Hello Hornet!

We had a fantastic week at school and are ready for another exciting one ahead! As we approach the end of the school year, our students continue to make impressive progress. We have some good things coming up this week.

Firstly, we will be holding our first Senior Graduation meeting this week. This meeting will provide essential information and guidance as our seniors prepare for their transition to the next phase of their lives. Additionally, we are delighted to announce that the Senior graduation announcements have arrived. These announcements serve as a milestone in celebrating the achievements of our graduating class.

Furthermore, the Senior Survey is now available. This survey plays a vital role in reporting our students' post-high school plans to the state. It also helps us compile the total amount of scholarship funds received by our students. We kindly request all seniors to take a few minutes to complete the survey. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

To all our students, we understand the end of the year is near and at times it’s difficult to remain on top of your game. However, it is crucial that you remain focused and dedicated to your studies. Collaborate with your teachers and counselors to finish the academic year on a strong note and ensure you earn all your credits. If you have not had the opportunity to discuss your class selection for next year with your counselor, we encourage you to schedule a meeting at the Counseling office. We urge all students to challenge themselves academically in at least one area, as personal growth and development are keys to success.

On the sports front, we have some thrilling games lined up for this week. Our baseball team is currently on an impressive 5-game winning streak, with four players already committed to continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level. The Tennis team is also on a remarkable 4-match win streak and shows no signs of slowing down. Additionally, our softball team has emerged victorious in two out of their last three games. We invite you to come out and show your support for your favorite Hornets at these exciting events!

Thank you for your continued dedication to Great Mills High School. Together, we can make this week another memorable one!

The week will be what you make it, let's make it GREAT!

We Are… GREAT MILLS

#TRUSTTHEPROCESS

¡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

• April 17 - 3rd Quarter Awards Assembly
  
• April 18 - Cultural Day
• May 23 - Senior Awards

Culture Day is an opportunity for students to share their cultural heritage through national flags, traditional dress, meaningful artifacts, and personal stories. Our school is very diverse in many ways. We have many different beautiful cultures, and this will be a great way to appreciate them all.

We encourage everyone to participate by wearing their cultural clothes or showing off their heritage in any way.

During Nest Hour, we’ll hold a vibrant culture celebration meeting in the media center. Get ready for a fun-filled time with games, engaging activities, and delicious snacks.

It's a great idea for 9th and 10th graders to attend the college fair if possible. This will help them start thinking about options after high school and help them understand the expectations to get accepted. Everyone should try to think of questions to ask each school before arrival.

• What is the average GPA of incoming freshman?
• How much weight does extra-curricular activities have when determining acceptance?
• What kind of supports does your school have for first generation college students and families?
• What is your graduation rate?

Here are a few examples, if you would like to ask questions but maybe don't know how to word it feel free to contact an administrator, counselor, or someone from our Career and College department.

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

Loyola College of MD, Hood College, Stevenson University & Hampton University!

SMCPS is offering additional options to rising juniors and seniors for taking Health 2 beyond the regular school day. If you are interested in taking an Asynchronous Health 2 course where 80% of the class is completed online through MSDE's Canvas program and 20% of class time is via Google Meet, please see this Flyer for more information and registration. Registration will open on April 24, 2024, at 1:00 PM; rising seniors will have priority for enrollment.

Naval Horizons is an essay contest introducing students to cutting-edge STEM topics impacting the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The STEM topics in the video series include space, weather, aerospace, optometry, epidemiology, machine learning and more! Watch the videos to begin, then write an essay explaining how the research and the STEM professionals in the video inspired you and share your thoughts on the future of the STEM topic. Up to 5,000 winners will earn a $200 cash prize! Open to college and high school students until June 10, 2024, at 11:59 pm ET. Please visit: https://www.navalhorizons.us/

Much like our college rep visits, I will be bringing local professionals into the building to talk to students about their careers and the steps they took to get to where they are now. You will have the chance to sign up for the career representatives you are interested in hearing from and ask questions, get advice, and create connections during these visits. Some scheduled visits are with an engineer who graduated from GMHS and a local daycare owner. If you are interested in a career in engineering, entrepreneurship, or early childhood development, these visits are for you! Sign up here!

Safety for everyone is a top priority! I want to remind everyone that under no circumstance should we open an exterior door to allow entry to anyone. Even if you think they are student do not open doors and direct them to the main office doors for entry. Everyone, including students, should enter through the main office.

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.

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.

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 (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. 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.

This week in Sports

Spring Sports is up on us!!!

Monday, April 15

• Tennis vs Mc Donough - 4:00
• Softball vs St. Charles - Varsity 4:30
• Baseball vs St. Charles - Varsity 4:30
• Girls Lacrosse vs Calvert - Varsity 5:30

Tuesday, April 16

• Baseball vs Huntingtown - JV 4:30
• Tennis vs Lackey - 4:00
  

Wednesday, April 17

• Tennis vs Calvert - 4:00

Friday, April 19

• Boys Lacrosse vs Baltimore Ploytechnic Institute - Varsity 5:30
  
• Birls Lacrosse vs North Point - Varsity 6:30

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.

The William and Dorothy Ferrell Scholarship is awarded every other year in even years to two selected applicants who are legally blind and are studying for a career in the field of services to persons who are blind or visually impaired. The two scholarship recipients will be awarded $1,000 each, and the winners will be announced in the late Spring of 2024. Due 4/18. Learn more and access the William and Dorothy Ferrell Scholarship application.

2024 AER Scholarship: The 2024 AER Scholarship is awarded annually to three selected grad student applicants studying for a career in the field of Orientation & Mobility or Teachers of the Visually Impaired. The three scholarship recipients will be awarded $2,000 each, and the winners will be announced in the late Spring of 2024. Due 4/18. Learn more and access the 2024 AER Scholarship application.

Please email Mrs. Cunningham, accunningham@smcps.org, if you need assistance in completing FAFSA and/or MDCAPS

IMPORTANT REMINDER Class of 2024! If you have not placed an order for your Graduation announcements, senior apparel, keepsakes and most importantly, your Cap and Gown unit, the time to do so is NOW. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Toney in room 1203 or by email tntoney@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?

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.

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