Paw Prints Family Newsletter

Dear GNBVT Community

As the sun rises on a new school year, I want to welcome you all back to GNBVT, and for 9th grade families, welcome you for the first time! It is with great joy and anticipation that I, Principal Warley Williams, extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you.

We have kicked off this academic year with energy and enthusiasm, wrapping up our second week with a strong sense of purpose and direction. Already, we have had the opportunity to engage with our students during the Assistant Principal and Principal class meetings, where we emphasized the importance of understanding our school's rules, policies, and expectations. These conversations are vital as they lay the groundwork for a safe and productive learning environment for all.

In the spirit of preparedness, we have also been practicing crucial safety drills, including fire drills, ALICE lockdown drills, and bus evacuation drills. These exercises are not just procedural; they are essential practices to ensure the safety and well-being of our entire school community.

I encourage all parents and guardians to have meaningful conversations with their children about the importance of their studies. Please remind them to maintain the momentum and excitement that comes with the start of a new school year. Together, we can help our students sustain this enthusiasm and dedication throughout the entire year, nurturing a love for learning that goes beyond the classroom walls.

As we embark on this journey together, I am filled with hope and optimism for what lies ahead. The 2024-2025 school year is ours to shape, to fill with achievements, growth, and a shared commitment to excellence.

Here's to a fantastic start to the school year! May it be filled with joy, learning, and success for all.

With warm regards,

Principal Williams

Lunch Menu

GNBVT Website

Family Engagement Center

Student Handbook

GNBVT Calendars

Student and Family Technology Support

Mon Sep 9: After Prom Committee Meeting: 6pm: G141-Media Technology

Fri Sep 13: Bus Evacuation Drill:10:25 am

Fri Sep 13: Early Dismissal: Following Bus Evacuation Drill - Staff Professional Development

Mon Oct 14-No School: Columbus Day - Indigenous Peoples' Day

Oct 15-18- Fall Spirit Week

Sat Oct 19- Homecoming Dance:@ GNBVT: 6 pm

Assistant Principals Medeiros and Silva could not be more proud of how all of our students transitioned back to school this past week. Students demonstrated an understanding of our behavioral expectations while falling right back into productive routines that allowed for a safe start of the school year. Below are dates for some important beginning of year activities/assemblies that allow our students and staff to continue to strive toward a safe, collaborative and productive school year.

- Student Handbook Distribution - August 28

- All Staff A.L.i.C.E Training - September 4

- Assistant Principal Class Meetings:

9/1 and 9/2 - August 28

10/1, 11/1, 12/1 and Co-Op - September 12

10/2, 11/2, 12/2 and C-Op - September 16

- Bus Evacuation Drill September 13th (Half Day of School)

- All School A.L.i.C.E. Drill “Tentatively” October 18

Student Handbooks (2024-2025) were distributed to students on August 28th.

Students and parents are asked to review the handbook together. Both students and parents are required to sign and date the last page of the handbook and return to their shop teacher by Sept 12th.

After Sept 13th students that have not returned signed acknowledgement will be required to serve a detention until 3 pm each day until it is returned.

During Assistant Principal class meetings students meet our security team, are reminded of discipline and behavioral protocols/procedures, participate in annual Bullying/Harassment and A.L.i.C.E. training as well as hear from their respective grade level guidance counselors regarding academic expectations.

Annual A.L.i.C.E. training for GNBVT staff will be conducted on September 4th.

The All School A.L.i.C.E. drill is tentatively scheduled for October 18th.

On Friday, September 13th, students will be dismissed at 10:25 for a rear

door bus evacuation drill. Students should wear appropriate clothing

and footwear.

The New Bedford buses will be in front of school. Dartmouth and

Fairhaven buses will be behind the school near the Jeffrey Riley

Stadium. The buses will be in their usual order- Dartmouth first then

Fairhaven.

Students should report directly to their bus. The sooner the drill is

completed, the sooner the buses will leave. Students that have a ride, walking or drive themselves.

may leave at 10:25 am.

Please note this is earlier than the usual 10:49 am dismissal time for early release days.

A reminder that all students must have their ID on at all times during the school day. If students do not have their ID they will be issued a sticker ID and must serve an ID detention until 3pm that day.

Please review the Attendance Policy in the links below.

The 2025 After Prom Committee will have its first meeting on Monday, September 9th at 6 pm in G141, Media Technology. If you would like to stay up to date, please email jennifer.gaspar@gnbvt.edu to be added to the After Prom email chain.

• The Academic Support Program provides students with a broad array of services, including tutoring, credit recovery courses, and after-school sessions with the goal of providing students with additional educational support.
• All services are highly recommended and give students the opportunity to continue to access the curriculum in various academic content areas with dedicated and compassionate instructors. After-school transportation is provided by the district.
• For additional information please contact Sarah Blanchette, Academic Support Coordinator. Sarah.Blanchette@gnbvt.edu Ext. 757 B257
• Please refer to the links provided below for program details.

Welcome back for the start of our school year! We are happy to have you all here with us and a

special WELCOME to the Class of 2028!

For our incoming freshman, YOG 2028, please remember to bring in any updated physicals,

health questionnaires and copies of your immunization records for the nursing staff to review. It

is important to have updated records and be made aware of any medical conditions that require

our attention.

For our junior class, YOG 2026, please remember to provide us with a copy of your most recent

immunizations that would include your meningococcal vaccination record as this is a grade 11

entry requirement if you are 16 years of age or older at the start of school.

For our senior class, YOG 2025, the Department of Public Health requires us to report on the

final status of meningococcal vaccinations so we ask that if you have not sent in proof of this

vaccination last school year to please provide a copy at this time. The deadline for submitting

paperwork will be shared at a later date.

For our incoming freshmen students, the Health Center is located on the first floor on the same

side as the main office, on the way to the cafeteria. Please drop off any medical forms that your

parent/guardian has provided.

The nursing staff are happy to help you with any health care needs or concerns. Please reach

out if you need assistance:

Best of luck this upcoming school year. We can not wait to hear of all the great things you have

done over the summer as well as throughout the school year! Go BEARS!

If at anytime, you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the nursing staff:

Nurse Ursula Crowell: ursula.crowell@gnbvt.edu- ext 205

Nurse Casey Clarke: casey.clarke@gnbvt.edu- ext 661

Nurse Jaala Duarte: jaala.duarte@gnbvt.edu- ext 204

Welcome to the first issue of 2024-2025 issue of Paw Prints. I hope that you had a wonderful summer!

As the Executive Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Compliance, my passion is committed to ensuring that GNBVT remains a welcoming, inclusive and safe environment for all students, staff and families. I believe that every member of our school community feels valued, respected and supported.

Welcome GNBVT families! My name is Mrs. Maria deMelo and I am the newly appointed

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Specialist. I am very excited to connect with you as

the hustle and bustle of the back-to-school season has already begun. While your child/children

are back in the building exploring new subjects and reuniting with friends, I want you to know

that I am here for you too!

In August, the SkillsUSA leadership team attended a team building retreat held at the Heritage Adventure Park in Sandwich that included zip-lining!!

Upcoming Events: The Fall leadership team retreat will be held September 28th at GNBVT, installing officers into their newly elected roles.

ADDRESS:

Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School

1121 Ashley Blvd

New Bedford, MA 02740

508.998.3321

INTERNET/SOCIAL MEDIA:

WEBSITE: www.gnbvt.edu

INSTAGRAM: @gnbvoctechhighschool
X: @GNBVocTechHS