Duke Update November 10, 2024
This week we would like to recognize all Veterans. Thank you for your service and dedication to our country. We would also like to recognize National School Psychology Week and World Kindness Day. To all of our wonderful school psychologists, Thank You for supporting our students!
Congratulations to the GHS field hockey team for winning the Regional Championship on Friday night! The team will play in the state quarterfinals this Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 6:30PM at GHS. Tickets may be purchased ONLINE ONLY at https://gofan.co/event/2185702?schoolId=VHSL Gates open at 5:30pm, and there will be screening and bag checks at the gate. The concession stand will be open.
Congratulations to London Volpe on being selected to this year's Virginia Chorale's Young Singers Project. She will be performing with Virginia's Premier Vocal Ensemble, made up of professional singers. We are excited to have Gloucester High School represented at such a prestigious organization's performance!
Congratulations to Mackenzie Alcorn, Rachel Blittle and Joel Taylor on qualifying for the state cross country meet next weekend!
Congratulations to the ESports Overwatch Team 2 and Smash Bros. Team 2 for their victories on Wednesday. MVPs of the game were Stephan Arnold with his 3-0 victory in Smash and Ian Conklin for top tier tank stats in Overwatch.
We will have our 1st Academic Rallies of the 24-25 school year this week. On Thursday, November 14th, 11th and 9th grade students will be recognized and on Friday, November 15th, 12th and 10th grade. All students will report to the auditorium for their grade level rallies.
The Student Advisory Committee will meet on Monday, November 11 at 2:45 in Room 123. If you have any questions or are unable to attend please see Mrs. Rowe.
The GHS Activity Bus will now depart at 5:30 pm starting Monday, November 11th.
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 7:00AM-8:00AM 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 tryout on November 11th. Track and field will start on the 18th.
There will be a girls soccer interest meeting on Wednesday November 6th at 3:00pm in the cafeteria for varsity and JV players.
Lettermans 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.