Yellow Jacket Family News

Let us try this again!

Happy New Year! I hope this message finds you rested, recharged, and ready for an incredible second half of the school year. Last week was one for the record books! As a result, we have some changes to some games and changes to the calendar. Please be on the look out for these changes from the district.

A Quick Reminder About Uniform Expectations on MONDAY!
To start the new year strong, we want to ensure our students are dressed for success. Beginning Monday, all students are expected to follow our full uniform policy:

• Khaki bottoms
• Black or white collared shirts; gold shirts for freshmen

We appreciate your support in helping your child adhere to these expectations, as they contribute to a focused and unified school environment.

We received great news this week! Gwynn Park High School moved from a ⭐⭐ school for the 2023 School Year to a ⭐⭐⭐ school for the 2024 School Year! Please take the time to view our Maryland Report Card on this link. I will complete a presentation of explanation at our January 14th PTSA General Body Meeting.

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.

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

NO HOODIES!!! Uniform checks every week!! IDs are expected!

WHITE/BLACK/GOLD CREWNECK JACKETS OR SWEATSHIRTS; NO BLUE JEAN

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

FAFSA Workshop

Mr. Palmer, our PGCC Coordinator will complete a FAFSA workshop on January 15th from 6-8pm.

College Submission

Please make sure to complete the google form for any and all college submissions on Schoolink.

URGENT- Change in After School Activity Pick UP

To ensure a smoother and safer pick up process, we are making a small change to the after-school activity student pick-up procedure. After-school activity pick-up will take place at Door #16 by the gym. This adjustment allows us to manage the flow of traffic better and ensure all students are dismissed in an organized and timely manner. Door #16 is on the east side of the building near the football field.

Sophomore Parent Meeting

Virtual 10th Grade Student/Parent Meeting - January 14, 2025 at 6 pm. Join BAND APP for ZOOM Link C/O 2027 BAND: https://band.us/n/a2a3Abd7K2k01 (https://band.us/n/a2a3Abd7K2k01)

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 December 2, 2024. 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.

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.

• January 14, 2025: General Body PTSA Meeting @ 6:30pm

• January 20, 2025: No School

• January 24, 2025: End of the Quarter/1st Semester

Days that School is OUT this YEAR:

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