THE GRANTONIAN
FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 16th
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT, SEPTEMBER 18TH
GRANT CELEBRATES 100 YEARS!!
Superintendent Armstrong opens our celebration
Royal Rosarians and Principal McGee plant a rose in honor of 100 years.
Enough celebratory cake for everyone!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP SEMIFINALISTS
The following students are semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Competition:
Seth Filner
Ethan Hargunani
Micah Harter
Lewis McClelland
START A CLUB AT GHS!
Hey Generals! It's that time of year again to register or reregister your club for the Club Fair and the 2024-2025 school year. It must be completed by September 23rd if you want to be included at Club Fair! Follow this link and fill out the form!
Welcome to the 24/25 School Year!
Whether you are new to Grant or a returning family, we look forward to the year ahead.
As our sports and student activities get underway, we wanted to share information on how you can make purchases or donations to support our incredible school!
Our classrooms and programs are robust and the price of supplying materials and ensuring safe and productive learning environments is costly; We would not be able to achieve this without your support.
REQUEST FOR GENERAL DONATION any amount is helpful
This year, as a school, we are tasked with doing more with less; staff, supplies, & funding. In light of this, we see that our greatest need right now is for general donations that can be used to provide:
- Course-specific and schoolwide supplies & equipment to our classrooms and support areas
- Student activities for enhanced learning, community building and engagement
- Student incentives
- Student events and celebrations
- Student support- Financial Assistance, Scholarship, 4-star Hunger Project, Support Groups
Purchase a $30 ASB sticker for your student's ID* which includes:
- Free and Fast entry to all regular season home games and
- Free and Fast entry to Homecoming Game and Dance
- Discounted Dance tickets
- All proceeds support our Student Activities.
*Your student must have the sticker on their ID for entrance. This can be picked up during lunch or after school at the Bookkeeper's Window in the hall near the main office.
Login to schoolpay to pre-purchase a $55 yearbook for your student before the price goes up to $65 after 11/30.
LIFETIME FITNESS CLASS UNIFORM
Uniforms are required for Lifetime Fitness (formerly known as PE 1-2) students, but they are not provided through district resources. This fee helps to cover the cost of PE T-Shirt, Shorts, Workbook, and other supplies.
If you prefer to give directly to a classroom or department, you will find them listed here. You can expect further communications from your student's teachers at Back-to-School Night on September 18th from 6-8:30 PM.
Whether it’s staff in the classroom, office, cafeteria, health room or athletics, we care about your students and continue to be humbled by your support.
With gratitude,
Grant High School
GO GENERALS!
AUDITIONS FOR "BIG LOVE"
Fall 2024 session of Evening Scholars:
- Sept 30 - Jan 16
- Classes will be offered at:
- Roosevelt HS (Mon & Wed)
- Franklin HS (Tues & Thurs)
- newly reopened Benson HS (Tues, Wed, & Thurs) at 546 NE 12th Ave.
- Classes run from 5:00 - 8:00pm, one night per week.
- Classes have no fees again this Fall.
Evening Scholars is for credit recovery (F's and D's) in core subject areas. If you think your student needs to recover a credit for graduation or 4-year college eligibility (a D in a core subject), please reach out to your child's counselor OR ask your student to stop in and schedule an appointment with their counselor. Registration is completed with the counselor.
JOIN GRANT'S NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
STUDENT STORE NOW OPEN
Grant String Orchestra is Looking for Cello Players and Instrument Donations
Does your student play the cello? The Grant String Orchestra is looking to fill out the cello section with additional players of all abilities. String Orchestra, which meets 4th period, is a dynamic ensemble dedicated to playing both classical and modern music. Join a fun, exciting, and supportive ensemble to further hone your skills and play some great music. Performance opportunities include off campus candlelight concerts, festivals, Grantasia, Solo & Ensemble, and hopefully the OSAA State Orchestra Championship. For more information, contact the director, John Eisemann (jeisemann@pps.net). Or, reach out to your counselor on 9/4 to initiate a schedule change. (Players of other string instruments are also welcome and encouraged to join!)
Do you, or someone you know of, have an upright bass you'd be willing to donate or loan to Grant's string orchestra? We currently only have one upright bass available for students and three bass players. Instruments (including violins, violas, and cellos) in any condition will be considered. To arrange a donation or a loan, please contact John Eiseman (jeisemann@pps.net). Thank you for supporting our string orchestra kids!
East PDX Ski Team
Calling all families and interested ski racers for an informational meeting to learn all about East PDX Ski Team! This team is coed and open to intermediate and advanced skiers. No racing experience needed. Please join us September 23rd 7:00PM-8:30PM in Grant’s library to hear all about it and ask any questions you may have. Look forward to seeing you there!
Why purchase a 24/25 ASB Sticker?
Student participation at sporting events and dances is highly encouraged and celebrated at Grant High School. To make attendance easier for our students, we offer an annual Associated Student Body (ASB) Sticker for $30 that provides for this school year:
What are the benefits? If your student plans to attend dances or any home games, the ASB sticker will save both money and time with a quick flash of their ID for admittance to games! All proceeds are used to support: student activities, classroom supplies and equipment, events, and students experiencing financial hardship. Where can I purchase one for my student?
Purchase the 24/25 ASB sticker online and then we will have time during lunch and after school for your student to have it added to their brand-new GHS Student ID. To purchase in-person, you can also send your student in with cash or check.
CON TEAM FUNDRAISER
ATHLETICS
Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year and the start of the 2024 Fall Athletics season! My name is Odie Hollingshed, Athletic Director at Grant High School, myself and Athletics Assistant Erin Cole are excited to get the season underway! For Fall Athletic Schedules, please check www.osaa.org. We will also put each week's schedule in the Grantonian. Please check our athletics website www.grantathletics.com for more information regarding our programs and coaches contact information.
Athletics Information for Grant and the PIL
No Backpack Policy: Per PPS policy, no backpacks are allowed while attending athletic events on district property.
Admission: We will charge admission to the following sports across the district: football, volleyball, wrestling, and boys’ and girls’ basketball.
How to Purchase Tickets:
This season, we will be offering digital ticketing through GoFan. You can pre-purchase tickets for all PIL-hosted events online through GoFan Tickets. Links for tickets to PPS athletic events will be available on the district athletic website and individual school's athletic websites. Above is the link to all Grant Games and Season Passes.
Fans can purchase tickets online through GoFan or by presenting a card or mobile payment option at the ticket gate. All major credit cards, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, are accepted. Student ASB stickers will also be honored this year.
Fall PIL Single Game Ticket Prices:
Football: adults $7, students $5, senior citizens $5
Volleyball: adults $7, students $5, senior citizens $5
Soccer: no charge
XC: no charge
Athletics Passes: This year, spectators can purchase athletics passes. These passes are accepted at all league events. These passes do not get you into preseason games outside the PIL.
Fall PIL Pass: $65
Winter PIL Pass: $90
Outside Food: Outside food and drink are not allowed in our athletic contests. Some sites will have concessions available for purchase.
No Re-Entry: Once a person enters a varsity game, they are not allowed to leave the event and then return. This policy is for both students and adults.
Spectator Conduct: It is of the utmost importance that we conduct ourselves with the highest level of sportsmanship towards visiting schools, athletes, fans, and officials. The PIL is seeking to provide the best experience possible for everyone who attends our athletic contests. What makes these events fun and enriching is when we all do our part regardless of the outcome. Should any concerns arise, please seek out event workers, administration, or security personnel for help. We appreciate your support in advance.
We cheer for our athletes, support our coaches, stay off the referees, and respect our opponents. Anyone unable to follow these guidelines may be asked to leave the gym or field.
Grant Football in Bowl!
Join us on Friday September 13th as the Varsity Football team is back in the Grant Bowl for the first time since 2021 as they host the Hood River Valley Eagles. This will be a 400pm kickoff.
At the Grant Bowl, we have no bleachers, spectators are advised to bring their own chair or blanket to sit at the top of hills around the stadium. We will have 2 ticket entry points, one on the Southeast side of the field by US Grant Place and one near the baseball field’s 3rd base dugout.
Tickets are available for pre-purchase through GoFan, you will also be able to purchase them at the gate, we will be able to take credit or debit cards at the Southwest Entrance on the US Grant Side.
We ask that all spectators be inside the fenced area of the field and stay off of the track during the game.
We will send more information out the week of the game via school messenger.
Week of September 16th
Monday, September 16th
Boys Soccer @ Aloha HS JV 5pm, Varsity 7pm
Boys Soccer @ Catholic JV2 4:15pm
Girls Soccer vs Jesuit @ Grant Varsity 4:15 pm, JV @ Delta 4:15pm, JV2 @ Delta 4:15pm
Volleyball @ McNary HS JV/JV2 5pm, Varsity 6pm
Tuesday, September 17th
Water Polo vs Lakeridge @ Mt. Hood
Wednesday, September 18th
Boys Soccer vs Putnam @ Delta JV2 4:15pm
Girls Soccer @ Catholic JV2 4:15pm
Water Polo vs. Cottage Grove @ Parkrose
Thursday, September 19th
JV2 Football @ Lincoln 4pm
Volleyball @ McDaniel HS JV/JV2 4:30pm, Varsity 6pm
Boys Soccer vs Sherwood @ Delta Park Varsity 4:15pm, JV 4:15pm
Girls Soccer v. West Linn @ Rosemont MS JV 4:45pm, Varsity @ West Linn 7pm
Water Polo vs David Douglass @ Mt. Hood
Friday, September 20th
Football @ Lincoln Varsity 7pm
COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER NEWS
NACAC September Virtual College Fair: Sunday, September 15th from 10 AM to 3 PM
This virtual fair is a great opportunity for students and families to connect with college representatives from across the country, all from the comfort and convenience of their computers. All high school students, transfer students, high school or college counselors, and families are welcome to register for this complimentary event. You can view the list of exhibiting colleges and universities. If you have any questions, please contact collegefairs@nacacnet.org.
Free College Essay Online Workshops for Grant Students
We're excited to partner with College Essay Guy this year to offer students useful college application resources, including virtual workshops on how to write personal statements. The How to Write A Personal Statement Boot Camp sessions that took place in June were recorded and students can access the recordings until December 31st by registering for the workshops using the link below.
Grant High School students can join the live online courses listed below or choose to watch them at a later time:
The College Application + Supplemental Essays Crash Course: September 22nd
How to Answer the UC Personal Insight Questions Crash Course: October 5th & 6th
How to register:
Go to this registration page: https://www.collegeessayguy.com/sub-ceg-live-students.
Enter your name and email, and select Grant High School from the School/Organization list.
You’re done! Put the dates and times in your calendar, and keep an eye on your email with the next steps and instructions for the assignments to complete and how to join the live events.
Contact Ms. Snell, GH College Coordinator, at msnell@pps.net with any questions.
The College Place: Paying for College/Pagar la Universidad: Wednesday, October 23rd at 6:00 PM
Thinking about life after high school? Learn more about how to pay for your education no matter your financial situation. We'll discuss scholarships, grants, financial aid applications, college costs, and more, and help you feel comfortable with your options.
¿Está pensando en su vida después de la escuela secundaria? Obtenga más información sobre cómo pagar su educación sin importar su situación financiera. Discutiremos las becas, las subvenciones, las solicitudes de ayuda financiera, los costos universitarios y más, y lo ayudaremos a sentirse cómodo con sus opciones.
Presenter: Jenn Satalino, Director of The College Place-Oregon (ECMC)
Wednesday, October 23 from 6 PM - 7:30 PM. Click this link to register.
NACAC National College Fair - Portland: Sunday, October 27th, and Monday, October 28th at the Oregon Convention Center
Connect with colleges from across the US and beyond. Free and open to the public, NACAC fairs connect you with colleges and universities in one convenient location.
COLLEGE VISITS
Starting next week, we will be hosting 8 to 10 college visits per week. If students are going to miss class time to attend a visit, we recommend that they speak with their teacher in advance. They can also come to the College & Career Center to pick up a pass to attend the visit.
The most updated list of visits is in MaiaLearning, where students can view and register for all upcoming college visits Under Events. Any students planning to attend a virtual visit need to RSVP in MaiaLearning -> Events -> Actions -> Attend.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo: Monday, 09/16/2024 at 11:41 AM in the College & Career Center
University of San Diego: Monday, 09/16/2024 at 3:00 PM in the College & Career Center
Western Oregon University: Tuesday, 09/17/2024 at 11:41 AM in the College & Career Center
University of Puget Sound: Tuesday, 09/17/24 at 3:00 PM in the College & Career Center
California College of the Arts: Tuesday, 09/17/24 at 3:00 PM in the South Forum
University of Utah: Wednesday, 09/18/2024 at 11:41 AM in the College & Career Center
University of Redlands: Wednesday, 09/18/2024 at 3:00 PM in the College & Career Center
Union College: Thursday, 09/19/2024 at 11:41 AM in the College & Career Center
Northwestern University: Thursday, 09/19/2024 at 3:00 PM in the College & Career Center
New York University: Friday, 09/20/2024 at 11:41 AM in the College & Career Center
SCHOLARSHIPS
We encourage students to start looking for scholarships now! The College & Career Center website has a running list of featured scholarships, as well as resources for finding additional scholarships. Below are a few scholarships with upcoming deadlines:
The Gates Scholarship: Deadline September 15th at 2:00 PM PT
Women in Nursing Scholarship: Deadline September 15th
QuestBridge National College Match: Deadline September 26th
Niche $25,000 Back to School Scholarship: Deadline September 27th
Equal Opportunity Scholarship: Deadline September 30th
Aspire Scholarship: Deadline September 30th
Tide & Downy Back-to-School Scholarship by Procter & Gamble: Deadline September 30th
Epic Flight Academy Aviation Scholarships: Deadline October 1st
Career Coach Future Leaders Scholarship: Deadline October 1st
McDonald's HACER Scholarship: Deadline October 10th
National YoungArts Foundation Scholarship: Deadline October 14th
Evans Scholars Program: Deadline October 15th
NSHSS Foundation STEM Scholarship: Deadline October 15th
NSCA Foundation Scholarships: Deadline October 15th
NCWIT Aspirations in Computing High School Award: Deadline October 29th at 11:59 PM
U.S. Bank Student Scholarship: Deadline October 30th
American Culinary Federation Scholarships: Deadline October 31st
Great Clips Scholarship: Deadline October 31st
Career Exploration and a chance to create OKness in the world:
1. Career Days with the Portland Workforce Alliance and partners - these are opportunities to get out into the workplace. Especially great for JUNIORS and SENIORS - you'll get a sense of what it's like to work in a particularly industry, meet people who work in it and understand their roles and learn about their pathways from high school to career:
Kaiser Permanente Career Day (Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024). Explore careers in health care with one of Oregon’s leading employers. Go behind-the-scenes at Kaiser’s high-tech simulation lab where medical professionals receive ongoing training, and participate in a hands-on simulation. Learn about the importance of teamwork through hands-on learning. Get college-and-career advice from professionals working in healthcare. IN PERSON at KP.
Fashion Career Day @ Portland Fashion Institute (Friday, Oct. 4, 2024): Spend the morning at the Portland Fashion Institute and learn how to turn your love of fashion into a career. Talk to current fashion students and get career coaching from a working apparel designer. Dive into a hands-on sewing project! (No experience necessary.) IN PERSON at PFI.
KGW News Career Day (Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024): Students will go behind-the-scenes at KGW Studios, explore the news set and control room, and witness a live show being broadcast. They will hear from industry professionals on what it's like to cover local news, do social media and sell or create advertisements in a fast-paced environment. They will also learn about getting started, developing skills and turning their first job into a great career. IN PERSON at KGW.
Turner Construction Career Day (Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024): Dive into the world of construction and explore careers in engineering, operations, business, and finance. Get hands-on with activities like building a concrete planter or estimating a project, and take an exclusive tour of the Press Blocks jobsite. Connect with industry pros and gain insights for your future career! Lunch included.
AWS Elemental Career Day (Wednesday, October 23, 2024): Dream of having a job in the tech industry? Come meet the engineers, designers, data scientists, program managers, and software architects who work together at Amazon Web Services (AWS) Elemental in Portland to build everything on the Internet. Connect directly with professionals for career insights, including some inspiring women and first-gen professionals. IN PERSON at AWS Elemental (Portland).
Microchip Career Day (Thursday, October 24, 2024). Are you fascinated by the world of semiconductors, microcontrollers, mixed-signal technologies, and cutting-edge solutions that power the devices we use every day? Look no further! Microchip Technology invites you into the heart of technological innovation. Students will explore the lab, hear from professionals what it's like to work in the semiconductor/electronics industry. IN PERSON at Microchip (Gresham).
Holst Architecture Career Day (Friday, Oct. 25, 2024): Do you dream of a career designing buildings? Spend the morning with Holst Architecture! Connect with architects and other industry professionals. Get a behind-the-scenes look at one of Portland’s leading firms. Participate in a design exercise in a team with students from other schools. Learn about the education and skills needed for an architecture career. VIsit the active jobsite of a building that Holst designed! Lunch included. IN PERSON at Holst.
2. Bodecker Foundation is looking for ARTISTS: Bodecker is once again offering their Skill Building (“SB”) Cohorts. This FREE program is designed for students who are serious about developing skills in fine art, creative writing, or audio engineering and want to work together to meet their goals. There are three distinct cohorts:
- WORDS – writing with a focus on daily writing practices, poetry, and short stories.
- SOUNDS – music and audio engineering with a focus on signal flow, tools and terminology, micing techniques, and studio etiquette.
- VISUALS – art with a focus on drawing techniques, color theory, and portfolio development.
Students need to commit to meeting at BODECKER FOUNDATION's groovy studio in NW Portland one Saturday a month from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and virtually for 90-minutes in between the in-person meetings. Students who engage in at least 80% of the program earn a $500 scholarship upon completion!
Applications open September 3rd and close September 23rd. Questions, email Jordan Souza, Youth Programs Coordinator, @jordan@bodeckerfound.org
3. Join the Inner Peace Corps, October 2024-May 2025: Be a part of a fun community creating more OKness in the world! Open to all high school students. No experience necessary. Connect with kind and interesting people. Learn new arts and wellness practices. Support younger students and earn $$! Share you ideas with younger students and represent the program at events! Join us for our zoom info sessions:
- Parents/Guardians: September 17, 5-6pm
- Interested students: September 22, 5-6pm
Find more information and zoom links here: https://okyou.org/inner-peace-corps/
The Inner Peace Corps is a program of OK YOU
Make dontionas via SchoolPay or drop off food donations at Grant.
LIBRARY NEWS
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT, SEPT. 18TH, in the LIBRARY
Stop by the library during BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT and check out all the fun programming happening this Fall.
CONNIE CHUNG IN CONVERSATION
Literary Arts presents iconic news anchor and reporter Connie Chung in conversation about her forthcoming memoir Connie on Wednesday, September 25th, at 7:30p.m. in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
Students can sign up for this event using this link.
GRANT MOVIE CLUB
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th: FREE MOVIE TICKETS - The Joy Luck Club
The Hollywood Theatre and Grant Movie Club present a screening of The Joy Luck Club. This special presentation is programmed and introduced by Grant Movie Club students.
Students can sign up for a FREE ticket here.
THE PTA IS YOU!
Please follow the link Join Now or scan the QR code below and become a member of the PTA today! Your membership dollars go right back into the school in the form of Teacher Appreciation and classroom grants. Buy a membership for each person in your household and help build the Grant Community!
CLASS OF 2025
FOUR STAR HUNGER PROJECT
VISIT GRANT'S RESOURCE PAGE
Sept. is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: A Message to Our School Community
As we enter September, we recognize it as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a time dedicated to raising awareness, fostering understanding, and enhancing support for mental health within our school community. The well-being of our students, staff, and families is of utmost importance. This month, we encourage everyone in our school community to actively participate in conversations about mental health, recognize the signs of distress, and offer support to those who may need it. Creating an environment where mental health is openly discussed can significantly reduce stigma and help those struggling feel less isolated.
We urge parents, teachers, and students to be vigilant and compassionate. If you notice changes in behavior, increased withdrawal, or signs of emotional distress, please reach out to school counselors or mental health professionals. Early intervention can make a profound difference. Our goal is to foster a supportive and understanding school environment where every individual feels valued and supported. Let’s work together to build a community that prioritizes mental health, where seeking help is encouraged and everyone knows they are not alone. Together, we can make a positive impact and support one another in creating a safe and nurturing school environment.
For resources, support, or if you need someone to talk to, please don’t hesitate to contact our school counseling office at 503-916-5160 x85320 or the resources below.
HEALTHY CHOICES BULLETIN
A monthly newsletter of substance abuse resources for families, students and staff.
The purpose of this communication is to alert families about a troubling pattern of online cyber abuse, which targets youth aged 14-18, particularly males, referred to as Sextortion. Sextortion occurs when someone is coerced into sending explicit images and once those images are received, they are used to threaten and extort (usually for money). In most cases, the teen believes they are exchanging the images with a teen of a similar age - this is part of the scam. Recently, federal law enforcement warned schools to be on the lookout for warning signs so that we may have the opportunity to intervene in potentially dangerous situations before things go too far. Last week, Hulu released a powerful documentary called IMPACT X Nightline: Sextortion that serves as an urgent warning and call to action for parents. While we recommend the film, we do so with caution as teen suicide is discussed throughout - please take care when watching. Included here are links to information, tips, and resources we’ve gathered about protecting teens from harm by online predators. We hope it will encourage conversation at home and between teens within their peer groups. As always, we welcome your feedback. Report concerns to Safe Oregon using any of the following methods.
Portland Public Schools Nutrition Services is happy to announce all students will be able to enjoy breakfast and lunch at no charge for the 2024-25 school year. This opportunity is made possible in part by the expansion of federal eligibility and additional funds allocated by the state’s Student Success Act.
Breakfast includes an entrée, choice of fruit, and milk. Lunch includes a choice of entrée, milk, and unlimited fruits and vegetables. Students must choose at least three foods, with one food being at least a 1/2 cup of fruit and/or a vegetable.
Due to this change in services, our kitchen teams will no longer be able to take cash or check payments. If students bring their lunch from home and want milk, they must may choose two other foods – such as a fruit and vegetable – at no charge. Milk can no longer be purchased separately.
A few more clarifications:
Families do not need to submit a free and reduced-price meal application. All PPS students are automatically enrolled in this program.
If you have questions about your student’s meal account, please visit our webpage for more information or contact our department for further support.
This change has no impact on Title I funding.
Access to nutritious meals is a crucial component of student success and well-being, and we are thrilled to be able to take advantage of this opportunity on behalf of our students.
Bait Stations on Campus
The Portland Public Schools contractor Western Exterminator Company will be setting out rodent bait stations to a limited part of your campus. This letter is to inform you of this event and provide you with the proper notification as stated in the PPS Integrated Pest Management Plan, ORS 634.740(3).
Date of Application: 8/30/2024 - 12/30/2024
Target pest: Rodents
Location description: Along the school building and around dumpsters.
What prompted Application: Rodent activity
Chemical Description: Bell Laboratories Inc.
Fast Trac All Weather Blox
CAS# 63333-35-7
All products that we apply have been approved for use in Oregon school grounds by the State of Oregon. This state wide approval is based on the “low impact” characteristics of the product as designated by the US Environmental Protection Agency.