The Mustang Minute
Week of August 21st - 25th, 2023
Principal's Message
Mustang Family,
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! It's great to see our Mustangs (Students & Staff) back in action. We've had an amazing start to the year, with our staff doing a fantastic job welcoming and training our students on "The Mustang Way"! Last week, we spent time running through our daily schedules and we had more Mustang onboarding on C Day, last Friday. One key point we emphasized was a reminder of the GCISD dress code. Please be sure to follow it each day to help us maintain a professional and respectful learning environment. This week's newsletter includes more information about the dress code and other important updates, so be sure to check it out. Thanks for your cooperation and let's make this a great school year!
We're excited to continue our learning journey next week with a full week of classes. This newsletter is designed to keep you informed about everything that has happened and what's coming down the pike. We believe that having well-informed parents is a crucial aspect of Building Excellent Schools Together!
Rah, Rah, Rah...Mustangs Fight!
Alex
Thursday, August 24th - Doors open @ 7 PM / Kick off @ 8 PM
GHS Pep Rally is Thursday, August 24th @ 8:50 AM in GYM 1 ( Hawaiian Themed)
On Thursday, August 24th we will be having our first Pep Rally of the school year. The theme for the pep rally is Hawaii Strong, in support of our Hawaiian friends who have suffered a huge loss with the recent fire that occurred. Please consider wearing Hawaiian clothing as we stand with Hawaii in their rebuilding efforts. This pep rally will take place 1st period.
Maui Strong
Bring a buck; buy a lei during all lunches next week. All proceeds benefit Maui Public Schools.
Extended Day Hours 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM
Mustang families! Grapevine High School Extended Day offerings will be available after school from 4:15-5:15 pm in the Lecture Hall beginning Monday, August 21, 2023. This is a chance for students to make up tests, sit for seat time, get homework done, etc. Please make plans for your student to attend if they fall into one of these categories. Students will need to make their own arrangements for transportation, as it is not provided should they choose to stay. Please contact Laura Foutch if you have any questions at laura.foutch@gcisd.net
Grapevine Police Department Equipment Safes
New this year, the Grapevine Police Department has installed two equipment safes in our campus where they are able to store essential tools for a rapid response. The safes do not contain firearms. They are only accessible by Grapevine Police personnel and will remain locked. We just wanted to keep you informed of this new safety measure as the GPD continues to serve and support our schools.
504 Services - Laura Foutch
Parents of students receiving 504 services at Grapevine High School, Ms. Foutch will continue to oversee the scheduling, coordinating, training, and oversight of our 504 efforts here at GHS, and will be your point person in terms of communication and assistance with our 504 plans. Additionally, a Grapevine High School administrator will be available to answer questions and assist Ms. Foutch during the times in which she is coordinating and overseeing testing administrations for the campus .
A couple of quick reminders about 504 processes here to begin the year:
1. All teachers at GHS have certified, prior to the first day of school, that they have received and reviewed your student's 504 plan.
2. Ms. Foutch is in the process of scheduling brief face-to-face meetings with incoming freshmen on 504 plans. The goal here being to increase familiarity and comfort between herself and students in order to help ensure success in the classroom.
3. We will not be scheduling any initial 504 meetings or 504 review meetings within the first two weeks of school. This will allow our staff ample opportunity to review 504 accommodations as they are being utilized in class so that they will be well-informed prior to your meeting.
We are confident it's going to be an awesome year here at GHS and are super excited to partner with you in the implementation of your 504 plan. If you have any questions on this, please feel free to reach out to our team.
Ms. Laura Foutch
Dr. Paul Cook
Ordering School Pictures?
Yearbook pictures and student IDs were taken last Friday, August 18th. If you would like to order these pictures, they will be made available from Legacy Studio at this site. You will need your child's student ID # and last name to locate their prints for order.
Student Tips for Success:
Make sure you know your login and password
Make sure you know how to access classlink.gcisd.net
Have your laptop charged and available to plug in if needed
Paying Student Fees Online
Log on to the Skyward Parent Portal.
Click on Fee Management on the left hand side of the list of activities.
Click on Add Fee to add parking
Add 1st Semester or Full Year
Click on Make a Payment.
This will take you to RevTrak our 3rd party credit card vendor. There will be a $5 charge to pay on line
- You can always pay fees in person at the school with cash, check or credit card or with a check in the mail. There is not an additional fee to pay at school. Please contact Mrs. Gunn in the main office or at 817-251-5290
Dress Code / Cell Phone Policy / Event Expectations for Students
Attendance Matters
Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student’s learning and educational experiences. Up to 8 days per year (4 per semester) may be excused by a parent note for missed attendance beyond medical, approved excused, and statutorily exemptions.
Fish Camp - Welcome Class of 2027
Grapevine Competitive Target Team
In June the Grapevine Target Team sent 3 athletes to the State meet in San Antonio. In the Super Sporting Clays event Brady Hall Scored a personal best of 86 clays out of 100. Jack McDonald scored a personal best with a score of 89. Aiden Buckley scored a personal best of 96 clays out of 100. After a very tense shoot off, Aiden placed 4th in the State in the Sporting Clays discipline!
In the discipline of Trap, Jack McDonald scored a personal best of 98 out of 100 clays and tied for 5th place in the State for the Men's Senior Varsity Division!
The Grapevine Competitive Target Team (GCTT) will soon be holding our one and only informational meeting. Please check the Mustang Minute for that upcoming date and/or visit our website at gctt.teamapp.com. For more information you can contact our secretary at: gctt.secretary@gmail.com
Thespian Breakfast
Mustang Leadership - Thank You!
Mustang Sports News - Paint -A- Slot
Welcome to Grapevine High School's Mustang Sports News! MSN is the go to place for students to find information and updates about sports at Grapevine. They will post on their instagram sporadically throughout the week, and their longer news videos will be up on Tuesdays! They hope you are as excited as they are! GOOO STANGS!
Episode: Paint - A - Slot
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cv-UyKZK1gI/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D
GHS National Honor Society
The fall application is now open for current Seniors ONLY
These applications are due Friday, September 1st
Junior applications will open in Spring 2024.
NHS Application Link https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xdIwkqO7mbYmOybjD74cwPZVaMjpMJbqYZNaQ14yz0g/edit?usp=sharing
Applicants must print the application, service contract, and pledge, and turn them in to Mr. Bristow (Room 704-S). The google form Info Sheet must also be completed by the deadline.
If you have any questions or need clarification on the requirements please email Mr. Bristow at sterling.bristow@gcisd.net
4th Annual GHS Wrestling 9/11 Tribute Climb
GHS Wrestling cordially invited to the 4th annual GHS Wrestling 9/11 Tribute Climb
WHEN: Monday, 9/11 -- 7:30 AM
WHERE: Mustang Panther Stadium (visitors side - enter by the fieldhouse)
WHAT: 4th annual 9/11 Tribute Climb
DETAILS: Participants will walk the visitor side stairs to simulate the 110 stories or 1980 stairs of the twin towers to honor the first responders that climbed up but never came down.
The total weight of a firefighter's basic PPE (helmet, hood, pants, coat, gloves, boots and air
pack) is about 45 pounds. In addition, a thermal imaging camera, radio, box light and set of
irons (Halligan bar and axe) will add another 35 pounds. You may choose to climb with or
without weights, either is an excellent way to honor the memory of the fallen.
The event is free and open to anyone who would like to stop by to show support,
participate as a team with each doing a part of the climb, or to individuals climbing the 110
stories in full. A brief program will begin at 7:30 AM, with the climb starting at 7:46 am CST, or 8:46 am EST at which the first plane hit the North Tower.
Shirts are available for purchase for $20 each. To purchase, please fill out this google form and pay the t-shirt vendor, In Stitches, directly by THURSDAY, AUGUST 25th. Shirts will be distributed the morning of the climb.
The Outpost- GHS Spirit Wear
Welcome Back, Mustangs! Gear up for the new year! Check out The Outpost's online store to show your Mustang Pride!
Senior Prom 2024 Donations
Please contact Ms. Oviatt (Senior Class Sponsor) for any questions.
Stang Volleyball
Who is my GHS counselor?
Students are assigned to a counselor by last name.
The GHS counseling team consists of:
Marnie Pape (A-D) - marnie.pape@gcisd.net
Abbey King (E-Le) - abbey.king@gcisd.net
Moises Flores (Li-Ri) - moises.flores@gcisd.net
Katherine Partridge (Ro-Z) - katherine.partridge@gcisd.net
Mary Parsley (Lead Counselor) - mary.parsley@gcisd.net
Jennifer Lemke (Student Advocate) - jennifer.lemke@gcisd.net
Schedule Change - Level Up, Down, Drop? (Final Week)
Leveling Up
Students will be allowed to level up to Advanced or AP courses within the first 10 days of the fall semester. Students must reach out to their school counselor during the first 10 school days to make the request.
Leveling Down
Students will be allowed to level down from Advanced or AP courses at the end of the 4-week and 9-week points and at the end of the first semester (pending space and availability).
Dropping a course for a release or aide period
Students who qualify for a release or aide period will be allowed to drop a course no later than the 4-week mark for a release or aide.
For more information, see the GCISD Schedule Change guidelines.
2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION
If your student will need prescription medication next school year, please see the link below to have a new form for the 2023-24 school year filled out and signed by the doctor over the summer. A new form is needed for each school year for any medications your child may require at school. You can print this copy and take it with you to your appointment with your children's physician. Students may self-carry non-expired inhalers and Epi-Pens with a physician and parent signed medication permit turned in to the nurse. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Ruth Shook, BSN, RN Phone 817-251-5244 Fax 817-305-4933
2023-2024 School Lunch Updates
Welcome back! Nutrition Services is excited about the upcoming school year. School menus, the district charge policy, menu item pricing and more can be found on the department website here.
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Nutrition Services offers a simplified lunch menu during the beginning of each school year. This allows students time to adjust to the school cafeteria environment. It also allows distributors that partner with the district to adjust to the supply and demand challenges faced at the beginning of each school year. The four week cycle menu for plate lunch will begin on September 11, 2023.
Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, Texas legislation has approved a 2024-25 biennium budget, which includes $3.3 million per year to cover the cost of school breakfasts for students eligible for reduced price meals. Students that are approved for reduced-price meals may eat breakfast at no cost this school year. Lunch price for students that qualify for reduced price meals will remain $0.40.This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Student Help Desk
Help Desk - Students and staff can submit help requests to GCISD's Help Desk at any time. NOTE: If you are a parent needing help with your student’s device and your student does not know their login for Classlink, please call 817-251-5629. You will need to leave a message with your name, student's name, grade level, campus and the best phone number to reach you.
Grapevine High School PTSA needs you!
Membership dues are only $10 each school year! Students, remember that if you will be applying for any PTA/PTSA scholarships, you need to be a member of PTSA. Click here to join!
Volunteer Background Check
We sincerely appreciate the investment of your time as a volunteer. Whether it is just volunteering with PTSA, a school field trip, or in any capacity in connection with our partnership with Big Brothers-Big Sisters, you must complete a background check.
All volunteers are required to reapply each year. Due to a large number of applicants, we will not notify you of your volunteer status. To get your status, please check with the school office for this information before you volunteer.
Click below to apply:
https://www.gcisd.net/o/gcisd/page/volunteer-background-check
GHS Project Graduation
GHS Project Graduation is excited to announce the PG 2024 Kick-Off by launching our new refreshed website! Please check out all the exciting things coming this year to support our SENIORS! Order your SENIOR 2024 YARD SIGN TODAY; all proceeds go directly to GHS Project Graduation 2024!
Project Graduation is an event on the night of graduation for all Grapevine High School seniors to attend free of charge. This event is hosted at Main Event – Grapevine by parent volunteers with the goal of providing a cost-free event that is filled with fun and prizes for ALL graduating seniors at Grapevine High School. We want our Seniors to have an opportunity to celebrate with their friends in a SAFE setting and have one last hoorah before they all go off to college!