Knight News
Grand Forks Central High School - March 15, 2022
Central's Main Office (701)-746-2375
Grand Forks Central Families,
Grand Forks Central High School will be conducting our annual Student Assessment Day on Tuesday, March 29th. Here is the plan for each grade level that day.
Seniors: Will report to the Grand Forks Central Theater at 8am for a guest speaker followed by four breakout sessions addressing post high school transition skills for young adults. All senior students will need to bring their school issued chromebook fully charged to GFC for the day. Seniors will finish their day at GFC at 11:45 am with the option of grabbing a bagged lunch before heading home, busing will be available at 12:30pm. Starting at 1:30pm, teachers will have office hours where they will be available through zoom or google meet to assist students remotely with any missing assignments or provide additional classroom support.
Juniors: will be taking the ACT from 8am - 12:25pm at Grand Forks Central. The ACT will once again be administered online. Students are still permitted to use scratch paper to make notes and to work through science and mathematical equations. All students will need to bring their school issued chromebook fully charged to GFC for their test day. Junior students will be dismissed from school at 12:25pm with the option of grabbing a bagged lunch before heading home, busing will be available at 12:30pm. Starting at 1:30pm, teachers will have office hours where they will be available through zoom or google meet to assist students remotely with any missing assignments or provide additional classroom support.
Sophomores: will be taking the PreACT from 8am - 11:45am at Grand Forks Central. The PreACT provides students with an indication of their educational progress in the context of preparing for the ACT and exploring postsecondary educational and career options. The PreACT assessment has four multiple-choice tests including English, math, reading, and science and provides students, teachers, and counselors a predicted range of how a student would score on the ACT in the four areas being assessed along with a predicted composite score. Sophomore students will be dismissed for lunch at 11:45am and will have busing available at 12:30pm. Starting at 1:30pm, teachers will have office hours where they will be available through zoom or google meet to assist students remotely with any missing assignments or provide additional classroom support.
Freshmen: will be taking the PreACT 8/9 from 8am - 11:45am at Grand Forks Central. The PreACT 8/9 provides students with an indication of their educational progress in the context of preparing for the ACT and exploring postsecondary educational and career options. The PreACT 8/9 assessment has four multiple-choice tests including English, math, reading, and science and provides students, teachers, and counselors a predicted range of how a student might score on the ACT in the four areas being assessed along with a predicted composite score. Freshmen students will be dismissed for lunch at 11:45am and will have busing available at 12:30pm. Starting at 1:30pm, teachers will have office hours where they will be available through zoom or google meet to assist students remotely with any missing assignments or provide additional classroom support.
Mike Wilber
Assistant Principal
Grand Forks Central High School
A Look Ahead
Mar. 14th - 18th - NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
Mar. 23rd - Early Release - 1:00 (PLC Day)
Mar. 25th - End of Quarter 3
Mar. 29th - ACT/PreACT Testing NO 3:00 or 4:00 Bus
April 4 - Booster Club Meeting - 7:00 PM - Media Center
April 6 - Early Release - 1:00 PM (PLC Day)
April 15th - 18th - NO SCHOOL - Holiday Break
April 20th - Early Release - 1:00 PM (PLC Day)
April 27th - Senior Awards Night - 7:00 PM
May 2nd - Booster Club Meeting - 7:00 PM - Media Center
May 4th - Early Release - 1:00 PM (PLC Day)
May 7th - Prom
May 18th - Early Release - 1:00 PM (PLC Day)
May 30th - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
May 31st - Last Day of School for Seniors
June 1st - 2nd - Semester Testing Schedule
June 2nd - Last Day of School for Grades 9 - 11
June 5th - Graduation - 1:00 PM - Alerus Center
Coming Soon! Spotlight on Volunteers
Help us recognize and celebrate the impact our amazing volunteers have at Grand Forks Central! Anyone who has contributed their time and efforts towards student success at GFC can be submitted. Please include a description of why you believe this person should be recognized as we would like to include testimonials. Submissions should be sent to Kristin Wilcox at kwilcox200@mygfschools.org and will be accepted throughout the school year for inclusion in this new newsletter feature.
Spring Sports Start Dates & Information
Baseball - March 21st
Coach Tim Gregoire: tgregoire040@mygfschools.org
Softball:
Tryouts are March 21-23 Players are expected to attend all three days. Any absences should be communicated with Coach Baker McNelly.
1. Tryout Schedule:
3/21: Grades 11 & 12 4:15-5:15 in the Main Gym, Grades 8, 9 & 10 5:15-6:15 in the Lower Gym
3/22: Grades 11& 12 5:15-6:15 in the Lower Gym, Grades 8, 9 & 10 4:15-5:15 in the Main Gym
3/23: Grades 11 & 12 4:15-5:15 in the Main Gym, Grades 8, 9 & 10 5:15-6:15 in the Lower Gym
2. Athletes must turn in their WHITE CARD to Coach Baker McNelly prior to participating in tryouts. If you were in a fall and/or winter sport, you still need a new white card for softball. Everything you need to know about white cards can be found here: https://www.gfschools.org/domain/411
3. Fees must be paid prior to the first game.
4. Questions: Contact Coach Baker McNelly via Google Classroom or on school email.
Coach Brittany Baker McNelly: bbakermcnelly050@mygfschools.org
Girls Soccer:
1st Practice: Monday March 28th from 4:15-6:15PM in the Main Gym.
All athletes must have their white card in order to participate.
Coach George DuBois: gdubois050@mygfschools.org
Girls Tennis:
Players Meeting: March 21st in room 227
1st Practice: April 4th, 5:00 PM Riverside Tennis Courts (weather permitting)
If too cold, the 1st practice will be April 4th at Choice Health & Fitness (time to be determined)
Coach Matt Fuka: mfuka219@mygfschools.org
Boys Golf:
Preseason Informational Meeting: Tuesday, Mar. 29th at 4:00 PM in the Lecture Bowl
First Practice: Monday, April 12th at 4:00 PM (location TBD)
Coach Josh Cichy: jcichy180@mygfschools.org
More information can be found on our school website under Athletics or in the daily announcements.
Spring Sport Information & Forms
*Important Change This Year* Activity fees are now all paid online on the MySchoolBucks.com website.
White Cards
- White cards can be picked up anytime in the main office M-F 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m
- White cards are used to indicate that student athletes have completed all necessary paperwork/processes in order to participate in an activity. Athletes must present white cards to coaches before they will be allowed to tryout or practice.
Athletic Forms
- Please have the items labeled "required" listed below completed when you come to the school to pick up your white card. If any of the forms are missing signatures or required information a white card will not be issued.
1. Physical Form (required)
All athletes must complete a physical form each year. Physicals dated after April 15th, 2021 are valid for the 2021-2022 school year.
2. Code of Conduct Form (required)
All athletes must fill out a code of conduct form each year.
3. Concussion Form (required)
All athletes must fill out a concussion form each year.
4. Activity Fee (due before first game or performance, not required for a white card)
$80 per sport/$70 per fine arts activity paid on the MySchoolBucks.com website
or
Activity Waiver/Consent Form/Free or Reduced Lunch Form (not required for a white card, but must be taken care of prior to the first game or performance) Please see the next section for more information about waivers below.
Students cannot play in a game or represent GFC publicly until their fee is paid or they have qualified for a waiver.
- District Athletic Forms can be found here: https://www.gfschools.org/Page/137
Free & Reduced Activity Participation Fees
School meals were free for all students this year, so many families did not fill out these applications this fall, however they are needed if you wish to apply for free or reduced participation fees for spring activities.
Online Sports & Activity Fee Payments
Please pay all student activity fees online through MySchoolBucks.com. There is a small surcharge fee when depositing money into your student's lunch account, however, there is no additional surcharge fee when paying for sports and activity fees, bus tickets and other products from the school store.
Create your free account today and never worry about having to send cash/checks to school with your student again. Visit myschoolbucks.com or download the app today to get started!
Graduating Student's Legal Names For Diplomas
A student's legal name on the date of their graduation from GFC is how their name will appear on their diploma, transcript, the graduation program, the announcement for the Grand Forks Herald and any other graduation materials. If your student is changing their name legally prior to their graduation, you may submit copies of those documents to our office no later than May 25th. If your student has graduated early at semester time, their name at the time of early graduation will be the legal name used for all documents.
2022 Graduation Information & Deadlines
The graduation ceremony for the Class of 2022 is scheduled for Sunday, June 5, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.
Prior to graduation, there are a number of items that need to be completed. The following is a checklist of all obligations that must be met by each student before a diploma will be presented.
- All course work, tests, and detention time must be completed before Wednesday, June 1, 2022.
- All independent study, online and correspondence course work must be completed by Friday, May 20, 2022
- All seniors must complete the “Senior Survey” and the "Choice Ready Survey" prior to graduation. The surveys will be sent to student email accounts for completion.
- All bills must be paid (media center, athletic equipment, lab equipment, book damages, etc…) by Friday, May 20, 2022.
- The final day of classes for seniors will be Tuesday, May 31, 2022.
- Graduation practice is tentatively scheduled for Friday, June 3, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. All graduating seniors must attend the practice session.
- Caps and gowns were ordered in November and will be distributed from the Principal’s Office on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
- Senior pictures for the yearbook are due by May 1st and can be turned in at any time before that date to Mr. Berglund or can be e-mailed to: centralyearbook@mygfschools.org.
- If a student desires to receive a diploma without going through the graduation ceremony; he/she may do so by notifying Kristin Wilcox prior to Friday, May 20, 2022.
- All students who participate in the commencement ceremony are expected to dress in an appropriate manner. The cap, gown, tassel, and shoes are all required. No other personal additions will be allowed other than school-issued stoles of honor without prior permission from administration.
Only students who have completed their graduation requirements will participate in the graduation ceremony. The list of students who will be participating in the ceremony will be finalized on Wednesday, June 1, 2022.
Scholarship Opportunities
Seniors...have you visited the online scholarship listing on the GFC website? This list is a compilation of scholarship information that has been made available to us. Please check out the list and the many opportunities for scholarships by clicking the link below!
Verbs are the Key!
Many times our students report that when they are tested/assessed in classes or on standardized assessments (ACT), they report not being confident about what they are being asked to do to demonstrate their knowledge, despite the fact that they feel they are knowledgeable about the topic. Understanding the question or task is, at the core, about understanding the verbs being used in the question or or prompt. A goal at Grand Forks Central is to make the most commonly used verbs on assessments part of our daily practice and vernacular. We ask that parents support these efforts at home as they are able. Listed below are the verbs we have identified as those we will focus on to best prepare our students for success on assessments and in life.
GFC Power Verbs
Formulate - to express in precise form; It's difficult to formulate a plan under pressure.
Compare - to examine the qualities of to discover similarities & differences; It's best to compare prices before a big purchase.
Contrast - to examine the qualities of to discover differences; Her black dress and the white snow contrast sharply.
Predict – say or predict that something will happen in the future. I predict the Vikings will win the Super Bowl.
Describe – give an account of something, including relevant details. Cormac McCarthy describes the setting in The Road as bleak, desolate, and harmful to human life.
Evaluate – form an idea of the amount, value, or idea of. We need to evaluate our options before making a choice.
Infer – make a good guess; read between the lines; what’s the hidden meaning. From your letter, I infer that you are well.
Support - give the facts; back up with details; provide proof. The facts support your claim of innocence.
Analyze – break apart; study the pieces; look at closer; examine. It is best to analyze a situation before acting.
Summarize – give a brief statement of the main points of something. Read the article and summarize it in a paragraph.
Justify - to show or prove to be right or reasonable; You must justify your actions with solid evidence..
Claim - state or assert that something is the case; She claimed that she was a part of a wealthy, educated family.Senior Yearbook Photo Information
Senior photos for the 2021-2022 GFC Yearbook can be submitted to: centralyearbook@mygfschools.org.
- Submitted digital images should be 300 DPI.
- Baby/Childhood photos can also be submitted. If you need a photo to be scanned, you can put it in Mr. Berglund’s mailbox and it will be returned after it is scanned (make sure your name is on it and it’s in an envelope).
Grand Forks Central High School Senior Portrait Yearbook Policy:
Every graduating senior student is permitted to turn in a portrait photo for reproduction in the Grand Forks Central School yearbook.
- The deadline for senior portrait submission is May 1, 2022
- Students should submit a vertical or square photo (not horizontal). Note: Full body shots may be cropped.
- Only single-subject photos are allowed.
- Accessories (i.e. hats, scarves, jewelry) and props (i.e. sports equipment) are permitted in the submitted photos as long as they do not promote or condone illegal activity. Senior portraits of questionable content will be shown to school administration for final approval.
- Portraits of students with weapons will not be published.
Note: If you did not have a senior photo taken and do not plan to take one, I can take a good picture of you. We want to include everyone and I have done this many times in the past. Just stop by my classroom (#22) and we will set up a time.
If you would like to order a 2021-2022 GFC yearbook, go to this website:
https://www.balfour.com/student-info?smi=55338
Mr. Matt Berglund
GFC Yearbook Adviser
21-22 Yearbooks
- The 2021-2022 yearbook will be sold online again this year on the Balfour website. Please click on the link below to purchase the upcoming yearbook. https://www.balfour.com/student-info?smi=55338
The cost is $55. Senior pictures and senior baby pictures are due by May 1st and can be emailed at any time before that to: centralyearbook@mygfschools.org
20-21 Extra Yearbooks for Sale
Grand Central Station - Your "Central Station" for school spirit gear!
Grand Central Station is online for convenience of shopping, just scan the QR Code and start shopping. New items are coming in all of the time, so check back often.
Grand Central Station Hours of Operation:
Open on days school is in session from 8:00 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. and 1:10 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Administration
Dr. Gabe Dahl - Associate Principal A-K
Mr. Mike Wilber - Associate Principal L-Z
Mr. Aaron La Deaux - Activities Director
Contact Us:
Main Office : 701-746-2375
Attendance Line: 701-746-2482
Main Office Hours 7:00 AM-4:15 PM
School Doors Open at 7:30 AM
Location:
115 N. 4th Street
Grand Forks, ND 58203
Follow us on Twitter: @GFC_Activities
Follow us on Instagram: gfc_activites
GFPS Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GrandForksPublicSchools/