Bobcat Bytes
November 12, 2021
Dear Bobcat Virtual Families,
Thank you to all of the parents who attended conferences this week. We had a great turnout, and I heard wonderful feedback from both parents and teachers. If you were unable to meet with your student's teacher(s) this week, please reach out to them via email, and they will be happy to respond.
Our next PTO meeting is next Wednesday, November 17, at 6:30pm on Zoom. To access the meeting, use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8072191939pwd=M3JGT3JHQzNpNG8waWdvY25ydjN4dz09
(Meeting ID: 807 219 1939 Passcode: 385980). We will be discussing our Mascot selection process and planning activities for our next family meet-up in December! All parents/guardians are invited to attend.
Have a great week!
Allyson Walroth
Bobcat Virtual Learning Director
awalroth@gbcs.org
810-591-6649
Second Semester Requests to Return to the Building
We are starting to work on the schedule for next semester. If you would like to request to be placed on the waiting list to return to your home building, please contact our office at 810-591-6649. The deadline to request a spot on the waiting list is Friday, December 10. Once we have all of the requests, we will work with the buildings and our Deputy Superintendent to determine if there is room for your student to move. A request does not guarantee a move.
Picture Days!
Bobcat Virtual Learning student picture days will be held on the following dates:
- Wednesday, December 1 from 8:00am-2:00pm
- Thursday, December 2 from 2:00pm-8:00pm
Students can be brought to the BVL Lab, located in the High School West Campus (1 Jewett Trail), any time on either of those days. Because this is a school learning environment, students and adults must wear a mask when waiting to take pictures.
If you would like to look at picture options and prices ahead of time, you can access that information here. We will also have copies available at Picture Day. All students grades K-12 are invited to participate.
If you would like to volunteer as a Picture Day Hero and help make Picture Day a success, please contact Mrs. Walroth at 810-591-6649. In return, you will receive a coupon toward the purchase of your child's portrait package.
Bobcat Virtual Mascot
As we continue to build Bobcat Virtual Learning, we'd love to have students help us develop our identity! First - we need a mascot!
If your student has a great idea for a Bobcat Virtual Learning mascot, please enter their ideas here. Once we have some suggestions, we'll send them out for a whole school vote and will even ask students to help design a t-shirt!
Missing Books
When schools shut down in the spring of 2020, many students took books home and never returned them. The library is looking for thousands of lost books.
If your student is a high school student and is considering joining a winter sport or school activity, all textbooks and library materials from previous semesters must be turned in before they will be considered eligible to participate. These can be returned to our BVL office located in the High School West Campus (1 Jewett Trail) from 7:30-3:30 as soon as possible.
If the book is lost, please pay the replacement cost listed on your students' SchoolPay account. The link to SchoolPay can be found on the GBHS website by clicking the piggy bank icon or by clicking HERE. Questions can be directed to the library at 591-6666.
If you are unable to return them to school but would like someone to pick books up from your house, please email Mrs. Walroth at awalroth@gbcs.org.
GB 8th Grade Washington DC & Gettysburg Trip
Don't forget to sign up for the 8th grade trip to Washington DC and Gettysburg. Today is the last day to register. Space is limited - sign up
here!
Substitute Teachers - We need you!
Interested in Substitute Teaching - contact www.EDUStaff.org. Subbing requires 60 college credits. The current district base rate, paid through EduStaff, is $85 per day plus bonus plan. See our website for details. https://www.gbcs.org/Page/3146
To be a substitute Paraprofessional, Clerical, Noon Hour, Kitchen Help, Bus driver, or bus aide - contact Century Temps at (810) 695-1606 or centemps@aol.com
Each week we will profile one of our amazing virtual staff members so that you can meet everyone!
Mrs. Bethea Scovic
Position: Elementary Special Education Teacher
Experience: I have been a special education teacher for 19 years, 18 of them with Grand Blanc Community Schools. I began teaching at the post-secondary level (1 year - Rochester), moved down to middle school (4 years), then down to the elementary level (14 years). I was most recently working at McGrath Elementary School until switching to BVL last year when it opened.
Most Excited About: I am excited to work with staff to provide an alternate learning environment that is accessible to all students. While teaching virtually is challenging, it has also been very rewarding.
Looking Forward To: I am looking forward to helping students succeed while fostering a love of learning. I am also looking forward to working with students and colleagues at the new learning lab.
Outside of school, I am most looking forward to watching my son perform in his HS marching band shows, watching him compete in athletics with the Special Olympics, and visiting my daughter during her first year at Grand Valley State University.
Interests: I LOVE to read! I also enjoy doing puzzles - jigsaw (500 - 1,000 pieces), logic puzzles, word puzzles, and math puzzles. Other interest include crocheting, drawing, painting, writing, listening to music, board games, and just spending time with my family.
Early College Recruitment Timeline
Grand Blanc High School, in partnership with the University of Michigan-Flint, opened the Grand Blanc Early College (GBEC) during the 2015-2016 school year. This exclusive opportunity is available to Grand Blanc High School students entering Junior status. Students who choose to participate in this unique opportunity will commit to a five year high school and college experience. By the end of the program, students have the ability to earn 48+ college credits!
Recruitment for the early college program will begin in November. A letter and email will be sent to eligible 10th grade students, with a 3.0 or higher GPA. More information to follow on informational meetings and application deadlines!
Click here to visit our Grand Blanc Early College Website.
Graduation Orders
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)
A Hand Up Pantry
HUGE NEWS! The Hand Up Pantry is back OPEN this week! We are serving all GBCS families beginning now! *We will only have shelf-stable items at this time.
Please fill out the form at ahandup.rocks by 2pm on Tuesday to pick up your items from the West Middle School entryway on Thursday between 9am-4pm! (We are pick up only at this time.)
FISH Fundraiser
FISH of Grand Blanc helps families in need who live in the Grand Blanc School District by providing and distributing food, clothing, and other services on a temporary and emergency basis.
National School Lunch Program
We are working with Dining Services to provide a breakfast/lunch program for Bobcat Virtual families.
In the meantime, we still need your household to fill out and sign the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application. This information is critical in determining the amount of money that our school receives from a variety of State and Federal supplemental programs like Title I A, At-risk (31a), Title II A, E-Rate, etc.
These supplemental programs have the potential to offer supports and services for our students including, but not limited to:
- Instructional supports (staff, supplies & materials, etc.)
- Non-instructional services (counseling, social work, health services, etc.)
- Professional Learning for staff
- Parent and Community engagement supplies and activities
- Technology
We are asking that you please complete and submit it as soon as possible to ensure that additional funding for our school is available to meet the needs of our students. All information on the application submitted is confidential. Without your assistance in completing and returning the attached application, our school cannot maximize the use of available State and Federal funds.
If we can be of any further assistance, please contact us at Grand Blanc Dining Service
(810) 591-6675 or (810) 591-6928.
Who Can Help?
If you need something, please don't be afraid to reach out:
- 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: 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 - 810-591-6649 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.
Allyson Walroth
Director of Bobcat Virtual & Secondary Curriculum Director
