Hello Hornet Nation!

Last week marked an exciting kickoff to our winter sports season in true Hornet spirit! On Friday, our boys and girls varsity and JV basketball teams opened their season with fantastic victories over Chopticon. This week, you have two chances to catch our boys basketball team in action: Monday against Calvert and Wednesday against Arundel.

If sports aren’t your thing, don’t miss the opportunity to support the Arts this Saturday! Enjoy a fantastic lineup of music produced by our talented Hornets, including performances from three of our singers who qualified for the All State Chorus. I hope to see you at one of our winter events this season!

Additionally, Tuesday marks our first FAFSA Night of the year. The FAFSA application for the 2025-2026 school year is now open! Submitting your application early traditionally increases your chances of receiving Pell Grants—funds that you never have to pay back! This money can be used for colleges, universities, and trade schools. If you’re a Senior and still unsure about your plans for next year, I highly encourage you to complete the FAFSA application. Remember, our goal this year is to have all paperwork submitted and ready to go before we walk across the stage in May.

We also have numerous visits lined up from various career paths, and I encourage all students in grades 9 through 12 to attend. Gaining information about different opportunities will increase your chances of making the right choice the first time!

With just two weeks until winter break, you have 10 chances to show off your school spirit! Check out the calendar below for the themes to help you plan your outfits. Let’s make these last weeks count!

The week will be what you make it, so let’s make it GREAT together!

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

Times when cell phones can be used:

• When doors open at 7:50 to 8:00.
• During Nest Hour 12:05 to 1:05.
• When the dismissal bell rings at 2:45.

Parents, if you need to contact your student, they will be able to respond during these times. During other times call the main office.

• December 10 - FAFSA Night - 6:00 - 7:30 GMHS Cafeteria
• December 20 - Two Early Dismissal
• December 23 to January 3 - Winter Break
• January 6 - Students return from Winter Break
• January 17 - End of Quarter 2
• January 20 - Schools Closed - Martin Luther King Jr Day
• January 28 - Report Cards Available on HAC
• January 31 - No School for Students - Professional Day

SMCPS 2024-2025 Calendar

All seniors should complete the FAFSA. Did you know...

• Even if you are offered a full or partial athletic, academic, or merit scholarship you still have to complete the FAFSA.
• FAFSA will pay for trade schools, CSM, and colleges and universities.
• If you receive Free and/or Reduced Meals at school the FAFSA will qualify you for free federal money, Pell Grants, that you do not have to pay back.
• Your plans can change and completing the FAFSA now will make sure you are prepared for more choices after graduation.
• Completing the FAFSA sooner increases your chances of getting more funding.

Click here to RSVP.

Class of 2025, I'll see you at FAFSA night!!

National Sojourners is hosting an essay contest for all high school students with prizes of $3000/ $2000/ $1000. Essay is on modern day relevance of the preamble to the Declaration of Independence. Click for details. All entries are due by December 15th.

It's that time of the year to start planning for next years vocational programs at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center. The ATX program gives 9th and 10th graders an opportunity to experience one program each quarter to determine which one they would like to enroll in for next year. They offer 1 year electives and 2 and 3 year graduation completer programs. Check out their website to see a full list of programs and application information.

Part of the application process does include a visit to the program. Attending a classroom visit, virtual visit, or going in person all satisfies this requirement.

-Meet and Greets will take place from December 9th to December 16th from 12:15-12:30. Students will need to sign up to attend these visits. Click here for more information and video links.

-The Tech Expo is January 23rd from 5:30-8:00 PM at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center. This is for families and current high school students.

The yearbook is still on sale, but not as much. The current price is $110. Buy it now before it goes up to it's full price of $120. Only 23 more available at this price. - BUY NOW & SAVE

Click to grab your copy before prices go up.

Thank you for those of you who completed the previous survey. We know there were some technical glitches, so we have revised the survey, and are asking every parent or guardian to complete it prior to December 13th.

Click to complete the Survey.

Thank you!

Have pictures to share? Do you think they would be a great addition to this years yearbook? Scan the QR code and share your photos directly with the yearbook staff!

It's HAPPENING! College Acceptances are rolling in!! Come to the College & Career Center and let's celebrate your acceptance you!

Congratulations Camila Lopez-Quinonez!! She received admission and an $82,000 scholarship from Mary Baldwin University.

Salisbury University On-Site Acceptance Day!! Congratulations, Lilith! You're a future Seagull!! 🎉

Salisbury University On-Site Acceptance Day!! Congratulations, Mary! You're a future Seagull!! 🎉

Salisbury University On-Site Acceptance Day!! Congratulations, Tazir! You're a future Seagull!! 🎉

Salisbury University On-Site Acceptance Day!! Congratulations, Jacob! You're a future Seagull!! 🎉

Salisbury University On-Site Acceptance Day! Congratulations, Amiyah! You're a future Seagull! 🎉

Salisbury University On-Site Acceptance Day! Congratulations, Quentin! You're a future Seagull! 🎉

Salisbury University On-Site Acceptance Day!! Congratulations, Nancy! You're a future Seagull!! 🎉

Salisbury University On-Site Acceptance Day!! Congratulations, Ella! You're a future Seagull!! 🎉

Salisbury University On-Site Acceptance Day!! Congratulations, Zion! You're a future Seagull!! 🎉

Salisbury University On-Site Acceptance Day!! Congrats, Kahealani!! You're a future Seagull!!🎉

Salisbury University On-Site Acceptance Day! Congratulations, Connor! You're a future Seagull! 🎉

Salisbury University On-Site Acceptance Day! Congratulations, Shakyra! You're a future Seagull!🎉

Salisbury University On-Site Acceptance Day!! Congratulations, Faith! You're a future Seagull!! 🎉

HBCU DAY was a SUCCESS! Thanks to Morgan State, Coppin State and Bowie State for representing! As well, as Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority from Bowie State! These wonderful ladies talked about the benefits of college & community service!

Our NJROTC competed in the Area 4 (28 schools) Orienteering Championships (competitive land navigation) at Patuxent River State Park. Great Mills did not enter a varsity team, but Carli Bankard ran the 2nd fastest time for JV females.

MDCAPS Completion Night is on December 17th! Join us at 6:00pm in the cafeteria. Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS) is MHEC's comprehensive financial aid system that allows the state of Maryland to process applications for scholarships and grant programs. Please keep in mind you MUST attend a college/trade school in Maryland to qualify for state aid.

Click here to reserve your spot today!

Maryland Private College Application Day is approaching! On December 11th, apply to any participating MICUA member institution for free! Check out the flyers for fee waiver codes and open house information!!

Monday, December 9

• Boys Basketball vs Calvert JV 5:00 Varsity 6:30

Wednesday, December 11

• Boys Basketball vs Arundel JV 5:00 Varsity 6:30

• Wrestling JV Playdate vs Chopticon and Leonardtown 8:00 am

Click here to purchase your tickets online, now!

Just a reminder when you come to events at Great Mills High School

• Senior Citizen Cards will only be for St. Mary's County residents.

• All coaches should have ID/Badge or should arrive with the team.

• Anyone leaving the event without authorization MUST pay to re-enter

• No outside food or drinks (including water bottles) are permitted

• No Bags

Spectators will not be allowed to enter game venues carrying any bags. Spectators will only be permitted to carry a small clutch or wallet into events. Other small permissible items such as keys, wallets, cell phones, credit cards, and cash may be carried in a pocket or by hand. Prohibited items include weapons, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, electronic cigarettes, outside food and drinks, laser pointers, non-service animals, and other items deemed inappropriate by the school administration.

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

The AUP is linked here as well as the information Specific to Google.

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