GOPHER PARENT NEWSLETTER
GRESHAM HIGH SCHOOL, FEBRUARY 4, 2022
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Hello Gopher Community!
Happy New Semester! This week was the first of the 2nd and final semester of the school year! With only 17 weeks left in this school year we want to make sure we are communicating clear expectations for all of our students to finish strong- academically, socially and emotionally.
Attendance continues to be the #1 obstacle for most of our students who struggle in the classroom. Please reach out to your students Counselor (listed below) or Assistant Principal (listed below) for any support needed for your student to be successful.
We are continuing to monitor COVID cases in our region and are excited to see our numbers trending downward, which will allow us to open more activities and opportunities for our students!
This community has been nothing short of amazing since navigating all the nuances of COVID. Mask regulations, spectator capacity and social distancing are just a few of the many guidelines you and your students have had to navigate through. I know many are fatigued, frustrated and ready to move forward with “normal” school. We will continue to keep our community informed as OHA & ODE work to keep our students and staff safe, while also providing opportunities for “normalized” activities.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me or any member of the Administration team.
Take care!
Principal Drake Shelton
Semester Transition
Last week marked the end of 1st Semester and GHS celebrates student persistence in the first half of the school year. We are proud of students’ efforts to rebuild the habits of in-person school. Throughout the past months, we have seen students experience the return to GHS differently–for some the transition sparked anxiety and challenge and for others, it was exciting and smooth. We encourage parents and caregivers to reflect with students on their experience this semester to celebrate growth and plan areas for improvement as we start 2nd Semester.
On January 31st, GHS starts Semester 2. Student schedules will likely change and they may even work with different teachers. Many students see the new semester as a fresh start and an opportunity to show their personal growth. Let's have a strong start to 2nd Semester by regularly attending class on time, engaging in learning, and consistently turning in assignments.
Viewing Report Cards and Graduation Progress in ParentVue/StudentVue
GHS does not automatically mail paper copies of report cards, but can do this by request.
Most students and families find it more convenient to check report cards in ParentVue/StudentVue. Please click the linked instructions below on how to view digital report cards and graduation progress.
LINK: Viewing Report Card and Grad Status in ParentVue (Eng)
At the end of a semester, January 28th, grades are final and students earn graduation credit for classes they pass with an A, B, C, D, or P. If your student ended the semester with an NG or NP grade, they may need to make-up the class in credit recovery or summer session. Stay tuned for more information from the GHS counseling team regarding credit recovery timelines and options.
*Due to the global pandemic’s impact on schools, GBSD is not using F grades in the ‘21-’22 school year. If a student does not pass a class, they will receive an NG for no grade.
Parent Requests For IN-DISTRICT Transfers
Accepted March 1-31, 2022 * Deadline is March 31, 2022
The Gresham-Barlow School District will accept in-district transfer requests for the 2022-2023 school year during the month of March only.
If you live within the Gresham-Barlow district and want your child to attend a Gresham-Barlow school outside of your attendance area, you need to request an in-district transfer. If your student currently has an in-district transfer and is moving from elementary to middle or middle to high, please submit a new request.
A digital transfer request form will be available on the Transfers section of the district website, http://gresham.k12.or.us/Page/2249. The link to this form can also be emailed to you directly if you request it from any GBSD school or district office. Forms must be submitted by March 31, 2022.
You will be notified in writing after review of all requests. Please note: kindergarten and first grade requests may not be decided upon until late summer after elementary registration. For further information, contact the Gresham-Barlow School District Office at 503-261-4575.
NEW ATHLETICS SPECTATOR PROTOCOLS--INDOOR
We want to keep you up to date on our changing spectator guidelines for indoor athletic events at Gresham and Barlow High Schools. These guidelines are in effect for all indoor games, including the basketball games versus Clackamas on Saturday at GHS.
- As they have been since last year, the GHS gyms and pool will be limited to 75 percent spectator capacity.
- Athletes are no longer limited to six spectators per athlete.
- Visiting teams are not limited with the number of spectators either.
- Tickets will be sold at the door for basketball and wrestling. Adults are $6 and youth are $4.
- Masks are still required for all indoor spaces at Gresham High School.
- There is still no concession stand or outside food/drink allowed.
- No outside basketballs are allowed in the gym.
- In the gym, the west bleachers (behind the benches and scorer's table) are still for teams and district personnel only.
We look forward to seeing folks at the games!
Go Gophers!
NFHS NETWORK STREAMS ALL GOPHER HOME GAMES IN GYM & STADIUM
Gopher fans who want to follow our teams but aren't able to make it to the game have the option of streaming games on the NFHS Network.
Using Pixellot automated cameras in the main gym and Historic Stapleton Field, GHS streams all home games in those facilities. Selected road games are also streamed live when schools the Gophers are playing at are also equipped with Pixellot cameras.
To find the live streams and schedules, fans should head to the NFHS Network website or the Gresham High School OSAA page and select the team they are looking for.
SUN PROGRAM
The SUN team would like to thank everyone for their patience and continued support for our after-school program. I'm excited to announce that we have added a few new clubs and classes to our Winter Session roster! Here are a list of our fun and free activities that we are currently offering Monday through Thursday:
-Homework Club
-Arts & Crafts
-Robotics
-Guitar Club
-GSA
-Dungeons & Dragons
-Kpop Dance
Coming soon: API, Chess, and Games/Nintendo Club
Prior to club activities, SUN is providing meals through Supper Club from 2:45-3:15pm as well as an Activity Bus afterwards at 4:30pm. Not every activity is on the same day, please refer to our Winter Activity Guide for specific dates and locations. Completed Registration forms and full attendance in all classes that day are required in order to participate. Students can pick up registration forms either in the front office, the SUN room located in 130, or through the Gresham HS website.
We look forward to meeting all of you!
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
Volunteers are being allowed back in our schools. If you are interested in volunteering please be sure to complete the Volunteer Application at this link. GBSD VOLUNTEER APPLICATION Volunteers must go through a background check every two years. Volunteers will need to be fully vaccinated to work in our buildings and with our students. You will be asked to bring your vaccination information to the main office in order for it to be recorded that you are vaccinated. The approval process for volunteering can take up to 2 weeks for final approval to be given.
COUNSELING UPDATE
Counseling Welcomes New Team Member
The GHS Counseling team is excited to introduce Donnell Adair who joins us from experience in Portland Public Schools. He looks forward to getting to know the GHS community and supporting students!
With the addition of Mr. Adair, counselor caseloads have changed to better support students. Your student may be working with a new counselor. Below is the listing of your student's School Counselor based on the student’s legal last name:
Julie Conroy: A - Bo, and all Active ELL students
Andrea Parra: Br - Go
Donnell Adair: Gr - Mas
Kathryn Sayer: Mat - R
Laura Blaser: S - Z
Important Dates as we start Semester 2
2/11/22 - Deadline for Schedule Corrections
2/15 & 2/17 - Forecasting Preview for '22-'23 in Advisory
2/21/22 - No School in observance of President's day
Does your student need credit recovery?
Credit Recovery is now Free! This is for students who have a final grade of “F” or "NG" in a previous class. Please click this link to fill out the Credit Recovery Form
Tutoring Support through the Multnomah County Library
If your student could benefit from tutoring, the Multnomah County Library offers free virtual tutoring. Live one-on-one help is available from 2 pm to 10 pm daily in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. For more information please visit the Multnomah County Library website. You must have an active library account to access the help. Here’s the link to get a free library card.
Interested in CAL?
"The Center for Advanced Learning (CAL) is accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year! If your student is currently a sophomore interested in Health Science, Manufacturing and Engineering, Cyber Security and Programming, Business/Entrepreneurship, Fashion, or Digital Media & Design, CAL has a program for them!
Students attend half their day at Gresham High School and the other half at CAL. Students take courses in their chosen program area, jumpstarting their future, earning free college credits, and industry credentials. To learn more, please visit CAL's website, www.calcharter.org org, or see Ms. Sayer, GHS Counselor, for more information.
CAL held an informational session at GHS on February 4th, 3rd period--we encourage families to talk with their students to find out more about what CAL has to offer!
WINTER RESOURCES
School Meals
Did you know that all students receive meals at no charge for the entire 2021-2022 school year?
Students simply select their meal from the cafeteria and then checkout with their student ID#.
Even with universal access to school lunch, some families may benefit from completing a Free or Reduced Meal Application. For example, students receiving program benefits are eligible for reduced or waived fees in school activities and athletics.
Family Resources through the GHS SUN Partnership
We are here to support you! If you are in need of resources or support, please check our resource page.
At Gresham High school, our SUN program is able to provide our students and their loved ones in the community stable resources for food. MFS Hunger Relief currently operates 5 food pantries open and running in 3 school districts! There are no restrictions to shop- everyone is welcome! For a full schedule, and more details, visit - http://www.metfamily.org/hungerrelief/
Oregon Food Bank Navigator is a great source to find local pantries in your neighborhood. This resource is zip code-specific but is customizable to your area - https://foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org/?q=97030
SENIOR ALL NIGHT PARTY FUNDRAISERS
INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS IN QUARANTINE
When a student and family receive notice that their student will need to stay home due to quarantine, it can raise questions about how the student continues to engage in school. While Quarantine is time out of school, it is not intended to be time off. The information in the linked PDF is to clarify expectations and provide resources to support students while out of school.
ONE PAGE BELL SCHEDULE
WHO IS MY COUNSELOR/ADMINISTRATOR?
COUNSELORS:
A-Bo & ACTIVE ELL - Julie Conroy, Counselor conroy@gresham.k12.or.us
Br-Go - Andrea Parra, Counselor parra14@gresham.k12.or.us
Gr-Mas- Donnell Adair, Counselor adair4@gresham.k12.or.us
Mat-R - Kathryn Sayer, Counselor sayer@gresham.k12.or.us
S-Z - Laura Blaser, Counselor blaser@gresham.k12.or.us
Kate Poland, Social Worker: poland2@gresham.k12.or.us
ADMINISTRATOR:
- A - Go Tori Maehara maehara@gresham.k12.or.u
- Gr-O Cheeri Schacht schacht2@gresham.k12.or.us
- P-Z Erika Beddoe-Whitlock beddoe@gresham.k12.or.us
SCHOOL CALENDAR
To access our school calendar please click on the Gresham High School like below this article. This will take you to our home page on our website. Our calendar is located on the left hand side of the page.