The Grizzly Growl
January 2021
From the Bear Den
Hello Grizzly Families!
2020 was a temultuos year, and we faced many challenges. As we turn the calendar to 2021, let us remember that 2020 also taught us some valuable lessons that made us better people.
I hope this year brings us all good health, happiness, and prosperity. Let's continue to work together to face whatever challenges 2021 brings with courage, resilience, and support for each other.
Be safe out there! And as always; Go, Grizzlies!
Sincerely,
Mr. Michael Perez
Principal
If your child tests positive for COVID-19, or has a close exposure, please contact our school nurse, ryan.hill@cpschools.com, for additional information.
Semester 1 Study Hall
GFH Exam Schedule
CPS Chromebooks
Underclassmen Yearbook Photos
Underclass pictures are ONLY for grades 9, 10, 11. Makeup pictures have been scheduled from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Monday, January 25 in the gym. Make your appointment now. Appointments MUST be scheduled online at the following link: https://www.pickatime.com/candidcolor/grassfielduc
Please arrive NO LATER THAN 6:15 p.m. as late arrivals will not be photographed.
Check Out What's Happening at CCC!
The Counseling Corner
2021-2022 Course Scheduling
It's hard to believe, but later this month, we will start course scheduling for next school year. This is a process we normally do in person in small groups, but this year we will complete course requests virtually.
Friday, January 8, scheduling booklets and a video explaining important information about scheduling will be posted in the Class of 2022, 2023, and 2024 Schoology groups. Your child should already be a member of this group, but contact Lydia.Boreo@cpschools.com if they aren't.
Please take some time to review this video and the scheduling booklet with your student to help them make the best choices for courses for next year.
During the week of January 11-15, videos to explain our many elective classes will be featured on GNEWS during the morning announcements. We will also make those videos available to parents.
The course request form will be open January 15 and entered in Synergy by students. They must be completed by January 22. After that, school counselors will review the requests and contact parents and students with any questions or concerns before course requests are finalized.
School counselors are available for individual scheduling meetings upon request. Please contact your school counselor directly for an appointment or with questions.
Additionally, we will hold a virtual Scheduling Q&A session with school counselors January 19 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Feel free to pop in to ask us questions! (The meeting link will be provided at a later date.)
Class of 2021 and 2022 ACCESS College Support
Hello Class of 2021 and 2022!
Here's news from Mrs. Moorhouse.
Seniors: 2020 was an unprecedented and challenging year, but don't let the hardships and uncertainty of 2020 derail plans for YOUR future. College application rates and FAFSA filing rates are down substantially nationwide and locally, but I'm here to help and it's not too late to apply to college OR file the FAFSA for financial aid. Contact me at mmoorhouse@accesscollege.org for help with either.
It is important that seniors keep a close eye on their email for notifications from colleges about missing materials, application portal logins, scholarship requirements, etc. Don't miss out on a scholarship because you didn't reply to the award email, so they gave it to someone else (this happened to a student I knew, and it was a full, 2 year scholarship).
Were you deferred to the Regular Decision applicant pool at a college? Here's some words of perspective from the UVA Admissions "Notes from Peabody" blog (applicable to many schools): http://uvaapplication.blogspot.com/2017/01/deferred-from-uva21-early-action-read.html
If applications are done, HOORAY! Take a break and a breath, then start using ScholarshipVUE (updated frequently and easily searchable). Log in at https://apps.cpschools.com/ScholarshipVUE/login with your Student ID for username and password.
Reminder: the VA Tech merit scholarship application deadline is Jan. 22nd. "After students submit their admissions application, they'll receive an email from the Office of Admissions with instructions on creating an admissions portal login credentials. After creating your admissions portal login, you may login to Scholarship Central approximately 1-2 business days later using the same username and password credentials." (taken from https://vt.academicworks.com)
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Juniors: It's PRIME TIME to be thinking about what's important to you in a college, researching schools, starting to compile a rough list, etc. I will be offering upcoming workshops with tools to help you think about college characteristics (outside of simply location and school size), so keep an eye on the announcements for dates/times.
If you haven't already, please complete ACCESS Junior Interest Survey! It takes less than 2 minutes and helps get you in my records and on my radar.
Questbridge National College Match is an incredible opportunity for high-achieving students with financial need. In 2019, GHS had a senior admitted early to the University of Chicago on a FULL RIDE scholarship (worth over $300,000)! In 2020, GHS had a Match Finalist! Please contact me with questions or if you think you might qualify (check out the link first). The process is intensive and starts soon, but I will work closely with you to complete it.
Do a "brain dump" of things you've read/listened to/watched/attended, both in and out of class...and update regularly. These things can be books, music, articles, podcasts, websites, blogs, artists, lectures, presentations, etc. Sometimes colleges will ask for these things specifically (ex: Columbia University), and sometimes these can be great starter material for the essays you'll need to write later.
ACCESS can help cover the cost of SAT/ACT/AP/college application fees; you must fill out the confidential ACCESS Fee Waiver Application and the ACCESS Information Release to be considered.
As always, I'm available for 1-1 college counseling via Zoom, and you can pick a day/time that's convenient for you.
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
Class of 2021 News
Wow, Seniors! We are almost through the 1st semester of your final year. Be sure to finish semester 1 strong and set your sights on June.
Balfour has begun accepting orders for graduation announcements and caps and gowns. Please view a message from our Balfour representative here. If you still need to order any graduation items, please contact Balfour directly or order through thier online link.
Be sure to check the Senior Class website here and follow us on social media for the most up-to-date news.
Class of 2022 News
TCC News
Semester 1 SOL Testing--Postponed Until After January 15
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
Non-English SOL Testing Dates
Math and W!SE: January 22
Earth Science and Chemistry: January 29
History: February 5
Biology: February 12
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.
Students should arrive to school between 8:40 a.m and 8:55 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 who will need to take an SOL will be contacted by their teachers in the next few weeks with specific details for their class.
Thank you for your understanding.
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!
Be on the lookout for:
--A Grizzly stress-free playlist. Submit songs and our SCA members will make our Grassfield playlist to help calm anxiety during virtual learning, SOLs and exam weeks.
-- A Good Luck Gram google form for students to send good luck to classmates as we close out the semester.
--A January bingo board to complete at the end of January (on Instagram)
In February, we will be teaming up with the other Chesapeake schools to provide activities and events to do as a city. Stay tuned for more details!
Follow us on social media!
Food Distribution
Grassfield High School PTSA
Please 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.
All Seniors who would like to apply for the VA State PTA scholarship or the GFHS PTSA scholarship, should join GFHS PTSA by January 31, 2021 to be eligible.
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.
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
Library Book Pick Up Reminder:
We are offering library book pick up 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. Visit our schoology page (55JB-G3FF-9FVGG) or GMC Google site to access Destiny.
December Contest Winner Congratulations to Emerson Lee for winning our December 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 Hive by Barry Lyga and Morgan Baden.
January Reading Month Activities::
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! Click on the tab labeled January to access the weekly activities!
Bookmark creation contest
Destiny Book Review
Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by creating a wordle
Instagram and Twitter Book Photo Post (new topic will be posted each week)
Follow us on Instagram (grassfield_mc) and Twitter (@GFH_Mediacenter)
Contact Mrs. Dusty Gabel or Mrs. Kim Rosenbaum for more details.
Don't Worry; Be Happy!
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