Duke Update for 11/3/2024

Duke Update November 03, 2024
There is no school for students on Tuesday, November 5th. Students will return to school on Wednesday, November 6th.

Don’t forget to wear Orange on Monday, November 4th, to spread awareness of CRPS, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, RSD.

Congratulations to the Overwatch Team 1 and Super Smash Bros. Team 1 on their victories Wednesday. MVP of the game was Addison Herndon of the Overwatch team who got all 3 play of the games in the team's 3-0 win.

Congratulations to the Gloucester Marching Dukes for winning second place in class 4A at the Williamsburg marching band showcase. Also congratulations to the Gloucester color guard for winning 3rd place in the show!

Parents/Guardians: Students received the Impact Aid Survey Form (formerly known as Federal Card) on Thursday, October 31st. All students must return this form completed and signed by a parent or guardian to their 2nd block class. Late-in students should return their forms to the GHS Main Office.

GHS is now accepting new toy donations for Toys 4 Tots from now until Friday, December 6th.

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.

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.

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.

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

Parking Passes: Any student who does not have a parking pass but wants one should go to the Main Office to be put on a waiting list. We will be opening some spots up as soon as they are painted in the lot.

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.

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:
- All visitors to GHS go through the screening. 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.

Parent drop-off and pick-up: 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 7:00 AM-8:00 AM and 2:00 PM-3:00 PM for any reason.

Counseling
ATTENTION parents and guardians of current juniors. The school counseling department will start scheduling for your student on November 6th and be done with all class of 2026 scheduling before winter break. If you want to participate in the scheduling meeting please email your child’s school counselor early this week and set up an appointment.

Athletics
Winter sports tryout dates and times are listed on the GHS website, please contact the coach or Ms. Hunter if you have questions. You must meet all VHSL eligibility requirements and have a valid sports physical to try out on November 11th. Track and field will start on the 18th.

There will be a girl's soccer interest meeting on Wednesday, November 6th at 3:00 pm in the cafeteria for varsity and JV players.

Letterman's jackets are back - if you are interested please check out either one of the Jostens Graduation or Class Ring Links on the GHS website, the jackets are shown there. If you have questions please contact Athletic Director Ms. Hunter. Jacket Link

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.