The Mustang Minute
Week of December 7-11, 2020
Principal's Message
Dear Mustang Family:
Results from the November 3, 2020 Election were officially canvassed by the GCISD Board of Trustees at its regular meeting on November 16, 2020, and a runoff election has been ordered between Coley Canter and Tommy Snyder for Place 5 after neither candidate reached the required majority vote. Election day is Tuesday, December 8, 2020 with early voting takes place until December 4th. For more information visit the District website.
Go Mustangs!
Alex
GHS Weekly Update:
Check out the recap of this week's athletic scores, highlights and features about our students. If you have news to share about your organization or team, please fill out the form below.
GHS Weekly Update:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fnBBKgshquQPGlp5tbwSGF0yZeyEV7OO/view?usp=drive_web
To share news: GHS Campus News Weekly Broadcast
Please contact Mrs. Erin Carroll, if you have any questions.
STAAR Retesting December 8-11
Students needing to take a retest for the STAAR EOC tests will test next week. All testing is in person at GHS starting at 8:40. Students will report to room 713 for room assignments each day.
They will receive an email notification to their school email on Monday if they are on the list to test for the week.
STAAR EOC Testing Schedule
Tuesday, December 8th. English I
Wednesday, December 9th. Algebra I
Thursday, December 10th English II
Friday, December 11th. Biology and US History
Counseling Newsletter:
Please visit the link to the December newsletter below for more information from counseling.
Character Strong Trait for December:
GCISD has purchased a new character development curriculum called Character Strong to use at all secondary campuses. It will be used to introduce character traits each month. On the first Friday of each month, science teachers will be showing a short video introducing students to the character trait for the month. This month’s character trait is SELFLESSNESS.
Everyday there will be a “character dare” that goes along with the monthly trait that will be pushed out via campus announcements, district and campus social media. You are encouraged to go check out the Character Strong website https://characterstrong.com/
COVID Reporting to Nurse Shook
Parents of in-person and remote students: Please make the campus nurse aware if your child or anyone in your household has tested positive for COVID19. Contact her at. ruth.shook@gcisd.net or 817-251-5244.
Please remember to inform the campus nurse anytime someone in your household is having symptoms of illness that are not normal for them. She can share recommendations about COVID-19 testing and safety practices to prevent the spread of illness. And she will work with you on making a plan for students to return to campus after illness.
COVID-19 causes symptoms that are similar to many common illnesses, and people are infectious before they even have symptoms. So, in the case that someone in your household is displaying symptoms of illness, we ask that all of your children, as potential Close Contacts, stay home until a diagnosis is confirmed. Remember, a Close Contact is a person who is within six feet of you for 15 minutes or more, as would be common within your home. If someone in your house is ill, then everyone has likely been exposed to the virus. Again, the campus nurse is ready to discuss with you about the specifics of your family situation and make the proper recommendations.
Use QR Codes while on campus:
All in-person students must scan a QR code when sitting anywhere in Grapevine High School. By doing this and filling in the survey, we get an accurate account of where students are sitting and who they are sitting with. If contact tracing becomes necessary, knowing where and who was sitting near the person in question is essential. It is the single most important thing we can do to continue to keep our schools open to all of those students wishing to attend in-person.
Please speak with your in-person student and emphasize the need to complete the survey every time your student sits at GHS.
Extended Day: Tuesday-Thursday (Weekly)
Extended Day is time after school for students to do seat time, take quizzes and tests and for tutorials. With COVID-19 and the mix of online/in-person learners, things will be very different this year. Extended Day will be both online and in-person, but even the in-person students will use WebEx to maintain social distancing in the lecture hall. Please see the schedule below and sign up using the link provided.
Location: Lecture Hall (in person) and Webex.
Dates/Times: Tuesday –Thursday from 4:15-5:15 pm
For access to Extended Day Webex with Mr. Murray Click Here
You will need to be logged into your GCISD account (classlink).
The Seat Time Sign-In link will be shared in the Webex Chat. Seat time students MUST stay ON CAMERA the entire time and must stay in extended day for the entire hour. The extended day teacher must verify your attendance at the end of the hour.
Seat Time Information-Credit Recovery:
If you received an email regarding the loss of credit due to attendance, we wanted to give you the link to the extended day WebEx. This WebEx will be facilitated by Steve Murray. A link will be provided in the chat portion of the WebEx for seat time. Your student loses credit after 9 absences. To determine the number of seat time hours needed, simply add the number of absences per class period missed and subtract 9 from each class total. The answer is the total number of hours needed to retain credit for attendance in each class period.
Ex. Mr. Smith has 12 absences in English. He would need 3 hours of seat time. Mr. Smith also has 12 absences in Math. He would need an additional 3 hours of seat time.
If you have any questions, please contact our attendance clerks at 817-251-5210. The link is provided below for Extended day services that include Seat Time. Extended Day is available Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4:15 pm to 5:15 pm.
Reminder to dress for the weather:
PSAT registration for freshmen remote learners is now OPEN. ( October 30-January 8)
Registration 9th grade has re-opened!
The PSAT sign up for remote learners in 9th grade is now open from October 30th-January 8. If your student is in 9th grade, a remote learner and would like to take the PSAT, please use the sign up with the link below. In-person learners will automatically be registered.
https://www.gcisd.net/departments/assessment/2020-2021_psat_nmsqt_information
If your child is a freshman, the PSAT/NMSQT test will be offered to freshman students on Tuesday, January 26, 2021.
For more information about the PSAT/NMSQT, visit psat.org or Ms. Henry at catherine.henry@gcisd.net
Fall 2020 Semester Exam Schedule & Exam Exemptions
Technology Resources - ClassLink
GCISD Technology Resources is committed to serving students and staff, especially during the District's remote learning instruction. Please keep in mind two very helpful resources:
For assistance with lost or forgotten passwords, pleas contact - Lynn Stilwill lynn.stilwill@gcisd.net or by phone at 817-251-5232
Student Help Desk
UIL Waivers
Our second 9 weeks will conclude on Friday, December 18th. All students who are eligible for a UIL waiver for participation have until Wednesday,January 6, 2021 at noon to turn in their completed waivers. You can access one here.
UIL Eligibility Calendar for 2020-2021
SENIORS: It's time to order your caps and gowns and senior stuff!
While it seems like graduation is a long way off, it is actually time to order your senior rings, announcements and caps and gowns. All seniors are required to have a GHS cap and gown for graduation. Please contact Balfour at the link below to place your order. Late fees will apply after January.
Order here: https://www.balfour.com/texas/grapevine/grapevine-high-school
Or call Balfour at 817-685-7777 and make your appointment to visit their Bedford location. Masks required to enter their building. Please call and leave a detailed voicemail so they can call back to schedule your appointment.
New 2021 Balfour Video for Seniors: https://youtu.be/yocB4jqcqvM
Go Center
Take advantage of the opportunities available for virtual tours. In this link below, we have listed a number of schools and the direct links to their virtual tours:
GHS College Representative Visits
Monday, Dec 7
5-6pm University of Central Arkansas
For additional information from the Go Center, click here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iycEzSg-vbn-KHV5PpFYpsohKogUhAz-bib0mBvLzbA/edit?usp=drive_web
RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
RMHC of North Texas is now accepting applications for its Scholarship Program, which grants more than $60,000 in college scholarships to high school seniors every year. This program is funded by local McDonald’s owner/operators, to recognize students for their outstanding academic achievements and community involvement. Applications are open online at rmhcntx.org/scholarships and must be submitted by April 1, 2021.
Science National Honor Society:
Would you like personalized, one-on-one sessions to conquer challenging topics in your science class? The Science National Honor Society (SNHS) has founded its very first science tutoring program, which gathers GHS students who have firsthand experience in the classes you would like help with! These students know how to develop good studying habits, prepare for tests (including AP), and they love to help others. Sign up through the link below to request for a mentor.
FFA Fundraiser:
Coming Soon: Second Annual District Career Expo--Share Your Ideas!
Plans are underway for the second annual District Career Expo. The Expo is a great opportunity for students to begin investigating career opportunities beyond high school. We will be having a virtual event this year and want every student to feel like they had a voice in designing this year's Expo.
Please take a few minutes and complete this survey to share your ideas:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1tgaVz319UAZcGQnrxFaBW15mbavREO_IDlUiZKoUXpk/edit?usp=drive_webNational Honor Society applications for Juniors available--Due January 14th
Eco Club Members:
Students interested in helping clean up and maintain the Ecology Center and earning volunteer hours, please complete the form using the link below. OUr next open times are 9 am-12 pm on Saturdays Dec. 5 and 12. Please share with any other students that may be interested in volunteering. Thank you! ♻️
Attention Ambassadors!
Due to the remote learning environment of some students, we are currently accepting emailed Service Hour Forms and Membership Agreement Forms. Scanned forms should be emailed to ghsambassadors@gmail.com. In the body of the email, please include name, grade, and the number of forms you are submitting.
Once received, we will email you a confirmation receipt. If you do not receive a return email from us, we do not have your forms and you should resubmit or contact your class coordinator. We will continue accepting emailed forms through at least the first semester. If you are an in-person learner, you may either email forms or drop them in the Red Box in the Counseling Office. At the end of the semester, we will reevaluate the situation and provide updated guidance. Please continue to turn in forms in a timely manner!
PTSA needs your volunteer hours--
Volunteer Hours Request for November:
Volunteer Interest Form:
GRACE needs your help this season:
GCISD Eats calendar:
GCISD Council of PTAs is happy to host the GCISD Eats calendar- a community calendar that compiles the Spirit Nights at local restaurants that support our GCISD schools.
PTAs, Booster Clubs, student groups, and any organization that hosts a restaurant fundraiser benefiting GCISD may submit their event info to the calendar. Start here to submit an event or subscribe.
And look for the What's Cookin' in GCISD social media posts each week. Let's support our school while eating out!
GHS Project Graduation 2021
Project Graduation 2021 is underway and we need you! Please consider donating your time,
talents and services to help fund a SAFE after graduation lock-in for our graduating seniors. Our
goal is to provide a COST FREE event which is filled with fun and prizes for ALL graduating
seniors. Let us know how you can help and please join us in creating a memorable event that our kids can live to tell about. It is a big job and GHS has been in the top 3% statewide with over a 90% participation rate for the last 20 years. Let’s keep it up!
Please support the Class of 2021 in one or more of the ways listed below.
Please follow us on Facebook at GHS Project Graduation https://www.facebook.com/GHSProjectGrad/?ref=page_internal
Ticket Sales & Gym Procedures 2020-21 School Year
Parents: Who Do I Call?
Mark Your Calendars
Tuesday, December 8 (A Day)
STAAR EOC English I
GCISD Board Run Off Election
Extended Day 4:15pm Lecture Hall & Webex
Swim & Dive JV & Non TISCA v LD Bell
Basketball Boys 9th Red v Burleson Centennial 5:00pm
Basketball Boys JV v Burleson Centennial 6:30pm
Basketball Boys Varsity v Burleson Centennial 8:00pm
Basketball Girls 9th @ Southlake 5:00pm
Basketball Girls JV @ Southlake 5:00pm
Basketball Girls Varsity @ Southlake 6:30pm
Wednesday, December 9 (B Day)
STAAR EOC Algebra I
Extended Day 4:15-5:15pm Lecture Hall & Webex
Ecology Club 4:00pm Ms. Burton's WebEx Rm
Thursday, December 10 (A Day)
STAAR EOC English II
Extended Day 4:15-5:15pm Lecture Hall & Webex
Swim & Dive 5A TISCA @ Frisco
DECA Movie Night 6:00pm
Band Virtual Concert 6:00pm
Friday, December 11 (B Day)
STAAR EOC Biology/US History
Basketball Girls 9th @ The Colony 4:30pm
Basketball Girls JV @ The Colony 4:3pm
Basketball Girls Varsity @ The Colony 5:45pm
Basketball Boys 9th Red @ Crandall 5:00pm
Basketball Boys 9th Blue @ Crandall 6:30pm
Basketball Boys JV @ Crandall 6:30pm
Basketball Boys Varsity @ Crandall 8:00pm