Duke Update

Duke Update September 22, 2024
Wednesday, September 25th is an early release day for students. Students will be dismissed at 12:15 pm.

Parent-Teacher Conference Night is Tuesday, September 24 from 4:00PM-6:00PM. Use this link to sign up for a conference: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/

Congratulations to the following GHS seniors who received awards from the College Board National Recognition Program. All five were recognized for having a minimum of a B+ (3.3) GPA and scoring in the top 10% in Virginia on the PSAT in different sub-groups or scoring 3+ on at least two AP tests:

● Nick Dempsey

● Aurora Duffie

● Leslie Jenkins

● Martin Lance

● Ian Walters

Security Screening: We want to thank our students for their cooperation with the security screenings that we began this week. We will continue implementing the screenings this week, and will begin screening students in the parent drop-off loop. Students, please be prepared to take your Chromebooks and other large metal objects out of your backpack before going through the scanners. Cell phones, keys, and other small metal items do not need to be removed from your backpack.

Random Knock Challenge: Attending school every day is very important. As part of our efforts to encourage students to attend school, there will be Random Knock Challenges going on throughout this coming week, Sep. 23-27. Each day, random classes will be visited to see if all students are present. If a class has 100% attendance, everyone in that class will receive a prize. Any class in any block could be visited this week.

The Gloucester FFA Floriculture team traveled to Springfield, Massachusetts to compete at the Big E. The team earned their spot in the competition after placing second overall at the State Convention in June. While at the Big E, they had the chance to deepen their agricultural experience through visiting gardens and other exhibits that they could not have experienced otherwise. The team had great success placing 1st overall against teams from seven states. Team members also had success individually with recent graduate Ailin Harpole placing 3rd and seniors Emma Lynch and Hailey Ware placing 7th and 8th respectively.

The W.E.B. DuBois Honor Society will have their 1st meeting of the year next Tuesday, 9/24, in Mrs. Carter's room 134, to begin planning for Homecoming, the College and Career Fair, their Spring Field Trip, and other plans for the year. Can't wait to see you!

GHS-NAACP will have their 1st meeting of the year next Thursday, 9/26, in Mrs. Carter’s room 134. We will talk about the Y-Street program, Homecoming, and their plans for the year. See you then!

Yearbook: Any student who would like a name that is different from what appears in Powerschool in the Yearbook, please pick up a form in room P115. Forms must be returned no later than October 4th.

Parking Passes are SOLD OUT for the 24-25 school year. However, the GHS administration is working to create more student parking spaces. We will make an announcement when spots are available.

Gloucester High School is accepting students for Behind The Wheel. Openings begin the first week of October. The cost of the lessons is $89.00. Contact Coach Morgan or Coach Hooker for more details.

The Care Closet is not accepting anymore clothes donations unless the clothes are new with tags. We are not able to do laundry. We are still accepting food donations in the Main Office. If you need a list of food items please call or email.

Parent drop-off and pick-up will remain the same as the end of the 2023-2024 school year. Please use our main entrance loop to drop off and pick up before and after school. Please pay attention to our staff as they direct you around the loop.

Student Parking Lot: Only GHS students who have a valid parking pass should enter and park in the student parking lot. Teacher and Construction areas are marked and should not be used by students or visitors. Students entering the building from the parking lot/bus loop side should enter through the doors by the Theater room (formerly Chorus). Student driver late arrivals should also enter through the doors by the Theater room and check in with the Attendance Office before going to class.

Early Dismissal/Late Arrivals: To ensure a smooth and organized process, all Early Dismissals must be picked up before 2:20 pm. Early Dismissals occurring between 2:20 pm and 2:40 pm will be released during regular dismissal at 2:40 pm. Please take note and plan accordingly for the prompt pickup of your student. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated, and we thank you for helping us maintain a safe and efficient dismissal process. Students getting dropped off late should enter through the Main Entrance and sign in at the Attendance window.

Bus loop: No students, parents, or visitors should enter the bus loop from 7:00AM-7:45AM and 2:25 PM-3:00 PM for any reason.

Food Delivery: Please remember that students may not receive food orders from DoorDash or other delivery services before, during, or after school. Thank you for your cooperation.

Visitors must park in a visitor spot in our main entrance lot. Visitors must utilize the main entrance and show valid identification to enter the building. Please do not park in the main loop for any reason.

Cell Phone Policy: Gloucester County Public Schools has adopted “cell phone-free education.” Effective Monday, August 26, 2024, the use of cell phones, electronic communication devices, headphones, earbuds, smart watches, and or any other Bluetooth enabling device will be strictly prohibited. The Executive Order applies to students while in the school building during instructional times and at all times while on the school bus.

Dress Code: Parents and guardians, we appreciate your support in following the GCPS dress code, which is found on page 6 of the Code of Conduct . Please note that hats and hoods should not be worn indoors, and tops must cover the midriff and navel.

Yearbooks can be ordered online at yearbookordercenter.com using code 4758 until sold out.

Demographics Form: All returning GCPS students received an email from PowerSchool with a link to update demographic and emergency contact information. Please be sure to log in and verify that all information is correct, and make any changes that are necessary. If you need any help with PowerSchool, or have any other questions, please call the GHS Main Office at (804)-693-2526.

Counseling
Attention Juniors and Seniors: Admissions representatives from several colleges and universities will be conducting information sessions here at the high school for interested GHS Juniors and Seniors this fall. Longwood University will be here this week on Thursday, September 26ᵗʰ. To participate, please sign up through your Naviance account. E-hall passes will be sent to those who have signed up. Please see the Counseling Office if you have any questions.

Attention Senior Parents and Guardians: School Counselors will start meeting with seniors next week and continue through September to go over graduation requirements and post-secondary plans. If you would like to be part of that meeting, email your child’s school counselor and set up a time.

Athletics
The GHS Athletics schedule can be found on the school website: https://ghs.gc.k12.va.us/o/ghs/page/athletics

Parents and Fans attending athletic events - Sportsmanship is always a top priority. Please show support and respect for the fans, opposing teams and game officials at all times while attending home or away events. This includes never engaging negatively with fans or players from the opposite team. Any misconduct can lead to dismissal from the game, and from attending future games.