Knight News
Grand Forks Central High School - February 15, 2021
Return to Face-to-Face Learning Set for March 8
GFC Families,
We are excited to bring all of our face-to-face learners at Central together on March 8! There is a lot to celebrate with this recent decision from the school board and thanks go out to all who helped to ensure GFC has been a safe place this school year. Plans are being made and carried out over the next few weeks to update our furniture and classroom layouts to accommodate our learners, as well as the spaces in which we eat lunch, in preparation for full time face-to-face learning at Central.
This is exciting for many reasons. First of all, we know that learning every day in a face-to-face format will lead to increased student engagement and more timely feedback which are both so important to learning. Also, many of our freshmen students have not met or been in class a good portion of their classmates this entire year and will now have the opportunity to do so. And many of our upperclassmen are looking forward to being in classes with friends that were in the opposite cohort to-date. Lastly, this is a sign that the conditions have improved in our community to the point where this is now possible.
We have been so impressed with our students and their adherence to the measures that were put in place this school year. As our COVID 19 data continues to move in a positive direction, we will rely on students to maintain our protocols, particularly the requirement of wearing masks, to make sure we do not return to our low point last November. This includes wearing masks correctly - covering both the mouth and nose - throughout the school day. We appreciate your support in reinforcing this with your students.
Onward Central!
Mr. Jon Strandell
Principal
Important Dates
February 16th - Virtual Family/Teacher Conferences - 4:00 - 7:00 PM
February 18th-20th - James & the Giant Peach - 7:00 PM (limited seating)
February 24th - Early Release at 1:00 PM - PLC Day
March 1 - Boy's & Girl's Track season begins
March 2 - ACT (Juniors) PreACT (Sophomores & Freshmen)
March 3 - ACT (Juniors) PreACT (Sophomores & Freshmen)
Family/Teacher Conferences (for face to face learners)
Family/Teacher Conferences (for remote learners)
Remote Learners will have family/teacher conferences on Thursday, Mar. 4th or Tuesday, Mar. 9th from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Mentor-teachers will contact families directly to schedule conference sessions. They will use the same format as they did this fall and meetings will be held virtually using Zoom.
ACT and PreACT INFORMATION
GFC seniors will have remote learning days on March 2nd and 3rd.
Junior students will be taking the ACT, and Sophomores and Freshmen will be taking the Pre-ACT. Students will finish testing by 12:25pm and will be dismissed from school. Short, asynchronous (online/independent) lessons will be provided starting at 1:30 pm in the afternoon for testing cohort students on March 2nd and 3rd.
ACT Preparation is All About the Verbs
As our juniors prepare for the ACT test at GFC on March 2 & 3 and our sophomores and freshmen take the Pre-ACT on those same dates, we are reinvigorating our school wide focus on verbs.
Many students report that they feel they know the content on which they are questioned when taking the ACT, but aren’t always sure about the ways they are being asked to demonstrate that knowledge. In essence, the verbs used on the prompts and questions can be the biggest obstacle to answering the questions correctly and completely.
Listed below are the GFC Power Verbs that we will reinforce at school to increase student vocabulary, but also assist to our students in demonstrating their knowledge and to seek clarity in areas they do not understand, not only on the ACT, but in life.
We appreciate any reinforcement you can provide with the use of the verbs at home. Imagine all the fun that you can have with the verbs and your student, right!? A key will be to be able to differentiate between the verbs.
GFC Power Verbs
Formulate - to express in precise form; create; It's difficult to formulate a plan under pressure.
Compare - to examine the qualities of to discover similarities & differences; It's best to compare prices before a big purchase.
Contrast - to examine the qualities of to discover differences; Her black dress and the white snow contrast sharply.
Predict – say or predict that something will happen in the future. I predict the Vikings will win the Super Bowl.
Describe – give an account of something, including relevant details. Cormac McCarthy describes the setting in The Road as bleak, desolate, and harmful to human life.
Evaluate – form an idea of the amount, value, or idea of. We need to evaluate our options before making a choice.
Infer – make a good guess; read between the lines; what’s the hidden meaning. From your letter, I infer that you are well.
Support - give the facts; back up with details; provide proof. The facts support your claim of innocence.
Analyze – break apart; study the pieces; look at closer; examine. It is best to analyze a situation before acting.
Summarize – give a brief statement of the main points of something. Read the article and summarize it in a paragraph.
Justify - to show or prove to be right or reasonable; You must justify your actions with solid evidence..
Claim - state or assert that something is the case; She claimed that she was a part of a wealthy, educated family. .
Honor Graduates
Academic Students of the Quarter
Freshmen - Emma Nash & Keira Knabe
Sophomores - Conner Noreen & Kiara Holweger
Juniors - Karlee Anderson & Maya Zahui
Seniors - Brianna Filson & Isabella Whiteside
Quarter 2 "A" and "B" Honor Rolls
Summer School Registration Is Now Open
The registration for the 2021 Summer School Session is now open. Students may register with the assistance of their counselor or by clicking on the following link. Summer School 2021 Registration Packet. Please contact Mike Wilber at mwilber310@mygfschools.org if you have any questions.
2020-2021 Yearbook
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: centralyearbook@mygfschools.org
Scholarship Information
The North Dakota Academic and CTE Scholarship Application is now available online. This is the $6,000 scholarship that students may use at any North Dakota college or university. Use this website to apply for the scholarship: https://apps.nd.gov/DPI/scholarship/login.aspx
Students who plan to take WorkKeys tests to be eligible for this scholarship must sign up for the March 8 or 9 testing date. See Mrs. Mankse in the counseling office. This is the last time WorkKeys will be offered at GFC.
Current Scholarship Listing: Please check the scholarship listing on the GFC Counseling Page.
ZAPS Test Prep Information
Parents Lead: Engagement
Why is it important for you to engage in your child’s school?
Studies have shown that students who have parents engaged in their school lives are more likely to have:
- Higher grades and test scores.
- Better student behavior.
- Enhanced social skills.
In addition, students who have parents engaged in their school lives are less likely to:
- Smoke cigarettes.
- Drink alcohol.
- Be physically inactive.
Updated Fan Attendance Guidelines
The following serves as updated guidance regarding fan attendance at GFPS athletic contests beginning on February 1.
Fan Attendance at TICKETED Basketball, Wrestling, and Hockey Games:
Fans will no longer be issued vouchers or wristbands for attendance at events in the main gymnasiums or arenas. Attendance in these venues will be capped at the following totals:
- GFC and RR Main Gyms: 500 fans
- Purpur Arena: 1,200 fans
- Eagles Arena: 400 fans
Fan Attendance at NON-TICKETED Basketball Games:
For smaller capacities gymnasiums (the small gyms at GFC and RR and the main Middle School gyms), six fans per participant will be allowed.
Fan Attendance at Swimming and Gymnastics Events:
- Until further notice, no fans are allowed at swimming events.
- At this time, attendance at gymnastics events is limited to two fans per participant.
The following links are available for viewing live streams of applicable contests:
GFC Basketball and Wrestling: https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/schools/grand-forks-central-high-school-grand-forks-nd
RR Basketball and Wrestling: https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/schools/grand-forks-red-river-high-school-grand-forks-nd
Purpur and Eagles Arena Hockey: https://iconhockeycam.com
Boys’ Swimming: https://www.youtube.com/c/GFCActivities
All attendees must wear masks completely and correctly for the duration of the event, and social distancing must be kept between groups.
Media members wishing to cover athletic events must give prior notice to the school, must wear a mask, and must adhere to social distancing guidelines.
We will continue to monitor the guidance and directives from the NDDoH, Grand Forks Public Health, and the NDHSAA to update our guidelines as necessary.
2021 Graduation Information
The graduation ceremony for the Class of 2021 is scheduled for Sunday, May 30, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.
Prior to graduation, there are a number of items that need to be completed. The following is a checklist of all obligations that must be met by each student before a diploma will be presented.
- All course work, tests, and detention time must be completed before Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
- All independent study, online and correspondence course work must be completed by Friday, May 14, 2021.
- A “Senior Survey” will be sent out in early May. This must be completed by Tuesday, May 25, 2021. Early graduates will be notified about the procedure to use in completing the survey.
- All bills must be paid (media center, athletic equipment, lab equipment, book damages, etc…) by Friday, May 14, 2021.
- The final day of classes for seniors will be Tuesday, May 25, 2021.
- Graduation practice is tentatively scheduled for Friday, May 28, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. All graduating seniors must attend the practice session.
- Caps and gowns were ordered in November and will be distributed from the Principal’s Office on Wednesday, May 19, 2021.
- Senior pictures for the yearbook are due by May 1st and can be turned in at any time before that date to Mr. Berglund or can be e-mailed to: centralyearbook@mygfschools.org.
- If a student desires to receive a diploma without going through the graduation ceremony; he/she may do so by notifying Mr. Strandell prior to Friday, May 14, 2021.
- All students who participate in the commencement ceremony are expected to dress in an appropriate manner. The cap, gown, tassel, and shoes are all required. No other personal additions will be allowed other than school-issued stoles of honor without prior permission from administration.
Only students who have completed their graduation requirements will participate in the graduation ceremony. The list of students who will be participating in the ceremony will be finalized on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
Administration
Dr. Gabe Dahl - Associate Principal A-K
Mr. Mike Wilber - Associate Principal L-Z
Mr. Aaron La Deaux - Activities Director
Contact Us:
Main Office : 701-746-2375
Attendance Line: 701-746-2482
Main Office Hours 7:00 AM-4:15 PM
School Doors Open at 7:30 AM
Location:
115 N. 4th Street
Grand Forks, ND 58203
Follow us on Twitter: @GFC_Activities
Follow us on Instagram: gfc_activites
GFPS Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GrandForksPublicSchools/