The Grizzly Growl
Parent and Student Newsletter for GFH--December 2019
From the Bear Den
As we enter the season of giving and receiving, we want to encourage our Grassfield community to practice gratitude. Harvard Medical School defines gratitude as a thankful appreciation for what we receive. Expressing gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, deal better with adversity, and build strong relationships—this includes relationships with teachers and peers. Educational research reveals that showing gratitude is strongly associated with greater happiness in students and can improve their mood, mental health, and performance and attitude about school.
It’s easy to find ways to express gratitude:
· Keep a gratitude jar at home. Have family members write something for which they are specifically grateful and share with the family.
· Practice random acts of kindness.
· Write a quick note to someone to express your gratitude.
· Keep a gratitude journal.
Show your thanks for a Grizzly staff member by filling out this Grizzly gratitude form. Thank you for making someone feel special today!
Check out this video on the science of gratitude, and please know that we are THANKFUL for YOU and your support.
Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @grassfield_hs. Our website is updated regularly for additional information.
Motivational Moment
Grizzly Outfitters
Special Holiday Hours for the Grizzly Outfitters
The school store will be set up outside the concession stand on December 6th from 5:00 – 8:00 for those Grizzly fans looking for something special. In addition to apparel items, there are several great stocking stuffer items- such as, bowties, lanyards and car magnets.
Just remember the store is only able to accept cash or check for your purchases.
New Partnership for Grizzly Outfitters! The holiday season is a time for bling- so if you want to get your Grizzly Glamour look on, check out the link below where you can select your design and style of shirt.
School Start and Stop Times
Chesapeake Public Schools is seeking your input for proposed changes to the start and stop times for our schools. View the presentation and proposed changes here and then complete the survey to share your thoughts.
The proposal is open for public comment until December 10.
Study Hall and SOL Study Sessions
Study Hall is available to students every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday after school until 4:30 pm. Transportation is provided. Visit here for more information.
SOL Study Sessions Each year, we offer SOL study sessions taught by the content experts to help students prepare for their SOLs. Our data indicates that students who participate in the study sessions are very successful. Please encourage your child to attend these valuable sessions. Also attached to the calendar are the SOL testing dates. Please avoid absences on these days.
Senior Success
College application season is in full swing. Check out this month-by-month timeline to keep you on track as you navigate through senior year and complete your college applications. Some dates and information may vary, depending on the college or your own circumstances.
Any college applications due in January and/or Parchment requests due in January that require school counselor attention must be submitted to your counselor by December 7, 2019. The counselors do not work over the holiday break and will need time to process the request.
The Senior Banquet will be held December 14th at 6:00 pm. Join us for dinner, Senior Superlatives, and dancing
Interest is high for the Powder Puff-- Seniors vs Juniors- -game. Join us December 18th at 4:30 pm. to watch the action. Gates open at 4:00.
PTSA News
After Prom
Every year, we ask all families to make a donation to the After Prom Fund that is equal to their child’s graduation year. The “pool” of money from their class will grow and be used for THEIR After Prom. Therefore, all students will benefit from this fundraiser.
Click on the following here if you would like to donate by cash or check.
Click on the following here if you would like to donate by credit card.
PTSA News
PTSA General Meeting- December 10th at 7pm (before the Band Concert)
PTSA Executive Board Meeting and After Prom Meeting- January 13th at 6:00 p.m. in the media center
Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Leslie Wecht @ leslie.wecht@cpschools.com.
Follow us on Facebook at Grassfield High School PTSA
Order Your Yearbook Now!
Don't miss out on your chance to own a little bit of Grassfield history!
Yearbooks can be purchased for a discounted price of $75 until November 29. Personalization options are also available with a special limited time offer of up to four free icons. Visit Jostens Yearbooks to make your purchase.
Commemorate your senior’s academic accomplishments with a full-color ad in The Pawprint yearbook produced by The Yearbook Company. The final deadline is Dec. 5. For more information, visit www.ybcads.com.
School Safety
Grassfield High School is committed to student safety. All exterior doors will remain locked during the school day, and all visitors are asked to activate the buzzer outside the main office doors to be admitted to the building.
We will hold several lockdown drills this year. You will receive a PAS to notify you in advance of the drill.
Are You Wearing YOUR Seat Belt?
During our initial evaluation, we found many students in the back seats were not wearing their seat belts. We have provided information to our students about safe driving and asked that they sign a pledge promising to wear their seat belts. We look forward to future activities to promote safe driving.
ACCESS College Support
Seniors: If you haven’t filed the FAFSA, NOW is the time! You don’t have to be done with your applications to complete it, and it’s important to file the FAFSA as soon as possible to be eligible for the most college financial aid. Complete the FAFSA with your parent or contact Mrs. Moorhouse, ACCESS Advisor, to make an appointment for her to complete it for you (mmoorhouse@accesscollege.org).
Juniors: If you are interested in (or already) using Khan Academy for SAT Prep, make sure to see Mrs. Moorhouse, ACCESS Advisor to earn prizes such as movie tickets and a raffle entry for a $300 VISA gift card. Khan Academy offers free, adaptive SAT practice—the software adjusts the questions based on a student’s PSAT/SAT results. In the past 2 years, GHS juniors who used Khan Academy raised their SAT scores as much as 160 points--- that can make a HUGE impact on your chance of acceptance to your dream college.
**Juniors who sign up for Khan Academy can also take the SAT for free in the Spring—a $48 value!** See Mrs. Moorhouse (mmoorhouse@accesscollege.org) for more information or to sign up.
The Counseling Corner
As the holidays approach, it's NOT the most wonderful time of the year for everyone. Stress, anxiety, and depression can creep in and quell your holiday spirit. But with a little planning, and realistic expectations, you can minimize stress this holiday season. Follow some of these tips:
- Don't abandon healthy habits. Don't let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt.
- Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. That'll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. And make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup.
- Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones.
- Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can't be with loved ones, realize that it's normal to feel sadness and grief. It's OK to take time to cry or express your feelings.
- Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Seek professional help if you need it--that includes students' school counselor.
For more tips, read this article.
Attendance is Important
School attendance matters. It is arguably one of the most important indicators of school success. You cannot learn what you are not here to learn. Students who attend school regularly are more academically successful.
Please send a note for every absence so we can maintain accurate attendance records. Please continue to monitor your child’s attendance in each class to ensure he/she does not exceed the maximum allowable absences (in most classes, nine days).
All truancy and excessive absence notices are being sent directly to ParentVue accounts, so please check ParentVue regularly.
Students will be wondering about the Attendance Exam Exemption soon. Check your child's course syllabi for Attendance Exam Exemption details or see FAQ here.
Extended Day
Students who have excessive absences may be eligible for extenuating circumstances. Applications will be available December 16 on the school website and in the attendance office. The applications are due January 10.
One Lunch
Grizzly Greatness
Congratulations to:
Mrs. Kimberly Hammers--our 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year
The Lead4Change Can-Dos for collecting an unprecedented amount of food for the annual holiday food drive. The collected over 6,000 canned goods! For more information on Lead4Change, please visit here.
The Grassfield Theatre Company for an amazing performance of Twelve Angry Jurors
Our Field of Valor was planted with more than 1,750 flags to honor those who have served in our Armed Forces.
Upcoming Events
November 27—Early Release Day, One Lunch
November 28 and November 29—No School - Happy Thanksgiving!
December 11- End of Marking Period 3
December 16- SOL World History 1
December 17- SOL VA/US History and SOL World History 2
December 21- January 1- Winter Break- School Closed
January 2—School reopens
January 16—Rising Freshman Night (Auditorium at 6:30 p.m.)
January 20-Martin Luther King Day, No School
January 22 and 23-Semester 1 Exams
January 21-Junior Class Ring Ceremony
January 23-End of 1st Semester
January 24-Teacher Work Day
January 24-Junior Ring Dance
January 27-Start of 2nd Semester
Grassfield High School
Email: beth.pallister@cpschools.com
Website: https://cpschools.com/gfh/
Location: 2007 Grizzly Trail
Phone: 757-558-4749
Twitter: @grassfield_hs