Hornet Buzz
May 23, 2021
Message from the Principal
I am happy to announce that seniors will now receive 4 graduation tickets to their graduation session due to the recent changes from the CDC. The ceremony will be streamed at www.smcps.org/streaming, as well as www.smcps.org/graduation - both sites will be updated this week and will feature the live stream of each graduation on its particular day. Seniors and parents, please make sure to read the graduation info found in the Hornet Buzz for complete details on the ceremony https://www.smore.com/8u2bk.
Underclassmen, please continue to grind out this school year by attending all your classes, working with your teachers, and doing your best to finish strong as we get closer to summer. Have a great week and remember...
We ARE..Great Mills!!
Sincerely,
Dr. Heibel
Congratulations to our Valedictorians and Salutatorians for the Class of 2021!
Julia Stevenson
Class of 2021
Ben White
Class of 2021
Andrea Datan
Class of 2021
Hannah Torgesen
Class of 2021
Julia Wright
Class of 2021
Leanna Eldridge
Class of 2021
Monday, May 24
- Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12 in Group A (last name A-K) report to the building and follow the hybrid schedule. Charge and bring your laptop.
- Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12 in Group B (last name L-Z) are asynchronous for the day.
- Virtual students are asynchronous for the day.
Tuesday, May 25
- Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12 in Group B (last name L-Z) report to the building and follow the hybrid schedule. Charge and bring your laptop.
- All virtual students are to follow the hybrid schedule, logging into google meets during periods 1-8.
- Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12 in Group A (last name A-K) are asynchronous for the day.
Wednesday, May 26
- Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12 in Group A (last name A-K) report to the building and follow the hybrid schedule. Charge and bring your laptop.
- Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12 in Group B (last name L-Z) are asynchronous for the day.
- Virtual students are asynchronous for the day.
Thursday, May 27
- Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12 in Group B (last name L-Z) report to the building and follow the hybrid schedule. Charge and bring your laptop.
- All virtual students are to follow the hybrid schedule, logging into google meets during periods 1-8.
- Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12 in Group A (last name A-K) are asynchronous for the day.
Friday, May 28
Yearbooks On Sale
Hornet Strong Brick Project
Consider giving a Hornet Strong Personalized Brick for a recent graduate or alumni.
Go to the Great Mill website click on Quick Links the Hornet Strong Brick project or click on the link below." Order due by July 1, 2021.
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZHAD2XN2Q00TOS_ZZJYPZR8T40ROI3
Senior Spotlight
Ethan Ray
He is thoughtful, kind-hearted, honest, and caring. He is humble about his accomplishments. He is in STEM, the 2021 Class founder and president of Chemistry Club, a youth leader in Filipino-American Organization in tri-county, tutor for Mathnasium, has been in GMHS tennis team for four years. With his passion and hard-working qualities, he got accepted by Princeton, Rice, Cornell, UMD but will attend at Georgia Institute of Technology majoring in Materials and Science Engineering. Oh yeah, he is a great cook too! We are proud of you ETHAN!
Liam J. Maupin
Has an insatiable desire for real-life knowledge & experiences. Liam is an Eagle Scout who is passionate about travel & anything with a throttle! He will be attending a Penn State campus majoring in Welding & Fabrication Engineering Technology!
Liam, roll up your sleeves, get out in the world, & put what you’ve learned to use!
Ke'Shaun Myron Smith
You have worked so hard for this moment and I am so proud of you. I can't wait to see what the future holds for you.
Senior Info:
Graduation Information: https://www.smore.com/8u2bk
Class of 2021 Candid Pictures - https://forms.gle/aD3hZB95mJt81gUP7
GMHS is looking for candid pictures of the class of 2021 graduates to include in a Graduation slideshow. Up to 5 images may be uploaded. Pictures must be submitted by Wednesday, May 19th.
Seniors can no longer order caps/gowns from Jostens. All orders starting immediately must go through Ms. Schwartzenburg (bjschwartzenburg@smcps.org, office A14...301-863-4001, ext. 18116).
Jostens Ordering Info:
https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1066828/Great-Mills-High-School/
Senior Picnic:
We have just been notified that another bus is available for the senior picnic at Point Lookout State Park on Thursday, May 20th. If you missed the survey earlier, it is now reopened to allow for more participation since we have additional transportation available. Please use the link below to sign up. The survey will stay open until Tuesday at 3 pm or until the last bus has been filled. If you already completed the survey or made arrangements with Mrs. Ruby directly, you do not need to do so again.
Senior Textbook/Laptop/Chargers
In-School Senior Textbook Drop-Off: May 24-27
Drop off all items (textbooks, library books, laptops) with a barcode during school hours in the Media Center. Please return chargers with the laptops or a $23 fine will be put on your school account.
Senior Collection Day: May 28, 10:00-2:00
Drop off any and all remaining items, including laptops and chargers, in the Media Center on Friday, May 28, 10:00-2:00. Seniors will also be able to pay off debts with Ms. Hickey in the Media Center at this time.
Tech Center Updates
There will not be a Commencement Ceremony this year. In-person students will receive their cords and certificates in the classroom on either May 26 (A Day) or May 27 (B-day). Students who remained virtual will be able to come to pick up their cords/certificates on Friday, May 28th, from 9-11 am. This is also when virtual students can return books/supplies that belong to the Forrest Center.
Students who completed their program as juniors in 2020 may come to pick up their cord on Friday, May 28th, from 9a-11am.
Summer School Recovery
St. Mary’s County Public Schools is committed to ensuring a quality education for all students and we are proud to offer a Summer Recovery Program for 2021. The purpose of the program is to close learning gaps for some students and to accelerate learning for others. At this time we are attempting to identify students who may qualify as summer recovery candidates. However, hard work during marking period 4, which began 4/12/21, can reduce or eliminate the need for summer school participation.
SMCPS staff will be using multiple measures to identify candidates for summer recovery which included assessments that monitored progress, report card data, and attendance. If online learning was a challenge for your student and they did not earn a passing grade in their courses, they will be invited to participate. Please be advised that participation in one of the Summer Recovery program options indicated below is required in order for your child to be prepared to advance to the next course or earn high school credit.
There are three options for Summer Recovery:
In person (6-12); July 6-August 12
Virtually through the Schoology platform (6-12); July 6-August 12
Virtually through the Edgenuity platform/self paced (6-12); throughout the summer
Further information will be available in the coming weeks.
Nurses Updates
Please notify us if your student has completed their COVID vaccine. Email us your student's name and we will update their immunization record.
Nurse Michaels--pmichaels@smcps.org
Nurse Hickey--nehickey@smcps.org
Covid Vaccination
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
The FCC announced the start date of the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. As of May 12, 2021, eligible households will be able to enroll in the Program to receive a monthly discount off the cost of broadband service from an approved provider. Eligible households can enroll through an approved provider or by visiting https://getemergencybroadband.org.
Do I Qualify Link
https://getemergencybroadband.org/do-i-qualify/
Your household qualifies for the Emergency Broadband Benefit if it has an income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines OR any member of the household:
· Qualifies for Lifeline benefits through participation in SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit;
· Participates in one of several Tribal specific programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Head Start (only households meeting the relevant income qualifying standard), Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;
· Experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020 with a total household income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers;
· Received a federal Pell Grant in the current award year;
· Received approval for benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year; or
· Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program, and that provider received FCC approval for its eligibility verification process.
Underclassman Pictures Available for Virtual Students
Counselor Corner
All SMCPS students need one technology credit as part of their graduation requirement. This credit can be earned online in the summer. We are offering two sessions this summer.
Session 1: Monday, June 21, 2021 - Friday, August 6, 2021
Enrollment Deadline: Monday, June 14, 2021
Session 2: Wednesday, July 7, 2021 - Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Enrollment Deadline: Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Upon successful completion of the course students will earn their credit needed for graduation.
Course Tuition: $225.00
Please share this flyer to all students in grades 9-11.
Career Center
Scholarship/Financial Aid
Senior Survey
Seniors: Please the following senior survey by May 17th in order to get your information in the Graduation Program. Please list all scholarships and free monies (money you do not have to pay back) whether you are accepting it or not.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd86Fh63BQlJiaBAq6xiaKAicsVI4PlBY03FQkr7ZkkTe_07Q/viewform
- There are still available scholarships on StudentScholarships.org. Check it out!
- Plenty of free Prom dresses and shoes available for those interested in the career center.
Media Center News
The Hornet Library has two great online comic and eBook resources. You can access our online comics, graphic novels, and novels through Ms. Cole's Library Media Page on your Clever homepage or through the GMHS Destiny homepage. For the Mackin eBooks, log in with Clever. For ComicsPlus graphic novels, log in with your school Google credentials.
Pre-Med Club
Interested in the medical field? Thinking of working in healthcare?
Join Pre-Med Club!
We meet virtually after school every other Wednesday from 3:15pm-3:45pm.
Our next meeting is February 24th.
Use meet code: gmhspremed
Questions? Email Mrs. Estocsin: cjestocsin@smcps.org
Envirothon Team
Envirothon Team is looking for additional students to be alternates for the Maryland State Envirothon Competition in April. If you enjoy being outside and learning about nature, this club might be for you! Topics include wildlife, aquatics, soils, and forestry. We meet every other Wednesday from 3:15pm-3:45pm.
Use meet code: gmhsenvirothon
Questions? Email Mrs. Estocsin: cjestocsin@smcps.org
Mini-THON
- Fundraise to conquer pediatric cancer
- Boost resume
- Gain volunteer hours @ Mini-THON events
Code: gmhsminithon
Follow our socials for more information!
The Writing Center is closed for the 2021 school year. Many thanks to the GMHS faculty and student staff who made our support possible!
Digital Writing Conference Guidelines
PTSA Membership
Great Mills High School
Email: mjheibel@smcps.org
Website: https://schools.smcps.org/gmhs/
Location: 21130 Great Mills Road, Great Mills, MD, USA
Phone: (301) 863-4001
Twitter: @GMHS_SMCPS
For Our Spanish Speaking Families
¡Saludos! Para leer en español, hay un botón para traducir en la esquina superior derecha de los anuncios de Smore cuando se abre por primera vez. Pueden hacer clic en el botón y después selecciona de la lista de lenguas disponibles