Grand Blanc High School
Newsletter ~ December 2015
Parental Support
A Message From Dr. Hammond
Organized for the New Year
1. Say goodbye to first semester
Recommend that your high schooler get rid of items she doesn't need from the first half of the school year. She could sort through her backpack, locker, and binders to throw away crumpled papers and used up supplies. She might also gather first-semester paperwork and projects to store in folders at home.
2. Be a planner pro
Your teen's agenda book should be her go-to tool for tracking school work. By updating it at the end of each class, she'll always know what's it's due when. Recommend that she pencil in long term assignments as soon as she gets them. Checking her planner before leaving school each day will help her decide which materials to take with her.
3. Set up a central station
If she has one place to keep things your child won't have to frantically search for a jacket or gym bag in the morning. Each evening, she could put her back pack, sports gear, and anything else she will need by the front door or in another convenient spot.
4. Use reminders
Your teen may like a bulletin board or dry-erase board for posting to-do items. She can also put sticky notes on her alarm clock, tote bag, or seat at the breakfast table. Or she might even text notes to herself at night so she sees them in the morning.
~High School Years January 2016
~First Semester Exam Schedule~
5th hour - 7:20 a.m.
6th hour - 9:11 a.m.
Thursday, January 21st
3rd hour - 7:20 a.m.
4th hour - 9:11 a.m.
Friday, January 22nd
1st hour - 7:20 a.m.
2nd hour - 9:11 a.m.
Students will have a break from 8:56 a.m. to 9:11 a.m.
Snacks and drinks will be available to purchase from PABC during the break.
10 High School Study Tips
Having trouble getting serious about studying for a test? These high school study tips will get you in the right mindset to get prepped for your final exams, or just for your average, everyday quiz.
1. Study Alone
Unless you've got a couple of friends who are super-serious about getting down to business, stay away from group study sessions because they tend to get off-topic pretty quickly. Save the social time till after you've handed in your test.
2. Create Your Perfect Study Area
The place where you study should be quiet, comfortable and free from distractions. Go to your room, close the door and kill as many distractions as possible - like music, television, and even the internet and your phone. If you don't have your own room that you can sneak away to, consider studying at the library instead.
3. Get it All Out
Your study materials, that is. Before you dig in, make sure you have all your books, notes, study guides and writing utensils in front of you. Don't give yourself another excuse to get up and rummage around.
4. Turn Your Notes into Flash Cards
Now that you've got all your notes in front of you, open up a pack of index cards. As you read through the important facts, rewrite them in Q&A form on the cards. For instance: to study historical facts, write the historical fact on one side of the card and the key details on the other side. To study geometry formulas, right the name of the formula on one side and the formula itself on the other side.
5. Snack Healthy While You Study
If you want to stay sharp while you study, stay away from junk food. Instead, snack on studying-friendly foods like dark leafy greens, whole grains, peanut butter, milk and seafood. Feeling sluggish? Caffeine or energy drinks won't help you in the long run. Get your energy boost instead by eating a banana or an apple.
6. Narrow it Down
If you try to study every single thing your teacher's ever said, you'll go crazy. Instead, focus on the most important topics. If you're not sure what those are, read the study guide (if there is one), or ask your classmates. Once you've nailed down the important stuff, if there's still time left before the test, you can move onto the finer details.
7. Take a Break
Your brain can only take so much hard work at one time. For every hour that you study, take about 15 minutes to do something mindless, like taking a walk, listening to music or playing a computer game. (You can even take a 15-minute nap, if you're confident you can wake yourself up at the end of it.) It'll keep your stress level down and give your brain a chance to let all that information sink in.
8. Put Yourself to the Test
Once you've got your set of flash cards, test yourself with them. If you don't trust yourself not to cheat, give the cards to your parents and have them test you. Don't stop till you've made it through the whole stack without any mistakes. And be sure to bring your flash cards to school with you on the day of the test: you'll be amazed at how much more you can retain if you run through the cards right before your teacher hands out the test packet.
9. Get Some Sleep
You might be tempted to pull an all-nighter, but if you do, you'll only be hurting your chances of getting an A. Get a full 8 hours of sleep so your brain is in good shape on test day.
10. Study All Semester Long
It's tempting to hold off on studying till the last minute, especially if you tell yourself that anything you try to memorize earlier on won't really stay in your brain. That's not true. Take some time throughout the semester to review all of your notes and re-read important passages in your text book. It might seem tedious, but it'll really keep all those facts in your brain on test day.
Source: http://teenadvice.about.com/od/schoolscolleges/tp/10-High-School-Study-Tips-For-Students.htm
Upcoming Events
January 4 - School Resumes
January 6 - Educational Planning Resources
January 12 - Financial Aid Night
January 18th - No School (ML King Day)
January 20th - 1/2 Day (Exams for 5th and 6th Hour)
January 21st - 1/2 Day (Exams for 3rd and 4th Hour)
January 22nd - 1/2 Day (Exams for 1st and 2nd Hour)
January 25th - No School (Records Day)
January 26th - Second Semester Begins
February 3rd - Late Start 9:40 a.m. (2 hours and 20 minutes later than normal)
February 12th - No School (President's Day Weekend)
February 15th - No School (President's Day Weekend)
February 19th - Winter Class Games
February 20th - Sadies' / Winter Fest Dance
Education Beyond Highschool : Michigan Goals for the Future
Education officials and lawmakers offer blueprints for expanding post-high school education in Michigan. Reaching for Opportunity report aims at boosting post-secondary credentials to 60 percent. Michigan needs 779,000 more citizens with education beyond high school by 2025 to meet the needs of state employers and join the ranks of the 10 best educated states. Read here about the goals and benchmarks Michigan must meet to grow in the post secondary education area.
The report can be downloaded online at www.mitalentgoal2025.com.
Special Olympics Polar Plunge
Last year, 48 brave souls from Grand Blanc Community Schools raised over $17,000 for our Area 13 Special Olympic athletes by participating in the POLAR PLUNGE! Proceeds from the plunge help support year-round sports training and athletic competition for more than 19,600 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Michigan. Funds raised for the Fenton Polar Plunge on Feb. 6, 2016 will go directly to athletes in Area 13!
Sign up now for the Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics. The event is Saturday, Feb 6 at the Fenton Moose Lodge. Use this link to sign up:
https://www.firstgiving.com/polarplunge/Fenton16
There are many ways to support this event:
· RAISE $$ and TAKE THE PLUNGE! See link below.
· Pledging a friend or family member to TAKE THE PLUNGE- See link below.
· Buying a “TOO CHICKEN TO PLUNGE” t-shirt $10 each (order from Joan Robertson at GBHS East) A huge shout out to the entire Cook Elementary Staff for purchasing t-shirts last year!
· Volunteering at the event on 2/6/16 anytime from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
· Donations can be made online.
· It’s fast, easy, and secure!
· Checks can be made out to GB Special Olympics.
http://www.firstgiving.com/polarplunge/Fenton16
The GB Special Olympics team and our 60+ GB athletes appreciate your consideration!
Casino Trip Fundraiser for Post Grad
*NEW* Charge Lunch Policy
The Charge Lunch Policy changes depending on the student's grade. (Elementary, Middle, and High School Students)
~SENIORS~
Important Senior Dates to Remember!
You only experience high school ONCE, but the memories will last a LIFE TIME.
Grand Blanc Yearbook
Order YOUR Yearbook!
Yearbook pre-orders are happening now. All 400 pages including the spring supplement inserted in the book upon delivery in May for just $75. The price increases to $80 on January 16. We order limited quantities, so don't miss your chance to own the most comprehensive retrospective of the year's moments. Visit www.gbyearbook for an order form or to purchase online with a credit card.
Yearbooks make great birthday and graduation presents, too!
Parents of Seniors: There are a few spaces still available in the senior ad section of our yearbook. Ad prices range from $75 - $300 for the various sizes. Please visit www.gbyearbook for the order form and send information/inquiries to hsyearbk@grandblancschools.org
Counseling News
Financial Aid Information
It’s the time of year that the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Assistance) should be filled out and submitted by senior parents and students. This form is very important for financial aid consideration, and ALL seniors planning on attending college are encouraged to apply. FAFSA encourages parents and students to apply on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov Web-based worksheets are available in the Counseling Office and should be completed before going online. FAFSA applications must be filed and received by March 1, 2016 to be considered for state aid. We will hold a Financial Aid Night on Tuesday, January 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the East High School auditorium. Helpful information will be given for filling out the FAFSA. Please feel free to call the Counseling Office at 591-6647 with any questions.
Scholarships
We will be hosting an informational scholarship session at 5:45 prior to the Financial Aid meeting on January 12. Updated scholarship information is always available in the counseling office and on the high school website. Local scholarship applications will be available in February.
College
Career & Technical Education
Grand Blanc Schools Looking for Bus Drivers
Grand Blanc Schools is hiring and training school bus drivers:
- $13.74 per run, 15 to 20 hours per week plus field trips
- High school diploma or equivalent (GED)
- You must be a least 21 years of age, with 3 years of driving experience
- Must be able to pass both a drug test and a background investigation
Please apply in person Monday – Friday 8 am - 4 pm at:
Grand Blanc Transportation
2500 E Maple Ave
Flint, MI 48507
810-591-8965