Hello Hornet Nation,

It's sometimes crazy how a simple quick decision can change the course for you and those around you. Every day you have the power to make a difference or stay status quo. In the heat of the moment, which do you choose? I say which "do" you choose because even though you're a teenager you are making these decisions now. Do I study for this test? That simple decision could be the difference between being accepted into your first choice or getting the right score on the ASVAB. We are in the beginning of the 3rd Marking Period and it's not too late to earn the grade you want or to pass all of your classes. If you want to go to college, google the incoming freshman GPA of the schools you are interested in and see if you're on track to be accepted.

We have a lot of activities coming up soon. We have sports playoffs for all winter sports, musical performances, GMHS Idol, and plenty more. We will have an MTSS volleyball game this month, so students should start getting ready. Tuesday, February 14th is Valentine's Day, get your Boo and I'll see you at the Winter Dance on Saturday! Tickets are only on sale for a few more days.

I hope to see you at an event soon!

Let's have a GREAT week Hornet Nation!

Mr. Dothard

Principal

We Are... GREAT MILLS!!!

For Our Spanish Speaking Families

¡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

2nd Quarter Report Cards are available in HAC. Please take the time to review your grades with your child(ren). All 9th-grade students will receive a copy of their report card in the mail this week. If you are unable to log into HAC, please contact Ms. Lewis at 301-863-4001 or by email at bslewis@smcps.org.

Applications for Tech Center programs are still open but close on 2/17/2023.

The tech center is still looking for Great Mills students to apply for the following programs:

1. Auto Refinishing & Repair

2. Carpentry

3. Computer Aided Drafting & Design

4. Criminal Justice

5. Diesel Technology

6. Electrical Wiring

7. Natural Resources Management

8. TV/Video Production

9. Dental Assisting

10. IT Networking

If you are interested in any of these programs for next year, please visit the Tech Center website to apply.

After-school tutoring began on Monday, January 30th, and will happen every Monday-Thursday in all areas. We will hold in-person tutoring and virtual tutoring. Transportation will not be provided so please arrange your transportation prior to staying after school. It runs from 3:10-4:10 and extra time can be arranged if needed.

Spring sports begin on March 1st and you must have at least a 2.0 or C average on your 2nd marking period report card to participate.

• Boys and Girls Track and Field
• Boys and Girls Lacrosse
• Baseball
• Softball
• Boys and Girls Tennis
• PALS Bocce Ball

Data shows, students who play sports handle pressure better, maintain good grades, get into less trouble inside and outside of school, and it helps them become better team players. These are all things that will help lead a more productive adult life. Which team will you be joining?

If you need to pick your student up at the end of the day, please try to notify the main office by 2:30. There are a lot of moving parts at the end of the day, but advanced notice would help things run a lot smoother. The number to the main office is 301-863-4001.

Thank you for support.

Citadel Shield - Solid Curtain - NAS Patuxent River training exercise February 6 through February 17. It is likely that there will be traffic delays in the Lexington Park area during this time frame.

Just a reminder that when students arrive at school on the bus or dropped off, they are not permitted to leave school property without being signed out by a parent or guardian. If students leave school property and return without a parent or guardian, they are subject to disciplinary consequences.

St. Mary's County Public Schools pays for all 11th graders to take the SAT one time for free. Students have also taken the PSAT 3 times, 9th, 10th, and 11th grade, prior to taking the SAT on March 22nd to help them receive the highest score possible. This means families would never have to pay to take the test if students take advantage of the opportunities provided through the school system.

All juniors will take the SAT in school on March 22nd. Click the link below to learn how to prepare for the SAT using the SAT prep course through Edgenuity.

BECA Common Scholarship Application 2023 BECA Common Scholarship Application is now OPEN! The St. Mary’s County Scholarship Application allows qualified students to apply to a selection of 60+ different local scholasrhips. Deadline is February 17, 2023 https://form.jotform.com/230035352195146. Visit www.smcbeca.org, for more information.

The CollegeBoard National Recognition Programs Application opens Wednesday, January 18th. Qualified sophomores and juniors are eligible. If you are in 10th or 11th grade and took or plan to take PSAT and/or any AP Exam you are eligible.

Click here for more information from College Board.

The Jack Bailey Senatorial Scholarship is now OPEN! Students who permanently reside within the 29th Legislative District should apply for this scholarship. Another requirement is that students must be attending an in-state institution or have approved unique major status through MHEC. The deadline is April 7, 2023.

Edgenuity now offers SAT prep classes to assist all students in preparing for the SAT. ALL JUNIORS,11th graders, will take the SAT for free during the school day in March 22nd. This is an excellent resource for students to prepare for the test. Students can access via the Clever login to Edgenuity. Click HERE for information on how to set up your account. You do not need to register for this test, but if you would like to take the SAT outside of this date use the link below to register.

The National Honor Society will again be offering tutoring during One Lunch.

Students can sign up for individual tutoring sessions by going to room F36 to request tutoring, and Mrs. Johns will then match you with a tutor and schedule a session.

Need college, job opportunities, trade school, and scholarship information? Mrs. Waddell is here to help you. She may be contacted at tdwaddell@smcps.org or 301-863-4001 ext.18139. She also built the GMHS College & Career Readiness Google Site, which contains information for students and parents.

The SMCPS Evening Counseling Center provides FREE counseling services, by appointment, to SMCPS students. SMCPS recognizes that positive mental health is necessary for students to experience success at home, school, and in the community. In-person counseling is available weekly, in-person at Greenview Knolls Elementary. Virtual counseling is also available weekly. To request an appointment or receive more information, use this link: https://bit.ly/3Hgx7LX

Don't wait until the last minute to order your graduation materials rings, caps, gowns, and other graduation materials. If you would like more information or would like to order online, click here to order.

The GMHS Writing Center is an in-school resource available every day during both Green and Gold lunches in Room C-15. Students can get support on new assignments, revisions, personal writing, college application essays, and more!

If you have questions contact:

Mr. Stevens (wbstevens@smcps.org); Mrs. Walsh (mfwalsh@smcps.org)

We will be looking to grow different options for clubs and groups during 1-Lunch! Are you interested in giving back to your community?

The School Volunteer Portal is now open for applications. Beginning this year all school volunteers must apply annually for approval. If you were approved last year, you will need to reapply through this portal. The application process will end on May 1 of each school year. There is no application fee for school volunteers. The volunteer portal is now fully integrated with the Raptor visitor management system. Once approved you will receive an email. That’s it!

Join Gals Lead on Thursdays in D-11 during Green and Gold lunch. It is Dream Queen Association’s signature program for teen girls to help develop confidence, connection, and career clarity to help young women live their most awesome dream life.

Did you miss your chance to purchase a yearbook in high school? We can't bring you back to high school, but we can sell you a book of high school memories!

Here is a direct link to purchase an Alumni Yearbook from the years 1980-2021. There is a limited quantity of each and once they are gone, we do not have the ability to order more.

Click here to purchase yours today!

prices are :

1980-2000 $25.00

2001-2018 $30.00

2019-2021 $45.00

Shipping is $6.50 per book.

Schoology New Parent/Guardian Provisioning: New Schoology parent/guardian accounts will be created in the coming weeks. We hope to have accounts created and parents/guardians connected to their students in Schoology by Friday, September 2nd. Continue to use Schoology for your updates along with your SMOREs/School Messenger. Please share this specific message with your school community through School Messenger. Parents that have difficulty accessing their pre-existing accounts should contact schoology@smcps.org and include the student name and ID number for troubleshooting.

For more help with Schoology, visit the SMCPS Schoology Parent Dashboard.

Are you aware that your child could qualify for a free Associate Degree or free professional certifications from CSM and/or Blades School of Hair and Design? What exactly is the Maryland Promise Scholarship?

Yearbooks are on sale for $105.00. Yearbooks can be ordered online through the following link: Buy your YEARBOOK here

Did you know that even just a few minutes on a cell phone texting, checking social media, etc adds up over the course of a school day? Students, who use their devices for just 5 minutes each period, lose nearly 1 period of instructional time per day (35 minutes of class). Over the course of 1 week, those 5 minutes per class adds up to nearly 4 missed periods! Personal devices can be a HUGE distraction for students. Please start this year off right, by keeping personal devices away in your bookbag or at a charging station if your teacher has one available. There is a direct connection to phone usage during the school day to grades. Encourage your student/s to only use their phone during lunch, between classes, or when approved by a teacher.

Harris Teeter’s Together In Education program gives schools a chance to earn funds when you link your VIC card and shop Harris Teeter brands. Please link your VIC card to GMHS #4324.

Harris Teeter has donated over $32.4 million to Together In Education schools since 1998! When you shop Harris Teeter brands, a percentage of your purchase is donated to the school that your VIC card is linked to.

There are NO LIMITS to how much a school can earn!

Any customer with a VIC card can link their card to a school. Customers can link up to five (5) schools to their account.

MySchoolBucks is an online payment service that provides a convenient way for parents/guardians to pay for school-related purchases by using their credit/debit card or electronic check. Please use this link for more information on how to sign up for a MySchoolBucks account if you do not already have one.

SMCPS is looking to get nominations to recognize our cafeteria workers from school-based staff, students, and parents. Please consider clicking here to nominate one of our wonderful GMHS Cafeteria workers. All staff members are listed on our GMHS website.

Nominations will be selected each month to pass along The Golden Spatula Award to our cafeteria staff.

Monday, February 13th

• Boys Basketball vs AnnopolisJV 5:00; Varsity 6:30 PM

Wednesday, February 15th

• Girls Basketball vs Thomas Stone Varsity only 6:00 PM

Friday, February 17th

• Girls Basketball vs Patuxent Varsity only 6:00 PM
• Wrestling SMAC Tournament @ La Plata 4:00 PM

Saturday, February 18th

• Wrestling SMAC Tournament @ La Plata 10:00 AM

Purchase tickets here

Winter sports teams have been picked and we are ready to roll! You will be able to purchase tickets online at Go Fan or at the gate with cash only. All winter sports schedules have been uploaded and are ready for purchase. Get online and create your free account now to purchase tickets. Once you have purchased the ticket you just need to show your online ticket at the ticket table using a mobile device.

SMCPS is committed to the mental health and wellness of students and parents. Check out each of the available sites for valuable resources.

We are pleased to announce that phase 1 of the community project is finished with the completion of the brick foundation. We are going to begin phase 2 with the selling of additional bricks to raise money for the Hornet statue. Click to purchase your own brick!

Follow us on Twitter or check the school website for updates.

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