Congratulations to our seniors, who are in the homestretch of their academic journey! This is always my favorite time of year, as we roll into Prom, Senior Honors Night, and Graduation. It's exciting to see all our students have accomplished!

As a reminder, the work submission for senior classes is next Friday, May 13, 2021, at 11:59pm. Exams will be given the following week. Students should review each individual teacher's exam schedule and deadlines.

Students in grades K-11 - common work submission deadlines for the second semester of Bobcat Virtual are as follows:

• Elementary classes and middle school classes that do not give an exam and are not tied to high school credit: Wednesday, June 8, 2021, at 11:59pm
• High school classes and middle school classes that have an exam and are tied to high school credit: Friday, June 3, 2021, at 11:59pm, with exams the following week

We hope you have a great weekend!

Allyson Walroth

Bobcat Virtual Learning Director

awalroth@gbcs.org

810-591-1658

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI Heritage Month) is an annual celebration that recognizes the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States. The AAPI umbrella term includes cultures from the entire Asian continent—including East, Southeast and South Asia—and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. As of 2019, there were about 22.9 million people of Asian or Pacific Islander descent in the United States. According to the Pew Research Center, AAPI people are a diverse and growing population that make up about 7 percent of the total U.S. population. AAPI Heritage Month 2022 will take place from Sunday, May 1 to Tuesday, May 31.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have contributed significantly to many facets of American culture and society, including science and medicine, literature and art, sports and recreation, government and politics, and activism and law. In 2021, Kamala Harris became the first Asian American Vice President of the United States. In film history, AAPI people, stories, and traditions have become more visible with South Korean director Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite winning the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2019 and the release of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in 2021, debuting Marvel’s first Asian superhero.

Information courtesy of History.com

Please join us on Tuesday, June 7, from 11:00am-1:00pm, in the South Pavilion at Bicentennial Park (1505 E. Grand Blanc Road, Grand Blanc, MI 48439). This is the pavilion closest to the main playground.

Families should bring a picnic lunch, and the teachers will provide a dessert!

Thank you to our amazing PTO for the Teacher Appreciation gifts you left for our BVL teachers this week. I heard many expressions of gratitude throughout the week!

Our final PTO meeting of the year is Wednesday, April 18, at 6:30pm. To access the meeting, use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8072191939?pwd=M3JGT3JHQzNpNG8waWdvY25ydjN4dz09

(Meeting ID: 807 219 1939 Passcode: 385980).

All parents/guardians are invited to attend.

When you first access the registration, it will say that your student is a Bobcat Virtual student for next year. If you told us your student will be returning to the building next year, you will be able to choose the appropriate building on the last page of the registration process.

If you have changed your mind since you initially told us your plans for next year, this is how you will indicate your final placement.

In addition, if you have moved outside the district and would like to stay in GBCS for next year, please complete the District of Choice application by Sunday, July 24.

We are currently exploring some ideas, but we would like to meet the needs of our families. If you have a 5th or 8th grade student, please take a moment to give us some feedback in this short survey as we plan out how to honor our students this year.

Our district is taking part in the Kent Intermediate Superintendent Association (KISA) Student Perception Survey in Spring 2022.

The survey will ask students in grade 5 questions about their experiences at school. Topics covered include perceptions of their engagement, social-emotional learning and diversity. Survey data will be used by your administrators to identify strengths and areas for growth. The survey does not ask questions regarding drug or alcohol use, intimate relationships, political or religious affiliations or other personal information. Because our students are learning in a virtual environment, not all questions may apply.

Students will be asked to complete the survey online using a computer, tablet or mobile device. The anonymous survey is designed to protect students' privacy.

We encourage all 5th grade students to take part in the survey, as we hope to gather a lot of important information on their experiences. Participation is voluntary. Students may skip any question they do not wish to answer. Students may stop participating in the survey at any point without penalty.

If you have a 5th grade student and would like him/her to participate in this survey, here is a link:

https://kentisd.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eCMQvX2LDruzhhc?KentISD_District=25030

• Prom Itinerary
• Prom Picture Prices

If you have any questions about Prom, please direct them to Mrs. Coffman (acoffman@gbcs.org).

Here is a link for the 2022 Trustees' Leadership Scholarship Application: 2022 Trustee's Leadership Application

Distribution day will be held on Friday, May 13 during all lunches at East Campus.

If you haven't ordered your book, you can do so until May 1 online before the price increases from $85 to $90. This will also ensure that we have a book ready for you on distribution day.

Please check to see if you have ordered a book. A list of books purchased before April 21 is published on the home page of gbyearbook.com.

You can also click on the link to order a book there and you'll be able to pre-order with a credit card.

If you haven't already, It's time to order everything you need to celebrate and commemorate this Senior Year. This includes cap and gown, graduation announcements, and class apparel.

CLICK HERE for all the important information you need. The EASIEST way to order is click on the link and order online at Jostens.com. Call with any Questions - Jostens of Mid-Michigan 810 658-1700 (office line)

CLICK HERE for special GBHS Packages.

There is a different club each day of the week:

• Monday - Gaming Club, 1:00-2:00pm, Google Meet code: bvlgame
• Tuesday - Arts & Crafts Club, 1:00-2:00pm, Google Meet code: bvlcraft
• Wednesday - BVL Cafe, 1:00-2:00pm, Google Meet code: bvlcafe
• Thursday - Anime Club, 1:00-2:00pm, Google Meet code: bvlanime
• Friday - Fandom Club, 1:00-2:00pm, Google Meet code: bvlfandom

For a description of each club, please see this newsletter from Mr. Stuck. All secondary students are invited to attend!

Here are some drawings created during Art Club!

• Main Desk/Technology Help: 810-591-1658
• Enrollment/Grades: Elaina Martinez - 810-591-6391
• Counselor: John Hentes - 810-591-1634 or jhentes@gbcs.org
• Mentors (grades 6-12): Elizabeth Ralbusky (last names A-J) - 810-591-6368; Scott Thurlow (last names K-Z) - 810-591-6366
• Coordinator: Kevin Keilitz - 810-591-6375 or kkeilitz@gbcs.org
• Director: Allyson Walroth - 810-591-1658 or awalroth@gbcs.org
• Classroom teachers should all include information on how to contact them on their course. If you have course-related issues, please reach out to your teacher first. They will respond back within 24 hours (during the work week) and can usually clarify things quickly. You can also attend their office hours, which should be listed in their course.