We're a week away from Winter Recess, and your students are probably excited for a break! Grand Blanc Schools is officially closed from December 20-December 31. I hope we are all able to unplug from school for a period of time; however, if your student has fallen behind, this is a great time to catch up on missing work. Don't forget the end-of-semester deadlines that we advertised at the beginning of the year:

• Elementary and middle school classes that do not give an exam and are not tied to high school credit:

• Wednesday, January 19

• High school classes and middle school classes that have an exam and are tied to high school credit:

• Friday, January 14

You should have received a letter from Dr. Alward last week, announcing the changes to the masking policy for second semester. Because of these changes, we have extended the deadline for requests to be placed on the waiting list to switch buildings to this Friday, December 17. If you would like to request to return to the building, please contact our office at 810-591-1658.

I wish you and your families a happy holiday season!

Allyson Walroth

Bobcat Virtual Learning Director

awalroth@gbcs.org

810-591-6649

Students can be brought to the BVL Lab, located in the High School West Campus (1 Jewett Trail), any time that evening. Because this is a school learning environment, students and adults must wear a mask when waiting to take pictures.

If you would like to look at picture options and prices ahead of time, you can access that information here. We will also have copies available at Picture Day. All students grades K-12 are invited to participate.

We are excited that so many of our families sent an RSVP for the Trail of Lights on Wednesday from 5:30-7:30!

For those of you joining us, the event is located in Davison's Robert Williams Park (11069 E. Atherton Rd., Davison, MI 48423). Drop in any time to walk the trail, sit by the bonfire, and enjoy some winter treats!

The cost of admission is $7 per person attending (children 2 and under are free).

We have exciting news! The district's Dining Services would like to begin to provide a free breakfast/lunch program to all full-time Grand Blanc Bobcat Virtual Learning families. Students must be enrolled directly in Grand Blanc Community Schools to take part in this program.

In order for us to gauge interest/need from BVL families, please complete the following survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1bwSzo-19Qc7bEWtxKgOrxI6Z-VvTLobqvzESo29rmGFspQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

According to the USDA mandate, they must follow the school calendar and can only offer free food when school is in session. This means that they will not have food available on days when school is not in session, like over Thanksgiving break or Spring Break. It also means that some weeks may not have five full breakfasts and lunches if it is a shortened week at school.

For families who indicate they would like to take advantage of this service, they are tentatively planning to have a pick up once a week on Thursdays from 12:30-1:00pm at the High School East Campus bus pick-up line. This plan is TENTATIVE and is subject to change based on feedback from this survey.

If you have not already done so, please fill out and sign the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application: https://lunchapp.com/. Don't forget to indicate Bobcat Virtual Learning as you student's building.

Once we receive feedback from families, we will communicate further about the details of the program and the start date.

Please contact us at Grand Blanc Dining Service with any questions: (810) 591-6675 or (810) 591-6928.

Competitive Cheer Tryouts:

• Monday 12/13/21 5:00-7:30
• Tuesday 12/14/21 5:00-7:30
• Wednesday 12/15/21 Individual/Group Tryouts Time TBA
• Thursday 12/16/21 -First practice 4-7 with parent meeting following

Boys Basketball

• 7th Grade – January 4,5,6 3:10-5:00
• 8th Grade – January 5,6,7 3:10-5:00

A sports physical dated after 4-15-21 and signed handbook must be on file at the West Middle School Office before participation.

Grand Blanc High School, in partnership with the University of Michigan-Flint, opened the Grand Blanc Early College (GBEC) during the 2015-2016 school year. This exclusive opportunity is available to Grand Blanc High School students entering Junior status. Students who choose to participate in this unique opportunity will commit to a five year high school and college experience. By the end of the program, students have the ability to earn 48+ college credits!

Recruitment for the early college program will begin in November. A letter and email will be sent to eligible 10th grade students, with a 3.0 or higher GPA. More information to follow on informational meetings and application deadlines!

Click here to visit our Grand Blanc Early College Website.

WHAT: DRIVE THROUGH CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW

WHEN: Wednesdays – Saturdays 6-10 pm (December 1st to 25TH)

WHERE: Grand Boulevard

WHO: Presented by Kevin Rickard and the City of Grand Blanc

BENEFITS: Monetary donations of non-perishable foods, hygiene, TP, laundry products will benefit FISH of Grand Blanc

FOOD PANTRY HOURS DECEMBER BY APPOINTMENT

Hill Funeral Home 11723 S. Saginaw

Dec 1 (9-3)

Dec 3 & 8 (9-12)

Dec 6 (9-3)

Dec. 27, 29 (9-3)

Grand Blanc United Methodist Church 515 Bush St.

Dec 16 (9-3) (Food Pick Up, Christmas Basket Pick Up)

• Main Desk/Technology Help: 810-591-1658
• Enrollment/Grades: Elaina Martinez - 810-591-6391
• Counselor: John Hentes - 810-591-1634 or jhentes@gbcs.org
• Mentors: Elizabeth Ralbusky (last names A-J) - 810-591-6368; Scott Thurlow (last names K-Z) - 810-591-6366
• Coordinator: Kevin Keilitz - 810-591-6375 or kkeilitz@gbcs.org
• Director: Allyson Walroth - 810-591-6649 or awalroth@gbcs.org
• Classroom teachers should all include information on how to contact them on their course. If you have course-related issues, please reach out to your teacher first. They will respond back within 24 hours (during the work week) and can usually clarify things quickly. You can also attend their office hours, which should be listed in their course.