The GMHS Hitching Post
George Mason High School Newsletter -- February 28, 2020
MATH NIGHT INFORMATION SESSION -- MARCH 4TH 6:15 P.M.
Dear Mustang Families,
Falls Church City Public Schools strives to be the premier IB school division. Upon completing the first semester of this school year, we conducted a secondary math program review in order to reflect upon ways to enhance our students’ opportunities for success in mathematics. In order to achieve an equitable learning environment aligned with the IB/MYP curriculum, we have revised the math pathways and program of studies for the upcoming school year. Below are the courses that have changed, as well as links to the revised program of studies and the course pathways map.
Resource Links
Link to the Revised Program of Studies
George Mason Program of Studies 2020-2021
Students will receive information about these courses from their math teachers to assist them with choosing the appropriate math placement for next year. If you would like additional information, we invite you to attend a parent information session on the updated course pathways on March 4th, at 6:15 p.m. to 6:55 p.m. in the George Mason High School auditorium.
Sincerely,
Matt Hills
Principal
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Many of you have had an opportunity to meet our MYP coordinator, Alicia Miller. In her role, she supports the full MYP program both here and at Henderson and is a resource to students, teachers, and families. For those of you who have met Mrs. Miller, her passion and commitment for the IB program are evident in all that she does and we are better practitioners because of her work with our FCCPS community. Mrs. Miller has recently been offered and accepted a position to work at the IB Americas Global Center in Bethesda, Maryland as the Global Head of Professional Development Delivery for the Primary Years Programs and Leadership Development for International Schools. This position is an amazing opportunity for Mrs. Miller as she came to us from a PYP school and has worked in International Schools throughout her career. While we as a school and FCCPS community are thrilled for this professional achievement for Mrs. Miller, we are certainly sad to see her leave and wish her success in her new role. Thankfully Bethesda is just down the road. Her last day with us will be Friday, March 13th.
We have been fortunate to secure an interim MYP coordinator to complete the remainder of the 19-20 school year. Mrs. Sandy Lamb is a familiar face to us in FCCPS. Mrs. Lamb is a retired MYP coordinator from Fairfax County Public Schools and previously served as our interim MYP coordinator in 2018. She is excited to return to Mason and Henderson in this capacity. She has had an opportunity to connect with Mrs. Miller and is ready to dive into our spring work. Mrs. Lamb's start date will be Wednesday, March 18th. We will advertise for Mrs. Miller's vacancy on Monday, March 2nd. Pending the adoption of the FCCPS budget, a second MYP coordinator position will be forthcoming later this spring.
As we reflect on the work of MYP and specifically standards-based grading, we have been incredibly reflective as a high school and middle school team and used the feedback we have received from students, staff and parents to guide our next steps. We know that navigating two reporting platforms has been cumbersome for you, for students, and for our staff and we are looking at how we can streamline that process for the 2020-21 school year. We are also reflecting on effective methods in providing feedback to students and to you in an efficient and easy to understand way.
Our team continues to be grateful to you for your feedback and your trust in our staff and with us throughout this transition.
Please join me and our entire Mason staff in wishing Mrs. Miller well in her new journey.
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 4
Math Night Information Session
6:00 p.m.
Auditorium
March 8
Daylight Saving Time Starts
March 11
International Potluck Dinner
5:30 p.m. - Dinner
Mustang Cafe and Auxiliary Gym
International Dinner Dish Participation
International Night Performance Sign Up
Contacts: Tina Kao at kaot@fccps.org or Jennifer Gray at jenn@grayway.org
PTSA -- Thank you!
Personal Project Showcase
7:00 p.m. - Showcase
The Personal Project is a culminating project for MYP 10th grade students. This project, which is required by the International Baccalaureate and is an integral part of the curriculum at GMHS, invites students to set a goal, design an action plan to achieve their goal, and reflect on their process as they progress toward the goal. Come see the results.
March 13
Professional Day for Teachers
No School for Students
March 25
Early Release Wednesday
Dismissal -- 12:10 p.m.
March 26, March 27 and March 28
Spring Play
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised]
7:30 p.m. -- Auditorium
$5 for Students and $10 General Admission
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GUEST SPEAKER SERIES
FOR 9TH, 11TH AND 12TH GRADE STUDENTS
Date: Wednesday, March 4th
Award-winning journalist and writer, Elaine Weiss, Bio author of The Women's Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote -- Sponsored by The League of Women Voters
FOR 11TH AND 12TH GRADE STUDENTS
Date: Wednesday, March 18th
8:30-9:30 - Parent Coffee: Introduction of Speaker, Nils Ahbel, and opportunity for question and answer session.
9:48 - 10:48 Auditorium - All 11th and 12th grade students (limited space for parents)
“The Truth about Alcohol and THC - Facts that Can Save Your Life!” -- Sponsored by the Falls Church Education Foundation
If you you have any questions in regards to the presentation or if you would like to opt out your child, please contact Dave Serensits at dserensits@fccps.org.
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BE A FORCE FOR CHANGE -- GMHS WORLD AIDS DAY 1998
A MESSAGE FROM THE GMHS ATHLETIC BOOSTERS
Mulch Madness Fundraiser Sponsored by the GMHS Athletic Boosters Association
Order now at the Mason Fan Shop (MASON FAN SHOP). Top quality double-shredded hardwood mulch delivered by Mustang Athletes directly to your home! Bags are $5 each for 3 cu. ft. Delivery date to Falls Church area homes is Saturday, March 28th. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year. Please help support the GMHS Athletic Boosters in our mission to support Mason Athletics. Deadline to order mulch is March 18th.
For questions, please contact our Mulch Co-Chair Laura Hodges at laura.hodges@hotmail.com.
ALL NIGHT GRAD CELEBRATION
SATURDAY LEARNING LOUNGE
Does your student need a tutor or a quiet place to study? Check out the link below:
FCCPS PARENT UNIVERSITY
Keep Calm and Check Parent University
Did you know that FCCPS has a resource for parents that pulls together all of the parent education opportunities across the schools? Anything that helps parents get smarter about school and parenting is included in Parent University.
PTSA NEWSLETTER
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STAY ON TOP OF ALL CANCELLATIONS AND CLOSURES AND MUCH, MUCH MORE...
PRINCIPAL'S NEWSLETTER
You can find current and past issues of the GMHS Hitching Posts from Principal Hills on the GMHS website at the link below:
EXCEL IN MIND, BODY AND CHARACTER
Matt Hills
Principal
Email: hillsm@fccps.org
Website: https://gm.fccps.org
Location: 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA, USA
Phone: 703-248-5500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fallschurchcitypublicschools
Twitter: @MasonMustangs