Happy New Year Hornet Nation!

I can't wait to see all your smiling faces Tuesday morning! I hope this message finds you energized and ready to take on the exciting challenges that lie ahead. As we embark on the second half of the academic year, I wanted to remind everyone of a few important matters.

1. Nest Hour (One Lunch) Etiquette:

I kindly request that everyone utilize Nest Hour appropriately. This time should be used for nourishment, relaxation, recovery, and/or completing assignments. It is important that students, are in designated areas during this time to ensure safety and effective supervision. This school belongs to you, so please make sure to clean up after yourself. Let's continue to make lunchtime a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone.

2. Checking Grades and Ending the 2nd Quarter Strong:

With only one month left of the second quarter, I encourage all students to regularly check their grades and actively work towards ending the quarter on a positive note. This is an excellent opportunity to reflect on your progress, seek assistance if needed, and recover any necessary product assignments to ensure academic success. Remember, your effort and dedication determine your grade in each class. Do your classroom habits help or hinder you?

3. Eligibility for Spring Sports:

For those interested in participating in spring sports, I want to emphasize that this upcoming report card will determine your eligibility and must meet the minimum 2.0 requirement. It is crucial to maintain satisfactory academic standing to have the opportunity to represent the Green and Gold in competition. Let's strive for excellence both academically and athletically, as they go hand in hand in shaping well-rounded individuals and opens doors.

I challenge everyone to learn and know what they really want to be when they grow up. I am more than confident that Great Mills High School can help you achieve your personal goals. When we focus on what we want out of life, graduating high school is the first big milestone in our life journey.

Wishing you all a successful and fulfilling second half of the academic year!

Let's make this 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 2 - All schools reopen
• January 15 - Martin Luther King Jr Day - All schools closed
• January 26 - No School for student/Professional day for teachers
• January 26 - End of 2nd quarter/1st semester

We have had less than 100 Juniors sign up for the SAT. This test is free and can be used to replace CSM placement exams and support college entrance. As a junior you might not be fully committed to college, but please do not close this door by not taking the test.

Our Girls and Boys Basketball teams are off to a great start! They both won their Holiday Tournaments! Great job Coach Wood and Coach Burrell!

#HornetNation

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 will open for all students on Monday, November 20. 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

FAFSA Completion Night – Thursday, January 11th at 6:00 p.m. – In-Person Event at Great Mills High School

What is the FAFSA?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in the financial aid process. You use the FAFSA form to apply for federal student aid, such as grants, work-study, and loans. In addition, most states and colleges use information from the FAFSA form to award non federal aid. Students & Parents will complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA Form when it is available.

Great Mills High School is hosting a FREE FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Completion/Financial Aid Night on Thursday, January 11th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. College Financial Aid Counselors will be available to assist parents and students in the completion of their FAFSA. This event will take place in the Great Mills High School Media Center.

To accommodate our families, we are asking that if you are planning to attend, please RSVP through the google form with the link: FAFSA COMPLETION RSVP LINK HERE

For more information or to complete the FAFSA, visit www.studentaid.gov

If you have questions or concerns, please contact me at 301-863-4001, ext.18139 or accunningham@smcps.org

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

Wednesday, January 3rd

• Girls Basketball vs Southern - JV 5:00; Varsity - 6:30
  
• Girls and boys swimming @ St. Mary's College Pool 6:00

Friday, January 5th

• Girls Basketball vs La Plata Varsity only 6:00
• Girls and boys swimming @ St. Mary's College Pool 6:00

Saturday, January 6

• JV Wrestling tournament @ Leonardtown High School - 8:00 am

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