The Mustang Minute
8-21-17
FISH Camp Pep Rally: Welcome Class of 2021
Football Kickoff BBQ
Leadership welcoming the Class of 2021
Principal's Message
Welcome to the 2017-18 school year! We are excited to start another year here at Grapevine High School. Our mission is to be the BEST high school in the State of Texas and this would not be possible without the outstanding support of our commUNITY. Please look for opportunities to volunteer and be involved with the Mustang Nation. As you know, we have had construction this summer on our campus. On Friday, we sent out information about our parking and traffic flow pattern. Please be patient as we start the school year. We are going to have an amazing 2017-18 school year!
Below is the information which was sent on Friday.
Schedules: Please remember to have your students check their schedules for Monday morning.
Unity,
Dave Denning
Parking/Traffic Letter
Dear Mustangs,
The new year is right around the corner and we are so excited for another great year at Grapevine High School. Prior to student and staff arrivals on Monday, I wanted to share some important information regarding parking and student drop-off at GHS.
As I am sure you have seen this summer, there is a tremendous amount of construction at Grapevine High School. While we are working to build the new Multipurpose Activity Centers, we have to be flexible during the construction as areas of the campus may be restricted due to equipment, safety reasons, etc.
On Monday, we will have approximately 350 student parking spaces located in front of the campus by Gym 1 where the hill and building were removed. Additionally, students can park in 17 spots that are located by Gym 4 and the wrestling room. As this will not be enough parking to accommodate all of our student drivers, it will be necessary to use the north east parking lot at Cross Timbers Middle School (CTMS) for additional spaces. I’ve attached a map that illustrates locations for student parking. I have also attached information about campus shuttles. Please be sure to communicate this to your student prior to arriving on campus Monday.
For parents that are dropping off their students at GHS, please enter the campus from Timberline Drive and exit onto Timberline Drive at the back of the student parking lot by the tennis court, or exit through CTMS. The entrance off Mustang Drive will be closed to students, visitors and parents and is strictly for school buses and staff. We need to work to ensure that parents and students are not entering off Mustang Drive as our buses need adequate space to be able to enter and exit the campus.
I would like to remind everyone to please be mindful of the other students, parents and staff that will be adjusting to this fluid parking solution. Parents, please remind your student drivers to be extremely cautious when driving through the parking lots - especially during times of arrival or dismissal. Additionally, if you feel comfortable with your student carpooling with another student, we would ask that you consider that arrangement in order to ensure enough parking for both our Mustangs and CTMS Wolves. During this time we also encourage students and parents to adjust your morning schedule to account for potential congestion due to construction.
I understand this also may raise questions about reserved parking spaces for Seniors. Our goal is to continue to have reserved spaces but we need to begin the school year prior to making any determinations about locations of reserved spaces. When we have determined the location and the process for this school year, we will share that information with Seniors and their families.
Please understand that construction is a fluid process and we may need to make additional changes as we progress throughout the year. I will update you as we have more information to share and we appreciate your flexibility as we work to build a facility that will be enjoyed by Mustangs for years to come!
Shuttle Information
It’s hard to believe we are just days away from the beginning of a new school year. Prior to classes starting on Monday, I wanted to send you notice about a change that will take place for students that take classes at both high schools.
As I am sure you have seen this summer, there is a tremendous amount of construction at Colleyville Heritage (CHHS) as well as Grapevine High School (GHS). While we are working to build the new Multipurpose Activity Centers, our campuses have to be flexible during the construction as areas of the campus may be restricted due to equipment, safety reasons, etc.
Since the construction has taken away a significant number of parking spaces at GHS, and in an effort to minimize risk to our student drivers who are unfamiliar in driving with construction, students that take a class on a different campus will be required to ride the shuttle. The only exception to this will be students that take a first or eighth-period class on another campus. Those students may drive themselves so they are not immediately getting to campus to then get on a shuttle; however, the shuttle will still be available for all class periods. Students from CHHS that drive themselves to GHS will need to park in the designated overflow parking lot at Cross Timbers Middle School.
The staff from both high schools are aware of the change and we will work with students to ensure they are not missing any instructional time on either campus.
If you have any questions about this change, please contact Ted Willmann or Rob Sikora.
New Bell Schedule and A/B Days
Counselors' Corner
2017-18 Schedules: On the first day of school, students will need to check Skyward and follow the schedule listed.
Schedule changes: Students were able to request changes to their schedules during the windows of May 22-24 and July 24-26. Changes were accommodated based upon space and availability. Some students may notice a change to the order of their classes due to course request changes, staffing changes and the transition to a new bell schedule. No further schedule changes will be permitted except in the case of extenuating circumstances. Examples of extenuating circumstances include: - Selected for a higher level activity such as band, choir, etc. - Previously earned credit for course. - Course needed for graduation (for seniors only).
Desire to move up to Pre-AP, AP: Within the first 10 days of fall semester, students will be allowed to level up to Pre-AP, AP, or GT by contacting their counselor. Leveling down from these courses will only be allowed at the end of the 4-week point and at the end of the first semester (pending space and availability).
Transcript requests: Students in need of an unofficial or official transcript will need to request those through a link to Parchment on the GHS Counseling website: http://www.gcisd-k12.org/Page/42538. You will be prompted to set up a Parchment account if you have not already created one. Please only access Parchment through the link provided on the GHS Counseling website so your account is linked to GHS. When setting up your account it is not necessary to complete the scholarship/college search portion, skipping this portion will expedite the account setup. You may request a transcript now to be sent by the last week of September after the update of transcripts from summer courses and re-ranking. Counselors will begin writing letters of recommendations in September for students who are required to have this as part of their college application.
Seniors should notify their counselor if they are in need of a counselor recommendation letter.
Dual Parents/Students: The first day of Dual class is Monday, August 28th . Students are expected to have their required textbook for the course with them on the first day of Dual. Payment for Dual is due no later than Monday, August 21st, or the student will be dropped from Dual. Please see the GHS Dual Enrollment webpage for additional details: http://www.gcisdk12.org/Page/3016.
Did you know?: ACT and SAT fee waivers are available for students who qualify for free/reduced lunch? Students who qualify can pick these waivers up in the counseling office.
2018 Senior Pictures: September 5th & 6th
Prestige will be on the auditorium foyer on Tuesday, September 5th and Wednesday, September 6th to take senior portraits. Go to www.PrestigePortraits.com to schedule your appointment and find ideas on photo props and clothing. If you did not receive a code, contact Prestige at 214.358.4444. Tuxedos, drapes, caps & gowns are provided by Prestige.
Yearbook Photos for Underclassmen: August 23rd & 24th
Textbooks:
Due to increased enrollment in a few of our courses this year, we have had to order additional textbooks to match the demand. Very few classes will be affected, and textbook orders are already being processed. We expect a prompt turnaround, and we will work diligently to ensure that our students have every resource they need to be successful in the year ahead. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.
Meet our Attendance Staff:
Tanya Hill 817.251.5242 Seniors and Freshmen H-P
Heidi Farinella 817.251.5240 Sophomores and Freshmen Q-Z
If your student will be absent, please call your attendance clerk to report the absence. If you are picking your student up early for an appointment, etc., please let them know at least 45 minutes prior. Thank you.
EXTENDED DAY
Mondays from 7:15-8:15 am
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 4:15 to 5:15pm
National Honor Society
GCISD UPDATES STUDENT DEVICE COST
As Grapevine-Colleyville ISD expands it’s 1:1 program to include all students in kindergarten through twelfth-grade, technology services has made a change to the fee structure. Beginning in the 2017-2018 school year, families will be provided with a device at zero cost.
“We are always looking for ways to provide our students with the necessary technology to support their learning without placing a financial burden on our families,” said GCISD Chief Technology Officer Kyle Berger. “We are so excited for the changes to the student device cost agreement and look forward to the ways this will help streamline our integration of technology into the classroom.”
While the initial device is provided at no cost, there are fees assessed based on incident repairs. The first incident will be repaired for free for all students. For students that paid a $50 student fee in the 2016-2017 school year, their second incident will also be repaired at no cost. Students that did not pay the fee last year will be charged $15 for the repair after the second incident. For all students, after the third incident the fee will be the full cost of the device repair. In the instance that the damage to the device is intentional, the cost of the repair will be based on the damage regardless of how many incidents have occurred.
Technology Services has been working to integrate the fee device management with Skyward Family Access to generate any fee related communication to parents. If you have any questions about changes to the student device fees, please use Let’s Talk to submit your question to Technology.
Join PTSA Today!
Have you seen the update to auditorium ticket booth currently underway? It is only one of the many ways PTSA supports our school. In addition, we help with classroom needs for teachers that might not otherwise be funded and several teacher and student scholarships. PTSA is just as relevant in our school now as it was when your student started kindergarten. Except now, we won’t ask you to be a room parent! Visit our table at Open House or send the attached form with your student. You can even join on line at the attached link. Don’t forget to sign your students up as well! To apply for one of the many PTA scholarships from the state on down, your student must be a member of PTSA. Please join us so we can make this a difference for all our students and teachers!
From Nutrition Services:
In accordance with program guidelines, the Free and Reduced application will be available online as part of skyward registration. When registering for the 2017-2018 school year, parents or guardians should complete the Free and Reduced application. For your convenience, the application may also be filled out anytime electronically at www.schoollunchapp.com. If you do not have access to a computer, your campus will have one available for you to complete the online application. For those parents that still would like to complete a paper application, copies will be available at campus front offices or the Nutrition Services office. If you have any questions, please call 817-251-5617 or email athel.micka@gcisd.net
CALENDAR
Monday, August 21 (A Day)
First day of school
Tuesday, August 22 (B Day)
Volleyball 9th Red @ Southlake 5:30pm
Volleyball JV @ Southlake 5:30pm
Volleyball 9th Blue @ Southlake 6:30pm
Volleyball Varsity @ Southlake 6:30pm
Wednesday, August 23 (A Day)
Underclass Pictures Day in Auditorium Foyer
Softball Parent meeting 6:00pm in the SAC
Thursday, August 24 (B Day)
Underclass Picture Day in Auditorium Foyer
NHS meeting 8:00am Lecture Hall
Tennis Varsity & JV 1 v Keller Central
NHS Application Workshop 4-5:00pm in Room 602
Debate Parent meeting 6:30pm Library
Football 9th v Boswell 5:00pm
Football JV v Boswell 6:00pm
Football Varsity v Boswell 7:00pm
Friday, August 25 (A Day)--College Tshirt day!
NHS Application Workshop 8:00am in Room 602
Cross Country Hebron Nigh Hawk Invitational @ McInish Park Coppell
Volleyball Varsity @ Plano
Volleyball 9th Red v Mansfield 5:30pm
Volleyball 9th Blue v Mansfield 6:30pm
Volleyball JV v Mansfield 6:30pm
Saturday, August 26
SAT
Volleyball JV @ Brewer Tournament
Parents: We have a limited number of copies of this book for you to check out from the GHS Library !
Fillies Dance Team Fundraiser
I've got my 2017-18 Retail Card and I'm ready to use it!
Get yours now from KayLynn Renfro in Gym #3 or an 2017-18 Fillie. The cost is
$20 and they don't expire until Aug. 31, 2018!
Carry it in your wallet for fast access. No need to remember to take it with you!
Includes: Costa Vida, Torchy's, Fuzzy's, Subway, Bottle Cap Alley, Menchie's, Mustang
Cleaners, Mustang Elite CarWash, Arby's, Castle Nail Spa, Chicken Express, Fans United Sportswear, HopPop, Mod*ish Boutique, Palio's Pizza, Pizza Hut, Rockfish, Schlotzky's, Sweet Spot Donuts, and Zyn22 Cycling Dome just to name a few!
Go Mustangs! Go Fillies!