Program Guidelines for Winnacunnet H.S.
Please read this information carefully with your parent or guardian. You may contact Mr. Gorski by calling him at 778-2601, 770-3251(cell), or e-mailing him at safewheels@comcast.net, if you have any questions.
I would like to welcome you to the Winnacunnet High School Driver Education Program. Success in the program centers on cooperation.
Learning to maneuver the vehicle is only part of safe driving. Emphasis on the effects of alcohol and other drugs, seat belt use, and the ongoing need to interact with an ever changing environment and conditions are aimed at reducing the number one threat to the 16 to 25 age group. The Winnacunnet Driver Education Program will provide the information to make those safe, risk-reducing decisions.
It is our hope that you will accept the information as information, not just someone's opinion on how you should drive. It is also our hope that students will learn from the mistakes of others and keep an open mind, so that they don't fall into the "it won't happen to me" trap.
Parents may be a wealth of experience. It is expected that students will draw upon parents often for help and encouragement. It is also hoped that parents will take advantage of the new information which students will be able to share with them.
A serious responsibility is about to be undertaken. In order to attain as much as possible from mandated classroom and behind the wheel instruction, along with in-car observation, please be aware of the following contract guidelines:
1. The lessons contain serious and long lasting skills, knowledge and attitude development material; therefore, a mature desire to learn must be displayed by all students at all times. If you are not willing to accept responsibility for your actions, you do not belong in the Winnacunnet High School Driver Education Program.
2. You will be dropped from the program if you:
- Have ANY unexcused absences. Students are expected to plan their schedules and know their priorities before enrollment in driver education. Detention, suspension, employment, sports, or other curricular activities are not valid absences. (Valid absences will require an email to safewheels@comcast.net from a parent or guardian and make-up work will be assigned).
- Create a behavior problem before, during, or following class.
- At the request of Winnacunnet administration for disciplinary concerns.
3.You are responsible for all material, assignments, projects, etc.
4.You are expected to come prepared for class:
- To have read and studied materials,
- Display a proper attitude,
- Be ready and willing to learn.
5.Proper care of textbook, and other school property and materials is expected. A fine and forfeiture will be levied at the discretion of the instructor.
6.A 75% average will be necessary, in order to pass the course.
7.An in-car lesson will be terminated by the instructor any time a question of safety exists. Only a reasonable suspicion of alcohol or other drug influence is necessary to terminate the lesson. Non-cooperation or a display of non-preparation for a lesson may also lead to termination.
8.Students will be picked up at specific locations and dropped off at their homes.You will have to have your son/daughter at these points at the agreed upon driving times. If student needs to be dropped off at another location within SAU-21, we will need a parental signed note.Students will drive for the assigned time and then they will pick up the next student.This new student will then drive your son/daughter back home.This can be as much as ½ hour additional time.This added time will count toward their “observation time”.
9.Hampton Falls students will be picked up at the Post Office in Hampton Falls, North Hampton students will be picked up at the Dunkin Donuts on Route 1 in North Hampton, Seabrook students will be picked up at the Sunoco Station on Route 1 in Seabrook, and Hampton students will be picked up at entrance A-3 of the High School.
10.Observation hours (6 in all) are a requirement of the State of NH.Many of these hours will be completed by us getting your son/daughter home at the end of their driving hour.In addition to this “commuting time” as we call it, your son/daughter will be required to finish the observation time by staying for additional hours in the D.E. car.
11.In addition to the 10 hours of in-car instruction with Safe Wheels, students are required to complete 40 hours of driving (10 of which must be in the dark) within the State of New Hampshire only, prior to going to the DMV to test for their license.
12.Course tuition is six hundred dollars ($600.00), however, there is a state reimbursement of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00), making the (total amount due) per student four hundred fifty dollars ($450.00). A non-refundable deposit of thirty-five dollars ($35.00) is required for registration. The balance of four hundred fifteen dollars ($415.00) will be due on or by the first day of class. Payment may be made in cash, check, credit card or money order payable to Safe Wheels Driving School.
13.Students who are 18 years old prior to the start of class are not eligible for the $150.00 State reimbursement, thus are responsible to pay the full $600.00.
14.A three-ring binder will be supplied by Safe Wheels, in which the student must keep all assignments, projects, handouts, tests, etc., in order. The notebooks will be checked and must be brought complete to each class.
15.Positively no vandalism, harassment of any type, or smoking will be permitted on or around school property, or in the driver education vehicle.
16.There may be a thirty-five dollar ($35.00) forfeiture for all missed driving times without a 24-hour cancellation notice. This fee must be paid prior to the next scheduled driving time. All driving times must be made up at the availability of the instructor. Students may be dropped from the program after two "No Shows."
17.Classroom sessions will be held at Winnacunnet High School. Customary classroom hours will be on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 2:40-4:45 PM. (This may be subject to change to accommodate vacations, holidays, weather, etc.).
Once again, the Winnacunnet High School Driver Education Program, and these program guidelines are aimed at the best possible hope for responsible, safe drivers. Let's all do our part, now, to avoid a tragedy in the future. LET'S SHOW WE CARE!
PLEASE NOTE: "A COPY OF EACH STUDENT'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS, TO BE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM".
Safe Wheels Registration Form for Winnacunnet H.S.
Safe Wheels Driving School requires written permission prior to a student's enrollment in driver education. We, the driver education staff, would also like to know of any medical/physical problems which might affect your son's/daughter's driving.
After you complete and submit the registration form (see link below), you must print the registration form, sign it, and return it within 5 days, along with the non-refundable thirty-five dollar ($35.00) deposit, to confirm class enrollment(first come first serve by postmark date). The balance of four hundred fifteen dollars ($415.00) will be due on or by the first day of class. All payments must be paid by cash, money order, credit card or check payable to Safe Wheels Driving School.
Refund Policy: Students who drop their enrollment in the program will be entitled to a refund, less their deposit of thirty-five dollars ($35.00) and sixty dollars ($60.00) per each driving lesson completed.
