The Grizzly Growl
April Edition
PRINCIPAL'S LETTER
April 2023
Dear Grassfield High School Families,
Warm greetings to all of you as we welcome spring 2023. We had a very successful March and are proud to share some of these successes. We had a VHSL state champion wrestler, several all-state wrestlers and a VHSL Inaugural Female Division State champion as well. Our girls’ indoor track team won their first state championship and included many individual all-state place winners. The boys’ indoor team also fared well and had many all-state placers, including a new school shot put record. Our Technology Student Association and DECA participants also represented our school extremely well at their regional competitions. The drama department added a 7th regional title and 5th state championship with their performance of “The Yellow Wallpaper,” and added the best actor in the state award as well. Lastly, the Drum Line and Winter Indoor Guard team have won their last two regional competitions and are both nationally ranked.
We remain committed to continuing our tradition of academic excellence and school success so please review the academic support and study hall information that is enclosed. We thank all of our school community members who are working hard to continue to build a Community of Excellence filled with Grizzly Pride. As part of our efforts to continue to promote diversity, opportunity, and inclusion, we are very excited to announce our inaugural HBCU college information night on May 17. More information is forthcoming. As our senior class continues to work hard during their final semester of high school, they are embracing the Grizzly Way with the end goal of graduating in June ready for EMPLOYMENT, ENLISTMENT or ENROLLMENT.
Please review the information enclosed for important information regarding testing, study hall, student events, spring sports, and the school calendar. Please refer to our website and our social media sites on Twitter and Instagram for the latest and most up to date information and events. Thank you for your support, and as always, Go Grizzlies!
Proud To Be a Grizzly,
Mike Perez
Principal
Students are encouraged to dress in purple on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in celebration of Purple Up Day. The day pays tribute to the sacrifices of the members of our military community and their families.
Spring SOL Testing DAYS
Spring semester SOL Tests are coming up soon. Start preparing for the four asynchronous days now. Students who are not testing or attending SOL Power Sessions are expected to participate in virtual learning by completing work assigned by their teacher for all classes in order to be considered “present”.
Thursday, May 25, 2023 SOL Power Session English Reading SOL
Friday, May 26, 2023 SOL Power Session History SOL
Thursday, June 1, 2023 SOL Power Session Science SOL
Friday, June 2, 2023 SOL Power Session Math SOL
Summer School is Back Again!
Summer Learning. Chesapeake Public Schools is pleased to provide a variety of high-quality instructional programs for students this summer. These learning options have been designed to meet students’ unique academic needs and provide enrichment experiences to explore new concepts. Information about the elementary, middle, and high school summer learning programs for 2023 is now available on the summer school website.
PTSA and Fundraising Highlights
STUDENT ACTIVITES
Spring Spirit Week: April 3-6
Spring Spirit Week: Grizzlies GO ALL OUT!
Monday- Go all out in monochrome
Tuesday- Go all out in the sun
Wednesday- Go all out in Adam Sandler attire
Thursday- Go all out Griz (Seniors in white shirts to sign, underclassmen in red/blue)
Spring Pep Rally- Thursday April 6th 4th block
Class Office & SCA Applications
Any one interested in running for class office or SCA for the 2023-2024 school year can pick up an application from the main office. There was a meeting held on March 29th for anyone interested so if you have missed the meeting and have questions, please contact Alicia White at alicia.white@cpschools.com. Applications will be due back in Mrs. White's mailbox in the main office by the end of the day (4:00pm) on April 21st.
Graduation is just around the corner
Seniors and Parents of Seniros,
If you have NOT placed your Senior order, please visit www.Jostens.com to place your order no later than the April 20th DEADLINE. In order to guarantee your cap and gown will arrive by graduation, you must order on or before April 20th. This is extremely important. We want to make sure your student has everything they need for graduation and we want this day to be very special for you and your family. You can also order by calling 1800-Jostens. Thank you.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE STEM ACADEMY
Congratulations to Mr. Thaw and the STEM Leadership Class for winning $10,000 in the February Lead4Change Challenge. Grassfield Governor's STEM Academy has donated the money to the Buffalow Family and Friends Organization. Read more about them here.
Chesapeake Citywide Student Art Show
The Citywide Art Show will be on display April 6- 16th at the Central Library on Cedar Road. Please stop by to see all of the Middle and High Schools talented art students' work!
Multicultural Moment
News From the Nurse
Military Moment
Calling All Military-Connected Families
April is the Month of the Military Child, and if you are a military-connected family and have not yet met our Military and Family Life Counselor (MFLC), Mrs. Ady Shea, this is a great time of year to do so.
Be on the look out for some upcoming events on Friday, April 28th (military-child cookout and concert) and different ways to celebrate your student and find out more about the resources available for military-connected families. Reach out to Mrs. Shea via email at sheaa@magellanfederal.com. We'd love to see you at one of the upcoming Parent Workshops (flyer above).
ASVAB Testing
Grassfield High School will offer a spring administration of the ASVAB on Friday, April 21st, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. Students can pick up consent forms in the main guidance office. Please contact Ms. Tinika Lundy (tinika.lundy@cpschools.com) with questions.
News from Access
Here's the latest opportunities from Mr. Kelly
College Commitment Day is on April 25, 2023. Seniors won't want to miss it. We want to pack Chartway Arena. Senior students can sign up here with this link or scan the QR code in the flyer College Commitment Day Permission Slip. Here is a video of last year's event 2022 College Commitment Day Highlights
Another special update: Seniors can also apply for the Access Last Dollar Scholarship which became available today March 1st. Students can use this link to apply for the 2023 Access Last Dollar Scholarship.
Scholarship Highlights
Scholarship Information Event
Mrs. Sharpe will be in the Forum during ALL LUNCHES on April 5th to discuss the many upcoming scholarship deadlines and help with any questions and needs for the application process. All seniors are invited to stop by during lunch.
April Scholarship Information
Hello Everyone,
Please see the scholarship information below and please post for student reference.
- Deep Creek Central Elementary PTS Scholarship
Deep Creek Central Elementary PTA is proud to offer two scholarships in the amount of $500 each to two graduating high school students residing in Chesapeake, the Lois Hampton Memorial Scholarship and Charles Brabble Sr. scholarship. These scholarships are awarded based on the
student’s engagement in and demonstrated commitment in community service and his or her academic
achievement.
- Lois Hampton Memorial Scholarship- This scholarship was created in memory of Mrs. Lois Hampton. Mrs. Hampton taught at Deep Creek Central Elementary for 23 years.
- Charles Brabble Sr. Scholarship- This scholarship was created to honor Mr. Charles Brabble. Mr. Brabble is a long-time citizen of the Deep Creek area. He served as principal of Deep Creek Intermediate for several years.
The Grassfield High School Band Parent Association (GFBPA)
- The Grassfield High School Band Parent Association (GFBPA) Senior Achievement Award is established to recognize high-achieving high school seniors who plan to attend an accredited two- to four-year college/university, technical school or certification program upon graduation and whose academic excellence as well as leadership and/or contribution to the Grassfield High School band program(s) have enhanced the school’s reputation as a center of excellence.
- J. A. Cotton Career Scholarship Award
Career and Technical Education (CTE) department is pleased to announce a scholarship opportunity for high school seniors enrolled in a CTE course at the Chesapeake Career Center. Students that are nominated must have the following qualifications:
Be a CCC program completer
Be recommended by CCC instructors
Be a senior who will graduate in June of 2023, with plans to enter the workforce
- Hickory Middle School & APO Eagle Scout
The Hickory Middle School PTSA is pleased to offer a scholarship in the amount of $500 to TWO graduating seniors who plan to further their education by attending a university, college, or business/technical program. The objective of the Hickory Middle School PTSA Scholarship Program is to offer scholarship funds to deserving students who may have not fulfilled the stringent academic or athletic criteria required for many other scholarship programs.
- The Virginia Federation of Republican Women (VFRW)
The Virginia Federation of Republican Women (VFRW) is an organization devoted to empowering women of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds in the political process. The VFRW will also offer the 8th Annual Kendall Rhodes Memorial Scholarship open to graduating female high school seniors or female undergraduate students in the Commonwealth of Virginia who will be majoring in education. The recipient of this scholarship must be attending an accredited college or university in the Commonwealth of Virginia in Fall 2023. Value: $1,000.
- Farmers Bank Scholarship
All graduating high school seniors are encouraged to apply. There are no minimum requirements, however, it is based on scholastic performance, community involvement, and financial need. The deadline for the scholarship application is 6pm on April 14, 2023.
Graduating seniors who wish to apply for the scholarship must complete an electronic “The 2023 Farmers Bank Scholarship Program” application found on our website:
https://www.farmersbankva.com/scholarship/
- Frontier Technology, Inc.- Lavon Jordan Scholarship
FTI is looking for applicants for our Lavon Jordan Diversity scholarship, a $2500 scholarship eligible to a graduating High School Senior of a diverse background looking to pursue a STEM education. As part of the scholarship, the selected students are also given an opportunity to be mentored by an FTI employee who will provide career advice and guidance to the scholar. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is May 31, 2023.
Lavon Jordan Diversity and Inclusion Scholarships | AFCEA International
- Joyce Gould Educational Award – Four-Year College & FELDER COMMUNITY COLLEGE EDUCATIONAL AWARD 2023
Joyce Gould Educational Award – Four-Year College – Amount $1,000.00
Josephine Felder Community College Educational Award – Amount $500.00
DEADLINE: Postmarked no later than FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023
GFHS Ruritan Scholarship
2023 Application Attached. Deadline April 30, 2023
- Men's College Scholarship
- GFHS point of contact: Mrs. Sharpe aleke.sharpe@cpschools.com
Remind male, high school seniors in your network to apply! The Men’s College Scholarship has a quick, easy, no-essay application and will award more than $50,000 in increments of $500-$1,000 -- issued to recipients in the form of a check to be used as desired.
As a reminder, the scholarship is designed to identify and reward outstanding high school seniors who have demonstrated an ability to excel in the fields of academics, extra-curricular school activities and community involvement. It is available to any male, graduating senior who is enrolling in a four-year undergraduate college program that commences in the fall of 2023.
Please continue to check Scholarshipvue for current scholarship opportunities!