Grand Blanc High School
Newsletter ~ October 2019
Upcoming Events: October & November
October 2nd - Powder puff Football Game (Juniors and Seniors)
October 4th - Homecoming (1/2 Day for all students)
October 5th- Homecoming Dance
October 9th - Late Start (All buildings)
October 16th - Parent Teacher Conferences 5-8 (full day)
October 17th - Parent Teacher Conferences Noon-3
October 17th - Half day for all students)
October 18th - Half Day (High School Only)
October 18th - All Senior Meeting, 2nd hour
November 5th - Election Day - No School
November 8th - End of Marking Period 1
November 27th- Half Day for all Students
November 28-29- Thanksgiving Recess
Main Office
Daily Announcements
Homecoming Info
Monday, Sept. 30 - Pajama Day
Tuesday, Oct. 1 - Meme Day
Wednesday, Oct. 2 - Character Day, Powder Puff Football Game 6:00pm
Thursday, Oct. 3 - Decades Day
Friday, Oct. 4 - Class Shirt - GB Spirit Day - InterClass Games - Parade 5:00pm - Game 7:00pm
Saturday, Oct. 5 - Homecoming Dance - 7:00-10:00pm
ABC12 SPIRIT CUP!
Friday Oct 4. Tartoni Gym 6 am Food Drive for FISH. Drop off all food donations to either campus of High School.
Picture Retakes
Friday, October 11, 2019. Reminder: This is for students who have not had their picture taken yet or for students who want their picture retaken. You are to bring your mailed picture packet for return at the time you have your picture taken.
Career Resource Center
ASVAB
The Career Resource Center is offering the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), which is a career research program. The Armed Services use this program as a military entrance program to determine qualification. In addition, this program offers GREAT insight for students to help explore the world of work and gain confidence in making the best career decisions for themselves, outside of the military. This test is given at no cost to students. Once the test is complete, a certified specialist comes back to Grand Blanc to provide an in-depth seminar to explain results to the students.
Session #1: Thursday, October 31st
Session #2: Thursday, November 7th
Test Time: 7:20am
Test Location: 603
*Please note this assessment is given in TWO sessions. You must be present for both sessions.
College & Career Readiness
Brought to you by GB Career Resource Center (CRC), Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Grand Blanc Early College (GBEC) TEENQUEST:
The Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce will be accepting applications for TeenQuest, a pre-employability and leadership training opportunity for Genesee County high school students, 14-18 years of age and in grades 9 -12 during the 2019/2020 school year. Successful completion of this program will permit participation in the 2020 Summer Youth Initiative Job Fair and access to employment opportunities throughout the year.
The program begins on September 16th and concludes on October 17th. Training classes run Monday through Thursday from 2:30pm to 4:30pm at the West High School in room 603.
Applications will be available in the East Café during all lunches on September 10th and on September 11th in the West Café during all lunches. In addition, we will have applications available in the East HS Main Office or West HS Career Resource Center (CRC) after September 11th.
Applications can be turned in at the West HS CRC or East HS Main Office.
For additional information please contact 810-591-6336
EDP
In the upcoming weeks, your student will be reviewing and updating their Educational Development Plan (EDP) as part of their English or Social Studies classes. EDPs are electronic portfolios students create in 8thgrade to help them identify career goals and a plan of action to reach those goals. Please ask your student to walk through their EDP with you. Review their goals and career plans and have discussions about how school choices now will affect career options later in life. You will receive information soon that outlines how to access your student’s EDP and instructions on how to explore the different career planning tools to help your student reach their career goals.
For additional information please contact 810-591-6380
Brother & Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for student volunteers!
Location: Grand Blanc Academy
Day: Every Tuesday
Time: 4:00-5:00pm
Interested students must complete all four forms below. Completed packets can be returned to the West CRC or can be emailed to cbradley@bbbsflint.org.
Any questions, please contact Cameron Bradley, from Big Brothers Big Sisters, at 810-235-0617.
Grand Blanc Yearbook
Order Your Yearbook!
Yearbooks are on sale online at gbyearbook.com for $80. You can download a form there to pay at the school or pay online with a credit card.
Parents of Seniors
If you are the parent of a senior, remember that seniors will need to submit their own portrait to the yearbook taken by a professional photographer. Their i.d. photo from orientation will not appear in the book.
Choose your own photographer or let the senior photo editors in yearbook class take your senior's portrait during lunch at High School East. Sign up to book an appointment at http://www.gbyearbook.com
Senior photos are due to the yearbook by 10/25.
If your senior was photographed at the high school with Prestige Photographers during the summer or on a Saturday, you will have until 10/4 to select the pose you want in the yearbook.
Parents of seniors, Friday, 10/4 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.
$75 for 1/8 page 2 photos max
$100 for 1/4 page 4 photos max
$150 for 1/2 page 10 photos max
$300 for full page 16 photos max
Tell Your Story
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."
Senior Info
Senior Documents
Important senior information is accessible through the Senior Documents link on the high school webpage (www.gbcs.org – select high school from the “Our Schools” tab – click “For Students”). 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!
College Applications
Applications should be submitted to colleges in the fall of a student’s senior year. 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 at GBHS on almost a daily basis! Check the Counseling Office window and Jupiter messages for the list of upcoming 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!
FAFSA
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will be available starting on October 1, 2019. 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 8 at 5:30 and 7:00pm. An RSVP is required for the program. Please contact the Counseling Office at 591-6647 to reserve your spot. (As a reminder, the FAFSA is FREE! Be extremely cautious of any site or organization that asks you to pay a fee!)
Cap & Gown Orders
Senior Class Meetings – October 18, 2nd hour (8:30 am)
Cap/Gown orders – October 23, 24, All lunches (10:30-noon)
Make- up order day – November 1, All lunches (10:30-noon)
Class Rings
Sophomore Class Meeting – October 18, 1st hour (7:20)
Ring orders – October 23, 24, All lunches (10:30-noon)
Make- up order day – November 1, All lunches (10:30-noon)
Counseling
College Board Accounts: 9th – 11th grade
A College Board account is required of all students. If you do not have a College Board account already set up, please do so at www.collegeboard.org . The student needs to be the one to set this up. Do not set up a second account. This account is needed for PSAT9, PSAT10, and SAT review, score viewing, and score sending to colleges. Please keep your login and password somewhere where you can find it as needed. These accounts are sometimes used during class time. If you already set up an account and cannot remember your login and password information, please call College Board at 1-866-756-7346. Staff do not have students information.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Counselor
Counseling assignments are as follows
A-C: Mrs. Mol
D-Hi: Mrs. Douglas
Ho-Ma: Mrs. Kernen
Mc-R: Mr. Halas
S-Z: Mrs. Gardner
Credit Recovery
Any students who are behind in credit have an opportunity to catch up through the Credit Recovery program. There is no charge for credit recovery but students must complete the class within 12 weeks of starting. 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.
Talk with Your Teen about Vaping
E-cigarette use has increased over the last 5 years especially among high school and middle school students. Many students are unaware that nicotine is a common ingredient in e-cigarettes and it is highly addictive. We are providing some resources here so you can start a conversation with your teen about vaping as well as other resources if you know someone who is ready to quit!
https://teen.smokefree.gov/quit-vaping/how-to-quit-vaping
https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/documents/SGR_ECig_ParentTipsheet_508.pdf
https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/takeaction.html
https://teen.smokefree.gov/become-smokefree/tools-for-quitting
FISH
Grand Blanc Fish
FISH of Grand Blanc helps families in need who live in the Grand Blanc School District by providing and distributing food, clothing, and other services on a temporary and emergency basis.
Year-Round Services
- FOOD: for families or individuals who are in need of food on a limited, emergency, basis
- TRANSPORTATION: for local doctor and dental appointments
- CLOTHES CLOSET: clothes are distributed the first Wednesday of each month from 5:30-7:30 pm on the 2nd floor of the Perry Center
- CHRISTMAS BASKETS: coordinated by FISH volunteers, food and gifts are distributed to families with children who qualify for free lunch at school. If you do not have children, or a school-aged child, need will be based on income.
- BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT: school supplies and shoe certificates are available for qualifying families
- REFERRALS: for other needs or questions
Lend Your Support
FISH is always in need of more volunteers and donations to help carry out its services.
GBCS Food Pantry
GBHS Dining Services
GBHS Free and Reduced Meal Applications: Time is Running Out!
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, complete an application on line or you receive a letter from us notifying that your child is eligible for free meals, your child will be charged the full price for meals after October 15, 2019. If you have completed an application but not received a letter home telling you what you qualify for, please call Teresa (810) 591-6675. 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 15, 2019. Applications can be found in the school office, all kitchens or on the district web site on the food service page.
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