Grand Blanc High School

12/3 - East MS, Bobcat Innovation, and GBHS Wind Ensemble Winter Concert

12/4 - GBHS Bands Winter Concert

12/4 - Bobcat Time

12/5 - West MS and GBHS Wind Ensemble Winter Concert

12/6 - High School Orchestra Concert at 7 pm

12/11 - High School Choir Holiday Concert GBHS at 7pm

12/11 - FAFSA Night

12/11 - Bobcat Time

12/19 - Culture Day

12/23 - 1/3 - Winter Break

1/6 - School Resumes

1/15 - FAFSA Workshop 5:30 & 7:00 pm

1/15 - 17 - Final Exams (Half Days)

1/20 - MLK Day No School

1/21 - Records Day No School

1/22 - 3rd Marking Period Begins

1/22 - Bobcat Time

2/2 - Pistons Game

2/13 - 1/2 Day for Students

2/14 - No School

2/17 - Presidents' Day No School

Dear GBHS Families,

As we enter the final month of the year, I want to extend my warmest wishes for a joyful and peaceful holiday season. December is a time for reflection, connection, and celebration, and I hope your family is looking forward to making holiday memories with family and friends.

I am pleased to share that our annual Student-Led Culture Day will take place on December 19th. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase their diverse backgrounds, traditions, and talents. Our students are working hard to prepare exciting activities and presentations that celebrate the rich variety of cultures that make our school community so unique. I look forward to seeing our students celebrate the many ways they all contribute to the vibrant fabric of our school.

Reminder: Dressing for Cold Weather

As the temperatures drop, we want to remind everyone of the importance of proper attire, especially when students are crossing outside between buildings. Please ensure that your child is dressed warmly and appropriately for the cold weather, with layers, coats, hats, gloves, and scarves. We want to ensure that all students stay comfortable and safe while outside.

Finally, Please note that the school will be closed for winter break from December 23rd to January 3rd. Classes will resume on January 6th. We hope that everyone has a safe and restful break and that you return to school feeling refreshed and ready for the new year.

Thank you for your continued support of our school community. Together, we are making this a wonderful year for our students.

Go Bobcats!

Michael Fray

Principal - Grand Blanc High School

GBHS Website

X: @MFrayGBHS

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

7:20 — 8:56 ................ 5th Hour

8:56 — 9:11 ..................... Break

9:11 — 10:43 ..............6th Hour

Thursday, January 16, 2025

7:20 — 8:56 ................ 3rd Hour

8:56 — 9:11 ..................... Break

9:11 — 10:43 ...............4th Hour

Friday, January 17, 2025

7:20 — 8:56 .................1st Hour

8:56 — 9:11 .....................Break

9:11 — 10:43 ..............2nd Hour

In November, GBHS Teachers were given the opportunity to nominate deserving

students that displayed strong character.

Students also nominated 7 staff members based on their character attributes.

Are you a student looking for ways to get more involved at GBHS? Please take a look at our many exciting and active clubs. There is definitely something for everyone! See the link below for information and club contacts.

MSA, BSU, IASA, Asian Club, Model UN and Mindfulness Club are excited to invite you all to our 3rd Annual Culture Day, December 19, 2024 after school until 4pm. This event is entirely put on by students who look forward to this event every year and cannot wait to share the diversity that GBHS has to offer!!! We hope to see you there!

DETROIT BASKETBALL!! The Grand Blanc Pep Band will once again be performing at Little Caesars Arena on February 2nd @3pm as the Detroit Pistons take on the Chicago Bulls. Tickets are only $25, you will receive a special Pistons gift item, and all ticket purchases will split a portion of funds as a donation back to the GBHS Instrumental Music Program. We look forward to seeing you all supporting our Bobcat Band students and your Detroit Pistons!

Parents - As we are nearing the end of the first semester, please be sure to review our attendance contract procedure:

1. When a student has accumulated more than 10 absences in a class, they will be notified by the classroom teacher and given an attendance contract.
2. The student and teacher both sign the contract and it is returned to the office. The student is given a copy to take home with them.
3. The attendance contract explains what the student must do in order to earn credit in that particular class.
4. If your student then accumulates 10 or more absences in a different course hour, this will result in further - separate attendance contracts.

Follow THIS LINK to preview an attendance contract and review the full explanation of requirements in order to receive class credit.

Students and Parents - Please make sure you are following the proper procedures for students leaving the building during school hours:

1. Parent/Guardian must call in first to check the student out.
2. The student then checks in with the office to get an exit pass prior to leaving.

Students have been leaving the building during the day and parents are calling in at a later time to excuse the absence. If an emergency were to take place in the building, we must be able to account for every student currently believed to be present. For those safety reasons, we will NOT retroactively excuse the attendance of any student that leaves the building without following the proper procedure.

FISH of Grand Blanc is currently gearing up for a busy holiday season. Follow the links to more information regarding FEED THE BUS and SPONSORING A FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS. These are both great opportunities to give back to the Grand Blanc Community.

2024 FISH SPONSOR PACKET

All Grand Blanc students who attend classes in person are eligible for one free complete breakfast and one free complete lunch per day. All snacks, beverages, extra entrees, second meals, etc. must be paid for at the time of purchase. We accept payments of cash, check or money from your Family Portal Account. Students who do not have the funds for extra items, at the time of purchase, will not be allowed to charge these items.

The GBHS Counseling team held a Senior Class Meeting on Wednesday, September 25th. The following topics were discussed:

• Senior Documents - Documents folder needed during the senior year.
• Class of 2025 link - Senior Info 2025 page on the GBCS website.

Thank you to the 424 seniors who have ordered your cap & gown. If you haven't ordered yours yet, the time is NOW! Follow the link to the Jostens website to place your order.

The senior Cap & Gown group order will be placed on December 16, 2024. After that date, the price will go up as each order will require individual shipping charges. Make sure to place your senior cap & gown order by 12/16/24 in order to avoid the extra shipping charges!

• Jostens provides cap & gowns, class rings, graduation announcements, and senior spirit wear.
• The only required item for graduation is the cap & gown set. Order your cap & gown now to get the best price (cost will go up at the end of January).
• Grand Blanc introduced a beautiful new graduation gown in 2023. This gown must be worn by all seniors attending graduation. Older sibling gowns, prior to Class of 2023, cannot be worn.

Link to Cap & Gown Ordering

Make sure your senior is honored in the yearbook. Ensure you make your requests as soon as possible! Last year, the staff sold all of its space devoted to senior ads and had to decline some requests. https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A03744200

Our FAFSA information night for senior parents and students will be scheduled on December 11th at the High School. Look for further information to come when it is available. In the meantime, you MUST go to the FAFSA website and create your FSA (Federal Student Aid) ID. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Mrs. Newman at mnewman@gbcs.org.

If your looking for some resources and helpful information on Post-Graduation paths, follow the link to Beyond Graduation. This site is full of links and information to help you with college, scholarships, career possibilities, and more!

All seniors who are applying for college should have a parchment account. This is necessary for requesting your high school transcripts be sent to colleges. Click on the image to the right for a direct link to Parchment.

E-I Betsy Wambaugh (810)-591-6680

J-M Nicole Kernen (810)-591-6651

N-SK Courtney Wood (810)-591-6929

SL-Z Susan Shaw (810)-591-6648

CSS, BVL Jennifer Uhl (810)-591-1658

Early College Sarah Clark (810)-591-6336

Special Ed Bethany Jackson (810)-591-6035

Are your children safe while online? Michigan families, especially minors, are becoming inundated with advertisements from alcohol, tobacco, pornography, illegal drugs and gambling marketers through different internet and cell phone inboxes. Thankfully, the State of Michigan offers a free program to stop adult advertisements from reaching e-mails, text messages, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Discord, TikTok, Twitch and Twitter. The Michigan Child Protection Registry, is a free do-not-contact service for Michigan’s families and can be located at www.ProtectMIChild.com.

Follow this link for more information!

HELP BRING BETTER INTERNET CONNECTIONS

TO OUR COMMUNITY

The Genesee County Broadband Initiative is an effort to bring high-speed, reliable internet access to every corner of Genesee County. In an era where connectivity is essential for education, business, healthcare, and social engagement, we are committed to ensuring that no one is left behind.

Lunch & Learn is a great opportunity for students to seek help with difficult school work during their scheduled lunch time. If your student is struggling, make sure they are taking advantage of this opportunity to get the academic support needed. Lunch & Learn meets every Tuesday and Thursday during all three lunches.

• East Campus - Room 404
• West Campus - Special Education Conference Room

After School Tutoring is available from our NHS student volunteers. Make sure to take advantage of the Tutoring Lab Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in the East Campus Library.

FREE COLLEGE! - Introducing the Michigan Community College Guarantee!

We’re excited to share that Michigan has launched the Community College Guarantee, an initiative designed to make higher education more accessible and affordable. Under this program, eligible Michigan residents can now attend their local community college tuition-free, covering up to 60 credits towards an associate degree or technical certificate.

This initiative is a fantastic opportunity for recent high school graduates, adult learners, and anyone looking to upskill or change careers. The guarantee aims to remove financial barriers, helping more Michiganders achieve their educational and career goals.

For more information on how to apply and to see if you qualify, visit the official Michigan Community College Guarantee website or contact your local community college today!

Available to all GBHS students.

$25 buys a sticker that goes on the back of the student ID.

Entry to all high school home games for the entire school year!

WHAT A DEAL!!

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR GRAND BLANC ATHLETICS WEBSITE.

Grand Blanc High School Clothes Closet is opened for students on a daily basis. Donated items can be dropped off at the High School East Main Office.

December - Items needed the most:

• Shampoo, Body Wash, Deodorant
• Socks & Underwear - men's and women's
• Leggings - women's new or gently used (all sizes)
• Sweatpants - men's and women's new or gently used (all sizes)

ALL student parking permits will need to be PURCHASED ONLINE on the GBCS Ops-Com parking website. Each individual student driver will need to create an account and follow all steps as prompted to ensure all information is correct and you can proceed to purchase a permit. Students are responsible to remember your log-in information as this will be the account you use for all your parking needs for the duration of your time in high school.

GBCS Ops-Com parking website: https://gbcs.ops-com.com/login

We have been experiencing an increase in respiratory illnesses in our school district. This is consistent with trends throughout the state and the country.

Both Pertussis (Whooping Cough) and Mycoplasma Pneumonia (Walking Pneumonia) have been on the rise so please be vigilant in monitoring for symptoms. Infection is spread by inhaling respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Pertussis

• Symptoms
• Sneezing, runny nose, mild dry cough, and low-grade fever
• After about 1 to 2 weeks, more serious “coughing spells” develop that can last for more than a minute and result in difficulty breathing.
• At the end of a coughing spell, the cough may make a high-pitched “whooping” sound as they try to catch their breath.
• Sometimes the coughing will cause vomiting. Between spells, usually feel well.
• Who is at Risk
• Pertussis can spread easily among susceptible household members and in group settings such as schools, workplaces, and sports teams.
• Adolescents and adults are also at risk for infection since vaccine protection decreases over time.
• The time between exposure to the bacteria and disease symptoms is usually between 7 - 10 days, but in rare cases, it can take up to 3 weeks.
• Treatment

• Pertussis can be treated or even prevented with antibiotics if detected early or before the disease has started.
• If you develop any of the symptoms described above, stay home from school and contact your doctor immediately. Please also inform the school office of any illness.

Walking Pneumonia:

• Symptoms
• Can include cough, fever, sore throat, headache, and sometimes wheezing
• Often people don’t feel sick enough to stay home or in bed, thus the term “walking pneumonia”
• Who is at Risk
• Infection can occur at any age, but most often among children ages 5-17 years and young adults
• Treatment:
• Some people get better on their own with a mild mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, but some with more severe infection will need an antibiotic

For general respiratory illness, it is recommended you stay home if you have a fever and you can return 24 hours after fever free and symptoms are improving. However, if you are diagnosed with Pertussis you must stay home from school until your 5 day antibiotic treatment is complete.

Strategies that prevent respiratory viruses, such as handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes, prevent these bacteria from spreading.