Hello Hornet Nation!

Firstly, let me start by saying, "I love my job!" Graduation day serves as a powerful reminder of why I initially chose a career in teaching and how fortunate I am to be the Principal of the best high school in the county! It was a truly beautiful day, and I am incredibly thankful that we were able to celebrate it together.

I am delighted to share that among the students of St. Mary's County Public Schools (SMCPS), 40 individuals earned the prestigious Seal of Biliteracy, and 30 of them hailed from Great Mills High School. This notable achievement signifies their exceptional fluency in reading, writing, and speaking a second language. It is truly remarkable that these students have mastered an additional language while many of us are still navigating the complexities of the English language. Their accomplishment is a testament to their dedication and hard work.

On behalf of the entire faculty and staff, I want to express my immense pride in our graduates. They have shown tremendous potential, and I am confident that they will go on to achieve great success in their future endeavors. We wish them all the best as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

As we approach the final week of the school year, I would like to remind everyone to gather all books and materials for return. Please check Schoology for any outstanding or late assignments to ensure your grades reflect your hard work. Additionally, I kindly request that all students in the hallways continue to carry their passes and strive to be punctual to all classes.

Looking ahead, I am thrilled to invite everyone to join us at Nest Fest on Saturday, June 8, 2024. This event promises to be a fantastic opportunity for families to come together and enjoy a day filled with fun and excitement.

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

• June 3 - Class Elections
• June 6 - 2-Hour Early Dismissal
  
• June 7 - End of 4th Quarter
• June 7 - 2-Hour Early Dismissal
• June 7 - Last day of school for student
• June 8 - Nest Fest
• June 13 - Report Cards available on HAC

Did you miss either of the high school graduations? Maybe you didn't miss it, but would like to watch it again. Well, we thought about you! Click here to watch the Chopticon, Great Mills, or Leonardtown high school graduations.

Get ready for food, games, music, and fun at the second annual GMHS Nest Fest! A special thank you to our wonderful sponsors: - M&G Boutique - Sweet Tooth Funnel Cakes - The St. Mary's County Art Council

Do you know high school graduates without a plan for next year? If so, please let them know about the Service Year Option Program beginning September 11, 2024. The next application deadline is June 15, 2024. Apply and learn more at serve.maryland.gov.

Major Benefits:

• Full-time service opportunity for at least nine months

• Earn $15/hour or more

• Receive and additional $6,000 Completion Award at the end of the program

• Match with an employer in their field of interest

• Gain on the job training, mentoring, professional development, and exposure to employers and colleges across the State

• Opportunity to enroll in a registered apprenticeship pathway and earn a federally recognized credential

Thank you for helping us share this exciting opportunity widely before the next application deadline of June 15, 2024!

All students need certain credits to graduate. When you fail a course in high school you do need to recover credits to graduate on time. Summer school this year will be solely on online using the Edgenuity platform. We will have an option for students to work from the school building if wifi is an issue or if students just want another place to work. All families will be responsible for your own transportation and we will not be serving lunch. However, all families are eligible to sign up for the Summer Meals program regardless of income. There is more information about Summer Meals below.

Click here for all summer school information.

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support,, MTSS, is having hosting a parent planning meeting. MTSS is a framework that helps educators provide academic and behavioral strategies for students with various needs. They organize all of our student vs staff games, various competitions, and other incentives to encourage students to make positive choices. All parents are welcome to attend this meeting. We will meet Monday, May 20 from 3:00 to 4:00 in the Great Mills High School Media Center.

St. Mary's County Public Schools Athletics

SEASONAL TRYOUT INFORMATION (linked)

School Year 2024-2025​

• Anyone wishing to compete for a place on a team is expected to be at all tryouts.

• First Day of Fall Sports Tryouts - August 14, 2024

• First Day of Winter Sports Tryouts - November 15, 2024

• First Day of Spring Sports Tryouts - March 1, 2025

FamilyID

• All interested athletes are expected to be present from day one and have all required documentation fully completed if they wish to compete for a place on the team. For online registration go to www.familyid.com and use "Find a program" to select your high school. Failure to submit all required electronic data entry/forms/cards by the deadline set by the high school will necessitate the exclusion of the student.

Preparticipation Physical Evaluation

• Sports physicals are valid for 12 months. It is recommended you attain your sports physical during the months of June or July annually.

• History Form - To be filled out prior to examination by the patient or parent/guardian and provided to the Physician.

• Physical Examination Form - To be completed by the Physician and kept in their office in the patient’s medical file.

• Medical Eligibility Form - This is the ONLY form that should be submitted to the school.

Corollary Sports Program

• The Corollary Sports program is offered as an alternative program to the mainstream high school athletics program, with team rosters composed of both students with or without disabilities. For more information please visit the Corollary Sports Page.

• Fall Season - Cycling

• Winter Season - Bowling

• Spring Season - Bocce

Assistance and Contacts

• Please contact your child’s school or the appropriate individual on this list if you have questions or concerns.

SMCPS and SMC R&P have partnered to offer the new Summer Sports Academies. Campers will be instructed by area high school coaches. Camps are held Monday - Thursday. Click below for more information. Registration is open now! Don't miss this opportunity.

• https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/recreate/camps

• https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/docs/thescoop.pdf

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/

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.

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

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN HEALTH INSURANCE OR SUPPLAMENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE FOR YOUR STUDENT? FIND MORE INFORMATION BELOW.

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