The Grizzly Growl
Special Back to School Edition--November 2020
From the Bear Den
Hello Grizzly Families!
Since the day the School Board announced that our Grizzlies would return to school using the blended model, we have spent many hours preparing for their arrival on campus. Our SCA, class officers, and service clubs have been in working their decorating magic in the hallways and courtyards to help students feel welcome and excited when they return. We are just so happy to have students back in the building!
All students, whether in Option 1 or Option 2, will receive live instruction (virtually or in-person) four days a week, Monday-Thursday. Fridays are Online Student Support Days that may be used for small-group instruction, individual help, opportunities to complete assigned work, SOL and Industry Credential testing, and teacher training. This model is the next step in the transition of moving us closer toward the return of the traditional, five-day school week, which will be determined at a later date.
Please keep in mind that safety is our first priority. Students are required to wear face masks and follow all CDC guidelines to keep all students, faculty, and staff members safe. This is not a choice; it is a responsibility. Please continue to discuss the recommended safety measures with your student(s). Social distancing of at least three feet will be required in all settings, including classrooms, hallways, and restrooms. During lunch, at least six feet of distancing is required for cafeteria seating and students will sit in assigned seats. Teachers will review safety measures with students as they return to school.
We look forward to meeting our freshmen Monday, November 9th or Tuesday November 10th (depending on your designated days) and our sophomores, juniors, and seniors, beginning November 16th.
We have provided LOTS of important information in this edition of the newsletter. Please take a few minutes to review this information with your child in preparation for the returning to the building. Please also follow our social media pages on Twitter and Instagram for any last-minute updates. If you have any questions, please contact our administrators at 757-558-4749.
Be safe out there, Grizzlies! Wear your masks; wash your hands; and follow social distancing guidelines. We want to see you back in school! As Always, Go Grizzlies!
Sincerely,
Mr. Michael Perez
We are excited to welcome our Option 1 students to Grassfield High School! We have missed you!
Ninth grade Option 1 students will begin reporting on Monday, November 9th or Tuesday, November 10th. Please note that because of Veterans Day, Mon/Wed students will not report on Wednesday, November 11th of this week. Tues/Thurs students will report on November 10th and 12th. All Option 1 10th-12th grade students will return to school during the week of November 16th.
The day your Option 1 student is scheduled to report is posted in ParentVue on the “Student Info” tab. Please see the graphic below for specific steps.
Safety Mitigation Strategies- Several measures have been enacted to provide the safest environment possible for all Grizzlies (both students and staff alike). For instance, hand sanitizing stations are located throughout the building, student desks will be cleaned between each class, and sneeze guards are in high-traffic locations. All students need to take these strategies seriously every day in order for all to be safe. Everyone’s cooperation in following these guidelines is expected and appreciated.
Masks: Students are expected to wear masks at all times unless eating or on a specified mask break. Gaiters only are not permitted unless they are accompanied with a cloth mask underneath. Please emphasize the importance of wearing face masks correctly and keeping socially distant, even when in the hallways and restrooms.
Hallways: Students should move directly from one class to the next and not loiter in hallways, stairwells, or common areas. One-way directional signs and 6 foot distancing signs have been placed throughout the building to remind students of the correct paths to classes and other locations. End of the day dismissal will be staggered to avoid large numbers of students in the halls at the same time.
School Building Hours for Students- Students may not enter the building prior to 8:35 a.m. Upon arrival, students should report directly to their homeroom classroom or directly to the concession stand on the main circle to retrieve breakfast. Students may drop off instruments before they report to homeroom. On your first days of arrival, staff members will be in the hallways, at the student parking and drop-off entrance (2A), and on the bus ramp to direct students where to go. A school map is available on teachers' Schoology pages. Please review the map so that you are familiar with the layout of the building.
Bus Transportation- Bus routes may be found on the CPS website (www.cpschools.com). Students should review and memorize their bus route number. Since time of pick-up will be irregular for the first few days, cooperation from everyone is necessary and appreciated. Please remember that bus capacity is more limited with CDC regulations in place. Students are required to wear masks on the busses. Bus drivers will also ensure that social distancing takes place on each bus.
Students will remain on the busses until 8:35 a.m. This is a good time to make sure the Covid-19 Symptom Check Log has been completed before entering the building. Students will not be permitted to gather in hallways or common areas before or after school.
Student Parking- Student drivers will not be allowed in the building until 8:35 a.m. and should only enter through door 2A (the gymnasium entrance). Remain in your car until 8:35 a.m. to avoid crowds at door 2A. This is a good time to make sure the Covid-19 Symptom Check Log has been completed before entering the building. Students will not be permitted to gather in hallways or common areas before or after school.
Student Drop off and Pick up- Students should be dropped off and picked-up at entrance 2A (the gymnasium entrance) and can be dropped off no earlier than 8:35 a.m. The doors will not be unlocked prior to 8:35 a.m., so please do not drop off your child earlier to avoid crowds at this entrance. We expect more students to be dropped off this year, so plan accordingly. This is a good time to make sure the Covid-19 Symptom Check Log has been completed before entering the building. Students will not be permitted to gather in hallways or common areas before or after school. Students may be picked-up beginning at 3:53. Please watch for students crossing the parking lot and medians during these times.
Students who need to leave school early must be checked out at the Attendance Office at entrance 1A. Parents will be asked to show ID and will have to wait outside or in the open, common area while students report for dismissal. We will not have seating available due to safety mitigation strategies.
Breakfast- A “Grab and Go” breakfast is free to all students who wish to eat breakfast. Students may retrieve breakfast at the concession stand on the main circle and take breakfast to eat in their classrooms.
Lunch- New this year, a school lunch is available to all students at no charge. Students may also bring lunch from home. The snack machines are not available at this time. Students will sit in assigned sections of the food court to aid in contact tracing, should that be necessary. Students will be distanced 6 feet apart from each other, one to a table and may not walk around the food court. Students must wear masks when they are not eating.
Water Bottles- All students are encouraged to bring a water bottle. Students will be allowed to refill their water bottles at the bottle filling station in the food court during lunches.
Deliveries/Forgotten Items- Due to health and safety guidelines at this time, limited items may be dropped off. The acceptance of forgotten items is limited to medicine delivered to the clinic or necessary items too large to be transported on the school bus. Any student who forgets his/her lunch will be offered a school lunch at no charge. Food delivery, including fast food and carry-out from restaurants, is strongly discouraged. This policy is for student safety and to maximize instructional time.
Medication- Medication drop off is BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please call the school nurse at 558-4749. Students are not allowed to transport medications.
Personal Devices- We recommend that students use a CPS-issued device while in the school building, and we look forward to when all of our students have been issued Chromebooks. In the meantime, students may bring personal devices to school. Students should bring the devices to school fully charged. Charging stations and/or cords are not available, and there are a limited number of existing electrical outlets in the classrooms. Please note that our TIS and TSS will not troubleshoot or configure these devices for students, and use of these devices falls under the BYOD policy. Students should know their One Login username and password.
Physical Education- Physical Education classes will alternate between a health week and a PE week. Students will not change clothes for PE this year, nor will they have access to locker rooms. Students should dress appropriately for the weather.
Lockers- No student lockers will be issued. Students must carry all items necessary for class with them during the day.
Student Behavior Expectations- By this point, all students have had access to the 2020-2021 CPS Student Conduct and Policy Guidelines. This vital information was reviewed in virtual classrooms by teachers and can be found on both the CPS and GFH websites. In addition, all parents completed the Student Code of Conduct verification before access to ParentVue was granted. Links to details regarding the Covid-19 Symptom Check Log and the policy guidelines were provided the first time you logged into ParentVue this year.
Fall SOL Testing
The Virginia Department of Education has determined that SOL testing will still take place during semester 1. Grassfield High School has determined that the safest and most efficient way to administer the required SOL tests is to test on the Friday Online Student Support Days. On those days, Option 1 AND Option 2 students will need to report to the building to test. Students may provide their own transportation or ride the bus assigned to their route (even if they are Option 2 students). Additionally, we will offer school breakfast and lunch to any student coming to test.
English 11 SOL Testing Dates
Writing Short Paper: Friday, November 20
Writing Multiple Choice: Friday, December 4
Reading: December 11
Non-English SOL Testing Dates
History: December 18
Science: January 8
Math: January 15
Students should arrive to school by 9:00 a.m. Students with their own transportation will be able to leave at the end of the test session. Students who ride the bus will remain at school with supervision until the end of the school day and then ride the bus home.
Students currently taking English 11 have already been contacted by their teacher with additional details. All other students who will need to take and SOL will be contacted by their teachers in the next few weeks with specific details for their class.
Thank you for your understanding.
Federal Impact Aid Cards
The Counseling Corner
Hello Grassfield High School community! Your school counselors welcome you back!
School counselors are available to students virtually and in-person by appointment. Students should join their Class of 2021, 2022, etc. Schoology group to request an appointment. Additional information, include Schoology Group codes is available in each classroom and on the GFH website. Please contact the school counseling department at 558-4509 for additional help.
School counselors are certified/licensed educators who improve student success for ALL students by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program. School Counselors can help students by providing:
- individual student academic planning and goal setting
- school counseling classroom lessons based on student success standards
- short-term counseling to students
- referrals for long-term support
- collaboration with families/teachers/ administrators/ community for student success
- advocacy for students at individual education plan meetings and other student-focused meetings
- data analysis to identify student issues, needs and challenges
Meet Your Counselors!
Class of 2021 and 2022 ACCESS College Support
Hello Class of 2021 and 2022!
Here's news from Mrs. Moorhouse.
Seniors: it's important to file the FAFSA ASAP, if you haven't already. I'm available to help you file or answer questions! To book a virtual FAFSA appointment, go to: https://calendly.com/accesscollege/fafsa-consultation-ghs. If you're not already receiving my c/o 2021 Remind messages, you can join by texting @ghsco2021g to 81010
Juniors: You can join my c/o 2022 Remind group by texting @ghsco2022a to 81010.
Seniors & Juniors: I'm using Padlet to share lots of info on college events, scholarships, & more: https://padlet.com/ACCESS_GHSandGBHS/InfoandUpdates. To book a virtual college counseling appointment, go to https://calendly.com/accesscollege/ghs-1-1
Book 1-1 college counseling appointments (link for GFH students/families only):
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
Fee waiver application (required for anyone asking for SAT/ACT/AP/College App waivers): https://accesscollege.org/fee-waiverfee-payment-application
Please contact me at:
meghan.moorhouse@cpschools.com
(757) 550-0149
Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 4:00
Grassfield High School PTSA
It is time to renew your membership in the Grassfield High School PTSA. This organization cannot exist without members, and this is the easiest way to support your school. For only $7.00, you can make a difference at Grassfield High School. We need you as members of our PTSA. Don’t forget, the “S” stands for students, as students can also join at the high school level. What a great way to get involved and have your voice heard. If your student plans to apply for a PTSA scholarship, they must be a member!
It is extremely easy to join! You may fill out the form below and send in a check to GFHS, 2007 Grizzly Trail, Chesapeake, VA 23323. Please make the check payable to GFHS PTSA.
This year, you may also join online at http://grassfieldhigh.new.memberhub.store.
Please follow the GFHS PTSA on twitter @GrizzlyPTSA and our Facebook page is GrassfieldPTSA.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email me. I look forward to getting to know you this year! Thank you!
Leslie Wecht, GFHS PTSA President, Leslie.Wecht@cpschools.com
Media Center News
All students are encouraged to join our Grizzly Media Center Schoology course to access various resources including Virtual Librarian where you can ask for assistance, reserve a library book through Destiny Discover, and explore a variety of resources.
Ask your child's teacher for the Media Center Schoology code.
After you join the Schoology course, you can reserve a library book and we will deliver it to you curbside. Click on the Destiny Discover box to reserve your books.
Curbside Pick Up Update:
Due to hybrid learning beginning this month, our last Tuesday/Thursday pick up will be the week of Nov 2-5. Starting on November 9, pick up will be available by appointment for students not in the building. Students in the building can pick up books from the media center. Students will still follow the same procedure to put books on hold--Destiny Discover.
November Media Center Events:
Visit our Grizzly Media Center Google Site to participate in our weekly activities. This month we are celebrating a variety of topics For every activity you participate in your name will be entered into our monthly drawing! Click on the tab labeled November to access the weekly activities!
Week 1: Veteran’s Day
Week 2: Children’s Book Week
Week 3: National Scholarship Month
Week 4: What are you thankful for?
Contact Mrs. Dusty Gabel or Mrs. Kim Rosenbaum for more details.
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