Duplicate program cards may be obtained in room B77 during the students lunch period or at the end of their day.

 

Quick Print Lab 

The Quick Print Lab, located in room B77 (in the student cafeteria), is available to students during their lunch period (periods 3-9). Students have access to laptops and printers and have the opportunity to print homework assignments and other school-related documents. In addition, students may do research and work on Edgenuity (credit-recovery) assignments. 

 

School Trips 

School trips are an enhancement to instruction. All students are eligible to participate.  Misbehavior or any other disciplinary action may result in a student being excluded from a school trip or activity. 

 

Working Papers 

Forms for working papers may be obtained in room 143, during a student’s lunch period.  Once all documentation has been completed, working papers will be issued.