Hornet Nation,

I hope everyone is gearing up for SPIRT WEEK! I look forward to seeing everyone participate and get hyped up! Our Student Government Association, SGA, has been working very hard to create an amazing Spirit Week, Pep Ralley, and Homecoming Dance. There isn’t a better time than now to get involved, meet new people, and have a great time! Keep in mind, networking and meeting new people is a life skill that is important and you will use it for the rest of your life!

I know sometimes it seems like adulthood is so far away, you have so much time, and what you do not doesn’t really matter. That is so far from the truth. There’s an old saying that, Learn from the past, live in the present, and plan for the future. Don’t let your future just happen, let’s take time to plan and prepare for it. Believe in your own abilities and remember that education is a powerful tool that can open countless doors for you. It may seem challenging at times, but never let that discourage you from pursuing your dreams. Your determination and hard work will make a difference.

Remember, success is not solely measured by material wealth. It is about finding fulfillment and happiness in what you do. Embrace your unique strengths, talents, and passions. Find joy in learning and never underestimate the power of knowledge.

Your friends matter more than you know, so surround yourself with positive influences and supportive people who lift you up during difficult times. Together, we can overcome any obstacles that come your way. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it – seeking assistance is a sign of strength, not weakness. We are all HORNETS and we have your back!

Stay focused, stay optimistic, and always remember that no matter how you start, you have the power to write or right your own course.

This week will be a great HORNET Week!!

Mr. Dothard

Principal

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

This year picture day will be on October 4th and 5th. It is important that everyone takes a picture to get their ID Card. In efforts to speed up lunch lines, students will be expected to swipe their ID badge instead of punching in their number on the pad. This ID will also be needed to check out books and material from the Media Center. Did you know your school ID will also count as a valid ID Card when applying for work?

• October 4th and 5th picture day
• October 9th is a virtual day
• October 10th through 13 Homecoming Week
• October 13 Homecoming Football vs Calvert
• October 14th Homecoming Dance in the Bus Loop
• October 20th 2-Hour Early Dismissal
• October 27th 2-Hour Early Dismissal and End of 1st Quarter

This year’s SMCPS STEAM Festival will be held on Saturday, October 28th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds. Admission is free and open to the public. Wrap up the fall festival season with a day of learning, food trucks, and STEAM-related fun!

On Sunday, November 12 GMHS Seniors will have the opportunity to attend the Malcolm Bernard Trenton Central Jersey HBCU College Fair. This trip is open to the first 15 seniors to sign up. Students who wish to attend must have no behavior referrals and have not been to ISI for Blitzes. These seats will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis! Use this link to sign up. Don’t wait! See Chef Mack in ROTC or Ms. Carroll in the Career Center to sign up.

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.

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.

You finally made it!! There is one last chance to get your Senior pictures taken. There is no cost for a basic yearbook sitting.

Appointments are available during the school day on October 12. This is the last date, so please sign up.

Register for Senior pictures here.

Oct 2nd- St. Mary's College of Maryland @ 10 am & Florida Institute of Technology @ 1 pm

Oct 3rd- Bowie State University @ 11am

Oct 4th- Mount St. Mary's Unversity @ 10 am & Shepherd University @ 1 pm

Oct 5th - Randolph College @ 10 am & Bridgewater College @ 10:30 am

Oct 17th - Washington College @ 10am & Merrimack College @ 11 am

Oct 18th York College of Pennsylvania @ 10 am

Oct 19th- Stevenson University @ 10:30 am

Oct 26th- Notre Dame of Maryland University @ 11 am

Oct 30th- The University of Alabama @ 1 pm

Oct 31st- Frostburg State University @10 am

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

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.

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.

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."

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

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.

Wednesday, October 4th

• Field Hockey vs Leonardtown Varsity 4:00
• Boys and Girls Cross Country vs Multiple Schools 4:30
• Volleyball vs Patuxent JV 4:30; Varsity 5:30

Thursday, October 5th

• Girls Varsity Soccer vs Chopticon @ 4:30
  
• Boys Varsity Soccer vs Chopticon @ 6:00

See full schedules on the SMAC Website.

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.

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?

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

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