Panther Pause
25 years of Pride at Colleyville Heritage High School
12.11.20
Dear Panther Family,
I hope you are all safe and well! As you have probably noticed, my daily emails include a bit more information than they have in past weeks. These changes were made so as to give you a clearer picture of the overall impact positive cases and quarantines are having on our campus at the student and staff level.
I want to commend you all on a job well done this semester. As we get close to wrapping up this first semester, I think we can all agree that when we started this school year we were all a bit anxious about what it would look like and how it would go. While it has not been perfect by any stretch of the imagination, it has been so encouraging.
It’s been encouraging to see our students get to experience so many special moments (Homecoming, Drive-In Pep Rally, Senior Night) and also see the numerous extracurricular events taking place. Speaking of extracurricular events, our Panther Football Team defeated the Brewer Bears last night becoming Bi-District CHAMPS! We advance to the Area round of the playoffs next Friday at 6:00pm at Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls. Let’s show up to support our UNDEFEATED Panther Football Team!
It’s been encouraging to see, once again, how our teachers step up and answer the call of duty. It’s really quite hard to capture in words the lengths our educators are going to in order to pull off what many thought was impossible.
It’s been encouraging to see our students notice skills and abilities in themselves. Our young people are beyond impressive. Please, when you see your student (or any student) today, let them know how very proud of them we are.
It’s been encouraging to see our CHHS administration team - filled with so many new faces - quickly forge meaningful bonds with each other to tackle the challenges that come with leading a large high school during a pandemic.
It’s been encouraging to see our PTSA continue to go above and beyond to serve our staff, students, and greater community. Yesterday they treated our staff to a special lunch from Taziki's. The way things are done may look differently this year, but their hearts of service remains the same.
I know the challenges that lie before us are not small. We are in a pandemic and that brings with it many hardships. But I am hopeful that, together, we will weather this storm and come out better on the other side. As always, please connect with our team if we can be of assistance to you and your family.
We are with you! We are for you! We are Panthers!
With Pride,
Dr. James Whitfield
CHHS Principal
#CHPantherPride #BeDifferent
Senior Spotlight: Ryan Trammell
Ryan is a member of Second Saturday Mothers and Sons, Red Jackets and PALS. He enjoys hanging out with friends, working out and eating. After graduation Ryan plans on attending Texas A&M University. His favorite quote is, “So you’re telling me there’s a chance.” -Jim Carrey (as Lloyd Christmas)
Ryan plans on attending Project Graduation because it is a great program for graduating seniors. It allows seniors, close to graduation, to spend a final great night all together before going their separate ways. We hope all our seniors will join Ryan at Project Graduation 2021!
Senior Spotlight
We are looking for seniors to help promote Project Graduation. Being involved will also promote your club, sport or organization. If you are selected, we will coordinate dates that you will be our Senior Spotlight student. Only a certain number of applicants will be accepted, so apply early! A local photographer will take your photo, if you do not already have one, and we will link the spotlight to your personal social media accounts. For more information and to apply, click on this link.
For GCISD Bus Riders
In GCISD, the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority. As we continue to improve our COVID-19 procedures, we will be making a slight modification to our routine for all secondary students riding a daily bus route or shuttle when we return from Thanksgiving Break.
In the event a bus rider or driver receives a test-confirmed positive COVID-19 test, we will be collecting real time information that will speed up the process for the GCISD Health Services Department. This process will allow us to quickly and accurately identify and communicate with close contacts associated with the test-confirmed student or staff member.
This week, all secondary students will be asked to use their device to scan a QR code upon entering a GCISD bus. This QR code will link to a form that requires students to enter their bus number, campus, name, student ID number and seat number. Once they submit the form, they will sit in their assigned seat. This process will need to be completed every time a secondary student rides a GCISD bus.
We appreciate your understanding, as well as your help in keeping our students, staff and community safe.
*If you do not have a QR reader on your phone, you may need to download a QR Reader app.
En GCISD, la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes y personal es siempre nuestra prioridad. A medida que mejoramos nuestros procedimientos de COVID-19, vamos a realizar
una pequeña modificación a nuestra rutina para todos los estudiantes de secundaria que viajen en una ruta diaria de autobús cuando regresemos de las vacaciones de Acción de Gracias.
En caso de que un pasajero o conductor del autobús reciba confirmación de tener COVID-19 confirmada por prueba, recopilaremos información en tiempo real que acelerará el proceso para el Departamento de Servicios de Salud de GCISD. Este proceso nos permitirá identificar y comunicar de manera rápida y precisa con los contactos cercanos asociados con el estudiante o miembro del personal confirmado por prueba de tener COVID-19.
Se les pedirá a todos los estudiantes de secundaria que usen su dispositivo para escanear un código QR al ingresar al autobús de GCISD. Este código QR estará vinculado a un formulario que requiere que los estudiantes ingresen su número de autobús, nombre de la escuela, nombre del estudiante, número de identificación del estudiante y el número del asiento donde se sentarán. Una vez que envíen el formulario, se sentarán en su asiento asignado. Este proceso deberá completarse cada vez que un estudiante de secundaria viaje en un autobús de GCISD.
Apreciamos su comprensión, así como su ayuda para mantener seguros a nuestros estudiantes, nuestro personal y a nuestra comunidad.
Men's Panther Soccer
Men's Panther Soccer is beginning! Come out and support your Panther soccer teams! We are looking forward to another successful year and would love your support. Go Panthers!
Varsity Soccer
Tuesday, December 15
CHHS vs. Keller Fossil Ridge @ Fossil Ridge HS, 7:30 pm
JV1 Soccer
Tuesday, December 15
CHHS vs. Keller Fossil Ridge @ Fossil Ridge HS, 6:00 pm
JV 2 Soccer
Tuesday, December 15
CHHS vs. Keller Fossil Ridge @ Fossil Ridge HS, 4:30 pm
CHHS Boys Basketball
Varsity has started the season 2-1 with victories over Keller Timber Creek and Arlington Sam Houston. JV is currently 2-0 with victories over Arlington Sam Houston and Lewisville HS. Great start guys.
Upcoming games:
Dec 11
CHHS @ Everman
5:00 pm - Freshman
5:00 pm - JV
6:30 pm - Varsity
Dec 15
CHHS @ Irving
4:30 pm - Freshman
6:00 pm - JV
7:30 pm - Varsity
Dec 18
Saginaw @ CHHS
4:30 pm - Freshman
6:00 pm - JV
7:30 pm - Varsity
Dec 22
CHHS @ Richland
10:15 am - Freshman
11:30 am - JV
1:00 pm - Varsity
Check CDC before attending.
Texas Deca Judges Needed
Support CHHS Panther Choir
Project Graduation Chipotle Fundraiser
Project Graduation Tax Free Flyer
Students Withdrawing
If you won't be returning for the spring semester please withdraw by Wednesday, December 16th. See the registrar, Mrs. Cherry, in the counseling office and don't forget to bring your computer and charger, any textbooks, library books, etc.
Transcripts
Transcript requests won't be filled over the break, so please have all requests made in Parchment by Wednesday, December 16th, if you need a transcript by January 5th.
Final opportunity for senior pictures
Legacy Studios
1301 Lake Park Way, Suite 200
Richardson, Texas 75080
To reserve a time, please visit the website:
https://seniors.legacystudios.com/colleyville-heritage-high-school-colleyville-tx/
CHHS PTSA Toy Drive
PTSA changes to the Standing Rules for general membership vote
GCISD Virtual College Visits:
This year we will be promoting Virtual College Visits in the evenings instead of during lunches. Visits will be open to students at BOTH high schools, so please check both calendars to see who is “visiting”. The calendars can be found on the Go Center website as pictured below. Each university will provide their own link for accessing the visit which can be found on the calendar.
Have you heard?? The University of Texas and Texas A&M have extended their application deadlines to December 15th! Make sure to take advantage of this extension and get your applications in today!
Support Project Graduation This Holiday Season
Support the Class of 2021 Seniors! Project Graduation is a program designed to keep our seniors off the roads on graduation night in a safe, overnight lock-in event which is alcohol and drug free. YOU can help by either:
1) Going to smile.amazon.com and linking your Amazon account to CHHS Project Graduation Inc so your basket donates to us.
2) Picking up an item off our Project Graduation 2021 Amazon Wish List found at https://tinyurl.com/CHHSPG2021WishList
Every donation...monetary or items...is appreciated by our seniors! Thank you for your support!
If you have any questions about donations or Project Graduation, please contact President Chris Steele at chrisasteele73@gmail.com
support the CHHS Basketball Program
Please help us support the CHHS Basketball Program by participating in our Poppin Popcorn Fundraiser. There are numerous popcorn flavors to choose from and all purchases will be shipped directly to you in plenty of time to enjoy or to “gift” for Christmas! Just click the link below to select your favorite flavors. Thanks so much for your support!
https://poppinpopcornonline.com/store/store.php?sID=017152
Winter Break Curbside Meals
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD has already been providing free meals to students as part of the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) program. Sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), this program allows any student 18 and younger to receive free meals during holiday breaks.
Nutrition Services is pleased to provide curbside meal bundles during the winter break for all students in the district. Curbside meals are free to all children in the community 18 years and younger. Curbside Meals may be picked up on Wednesday, December 23 and 30 at Grapevine Elementary, Cross Timbers Middle or Grapevine Middle from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The meal bundles will include seven breakfasts, seven lunches and 1 gallon of milk per child. Heating instructions will be included so that families can prepare the meals at their convenience.
In addition, parents are encouraged to continue filling out the free and reduced application online at www.schoollunchapp.com. The benefits from being approved for free or reduced-price meals, may include discounts for transportation, standardized tests, college application fees and technology fees to name a few. If you have any questions, please email child.nutrition@gcisd.net or call 817-251-5617.
El distrito de Grapevine-Colleyville ha estado ofreciendo comidas escolares gratuitas como parte del programa de opción de verano sin interrupción (SSO, por sus siglas en inglés: Seamless Summer Option). Este programa, patrocinado por el Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos ( USDA) y el Departamento de Agricultura de Tejas (TDA), permitirá que cualquier estudiante con menor de 18 años de edad reciba comida gratis durante las vacaciones escolares.
El Departamento de Nutrición de GCISD también proporcionará paquetes de comida para recoger y llevar a casa para todos los estudiantes del distrito durante las vacaciones de invierno. Los paquetes de comida estarán disponibles para todos los niños en la comunidad menores de 18 años de edad. Los paquetes de comida se pueden recoger el miércoles 23 de diciembre y el miércoles 30 de diciembre de 4 p.m. a 5:30 p.m en las siguientes escuelas: Grapevine Elementary, Cross Timbers o Grapevine Middle. Cada paquete incluye 7 desayunos, 7 almuerzos y un galón de leche por niño. Cada paquete tendrá instrucciones para cómo calentar la comida para que las familias la puedan preparar cuando sea conveniente.
También les recomendamos que por favor vayan a www.schoollunchapp.com para llenar la solicitud para comida gratis o a coste reducido. Llenar la solicitud para comida gratis o a coste reducido les dará derecho a poder recibir otros beneficios incluyendo varios descuentos como para transporte, pruebas estandarizadas, costo de aplicación para universidades y costo de tecnología entre otros. Si tiene alguna pregunta,por favor envíe un correo electrónico a child.nutrition@gcisd.net o llame al 817-251-5617.
CHHS Dual Students
The deadline to pay for TCC Dual classes is January 6th. Click link here for instructions on -How to pay. If you have not registered for classes yet, please do so as soon as possible. Click here for instructions for spring dual course registration. Email leslie.walden@gcisd.net if you need help.
Support Class of 2023
CHHS Senior Ad
https://www.jostens.com/apps/jcom/router.mvc?affiliateId=1026349
CHHS Yearbook
Click here to purchase your 2020-2021 CHHS Yearbook. The final day to purchase your CHHS Yearbook is Friday, January 29th.
CHHS yearbook
The CHHS yearbook will look a little different than in years past. This year's theme is Together We Can and it will literally be a team effort. Please submit any pictures you have taken from Thanksgiving on to our yearbook advisor, Brandie Moravek, at brandie.moravek@gcisd.net. They could be from games, practices, school, time with friends, etc...
Your email must include a clear picture (in a jpeg format; not a screenshot or a png) and the names of the students in the picture. You can most definitely submit more than one picture. Deadline for winter entries is February 12th.
Character Strong
"At Character Strong, we are always looking to provide practical tools for weaving social-emotional skills and character development into the daily fabric of campuses and classrooms. A key component of all of our curricula is the Character Dare: actionable ways to bring the sometimes abstract concepts, values, and traits of character to life. We believe that character is a set of skills and all skills require practice!" The upcoming week's Family Character Dare is below:
Counseling Newsletter
Click here for the December newsletter from counseling.
ongoing important information:
Go Center
Seniors, I want to share these helpful tasks to ensure your progress with your college applications:
- Complete and submit your applications as soon as possible being especially mindful of those with a December 1st deadline
- Request all transcripts through parchment.com
- Visit the GCISD Scholarship page 1-2 times a week as we continue to receive and post the current applications and update the website
- If taking Dual classes, transcripts must be requested from and sent by TCC
- Allow 2-3 weeks after requesting letters of recommendation if needed for your application or scholarships
- If interested in attending TCC in the Fall of 2021 please complete this form: College Access
- Schedule an appointment at the Go Center for assistance
Juniors, now is a great time to begin your research regarding your schools of interest and recognize important deadlines associated with your near future college applications. In addition, the link below will provide virtual college visit opportunities.
Junior Parent Meeting
Card My Yard Coupon and Fundraiser
Wanting to spread a little love? Use Card My Yard Colleyville to surprise people and let them know you are thinking about them. With the coupon COLLEYVILLEPG you get $10 off your order and give back to Project Graduation for the 2021 Seniors! Book your order today at https://www.cardmyyard.com/colleyville/ or 214-356-9776.
CHHS Senior Class of 2021 Project Graduation
Support this year's CHHS Senior Class of 2021 Project Graduation!!! Project Graduation, is a one night celebration after graduation organized by high school parents of all grades that celebrates the graduating class of seniors by sending them off with a night of fun and prizes. In order to make this year a success we need your help! We have spirit wear options for Seniors, Moms and all CHHS supporters! Prices range from $20 (including tax) for t-shirts, $16 for Yard signs, and $5 for a Panther license plate holder for those new Panther drivers. Order your spirit wear today and support our Senior Class of 2021.
Recognize your 2021 Senior, Purchase a senior yard sign, all proceeds benefit Project Graduation
Attention Senior Parents!
2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 Senior Students & Parents ~ WE NEED YOU! We want to keep CHHS Project Graduation going for years to come and we need your help to start planning for our 2021 Seniors! Our goal is to have parents and students from ALL grade levels! Signing up below is NOT a commitment. You will be contacted with more information regarding the position and to confirm your interest. Most positions are a minimum time commitment. More than one person can help with each position so get a friend or two and sign up together. Students can also volunteer to help with any positions and earn service hours! We will be meeting soon so sign up today and join the CHHS Project Grad team at bit.ly/PGTeam2021
COVID-19 Email Communication Update
As we move into November, GCISD will be making a slight adjustment to the process in which families are notified of a test-confirmed positive COVID-19 case on their campus. Beginning this week, families will receive one email notification identifying all positive cases for that day on their student’s campus, as opposed to multiple emails if there are multiple cases. Families will only receive this email if there was a positive case on your student’s campus that day.
NOTE: This does not change procedures for close contact communication. If your child is determined to be a close contact of a test-confirmed positive case, you will be directly notified by your campus.
Need to order school pictures?
You can either use the QR code provided to your student to take home as a proof, check your email, or use the information in the flyer to obtain your ordering information.
Free Meals Extension
The USDA has extended its nationwide waiver, allowing GCISD to now offer free meals through June 2021 at all elementary and middle school campuses and meal bundles at curbside locations. Complete information can be found here.
Canvas Tips
Parent Observers
Parents can sign up as an observer in Canvas. Observers can link their Canvas account to their student's account so they can see assignment dues dates, announcements, and other course content. Observers can view the course content but cannot participate in the course. Learn more and feel free to share this information with parents.
Prep at CHHS
Go Center
College Applications:
Seniors! College applications are open and the Go Center is available for appointments to assist you with your college process or answer any questions you might have. Due to the changes we are experiencing, you can set up a virtual or phone appointment until we are back in person. Click here to sign-up for an appointment! Please check your school email for follow- up communication.
Virtual College Visits:
Curious to how you can visit schools virtually and take advantage of their online opportunities? Check out this great resource that links you to each college's virtual experience page! **New Link from previous Panther Pause updates***
You can also visit DARN’s YouTube Channel to catch up on the virtual college fair that they hosted.
There are still opportunities to participate in NACAC’s virtual college fair and the GCISD College Fair (happening October 21, representatives will be “live” for questions).
Scholarships:
Although many local scholarships are not open yet, we encourage you to begin checking the GCISD Scholarship website as this will be actively updated with new deadlines as soon as we receive them. If you have not obtained letters of recommendation, please request them now as most scholarships generally require a minimum of two letters.
Seniors also need to research scholarships that come directly from the colleges/universities to which they are applying. Please reach out to the Go Center if you have any questions about scholarships!
TCC College Access Program:
If you have a possible interest in attending TCC after high school in the Fall of ’21, please know that TCC College Access facilitates the entire TCC registration process and is done during the school day. In order to participate and be included in this process you must complete this interest form questionnaire: http://tinyurl.com/tcc21. You can email Emily.miller@gcisd.net with questions or if you are interested in the program.
We encourage you to come see us (reach out virtually to us) at the Go Center for any questions you may have regarding your post high school plans.
USDA
In-Person Learners
The USDA has issued a nationwide waiver, allowing Grapevine-Colleyville ISD to offer meals FREE at no charge through December 2020 at all elementary, middle school campuses, and Collegiate Academy.
On September 22, 2020, GCISD began providing free meals to students as part of the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) program. Sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), this program will allow any student in elementary or middle school to receive a free breakfast and lunch meal in the school cafeteria.
Remote learners have the opportunity to pick up meals curbside every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at three locations: Cross Timbers Middle, Grapevine Middle, and Grapevine Elementary. All meals are free of charge until December 2020. For more information please visit www.gcisd.net or email child.nutrition@gcisd.net
Skyward Attendance
Please be aware that as we move through this unique school year with in-person and remote learners, the way in which our teachers take attendance in Skyward has become much more complex. Therefore, to make better use of instructional time, teachers now have the flexibility to formally enter attendance into Skyward up to a full day after the attendance period.
With that said, it is important for parents to know that if you access Skyward to view your student’s attendance, it is possible the system may show them as being absent for the current day, even if they were present in class or online. Additionally, it is possible that remote learning students may still display as absent up until the following day.
As always, we appreciate your patience and understanding.
A friendly reminder to parents
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD to offer meals FREE
USDA has issued a nationwide waiver, allowing Grapevine-Colleyville ISD to offer meals FREE at no charge through December 2020 at all elementary and middle school campuses and meal bundles at curbside locations.
Beginning on September 22, 2020 Grapevine-Colleyville ISD will begin providing free meals to students as part of the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) program. Sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), this program will allow any student in elementary or middle school to receive a free breakfast and lunch meal in the school cafeteria, with the option to purchase a-la-carte items. Additionally, the District will offer meal bundles at no cost available for curbside pick-up that will contain meals for the entire week, including the weekend.
Curbside meals may be picked up on Wednesdays at Grapevine Elementary, Cross Timbers Middle or Grapevine Middle from 4-6 p.m. The meal bundles will include seven breakfast, seven lunches and a choice of chocolate or white ½ pint milk (14 milks will be provided). Heating instructions will be included so that families can prepare the meals at their convenience.
GCISD’s high schools do not participate in the federally funded program and therefore meals will be charged as normal in those cafeterias; however, high school students are able to pick up a meal bundle from one of the curbside locations.
For more information on how the federal program operates please visit www.squaremeals.org or www.fns.usda.gov.
Parents are encouraged to continue filling out the free and reduced application online at www.schoollunchapp.com. The benefits from being approved for free or reduced-price meals, may include discounts for transportation, standardized tests, college application fees and technology fees to name a few. If you have any questions, please email child.nutrition@gcisd.net or call 817-251-5617.
Grade level canvas
Please click the link below to join your class Canvas course for announcements and updates from counselors and administrators today:
checking your child out of school
Parents,
If you need to check your child out of school, there are several ways to facilitate this:
- send in a note in the morning with your child
- send an email to your child's attendance clerk
last name L - Z lesli.ware@gcisd.net 817.305.4717
- call ahead and allow at least 30 minutes lead time
**Your student may then meet you in the circle drive and parents will not come inside.
We very much appreciate your understanding as we are not allowing visitors in the building to limit exposures.
Support CHHS Baseball
Daily Health Screen Reminder
As we prepare to welcome students on campus beginning Tuesday, September 8, I wanted to remind all parents of the need to pre-screen your student for signs and symptoms associated with COVID-19 before bringing your student to school. The signs and symptoms are to screen for are:
Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
Loss of taste or smell
Cough
Difficulty breathing
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Headache
Chills
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Shaking or exaggerated shivering
Significant muscle pain or ache
Diarrhea
Nausea or vomiting
If your child demonstrates any of the above signs or symptoms, they must stay home, and you need to report to the campus nurse the signs or symptoms your child is exhibiting. In the event that your child has a fever, they must be kept home from school until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication. Please do not give fever reducing medication and send your child to school. Additionally, please do not send your child to school if they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or are test-confirmed with COVID-19.
Nurse Update
Need to see your counselor?
If you have a question, please email your counselor. Have more than just a quick question? Sign up for an appointment with your counselor. Emergency or crisis? If you're an in-person learner you may come to the counseling office with a pass from your teacher or during passing periods. Please note that COVID-19 safety measures will be in place in the counseling office and must be observed.
Need help with Canvas?
suicide prevention curriculum
As many of you know, every fall the counseling teams at each secondary school present an evidence-based suicide prevention curriculum called S.O.S. to all students, grades 6-12.
Due to our unusual circumstances this year, we have decided to postpone the S.O.S. presentations, preferring to wait until we can share this critical information in-person.
We do want to share with you how our counselors are continuing to support our students during this time. Counselors are available for students and parents via Webex and phone. Each campus has a form available on their website to request to meet with a counselor. Additionally, counselors are reaching out to students to check in on them and will continue to do so throughout the year. Counselors are prepared to support students both remotely and in person. For students who are returning to school in person, counselors are accessible by going directly to the counseling office, or by requesting an appointment. For students who will continue with remote learning, counselors are accessible by phone or Webex.
In addition to the support provided by our counselors, the counseling page on the GCISD webpage has resources that are available for parents on a variety of topics.
Education Rights & Responsibilities During COVID-19
Panther Pause
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Colleyville-Heritage-High-School/520058474676460?fref=ts
Twitter: @CHPantherPride