Knight News
Grand Forks Central High School - August 15th, 2021
Welcome!
GFC Families,
The Grand Forks Central High School staff is excited for the upcoming school year and the chance to welcome our newest Knights - the Class of 2025 - to GFC!
The Knight News will continue to be our primary mode of communication to families and is shared via email twice each month, typically at the start and middle of the month. The most important events, news, and work at Central will be shared here so please take time to read through it. More immediate and emergent information will come to you, as needed, via text, phone, and email, depending on the nature of the message. Our goal is to keep you as informed as we can in the clearest way possible.
We look forward to another year of learning at Central and appreciate your support as we prepare our students for their next stage of life!
Onward Central!
Mr. Jon Strandell
Principal
A Look Ahead
Aug. 16th - Girls Swimming/Diving and Volleyball Seasons Begin
Aug. 16th - 20th - Campus is open to students and families 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Aug. 17th - Schedules for 9th graders emailed home
Aug. 25th - First day of school for 9th grade (Day 1 schedule)
Aug. 25th - Open House - 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Aug. 26th - First day of school for 10th-12th grade (Day 1 schedule)
Sep. 6th - NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
Sep. 22nd - Early Release for PLC Day - students dismissed at 1:00 (see schedule below)
Oct. 8th - School pictures
Fall Registration Information
PowerSchool Update (required each year prior to the start of school):
Notifications and instructions on how to complete this update or "powerschool registration" were emailed beginning last spring, if you have not completed the update, please do so as soon as you are able. Families who have not completed this process will continue to receive email reminders until the process has been completed.
- The update must be completed on the PowerSchool website, you cannot complete the update on the PowerSchool app on your cell phone.
- Updating this information helps us keep in contact with our families, ensures we have up to date information in the event of an emergency, and current health information for your student.
- If you need help accessing your parent PowerSchool account, please contact the main office for assistance.
- The main office will have computers available for parents/guardians to use if you don't have access to a computer at home.
Schedules:
- Schedules for students grades 10-12 were emailed on Aug. 12th. If you haven't received a schedule, please contact the main office.
- Incoming freshmen who attend their freshman conference Aug. 11th -17th will receive a copy of their schedule during their conference. Freshman who don't attend conferences will have their schedules emailed to them after conferences have concluded the evening of Aug. 17th. If your freshman doesn't have a schedule by the end of the day on Aug. 18th, please contact our main office.
Morning Door Locations: Students may access the school using the following doors. Doors open at 7:15 a.m.
Door 1 (Main Doors - N. 4th St): Bus and Car Drop
Door 14 (Gym Doors - N. 5th St) - Car Drop Off, Students Parking in Maroon Lot, Gray Lot
Immunizations:
- If your student has received immunizations, please drop off your updated immunization forms in the main office during the week of Aug. 16th - 20th.
Medications:
- If your student needs any medication given at school, a Medication Authorization Form must be filled out and signed by the health care provider and the parent/guardian. This is required for all medications including inhalers and over the counter medications.
- Parents or guardians may drop off student medications along with the corresponding Medication Authorization Form in the main office starting on Aug. 16th.
- Medications must be in their original containers.
- Additional GFPS Medical Information and Forms: https://www.gfschools.org/Page/903
Visiting the Campus:
- You must enter through the main door (door #1).
- The school will be open to all student/family visitors the week of Aug. 16th- 20th from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day.
- During this week, families are welcome to: drop off lunch money, pick up/fill out free and reduced lunch application forms and athletic waivers, purchase bus tickets, etc. in the main office.
- Please feel free to visit our buildings, locate your locker and walk your schedule during this week. The office will be open to assist students and families if needed during that time.
School Lunch:
Free/Reduced Lunch Applications:- The USDA has approved free breakfast & lunch for all students for the 2021-2022 school year. Families will only need to fill out free & reduced lunch applications if they wish to apply for a waiver for activity fees since qualification for a free or reduced activity fee is based on the outcome of the lunch application. If your student is not going to be in any extra-curricular activities this year, you are not required to fill out a lunch application.
Lunch Money:
- Lunch money (check made out to CNP or cash) for the coming year may be dropped off in the main office during the week of Aug. 16th- 20th. All payments must include the student's name and ID number.
- Card payments can be made on the MySchoolBucks.com website at any time during the year for a small fee.
Chromebooks:
- Student will receive their chromebooks on the first day of classes.
Dietrich Busing Information:
- During Powerschool registration, you were asked if you would like your student(s) to ride a regular route bus to/from school during this school year. For those families who indicated they would like to utilize regular route busing, Dietrich bus is now creating their routes/stops and will notify your family directly with route information.
- For those families who are interested in busing but did not complete the request form in Powerschool, please complete your request through this Google Form (LINK: https://forms.gle/fPf6ZsG7rNuc9brY9). As these requests are being submitted after the Aug. 11th deadline, there is no guarantee of ridership. Dietrich Bus Service will contact you directly with further information.
- Please note: this is for general route busing only. For special education or EL busing, please speak with the main office at your student's school.
Dietrich Bus Tickets:
- Dietrich bus tickets for students who ride Dietrich bus routes are available for purchase on the MySchoolBucks.com website.
- Bus tickets may also be purchased with cash or a check made out to GFPS in the main office at any time beginning on Aug. 16th.
- Schools do not sell city bus tickets for students who utilize the city bus, those must be purchased directly from the city.
Activity Passes:
- Student and Adult Activity Passes are available for purchase on MySchoolBucks.com.
- Purchased passes may be picked up in the main office on the next business day.
- Passes can also be purchased in the Main Office with cash or a check made out to GFPS.
- The cost of a student pass is $40. An adult pass is $80. Passes are not honored at tournaments or the musical, but will give the bearer admittance to all GFC and RRHS games.
Yearbooks:
- The 2021-2022 yearbook will be sold online again this year on the Balfour website. Please click on the link below to purchase the upcoming yearbook. https://www.balfour.com/student-info?smi=55338
The cost is $55 (or $60 if you want it personalized with a name on the cover). Senior pictures and senior baby pictures are due by May 1st and can be emailed at any time before that to: centralyearbook@mygfschools.org
- Last years (2020-2021) yearbooks have not arrived yet, but should be here soon. Once they arrive, it will be announced in the daily announcements and yearbooks will be handed out to students in the main hall. It is unknown if there will be extra yearbooks available for purchase. If there are, they will be first come first serve. The day they go on sale and the purchase price will be shared in the daily announcements.
School Pictures:
- School pictures are schedule for October 8th.
Welcome Freshman!
We can’t wait to welcome the Class of 2025 to GFC! All freshmen students will start school on Wednesday, Aug. 25th. Our main goal for the day is to orient them to their daily schedule as well as the building layout and lunch procedures. Of course, this is also a great day for them to learn about the history and “family feel” of Central - The Finest in Dakota! Here is the schedule for the day:
Early Release Schedule and Dates for PLC Days
Fall Sport Information & Forms
*Important Change This Year*
Activity fees are now all paid online on the MySchoolBucks.com website.
White Cards
- White cards can be picked up anytime in the main office M-F 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m
- At this time, white cards will only be issued for fall sports. You may still drop off the completed physical/concussion/code of conduct forms for winter or spring sports, but athletes will have to return to the office for the white card once tryouts for winter or spring sports are closer.
- White cards are used to indicate that student athletes have completed all necessary paperwork/processes in order to participate in an activity. Athletes must present white cards to coaches before they will be allowed to tryout or practice.
Athletic Forms
- Please have the items labeled "required" listed below completed when you come to the school to pick up your white card. If any of the forms are missing signatures or required information a white card will not be issued.
1. Physical Form (required)
All athletes must complete a physical form each year. Physicals dated after April 15th, 2021 are valid for the 2021-2022 school year.
2. Code of Conduct Form (required)
All athletes must fill out a code of conduct form each year.
3. Concussion Form (required)
All athletes must fill out a concussion form each year.
4. Activity Fee (due before first game or performance, not required for a white card)
$80 per sport/$70 per fine arts activity paid on the MySchoolBucks.com website or Activity Waiver/Lunch Form (not required for a white card, but must be taken care of prior to the first game or performance) Please see the next section for more information about waivers below.
Students cannot play in a game or represent GFC publicly until their fee is paid or they have qualified for a waiver.
- District Athletic Forms can be found here: https://www.gfschools.org/Page/137 or can be downloaded by clicking on the files below.
Requesting a Waiver For Free or Reduced Activity Fees
- Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, may qualify for free or reduced activity fees but are required to submit a Free & Reduced Lunch Application Form, a Fee_Waiver_Request_Form and a Release_of_Information_Request each school year to determine eligibility.
- If your family qualifies for free lunch, the activity fee is waived completely. If your family qualifies for reduced lunch, the activity fee is $40.
- The Free & Reduced Lunch Online Application Form can be found here: https://www.gfschools.org/Page/8333
- The three forms are attached below and may be downloaded and printed. Paper copies are also available in the main office at any time.
Important Changes To GFC Parking
Digital Parking Permits Now Required
A digital student permit is now required for all student parking areas. Digital permits will be free to all GFC students. Previously used GFC grey parking hang tags will no longer be valid and can be discarded.
Student Only Access Link to obtain the parking permit for student parking areas:
https://gfpermits.rmcpay.com/#purchase?purchase_seed=KJQEA7YZT3_SIAL2ZWH93
Once students have registered via the access link above, they can then manage their vehicle information by visiting the online permit portal at any time throughout the school year.
Online Permit Portal: https://gfpermits.rmcpay.com
Monitoring and ticketing will be done by the City of Grand Forks and will begin on August 30th.
- The digital permits are based on license plate information. Students will need to ensure their vehicle information is correct and up to date at all times as inaccuracies may result in ticketing.
- When a student signs up, the website will ask them to choose a zone (either the "Central Ramp" or "GFC Student Lots", however, students are not required to only park in that area and the permit is valid in all student parking areas.
- The permit sign up lists will be monitored throughout the year and anyone using the permits improperly will be removed from the permit list and may be ticketed.
GFC STAFF: Staff will also be required to sign up for a digital permit to park in staff parking lots. The Staff Only Access Link will be emailed directly to GFC employees.
School Absences
If your child is going to be absent because of an illness, going out of town, an appointment, etc., please call the Attendance Secretary at 746-2482. The attendance line can accept voicemails 24/7. Please leave your name, your students full name, a phone number and the reason for your student's absence if you leave a voicemail. If you call in, you do not need to send a note with your child the next day.
Signing In/Out Process for Students
All students who need to leave during the school day must have parent permission either by phone or note & must sign out with the Attendance Secretary prior to leaving. Upon returning to the building, students must sign back in. Failure to sign in/out properly may result in detention hours issued for classes missed.
Illness
Please contact the Attendance Secretary by 9:00 a.m. to report your student's illness.
Appointments
If the child has an appointment, please call or send a note with your child prior to the appointment. In doing so, the child can pick up a purple "early dismissal slip" from the Attendance Secretary to show their teacher and be excused from the class without interrupting the class.
Oversleeping
Oversleeping is not excused at GFC. Students will receive one warning for their first overslept and detention for any that occur afterwards.
Vacation
In order for your student to have the best attendance possible, please plan short trips, vacations, etc. around our school calendar. If you know in advance your child is going to miss school for a trip, please contact the attendance secretary prior to the absence so the absence can be approved by the appropriate administrator. Arrangements for homework for planned absences is the responsibility of the student.
Homework Requests
Students who are absent at least two days may request assignments by calling the main office at 746-2375. Homework requests should be made as early as possible (preferably prior to 10:00 a.m.) to allow teachers time to complete the request. Assignments may be picked up in the main office between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.
Detention
Detention is held on most Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the commons. Dates are announced in the daily bulletin.
7 a.m. detention is also available in room 221 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Students who owe detention hours will not be eligible to participate in any extra-curricular activities, public performances or represent GFC publicly until the hours are served.
For questions about detention hours owed, please contact Amy Spicer, Attendance Secretary. For question about the detention policy, please contact your student's Associate Principal.
Online Sports & Activity Fee Payments
Create your free account today and never worry about having to send cash/checks to school with your student again. Visit myschoolbucks.com or download the app today to get started!
Hall Lockers & Locks
Gym lockers are available to students enrolled in physical education classes. STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN LOCK IN THE GYM LOCKER ROOMS. All items are placed in the locker room during class must be locked to ensure that items are not stolen.
Students must refrain from placing personal items of value in the lockers. The school will not be responsible for the loss of unsecured items. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all personal items are properly secured.
Lost & Found Policy
It shall be the procedure at Central High School to take reasonable steps to return lost/found property to its rightful owner. Property shall consist of any item that may hold value to the owner, sentimental or monetary.
Students and staff shall turn in any property that a reasonable person would consider misplaced or abandoned to the main school office. The property will remain in the office until such time that the rightful owner identifies and claims the property. Items that go unclaimed will be donated to local thrift stores.
Person’s finding items of value that are found and not returned to the owner or school staff member may have school consequences, and or criminal charges of possession of lost or mislaid items (NDCC12.1-23-02). Students in possession of items that are intentionally taken without the consent of the rightful owner will be cited by the authorities for possession of lost or mislaid items by the school resource officer. In addition a student who has stolen property from another student or teacher will be suspended out of school for a period of three or more days.
Parents are asked to remind students NOT to bring items of value to school. The school cannot guarantee the security of school lockers and/or misplaced backpacks. Lockers should be used to only hold basic school supplies, books, and jackets or winter coats.
Please spend some time reviewing this policy with their child and encourage them to not bring expensive personal items to school.
Student Dress Code
Dress and grooming are important to the student body at any school. Students must wear shoes at all times. Hats, caps, and headscarves/bandanas are not to be worn in school. Students wearing inappropriate attire will be instructed to get it changed, and parent(s)/guardian(s) will be contacted.
- Inappropriate attire may include, but is not limited to:
- Clothing with rips or holes.
- Clothing with a derogatory saying or double meaning suggestive of sexual, illegal, or derogatory connotations.
- Any clothing or accessory, including make-up and hairstyle, that draws excessive attention to an individual student.
- Clothing that advertises, alcohol, tobacco products, or other substance deemed hazardous to one's health is inappropriate.
- Spiked garments, spiked collars, and spiked bracelets, as well as, chains, are not to be worn in school.
Student Handbook
Student Handbooks can be found on our district website by following the link below:
Annual Notification to Parents and Students of Confidentiality and Student Records (FERPA)
The FERPA information and Opt-Out form are attached below. This form is optional for families. If you do not want the district to disclose the information noted in the attachment, you must complete the applicable sections and turn into the main office by the first day of school. For families new to the district, or enrolling after the first day of the school year, you have 10 business days from the date of your child's enrollment to submit the information.
* PLEASE NOTE: If you select option A, your student will not appear in the yearbook, graduation program or news releases.
Vision Zero: Driving Skills for Life Teen Driver and Parent Event
The annual Ford Driving Skills for Life event is being hosted in Grand Forks this year on August 18th at the Alerus Center.
- With teen drivers accounting for 5% of all licensed drivers, but nearly 20% of all crashes, it’s vitally important for teens to participate.
- This event is free to attend.
- The teens can register for the morning or afternoon session for DSFL and they can register for the Alive at 25 event which will be the opposite session of the DSFL event.
- Alive at 25 will also be free of charge to the teens.
- Once completed, the course can help teen drivers and their parents save on car insurance.
The link for information and registration is below:
https://visionzero.nd.gov/events/drivingskillsforlife/
The link below is a short video of some of the stations the teens will get to experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8Ykr_qzjww
If the teens/parents have any questions, please contact Kaitlin Atkinson, Vision Zero Regional Coordinator at 701-213-8142 or email at Kaitlin.atkinson@gfcounty.org
District Emergency Response Guide
Statistics consistently show that schools are among the safest places to be due to the strong commitment of educators, families, and our community to our students and schools. We strive to be proactive rather than reactive. This guide outlines the key elements of Grand Forks Public Schools’ state of preparedness. We hope it will answer questions you have concerning our actions and intentions in the event of an emergency.
2021-2022 Faculty & Staff
Administrative:
Jon Strandell – Principal
Mike Wilber – Associate Principal L-Z
Aaron La Deaux – Activities Director
Leigh Olson – Administrative Assistant
Jackie Schofield – Administrative Assistant
Amy Spicer – Administrative Assistant
Kristin Wilcox – Administrative Assistant
Art:
Nancy GreenwoodKati Larson
Business Education:
Trevor LennonLaurie Salander
Megan Sullivan
Counseling:
Kim BaileyDenise Kaye Loftus
Jen Lubinski
Melissa Mickelson
Lois Manske – Administrative Assistant
English:
Matt BerglundMaren Dewar
Mary Drumm
Yvonne Kalka
Grant Kleberg
Missy Miedema
Nicki Roseno
Emily Ryan
Lukas Schulz
David Tack
Laura Wendt
Family Consumer Sciences:
Amy BeauchampKatie Hatt Rokke
Linsey Naastad
Rhonda Peterson
Ashley Stavnes
Foreign Language:
Katie BolstadLonny Brakel
Pam Fisher
Sindy Larson
Health and Physical Education:
Christine BlomsStetson Carr
Andrea Charlebois
Bill Lorenz
Lisa Perreault
Health Services:
Mona Hattenberger-School Nurse
JROTC:
Mike SelnesRicky Thatcher
Math:
Brittany BundeShelby Curtis
Christina Dittus
Annette Kohlmeier
Karen McIntyre
Mary McWilliams
Steve Paintner
Paula Salentine
Gretchen Schmidt
Media Center:
Andrea Maus - Head LibrarianMusic:
Paul BartaLeah Brooks
Steve Carriere
Sarah Harlow
Geoff Mercer
Science:
Sean Allan
Brandon Bartsch
Joe Drumm
George DuBois
David Kohlmeier
Kylie Laudal
Jamilee Morseth
Eric Polries
Brian Ringdahl
Ryne Dolleslager
Kyle Ellingson
Ian Godfrey
Nick Graves
Justine Hunnisett
Krystal Johnson
Garrett Litzinger
Erik Myrold
Emma Schreiber
Special Education:
Debbie AakerMarie Demarce-Garner
Gina Feland
Ligia Feo
Jade Brown Franzwa
Kari Hearn
Heidi Huseby
Angie Johnson
Carly Kasowski – Resident Teacher
Karen Lauer
Kendall McCarty
Brenna Payne
Summer Quamme
Kathy Sondrol
Technology & Engineering Education:
Zachary BuchhopNate Carlson
Patrick Sheldon
Paul Strande
Para-Professionals:
Missy ArendsKelly Arvidson
Brent Bowers
Kim Duncombe
Kathy Englerth
Jay Gjestvang
Alyssa Homan
Andrea Hynek
Bonnie Jacob-Forseth
Julie Kirchoffner
Jonathan Lester
Tammy Lindgren
Stacey Metzler
Cindy Pesek
Kate Rike
Cassandra Schmisek
Pam Soderberg
Jennifer Stam-Stangl
Ashleigh Zimmer
Support Staff:
Katie Arthur – Intervention CoordinatorBecky Duncan – Career Education Coordinator
Sarah Hellyer – ELL Program
Cindy McMillan – Substance Abuse Counselor
Kevin Phelps – Career Resource Educator
Tyler Piper – Resource Education
Shelly Scholand – Social Worker
Trista Wood – School Psychologist
Security Staff:
Jason Kaiser - Resource OfficerPatti Sandbo – Safety Monitor
Sylvia Wolf - Commons Supervision
Child Nutrition Program:
Barb BergumDeb Dilley
Aurora Hernandez
Sonia Rosales
Stephanie Rynestad
Kathy Sauvageau - Head Supervisor
Kristi Schwan
Ann Thomas
DeAnn Ziegelman
Custodians:
John BestCraig Cull
Ted Dalen
Deborah Dominick
David Halverson
Donna Kerley
Monique Limones
Joyce Morkve
Larry Russell
Richard Springer
Cory Vacura – Facilities Manager
2021-2022 Academic Clubs and Organizations
Art Club - Nancy Greenwood
Centralian - Matt Berglund
Chamber Singers - Paul Barta
Debate - Yvonne Kalka
DECA Club - Laurie Salander
Drama - Maren Dewar
FBLA - Trevor Lennon & Megan Sullivan
FCCLA - Rhonda Peterson
Forx Yearbook - Matt Berglund
French Club - Cynthia Larson
German Club - Lonny Brakel
GSA - Andrea Charlebois/Jenny Lubinski
HOSA - Linsey Naastad
Math Club - Brittany Bunde
National Honor Society - TBD
National Technical Society - Megan Sullivan
Pep Band - Sarah Harlow/Leah Brooks
Renaissance - Aaron La Deaux
Robotics - Zachary Buchhop
RPG - Joe Drumm
Science Club - David Kohlmeier
SkillsUSA-Graphic Arts - Patrick Sheldon
SkillsUSA-Inf. Tech - Zachary Buchhop
SkillsUSA-Tech Drafting - Nate Carlson
Spanish Club - Katie Bolstad
Speech - Katie Bolstad
Spirit Club - Nancy Greenwood
Student Congress - Krystal Johnson
Student Council - Aaron La Deaux
Tech Club - Nate Carlson & Zachary Buchhop
SkillsUSA Graphic Arts - Patrick Sheldon
Athletics
Basketball (Boys) - Dan Carlson
Basketball (Girls) - DJ Burris
Baseball - Tim Gregoire
Cheerleading - Kylie Laudal
Cross Country (Boys & Girls) - Sean Allan
Football - Bill Lorenz
Golf (Boys) - Josh Cichy
Golf (Girls) - Christine Bloms
Gymnastics - Megan Johnson
Hockey (Boys) - Grant Paranica
Hockey (Girls) - Alex Hedlund
Soccer (Boys) - Lukas Schulz
Soccer (Girls) - George DuBois
Softball - TBD
Swim (Boys) - Brent Newman
Swim (Girls) - Bryan Walls
Tennis (Boys) - Max Weisser
Tennis (Girls) - Matt Fuka
Track (Boys) - Sean Allan
Track (Girls) - Eric Polries
Trapshooting - Jim Shulind
Volleyball - Kari Hearn
Wrestling (Boys) - Jeff Welsh
Wrestling (Girls) - TBD
2021-2022 Yearbooks
- The 2021-2022 yearbook will be sold online again this year on the Balfour website. Please click on the link below to purchase the upcoming yearbook. https://www.balfour.com/student-info?smi=55338
The cost is $55 (or $60 if you want it personalized with a name on the cover). Senior pictures and senior baby pictures are due by May 1st and can be emailed at any time before that to: centralyearbook@mygfschools.org
- Last years (2020-2021) yearbooks have not arrived yet, but should be here by September. Once they arrive, it will be announced in the daily announcements and yearbooks will be handed out to students in the main hall. It is unknown if there will be extra yearbooks available for purchase. If there are, they will be first come first serve. The day they go on sale and the purchase price will be shared in the daily announcements.
Jen Lubinski - Class of 2023 Counselor
Melissa Mickelson - Class of 2024 Counselor
Denise Kaye Loftus - Class of 2025 Counselor
The first Booster Club meeting will be on Sep. 13th at 7:00 PM in the GFC Library
Administration
Dr. Gabe Dahl - Associate Principal A-K
Mr. Mike Wilber - Associate Principal L-Z
Mr. Aaron La Deaux - Activities Director
Contact Us:
Main Office : 701-746-2375
Attendance Line: 701-746-2482
Main Office Hours 7:00 AM-4:15 PM
School Doors Open at 7:15 AM
Location:
115 N. 4th Street
Grand Forks, ND 58203
Follow us on Twitter: @GFC_Activities
Follow us on Instagram: gfc_activites
GFPS Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GrandForksPublicSchools/