The Grizzly Growl
April 2021
From the Bear Den
Hello Grizzly Families!
The first week of May is national Teacher Appreciation Week. I can't begin to describe the dedication, innovation, and just sheer hard work and care Grassfield teachers have demonstrated over the last year. We owe them a debt of gratitude for taking care of our students' heads and hearts during the hardest of circumstances.
We want to congratulate a Grassfield teacher, Mrs. Taushia Haist, who was selected as the Chesapeake Public Schools High School Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Haist teaches English and is the sponsor of our award-winning literary magazine, The Bear Scratch. She is a true reflection of the excellent teachers we have at Grassfield.
As the superintendent noted, many students are excited to return to the building for in-person learning or would like to return for additional days of instruction, but we also have many Option 1 students who have not returned to the building since the start of semester 2.
If your child is an Option 1 student who has decided not to return to the building for semester 2, please email your child's counselor so we can change your student to Option 2. This will help us regain seats in those classes for students who would benefit from additional in-person learning days.
Before spring break, CPS notified parents that Option 1 students who have a pattern of not attending school, or who have not resumed in-person attendance by Friday, April 16, 2021, will be transferred to Option 2 (all virtual learning). We will send an email next week if your child is in this circumstance. As always, please contact the school if you have a question or concern about your child's learning option.
Parents of Option 1 students who would like to request additional days of in-person learning should contact their child's school counselor for the request form. Students will be reviewed for consideration based on established criteria and available space in the classrooms.
We hope to have information on graduation, awards ceremonies, and end-of-the year activities very soon. We are looking forward to celebrating what our students have accomplished during a year we will never forget.
Be safe out there! And as always; Go, Grizzlies!
Sincerely,
Mr. Michael Perez
Principal
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @grassfield_hs for daily information.
SCA
We Need You!! To be part of the SCA or Class Leadership.
Do you feel like your voice or perspective is not being represented? Do you want to have a voice in decisions that are made for students?
Run for class office, or join the SCA, and be a part of the change.
Anyone interested in running for class office or joining SCA for the 2021-2022 school year should attend a virtual informational meeting on Friday April 16th at 10am. If you can not attend, the meeting will be recorded and posted on class schoology pages. Please contact Mrs. White; alicia.white@cpschools.com; with any questions.
Stay tuned to GNEWS and SCA on Twitter and Instagram for more information.
GFH annual Service Week will be April 26th-April 29th. Watch GNews for more information.
Follow us on social media for more updates. Twitter and Instagram @grassfield_sca
The Grassfield SCA is working hard to keep everyone connected while we learn in person and online. Be sure to be a part of our Grizzly community!
Join Our Learning Labs!
We are thrilled to continue to offer students virtual academic assistance in several subjects. A content teacher will be available to answer questions, provide additional instruction, or suggest resources. We're also offering a session to Ask a Counselor for students who just need a listening ear or help with academic planning.
Please see the schedule below. Links can also be found on the GFH website under the Calendar tab.
Please take advantage of this valuable resource!
Grassfield High School will be administering the PSAT10 to all 10th grade students (Option 1 and Option 2) on Friday, April 23, 2021. Chesapeake Public Schools has paid the exam registration fees for all 10th grade students, so students are automatically registered for the test. The PSAT10 is approximately three hours long, and as always, current health mitigations will be followed during testing, including wearing a mask while in the building. Bus transportation is available, as is lunch for those students who need to remain at school until the afternoon bus run. Students should arrive at school by 8:45 a.m. and may be picked-up at approximately 12:30 p.m. Entry and exit will be through the gym doors. Staff will provide the students' room assignments upon arrival.
Students should bring their own calculators and pencils to the test. We will not provide calculators, but the test can be taken without one.
Information about the contents of the exam can be found on the College Board’s website, or in the PSAT 10 Student Guide. Hard copies of this guide are available in School Counseling Office. If you do not want your child to take the PSAT 10 on April 23, 2021, please contact the School Counseling department at 757-558-4509.
Athletics is Back!
COVID-19 Safety Agreement
If your child tests positive for COVID-19, or has a close exposure, please contact our school nurse, ryan.hill@cpschools.com, for important instructions.
Celebrate the Month of the Military Child
Grassfield High School is proud to be a Purple Star School!
Month of the Military Child is observed each April to honor and celebrate military children and youth for their service, commitment, and sacrifice in support of the armed forces.
Chesapeake Public Schools is proud to celebrate all military-connected children this month and have many exciting events planned. Please see this site for our many events.
Wear purple on Purple Up day, April 21, to honor our military students.
Please report your child's absence electronically.
THE COUNSELING CORNER
Always feel free to contact a school counselor if you need help or need someone to talk to.
Since most campuses are still closed to visitors, many colleges and universities are now offerring virtual college tours. Check out this site for a complete listing.
Class of 2021 and 2022 ACCESS College Support
Hello Class of 2021 and 2022!
Seniors:
The ACCESS Last Dollar Scholarship application is open; the deadline is 4/27. The application is for multiple, renewable scholarships, all of which are intended to help bridge the gap between financial aid and the cost of attending your chosen college.
May 1st is National College Decision Day: the deadline for students to enroll in their intended college. Make sure you understand what your college requires to reserve your spot (usually paperwork and a non-refundable deposit). If you are on a waitlist: colleges will not pull from these until after May 1st (and sometimes as late as August or even September). Do not count on being offered a spot, especially in this absolutely unprecedented year for college admissions. Make alternative plans if you're keeping your name on a college's waitlist.
One more time for good measure:
Mrs. Moorhouse is happy to help you compare financial aid/scholarship offers and understand bottom-line costs. Email her at mmoorhouse@accesscollege.org if you want to set up a financial aid review.
If you haven't filed a FAFSA--- you still can! If you haven't applied to TCC-- you still can! It is not too late to make plans for the fall if you haven't already.
Juniors:
It's not too early to set up your Common App account and begin filling in information for college applications. Things you can work on now: your demographic and family information, previous coursework, activities, and even your personal statement. While supplemental essay prompts for individual colleges (if applicable) won't be announced until August 1st, the more you do before senior year, the easier your life will be in the fall (trust me on this).
Waivers are still available for ALL JUNIORS to take 2 SATs at no cost. Email Mrs. Moorhouse (mmoorhouse@accesscollege.org) for more info on how to sign up.
Are you starting to work on your 650-word personal statement? Mrs. Moorhouse has great tools for brainstorming and for getting started. Sign up for a 1-1 counseling session at https://calendly.com/accesscollege/ghs-1-1
Summer opportunities, scholarship information, college info events, and more on Mrs. Moorhouse's Padlet-- updated constantly! https://padlet.com/ACCESS_GHSandGBHS/InfoandUpdates
Meghan Moorhouse | Access Advisor
Grassfield High School | Great Bridge High School
757-550-0149
mmoorhouse@accesscollege.org • www.accesscollege.org
College news, scholarship info, events, & more: https://padlet.com/ACCESS_GHSandGBHS/InfoandUpdates
Zoom Appointment Scheduler:
GHS Seniors/Juniors: https://calendly.com/accesscollege/ghs-1-1
GHS class of 2021 Remind group: Text @ac3d26 to 81010
GHS class of 2022 Remind group: Text @c736bk to 81010
Class of 2021 News
Hello Senior Grizzlies! The application for the GHS Scholarships has been released. Please visit ScholarshipVUE to view details for the following scholarships:
- Carolyn F. Bernard "Community of Excellence" Scholarship
- Cliff Bernard Memorial Scholarship
- Grassfield High School Faculty Scholarship
- Grassfield High School Alumni Scholarship
- Lance Cpl. Cody Childers Memorial Service Award
- American Legion Scholarship Award Medal
These scholarships are available specifically for Grassfield students so take advantage of these great opportunities! Applications are due via email to Mrs. Davis (haylee.davis@cpschools.com) by May 7th, 2021 at 5:00 PM.
Be sure to check the Senior Class website here and follow us on social media for the most up-to-date news.
TCC News
Recent high school graduates (January and June 2021) are invited to LEAP into College with TCC.
Get ahead this summer with TCC’s LEAP program. Join the second summer session, July 6 – August 9, and enroll in 6-12 credits to receive scholarships to cover tuition, book stipends and a laptop.
Successful LEAP students may also apply to continue in Fall 2021 and complete up to 12 additional credits using scholarship funds.
Already committed for the fall? Get a LEAP into college and transfer your credits with the help of an advisor. Scholarships are available on a first come, first serve basis. Don’t miss this opportunity to LEAP ahead for a quality education that all 2021 graduates can afford.
Visit this link for more information
Food Distribution
Grassfield High School PTSA
The GFH PTSA is looking for additional leadership for the 2021-2022 school year. If you are interested in serving as President or Treasurer, to please contact Leslie Wecht at leslie.wecht@cpschools.com for further information by April 16th.
Please follow the GFHS PTSA on twitter @GrizzlyPTSA and our Facebook page is GrassfieldPTSA.
Thank you!
Leslie Wecht, GFHS PTSA President
Media Center News
Library Book Pick Up Reminder:
Visit our schoology page (55JB-G3FF-9FVGG) or GMC Google site to access Destiny to place your books on hold. We are offering library book pick up for option 2 students by appointment. Option 1 students can pick up books from the media center.
Congratulations to Allyson Harris for winning our March Amazon gift card drawing! Check out our Grizzly Media Center Google Site to enter this month’s drawing!
Virtual Book Club:
Join our virtual book club on Schoology. The Code is FFQB-D28K-NSNS9. We are reading The Girl and the Grove.
April Media Center Events:
Visit our Grizzly Media Center Google Site to participate in our monthly activities. For every activity you participate in your name will be entered into our monthly drawing for an Amazon gift card! Click on the tab labeled February to access the activities!
April Fools’ Day Jamboard
National Haiku Poetry Day activity
Earth Day Jamboard
For more information email the media specialists or visit the GMC Google Site!
Follow us on Instagram (grassfield_mc) and Twitter (@GFH_Mediacenter)
Contact Mrs. Dusty Gabel or Mrs. Kim Rosenbaum for more details.
CPS Chromebook Distribution
Your child's teacher will include a Chromebook Loan Agreement with the syllabus, or find one here. The loan agreement must be signed and returned to receive a device.
If you have an Option 2 student who needs a Chromebook, please contact the main office at 757-558-4749, and we will schedule an appointment to distribute a device.
Grassfield High School
Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @grassfield_hs. Our website is updated regularly for additional information.
Email: beth.pallister@cpschools.com
Website: https://cpschools.com/gfh/
Location: 2007 Grizzly Trail
Phone: 757-558-4749
Twitter: @grassfield_hs