Hornet Buzz
September 25, 2022
Message from the Principal
Hornet Nation,
Last week was a particularly tough week for students and teachers. We had multiple fights in our building to the point where we required the support of multiple Sheriffs. During this time some students put on social media that there was a stabbing, some put out that they heard shots, and even that someone was shot. All of these were rumors and I don't understand why anyone would just make up things like this. We do take these things seriously and we searched trash cans, closets, and anywhere else we thought anyone could have hide something. We watched and rewatched videos for weapons of all kinds and found nothing. As many of you saw in the pictures, dozens of police cars in front of the building, if someone was stabbed, shot, or seriously injured there would have been ambulances in front of the school as well. I share this because it is important that everyone knows what happened and that we know our school is a safe place for all students. A school is a place where students come to better themself, learn new things, and meet new people. Teachers come to build relationships with students, create and provide opportunities for students, and teach. We will continue to build relationships with students and families. We will be doing a lot more peer mediation to try to support our students in getting along with students from other neighborhoods. We will continue to LOVE every student that walks through our doors because we are GREAT MILLS.
Currently, the negative actions of less than 2% of our students are driving the reputation of our school. We will do a much better job of broadcasting all the great things that the other 98% of our student body is doing. Great Mills High School is an amazing place full of amazing students and staff and this event will not stop us from making sure our students have the best high school experience ever.
As always, if you need anything, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Have a GREAT week Hornet Nation!
Mr. Dothard
Principal
We Are... GREAT MILLS!!!
Homecoming Dance Information
The GMHS Homecoming Dance will be on Saturday, October 15th. The dance will be outside in the bus loop. If inclement weather happens the dance will move indoors to the gym and cafeteria.
Ticket sales will open for SENIORS only from Monday, September 26th to Thursday, September 29th.
Ticket sales will open to all students starting Friday, September 30th.
Ticket sales will END on October 11th.
Tickets can be purchased in the school bank for $25 or online through MySchoolBucks (click) for $21. The online link will not work until Monday morning for Seniors and Friday for everyone else.
Spirit Week Day Meeting
Would you like to be a part of planning Spirit Week days? There will be a meeting Monday, September 26th during Green Lunch in room A01. Come and let your voice be heard!
PSAT Is Coming Soon.
Mark your calendars for the PSAT/NMSQT. This test will be given to ALL students in grades 9-11 on October 12th. If possible, please avoid making any appointments that morning.
Also, please note that calculators are not provided for this assessment. Please ensure your child has an acceptable calculator. To see which calculators are acceptable, please visit the Collegeboard website.
Congratulations Julia! We are so proud of you!
GMHS Picture Day
Homecoming Information
Parents/Guardians: we are looking for volunteers to assist with the dance! Please contact Ms. Knobloch (jrknobloch@smcps.org) or Ms. Grassinger (rkhosah@smcps.org) if you are interested in volunteering (set up, chaperone, break down, and more). Volunteers must be registered through SMCPS.
Job and College Fair!!
Free Application for Federal Student Aid - Parent ID Event
FAFSA FSA-ID Completion Virtual Event- Thursday, September 29th at 6:00 p.m. Financial Aid Counselors will assist students and parents through the process of completing their FSA ID. Senior students and parents.
GMHS Writing Center
If you have questions contact:
Mr. Stevens (wbstevens@smcps.org); Mrs. Walsh (mfwalsh@smcps.org)
Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program aka SEAP
Gals Lead
HBCU College Fair
Care Closet!
Thank you!
Schoology Access
For more help with Schoology, visit the SMCPS Schoology Parent Dashboard.
Buy Your Yearbook NOW! $85
Hey Hornet Nation, now is the time to buy your 2023 yearbook! Prices go up at the end of September. Click here to purchase.
Student Cell Phone Use
Did you know that even just a few minutes on a cell phone texting, checking social media, etc adds up over the course of a school day? Students, who use their devices for just 5 minutes each period, lose nearly 1 period of instructional time per day (35 minutes of class). Over the course of 1 week, those 5 minutes per class adds up to nearly 4 missed periods! Personal devices can be a HUGE distraction for students. Please start this year off right, by keeping personal devices away in your bookbag or at a charging station if your teacher has one available. There is a direct connection to phone usage during the school day to grades. Encourage your student/s to only use their phone during lunch, between classes, or when approved by a teacher.
MySchoolBucks
SMAC Admission All Sports = $6
Tuesday, September 27th
- Girls Soccer vs Thomas Stone Varsity only 4:30
- Boys Soccer vs Thomas Stone Varsity only 6:30
Wednesday, September 28th
- Boys and Girls Golf @ Cedar Point Golf Course (Pax River) 3:00
- Volleyball vs Lackey JV 4:30; Varsity 5:30
Thursday, September 29th
- JV Football vs Mc Donough 6:00
Friday, September 30th
- Girls Soccer vs Patuxent Varsity only 4:30
- Boys Soccer Chopticon JV 4:30; Varsity 5:30
Maryland Promise Scholarship
Harris Teeter's Together In Education Pays GMHS!!
Harris Teeter’s Together In Education program gives schools a chance to earn funds when you link your VIC card and shop Harris Teeter brands. Please link your VIC card to GMHS #4324.
Harris Teeter has donated over $32.4 million to Together In Education schools since 1998! When you shop Harris Teeter brands, a percentage of your purchase is donated to the school that your VIC card is linked to.
There are NO LIMITS to how much a school can earn!
Any customer with a VIC card can link their card to a school. Customers can link up to five (5) schools to their account.
Mental Health and Wellness Resources
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
Community Project
Great Mills High School
Email: bjdothard@smcps.org
Website: https://schools.smcps.org/gmhs/
Location: 21130 Great Mills Road, Great Mills, MD, USA
Phone: (301) 863-4001
Twitter: @GMHS_SMCPS