Knight News
Grand Forks Central High School - November 1st, 2021
Central's Main Office (701)-746-2375
The Grand Forks Central HS Portrait of a Graduate
What are the skills, attributes, and behaviors needed for young people to be successful in life? That was the question posed to Central parents, staff, and alumni, as well as local business/industry and area post-secondary institutions in recent years. After tallying and grouping all responses and reviewing multiple drafts a committee of Central faculty was able to get a picture or "portrait" of what a Grand Forks Central graduate should possess at commencement. That portrait is represented below in graphic form.
Though our classroom teachers have the most active role in the promotion, direct instruction, and modeling of our portrait of a graduate competencies and skills, we ask parents/guardians to support our efforts and reinforce these competencies and skills, as well.
Students are being introduced to each of the competencies weekly through the end of November. We will focus on being self-directed the week of November 1-5 after covering wellness last week, and so on. As part of the introduction, students watch informative videos made by GFC students that further explain the featured competency and its related skills/behaviors. Please see these video links below the GFC Portrait of a Graduate graphic.
We appreciate your support to prepare our Knights for life!
Onward Central!
Mr. Jon Strandell
GFC Portrait of a Graduate Competency Video Links
A Look Ahead
Nov. 1st - Booster Club Meeting - Media Center - 7:00 PM
Nov. 7th - Daylight Savings Time Ends - 2:00 AM (Fall Back to 1:00 AM)
Nov. 8th - Opening date for Boys & Girls Hockey, Boys & Girls Wrestling
Nov. 10th - Early Release for PLC Day - students dismissed at 1:00
Nov. 11th - NO SCHOOL - Veteran's Day
Nov. 15th - Opening date for Gymnastics
Nov. 17th - Picture retakes
Nov. 22nd - Opening date for Boys & Girls Basketball
Nov. 25 - 26 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
Nov. 29th - Opening date for Boys Swimming & Diving
Dec. 1st - Early Release for PLC Day - students dismissed at 1:00
Dec. 3rd & 4th - Murder On The Orient Express - 7:00 - Auditorium (ticket info coming soon)
Dec. 6th - Booster Club Meeting - Media Center - 7:00 PM
Dec. 15th - Early Release for PLC Day - students dismissed at 1:00
Dec. 22nd - Jan. 2nd - NO SCHOOL - Holiday Break
Jan. 3rd - School Resumes
Jan. 3rd - Booster Club Meeting - Media Center - 7:00 PM
Jan. 7th - Deadline for In-District Transfer Requests for the class of 2026
Jan. 13th - 14th - Semester Testing Days & Schedule
Jan. 14th - End of Quarter 2, End of Semester 1
Jan. 17th - NO SCHOOL - Professional Development Day
Picture Retakes are November 17th
Vacations and Other Planned Absences
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) should notify the Attendance Secretary of the absence. It is recommended to notify the school at least one week prior to the absence. Once parent/guardian notification has happened, your student may pick up a Pre-Arranged Absence Form. On the form, students will secure teacher signatures and make arrangements for their homework. All arrangements for homework for pre-planned absences are the responsibility of the student.
Please contact Amy Spicer, Attendance Secretary at GFC, by calling the Attendance Line at 701-746-2482. Parent/Guardian notes for pre-arranged absences are also accepted.
Contact Information Changes
School Cancellation Procedures
School postponement and cancellation alternatives will be as follows:
- a. Hold school as normal
- b. Open school but delay sending buses
- c. Delay the start time in all schools by two (2) hours based on each school’s start time
- Elementary School: Start time is 8:25, so school would start at 10:25. Doors will open at 10:15 a.m.
- Middle School: Start time is 8:40, so school would start at 10:40. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m.
- High School: Start time is 8:00, so school would start at 10:00. Doors will open at 9:50 a.m.
- Head Start: Start time is 8:00, so school would start at 10:00. Doors will open at 9:50 a.m.
- When school starts late, there will be no morning Early Childhood Special Education classes. Afternoon Early Childhood Special Education classes will be held.
- Breakfast will not be served at any sites.
- d. No school in Grand Forks Public Schools all day
- e. No school for the Grand Forks Air Force Base School District students all day
- Decisions related to the weather-related delayed opening or closing of air base schools may not always be consistent with those made for in-town schools. On those days when severe weather makes travel conditions so hazardous as to threaten the safety of staff members, opening delays or the closing of base schools will be given special consideration.
- f. Once school is in session, it will not be terminated until the regular closing time except in very severe situations. However, school buses may leave early. Radio and TV stations will be used to notify parents.
The decision to close or delay school will be made as early as possible. Announcements will be made on the District webpage (www.gfschools.org), and District social media (www.facebook.com/GrandForksPublicSchools; www.twitter.com/GFSchools). Announcements will also be made on local radio and TV stations.
Grand Forks Public Schools will be using our Automated Calling system to call staff and parents if school will be delayed or cancelled due to severe weather conditions. Typically, this automated call will occur to staff between 5:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., and to parents between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Parents or guardians may always exercise their right to keep students home or pick them up early during stormy conditions.
If an emergency situation should develop during the time school is in session, children will be cared for in school until the storm has subsided.
If buses are sent home early, all buses will be sent.
- a. Radio and TV stations will make the announcement of the departure time.
- b. The lead-time needed for the procedure is approximately one (1) hour.
- c. If conditions are dangerous, bus drivers must use common sense in discharging students that must walk a considerable distance. If possible, use the radio and contact the base station. Have parents meet the bus or be on the lookout for their children. If the driver is unable to contact parents and conditions are dangerous, do not let students off the bus but return to school and notify the principal. Schools that have bus students must have a written procedure for caring for students in the event they must be kept overnight at school.
In-District Transfer Requests
Grand Central Station - Your "Central Station" for school spirit gear!
Grand Central Station is online for convenience of shopping, all you have to do is scan the QR Code and start shopping. We have 14 new items coming in November, so check back frequently. Each month on the store's site, we have been offering different specials.
Christmas Wish List:
Grand Central Station also is offering this year a Christmas Wish List Shopping Guide. All you have to do is send your student in to create a wishlist. You can then send me an email asking for the list (lsalander210@mygfschools.org) or we can send the list home with your student. Then scan, shop, and pick-up your order. Shopping can be easy this year at Grand Central Station.
Grand Central Station Hours of Operation:
Open on days school is in session from 8:00 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. and 1:10 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
42nd Annual Turkey Baskets Sponsored by Mortar Board
The University of North Dakota Quo Vadis Chapter of Mortar Board is preparing for its 42nd Annual Turkey Basket Drive. Mortar Board is asking social workers to help spread the word to individuals and families who may need and genuinely benefit from a turkey basket.
- Each turkey basket contains all the items needed to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
- In order to receive a Turkey Basket, GFC families will need to be referred by our school social worker. Families can contact our school social worker, Shelly Scholand, by emailing her at sscholand060@mygfschools.org.
- The baskets are first come, first serve.
- The deadline to sign up is Friday, November 5th, 2021.
- Families who qualify will receive additional details from Shelly Scholand regarding the pick up time and location.
Verbs are the Key!
Many times our students report that when they are tested/assessed in classes or on standardized assessments (ACT), they report not being confident about what they are being asked to do to demonstrate their knowledge, despite the fact that they feel they are knowledgeable about the topic. Understanding the question or task is, at the core, about understanding the verbs being used in the question or or prompt. A goal at Grand Forks Central is to make the most commonly used verbs on assessments part of our daily practice and vernacular. We ask that parents support these efforts at home as they are able. Listed below are the verbs we have identified as those we will focus on to best prepare our students for success on assessments and in life.
GFC Power Verbs
Formulate - to express in precise form; It's difficult to formulate a plan under pressure.
Compare - to examine the qualities of to discover similarities & differences; It's best to compare prices before a big purchase.
Contrast - to examine the qualities of to discover differences; Her black dress and the white snow contrast sharply.
Predict – say or predict that something will happen in the future. I predict the Vikings will win the Super Bowl.
Describe – give an account of something, including relevant details. Cormac McCarthy describes the setting in The Road as bleak, desolate, and harmful to human life.
Evaluate – form an idea of the amount, value, or idea of. We need to evaluate our options before making a choice.
Infer – make a good guess; read between the lines; what’s the hidden meaning. From your letter, I infer that you are well.
Support - give the facts; back up with details; provide proof. The facts support your claim of innocence.
Analyze – break apart; study the pieces; look at closer; examine. It is best to analyze a situation before acting.
Summarize – give a brief statement of the main points of something. Read the article and summarize it in a paragraph.
Justify - to show or prove to be right or reasonable; You must justify your actions with solid evidence..
Claim - state or assert that something is the case; She claimed that she was a part of a wealthy, educated family.Winter Sport Information & Forms
*Important Change This Year* Activity fees are now all paid online on the MySchoolBucks.com website.
White Cards
- White cards can be picked up anytime in the main office M-F 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m
- At this time, white cards will only be issued for winter sports. You may still drop off the completed physical/concussion/code of conduct forms for spring sports at this time, but athletes will have to return to the office for the white card once tryouts for spring sports are closer.
- White cards are used to indicate that student athletes have completed all necessary paperwork/processes in order to participate in an activity. Athletes must present white cards to coaches before they will be allowed to tryout or practice.
Athletic Forms
- Please have the items labeled "required" listed below completed when you come to the school to pick up your white card. If any of the forms are missing signatures or required information a white card will not be issued.
1. Physical Form (required)
All athletes must complete a physical form each year. Physicals dated after April 15th, 2021 are valid for the 2021-2022 school year.
2. Code of Conduct Form (required)
All athletes must fill out a code of conduct form each year.
3. Concussion Form (required)
All athletes must fill out a concussion form each year.
4. Activity Fee (due before first game or performance, not required for a white card)
$80 per sport/$70 per fine arts activity paid on the MySchoolBucks.com website or Activity Waiver/Lunch Form (not required for a white card, but must be taken care of prior to the first game or performance) Please see the next section for more information about waivers below.
Students cannot play in a game or represent GFC publicly until their fee is paid or they have qualified for a waiver.
- District Athletic Forms can be found here: https://www.gfschools.org/Page/137
Boys Basketball
Tryouts dates will be Nov 22nd, 23rd & 24th. Players are expected to attend all 3 days. Any absences should be communicated with Coach Carlson.
Athletes must have a physical on file at Central dated after April 15th, 2021.
Athletes must have a concussion from on file in the office prior to tryouts.
Athletes must have an athletic code of conduct form completed on file in the office prior to tryouts.
You must complete steps 2,3,4 and bring these forms to the office to collect your white card. Athletes must have a completed white card from the office turned into the coach before they are allowed to tryout. If you were in a fall sport you need a new white card from the office.
Pre-season testing will take place on November 17th & 18th starting at 3:45 in the main gym at Central.
Grades 10-12 can come on the 18th. Grade 9 can come on the 18th.
Fees do not need to be paid until squads have been reduced at the end of tryouts.
Fees need to be paid prior to the 1st game.
If you have questions contact Dan Carlson – 746-2360 or dcarlson280@mygfschools.org
Coaching Staff
Dan Carlson – Varsity Coach
Justin Knowlton – Jr. Varsity Coach
Sean Norton – C-Squad Coach
Jordan LaPlant - Freshman Coach
Boys Swimming & Diving
Girls Hockey
Girls Wrestling
Boys Wrestling
Girls Basketball
Gymnastics
Boys Hockey
Online Sports & Activity Fee Payments
Create your free account today and never worry about having to send cash/checks to school with your student again. Visit myschoolbucks.com or download the app today to get started!
Athletic Events - Live Streaming Options
Events at Purpur Arena and Eagles Arena will be streamed by the Grand Forks Park District at this link:
College and Career Readiness
WorkKeys Testing
2021-2022 Yearbooks
- The 2021-2022 yearbook will be sold online again this year on the Balfour website. Please click on the link below to purchase the upcoming yearbook. https://www.balfour.com/student-info?smi=55338
The cost is $55. Senior pictures and senior baby pictures are due by May 1st and can be emailed at any time before that to: centralyearbook@mygfschools.org
Staying Connected Through PowerSchool
Grand Forks Public School parents are provided a PowerSchool account to help them stay connected with their student's progress. With PowerSchool, you can view the daily announcements and receive updates about your student's grades, assignments, attendance and more. You can access all of your students who attend Grand Forks Public Schools (not just GFC) with one account (referred to as a single sign on account).
If you would like to receive automatic email notifications from PowerSchool, log into your account and indicate which reports you would like to receive under "email notifications". You can also select how often you wish to receive the reports (daily, weekly, etc.).
If you have forgotten your user name or password, there is a link to reset those on the log in page for PowerSchool (below).
If you have never created a PowerSchool parent account for your students, please contact the main office for assistance.
Homework Requests
Students who are absent at least two days may request assignments by calling the main office at 746-2375. Homework requests should be made as early as possible (preferably prior to 10:00 a.m.) to allow teachers time to complete the request. Assignments may be picked up in the main office between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.
The next GFC Booster Club meeting will be held Nov. 1st at 7:00 PM in the GFC Media Center
Administration
Dr. Gabe Dahl - Associate Principal A-K
Mr. Mike Wilber - Associate Principal L-Z
Mr. Aaron La Deaux - Activities Director
Contact Us:
Main Office : 701-746-2375
Attendance Line: 701-746-2482
Main Office Hours 7:00 AM-4:15 PM
School Doors Open at 7:30 AM
Location:
115 N. 4th Street
Grand Forks, ND 58203
Follow us on Twitter: @GFC_Activities
Follow us on Instagram: gfc_activites
GFPS Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GrandForksPublicSchools/