Hello Hornet Nation!

Congratulations on officially completing your high school journey! As we approach the end, I am excited to see some of you at our Senior Awards Ceremony and everyone at graduation practice. You all have been great examples of what it means to be a HORNET!

Everyone else, we have just 14 days of school left, and it's important to remember that your teachers are still working hard, and so should you! I strongly urge everyone, especially Freshman, to log into Schoology and check your overall course grade. If your percentage is below 60%, it means you are not passing that course for the year. Remember, you can still improve your grade, but it requires attending class, being on time, and putting in the effort.

Let's take a moment to recognize our amazing Spring sports teams. Baseball, Softball, boys and girls Lacrosse, and Bocce Ball have all concluded their seasons, and we couldn't be prouder of each and every one of you. However, we still have Tennis and track both boys and girls competing at states this week! Good luck to all our athletes! It's important to note that making it to and/or winning states is a tremendous accomplishment, considering there are over 55,000 students in the state of Maryland. We are proud of you all, regardless of the outcome. Keep working hard and displaying that HORNET pride!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it's crucial to remember that mental health affects all of us, including our students. Let's continue to support and educate our students that there is always help available. I encourage all students to join us in our Mental Health Spirit week. See more details below.

Lastly, as we near the end of the school year, it's important to remember that the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct still apply. We are still expected to attend all classes on time, have a pass when in the hallway, and when given a pass to go and return in a timely manner. Let's continue to meet the expectations set by Great Mills and SMCPS as we enjoy this time and create lasting memories. Let's make sure our actions reflect positively on ourselves and our school.

Thank you all and let’s have a great end of the school year!

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

• May 20 - MTSS Parent Planning Meeting
• May 23 - Senior Awards
  
• May 31 - Graduation Commencement
• 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 13 - Report Cards available on HAC

There will be a Spirit Week May 20-24 in honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month. All staff and students are invited to participate. Each day will feature a dress-up theme and an activity during lunch relating to mental health. There will be opportunities to win prizes every day during lunch and by dressing on-theme and submitting a photo using the QR posted by the selfie wall in the Guidance Office hallway. Join us as we raise awareness on the importance of mental health!

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

Great Mills High School is not for sale. Well played Seniors! Your prank put the school for sale and with me as the listing estate agent. You had people really thinking I was starting a side hustle or changing careers. I also had lots of people reach out to me interested in purchasing the school!

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.

We hope to see you in The Learning Center on Wednesday!

How did your grades look in the first marking period? Looking to recover those grades to a passing grade?

The Learning Center (TLC) will be available during One Lunch. TLC will support students who need additional help in their graduation-required courses. Any students who are interested in the TLC need to report to Room F12 during One Lunch. If you have any questions about TLC, please contact Katie Sushinsky, GMHS Literacy Coach, at kesushinsky@smcps.org or Hattie Webb, GMHS Math Coach, at hswebb@smcps.org.

This week in Sports

Tuesday, May 21 - 23

• Track and Field State Championships @ Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex

Thursday, May 23 - 25

• Tennis State Championship Tournament @ Wilde Lake Tennis Club
• Starts at 9:00 am each day

Come out and support!!

All SMAC regular season and playoff tickets will be sold online using Go Fan. I do recommend creating a free account to make purchasing tickets throughout the school year quicker. We will have card readers at the door, but NO CASH will be accepted at the door.

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

IMPORTANT REMINDER Class of 2024! If you have not placed an order for your Graduation announcements, senior apparel, keepsakes and most importantly, your Cap and Gown unit, the time to do so is NOW. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Toney in room 1203 or by email tntoney@smcps.org.

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