The Grizzly Growl
December 2020
From the Bear Den
Hello Grizzly Families!
In this season of gratitude, we are thankful for all the members of our Grizzly family and how we have all pulled togther in these trying times to provide a quality educational experience for our students.
We wish you all the best as you celebrate this season and hope that 2021 brings us all good health, happiness, and prosperity.
Be safe out there! And as always; Go, Grizzlies!
Sincerely,
Mr. Michael Perez
Principal
Grassfield High School will be closed for the winter holiday from December 21 through January 1.
Please keep in mind that safety is our first priority. Students are required to wear face masks and follow all CDC guidelines to keep all students, faculty, and staff members safe. This is not a choice; it is a responsibility. Please continue to discuss the recommended safety measures with your student(s).
Deliveries/Forgotten Items- Due to health and safety guidelines at this time, limited items may be dropped off. The acceptance of forgotten items is limited to medicine delivered to the clinic or necessary items too large to be transported on the school bus. Any student who forgets his/her lunch will be offered a school lunch at no charge. Food delivery, including fast food and carry-out from restaurants, is strongly discouraged. This policy is for student safety and to maximize instructional time.
Personal Devices- We recommend that students use a CPS-issued device while in the school building, and we look forward to when all of our students have been issued Chromebooks. In the meantime, students may bring personal devices to school. Students should bring the devices to school fully charged. Charging stations and/or cords are not available, and there are a limited number of existing electrical outlets in the classrooms. Please note that our TIS and TSS will not troubleshoot or configure these devices for students, and use of these devices falls under the BYOD policy. Students should know their One Login username and password.
Spirit Week!
Join us for Winter Spirit Week! We will also hold a gingerbread house and/or cookie decorating contest this month.
Hallmark Holidays- December 14th-18th
Monday- Polar Express PJ day
Tuesday- Frozen (Ice Out in bling or winter colors)
Wednesday- How the Grinch Stole Wednesday (Holiday Movie Character Day)
Thursday- Deck The Halls (Tacky Sweater Day)
Friday- The Ghost of Christmas Past (baby picture at Christmas time next to a picture of you now, post on social media)
Help Support Our Holiday Food and Clothing Drive
It Only Takes 5 Minutes to Make a Difference!
The Grassfield High School Lead4Change team is holding it's annual food drive. Our theme for the cash donations is "It Only Takes 5 Minutes to Make a Difference!" The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia can provide 60 meals for every $10 donated. For the homeroom competitions and Spirit Stick grade-level competitions, each $1 donated = 2 cans. In other words, a $10 donation = 20 cans for the student's HR and grade level.
Families can help by donating monitarily through the links below. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
9th Grade: https://fundraise.foodbankonline.org/9th-gradegivingback
10th Grade: https://fundraise.foodbankonline.org/10th-gradegivingback
11th Grade: https://fundraise.foodbankonline.org/11th-gradegivingback
12th Grade: https://fundraise.foodbankonline.org/12th-gradegivingback
The Counseling Corner
Prioritizing the “ME” in Merry: Self-care Strategies for This Holiday Season
By David R. Topor, Ph.D., MS-HPEd
The holiday season is filled with hustle and bustle. There’s plenty of excitement from seeing family and friends, but also stress, travel, long lines, planning, preparation — and a range of emotions from positive to negative.
For many, the holiday season means planning and taking care of others. However, this leaves little time for taking care of oneself. Below are a few ideas on how to practice self-care during this holiday season.
- Regularly schedule time to engage in self-care activities. Schedule self-care activities (exercise, meditation, a hobby you enjoy) at the same time each day so they become routine or set a timer or alarm to remind yourself.
- Practice gratitude for the people and events in your life. This might include writing in a journal about what you appreciate in your life, or letting others know the gratitude you feel.
- Engage in deep breathing or other relaxation skills. This can include listening to soothing music or engaging in an imagery exercise.
- Tune into the emotions you are experiencing. Emotions may be positive, negative, or a combination of the two. Call “time outs” for yourself and check in on your feelings. Write down your feelings in a journal.
- Try to understand why you might be experiencing negative emotions.For some people, negative emotions might be related to unrealistic expectations or goals of themselves around the holidays, or from feeling overwhelmed. Readjust goals so they are specific and attainable.
- Monitor your stress level.Write down your stress level in a journal at various times during the day. Take note of the situation you are in when feeling stressed. Is it around certain people? Or engaging in specific activities? Have a list of activities you can engage in to relax for a few minutes. Perhaps this is taking a walk, doing a few minutes of yoga, or watching a favorite TV show or movie.
- Being present around the presents. Practice mindfulness and meditation. This can include spending a minute or two being present in your environment. Take notice of the smells, sounds, and sights of the holidays. Notice the differences between the holiday season and other times of the year. Mindfulness techniques can be more than quiet contemplation.
- Take care of your physical health. Ensure adequate sleep and a nutritious diet. Develop a plan to enjoy the special foods and treats around the holidays, while balancing them with healthy eating.
So, enjoy the holidays and remember to take time to care for your own needs and emotions. Remember, as the flight attendants say as part of their safety preparations, you need to put on your own oxygen mask first before helping others. This may help you more fully appreciate and find meaning this holiday season.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/self-care-strategies-holiday-season-2017121812926
Don't miss out on important information!
Students should join their Class of 2021, 2022, etc. Schoology group to request an appointment to meet with their school counselor. We also post information specific to each class in these groups. Additional information, include Schoology Group codes is available in each classroom and on the GFH website. Please contact the school counseling department at 558-4509 for additional help.
Fall SOL Testing
The Virginia Department of Education has determined that SOL testing will still take place during semester 1. Grassfield High School has determined that the safest and most efficient way to administer the required SOL tests is to test on the Friday Online Student Support Days. On those days, Option 1 AND Option 2 students will need to report to the building to test. Students may provide their own transportation or ride the bus assigned to their route (even if they are Option 2 students). Additionally, we will offer school breakfast and lunch to any student coming to test.
English 11 SOL Testing Dates
Writing Short Paper: Friday, December 4
Writing Multiple Choice: Friday, December 11
Reading: December 18
Non-English SOL Testing Dates
History: January 8
Science: January 15
Math: January 22
Students should arrive to school between 8:40 a.m and 8:55 a.m.. Students with their own transportation will be able to leave at the end of the test session. Students who ride the bus will remain at school with supervision until the end of the school day and then ride the bus home.
Students currently taking English 11 have already been contacted by their teacher with additional details. All other students who will need to take an SOL will be contacted by their teachers in the next few weeks with specific details for their class.
Thank you for your understanding.
Food Distribution During the Winter Break
Food will be available December 22 and December 29 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Class of 2021 and 2022 ACCESS College Support
Hello Class of 2021 and 2022!
Here's news from Mrs. Moorhouse.
Juniors and seniors (& parents): Guilford College, one of the 44 "Colleges That Change Lives", will be offering GHS a virtual information session on Friday, December 11th at 1:30 PM.
- Guilford College is a nationally distinguished liberal arts school in Greensboro, North Carolina.
- Faculty, staff, and students are all on a first-name basis in Guilford’s welcoming, diverse community. With an average class size of 14, 40-plus majors and 50-plus minors, our 1,200 undergraduates have many study options.
- Guilford awards scholarships and grants to 100 percent of the student body. There are merit scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $25,000; need-based aid ranging from $5,000 to $12,000. Additionally, Guilford awards a grant to everyone that submits a FAFSA and offers institutional need-based aid to students not eligible to file the FAFSA.
- Guilford is also home to the Bryan Series, which has welcomed such distinguished visitors as Tony Blair, Madeleine Albright, Toni Morrison, Leslie Odom Jr., Amal Clooney, Itzhak Perlman, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Students get a front-row seat to fascinating and inspiring Q&A sessions that occur on campus with speakers.
Juniors and Seniors: If you'd like to schedule a 1-1 Zoom meeting with Mrs. Moorhouse for college counseling, go to https://calendly.com/accesscollege/ghs-1-1 to choose a day and time that works for you. Mrs. Moorhouse is happy to help you with college research, application questions, and/or making a plan if you don't even know where to start.
Seniors: There's still time to file the FAFSA for financial aid! For an appointment to file the FAFSA with Mrs. Moorhouse go to https://calendly.com/accesscollege/fafsa-consultation-ghs to pick a day and time that works for you.
GHS class of 2021 Remind group: Text @ac3d26 to 81010
GHS class of 2022 Remind group: Text @c736bk to 81010
Fee waiver application (required for anyone asking for SAT/ACT/AP/College App waivers): https://accesscollege.org/fee-waiverfee-payment-application
Please contact me at:
meghan.moorhouse@cpschools.com
(757) 550-0149
Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 4:00
Winter Sports Try-Outs Are Starting Soon
Please check the link below for specific health and safety mitigations for each sport before attending try-outs.
Details for winter sports tryouts can be found at the school website under “athletics” - follow this link https://cpschools.com/gfh/athletics/. Winter Coaches email/contact information can also be found at this link.
Winter Sports Tryout Dates
Basketball (Girls) – December 7, 8, 9 - 4:30-6:30 p.m. – Gym
Basketball (Boys) – December 7, 8, 9 – 6:30- 8:30 p.m. – Gym
Winter Cheer – December 7, 8, 9 – 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Gym
Wrestling – December 14, 15 – 4:30 – 6:30 – Wrestling Room
Indoor Track – December 14, 15 – 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Track
Swimming – Tryouts will be held at East Coast Aquatic Center (5905 Portsmouth Blvd)
Monday, December 14 5:30-7:00 a.m. Boys and Tuesday, December 15 5:30-7:00 a.m. Girls
Gymnastics – Tryouts will be held at Hurricane Gymnastics (409 Network Station – Chesapeake, VA.) Tuesday, December 15 from 7:00-9:30 pm
Federal Impact Aid Cards
Grassfield High School PTSA
The GFHS PTSA would like to congratulate the following winners of this year's Reflections Program. All first place winners have advanced to the Chesapeake City-Wide Reflections Competition to represent our high school. Thank you to all who participated in the program.
Visual Arts
First Place- Solyana Feseha
Second Place- Heidi Marle
Third Place- Wesley Proffitt
Photography
First Place- Emmy Lee
Second Place- Domenick Fini
Third Place- Wesley Proffitt
Literature
First Place- Emmy Lee
Second Place- Michelle Vasquez
Film Production
First Place- Wesley Proffitt
It is time to renew your membership in the Grassfield High School PTSA. This organization cannot exist without members, and this is the easiest way to support your school. For only $7.00, you can make a difference at Grassfield High School. We need you as members of our PTSA. Don’t forget, the “S” stands for students, as students can also join at the high school level. What a great way to get involved and have your voice heard.
It is extremely easy to join! You may fill out the form below and send in a check to GFHS, 2007 Grizzly Trail, Chesapeake, VA 23323. Please make the check payable to GFHS PTSA.
This year, you may also join online at http://grassfieldhigh.new.memberhub.store.
Please follow the GFHS PTSA on twitter @GrizzlyPTSA and our Facebook page is GrassfieldPTSA.
All Seniors who would like to apply for the VA State PTA scholarship or the GFHS PTSA scholarship, should join GFHS PTSA by January 31, 2021 to be eligible.
Please follow the GFHS PTSA on twitter @GrizzlyPTSA and our Facebook page is GrassfieldPTSA.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email me. I look forward to getting to know you this year! Thank you!
Leslie Wecht, GFHS PTSA President, Leslie.Wecht@cpschools.com
Media Center News
Library Book Pick Up Reminder:
We are offering library book pick up by appointment for students not in the building. Students in the building can pick up books from the media center. Students will still follow the same procedure to put books on hold--Destiny Discover. Visit our schoology page (55JB-G3FF-9FVGG) or GMC Google site to access Destiny.
November Contest Winner
Congratulations to Alexis Vann for winning our November Amazon gift card drawing! Check out our Grizzly Media Center Google Site to enter this month’s drawing!
Virtual Book Club Join our virtual book club on Schoology! Code is FFQB-D28K-NSNS9. We are starting a new book this month! December Media Center Events: Visit our Grizzly Media Center Google Site to participate in our weekly activities. For every activity you participate in your name will be entered into our monthly drawing! Click on the tab labeled December to access the weekly activities! Week 1: Holiday Mask Decoration Week 2: National Letter Writing Day (Dec 7) Week 3: National Crossword Puzzle Day (Dec 21) Bonus Week: Send us a picture and description of your favorite holiday cookie!
Contact Mrs. Dusty Gabel or Mrs. Kim Rosenbaum for more details.
Grassfield High School
Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @grassfield_hs. Our website is updated regularly for additional information.
Email: beth.pallister@cpschools.com
Website: https://cpschools.com/gfh/
Location: 2007 Grizzly Trail
Phone: 757-558-4749
Twitter: @grassfield_hs