Hornet Nation,

Thank you for another great week. I appreciate your patience as we deal with AC problems. Something is going on with our Chillers and they are switching off. I assure you they are looking into this to address the true issue. On a positive note, this week will be cooler than last week so that should help. We do understand that everyone is uncomfortable including staff and students, but please be patient with us.

We are running blitz regularly to help motivate all students to be on time. 1st period and 7th period have been a little more challenging than the other periods. All students should keep in mind multiple tardies in one day do result in lunch detention and you do receive a day of in-school detention after 3 blitzs. All of this can be avoided if we use our 5 minutes between classes properly to walk and talk with our friends to our next class.

We are all examples of how hard work, teamwork, and being goal-focused equals success. It helps us stay motivated, make better decisions, and stay focused on what truly matters. Visualizing ourselves and achieving greatness can be a powerful tool in reaching our goals. By envisioning our success, we can mentally prepare ourselves and build the confidence needed to turn our dreams into reality. So, always remember to see yourself as GREAT and believe in your own potential!

The week will be what we make it, so let's make a great HORNET Week Great Mills.

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?

The unique pre-professional program, spread over 9 days (2 weekends), focuses on helping students learn how to read and build a case, how to write position papers, how to navigate the path to law school, and much more. Students will also be guided towards the LSAT, the difficult-to-navigate requirements of the application to Law School, and the many careers in the world of law.

Each day begins with a lecture outlining a skill or concept critical to a career in law, whether it be the inner workings of the court system or how to prepare for the LSAT. From there, students get to build teamwork skills and collaborative thinking by engaging with one another. Guided by qualified Harvard undergraduate instructors/students, the curriculum aims to provide a comprehensive look at legal systems and give students the chance to meaningfully explore the field. The program enables students to explore law and litigation, experience a mock trial, gain awareness of history and the current events that contextualize law in society today, and walk away with excitement for their future in law.

This time, we are opening the applications for 2 cohorts - October & November. So now you have the flexibility to join the cohort of your choice!

OPTION 1: The October 2023 Cohort

Program Starts: 14th October, 2023
Who Is Eligible?: Students from Grades 8 to 12
Duration: 2 weekends

Early Application Deadline: 30th September, 2023

Program Fee for Early Applicants: 300 USD

Regular Fee: 400 USD
Find more about the Program: Here
Application Form (October): Click Here

OPTION 2: The November 2023 Cohort

Program Starts: 18th November, 2023
Who Is Eligible?: Students from Grades 8 to 12
Duration: 2 weekends

Early Application Deadline: 15th October, 2023

Program Fee for Early Applicants: 300 USD

Regular Fee: 400 USD
Find more about the Program: Here
Application Form (November): Click Here

What You Will Get?

- Small class sizes

- Opportunity to network and learn with students from Harvard Student Agencies

- Get guided by qualified Harvard undergraduate instructors on legal systems around the world

- Experience a mock trial

- Gain awareness of history and the current events that contextualize law in society today

- The certificate will be given directly by Harvard Student Agencies

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.

Lockers for rent, free of cost, in the Cafeteria during Open House. Anytime during the school year stop into any Assistant Principal Secretaries office before or after school, or between classes.

MySchoolBucks is an online payment service that provides a convenient way for parents/guardians to pay for school-related purchases by using their credit/debit card or electronic check. Please use this link for more information on how to sign up for a MySchoolBucks account if you do not already have one.

You finally made it!! Make your senior portrait appointments now! Portraits will be taken on the dates listed below. There is no cost for a basic yearbook sitting.

Appointments are available on the evening of September 13th and during the school day on October 12. These are the last 2 dates, so please sign up.

Register for Senior pictures here.

Need college, job opportunities, trade school, and scholarship information? Mrs. Waddell is here to help you. She may be contacted at tdwaddell@smcps.org or 301-863-4001 ext.18139. She also built the GMHS College & Career Readiness Google Site, which contains information for students and parents.

Sept 19th- University of Maryland-Baltimore County @ 10 am

Sept 25th- Salisbury University @ 1pm

Sept 27th- Savannah College of Art & Design - SCAD @ 1 pm

Sept 28th- University of Maryland-College Park @ 1 pm

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 the link below 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.

We qualified to continue FREE BREAKFAST for all students!!! Stop by a kiosk in the mornings and get your day started right!

Back to School season is here! Whether you're in need of supplies and local resources or have the ability to donate extra - check out this list of events happening in the community.

• St. Mary’s County Government's Chromebook Distribution Events
• Leonardtown Library
• September 23 (10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

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."

Beginning this year all school volunteers must apply annually for approval. The application process will begin on August 1 and end on May 1 of each school year. There is no application fee for school volunteers. Click to apply.

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.

Monday, September 11th

• Varsity Field Hockey vs LaPlata @ 4:00
• JV Football vs Leonardtown @ 6:00
• Volleyball vs McDonough JV 4:30 - Varsity 5:30
• Golf vs Multiple Schools at Pax River's Cedar Point Golf Course 4:00

Tuesday, September 12th

• Boys Soccer vs Patuxent - Varsity-4:30
• Girls Soccer vs Patuxent - Varsity-6:00
• Patuxent does not have a JV team

Wednesday, September 13th

• Field Hockey vs Northern @ 4:00
• Boys and Girls Cross Country vs Multiple Schools @ 4:30

Thursday, September 14th

• Varsity Football vs North Point @ 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 and/or Blades School of Hair and Design? 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