Knight News
August, 26th 2020
We're Back!
We are excited to be back and ready to educate the students of Grand Forks Central High School! This year definitely looks to be an interesting one. As challenges arise, we will respond to them with the goal of continuing to educate our Central students as best we can - no matter the conditions in the community. This comes with the full realization that this may change our approach and transitions between the settings in which students learn are possible. Through it all, we are committed to doing all we can to continue to educate, mentor, and encourage our students as we prepare them to be thoughtful, healthy, and productive young people.
Our plan is to keep families informed of all important information through this newsletter twice a month. Admittedly, much of the information will be directly applicable for our face-to-face learners and their families. There will certainly be content that is useful to the remote learners, too.
This year - more than ever - we will be inspired and motivated by the title (and lyrics) of our beloved school song - Onward Central!
Mr. Jon Strandell
Principal
Student Schedules
Rule #1 for the 2020-21 School Year - If you don’t feel well, stay home!
We are heavily relying on students and families to monitor their health and stay home when they do not feel well. This includes:
Doing temperature checks at home and staying home when temperatures are 100.4 or higher. Students should stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours without the help of medication is a must.
Staying home until symptoms subside.
Mask Requirement and Other Safety Information
Masks are required as soon as students enter the building. Masks may be removed once a teacher/staff member determines social distancing of 6 ft is achieved and indicates to the class they are allowed to remove their masks.
Some teachers will require students to stay masked for the duration of the class.
Hand sanitizer is available at all door entrances and in each classroom. Everyone should sanitize going in and out or classrooms/learning spaces.
Students are not allowed to congregate in hallways. As usual, we will all stay to the right during passing time in the hallways and stairwells.
Morning Door Locations: Doors Will Not Be Open Until 7:30am (for students eating breakfast)
In an effort to avoid crowding, GFC will have multiple doors open each morning from 7:30am - 8:00am. Breakfast will be served in the commons during this time. We ask students who are not eating breakfast to arrive as close to 7:55am as possible and not before.
Door 1 (Main Doors - N. 4th St): Bus and Car Drop
Door 2 (Across from Ramp - 1st Ave N) - Students Parking in Ramp
Door 14 (Gym Doors - N. 5th St) - Car Drop Off, Students Parking in Maroon Lot, Gray Lot
Door 22: (Between GFC and City Hall) - Students Parking in Traditions Lot (Univ Ave. and N. 5th St)
Students must report to the commons or the media center and sit physically distant until the 7:55am bell to go to class. There will be no congregating allowed in other areas of the building. Thanks for helping us all stay healthy!
School Buses
We will again be selling Dietrich bus tickets to rural students for $10.00 for a strip of 10 tickets.
City bus tickets will be sold through the Grand Forks City Bus Service.
Welcome Freshmen!
We can’t wait to welcome the Class of 2024 to GFC! All freshmen students will start school on Monday, August 31. Our main goal for the day is to orient them to their daily schedule as well as the building layout and lunch procedures. Of course, this is also a great day for them to learn about the history and “family feel” of Central - The Finest in Dakota! Here is the schedule for the day:
On the first day of school, all freshmen students with last names A-K should enter Door #1 (main doors on N. 4th Street), while students with last names L-Z are asked to enter Door #14 (gym doors on N. 5th Street). L-Z students wanting to eat breakfast can use Door #1 to access the commons and proceed to the gym after eating. Door #1 opens at 7:30am for students eating breakfast. All other students are asked not to arrive before 7:50am, if possible.
Freshman Schedule for August 31st
How does the hybrid schedule work?
In order for us to maintain physical distancing and to keep our students and staff safe and healthy, a hybrid schedule will be used for our face-to-face learners at Central until conditions improve.
Our A/B Hybrid Learning Schedule will start on Tuesday, September 1st. Note: All freshmen will be in attendance on Monday, August 31.
Cohort A: All students grades 9-12 whose last names start with A-K
Cohort B: All students grades 9-12 whose last names start with L-Z
Cohort A will start school at Central on Tuesday, September 1st. Cohort A will learn remotely on Wednesday, September 2nd.
Cohort B will start school at Central on Wednesday, September 2nd and will learn remotely beginning on Thursday, September 3rd.
This begins our cycle of Cohort A and Cohort B rotating days of learning in the building vs. learning remotely. Please see the schedule below for the September hybrid schedule.
Lunch Assignments and Schedules
Cohort A
1st Lunch
Freshmen A-F = Track (Gym)
Freshmen G-K = Stage (Commons)
Sophomores = Commons
Juniors = Gym Foyer
Seniors = Commons
2nd Lunch
Freshmen = Track (Gym)
Sophomores = Gym Foyer
Juniors = Commons/Stage
Seniors = Commons/Stage
Cohort B
1st Lunch
Freshmen L-R (Gym Foyer)
Freshmen - S-Z (Track)
Sophomores – Commons/Stage
Juniors – Commons/Stage
Seniors – Gym Foyer
2nd Lunch
Freshmen – Track
Sophomores – Gym Foyer
Juniors – Commons/Stage
Seniors – Commons/Stage
Lunch Shifts are determined by Period 5 Classes:
First Lunch (5A) - Foreign Language, Math, PE (Perreault & Carr), JROTC, Science, Social Studies, Tech. Ed.
Second Lunch (5B) – Art, Business Ed., English, Family & Consumer Science, Health, Music, PE (Charlebois & Lorenz), Special Education (Tutorial), Resource Ed.
Remoter Learner Information - Virtual Academy
Counselors are working through calls to the homes of each family/student who chose remote learning through Semester I. These calls are necessary to confirm the remote option and to work through schedules in an effort to find replacement courses in the virtual setting. This step, along with the hiring and training of Virtual Academy coaches, is taking place this week. These coaches will be calling families/students to introduce themselves and enroll students in classes virtually, which should take place sometime this week. Classes for students who chose the remote option are scheduled to start school in the Virtual Academy on Tuesday, September 1.
Chromebook Distribution
In preparation for the 2020-21 school year the Grand Forks Public Schools will be providing all students with their own Chromebook. Chromebooks have been checked out to each individual GFC student.
Distance Learning Families:
Chromebooks will be available for pickup by distance learning families on Friday, August 28th at the main gym entrance doors (Door 14) on North 5th Street. Distance learning families should pull up to the curb directly in front of the main gym entrance doors where a GFC staff member will assist them. Pickup times are as follows:
Senior distance learners: 9am -10am
Junior distance learners: 10am - 11am
Sophomore distance learners: 11am - 12pm
Freshmen distance learners: 12pm - 1pm
Face to Face Learners:
Chromebooks for in-person GFC students will be distributed through the student's regularly scheduled English class during the first week of school.
Attendance Information
If your child is going to be absent because of an illness, out of town, appointment, etc., please call the Attendance Secretary at 746-2482. If you call in, you do not need to send a note with your child the next day. If the child has an appointment, please call or send a note with your child prior to the appointment. In doing so, the child can pick up an early dismissal slip from the Attendance Secretary to show their teacher and be excused from the class without interrupting the class. All students who need to leave during the school day must have parent permission either by phone or note and must sign out in the Principal's Office prior to leaving. Upon returning to the building, students must sign back in. Failure to sign out properly will result in detention hours issued for classes missed.
Vacations
In order for your student to have the best attendance possible, please plan short trips, vacations, etc. around our school calendar. If you know in advance your child is going to miss school, please contact the attendance secretary prior to the absence so the absence can be approved. Arrangements for homework for planned absences is the responsibility of the student.
Breakfast and Lunch
My School Bucks
How do I enroll?
• Go to www.myschoolbucks.com and click enroll now.
• Create an account for yourself and your children. You will need to know your student’s district ID number, date of birth, school and grade.
• Provide credit or debit card information.
Why should I sign up for this service?
• You can view your child’s cafeteria purchases.
• You can sign up for free e-mail notifications when the lunch account is low in funds.
• You may prepay their lunch account without sending money to school.
*On some purchases, My SchoolBucks will charge a $2.49 service fee for the transaction.
Water Bottles: A Key to Wellness
Students should plan to bring water bottles to school this year. Water fountains are being adjusted so that only those with the option to fill bottles will be available in an effort to reduce high touch surfaces in the school. In other words, the spigot options will be turned off. We will have some free water bottles for students in need. They are available in the main office until they are gone.
Student Parking & Parking Passes
2019-2020 Yearbooks Are In!
2020-2021 Yearbooks
If you would like to order a 2020-2021 GFC yearbook, go to this website: https://www.balfour.com/student-info?smi=55338
The cost is $55 or $60 if you want it personalized with a name on the cover. Senior pictures and senior baby pictures are due by May 1st and can be emailed at any time before that to: centralyearbooks@mygfschools.org
Fan Attendance Information and Policies
Fan attendance at athletic events is determined by current health conditions in our community. Unfortunately, the recent increase in positive COVID 19 cases in Grand Forks County have resulted in a change in our current level on the matrix.
Our current level is Orange - which means each participating athlete will have two wristbands which can be used to purchase a ticket or use an accepted pass. Wristbands can only be given to family members. You must have a wristband to access the event.
As the number of cases change, the matrix level will be updated and we will communicate that to you.
GUIDELINES
Grand Forks Public Schools has established the following guidelines regarding attendance at athletic contests hosted by GFPS.
Ticketed Events (Soccer, Football, Volleyball, Cross Country):
Each contest participant will receive wristbands per event for distribution only to family members. In order to use an accepted pass or purchase a ticket, the spectator must have a wristband. Wristbands will be distributed to both the home and visiting teams. Spectators without a wristband will not be allowed access to the event.
*Wristbands cannot be transferred to another family.
*Wristbands cannot be given to non-family members or to other members of the student body.
Swimming and Diving:
Due to the small venue size, no fans are allowed at swimming and diving contests until further notice.
Fan Attendance Allowance:
The number of wristbands allowed per participant is based on a metric developed by GFPS in conjunction with Grand Forks County Health, the Altru Medical System, and the City of Grand Forks and is subject to change on short notice.
Non-ticketed Events (Golf, Tennis, Block 1 Middle School Sports):
For all non-ticketed events, Grand Forks Public Schools is asking that spectators be limited to two individuals per participant. Spectators as asked to sit together as family units and maintain social distancing to the maximum possible extent.
Fan Seating:
Spectators are asked to sit together as family units with social distancing established between family units.
Children need to sit with accompanying adults.
Face Coverings in Outdoor Venues:
Grand Forks Public Schools requires the use of face coverings for all spectators when entering, moving about, and exiting the facility. Face coverings should remain in use while in the stands until social distancing from individuals other than those in your household is met. If social distancing cannot be established, spectators are recommended to continue wearing face coverings. Please be aware that other school districts may have different guidelines regarding face covering usage.
Face Coverings in Indoor Venues:
Grand Forks Public Schools requires the use of face coverings for all spectators inside all GFPS indoor facilities at all times. Please be aware that other school districts may have different guidelines regarding face covering usage.
Exiting the Venue:
Families are asked to exit the venue immediately following the game or match in which the related family member was involved.
Student Sections:
No student sections are allowed.
Concessions:
No concessions will be sold at any event.
Live Streaming:
The ability to live stream events is being pursued.
These guidelines will be monitored on a continual basis according to guidelines and information provided by the NDDoH, Grand Forks County Health, the NDHSAA, and Grand Forks Public Schools.
Hall Lockers and Locks
Gym lockers are available to students enrolled in physical education classes. STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN LOCK IN THE GYM LOCKER ROOMS. All items are placed in the locker room during class must be locked to ensure that items are not stolen.
Students must refrain from placing personal items of value in the lockers. The school will not be responsible for the loss of unsecured items. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all personal items are properly secured.
Booster Club Information
“Welcome “Central Parents and Students”
With everything going on, it is imperative that we all work together and help support our students as best as we can. Joining the Boosters is a great way to help with this.
Each year Boosters supports our students by providing funding for school trips, scholarships, awards, athletic needs, special activities and more. We are here to support the students, teachers, and administration of Central High School. More information and opportunities to come,
Memberships are annual, so whether you are a new or returning Knight family please fill out the following Membership Form. We need members so we can all stay connected and informed.
Our first meeting of the 2020-21 school year will be on Monday, September 14 at 7:00 PM in the Media Center (2nd floor-enter the 4th Avenue doors and go right). We typically meet the first Monday of the month.
If you have any questions regarding Boosters, please contact us at gfcboosters@gmail.com
Marjorie Myrold
GFC Booster Club President
2020-2021 Faculty Listed by Department
Administrative
Jon Strandell – Principal
Gabe Dahl – Associate Principal A-K
Mike Wilber – Associate Principal L-Z
Aaron La Deaux – Activities Director
Counseling
Kim Bailey
Denise Kaye Loftus
Jen Lubinski
Melissa Mickelson
Art
Nancy Greenwood
Kati Larson
Business Education
Leonard Kjelland
Trevor Lennon
Megan Sullivan
English
Matt Berglund
Maren Dewar
Mary Drumm
Liesel Hauge*
Yvonne Kalka
Grant Kleberg
Missy Miedema
Nicki Roseno
Lukas Schulz
Andrea Simon
David Tack
Laura Wendt
Family Consumer Sciences
Amy Beauchamp
Linsey Naastad
Rhonda Peterson
Ashley Stavnes
Foreign Language
Katie Bolstad
Lonny Brakel
Pam Fisher
Sindy Larson
Health and Physical Education
Stetson Carr
Andrea Charlebois
Christine Fiala*
Bill Lorenz
Lisa Perreault
Health Services
Mona Hattenberger*
JROTC
Ricky Thatcher
Mike Selnes
Math
Brittany Bunde
Christina Dittus
Annette Kohlmeier
Brent Lloyd*
Karen McIntyre
Mary McWilliams
Cindy Nelson
Steve Paintner
Paula Salentine
Gretchen Schmidt
Media Services
Andrea Maus
Music
Paul Barta
Leah Brooks
Steve Carriere
Sarah Harlow
Geoff Mercer
Science
Sean Allan
Brandon Bartsch
Joe Drumm
George DuBois
David Kohlmeier
Kylie Laudal
Jamilee Morseth
Eric Polries
Brian Ringdahl
Social Studies
Mike Bisenius*
Ryne Dolleslager
Kyle Ellingson
Ian Godfrey
Nick Graves
Justine Hunnisett
Krystal Johnson
Erik Myrold
Special Education
Debbie Aaker
Brittany Baker
Jade Brown
Marie Demarce-Garner*
Gina Feland
Ligia Feo
Kari Hearn
Heidi Huseby
Angie Johnson
Karen Lauer
Michael McNelly
Summer Quamme
Kathy Sondrol
Technology Education
Melissa Bakke
Zachary Buchhop*
Nate Carlson
Paul Strande
Intervention Coordinator
Katie Arthur
Career Resource Educator
Kevin Phelps
ELL Program
Sarah Hellyer
Substance Abuse Counselor
Cindy McMillan
Resource Education
Tyler Piper
Instructional Design Coach
Kristy Sandbeck
Social Worker
Shelly Scholand
*Denotes new teacher
Annual Notification to Parents and Students of Confidentiality and Student Records
The FERPA information and Opt-Out form are attached below. This form is optional for families. If you do not want the district to disclose the information noted in the attachment, you must complete the applicable sections and turn into the main office by the first day of school. For families new to the district, or enrolling after the first day of the school year, you have 10 business days from the date of your child's enrollment to submit the information.
* PLEASE NOTE: If you select option A, your student will not appear in the yearbook, graduation program or news releases.