Hornet Buzz
February 28, 2021
Message from the Principal
Dear Hornet Nation,
Welcome back to 10th and 11th graders who have decided to return to in-person instruction. After almost an entire year, it is GREAT to see you back in the building. Now that we have all grade levels in the building in some capacity, we are now entering into PHASE 3 and our new hybrid model. Please make sure to check out the schedule/information below. Reminder to our virtual learners, your schedules will be the most impacted with classes on Tuesday and Thursdays all day. You will be expected to log into your google meets and attend classes on time throughout the day. Set those alarms now! Also, for our returning students, we have created a one-stop-shop for all information related to returning to school in the link below. Make sure that you understand each of the items of information contained within the plan. Have a great week and remember.....
We Are....Great Mills!!!
Sincerely,
Dr. Heibel
Monday, March 1
Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12 in Group A (last name A-K) report to the building and follow the hybrid schedule. Charge and bring your laptop.
Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12 in Group B (last name L-Z) are asynchronous for the day.
Virtual students are asynchronous for the day.
Tuesday, March 2
Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12 in Group B (last name L-Z) report to the building and follow the hybrid schedule. Charge and bring your laptop.
All virtual students are to follow the hybrid schedule, logging into google meets during periods 1-8.
Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12 in Group A (last name A-K) are asynchronous for the day.
Wednesday, March 3
Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12 in Group A (last name A-K) report to the building and follow the hybrid schedule. Charge and bring your laptop.
Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12 in Group B (last name L-Z) are asynchronous for the day.
Virtual students are asynchronous for the day.
Thursday, March 4
Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12 in Group B (last name L-Z) report to the building and follow the hybrid schedule. Charge and bring your laptop.
All virtual students are to follow the hybrid schedule, logging into google meets during periods 1-8.
Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12 in Group A (last name A-K) are asynchronous for the day.
Friday, March 5
Phase 3: Hybrid Schedule Starting March 1
In-person students grades 9, 10, 11,12 with the Last Name L-Z--attend on B-day or Tuesday and Thursday.
Virtual students Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 will follow the B-day schedule or Tuesday and Thursday periods 1-8.
Click below for more information on the hybrid schedule:
Black History Month
This past week, GMHS participated in the national African American Read-In. The event was part of a national educational initiative to incorporate literacy activities into Black History Month. Fifteen guest readers from the community and school read works written by African Americans to students in host classrooms. In all, sixty-seven classrooms were visited in two days. Thank you to all who participated as readers or as host teachers.
Senior Spotlight
Hannah Morgan
Hannah is not afraid to take the road less traveled. She plays softball & field hockey, has a part-time job, serves as a volunteer firefighter, is taking classes at CSM, and is completing her second year of the electrical wiring program. We are so proud of her hard work and determination!
Liliana Hubley
Liliana is not only a talented artist, but she strives to perfect everything she does. She is currently finishing her senior year as a dual enrollment student at CSM. The world is her oyster after graduation. Love you kiddo!
Tomas Winston
Tomas is a determined young man; he beat leukemia at the age of 14. He is not a victim, but a survivor then and even more determined now to complete his senior year and attend an HBCU majoring in engineering. His siblings and I are so proud of Our “Tdoe”
Great Mills Gives Back
In memory of the tragic event of March 20 when the local community came together in support of our school, Great Mills will have a month of service to honor those who helped us during that difficult time. In an effort to give back to the community, Great Mills High School is collecting donations to benefit our local homeless shelter. If you are able, please consider clicking on the links below to support the cause.
HTTPS://WWW.AMAZON.COM/HZ/WISHLIST/LS/VYV0DF1CIPNZ?REF_=WL_SHARE
Underclassmen Portraits March 15-18
Underclassmen Portraits have been rescheduled for the week of March 15th. All students will be going to the Media Center during their English classes UNLESS they have English during first or second period; those students will have their pictures taken during lunch. Students will be scheduled as follows:
- Monday: Cohort A students in 9th and 10th grades.
- Tuesday: Cohort B students in 9th and 10th grades.
- Wednesday: Cohort A students in 11th grade.
- Thursday: Cohort B students in 11th grade.
Students who have chosen to remain virtual will have the opportunity to come after school on any of those days between 3:30 and 5:30.
If you are not able to make any of these dates, we will have a make-up day in the coming weeks.
Senior Cap & Gown/Graduation Information
Direct to just a cap and gown: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productDetail/1066828/Great-Mills-High-School/-/1464200352/CATALOG_REPOSITORY/Cap-and-Gown-Unit/1464200487/
All GMHS graduation Information:
https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1066828/Great-Mills-High-School/
Senior Yearbook Quotes
Seniors! If you haven't already done so, please CLICK HERE to submit your senior quotes ASAP!
Fall Sports Competition Procedures for Parents and Spectators
Friday, March 5, 2021 begins the competition season for fall sports. Everyone is very excited and ready to see the student-athletes compete. Due to the restrictions and safety protocols still in place from the COVID-19 pandemic, spectators will be limited to two parents or guardians of the participating student-athlete. Anyone who is not a parent or guardian of the participating student-athlete, and who does not appear on the approved spectator list, will not be granted admittance to the event. If you have questions regarding this or any of the following information please contact the Athletic Director.
Required spectator precautions to help slow the spread of COVID-19:
- Stay at home if you are sick
- All spectators must wear a mask at all events at all times
- All spectators must practice social distancing in the stands and across all school grounds
- Everyone is encouraged to wash their hands regularly or bring their own hand sanitizer
- Avoid high touch surfaces
Game day procedures for spectators:
- Spectators will be charged admission of $5.00 per game/match. We will be accepting cash at the ticket booth. It is highly recommended that you bring the exact dollar amount to limit the need to make change
- Our stands/bleachers will be marked off to account for social distancing. Please only sit in the identified areas.
- Where applicable, stands will be cleared of spectators between events if there are two games played back to back on the same field/court
- Spectators are expected to exit the stadium or gym promptly after the event is over
- Concession stands will be available. Food and drink products will be limited to individually wrapped or pre-packaged items
- Spectators maybe asked to leave the event if they fail to adhere to these requirements
These requirements are subject to modification at any time based on local and state guidance. St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) reserves the right to close these events to all spectators.
We will continue to monitor local and state health and safety guidelines and restrictions and will make decisions accordingly. We thank you for your support, and with your help, we can ensure the opportunity we have been provided to engage our student-athletes in education-based athletics continues.
Parents of AP Course Students: 2021 AP Exam Payment Deadline Approaching!
During the first marking period, your student worked with their AP Teachers to enroll in their respective AP Classrooms. Due to this year’s unusual circumstances, College Board has granted permission for AP Exams to be ordered for all students who are enrolled in an AP Classroom. Therefore, if your student enrolled, as instructed by their teacher, they currently have an exam ordered for each AP course in which they are registered. Linked here are important deadlines and instructions for registration and payment. Your final order and amount due is based upon the exams your student selects and those they want cancelled from their current order.
The Counselor Corner
Greetings from your school counselors!
We are halfway through the school year. This letter includes important
information. Please reach out to your school counselor through email if you have
any questions.
*Counselors are emailing all seniors the QR form if they failed a class they need for graduation!"
● QUARTER RECOVERY: Did you fail a class that you need for graduation? Complete the quarter recovery form and start working in Edgenuity to recover your grade for the 2nd marking period.
Link here: Edgenuity Quarter Recovery: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12aP8e_LuAKB6bBbyqFloCfXCtJJggYl49QXnGi9KPO4/edit
● APPLY to the TECH CENTER: Applications due by February 19 th , 2021. You must go to the Tech
Center website and apply online. Link here: https://schools.smcps.org/tech/
● Are you taking care of yourself? If you need support or know someone who does, please check
out the Mental Health Resources available to SMCPS Students. Link here:
https://sites.google.com/smcps.org/mental-wellness-ms-hs-students/home
● Do you know the credit requirements for
graduation?
● CREDITS=PROMOTION and GRADUATION!
o Grade 10- 5 credits earned
o Grade 11- 10 credits earned
o Grade 12- 15 credits earned
● Are you ready for the 2022 school year? You
can start planning now by using the elective guide to choose your classes for next school year.
Rising 10th Grade Planning Guide
Mental Health and Well Being Resouces
Senior, Kaitlyn Sokoloff, recently completed her Girl Scout Gold Award project by creating a website as a resource on mental health during Covid. Check it out and thank you, Kaitlyn, for providing such a valuable resource for our school community.
Career Center
Pre-Med Club
Interested in the medical field? Thinking of working in healthcare?
Join Pre-Med Club!
We meet virtually after school every other Wednesday from 3:15pm-3:45pm.
Our next meeting is February 24th.
Use meet code: gmhspremed
Questions? Email Mrs. Estocsin: cjestocsin@smcps.org
Envirothon Team
Envirothon Team is looking for additional students to be alternates for the Maryland State Envirothon Competition in April. If you enjoy being outside and learning about nature, this club might be for you! Topics include wildlife, aquatics, soils, and forestry. We meet every other Wednesday from 3:15pm-3:45pm. Our next meeting is March 1.
Use meet code: gmhsenvirothon
Questions? Email Mrs. Estocsin: cjestocsin@smcps.org
Writing Center Open for Assistance
National Honor Society Tutoring Sessions
NHS members will be available to tutor students on Mondays and Wednesdays during Green/Gold Lunch from 12:05 – 1:05, and again after school from 3 – 5 pm.
Students who need tutoring should use the Google Meet Code: NHSTutors
Any questions or concerns should be directed to Mrs. Johns, the NHS Sponsor, at ldjohns@smcps.org
Excellence in Online Teaching
Help us recognize Excellence in Online Teaching. There are incredible examples across our school system of educators who have demonstrated caring and connectedness with their students. You can nominate a teacher using THIS FORM
PTSA Membership
Hornet Strong Brick Project
Consider giving a Hornet Strong Personalized Brick for a recent graduate or alumni.
Go to the Great Mill website click on Quick Links the Hornet Strong Brick project or click on the link below."
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZHAD2XN2Q00TOS_ZZJYPZR8T40ROI3
Great Mills High School
Email: mjheibel@smcps.org
Website: https://schools.smcps.org/gmhs/
Location: 21130 Great Mills Road, Great Mills, MD, USA
Phone: (301) 863-4001
Twitter: @GMHS_SMCPS
For Our Spanish Speaking Families
¡Saludos! Para leer en español, hay un botón para traducir en la esquina superior derecha de los anuncios de Smore cuando se abre por primera vez. Pueden hacer clic en el botón y después selecciona de la lista de lenguas disponibles