The Grizzly Growl
Parent and Student Newsletter for GFH--Feb 2020
From the Bear Den
February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of the achievements by African Americans and a time to honor black Americans in U.S. history and beyond. We are excited to celebrate Black History Month at Grassfield High School! Our Multicultural Club and social studies department have collaborated to provide our students and staff with some exciting activities. We will have BHM trivia each day on GNews, events during One Lunch, and Brian Hunt will be returning to entertain us with his steel drums. We will also hold a multicultural luncheon--always a favorite among our teachers.
We invite you to watch this celebration of Black History Makers.
Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @grassfield_hs. Our website is updated regularly for additional information.
Motivational Moment
Study Hall and SOL Study Sessions
Study Hall is available to students every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday after school until 4:30 pm. Transportation is provided. Visit here for more information.
SOL Study Sessions Each year, we offer SOL study sessions taught by the content experts to help students prepare for their SOLs. Students who attend regular sessions that end at 4:35 may ride the study hall bus. Attendance at SOL Power Sessions may also count as an extended day. Study Sessions for the EOC Reading SOL start at the end of this month.
Sports Physicals
Students who need a sports physical to try out for a spring sport is invited to get one at Grassfield High School Tuesday, February 11th at 4:00 p.m. in the food court. The cost of the physical is $25.00 cash. Please bring a VHSL physical form with a parent signature and with the page 2 medical history portion already completed.
One Lunch Returns!
One Lunch is a great time to check to Lost and Found table behind the main security desk in the front lobby.
See the schedule below for activities offered this month.
PTSA News
After Prom
Every year, we ask all families to make a donation to the After Prom Fund that is equal to their child’s graduation year. The “pool” of money from their class will grow and be used for THEIR After Prom. Therefore, all students will benefit from this fundraiser.
Click on the following here if you would like to donate by cash or check.
Click on the following here if you would like to donate by credit card.
PTSA News
The AfterProm Winter Dance will be held February 8. You can still buy tickets! The week of February 3, tickets will cost $15.00 for GFH students and $20.00 for guests.
Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Leslie Wecht @ leslie.wecht@cpschools.com.
Follow us on Facebook at Grassfield High School PTSA
Senior Success
Seniors should join the new Class of 2020 Google Classroom page. The class code is 34agr1k. This is where we will post important senior news, events, and graduation information. PLEASE JOIN AND STAY IN THE KNOW!
College application season is in full swing. Check out this month-by-month timeline to keep you on track as you navigate through senior year and complete your college applications. Some dates and information may vary, depending on the college or your own circumstances.
Order Your Yearbook Now!
PRE-ORDER A YEARBOOK Don’t miss out on owning a part of Grassfield history. More than HALF of our allotted books are already SOLD! Pre-order your Pawprint yearbook at Jostens Yearbooks where credit card purchases and payment plans are available. Only a limited number of copies will be available for purchase at school.
CLASS OF 2020...WHAT’S IN YOUR FUTURE? Visit the Class of 2020 Google classroom page (the code is 34agr1k) to submit your plans after high school for a college/university, trade school or military career. This information will be used to create a slide show shown before G-News at school and before the graduation ceremony at the Ted Constant Center. The deadline to submit is Monday, May 4, 2020.
School Safety
Grassfield High School is committed to student safety. All exterior doors will remain locked during the school day, and all visitors are asked to activate the buzzer outside the main office doors to be admitted to the building.
We will hold several lockdown drills this year. You will receive a PAS to notify you in advance of the drill.
Safe Behaviors at School
Please remind students that they should walk on the sidewalks along Scenic Blvd. and should only cross at the crosswalks where security can monitor traffic.
Please keep a watchful eye on students walking in the parking lots before and after school.
Teen vaping has become a national problem and epidemic. CPS is offering a free 30 minute webinar to educate parents about vaping. Experts will be available to share information and answer questions. Join through this link. The webinar is available on all devices.
Teen Vaping, Edibles, and More. Tuesday, February 18 at 7:00 p.m.
ACCESS College Support
Seniors: FAFSA deadlines are fast approaching! If you have not filed the FAFSA, you need to do so ASAP to be eligible for financial aid. Also, many community scholarships require a FAFSA to be filed, even if you won't receive federal or state financial aid. Some schools also require applicants to file the CSS Profile, which has separate (also fast approaching) deadlines. See Mrs. Moorhouse with questions, for more info, or for an appointment so she can file the FAFSA for you.
Seniors: College Commitment Day is April 28th! On this field trip to ODU's Chartway Arena, you'll join other Grizzlies (and thousands of other area seniors!), to celebrate your acceptance into college with music, scholarship giveaways, pizza, a free t-shirt, and more. Spots are limited-- see Mrs. Moorhouse now to sign up!
Juniors: Khan Academy offers online SAT prep that adapts to your skill levels and the results of your latest PSAT/SAT. This powerful, FREE tool has helped juniors increase their SAT scores by up to 160 points. Every junior who signs up receives a waiver for 2 FREE SATs ($96 value), and 4 college application fee waivers ($200+ value). Increase your SAT score -- SAVE $300+ -- earn prizes for practicing .....it's a no brainer! See Mrs. Moorhouse to sign up today.
The Counseling Corner
Happy National School Counselors Week
We're Starting to Schedule for 2020-2021
It's hard to believe, but we will start scheduling for the next school year in January and February. Videos and scheduling information will be posted on our website and shared with students during homeroom. Please review this information carefully with your child to ensure he/she has selected appropriate courses for next year. It's imperative students make their course decisions wisely as course offerings for next year are based on those requests. Look here for information about block scheduling and advanced courses.
IMPORTANT DATES
- Jan. 27-30 Elective Videos on GNews
- Jan. 31 Scheduling Video on GNews
- Jan. 31 Scheduling Sheets go home (Rising 10th-12th)
- Feb. 6 Open House/Elective Walk
- Feb. 5-26 Scheduling (Rising 10th-12th)
- Feb. 28 Students receive schedule verifications to take home
- Mar. 4 All schedule changes due back to the School Counseling Office
Elective Fair and Open House
After the Elective Fair, stay for Open House!
Please view the scheduling video to help your child make good choices about classes for next year--and remind your students to return the scheduling forms on time!
Attendance is Important
School attendance matters. It is arguably one of the most important indicators of school success. You cannot learn what you are not here to learn. Students who attend school regularly are more academically successful.
Please send a note for every absence so we can maintain accurate attendance records. Please continue to monitor your child’s attendance in each class to ensure he/she does not exceed the maximum allowable absences (in most classes, nine days).
Also, please send a note with your child if you plan to pick him up early. He can submit the note to the attendance office in advance and save you from having to wait in a long line to check him out.
All truancy and excessive absence notices are being sent directly to ParentVue accounts, so please check ParentVue regularly.
Extended Day
Attendance at SOL Power Sessions may also count as an extended day.
Dodgeball Tournament
Get ready to dodge, duck, dip, dive & dodge! Join us February 21, 2020 for the annual dodgeball tournament. After January 31, regular sign-ups cost $40.00. All sign-ups are due by Feb. 14th in order to make brackets. The Tournament will start at 6:00 pm. Admission to watch will be $1.00 or 3 canned food items. Team registration forms can be found outside of room A124. See Ms. Snyder with any questions.
Grizzly Greatness
Congratulations to:
GFH Theatre group for earning 1st Place in the Regional Sectionals
GFH Scholatsic Bowl, Regional Runner-up
GFH Band students who the made district band team
Upcoming Events
February 6-2nd Semester Open House and Elective Fair
February 17-Presidents Day--school holiday
February 5-26-Student Scheduling (Rising 10th-12th)
February 26- End of Marking Period 5
February 28-Students receive schedule verifications to take home
March 4-All schedule changes due back to the School Counseling Office
Grassfield High School
Email: beth.pallister@cpschools.com
Website: https://cpschools.com/gfh/
Location: 2007 Grizzly Trail
Phone: 757-558-4749
Twitter: @grassfield_hs