Hornet Buzz
October 22, 2023
Sunday Chat with Principal Dothard
Hornet Nation,
Thank you, Great Mills, for responding! This was a better week, but we do need to continue to get better! Next stop is the bathrooms. School bathrooms have become a meeting place and problem in secondary schools across the country. We do continue to try new ideas outside of locking them. However, it could get to the point that bathrooms are locked during class change and students will need to use the restroom during class when we can better monitor them. For the majority of students that are using the bathrooms for the appropriate use, we understand your frustration and really are working to address it. If you have ideas, please share them with your Assistant Principal or myself.
We have 4 fall sports still alive:
Coach Delwin Harris and the Volleyball team will face off against Northern High School Monday at 5:00pm.
Coach Jason Ankrah and the Football team won our first playoff football game since 1981! We will face North Point High School at North Point on Friday at 7:00 pm.
Coach Brian Hawkins and the Boys Soccer will face Towson High School for the State Semifinals at Crofton High School Saturday at 12:00 Noon.
Coach Ben Wilhite and the Cross Country team, Carter Brotherton, Brady Gutekunst, and Sadie Swift, will compete in the State Championships on Saturday at Hereford High School.
If you can get out and show some love to our Student-Athletes, I know they will love you for it! All tickets must be purchased through GoFan.com and there is a link below. We will look into getting a fan bus for Football and Soccer. The cost for a fan bus is about $600 per bus. In an effort to keep the bus fee as low as possible for students, we will be accepting donations to cover the cost. This would allow our students to only have to purchase their game ticket and food. Once bus information has been confirmed, we will share more information on how to make a tax deductible donation. Thank you for your support!
Remember, the week will be whatever you make, so let's make it GREAT!
Mr. Dothard
Principal
We Are... GREAT MILLS!!!
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
This Week at The Mill!
Pride and Prejudice was a great success! Great job GMHS Lighthouse Productions!
Boys Soccer on their way to State Semifinal game! Congratulations!!
Congratulations to our football team for their 1st playoff victory since 1981!
ASVAB RESULTS ARE IN!!
ASVAB results are available to pick up from me in D27. If you would like to take a moment to talk through your results and what that means for you, contact Ms. Carroll or Ms. Cunningham in the Career and College room.
The U.S. Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Air Force will be visiting GMHS during the month of November. Sign up here using your school issued device. A pass will be sent to all those who would like to attend.
Impact Aid Forms
Questions on How to Navigate MHEC's Financial Aid Process?
The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) invites you to be part of an interactive event, helping to navigate the financial aid process and learn more about the $130 million in financial assistance available to Maryland students annually!
If you have questions on how to navigate MHEC's Financial Aid process this event is for you! If you are interested in the Maryland Promise Scholarship, this event can also help you understand that process as well.
The Virtual Financial Aid Open House will be on Friday, November 10 from 10am - noon. Click here to attend the Open House.
Please join MHEC Acting Secretary Dr. Sanjay Rai and Al Dorsett, Director of MHEC’s Office of Student Financial Assistance, for a VIRTUAL Financial Aid Open House on Friday, November 10 from 10 a.m. to Noon. The session will be moderated by MHEC Chair Cassie Motz.
The MHEC leadership team will (1) share MHEC’s plans to improve processes in the upcoming financial aid season and (2) welcome suggestions while fielding questions.
Please send your questions and suggestions in advance no later than Friday, November 3rd. Live questions and suggestions will be accepted but are not guaranteed to be addressed due to time limitations.
Click here to attend the Open House
Spread the word!
MD JSHS registration open
Encouraging Maryland’s many talented high school students to participate will support the STEM needs of our military and provide scholarships and opportunities for participants.
Link to the flyer: https://paxpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/JSHS-Student-Flyer-2024-Maryland.pdf
JSHS is a U.S. wide program, funded by Department of Defense (DOD) organizations to promote original STEM research and experimentation at the high school level, fostering creativity and academic achievement. Students present their research to their peers and practicing researchers in the DOD, industry and academia. JSHS connects talented high school students, teachers, and research professionals, and expands the talent base to support the needs of our military and our nation.
Timeline for the 2024 MD JSHS:
· Students will register and submit a 250-word abstract online at (https://apps.ideal-logic.com/aeop?key=JKR5-G7ZD1_K9KH-5PTF_2d75753512e5) by November 17, 2023.
· Abstracts will be reviewed, and if accepted, students will submit a full research paper by December 20, 2023.
· All research papers will be reviewed, and ten students will be selected to present their papers. Another ten students will be selected to present posters.
· The top ranked students will go on to present at the National JSHS Symposium in Albuquerque, New Mexico May 1-4, 2024.
National JSHS information can be found at https://jshs.org/national-symposium/, and Maryland JSHS information is at https://jshs.org/region/maryland/. Rules, guidelines, categories, resources, and FAQ are on both sites.
My colleague, Danielle Moore, is the MD JSHS Project Manager for TPP. She may be reached at danielle.moore@paxpartnership.org or 240-317-6023.
Online Emergency Information Needs Updating
GMHS Sailing Club
The Mid-Atlantic Interscholastic Sailing Association (MASSA) Silver Fleet Championship Regatta was held in Buffalo, NY. Our GMHS team placed second out of 14 teams from the mid-Atlantic region.
Pictured below from left to right:
Coach Braedon Myers (GMHS ‘20), Alex Prior (‘24), Owen Delwiche (‘25), Eliza Szymendera (‘25), Claire Sullivan (‘25), Eli Leopold (‘24), and Ryan Brelage (‘24).
Congratulations and keep up the hard work!!
November Dates to Remember
- November 7 - Report cards will be available on HAC
- November 10 - Veteran's Day - All SMCPS Schools will be closed
- November 22 - 24 - Thanksgiving Break - No School
Need to pick your student up during lunch?
No Food Deliveries
Up Coming College visits!
Monday, November 6th
UMD Eastern Shore @ 10:00am
University of Maine @ 1:00pm
Tuesday, November 7th
Army Recruiter @ 10:00am
Wednesday, November 8th
Coast Guard Recruiter @ 11:00am
Thursday, November 16th
FSA (Federal Student Aid) ID Completion Virtual Event
FSA ID RSVP HERE
Here is the Pax River Navel Base MWR Teen Center Calendar for November
Here another way you can have your Diploma work for you!
Secure Your Memories Now!!
Picture Retakes are coming November 15th
You didn't get your picture taken? No problem, picture make up day is on Wednesday, November 15th, for underclassmen, and the last day for seniors pictures will be Friday, November 3th.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN HEALTH INSURANCE OR SUPPLAMENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE FOR YOUR STUDENT? FIND MORE INFORMATION BELOW.
SAT Registration
Schoology Access
For more help with Schoology, visit the SMCPS Schoology Parent Dashboard.
Keys to Success
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."
Harris Teeter - Together in Education
Enhanced Security at SMCPS After School Events
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.
Calling all HORNETS for Winter Sports
Winter Sports:
Boys and Girls Basketball
Girls and Boys Swimming
Boys and Girls Wrestling
Girls and Boys Indoor Track and Field
Winter Cheerleading
Pals Bowling
Support your HORNETS in action!!!
This weeks Playoff Games
Monday, November 6th
- Volleyball @ Northern 5:00
Friday, November 10th
- Football @ North Point 7:00
Saturday, November 11th
- Cross Country @ Hereford High School - State Champions
- Boys Soccer @ Crofton High School playing against Townson High School in the Semifinal game
Come out and support!!
See full playoff schedules on the SMAC Website when they are available.
Online Tickets for all SMCPS Events
Maryland Promise Scholarship
Mental Health and Wellness 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
Great Mills High School
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