Godwin Heights High School
Weekly Newsletter February 26, 2021
Upcoming Events
March 1 - First Day of Women's History Month
March 1 - Feeding America Food Truck
March 8 - Board of Education Meeting - 6 PM at Administration Building
March 10 - Early Release for students at 1:40 PM - (Schedule B)
March 19 - End of 3rd Marking Period
March 22 - Board of Education Meeting - 6 PM - Admin Building
March 24 - Early Release for students
March 31 - Early Release for students
April 1 - Half Day for students - Dismissal at 12 PM
April 2-11 - Spring Break - No school
COVID-19 Update:
The Kent County Health Department has modified the definition of the term "close contact." This now refers to:
• A staff member or student in 9th-12th grade who was within 6 feet of a person infected with COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes with or without a mask.
• A student in K-8th grade who was within 3 feet of a person infected with COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes with or without a mask.
Math Tutoring
Class of 2021 - Graduation
Mr. Conklin was able to present to the School Board the proposal to move the senior graduation to the football field. He is excited to let you know the school board was 100% in support of moving the graduation to the football field for this Spring. Please reserve the date of May 26th at 7:00 PM for the Godwin Heights Senior Graduation on your calendar.
With that being said, please know you must complete all of your high school graduation requirements to participate in the graduation ceremony. Seniors who have not completed their graduation requirements will not be able to participate in the ceremony and will need to finish the graduation requirements prior to the end of the school year or during summer school to earn their diploma.
Please make sure you check in with your high school counselor to make sure you have met all your necessary graduation requirements. Now is the time to make sure you take care of your business and work as hard as you can to complete all of the required classes with passing grades prior to graduation.
More details in regards to graduation tickets, protocols, safety measures, seniors last day, and other items specific to seniors will be released at a later date.
Geskus Photography
Details
When: Monday, March 22
Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Where: Learning Center
If you have any questions please call the school at 616-252-2050.
The Den
The Den, our school store was created as a way to support our P.B.I.S. program. P.B.I.S. stands for Positive Behavior Intervention Supports. Having a school-wide behavioral approach incorporates everyone. Students are able to see that we all support them and equally contribute to our school's success and safety.
The students, along with their teachers, have designed an expectation grid we call PRIDE. It stands for perseverance, respect, integrity, discipline and engaged. Throughout the year the students are challenged in specific areas and given rewards for meeting those PRIDE expectations. The focus is to model the behavior to the students and support them to excel in things like attendance, choice of words, follow through, and other behaviors that they will need in their future.
The Den uses all proceeds/donations to fund our P.B.I.S. program. Thank you for your help in making our program a success!
Technology Tip
Technology Tips - Avoid Costly Repairs
Many devices have been returned in need of repair and replacement parts. Here are some easy ways to care for your school-assigned device to avoid damage and costly repairs.
Do not eat or drink near your device
If something spills on your device, turn it in as soon as possible to minimize internal damage.
If the charger does not fit easily, do not force it into the device - check to see that you have the correct charging cord and the correct port.
Do not ever carry a chromebook by holding the screen - carry the base only. The pressure may cause the screen to crack.
Do not leave your device in a vehicle overnight to avoid temperatures or theft
Class of 2021
If you have not submitted your FAFSA, this weekend is the time to do so. All seniors should apply for the FAFSA unless committed to the military (signed on the line). The priority deadline for the FAFSA is 3/1. Completing the FAFSA by this date allows colleges to send you award letters/packages to the maximum of their ability. You can still file the FAFSA after this date. However, it may have an impact on what money colleges have left to provide. Completing the FAFSA allows not only the federal government to give you money for college in the 21-22 school year, but it allows colleges to review your situation for in house institutional aid. Need help? See Mrs. Ibarra! (P.S. remember to write down your FSA ID, password, and save key). You will need this every year when you do the FAFSA while you're in college. Please also send me a screenshot/email of your completed/processed date from the FAFSA to be entered into a giftcard drawing. I will extend this to next Friday-3/5!
-Grand Rapids Community Foundation Scholarship closes 3/1!
If you have not applied for these scholarships please make this a priority item this weekend! Many GHHS students apply for these and earn them! You can apply online here. Remember, you have to have your FAFSA processed to finish this app.
-Grand Rapids Community College Scholarship Closes 3/15!
This is a one stop application that looks at you for over 300 scholarship opportunities. This is only for students who plan to attend GRCC. Visit this website to apply. You must have applied to GRCC to apply for their scholarships.
-Award Letters
Each of you who filled out the FAFSA listed the schools of which you planned to apply. These schools receive your financial aid information and then mail you letters detailing what it would specifically cost YOU to attend their school. If your list of colleges has changed, you can go into your FAFSA and make an edit to add the schools you are now considering/who need your FAFSA info. Once you get these, you can bring them to me and I can help you read them/make the best financial decision for yourself and your education.
-Scholarships:
Remember each college has their own scholarships and deadlines listed on their website. You must go to that college to get the money. These are called institutional scholarships. Private scholarships are also available. These are not given by colleges but rather independent donors and companies (IE: Fastweb, Scholly, Golden G). Please do not neglect to look for/apply for these.
-Golden G Scholarship Due:4/14
This is a local/GHHS only scholarship. If you turned in your essay on Google Classroom to Mrs.V-great; you have completed the major step in this short application. However, you still need to complete the basic info on the app and provide me with your letters of recommendation. Thus far, only 2 people have applied!
IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO APPLY TO COLLEGE, TRADE SCHOOL, OR THE MILITARY! If you have not completed this big step for your future, please come see me. I can help! Remember, a great option is Grand Rapids Community College because they offer- 2 year associate degrees, certificate programs, and workforce training which is only a few weeks long.
Athletics
Social Justice and Equity
Advisory classes the last couple of months have been focusing on social justice, equity, as well as student social and emotional health. This time is specifically designed for students to be able to have a safe place to discuss a variety of topics. These topics include goal-setting, resilience, mindfulness, self-care, empathy, identity, social groups, differing perspectives, and reflecting on current issues and personal opinions.
In a recent survey, 88.6% of students said that conversations about social justice and equity are important. A majority of students also said that advisory conversations challenge their thinking and perspectives. Recently, students were asked to reflect on how a song connected with identity and social justice. Some specific student responses to these conversations are highlighted below:
"What sticks out to me from the lyrics from this is that you need to be brave and not care about what people think of you. People might say mean things to you or about you but just don't care about what they have to say because you should always be you no matter what."
"Never give up on yourself. Keep pushing to your dreams and what you want to do in your life."
"Have confidence and keep on working."
"This song reminded me of our identity and how some people might judge us but you should be strong and stand for who you are."
As Principal Conklin stated in our Godwin at a Glance, "The more we have these conversations, the more comfortable we will become standing up for ourselves and others. By doing this, it will send the message that racial injustices will not be tolerated." Thank you for joining us on the journey.
Robotics
Our robotics program was awarded several Lego Education robotics sets by several generous donors using donorschoose.org. This will allow our district to provide robotics activities to several different grade levels. Currently our district is providing a Lego robotics program to 2nd graders at West Godwin and here at the High School. In the coming years I'd like to see a program offered in every building in the district.
If anyone is interested in our program or would like to support our program through donations or participation please reach out to me via email at robotics@godwinschools.org.
HBCU College Fair
BigFuture Days College Fairs
BigFuture Days College Fairs
Our first virtual college fair is just a few days away. Help students at your school connect directly with colleges at BigFuture™ Days. They'll have a chance to meet with college admissions representatives and current college students, ask questions, and learn more about planning for college.
Students can sign up to meet with colleges in each region. They can attend any event and more than one.
BigFuture Day Northeast
Sunday, March 7
Cornell, Rutgers, Penn State, Boston University, and many more will be there.
See the full list of colleges.
BigFuture Day Midwest
Thursday, March 11
University of Chicago, Ohio State, University of Kansas, Purdue, and many more will be there.
Kindergarten Registration
Things to do in the Grand Rapids Area
Luminary Walk
World of Winter - Pop-Up Performer Nights
Several pop-up performers will play around #DowntownGR, bringing life to our city with music.
Explore Downtown, find these performers and enjoy the show!
Locations include:
- Canal park
- Rosa Parks Circle
- Monro Center, near Parsley
- Monroe Center, near Brick & Porter
- Blue Bridge
- Ionia Ave, near Max's South Seas Hideaway
- Ionia Ave, near Gardella's
- Bridge St
- Louis Campau Promenade
World of Winter - Dance at Hybycozo
Experience the World of Winter | Hybycozo's at Ah-Nab-Awen Park Dance in the Annex - DITA
Their dance performance, titled "Evolutions on a Theme," includes five transitions and four solos. A thematic evolution of structured and improvised movement score exploring sight/site, light/darkness and sound/sculpture. Accompanied by the dynamic textured sounds of Grand Rapids-based artists Pink Sky and the striking sculptures of Hybycozo.
Dancers/Co-Creators: Amy Wilson, Hannah Sullivan, Nicole Reehorst, Kara Madden Brems, Melissa Mondry Sefton
Music: Pink Sky, It Doesn’t Matter/Yr Time is Ending EP, The Journey, Movements I - IV
*Music will be pre-recorded. Pink Sky’s music can be found at www.pinkskymusic.com
*More about Hybycozo at www.hybycozo.com
*Photos by Artpeers/Erin Thomas Wilson
Best Sledding Locations for the Whole Family
Godwin Heights High School
Email: cconklin@godwinschools.org
Website: https://hs.godwinschools.org/
Location: 50 35th Street Southwest, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Phone: 616-252-2050
Facebook: facebook.com/godwinhighschool
Twitter: @GodwinSchools