Knight News
Grand Forks Central High School - September 15, 2020
We're off to a Good Start at Central! Consistency will be Key Moving Forward
Central Families,
Whether students are part of the hybrid model or are learning remotely full time, it will be really important for them to have structure in their days this semester. It is best if they plan and create their own set of structures and routines that work for them. When they need some support in creating this, adults can step in to assist.
Here are some things to keep in mind for students:
Consistency is the key! Students should keep similar schedules whether they are learning face-to-face or remotely.
- Consistent bed times and bedtime routines
- Consistent wake time and morning routines
- HS students need 8-10 hours of sleep
- Consistent work space with a table or other hard surface with adequate lighting. Get out of bed!
- Try to find time on remote days to move - any exercise is good for the brain and body. Getting outside is a great way to break up the day and get blood flowing!
Thanks to all for the patience and understanding during the month of August as we developed our plans for the year. We continue to make adjustments as needed, but are grateful to do our important work with the support of Central families!
Onward Central!
Mr. Jon Strandell
GFC Open House - Virtual Format
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DoXdABKRCDNyw8hr5i8tedGiYGDhiAbvliQdcZDt9CY/edit?usp=sharing
IMPORTANT DATES
September 25th - NO SCHOOL/Professional Development
Attendance Information
If your child is going to be absent because of an illness, out of town, appointment, etc., please call the Attendance Secretary at 746-2482. If you call in, you do not need to send a note with your child the next day. If the child has an appointment, please call or send a note with your child prior to the appointment. In doing so, the child can pick up an early dismissal slip from the Attendance Secretary to show their teacher and be excused from the class without interrupting the class. All students who need to leave during the school day must have parent permission either by phone or note and must sign out in the Principal's Office prior to leaving. Upon returning to the building, students must sign back in. Failure to sign out properly will result in detention hours issued for classes missed.
Vacation
In order for your student to have the best attendance possible, please plan short trips, vacations, etc. around our school calendar. If you know in advance your child is going to miss school, please contact the attendance secretary prior to the absence so the absence can be approved. Arrangements for homework for planned absences is the responsibility of the student.
Homework Requests
Students who are absent at least two days may request assignments by calling the main office at 746-2375. Please call as soon as you can after 7:45 a.m. to allow teachers time to complete the request form. Assignments may be picked up in the main office between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.
2020-2021 Immunization Requirements
UPDATED MEAL INFORMATION
Starting 9/2/2020, breakfast and lunch at school are FREE to our PreK-12 students thanks to a waiver extension granted by USDA through 12/31/2020 or until funding runs out.
Please continue to fill out Free/Reduced applications as they may be needed later in the year. Federal funds and school-related fees are determined with this information. The failure to complete the application could result in the loss of millions of dollars to the school system which would negatively affect teaching and learning in a significant way. To access the application, please visit https://www.gfschools.org/Page/8333 or call 701-746-2436 for assistance.
Funds can be held in student accounts for when charges resume. Please disable any automatic payments on MySchoolBucks.com if you do not anticipate purchasing any a la carte items.
We will be getting more guidance from the state about meals already served and charged this school year and will keep you posted (https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2020/08/31/usda-extends-free-meals-kids-through-december-31-2020).
Students will be allowed one free breakfast and lunch meal which includes the main entree, applicable sides, fruits, vegetables, and milk. Extra entrees, a la carte snacks, and beverages will be available for purchase at the secondary level. Milk alone is considered an a la carte item and will be charged accordingly.
CURBSIDE
A hot lunch will be made available by request for full-time remote learners and high school students due to the hybrid learning model.
Please continue to order meals using this form on a daily basis. The entree will follow the general hot lunch menu which is posted at https://schools.mealviewer.com/.
A meal will include the entree, a fruit and vegetable, applicable sides, and the option of a milk. A Grab-n-Go Breakfast will be included so long as meals are free.
Extras and a la carte items will not be available.
Meal delivery is not available.
Meals may be picked up at any of our school locations; please note the time frames below.
MEAL TIMES
Meals will be available for pick up 10-10:30 a.m. at elementary schools, 10:15-10:45 a.m. at middle schools, and 10:30-11 a.m. at high schools. Meal pick up for GFC will be at door #14 (main gym door).
Please contact Emily Karel, RD (701-746-2436) for appropriate accommodations if there is a special dietary restriction.
Student Dress Code
Dress and grooming are important to the student body at any school. Students must wear shoes at all times. Hats, caps, and headscarves/bandanas are not to be worn in school. Students wearing inappropriate attire will be instructed to get it changed, and parent(s)/guardian(s) will be contacted.
Inappropriate attire may include, but is not limited to:
- Clothing with rips or holes.
- Clothing with a derogatory saying or double meaning suggestive of sexual, illegal, or derogatory connotations.
- Any clothing or accessory, including make-up and hairstyle, that draws excessive attention to an individual student.
- Clothing that advertises, alcohol, tobacco products, or other substance deemed hazardous to one's health is inappropriate.
- Spiked garments, spiked collars, and spiked bracelets, as well as, chains, are not to be worn in school.
Lost and Found Policy
It shall be the procedure at Central High School to take reasonable steps to return lost/found property to its rightful owner. Property shall consist of any item that may hold value to the owner, sentimental or monetary.
Students and staff shall turn in any property that a reasonable person would consider misplaced or abandoned to the main school office. The property will remain in the office until such time that the rightful owner identifies and claims the property. Items that go unclaimed will be donated to local thrift stores.
Person’s finding items of value that are found and not returned to the owner or school staff member may have school consequences, and or criminal charges of possession of lost or mislaid items (NDCC12.1-23-02). Students in possession of items that are intentionally taken without the consent of the rightful owner will be cited by the authorities for possession of lost or mislaid items by the school resource officer. In addition a student who has stolen property from another student or teacher will be suspended out of school for a period of three or more days.
Parents are asked to remind students NOT to bring items of value to school. The school cannot guarantee the security of school lockers and/or misplaced backpacks. Lockers should be used to only hold basic school supplies, books, and jackets or winter coats.
Please spend some time reviewing this policy with their child and encourage them to not bring expensive personal items to school.
Kim Bailey - Grade 11
Jen Lubinski - Grade 10
Melissa Mickelson - Grade 9
REMOTE LEARNING DAY CHECKLIST
ACT INFORMATION
We received disappointing news this July from ACT, in that there will not be opportunities to retake section tests.Instead, students must take the entire ACT (without writing) if they wish to improve their scores. Go to ACT.org to register for the October 24 test at Red River High School. The deadline for registration is September 25, 2020. There will be other opportunities to retake the ACT this fall and winter. Please note that many colleges and universities do not require ACT scores for admission for the 2021-22 school year. Please check the websites of schools you are considering. The North Dakota Academic Scholarship requirements include a minimum of 24 composite on ACT. Students who are interested in this scholarship should consider registering for an ACT test. I strongly suggest reviewing sample ACT questions on ACT.org. This is one of the best ways to prepare. If you don’t understand a question/answer, please seek out your teachers for help.
Interested in practicing and preparing for the ACT?
PSAT INFORMATION
Sophomores and Juniors interested in getting some practice for standardized
testing like the ACT and SAT may register for the PSAT (Practice ACT) in the
Counseling Department by October 2, 2020, (or until practice books and tests run
out.) When taken in the junior year, the PSAT also qualifies as the National Merit
Scholarship Qualifying Test. The cost of this test is $20 and will be held 8:00 am on
Wednesday, October 14 at GFC. Please see Ms. Bailey in the Counseling
Department if you have questions, or Mrs. Manske to register for this exam.
Please make checks payable to GFPS.
FAFSA INFORMATION
Begin the FAFSA process by getting ID numbers for you and a parent. Go to https://fsaid.ed.gov/ to accomplish this. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be completed as soon after October 1 as possible.
School Cancellation and Postponement Procedures
School postponement and cancellation alternatives will be as follows:
- a. Hold school as normal
- b. Open school but delay sending buses
- c. Delay the start time in all schools by two (2) hours based on each school’s start time
- Elementary School: Start time is 8:25, so school would start at 10:25. Doors will open at 10:15 a.m.
- Middle School: Start time is 8:40, so school would start at 10:40. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m.
- High School: Start time is 8:00, so school would start at 10:00. Doors will open at 9:50 a.m.
- Head Start: Start time is 8:00, so school would start at 10:00. Doors will open at 9:50 a.m.
- When school starts late, there will be no morning Early Childhood Special Education classes. Afternoon Early Childhood Special Education classes will be held.
- Breakfast will not be served at any sites.
- d. No school in Grand Forks Public Schools all day
- e. No school for the Grand Forks Air Force Base School District students all day
- Decisions related to the weather-related delayed opening or closing of air base schools may not always be consistent with those made for in-town schools. On those days when severe weather makes travel conditions so hazardous as to threaten the safety of staff members, opening delays or the closing of base schools will be given special consideration.
- f. Once school is in session, it will not be terminated until the regular closing time except in very severe situations. However, school buses may leave early. Radio and TV stations will be used to notify parents.
The decision to close or delay school will be made as early as possible. Announcements will be made on the District webpage (www.gfschools.org), and District social media (www.facebook.com/GrandForksPublicSchools; www.twitter.com/GFSchools). Announcements will also be made on local radio and TV stations.
Grand Forks Public Schools will be using our Automated Calling system to call staff and parents if school will be delayed or cancelled due to severe weather conditions. Typically, this automated call will occur to staff between 5:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., and to parents between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.Parents or guardians may always exercise their right to keep students home or pick them up early during stormy conditions.
If an emergency situation should develop during the time school is in session, children will be cared for in school until the storm has subsided.
If buses are sent home early, all buses will be sent.
- a. Radio and TV stations will make the announcement of the departure time.
- b. The lead-time needed for the procedure is approximately one (1) hour.
- c. If conditions are dangerous, bus drivers must use common sense in discharging students that must walk a considerable distance. If possible, use the radio and contact the base station. Have parents meet the bus or be on the lookout for their children. If the driver is unable to contact parents and conditions are dangerous, do not let students off the bus but return to school and notify the principal. Schools that have bus students must have a written procedure for caring for students in the event they must be kept overnight at school.
Emergency Response Guide
Statistics consistently show that schools are among the safest places to be due to the strong commitment of educators, families, and our community to our students and schools. We strive to be proactive rather than reactive. This guide outlines the key elements of Grand Forks Public Schools’ state of preparedness. We hope it will answer questions you have concerning our actions and intentions in the event of an emergency.
For consistency, we have developed the following terms to use:
- Drill: An activity that covers a specific safety circumstance and is designed to prepare your student to act quickly and minimize questions and fears should an emergency take place. North Dakota Century Code requires fire, tornado, and other emergency drills, including an unannounced lockdown.
- SRO: School Resource Officer; a uniformed Grand Forks Police Department officer assigned to schools to help build and maintain relationships between police, students, families, and employees.
- Lockdown Instruction Continues: Instruction continues in a secure building. All occupants remain in the classroom/building. Movement within the building is at building administrator’s discretion.
- Lockdown: Occupants are kept in rooms or areas that are secured. There is no movement within the building. Lockdown procedures are followed.
- Reunification Site: Area where students and employees are transported.
- Student Release Area: Location designated at a school or reunification site where families may pick up students. This location would be communicated to you at the time of an emergency.
As soon as possible, please:
- Ensure your contact information in PowerSchool is current and accurate, including who is authorized to pick up your student.
- We will use this information and multiple communication channels (phone call, email, text message (if opted in)) to provide accurate and timely information in the event of an emergency.
- If necessary, we may also use our District website (www.gfschools.org), district social media (Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GrandForksPublicSchools/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/GFSchools)), and local news outlets may be asked to broadcast information.
- Explain to your student that cell phones should not be used during an emergency unless directed by an adult. Your student must pay attention to instructions from trained personnel. See Press Pause on the next page.
What you can expect if an emergency occurs:
- The emergency plan will be implemented and the district/school emergency teams will respond.
- All appropriate emergency response agencies will be dispatched to the school.
- Depending on the situation, students and employees will be secured within the building or relocated to a Reunification Site.
- Families will be kept informed on the situation with as much detail as possible. The first and official way for us to contact you in an emergency is using our automated phone calling system. This will most likely originate from the phone number 701-746-2212. Please save this phone number in your contact list now. Please only rely on these official communications.
- In an emergency situation, phones are needed to manage the situation and lines must remain open. Calling could also put students and employees at risk in an intruder situation. For example, if they did not have time to turn down their ring volume, your call could potentially give away their hiding spot.
- You will not be allowed on school grounds during an emergency. Emergency personnel responding to the situation need the area clear to do their job. After emergency responders determine that a safe student release is possible, arrangements will be made to reunite students with their families. This will occur at a reunification site.
- Students will not be allowed to take their property (coat, backpack, etc.) with them in an emergency.
After an Emergency:
- You will be directed to the reunification site, and you will need photo identification.
- Students will only be released to a parent, guardian, or other adult listed on the student’s Emergency Information Form, which you completed at the beginning of the school year. The individual picking up the student will be asked to complete a Student Release Form (available on-site). This procedure is designed for your student’s protection and for your peace of mind.
- Please be aware that reunification can be very time-consuming, and we appreciate your patience.
- It is important to remain calm as students are greatly influenced by their family’s sense of well-being. At the same time, families need to be compassionate listeners when their student speaks of an emergency. Please seek help from the school, district, or community resources if you/your student have concerns.
Press Pause
Families should be aware that Grand Forks Public Schools will ask students and employees to “Press Pause,” or wait five minutes before communicating (texting, posting, tweeting) in an emergency to give authorities sufficient time to assess the situation and communicate accurate information. This helps to avoid an environment that shares misinformation, which may escalate a situation. Teachers and/or administrators will give students the “green light” to utilize their device.
Additionally, all Grand Forks Public Schools employees, students, families, and community members are encouraged to report anything they see, hear, or are made aware of that may impact a school. If you see or hear something, say something. Call 911 or the Grand Forks Police Department at 701-787-8000. To text an anonymous tip to the Grand Forks Police Department, text GFPD to 847-411.
- When providing information, please be as detailed as possible. Include the name of the school(s), person(s) involved, type of alleged activities, when they occurred/may occur.
- All threats are taken seriously. Police are notified, and officers and school administrators work together to thoroughly investigate any threat, whether it is made verbally, in writing, email, text message, or online. The earlier we know about a potential threat, the earlier an investigation can begin.
- Anyone who makes a threat against a school could face criminal charges. If a student is involved in making a threat, the school/district will respond as outlined in the student handbook.
WARNING: it is against policy to impersonate an official Grand Forks Public Schools’ social media account or post false information about or from the school system under an anonymous account or alias. Depending on the nature of the post, such action may result in notification to local law enforcement. If made by an employee or student, it could result in disciplinary action.
The way in which we respond to an emergency is greatly influenced by the specifics of an incident. Our plans do not replace the authority of emergency personnel. Our employees work in full cooperation with these agencies.
For security reasons, components of our emergency plans are not publicly available.
Hall Lockers and Locks
Gym lockers are available to students enrolled in physical education classes. STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN LOCK IN THE GYM LOCKER ROOMS. All items are placed in the locker room during class must be locked to ensure that items are not stolen.
Students must refrain from placing personal items of value in the lockers. The school will not be responsible for the loss of unsecured items. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all personal items are properly secured.
Rule #1 for the 2020-21 School Year - If you don’t feel well, stay home!
We are heavily relying on students and families to monitor their health and stay home when they do not feel well. This includes:
Doing temperature checks at home and staying home when temperatures are 100.4 or higher. Students should stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours without the help of medication is a must.
Staying home until symptoms subside.
Mask Requirement and Other Safety Information
Masks are required as soon as students enter the building. Masks may be removed once a teacher/staff member determines social distancing of 6 ft is achieved and indicates to the class they are allowed to remove their masks.
Some teachers will require students to stay masked for the duration of the class.
Hand sanitizer is available at all door entrances and in each classroom. Everyone should sanitize going in and out or classrooms/learning spaces.
Students are not allowed to congregate in hallways. As usual, we will all stay to the right during passing time in the hallways and stairwells.
Morning Door Locations: Doors Will Not Be Open Until 7:30am (for students eating breakfast)
In an effort to avoid crowding, GFC will have multiple doors open each morning from 7:30am - 8:00am. Breakfast will be served in the commons during this time. We ask students who are not eating breakfast to arrive as close to 7:55am as possible and not before.
Door 1 (Main Doors - N. 4th St): Bus and Car Drop
Door 2 (Across from Ramp - 1st Ave N) - Students Parking in Ramp
Door 14 (Gym Doors - N. 5th St) - Car Drop Off, Students Parking in Maroon Lot, Gray Lot
Door 22: (Between GFC and City Hall) - Students Parking in Traditions Lot (Univ Ave. and N. 5th St)
Students must report to the commons or the media center and sit physically distant until the 7:55am bell to go to class. There will be no congregating allowed in other areas of the building. Thanks for helping us all stay healthy!
Student Parking & Parking Passes
School Buses
We will again be selling Dietrich bus tickets to rural students for $10.00 for a strip of 10 tickets.
City bus tickets will be sold through the Grand Forks City Bus Service.
2019-2020 Yearbooks Are In!
2020-2021 Yearbooks
If you would like to order a 2020-2021 GFC yearbook, go to this website: https://www.balfour.com/student-info?smi=55338
The cost is $55 or $60 if you want it personalized with a name on the cover. Senior pictures and senior baby pictures are due by May 1st and can be emailed at any time before that to: centralyearbooks@mygfschools.org
My School Bucks
How do I enroll?
• Go to www.myschoolbucks.com and click enroll now.
• Create an account for yourself and your children. You will need to know your student’s district ID number, date of birth, school and grade.
• Provide credit or debit card information.
Why should I sign up for this service?
• You can view your child’s cafeteria purchases.
• You can sign up for free e-mail notifications when the lunch account is low in funds.
• You may prepay their lunch account without sending money to school.
*On some purchases, My SchoolBucks will charge a $2.49 service fee for the transaction.
Fan Attendance Information and Policies
Fan attendance at athletic events is determined by current health conditions in our community. Unfortunately, the recent increase in positive COVID 19 cases in Grand Forks County have resulted in a change in our current level on the matrix.
Our current level is Orange - which means each participating athlete will have two wristbands which can be used to purchase a ticket or use an accepted pass. Wristbands can only be given to family members. You must have a wristband to access the event.
As the number of cases change, the matrix level will be updated and we will communicate that to you.
GUIDELINES
Grand Forks Public Schools has established the following guidelines regarding attendance at athletic contests hosted by GFPS.
Ticketed Events (Soccer, Football, Volleyball, Cross Country):
Each contest participant will receive wristbands per event for distribution only to family members. In order to use an accepted pass or purchase a ticket, the spectator must have a wristband. Wristbands will be distributed to both the home and visiting teams. Spectators without a wristband will not be allowed access to the event.
*Wristbands cannot be transferred to another family.
*Wristbands cannot be given to non-family members or to other members of the student body.
Swimming and Diving:
Due to the small venue size, no fans are allowed at swimming and diving contests until further notice.
Fan Attendance Allowance:
The number of wristbands allowed per participant is based on a metric developed by GFPS in conjunction with Grand Forks County Health, the Altru Medical System, and the City of Grand Forks and is subject to change on short notice.
Non-ticketed Events (Golf, Tennis, Block 1 Middle School Sports):
For all non-ticketed events, Grand Forks Public Schools is asking that spectators be limited to two individuals per participant. Spectators as asked to sit together as family units and maintain social distancing to the maximum possible extent.
Fan Seating:
Spectators are asked to sit together as family units with social distancing established between family units.
Children need to sit with accompanying adults.
Face Coverings in Outdoor Venues:
Grand Forks Public Schools requires the use of face coverings for all spectators when entering, moving about, and exiting the facility. Face coverings should remain in use while in the stands until social distancing from individuals other than those in your household is met. If social distancing cannot be established, spectators are recommended to continue wearing face coverings. Please be aware that other school districts may have different guidelines regarding face covering usage.
Face Coverings in Indoor Venues:
Grand Forks Public Schools requires the use of face coverings for all spectators inside all GFPS indoor facilities at all times. Please be aware that other school districts may have different guidelines regarding face covering usage.
Exiting the Venue:
Families are asked to exit the venue immediately following the game or match in which the related family member was involved.
Student Sections:
No student sections are allowed, at this time.
Concessions:
No concessions will be sold at any event.
Live Streaming:
The ability to live stream events is being pursued.
These guidelines will be monitored on a continual basis according to guidelines and information provided by the NDDoH, Grand Forks County Health, the NDHSAA, and Grand Forks Public Schools.
Booster Club Information
Welcome Central Parents and Students!
With everything going on, it is imperative that we all work together and help support our students as best as we can. Joining the Boosters is a great way to help with this.
Each year Boosters supports our students by providing funding for school trips, scholarships, awards, athletic needs, special activities and more. We are here to support the students, teachers, and administration of Central High School. More information and opportunities to come,
Memberships are annual, so whether you are a new or returning Knight family please fill out the following Membership Form. We need members so we can all stay connected and informed.
Our next meeting will be on Monday, October 5th at 7:00 PM in the Media Center (2nd floor-enter the 4th Avenue doors and go right). We typically meet the first Monday of the month.
If you have any questions regarding Boosters, please contact us at gfcboosters@gmail.com
Marjorie Myrold
GFC Booster Club President
Administration
Dr. Gabe Dahl - Associate Principal A-K
Mr. Mike Wilber - Associate Principal L-Z
Contact Us:
Grand Forks Central Main Office : 701-746-2375
Attendance Line: 701-746-2482
Follow us on Twitter: @GFC_Activities
Follow us on Instagram: gfc_activites