Dear Grizzly Families,

As we welcome the month of March, we are excited for the many opportunities ahead to celebrate student growth, school spirit, and community engagement. This time of year brings academic milestones, extracurricular achievements, and events that highlight the hard work and dedication of our students and staff.

March is also a time for reflection and goal-setting as we continue moving through the second semester. We encourage families to stay connected by reviewing progress, attending school events, and supporting students in their academic and personal growth. Your involvement is key to their success, and we appreciate your continued partnership in making Grassfield a place where every student thrives. Please be on the lookout for upcoming school events, testing dates, and opportunities to engage with our Grizzly community. Thank you for your support, and let’s make March a month of learning, achievement, and celebration!

Please also follow our social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for any last-minute updates. If you have any questions, please contact us at 757-558-4749.

Sincerely,

Mr. Brian Haughinberry, Principal

Please refer to our Student Handbook for more information and detailed safety policies.

The Spring administration of the writing SOL will begin in two weeks for those students who are currently enrolled in English 11 courses. If you have any questions regarding whether or not your student will be completing an SOL, please reach out to their School Counselor or their English teacher. The dates are listed below:

• March 12, 2025 Retesters/CVA Writing SOL Short Paper
• March 18, 2025 Writing SOL Short Paper
• March 20, 2025 Retesters/CVA Writing SOL Multiple Choice
• March 25, 2025 Writing SOL Multiple Choice

March is celebrated as National Reading Month, a time dedicated to promoting the joys and benefits of reading across the United States. Throughout this month-long observance, individuals, schools, libraries, and communities come together to encourage literacy and foster a love for books.

National Reading Month serves as a reminder of the transformative power of reading, not only in expanding knowledge and imagination but also in enhancing critical thinking skills and empathy. It's a time for people of all ages to rediscover the magic of storytelling and to explore the vast worlds that books offer, ultimately inspiring a lifelong appreciation for reading.

Our media center hosts a variety of books to help foster a love of reading for our students. Encourage your student to stop by and check out all of the new books.

We are approaching the Senior Season! Please view the Grassfield High School's Senior Webpage for updated dates, timelines, and information. Click Here

Please visit Jostens website to purchase cap, gown, and other regalia: Click Here to visit the website

On the main navigation page, you will see a blue "Report Absence" button. When reporting departures via ParentVue, parents do not need to come into the building to sign out their students. Students will sign out at the attendance office and meet you in the car! Directions below!

Reminder:

Students over 18 years old cannot depart and sign themselves out of school without written permission from Parent or a ParentVUE departure submission.

Please use ParentVUE moving forward as we are not accepting email notices for tardies, absences, and dismissals.

Grassfield High School's Laps for Lymphoma Walk is a non-profit event that celebrates cancer survivors, honors those who have lost their life and raises funds for the Lymphoma Research Foundation. Our walk will be held on Saturday, March 29th Registration is open now on GoFan! See flyer for more details. Contact Alicia White alicia.white@cpschools.com if you have any questions.

Collection bins will be available in front of the forum wall all week!

• Monday- Freshman Class Office sponsoring the Foodbank of SouthEastern Virginia; collecting canned food items
• Tuesday- Teachers for Tomorrow sponsoring Truitt Intermediate; collecting school supplies
• Wednesday- FCA sponsoring Judeo-Christian Outreach Center; collecting bottled juice, meat sticks, granola bars, and all things pasta
• Thursday- Key Club sponsoring Chesapeake Animal Services Unit; collecting towels, toys, unopened puppy/dog/kitten/cat food, and newspapers
• Friday- Multicultural Club sponsoring a local Women's Shelter; collecting Feminine Hygiene products, Socks for adults and children, Nail polish, Art material, Diapers, Purses, Cosmetics and Beauty Products

It is time to celebrate your senior's graduation, and what better way than to acknowledge them by purchasing a senior yard sign? Signs are available for pre-order until March 14, 2025. Please complete the order form and send in cash or a check payable to Grassfield High School to the main office OR order using the OSP link: (Click Here) and emailing the order form to Mrs. Strahan, Meredith.Strahan@cpschools.com. Signs are only $25.

Yearbook: Don’t miss out on the limited edition collection of memories from this school year! Purchase a copy of The Pawprint yearbook at www.jostens.com. The cost starts at $100.

We are excited to present our 17th Annual Craft Show! Please mark your calendars and join us on March 15th, 2025 to support local artists, crafters, bakers, wood workers, farmers and more! We will have our awesome concessions open, food trucks, and the band bake sale is back!

Seniors who paid to paint a space must park in their painted space. Seniors who did not pay to paint but have a valid senior parking permit must park in the senior lot in a non-painted space.

Juniors with a valid junior permit must park in the junior lot.

Sophomores and Freshmen are not permitted to drive to school.

Parking passes are sold out for the 2024-2025 school year.

Please email Ms. Ott with any question (heather.ott@cpschools.com)

Students should have an ehall pass from their teacher or an appointment entered in ehall pass by their counselor before visiting their counselor's office. Please contact the school counseling department at 558-4509 for additional help.

School Counselor Alpha-List:

• Ms. Lenhart: A-Be
• Ms. Butler: Bf-C
• Ms. Lewis: D-Gn
• Ms. Bowers: Go-J
• Ms. Creamer: K-Me
• Ms. Kates: Mf-Ra
• Ms. Davis: Rb-St
• Ms. Morris: Su-Z

Parents/Guardians, on March 7th, your student's course request verification will be posted in ParentVue as a pdf document for you to review the diploma type your student is working toward and courses planned for next year. Please complete the Google form confirming information is correct or request changes if needed by March 11th.

Marking Period 5 ends March 3rd. Report cards will be viewable in ParentVue on March 13th.

Counselors will be presenting the Erika's Lighthouse program to students in PE 9 for the spring semester and offer a make-up session for students who had PE 9 in the fall and were absent on the day the program was presented. PE 9 teachers will give students letters with more information to bring home before their scheduled day.

Seniors-Please update your pronunciation in Synergy.

Dear Grizzlies,

I wanted to provide you with an update on the number of FAFSA filed by Grassfield High School Seniors. As of December 26, 2024, we have received 108 completed FAFSA applications for Grassfield High School. This is a great start, and I encourage all seniors who haven't filed yet to take advantage of the support available to you.

Our Access Advisor, Mr. Kelly, is here to assist you and your parents in filling out the FAFSA. Whether you haven't started the application or have questions about what you have already submitted, Mr. Kelly is available to help. To schedule a consultation, please fill out the Consultation Form and access Mr. Kelly's Virtual Office and book your appointment.

Remember, completing the FAFSA is an important step in securing financial aid for college. Don't miss out on this opportunity to receive the support you need. Take advantage of Mr. Kelly's expertise and schedule your appointment today.

Best regards,

Arthur Kelly

Useful Tools:

Senior Prep Handbook

Junior Prep Handbook

Important Dates:

Access College Commitment Day is set for April 29, 2025. To participate, seniors must be accepted into at least one college, have submitted their FAFSA, and provide a signed permission slip. Check out the class of 2024 Commitment Day HERE

It's that time again for ACCESS College Commitment Day. The event is quickly approaching and will be on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. The deadline to sign up for College Commitment Day is April 20, 2025, at 11:59PM, no exceptions.

Last year we took 114 students from Grassfield and I know we can take more this year. I don't want our Grizzlies to miss out on this incredible event. Seniors can sign up for Commitment Day by clicking on this Permission Slip or scanning the QR code provided in the flyer titled #IGOTIN2025.

There are three requirements to attend Commitment Day. A student has to be accepted into at least one college, they must submit the permission slip, and they must fill out the FAFSA form. I can assist students in applying for financial aid. Schedule an appointment in my virtual office.

CCD Video 2025 for Promoting.mp4

To get a glimpse of the excitement and energy from last year's event, I would like to invite you to watch and play the video of the 2024 College Commitment Day.

Perks and reasons to sign up:

1. Free #igotin2025 t-shirt
2. Pizza party for lunch
3. Field trip during school hours (transportation provided)
4. Opportunity to win scholarships during event
5. Dance Party

Important:

1. Students you only need to be accepted into at least one college/university (you do not have to be committed to a college to attend Access Commitment Day)
2. You will need to provide a confirmation that you submitted your FAFSA.
3. Submit a permission slip

The following individuals will be serving a two year term as officers of our PTSA for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years. Thank you very much for volunteering your time to serve our school community.

✨President- Chessa Foster

✨1st Vice President (Legislation)-Amy Fannon

✨2nd Vice President (Craft Show)- Meghan McDermott

✨Treasurer- Pattie Oliver

✨Secretary- Sandy Huneycutt

Please check out our Facebook for meeting details or for link to Join. New Members are always welcome!

It's that time of the year that we invite all parents and students to join our PTSA. Our faculty and staff last year had 100% membership and we would like to do the same with our parents and students. The cost is $7.00 and you may join at the link below. Any senior student wishing to apply for a $1000 scholarship(possibly 3), needs to be a member to win. We hope to have many members as we all work together to make this a fabulous school year for all!

Givebacks (memberhub.com).

The PTA will be seeking Board Candidates for the 2025-26/2026-27 School Year. More details to follow with available positions and descriptions.

The Senior Scholarship application is now available on Scholarship Vue or through their Counselors.

Details for the Scholarship can be found via the following link: Click Here.

PCD's

The School Board adopted Policy 9-20.1 during the 2023-2024 school year to create a distraction-free learning environment in alignment with Governor Youngkin's Executive Order 33. The policy requires personal communication devices (PCDs) to be turned off and stored away throughout the school day, with usage permitted only under administrative approval for special events.

Key Points:

• PCDs Defined: Includes cell phones, tablets, e-readers, non-school laptops, handheld gaming devices, smartwatches, and Bluetooth accessories.
• Rationale: Research indicates that PCDs hinder intellectual, social, and emotional development, reduce classroom engagement, and limit peer and teacher interaction.
• Parent Communication: For emergencies, parents should contact the school’s main office.
• Consequences: Violations may result in verbal warnings, confiscation requiring parent retrieval, and escalating disciplinary actions for repeated infractions. The school is not responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen devices.

The policy is intended to foster a positive, focused educational environment for all students.

Tardies

Students are required to attend their classes as scheduled. Students are considered tardy after the bell has rang. Please see the bell schedule for class start times. Students will be issued discipline consequences for tardies exceeding 4. On the 4th tardy, teachers will email home a tardy warning. Subsequent tardies will result in a referral to the grade-level administrator.

Cash is NO LONGER accepted at Chesapeake Public Schools athletic events. All tickets must be purchased via Gofan.co (not .com) prior to the game.

Adults - $7 Student - $5

Parents are highly encouraged to purchase a “Parent Pass” at Gofan.co. Parent passes are ONLY $60 and allow you entry into any high school or middle school regular season sports event in the city of Chesapeake. This pass is good for the entire 2024-2025 school year!! (Does not include playoffs events)

“Student passes” are available at Gofan.co as well. Student passes are ONLY $30 and are good for the entire school year to any sports events at the high school or middle school levels.

(Does not include playoffs)

Purchase the 2024-2025 athletic pass using the QR Code.

Acceptable passes for entry into Athletic Events:

· VHSL Pass

· VHSCA (Coaches Pass)

· Media Credentials

· Gold Card/CPS Senior Citizen Pass (regular season ONLY)

· Faculty passes of those schools participating in the competition and CPS badges

Grassfield Cheer Open Conditioning will start on March 11 for current GHS students and will be every Tuesday & Thursday after school in the gym from 4:15 pm -5:00 pm!

A Try-Out Interest Meeting will be held on March 25th in the Grassfield Media Center at 5:30pm.

For up to date information about Grassfield Athletics follow @grassfieldathletics on instagram.

Effective July 1, 2021, the state of Virginia requires all students entering the 12th grade to have at least one dose of the MenACWY (meningococcal vaccine), on or after their 16th birthday. Proof of vaccination or appropriate documentation, must be turned in to the school. Please contact the Chesapeake Health Department with any questions at 757-382-8600.

Forms of accepted documentation

1. Proof the MenACWY vaccination was administered by your doctor's office, walk-in clinic, or pharmacy
2. A healthcare providers written statement of a medical exemption for a student who can not receive the vaccination due to medical reasons
3. A notarized religious exemption form. Can be found on the Virginia Department of Education’s Website. http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/health_medical/certificate_religious_exemption.pdf

Students may receive the vaccination at walk-in care clinics, pharmacies, doctors office, etc. The vaccination is administered for free at any local health department.

Resource for Virginia recommended and required immunizations. https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/immunization/immunization-manual/acip/).

Please send a copy of your students vaccine to the school nurse by August 1. Students who do not provide proof of the vaccine will not be permitted to attend school until the vaccine is complete.