Yellow Jacket Family News

This election cycle has stirred a range of emotions across the country, and I know that many of our students and families may be feeling a mixture of feelings about the outcome.

Our role as educators is to nurture understanding, respect, and unity among our students, especially during times that may feel divisive. We are dedicated to fostering an environment where every student feels valued and heard. We know that when our children feel safe and respected, they are empowered to succeed both academically and personally. We invite you to reach out to our school counselors and administrator if you have any concerns or need specific support during this time.

We are now in the second quarter, which means new challenges, fresh starts, and goals to reach. We encourage you to review your child’s first-quarter grades on Synergy and discuss any areas for improvement. Report cards will be officially published on November 18, 2024. Please feel free to reach out to our teachers or guidance counselors for additional support or questions.

We will no longer have individualized water bottles for students; we are transitioning to water coolers in multiple locations in the building, and students are encouraged to bring their own water bottles to fill from the cooler.

All students have been issued identification cards. We are instituting color coded lunch entries this week, and students will need to have updated markers on their IDs to enter their appropriate lunch.

We look forward to having a Year of Ownership, by committing to the 3Rs in our instructional practices: Relationship, Relevance, and Rigor! In this commitment, Gwynn Park’s teachers seek alignment with the district’s Strategic Plan: Transformation 2026: Leading Through Change!

This year, our assistant principals are Dr. Colby White, 9th grade; Ms. Rashieda Addison, 10th grade; Mr. Eric Harrison, 11th grade; and Ms. Yolanda Clark, 12th grade.

Let us make this a year of Ownership! We cannot do this work without you!

If you have any concerns, please reach me by email at naima.hopkinsvinson@pgcps.org. Follow me on Twitter @GPHS_PrinHopVin, and join the band app .

Your Purposeful Principal,

Naima Hopkins-Vinson

12th Grade Assistant Principal

Yolanda Clark, yolanda.leonardclark@pgcps.org

11th Grade Assistant Principal

Eric Harrison, eric.harrison@pgcps.org

10th Grade Assistant Principal

Rashieda Addison, rashieda.addison@pgcps.org

9th Grade Assistant Principal

Colby White, cwhite@pgcps.org

While mobile phones continue to be useful tools in education, they have also become a harmful distraction for many teenage learners during the school day. We are asking all parents to help by exploring ways of implementing parental controls on student mobile devices during school hours. We also ask that you have regular conversations with your children about responsible usage of mobile devices and social media. We will be having ongoing conversations with the community about this throughout the year to promote a safe and healthy learning environment for all.

Please note that TEACHERS ARE PERMITTED TO HAVE NO CELL PHONE POLICIES IN THEIR CLASSROOMS, and students must adhere to these classroom rules.

Parental control guides for iPhones, Android, and other devices

Picture Make -Ups

Picture make ups will be on November 13 during English and lunch in the library.

Winter Sport Begin on Friday, November 15, 2024

Students need a 2.0 GPA and to register on aktivate.com with a current physical in order to try-out. GPHS has basketball, wrestling, swimming, indoor track and bocce.

PTSA is Fully Accredited and Accepting Dues NOW!

Attention Parents, Teachers and Students! Great NEWS, PTSA is now fully able to accept payment for dues of $25. For fully voting rights in this week's elections, please submit payment via Cash app $PTSAGwynnParkHS. If anyone has questions, they can send it to ptsagwynnparkhs@gmail.com or contact the PTSA president, Dr. Small at (301) 602-2520.www.ptsagphs.org

Parking Enforcement

All parked cars need a parking pass. Student parking passes can be purchased from Security for $25. A copy of a valid license, registration and insurance is required. Towing will be enforced for the remainder of the school year. All visitors to the school can receive a parking pass from the main office.

Where do I Go?

Here is a link to a help document of where to go for what at Gwynn Park. See the Freshman Orientation Presentation with all of the BAND APPs and detailed information about GPHS staff.

Students, Parents, and Guardians,

1. Student lunches should be sent with them when they arrive for school or lunch can be purchased in the cafeteria via MySchoolBucks.
2. Please refrain from bringing fast food to the school for your students and their friends throughout the school day and during their lunch period, as it is a distraction in classes.
3. Food deliveries ordered by students, parents, family members or friends will NOT be accepted from DoorDash, Uber Eats, GrubHub or any other food delivery service or vendor.

• November 12, 2024: PTSA Meeting

• November 21, 2024: Faculty Meeting

• November 27-29, 2024: School is closed for Thanksgiving

Days that School is OUT this YEAR:

November 27, 28, and 29th-Thanksgiving Holiday

December 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31st; January 1, 2, 3 Winter/Christmas Holiday

January 20th-Winter/MLK Holiday

February 17th-Presidents Day

March 31st-Eid al Fitr

April 14, 15, 16, 17, 18th and 21st-Spring Break

May 26th-Memorial Day

June 19th-Juneteenth

Website: https://www.pgcps.org/gwynnparkhs
Location: 13800 Brandywine Road, Brandywine, MD, USA
Phone: 301-372-0140
Twitter: @GPHS_PrinHopVin