Grand Blanc High School
Newsletter ~ March 2016
Parental Support
A Message From Dr. Hammond
Dear Parents,
You may have heard, there is a new college entrance exam—the New SAT! All juniors in the State of Michigan will be taking the exam on Tuesday, April 12th. Also on April 12th, all freshmen and sophomores will take the PSAT test.
All fees are covered by the State and results will be mailed home directly to students. It will be very important for all freshmen, sophomores, and juniors to take these exams seriously and I would advise that they prepare for them in advance. More information can be found at https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/state-partnerships/michigan and https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/ and additional practice items can be found at https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/new-sat.
Want to prove you’ve got the skills and knowledge colleges want — and the world truly needs? Want to show them you can solve real-world problems? Express ideas clearly? Make complex connections? That’s exactly what the new SAT® helps you to do.
The new SAT is a fair and straightforward test. It looks a lot like what you’re learning in class, and focuses on what you’ll actually use in college. The new SAT focuses on vocabulary you’ll come across often in college classes. They always appear as part of a text passage, so you can put your problem-solving skills to work figuring out what they mean.
EVERYDAY WORDS
The new SAT only tests essential areas of math, like data analysis and algebra. It’s the math you’ll need no matter what major or career you choose.
ESSENTIAL MATH
The new SAT asks you to interpret, synthesize, and use evidence in real-world sources from history, social sciences, and science. You’ll apply your reading, writing, and math skills to solve problems you won’t just find in college, but in everyday life.
REAL-WORLD CONTEXT
The new SAT Essay is a great way to show off your writing skills on an assignment similar to what you’ll get in your first year of college. You’ll read a passage and explain how the author builds an argument to persuade an audience.
The new SAT has no guessing penalty, encouraging students who have worked hard to try their best on every question. STRAIGHTFORWARD SCORING.
CHECK OUT THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE YOU’LL GET TO SHOW OFF SAT.ORG/NEW
Want to be sure you’re showing colleges your personal best? The new SAT has brand-new practice resources to help you sharpen your skills and deepen your knowledge. They’re free and available 24/7, so everyone, everywhere, can get ready.
FREE PRACTICE ON KHAN ACADEMY®
Khan Academy is a leading not-for-profit online learning resource, with more than 29 million registered students enjoying free, world-class education. And now they’ve made Official SAT Practice available at satpractice.org. Answer a few quick questions on the site, and link your PSAT/NMSQT® scores to receive individualized study recommendations and learn at your own pace. Based on your personal results, you’ll be able to:
- Focus your time and energy where you need it most.
- Strengthen your skills and knowledge with thousands of practice questions, video lessons,and helpful hints.
- Check your progress with instant feedback,so you can see how far you’ve come and whereto focus next.
BANK ON SKILLS.
Want to put your skills and knowledge to work for you? Take a look at the new SAT’s expanded support services.
STUDENT SEARCH SERVICE®
Make yourself easy to find! If you opt in to the Student Search Service®, you’ll hear from colleges and universities looking for students just like you.
WANTED: AP CAPSTONE STUDENTS!
AP Capstone is an innovative diploma program from The College Board that equips students with the independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills that are increasingly valued by colleges. AP Capstone is built on the foundation of two AP Courses – AP Seminar (Year 1) and AP Research (Year 2) – and is designed to complement and enhance the in-depth, discipline-specific study experiences in other AP Courses. In AP Seminar, students investigate real-world issues from multiple perspectives, gathering and analyzing information from various sources in order to develop credible and valid evidence-based arguments. In AP Research, students cultivate the skills and discipline necessary to conduct independent research and inquiry in order to produce and defend their scholarly work.
AP Seminar, the foundational course in The AP Capstone Program, taken in grade 11, provides students with opportunities to think critically and creatively, research, explore, pose solutions, develop arguments, collaborate, and communicate using various media. Students explore real-world issues through a variety of lenses and consider multiple points of view to develop deep understanding of complex issues as they make connections between these issues and their own lives. Students read articles, research studies, and foundational and philosophical texts; listen to and view speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; and experience artistic and literary works to gain a rich appreciation and understanding of issues.
This is incredibly exciting & valuable program! If you know any motivated, high-achieving sophomores, encourage them to apply today to take AP Seminar their junior year!
Application Link: tinyurl.com/GBHSSeminar
Upcoming Events : March through April
March 21 - Junior Parent Night
March 25th - No School (Good Friday)
April 1st - End of 3rd Marking Period
April 1st- 1/2 Day (Spring Break begins)
April 11th - School Resumes
April 12th- SAT for Juniors, PSAT for Freshman & Sophomores
April 13th- Late Start for 9th, 10th, and 12th
April 13th - Senior Class Meeting 9:30 am
April 14th- MSTEP for Juniors
April 21, 22, 23 - School Musical - Thoroughly Modern Millie
April 28th- No School
April 30th- Kolor Run 10:00 a.m.
H&R Block Fundraiser
Grand Blanc High School has partnered with H & R Block to raise money to fund special programs (speakers, recognition, promotion, etc.).
Here's What to Do:
Have your taxes done at any H & R Block, give the code for GBHS (40010001088165), and, if you are a new client, the high school receives $20. Additionally, if we have the most referrals, we get $10,000!!!
This program is open to anyone, staff, parents, and community. Tell your neighbors and friends.
If you have any questions, contact:
Gary Goetzinger, Asst. Principal
810-591-6645
Kids On the Edge Presentation by Christopher Swanson
On Monday, March 7, 6:30 pm, the Grand Blanc High School Parent Booster Club (PABC) hosted presenter Christopher Swanson founder of Swanson Leadership and author of Tin Man to IRONMAN, a personal development and leadership book currently in pre‑publication.
Christopher Swanson, a graduate of GBHS, is a career police officer with experiences spanning 20 years. He presented an up front and personal talk about “Kids on the Edge”. He relates his personal experiences and leadership skills with parental responsibilities and equips you with action items that you can take home and use immediately. He is recognized as a consummate relationship builder and is passion for kids is second to none.
You can learn more about Christopher Swanson at www.swansonleadership.com.
Casino Trip Fundraiser for Post Grad
~SENIORS~
Important Senior Dates to Remember!
Grand Blanc Yearbook
Order your Yearbook!
Yearbook pre-orders are happening now. All 385 pages will be published in a 4-volume box set including the spring supplement inserted in the book upon delivery in May for just $80. We order limited quantities, so don't miss your chance to own the most comprehensive retrospective of the year's moments. Visit www.gbyearbook for an order form or to purchase online with a credit card.
Yearbooks make great birthday and graduation presents, too!
Parents of seniors: There are a few spaces still available in the senior ad section of our yearbook. Ad prices range from $75 - $300 for the various sizes. Please visit www.gbyearbook for the order form and send information/inquiries to hsyearbk@grandblancschools.org
Do you know a student who has accomplished a feat, done something special to help others, or has a story to tell? We want to feature everyone in the yearbook in a meaningful way. Please message us on our website if you know someone we should interview and photograph.
Save the date!
4th Annual GBYearbook Kolor Run Fun Run
Saturday, April 30th, 10 a.m.
$25 registration includes a commemorative t-shirt
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION!