Quick Links - An alphabetical listing of information contained within this web site, along with external links you may find helpful. School policy information is listed at the bottom of this page.
Absences/Attendance
ACT testing
Bright Futures
Financial Aid
SAT testing
Food Service Inspection Report
News and Announcements at CHS
Newsletter to parents
Newspaper, The Paw Print
Phones, Cell
Pinellas Supervisor of Elections
Police, Campus/SRO
PTSA - Parent Teacher Student Association
SAC - School Advisory Council
School Code for College Testing
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Address Change: If you move, bring proof of residency, such as a copy of a utility bill, to the Guidance office. They will update your address in the school system records and request a new bus stop if necessary. For more information, contact http://www.pcsb.org/schooloptions/ .
Attendance is monitored by Mrs. Vallarelli at 725-7956, ext. 2026. Please call this number to report student absences, and send a note with your student when they return. To check absences for your student, go to ParentConnect at http://www.parent.pinellas.k12.fl.us/ . If you know your student will be absent, for either an appointment or an extended period of time, please have them bring a note in ahead of time. They will receive a Permit to Leave pass and can leave campus at the time noted on the pass. For Permit to Leave questions, call 727-725-7956, extension 2025.
Students are required to attend school 180 days per year. All students who are registered must be present on the first day of school or they will be marked absent. If not present on the first day of school, the student will not be eligible for any exemptions for exams. If a student misses 5 days or more during a quarter, they must pass the final exam to pass the course. Documentation is needed 3 days in advance from parents if a student is missing school due to a religious holiday. See Student Code of Conduct for more information.
Automobiles/Cars: Students who drive and park a car at school will be required to purchase a parking permit. Automobiles without a parking permit may be towed away. Students are to park in the student parking lot only. Only seniors have the right to reserve a parking space. Students are not allowed to return to the parking lot or their cars while classes are in session. The school is not responsible for theft of automobiles.
Band Questions: Please contact the band director at 727-725-7956, extension 2045.
Bright Futures is Florida's scholarship program for those planning to attend Florida colleges or vocational schools. For complete information, visit http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/ssfad/bf/. To get started on your service learning project, visit the Guidance office for a quick briefing and the forms to complete.
Building Rental: For information about renting school facilities, contact the assistant principal at 727-725-7956, extension 2003.
Buses are assigned to students living: 1) more than two miles from CHS and 2) within the Countryside High attendance area, per Pinellas County School Board. If you move and need a new bus assignment, bring proof of residency, such as a copy of a utility bill, to the Guidance office. They will update your address in the school system records, request a new bus stop, and notify the student when the new bus assignment is received. For more information, contact PCSB Central Transportation at 727-587-2020 or http://www.pcsb.org/is/trans/home.html.
All buses will load and unload on the east side of the building near McMullen Booth Road. Students are not to be dropped off in the bus area. Students are not allowed to park in the bus area during the school day. Students may only ride their assigned bus.
Cafeteria/Lunch: Our cafeteria staff prepares and serves breakfast, snacks and lunch each day. Lunch is at the end of the school day. Fees and reduced lunch forms are distributed at the beginning of the school year and are available in the Guidance Office. All students will be given a card to use in the lunchroom for lunch accounts. Make checks to the cafeteria payable to Countryside High School.
Cell Phones: Phones may be brought to school but MAY NOT BE USED or turned on during school hours. Phone calls and text messages are not to be received during the day on a cell phone. Cell phones will be confiscated if seen or used during the school day and must be picked up in the front office by a parent or guardian. Parents and guardians are to call the front office at (727) 725-7956 ext 2025 if they need to contact their child during an emergency.
Cheerleading: Contact Ms. Watson at 727-725-7956, extension 2431, for basketball cheerleading or Ms. Michael, extension 2397, for football cheerleading.
Clinic/Illness: The clinic is for emergencies only. Students who are ill need parents' permission to leave campus and must bring a note when they return. A student must have a pass to come to the clinic except in emergencies. Clinic cards must be returned to the school with current home and emergency contact information. Please provide any changes to that information to the school as soon as possible. The clinic is located behind the AP office, or contact at 727-725-7956, extension 2025.
College Interns: College students interested in interning at CHS, please contact Mr. Curtwright at 727-725-7956, extension 2005.
College Testing: Most colleges require potential students to take either the SAT (http://collegeboard.com/) or ACT (http://www.act.org/). Register for the exams via the web sites. Our school code is 10024. The PSAT, or preliminary SAT, is given to all 10th graders at CHS free of charge. Results are used by guidance counselors to recommend AP or other classes. To be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship program, students must take the PSAT in October of 11th grade. Sign up in the Guidance office. For more college planning info, see Guidance Links page.
Computer Use: Pinellas County School Board requires students, and parents of students under age 18, to complete an Internet Use Agreement. The forms are available in the Media Center.
Curriculum: A curriculum guide is given to every student prior to registering for courses each year. See your guidance counselor or FACTS.org for information on credits you need and have received.
Diplomas: Please contact the data prep office at 727-725-7956, extension 2006, if you did not receive your diploma at graduation.
Discipline: A school discipline plan is available in every classroom. Refer to your Student Code of Conduct published by the School Board of Pinellas County at: http://www.pcsb.org/forstudents/.
Donations: For information about tax deductible deductions to CHS, please contact the bookkeeping office at 727-725-7956, extension 2008 or 2028.
Drama: For information on upcoming theatre productions, drama and musical theatre classes, and Drama Club, refer to www.chstroupe900.com or call 727-725-7956, extension 2063.
Dress Code: CHS strictly adheres to the dress code as defined in the Student Code of Conduct published by the School Board of Pinellas County at: http://www.pcsb.org/forstudents/.
Driver Education: Call 727-725-7956, extension 2059.
Dual Enrollment: CHS juniors and seniors with a GPA of at least 3.0 are eligible for dual enrollment classes at St. Petersburg College. Contact assistant principal Saginario for further information, 727-725-7956, extension 2021.
Early Admissions: For information on early college admissions, refer to your Curriculum Guide, or call 727-725-7956, extension 2021.
ESE Staffing Office: For information about IEPs (individual education plans), VE specialists, or ESE programs, please call 727-725-7956, extension 2067.
Exams: Exams are given per Pinellas County School Board schedules: http://www.pcsb.org/Calendar/.
FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test): FCAT is the set of exams given to measure how each student has mastered the core subjects taught in Florida schools. In high school, FCAT exams in reading, writing and math are given in 10th grade. To graduate, students must earn a passing score in each area or show competency in another specified way. FCAT science exam is given to 11th graders. For more information on FCAT, contact the Guidance office. For FCAT schedules, select FCAT Calendar from this page: http://www.pcsb.org/Calendar/ .
Graduation: Students are given a printout each year showing their progress toward graduation. Click here to view graduation requirements. For information about this year's graduation ceremony, see the Seniors page.
Graduation Caps and Gowns: Contact the Senior office at 727-724-1487 For graduation announcements call Herff Jones at 727-545-3288.
Hall Passes: Hall passes are not to be given out until 15 minutes after the late bell or during the last 15 minutes of any class period. All students must have a pass to be in the halls during class time.
Homecoming: Contact the student government office at 727-725-7956
Homework: It is the student's responsibility to make arrangements for any missed work. Students should be allowed at least the same number of days for make-up work without penalty as the number of days absent. If a student is ill for three or more days, parents can call Guidance to request homework assignments.
Homework
Helpline hours are from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Monday through Thursday.
Call 547-7223 or 442-3226.
If you call and get a busy signal, keep trying! S ome nights are busier than
others.
Honor Roll and Dean's List: Report cards that reflect a 3.0 average with no more than one "C" grade are eligible for an honor roll certificate. Students who have a 4.0 unweighted average qualify for the Dean's List certificate.
I.D. Cards: All students must have a student photo ID card and have it with them at all times.
Insurance: Each student involved in any extracurricular activity (clubs, sports, band, drama, etc.) must purchase mandatory school insurance from: www.k12studentinsurance.com . Interscholastic Tackle Football has an additional insurance requirement.
Job Postings: Contact the DCT office at 727-725-7956, extension 2043.
Lockers: Students must purchase a school lock for the regular hall lockers. Lockers are assigned to one student. For the safety of all, do not share a locker with friends. State Law permits school personnel to search lockers for prohibited or illegally possessed substances or objects. For more information, call the Front office at 727-725-7956, extension 2001.
Lost and Found: Turn in any item found or look for lost items in the Attendance Office. Items not claimed by the end of the year are donated to charity. For more information, call the Attendance office at 727-725-7956, extension 2025.
Make-Up Work: It is the student's responsibility to make arrangements for any missed work. Students should be allowed at least the same number of days for make-up work without penalty as the number of days absent. If a student is ill for three or more days, parents can call Guidance to request homework assignments, 727-725-7956, extension 2010.
Marquee: Contact Assistant Principal Bates at 727-725-7956, extension 2003.
Medication: Students requiring either prescription or over-the-counter medication must have an Administration of Medicine form, signed by the parent or guardian, on file at the school. Medication must be in its original labeled container and is kept in the Clinic.
Mentoring: Please join us as a mentor to a student for one hour each week. Contact Community Involvement Office at 727-725-7956, extension 2039.
National Honor Society: Inducts new members each spring. Call the sponsor at 727-725-7956, extension 2396 for more information.
Newsletter to Parents: The Cougar Chronicle newsletter is mailed to your home four times per year. Please read it and keep for reference as it contains many dates of importance, policy changes, and other information.
Newspaper, The Paw Print: Our in-school newspaper is produced by the Journalism classes. For further information, call 727-725-7956, extension 2046.
ParentConnect: Sign up for ParentConnect to register your students, and to monitor their grades and attendance online. To enroll, go to http://www.parent.pinellas.k12.fl.us/. After enrolling come to the Guidance office and show ID to get your password. For further information, contact the records clerk at 727-725-7956, extension 2016.
Parent-Teacher Conferences: Call or stop by the Guidance office to make an appointment for a conference, 727-725-7956, extension 2010. Students may fill out a request form to see their guidance counselor.
Phone and FAX numbers for CHS: The main telephone number is 727-725-7956. The fax number for Guidance/Registration is 727-669-1929. The fax number for Front Office/Principals is 727-725-7990.
Prom is presented by the Junior Class. Contact Junior Class sponsor, Mrs. Mallory, or any class officer for more information.
Records Requests: To request transcripts or records for students at CHS in the past five years, contact Ms. Korcak at 727-725-7956, extension 2016. The Records office is located through Guidance. To request records for students at CHS more than five years ago, call Central Records at 727-793-2701.
Registration, New Students: To register at Countryside High School, you must begin with the Student Reservation System at http://www.pinellas.k12.fl.us/. Once you have completed the reservation, bring proof of residency, current health physical report, and student records to the Guidance Office. For information regarding registration for courses for a current CHS student, contact the student's guidance counselor at 727-725-7956, extension 2010. If you live outside the Attendance Area for CHS and would like to check on openings, please call the Guidance office about a Special Attendance Permit.
Registration, Returning Students: Our guidance counselors hold registration seminars each spring when they provide current graduation progress reports to students and review graduation requirements with them. Students are given time to take the information home to review with their parents before selecting classes for the following school year. Any student who does not attend the seminar or register for the next year's classes is called to the Guidance office to complete this task.
Report Card Copies: If you were absent when report cards were distributed, check in the Front Office (center office) when you return. If you need a copy of a previous report card, contact the records clerk in the Guidance Office. Phone 727-725-7956 ext 2016
School Pictures are taken during the school year for 9th, 10th and 11th graders. Purchase information is sent home with each student. Senior pictures are taken during the summer before 12th grade at Bryn Alan Studios. Contact the yearbook office at 727-725-7956, extension 2029 or Bryn Alan at 727-725-8540.
Scholarship Information is available in the Guidance Office (727-725-7956, extension 2018), or check the Guidance Links page.
Senior Class information is available on the Seniors page of this site. See also Graduation or call 724-1487.
Shadowing: 8th graders expecting to attend CHS may shadow a student here for a day. Requests for student shadowing must be made in advance through the Guidance office. Visitors are expected to abide by school rules. Call 727-725-7956, extension 2010.
Spanish Interpreter: Many of our staff speak Spanish and are will to assist when needed. Contact our ESOL department at 727-725-7956, extension 2047.
Special Attendance Permits: If you live outside the Attendance Area for CHS and would like to check on openings, you will need a Special Attendance Permit. Contact the Guidance office at 727-725-7956, extension 2010.
SRO - School Resource Officer: Officer Cavaliere of the Clearwater Police Department is our SRO. He also sponsors Crime Watch, SADD, and Challege Day. Call 727-725-7956, extension 2072.
Visitors: Welcome to Countryside High! All visitors to CHS must sign-in at the Guidance office and show photo ID. Visits to classrooms or with teachers must be arranged in advance. Requests for student shadowing must be made in advance through the Guidance office. Visitors are expected to abide by school rules.
Withdrawal: To withdraw from CHS, contact the records clerk in the Guidance office. All textbooks and fines must be cleared before records are released. Any student who has decided to quit school must fill out an "intent to terminate school enrollment" form. The student and parent or guardian must sign it.
Yearbook: Announcements for yearbook sales are made on UPC TV, audio announcements at the end of the school day, and in newsletters sent to students' homes. Yearbook sales begin in August. Students may bring payment to room J-6 before or after school. For more information, contact yearbook advisor Mrs. Vesey at veseyj@pcsb.org.
