Hello Hornet Nation!

I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to address the events that unfolded during our boy's basketball game against St. Charles last week. It was indeed a challenging week for us, but I want to assure you that we are resilient and committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and community.

During the game, an unfortunate incident occurred that escalated into multiple altercations within the gymnasium. I want to emphasize that the safety of our students, staff, and spectators is our utmost priority, and we deeply regret that this incident took place. However, I am relieved to inform you that order was swiftly restored with the assistance of the Sheriff's Office, and there were no injuries reported.

Following a thorough review of the video footage, we have identified all individuals involved in the altercations. As a result, appropriate actions have been taken, including issuing "No Trespass" orders and pressing assault charges against those responsible. We want to send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated, and those involved will not be allowed to attend any Great Mills Sporting event for a significant period of time.

Sporting events are meant to be enjoyable and exciting experiences for all participants. It is disheartening that the safety of our community was compromised on Wednesday, and for that, I sincerely apologize. Rest assured, we have learned valuable lessons from this incident and will take necessary measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.

Regarding the press release from the Sheriff's Office that mentioned our school, I am unable to provide specific details at this time. However, I assure you that we are actively addressing the situation. We will provide more information tomorrow, and you will receive a more comprehensive update. I want to emphasize that our school building remains a safe environment for our students and staff.

This is the last week of the quarter, so please check your grades, visit teachers during lunch, and get all your assignments turned in this week. The TLC is open daily during lunch, and after school tutoring is available Monday through Thursday from 3:10-4:10 in Mr. McGowan’s room.

In closing, I want to express my gratitude for your ongoing support and understanding during this challenging time. We remain committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all members of our school community.

Let’s make it a GREAT week Great Mills!

We Are… GREAT MILLS

¡Saludos! Para leer en español, hay un botón para traducir en la esquina superior derecha de los anuncios de Smore cuando se abre por primera vez. Pueden hacer clic en el botón y después selecciona de la lista de lenguas disponibles

• January 23 - Visit from the Marines
  
• January 24 - Visit from the Army
• January 26 - No School for student/Professional day for teachers
• January 26 - End of 2nd quarter/1st semester

Are you interested in a career in law enforcement? Join us as Cpl Muschette and other members of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office visit us at GMHS on February 2nd to talk about what it is like to have a career in law enforcement and how you can get started! Sign up with the Google Form below.

Coast Guard: Jan 23 Army: Jan 24 Sign up for recruiter visits using this form. All students who wish to attend must have a pass. These visits are a great way to get first hand accounts of what it is like to be a service member. Come with any questions you’d like answered! Complete the form below to attend.

The annual SPARK! Student Career Awareness Fair is on February 1, 2024. All 9th and 10th graders who wish to learn more about career options in southern MD are invited to attend! See Ms. Carroll in office 1818 (D27) for a permission slip! Lunch will be provided.

Our All-State Thespian awards went to Kylie Mesmer, Ben Messer, Jessica Smalley, Lauren Smalley, and Indiago Virgil. Our Distinguished Senior Thespian award went to Indigo Virgil.

Our ITS one act, Dark Road, received an overall Superior score, winning Outstanding Hair and Makeup design as well as Outstanding Vocalization. The outstanding performance awards went to Tessa Sorey and Indiago Virgil.

It's that time of year again, link your Harris Teeter card to Great Mills High School!

We would like to bring to your attention a recent issue that has been occurring within our school. There have been instances where students have been engaging in play fighting in the hallways. While some may view this as harmless horseplay, others are doing it intentionally to provoke a response from administrators.

We understand that play fighting may seem like a minor issue, but it has been causing disruptions in the school day, especially with the recent increase in fights over the past month. We have already addressed this matter with the students, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful environment.

However, we believe it is crucial to inform you as well, as parents play a vital role in reinforcing positive behavior and accountability. Moving forward, if any students are found engaging in play fighting in the hallways, we will address this with disciplinary consequences.

We greatly appreciate your support in helping us maintain a peaceful and conducive learning environment for all students. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Schoology New Parent/Guardian Provisioning: New Schoology parent/guardian accounts will be created in the coming weeks. We hope to have accounts created and parents/guardians connected to their students in Schoology by Friday, September 2nd. Continue to use Schoology for your updates along with your SMOREs/School Messenger. Please share this specific message with your school community through School Messenger. Parents that have difficulty accessing their pre-existing accounts should contact schoology@smcps.org and include the student name and ID number for troubleshooting.

For more help with Schoology, visit the SMCPS Schoology Parent Dashboard.

All 9th and 10th graders interested in applying to the Tech Center for next school year needs to make sure they attend the virtual Tech Center Meet and Greet during lunch. This is the first step of the application. If you would like to know what programs are available to SMCPS students click here.

Need to register for the SAT? We have fee waivers available for qualifying students in the counseling office. Follow this link to log in and sign up.

1. "You are the creator of your own destiny, so make it worth living."
2. "The only way to achieve greatness is to take the first step towards your goal."
3. "Believe in yourself, and watch the world believe in you."
4. "Success is not a destination, it's a journey. Embrace the process and enjoy the ride."
5. "The only limit to your potential is the one you set for yourself."
6. "The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do."
7. "Small steps lead to big achievements. Keep moving forward."
8. "Don't wait for opportunities to come to you, create them."
9. "Chase your dreams relentlessly, because they are yours for the taking."
10. "Success is not about being perfect, it's about being persistent. Keep going."

We hope to see you in The Learning Center on Wednesday!

How did your grades look in the first marking period? Looking to recover those grades to a passing grade?

The Learning Center (TLC) will be available during One Lunch. TLC will support students who need additional help in their graduation-required courses. Any students who are interested in the TLC need to report to Room F12 during One Lunch on 11/20. If you have any questions about TLC, please contact Katie Sushinsky, GMHS Literacy Coach, at kesushinsky@smcps.org or Hattie Webb, GMHS Math Coach, at hswebb@smcps.org.

It is National Career Development Month and Ms. Carroll is giving a raffle! Students can earn tickets by attending Military visits in the Career Center, answering the Career related question that will be given during the announcements, or making time to speak with Ms. Carroll about their Career plans after high school. Each week, she will draw a ticket and the winner will receive a gift card. Good luck!!

FSA (Federal Student Aid) ID Completion Virtual Event

FSA ID RSVP HERE

Would you be interested in an ASVAB tutoring session during the school day with a military recruiter? This session can help improve your current score or help you prepare to take the ASVAB for the first time. If you are interested, please email Ms. Carroll at Lmcarroll@smcps.org

Are you aware that your child could qualify for a free Associate Degree or free professional certifications from CSM or a trade school in Maryland? What exactly is the Maryland Promise Scholarship?

Due to safety concerns and the demands on the main office, we do not accept food deliveries of any kind. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Since the entire school is on lunch together students do not have an assigned location for during lunch. This sometimes makes it difficult to locate students quickly. Please plan ahead by notifying the school prior to 11:30 and we will be able to get them a pass to the office for whatever time you plan to arrive during lunch. If you are unable to plan ahead we understand, but if you can call or text your student to share with us their location it will speed up the process.

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. J. Scott Smith, announces enhanced security measures for after-school events. Beginning this year:

• There will be No Bags allowed in sporting events. Spectators will only be permitted to carry a small clutch or wallet into events. Other small permissible items such as keys, wallets, cell phones, credit cards, and cash may be carried in a pocket or by hand. Prohibited items include weapons, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, electronic cigarettes, outside food and drinks, laser pointers, non-service animals, and other items deemed inappropriate by the school administration.

This week in Sports

Monday, January 22nd

• Girls Basketball vs Northern - JV 5:00; Varsity 6:30

Tuesday, January 23rd

• Wrestling vs Patuxent Varsity only 5:30

Wednesday, January 24th

• Boys Basketball vs Lackey - JV 5:00; Varsity 6:30

Thursday, January 25th

• Wrestling @ Chopticon Varsity only 5:00

Friday, January 26th

• Boys Basketball vs Calvert JV 5:00; Varsity 6:30

Come out and support!!

All SMAC regular season and playoff tickets will be sold online using Go Fan. I do recommend creating a free account to make purchasing tickets throughout the school year quicker. We will have card readers at the door, but NO CASH will be accepted at the door.

2024 Yearbooks are on sale for the cheapest price of the year!! Follow this link to purchase yours today!

SMCPS is committed to the mental health and wellness of students and parents. Check out each of the available sites for valuable resources.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN HEALTH INSURANCE OR SUPPLAMENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE FOR YOUR STUDENT? FIND MORE INFORMATION BELOW.

For Our Spanish Speaking Families

¡Saludos! Para leer en español, hay un botón para traducir en la esquina superior derecha de los anuncios de Smore cuando se abre por primera vez. Pueden hacer clic en el botón y después selecciona de la lista de lenguas disponibles

Follow us on Twitter or check the school website for updates.

Email: bjdothard@smcps.org
Website: https://schools.smcps.org/gmhs/
Location: 21130 Great Mills Road, Great Mills, MD, USA
Phone: (301) 863-4001
Twitter: @GMHS_SMCPS