Hornet Nation,

Over the weekend, we celebrated the incredible achievement of Carter Brotherton, who won the State Championship in Cross Country. Congratulations, Carter, on this outstanding accomplishment!

While our boys soccer team unfortunately lost to Towson in the state semi-finals and our football team fell short against North Point in round two of the playoffs, we want to acknowledge the hard work and commendable performances of all our fall sports teams this season. Our athletes have truly surpassed expectations and made us proud to be HORNETS.

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that winter sports tryouts will begin this week, starting on Wednesday. We encourage all interested students to come prepared and showcase their skills. Whether it's basketball, wrestling, or any other winter sport, we can't wait to see our athletes shine once again.

We are already a few weeks into the second quarter of the school year, and we hope you are doing well. As we continue this journey together, it is important to reflect on our progress and the things you can control. How are your grades looking? Remember, school becomes easier when we build positive relationships with our teachers. It’s a choice you have to make to let your teachers be your friend. While you may not have chosen your school, know that all of our teachers have chosen to work at Great Mills because they genuinely love teaching and our school community.

This Great Mills experience is so much better when we choose to focus on the positives in people rather than dwell on negatives. It makes navigating through challenges much easier. We recognize that there are both pros and cons in everything and everyone, but we have the power to choose what we see and how we respond.

Obtaining a high school diploma is an essential step towards building a successful future. It is not the final destination, but rather the first step in your journey into adulthood. At Great Mills, we want to help you create and pursue your personal goals. Your dreams may evolve and change, but having a plan in place will make your school experience more fulfilling.

Remember, your Great Mills High School staff genuinely cares about your future. We are here to support you in reaching your dreams! Gone SGA or other clubs to make share your voice in planning the right activities and don’t be afraid to share your dreams.

Remember, the week will be whatever you make, so let's make it GREAT!

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

Great event at the Veterans Day Parade on Saturday. Over 3000 participants, including 80+ from NJROTC and the entire marching band.

Our schools are heavily impacted by federally connected students – those parents/guardians who work on federal property in Maryland, live on federal property in Maryland, and/or are active duty military personnel. Because of this impact, we receive federal grant funds to operate and maintain our schools and enrich school programs. To receive these funds, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) requires us to survey each student to determine eligibility. SMCPS is encouraging all parents/guardians to please take the time to access and complete the Impact Aid Survey Form online, located in the Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online form can be found HERE. A video with instructions is available HERE. The form can now be accessed in Spanish by clicking on the Globe in the top right-hand corner once the form has been started. The deadline for the online submission of Impact Aid Program Survey forms is November 14, 2023.

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.

Effective communication is critical to the success of St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS). This will be crucial not only for emergencies but for our ability to communicate with families in general. Online Emergency Information Update Forms are now available through the student’s Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online form can be found HERE. A video with instructions is available HERE. It is vital that all information is updated in eSchool. The deadline for the online submission of Emergency Information Update forms is November 14, 2023. Please click here for the Blank Emergency Form. If you have any questions, please contact Tiffany Shreve at tkshreve@smcps.org.

• November 22 - 24 - Thanksgiving Break - No School
  

Don’t forget that No Shave November starts now! Mini- THON is hosting No Shave November to raise money for Pediatric cancer research. Meet the Male staff that is participating in this year's competition…Money can be donated towards each teacher's donor drive with the QR Code. Look forward to different ads from each staff this month! Who are you supporting this month?

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!!

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.

Thursday, November 16th

FSA (Federal Student Aid) ID Completion Virtual Event

FSA ID RSVP HERE

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 is hosting a FREE FSA-ID Completion Virtual Workshop on Thursday, November 16th, at 6:00 p.m. This is a virtual event through Google Meet. Financial Aid Counselors will be available to walk students and parents through the process of completing their FSA ID. FSA ID RSVP 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

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

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

You didn't get your picture taken? No problem, picture make up day is on Wednesday, November 15th, for underclassmen.

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.

Winter sports will be starting November 15th. If you haven't already had a physical the form is below for you to download. Get your physical and start getting in shape!

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

This week in Sports

Monday, December 4th

• Boys Basketball Scrimmage vs South River - JV-5:00; Varsity - 6:30

Tuesday, December 5th

• Varsity Wrestling vs Calvert - 5:00

Wednesday, December 6th

• Girls and Boys Varsity Swimming @ CSM Leonardtown Pool - 6:00

Thursday, December 7th

• Wrestling vs St. Charles - 5:30

Come out and support!!

See full playoff schedules on the SMAC Website when they are available.

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