The Mustang Minute
Week of August 14th - 18th, 2023
Principal's Message
Mustang Family,
Wow! It's hard to believe that the start of the 2023-24 school year is just two days away! The excitement in the air is so strong you can feel it, and I, like the rest of Mustang Nation can't wait to see what this year holds for everyone. I can't start a school year off without giving a shoutout to all the staff members who are returning from their well-deserved break. It's wonderful to have such dedicated educators in our school system, who share the same eagerness for the upcoming year.
Our GHS PTSA's welcoming breakfast was such a kind gesture of support, and meant a lot to everyone who attended. Speaking of our PTSA, for those who haven't joined our PTSA yet, you can do so by clicking on the link under their section in the newsletter below. Also, the Grapevine High School Greenback Night on September 11th from 6-7:30 PM is a great chance to get plugged into all things Grapevine High School as we work to Build Excellent Schools Together.
Alex
Grapevine High School PTSA
Picture Day - Friday, August 18th
Picture day is this Friday, August 18th. As a reminder, these pictures will appear in the 23-24 GHS yearbook so you'll want to make every attempt to be present.
Picture Day Makeups
*For those who miss picture day, make-up days are September 12th & 13th.
2023-2024 Bell Schedule
Bus Shuttle Reminder
For the first two weeks of school, our shuttles will be making returns to pick up any students who may have missed their shuttle. This is to assist with ensuring that everyone gets to their destination safely. However, after this grace period, shuttles will no longer be able to return for students who have missed their shuttle and students will have to wait for the next available one. Students, we ask that you prioritize punctuality and plan accordingly to prevent any inconvenience. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping our shuttle system efficiently and safely.
Shuttle Schedule
Need Textbooks?
Students who missed Mustang Roundup, will have before and after school opportunities to get textbooks during the first two weeks of school. The textbook room (located in the 200 hallway) will be open from 8:20 - 8:40 AM and 4:00 to 4:20 PM each day beginning August 15th until August 25th. If you are in need of textbooks, please make every effort to retrieve them during this time.
GHS National Honor Society
The fall application is now open for upcoming seniors.
These applications are due Friday, September 1st
NHS Application Link https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xdIwkqO7mbYmOybjD74cwPZVaMjpMJbqYZNaQ14yz0g/edit?usp=sharing
Applicants must print the application, service contract, and pledge, and turn them in to Mr. Bristow (Room 704-S). The google form Info Sheet must also be completed by the deadline.
If you have any questions or need clarification on the requirements please email Mr. Bristow at sterling.bristow@gcisd.net
Natalie Poveda c/o 2023 - Crowned Miss Teen Texas
Poveda accepted the crown and a total of $10,250 in scholarships. Poveda is a recent graduate of Grapevine High School with plans to pursue a business degree at Texas A&M University. The 18-year-old represented Colleyville during the 2023 competition and was sponsored by the Miss Grapevine/Colleyville Scholarship Organization. In addition to the title, Poveda earned the Preliminary Evening Gown award, Preliminary Rookie Talent award and tied for the Preliminary Overall Talent award with a lyrical dance to “Rise Up.”
A first time contestant on the Miss Texas’ Teen stage, Poveda also took home top awards for Overall Private Interview, Overall Talent, Overall Evening Gown, Overall Health & Fitness, Overall Rookie Private Interview, Overall Rookie Evening Gown, Overall Rookie Talent, Overall Rookie Health and Fitness and the Best of Texas Bronze Medal. Poveda will represent Texas at the Miss America’s Teen competition to be held in early 2024 where she hopes to become the third Texan to win the national title. She will spend her year serving as a statewide ambassador for Texas Cares For Children while also championing her community service initiative, Learning to Lead with Love: Promoting Service and Volunteerism in our Local Communities.
Debate & O.I. Bootcamp: July 31st - August 2nd
4th Annual GHS Wrestling 9/11 Tribute Climb
You are cordially invited to the 4th annual GHS Wrestling 9/11 Tribute Climb
WHEN: Monday, 9/11 -- 7:30 AM
WHERE: Mustang Panther Stadium (visitors side - enter by the fieldhouse)
WHAT: 4th annual 9/11 Tribute Climb
DETAILS: Participants will walk the visitor side stairs to simulate the 110 stories or 1980 stairs of the twin towers to honor the first responders that climbed up but never came down.
Shirts are available for purchase for $20 each. To purchase, please fill out this google form and pay the t-shirt vendor, In Stitches, directly by THURSDAY, AUGUST 25th. Shirts will be distributed the morning of the climb.
The Outpost- GHS Spirit Wear
Welcome Back, Mustangs! Gear up for the new year! Check out The Outpost's online store to show your Mustang Pride!
Who is my GHS counselor?
Students are assigned to a counselor by last name.
The GHS counseling team consists of:
Marnie Pape (A-D) - marnie.pape@gcisd.net
Abbey King (E-Le) - abbey.king@gcisd.net
Moises Flores (Li-Ri) - moises.flores@gcisd.net
Katherine Partridge (Ro-Z) - katherine.partridge@gcisd.net
Mary Parsley (Lead Counselor) - mary.parsley@gcisd.net
Jennifer Lemke (Student Advocate) - jennifer.lemke@gcisd.net
Accessing Skyward/Schedules via Phone
Please make sure the student downloads the Classlink app on their phone
They will need to use their login (same as how they logged in on their laptop)
Login is first 3 letters of their LAST name and last 4 digits of their Student ID
Example JON1234
Then use their default password which is their birthday+Hi!
Example 02012007Hi!
Once they are logged in Class Link find the link for Skyward
(if the top background is blue they will need to click the arrow to the top left,
then type in Grapevine in the search bar and find Grapevine HS and click it)
Then they will repeat the process of entering the same login/password information as Class Link
Once they are logged in Skyward there is a drop down arrow/menu on top left, click it and select SCHEDULE - they should now be able to view their schedule
Schedule Change - Level Up, Down, Drop?
Leveling Up
Students will be allowed to level up to Advanced or AP courses within the first 10 days of the fall semester. Students must reach out to their school counselor during the first 10 school days to make the request.
Leveling Down
Students will be allowed to level down from Advanced or AP courses at the end of the 4-week and 9-week points and at the end of the first semester (pending space and availability).
Dropping a course for a release or aide period
Students who qualify for a release or aide period will be allowed to drop a course no later than the 4-week mark for a release or aide.
For more information, see the GCISD Schedule Change guidelines.
SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program Parent Preview August 17th, 10:00 AM & 6:00 PM
The adolescent years are marked by a roller-coaster ride of emotions—difficulty for youths, their parents, and educators. It is easy to misread depression as normal adolescent turmoil; however, depression (among the most common of mental illnesses) appears to be occurring at a much earlier age. Depression—which is treatable—is the leading risk factor for suicide.
To proactively address these issues, GCISD offers depression awareness and suicide prevention training as part of the SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program.
The SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program is designed for all secondary students grades 6-12.
The GCISD School Health Advisory Committee has previewed and recommended these programs for all GCISD secondary schools.
A parent preview of the program will be held on Thursday, Aug 17 at 10:00am and again at 6:00pm at the GCISD Administration Building – Board Room, 3051 Ira E. Woods, Grapevine, Texas 76051.
For more information, including information about how to opt your student out of the program, please click here: English Spanish
At GHS this year, students will view SOS during their science classes on Wed, Aug 23.
Questions may be directed to Jennifer.Lemke@gcisd.net
2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION
If your student will need prescription medication next school year, please see the link below to have a new form for the 2023-24 school year filled out and signed by the doctor over the summer. A new form is needed for each school year for any medications your child may require at school. You can print this copy and take it with you to your appointment with your children's physician. Students may self-carry non-expired inhalers and Epi-Pens with a physician and parent signed medication permit turned in to the nurse.Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Ruth Shook, BSN, RN Phone 817-251-5244 Fax 817-305-4933
2023-2024 School Lunch Updates
Welcome back! Nutrition Services is excited about the upcoming school year. School menus, the district charge policy, menu item pricing and more can be found on the department website here.
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Nutrition Services offers a simplified lunch menu during the beginning of each school year. This allows students time to adjust to the school cafeteria environment. It also allows distributors that partner with the district to adjust to the supply and demand challenges faced at the beginning of each school year. The four week cycle menu for plate lunch will begin on September 11, 2023.
Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, Texas legislation has approved a 2024-25 biennium budget, which includes $3.3 million per year to cover the cost of school breakfasts for students eligible for reduced price meals. Students that are approved for reduced-price meals may eat breakfast at no cost this school year. Lunch price for students that qualify for reduced price meals will remain $0.40.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider
Student Help Desk
Help Desk - Students and staff can submit help requests to GCISD's Help Desk at any time. NOTE: If you are a parent needing help with your student’s device and your student does not know their login for Classlink, please call 817-251-5629. You will need to leave a message with your name, student's name, grade level, campus and the best phone number to reach you.
Technology Resources - ClassLink
GCISD Technology Resources is committed to serving students and staff, especially during the District's remote learning instruction. Please keep in mind two very helpful resources:
ClassLink - GCISD's single sign-on portal for students and staff. ClassLink allows users to sign in once and have access to all of their accounts at the click of a button.
For assistance with lost or forgotten passwords, pleas contact - Geri Clayton or by phone at 817-251-5286.
Student Google Drive Storage Limits
Over the summer, GCISD imposed storage limits on student Google Drive and Mail accounts. Students who are over the limit will not be able to save to their Drive and should delete any unneeded files. The storage allotment for grades 9-12 is 10GB.
Grapevine High School PTSA needs you!
Membership dues are only $10 each school year! Students, remember that if you will be applying for any PTA/PTSA scholarships, you need to be a member of PTSA. Click here to join!
Volunteer Background Check
We sincerely appreciate the investment of your time as a volunteer. Whether it is just volunteering with PTSA, a school field trip, or in any capacity in connection with our partnership with Big Brothers-Big Sisters, you must complete a background check.
All volunteers are required to reapply each year. Due to a large number of applicants, we will not notify you of your volunteer status. To get your status, please check with the school office for this information before you volunteer.
Click below to apply:
https://www.gcisd.net/o/gcisd/page/volunteer-background-check
GHS Project Graduation
GHS Project Graduation is excited to announce the PG 2024 Kick-Off by launching our new refreshed website! Please check out all the exciting things coming this year to support our SENIORS! Order your SENIOR 2024 YARD SIGN TODAY; all proceeds go directly to GHS Project Graduation 2024!
Project Graduation is an event on the night of graduation for all Grapevine High School seniors to attend free of charge. This event is hosted at Main Event – Grapevine by parent volunteers with the goal of providing a cost-free event that is filled with fun and prizes for ALL graduating seniors at Grapevine High School. We want our Seniors to have an opportunity to celebrate with their friends in a SAFE setting and have one last hoorah before they all go off to college!