Hornet Buzz
November 8, 2020
Message from the Principal
Dear Hornet Nation,
As we enter week two of the new marking period, please keep the following upcoming School System Calendar Dates in mind:
- November 11: Holiday - Veteran's Day - All Schools and Offices Closed
- Monday, November 16: All grades will begin in-person instruction 2 days per week with the A group attending Monday and Wednesday and the B group attending Tuesday and Thursday. Fridays will remain an online workday with dedicated office hours and opportunities for intervention and enrichment as well as professional development and instructional planning.
Now that some students have returned to the building, student schedules may be confusing. It is important to keep track of your daily schedule by checking the posted agendas for each of your teachers. Your teachers should lay out the week and the class expectations for you to follow. For your convenience, each day for this week is listed below but log into Schoology and review your teacher's agenda's for your weekly schedule.
We Are....Great Mills!!!
Sincerely,
Dr. Heibel
Friday, November 13
Virtual Students
If a student is not participating in in-person learning, they will be online in the Schoology platform accessing the same content as those meeting face to face. While they will be online Monday-Friday, students may be able to participate in some whole group instruction through Google Meets, view screencasts or video instruction, complete independent activities via Schoology, and have dedicated individual assistance on Fridays. Teachers have all of those instructional options available and are mastering how best to use the tools to facilitate learning. Since the teachers will be instructing students in-person Monday - Thursday, simultaneously instructing students virtually for every lesson will be challenging and we want parents to be aware that there is a difference. Teachers can check progress in multiple ways such as Google Meets, email communication, or progress monitoring in Schoology.
FAQ Returning to School
Staying Healthy and Safe: FAQ
Hybrid Schedule
B Day (Students L-Z)
Virtual
Underclassman Pictures
Portrait days for ninth graders will be on November 18th and 19th. Students will be taken to the auditorium during their English classes. Freshman students who have opted to remain fully virtual will be allowed to come into the building at the end of the school day from 2:50-3:30pm to have their portrait taken. Students with last names ending in A-K should come on Wednesday the 18th and students with last names ending in L-Z should come on Thursday the 19th.
Similarly, tenth graders will have their portraits taken on December 14th and 15th. Eleventh grade picture days will be December 16th and 17th.
Breakfast Pick-up
Due to covid restrictions, we will be passing out breakfast items at dismissal in a grab and go format each day for all students.
*All students are eligible for food services until December.
Lockers Not Available
SAT
SAT Information
NOVEMBER SAT
The November SAT administration has been cancelled at all St. Mary’s County Public Schools. If you registered for the November 7, 2020 SAT administration, please contact the College Board to relocate your testing site or cancel your registration. The SAT Student Hotline is 1.866.756.7346.
DECEMBER SAT
GMHS will be hosting the SAT on Saturday, December 5, 2020.
SENIORS: Please fill out the Senior SAT Survey that was sent to your SMCPS email. Completing this survey will allow us to assign your voucher code that you will use to take the test for free on December 5, 2020. Ms Beck or Ms Bush will email your SMCPS email account in the next week or two with your voucher code and instructions on how to register at College Board using your voucher code.
In the meantime, ensure your College Board account is updated
GMHS Band
Indoor Percussion/Colorguard
What is it?
Indoor is similar to marching band as we will set "drill," choreograph movement, and perform a production. It is inside (hence, "indoor") and we set drill and choreograph on a mat. To members, this will feel similar to a normal season and to new members this will give you a good idea on how moving and playing works together.
Who can do it?
ANYONE can be a part of indoor. We are looking for members for the colorguard, drumline, and front ensemble. If you are a wind section member and would like to try something new, now is the time! We even may want to have a small wind section incorporated into our show. We won't know until we know who would like to participate. MAKE YOURSELVES KNOWN!
When is it?
We will rehearse twice a week--Wednesdays and Fridays--from 530-830pm in the cafeteria. Rehearsals will start the week after Thanksgiving break.
Do I need experience?
No. Just be willing to learn.
THIS WILL BE AN AWESOME NEW THING TO BE A PART OF!
Interest form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSedEwatPLB-BOCbl_DEZCbSMt-pSeu6fuMdjE2MKDFr4DBi9Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
The Counselor Corner
Attention Seniors applying to college! The counselors are using a new form for recommendation letters. If you need a recommendation letter, please email your school counselor for the new form. Also, be sure to give your counselor at least two weeks to write your letter of recommendation. This gives the counselor plenty of time to write a meaningful letter that is a true reflection of your ability to be successful in college.
Your school counselor is here to support you! Any student that wants to make an appointment with their school counselor should complete the Counselor Appointment Request Form. We value instructional time and will make all appointments outside of synchronous learning. This form should NOT be used for emergencies.
The Nurses Corner
If you need to drop off medications or supplies for your student please contact us to arrange an appointment.
Call 301-863-4001 or by email @
Please visit this link to learn about free flu vaccination opportunities. Multiple times and locations are being offered. You must register in advance to participate.
http://www.smchd.org/2020/10/health-department-offers-drive-thru-flu-vaccine-clinics/
Advance registration is required at www.marylandvax.org in order to ensure adequate vaccine supply
Senior Cap and Gown
SENIORS: Check out a message from Jostens about ordering your Cap/Gowns and other graduation items. Graduation is June 4th and will be here before you know it! Check out this important information.
Dual Enrollment Parent Information Night
Excellence in Online Teaching
Help us recognize Excellence in Online Teaching. There are incredible examples across our school system of educators who have demonstrated caring and connectedness with their students. You can nominate a teacher using THIS FORM
PTSA Membership
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."
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZHAD2XN2Q00TOS_ZZJYPZR8T40ROI3
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