Grand Blanc High School
Newsletter ~ October 2017
Upcoming Events : October & November
October 2nd - Queen's Court Assembly
October 3rd - Powder Puff Football Game
October 6th - Homecoming Game (1/2 day for all students)
October 7th - Homecoming Dance
October 10th - Show Me The Money-Senior Financial Aid Workshop
October 11th - Late Start
October 18th - Parent Teacher Conferences (Full day for all students)
October 19th - Parent Teacher Conferences (Full day for all students)
October 20th - Half Day (High School Only)
November 7th - Election Day (No school for students)
November 22nd - 1/2 Day for all students
November 23rd & 24th - Thanksgiving Recess (No school for all students)
Senior photos are due October 16
If you are the parent of a senior, please make sure that your senior was photographed through the school or that you have arranged for a portrait session with the photographer of your choice.
$15 last minute senior portraits available during lunch at the school. Sign up on gbyearbook.com
Parents of seniors, Friday, Oct. 6 is the earlybird deadline for completed senior ads info for a REDUCED PRICE. Choose your favorite photos and write a message to your senior in honor of their accomplishments and graduation.
$60 for 1/8 page 2 photos max
$90 for 1/4 page 4 photos max
$150 for 1/2 page 10 photos max
$275 for full page 16 photos max
Tell us your story! We want your suggestions for stories of events and students who do awesome things. Please click on this link or visit GBYearbook.com and click on "coverage ideas."
NEW THIS YEAR:
Important senior information is accessible through the Senior Documents link on the high school webpage (hs.grandblancschools.org). This is a great resource for students and parents to use as you work your way through the college application process. We will continue to add information throughout the year and counselors are always available if you have any questions! Please let us know what we can do to help!
Testing Information
The PSAT test will be given at Grand Blanc High School on Saturday, October 14th. Registration will begin on Monday, Sept. 25 and end when all spots are filled or on October 6th. Seats are extremely limited so sign up early! The cost is $21 (checks can be made out to GBHS) and students can sign up any time in the Counseling Office. This will be excellent practice for the SAT test in April and it is also the only opportunity for juniors to qualify as National Merit Scholars. Please contact your student’s counselor with any questions.
College Applications
Applications should be submitted to colleges in the fall. Colleges prefer that students apply online and the application can be accessed through the individual college websites. Transcripts must be requested through www.Parchment.com. Detailed college application information sheets and instructions for requesting transcripts are available on the website under “Senior Documents”. All seniors received this information in their senior meetings last week. Counselors are available to help all seniors and parents with the college application process. Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions!
College Visits
College reps are visiting us on almost a daily basis! Check the Counseling Office website or the GBHS Facebook page for an updated schedule of college visits. We are using the Remind101 system this year for students to reserve a spot with a college rep. Students should check the TV monitor and posted signs outside the counseling office for instructions on how to sign up. This is an excellent opportunity for students to learn about different colleges and ask questions!
Credit Recovery
Any students who are behind on credit have an opportunity to catch up through the Credit Recovery program. The class meets in room 635 at West Campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30-4:30. Cost is $100/class unless students qualify for free/reduced lunch. Forms are available in the counseling office. All students, especially seniors, should get started as soon as possible so they don’t need to worry about getting caught up before graduation.
Show Me The Money-Senior Financial Aid Workshop
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will be available starting on October 1, 2017. Early submission allows families time to get their results back sooner so they can make the best financial decisions for their college student. We will be hosting a Financial Aid seminar for parents and students on October 10 at 5:30 and 7:00pm. More details are available on the flier that was mailed home or online. An RSVP is required for the program so we can ensure enough computers are available. (As a reminder, the FAFSA is FREE! Be extremely cautious of any site or organization that asks you to pay a fee!)
Will You Be Our Friend?
The GBHS Counseling Office frequently posts updates to the GBHS Facebook and Twitter pages. If you haven’t done so yet, “like” the Grand Blanc High School Facebook page or follow us on Twitter at @GrandBlancPride. Please also sign up for the counseling office Remind101 by texting @gbhsco to 81010.
Your GBHS Counseling staff includes:
Phyllis Mol A-D (810) 591-6648 pmol@grandblancschools.org
Paula Douglas E-K (810) 591-6680 pdouglas@grandblancschools.org
Nikki Kernen L-R (810) 591-6651 nkernen@grandblancschools.org
Mary Gardner S-Z (810) 591-6652 mgardner@grandblancschools.org
John Hentes CSS/GCI (810) 591-6354 jhentes@grandblancschools.org
Danielle Otero, Counseling Assistant (810) 591-6929 dotero@grandblancschools.org
Kendra Vanover, Secretary (810) 591-6647 kvanover@grandblancschools.org
Please feel free to contact any member of the counseling staff if you have questions or concerns!
Career Resource Center
TeenQuest
TeenQuest will be offering free pre-employability leadership training to students who are currently 14-18 years old and in grades 9-11. Students who participate in this training will be eligible to attend the Job Fair towards the end of the school year.
For more information or an application, visit http://www.flintandgenesee.org/learn/teenquest/, stop by the HS East or West Career Resource Center (CRC), or visit our postings website at https://goo.gl/1ymzYS . Completed applications can be turned in to the HS East or West CRC. Students will be notified by the GRCC if they have been accepted into the program.
There will be a session of TeenQuest held at Grand Blanc High School during November!
Dining Services
Time Is Running Out!
Free and Reduced Meal Applications
You must complete a new meal application (one per family) each school year. We process each application and mail you a letter letting you know what you qualify for. If you did not send in a new application that is approved by the school or you have not been notified that your child is eligible for free meals, your child will be charged the full price for meals after October 16, 2017. If your child is currently receiving free/reduced meal from last year’s application, the deadline for completing the new application this school is OCTOBER 16, 2017. Applications can be found in the school office and all kitchen cashiers during breakfast and lunch.
If you do not currently receive free or reduced meals but feel you may qualify, an application may be completed and turned in any time during the school year. For example, children with a parent or guardian who become unemployed may become eligible for free or reduced meals if the household income drops below the income limit.
For questions or help with your meal application, please call Karen Smith (810) 591-6674
Library
Fall Book Fair
We are having a Fall Book Fair during conferences, please join us!
Wednesday & Thursday October 18 & 19, in the Athletic Lobby from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Friday, October 20th in the East High School Library from 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
There will be a 10% discount for staff.