Duke Update October 6, 2024
Thursday, Oct. 10 is an early release day. Students will be dismissed at 12:15PM.
Homecoming Week Events:
● Mon. Oct. 7 - Wed. Oct. 9: Float building after school. Students need a signed permission form.
● Thu. Oct. 10: Homecoming Parade on Main Street starts at 5:15PM.
● Fri. Oct. 11: Pep Rally from 1:40-2:30. Tailgate from 5:00PM-7:00PM. Football game starts at 7:00PM.
● Sat. Oct. 12: Dance from 7:00PM-10:00PM. Students must have purchased a ticket and should bring a picture ID.
Congratulations to the 2024 Homecoming Court:
9th Grade - Carolina Valenzuela, Stella Santiago, Frank Zoll, and Graison Jones
10th Grade - Alyssa Wilson, Abbi Hassell, Tabb Hogge, and Brayden Martin
11th Grade - Alexandria Feliciano, Jaidyn Abner, Paulo Ochoa-Zepeda, and Declan McCann
12th Grade - Mary Vanfossen, Nadia Oberlin, Haylee Hartleben, Trevor Richardson, Xavier Johnson, and Dominic Davis
GHS Homecoming Spirit Week takes place this week with the following themes:
October 7th - America Monday
October 8th - 90's/Y2K Tuesday
October 9th - Jersey Wednesday
October 10th - Great Outdoors Thursday
October 11th - Class Colors Friday!
Please check out the GHS website and Canvas for more details.
In addition to dress up days, we are having donation days. Each day the class that brings in the most items to donate will win a point toward the spirit stick! Donation bins will be outside the auditorium, so be sure to place your donations in the correct class bin each day! For canned food donations, boxes will be provided in front of weapons detection on Monday and Thursday mornings so you can donate before entering the building!
Monday – canned foods
Tuesday – New socks
Wednesday – Hygiene products
Thursday – Pet food, treats and toys
Friday – New or gently used clothes and blankets
The GHS golf team recently wrapped up their season. The team was this year's Peninsula District Champions. Senior Blake Sibley was the District Player of the year with a season scoring average of 70. At the 4A Region tournament, freshman Levi Vannoy earned All Region honors and will compete in the state tournament on October 14th.
The Student Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting of the year Monday, October 7th. If you received a nomination please join us immediately after school in room 123. See Mrs. Rowe in room 123 if you have any questions.
Join us for the 2nd Annual Dukes & Deputies Basketball Classic! The event is on November 1 at 6pm at GHS. Tickets are being sold by Deputy Skay and I. Come out and cheer on your Dukes and Gloucester County Sheriff's Office deputies and help raise money for Gloucester's kids in need! This event raises money for Gloucester County Shop with a Cop program. Deputy Skay and I will also be playing.
Senior Superlative voting can be found on the Senior Canvas page. Submissions are due by October 11th.
The GHS College & Career Fair sponsored by the Gloucester NAACP is going to be on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 5:00PM-7:00PM. Students from Gloucester and surrounding localities are invited to meet representatives from approximately 40 colleges, trade schools, military recruiters, and employers. Hope to see you there!
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 do not have your Parent PowerSchool account activated you will not be able to update your students PowerSchool contact information. If you need any help with PowerSchool, need to activate the Parent PowerSchool account, or have any other questions, please call the GHS Main Office at (804)-693-2526.
Security Screening: We want to thank our students for their continued cooperation with the security screenings that we have implemented. Here are some updates and reminders on the process:
- This week, we will begin screening all visitors to GHS throughout the day. Visitors must come through the Main Entrance.
- All students who are getting dropped off in the parent loop must come in through the Main Entrance first before going to classes in C-Hall or the portables.
- In the morning, students going to first block classes in C-Hall or the portables should exit the main building through the doors near the School Counseling Office across from the cafeteria, and not through the Main Entrance. This change will help with traffic flow in the morning.
- Our students are doing a great job of being prepared and getting through the scanners quickly, and we are able to get students through the scanners before first block begins. With this in mind, we remind student drivers to enter the building promptly upon arriving at school so they can be in class on time. Failure to do so will result in being marked tardy.
- As a reminder, students should be prepared to take their Chromebooks, binders, and other large metal objects out of their backpacks before going through the scanners. Cell phones, keys, and other small metal items do not need to be removed from backpacks.
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-8:00AM and 2:00 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.
Counseling
Attention Juniors and Seniors: Admissions representatives from several colleges and universities are conducting information sessions here at the high school for interested GHS Juniors and Seniors. The University of Virginia, Old Dominion University, the University of Mary Washington, and the College of William and Mary will be here the week of October 14th. 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.
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.