PRINCIPAL'S LETTER
May 2023
Dear Grassfield High School Families,
We are excited to welcome spring weather and the final marking periods for this school year. We remain committed to continuing our tradition of academic excellence and school success and all early indicators on our standardized testing scores and on-time graduation rate are looking great. As we move towards the end of the 2022-2023 school year, we thank all of our school community members who are working hard to prepare for the graduation of the Class of 2023, the 16th graduating class of Grassfield High School. Graduation will be held June 16, 2023, at 12:45 pm at the Chartway Arena on the campus of ODU. All guests must have a ticket, which we will distribute to graduating seniors during graduation practice on June 12. The best way to battle “senioritis” is to remain focused on graduating on time with the skills ready for EMPLOYMENT, ENLISTMENT or ENROLLMENT.
As the weather warms up, please review the Chesapeake Public Schools citywide dress code policy to make sure you and your student understand the dress code expectations as set forth and approved by the Superintendent and School Board. Please review the other sections enclosed for important information regarding final exams, SOL testing, AP Testing and the school calendar of events. Please refer to our website and our social media sites on Twitter and Instagram for the latest and most up to date information and events. Thank you for your support, and as always, Go Grizzlies!
Proud To Be a Grizzly,
Mike Perez
Principal
Spring SOL Testing DAYS
Spring semester SOL Tests are coming up soon. Start preparing for the four asynchronous days now. Students who are not testing or attending SOL Power Sessions are expected to participate in virtual learning by completing work assigned by their teacher for all classes in order to be considered “present”.
- Students who are testing should arrive by 8:55AM (regular start time). Power Review Session will be conducted prior to all History, Science, and Math SOLS. Locations will be determined and announced the week prior to testing.
- Thursday, May 25, 2023 Reading SOL and World Language Biliteracy Testing
- Friday, May 26, 2023 World History I and II, and US/VA History SOLS (Power Session begins at 8:55AM)
- Thursday, June 1, 2023 Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry SOLS (Power Session begins at 8:55AM)
- Friday, June 2, 2023 Algebra I and II, Geometry SOLS (Power Session begins at 8:55AM)
Attendance Waiver Requests
If you have missed more than 9 days in any class FOR ANY REASON (excused or unexcused), it is required that you complete the Attendance Waiver Form. Completed forms must include documentation (if not already submitted through ParentVue or to the Attendance Clerk).
Summer School is Back Again!
Summer Learning. Chesapeake Public Schools is pleased to provide a variety of high-quality instructional programs for students this summer. These learning options have been designed to meet students’ unique academic needs and provide enrichment experiences to explore new concepts. Information about the elementary, middle, and high school summer learning programs for 2023 is now available on the summer school website.
Click on this picture to jump to the High School Program Guide. Please reach out to your school counselor if you are interested in taking a course this summer.
Class of 2023: Important Graduation Information
Congratulations! In just a few weeks, we will celebrate our 2023 graduates at the Chartway Arena at Old
Dominion University in Norfolk. Graduation is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and
commitments on the part of parents, students, teachers, and administrators. We all want to make
graduation a happy and memorable occasion with just the right atmosphere of seriousness, pride, dignity,
and happiness. In an effort to ensure that this occasion is one that all participants can remember with a
sense of accomplishment, the following guidelines have been established:
1. Appropriate attire must be worn by all graduates. Appropriate attire includes shoes, trousers,
collared shirts, neckties, dresses, skirts, or blouses.
2. Caps and gowns are to be worn for graduation. Caps are worn with the cap mortarboard
parallel to the ground – not tilted. The tassel is worn over the right eye until all students are
called across the stage; the class will then change tassels to the left to signify “graduate” as a
group. All graduates should refrain from wearing distracting jewelry with their caps and gowns.
Caps should not be embellished with additional decoration.
3. Remember all would like to hear students’ names called without interference. Please refrain
from loud outbursts when names are called. Patrons who utilize air horns or noisemakers will
have these items confiscated and may be asked to leave the arena.
4. ODU will not sell food or drinks or any type of merchandise. Guests will be allowed to bring
unopened water bottles into the stadium if desired.
In addition, we ask that you arrive early for the graduation ceremony. ALL GUESTS MUST HAVE A
TICKET TO ENTER THE CHARTWAY ARENA. Please note that graduates will each receive ten (10)
tickets for the ceremony. The tickets will be distributed to seniors at graduation practice the week of June
12. Tickets will be barcoded to prevent duplication.
The doors of the Chartway Arena will open one hour prior to the beginning of the ceremony. Attendants
will be available to assist you in locating a parking space. Parking lot entrances and exit lanes as well as
handicapped parking areas are clearly marked. If members of your party require ADA seating or the use
of an elevator, please let the ODU staff know upon arrival.
On the back of this letter are general guidelines to assist you in planning for the graduation ceremony.
Please be reminded that the graduation ceremony is one for all to enjoy and remember. You are asked to
remain at your seats during the ceremony and until graduation is completed.
The administration of Grassfield High School wants the 2023 commencement to be remembered with joy
and pride, and we are looking forward to a memorable and rewarding experience. With your support, the
Class of 2023 will be honored with the dignity that they deserve. Thank you for your cooperation and
assistance.
Sincerely,
Michael Perez
Grassfield High School Principal
IMPORTANT REMINDERS REGARDING GRADUATION 2023
IMPORTANT REMINDERS REGARDING GRADUATION 2023
1. Parking garages are located at the 43rd Street Constant Center Garage, the 45th Street
Constant Center Garage, and the 43rd & Elkhorn parking garage.
2. Doors to the Chartway Arena will open for guests to enter one hour prior to the ceremony
and the ceremony will begin promptly at the scheduled time.
3. Appropriate attire is requested.
4. Please remain seated during the entire ceremony. Photography or videography from the
aisles are prohibited.
5. Please do not bring gifts, large objects, containers, noise makers, balloons, or signs.
Patrons who utilize air horns or loud noise makers will have these items confiscated and
may be asked to leave.
6. Please exit the arena as directed by the ushers and maintain social distancing.
7. Graduates will recess first; guests should remain standing at seats until graduates have
recessed from the floor of the Convocation Center. NOTE: Guests should plan to exit the
arena to meet up with their graduate at a predetermined space following the ceremony.
GRADUATION GUIDELINES AND CROWD CONTROL
I. Preliminary mailing of information to parents/guardians with the following expectations:
• Stay seated during ceremony
• No photography or videography from aisles or arena floor
• No noisemakers
• Graduates exit first; guests remain standing at seats until graduates have recessed
from the floor of the Chartway Arena.
NOTE: Inform guests to go outside of the arena to meet up with the graduates
• No gift boxes, camera bags, large objects, containers, balloons, or signs
• ODU staff will assist in directions and monitoring inside arena doors
DATE, TIME, and LOCATION
Grassfield High School Graduation 2023
Friday, June 16, 2023
12:45 p.m.- 2 p.m.
Chartway Arena
4320 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, Va.
Remembering Anne McKim
WOW! It is time for the 13th Annual AEM Golf Tournament! We can't believe it's been 13 years! The golf tournament will take place on Friday, July 14th, 2023 at Cypress Point Country Club. The money raised will be donated to the Anne Elizabeth McKim Memorial Scholarship Fund at Grassfield High School.
The scholarship was established to help provide support for Grassfield high school students seeking to improve themselves through higher education in honor and memory of Anne Elizabeth McKim, the school’s late athletic trainer. To date, 26 + students have benefited from the scholarship fund.
Anne passed away in December, 2010 from heart related symptoms after 8 days in a coma. The overwhelming outpour of support for Anne and her family while Anne was in the hospital was testament to the way Anne conducted her life and her career. She always had a huge smile on her face, and touched the lives of so many people she came into contact with, leaving an unforgettable impression on everyone. Her favorite quote was. “It is often the bend in the road that makes life worth the drive.”
The AEM Foundation is strong, and is a constant reminder of Anne's legacy. All of the students that knew Anne have now graduated not just from High School, but also from College, and there is a whole new crop of students that are now benefiting from the Scholarship fund, thanks to all of you.
The majority of the Grassfield athletic teams have been instrumental in making the golf tournament a success. We would greatly appreciate if you can contribute in any of the following ways:
1.) Register a team to play on July 14th (Registration Form Attached)
2.) Send the flyer to your team parents and encourage them to register a team
3.) Grassfield Athletics has always been a tournament sponsor- On May 22nd Matt Puryear will be placing transfer forms in the mail boxes of all head coaches to donate money from your team account – please complete the transfer form and turn into Matt Puryear (NOT the book keeper) before Tuesday, May 30th.
4.) Donate items for the raffle (Grassfield t-shirt, hats, fundraising leftovers, etc.) – Please give all items to Bret Lieberman by Tuesday, May 30th.
If you have any questions please contact Brenna Anderson brenna.anderson@cpschools.com or Bret Lieberman bret.lieberman@cpschools.com.
Please see the attached Sponsorship Letter and Registration Form. Let us know if you have any questions- Hope to see you on the course!
Brenna Anderson
May Scholarship Information
Seniors who are receiving a scholarship of any kind or amount, please complete the 2023 Senior Scholarship Information Form by Wednesday, May 31 @ 11:59pm.
- GFHS point of contact: Mrs. Sharpe aleke.sharpe@cpschools.com
Please continue to check Scholarshipvue for current scholarship opportunities!
Upcoming Sports Recognition Events
"Commitment/Signing Day" - Wednesday, May 24th - 4:30 p.m.
Grassfield High School will host a "commitment/signing day" for all Grassfield High School senior athletes who participated in VHSL sports for Grassfield High School and have committed to playing that sport in college next year. The tentative location for this event is the auditorium. Athletes can get detailed information and sign up to be a part of this event by contacting their head varsity coach.
Spring Sports Recognition Ceremony - Wednesday, June 7th - 7:00 p.m.
All spring sports athletes that finish their season in good standing are invited to the Spring Sports Recognition Ceremony along with their family on Wednesday, June 7th at 7:00 p.m. here at Grassfield High School. Letters, pins, and awards will be given out at this event. Appropriate attire is requested.
Fall Sports Are Just Around the Corner
ALL Current athletic physicals will expire on June 30, 2023. Incoming freshmen and anyone who doesn't have a physical on file with Grassfield Athletics must bring a copy or get a physical ASAP in order to participate in condition or to tryout for any sport.
Volleyball Tryouts will be held:
July 31st and August 1st. All sessions are mandatory. Contact coach Robin Smith (robingfh.smith@cpschools.com) for more information.
VOLLEYBALL OPEN GYM/CONDITIONING:
Open gyms and conditioning/weight training will begin May 1st.
Mondays and Wednesdays; (MEET IN GYM)
4:15 - 6:15 pm
Tuesdays and Thursdays: (Meet at outside Weight room near track)
4:15 - 5:30 pm
Please have volleyball shoes and outdoor running shoes, water bottle and a towel for all sessions.