Hornet Nation,

What an incredible first full week of school it has been! We are thrilled to see our students settling into their routines and embracing the exciting changes and initiatives at Great Mills.

One of the highlights of the week was the launch of Nest Hour, also known as 1-Lunch, on Monday. We acknowledge that it was a bit of a bumpy start on Monday and Tuesday, but we are incredibly proud of how our students came together to make the last three days of the week a success. Well done, HORNETS! We also recognize that there is always room for improvement and want to remind students to continue to find their designated locations prior to the start of Nest Hour. Additionally, we would like to inform you that the lunch lines are typically shorter during the Gold session, so students may choose to take advantage.

We are thrilled to announce that our new Head Football Coach, Jason Ankrah, kicked off the season with a resounding victory against McDonough. The team's hard work and dedication paid off, and we couldn't be prouder! Looking ahead, we have an exciting and challenging game at Leonardtown next week. We encourage all of you to join us in showing our support for the HORNETS. Get your tickets online, put on your best Green and Gold gear, and come ready to make some noise!

Being a HORNET (Honest, Open-Minded, Respectful, Noble, Excellent, and a Team Player) is at the core of our educational philosophy, and we believe that these values are not only important for success in school but also in life.

One of the key aspects of being a HORNET is accepting ownership of our actions. We encourage our students to take responsibility for their choices and understand that their actions have consequences. By teaching them to control what they can, we empower them to make positive decisions and navigate challenges with resilience.

We also emphasize the importance of our response to different situations. Sometimes, the only thing we can control is how we choose to react. Our responses play a significant role in determining outcomes, and by teaching our students to approach challenges with a positive and proactive mindset, we enable them to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

As a community, we are united in the goal of raising the next generation of leaders, business owners, teachers, and community members. It is a tremendous responsibility that we all share, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work together in shaping the future. By instilling the values of being a HORNET in our students, we are equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in their personal and professional lives.

The week will be what we make it, so let's make a great HORNET Week Great Mills,

Mr. Dothard

Principal

We Are... GREAT MILLS!!!

¡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

This year picture day will be on October 4th and 5th. It is important that everyone takes a picture to get their ID Card. In efforts to speed up lunch lines, students will be expected to swipe their ID badge instead of punching in their number on the pad. This ID will also be needed to check out books and material from the Media Center. Did you know your school ID will also count as a valid ID Card when applying for work?

Over the last few years, the federal government has provided free lunch and breakfast to all students regardless of income. This year the federal free lunch for all has been lifted. It is imperative that you complete a meal form for your child to receive free or reduced meal prices for breakfast and/or lunch. Since we have not needed forms in two years, everyone needs to complete a new one. Here is a link to find the forms. We will have computers available at Open House for families to complete these forms.

Did you know that if you receive free or reduced meals, you qualify for:

• Free or reduced AP exams

• Free or reduced SAT and ACT tests

• Waived college applications

• Federal Pell Grants, free money to pay for college, trade school, and some higher-level certifications and training (You do not need to pay this money back)

• Did you know you can use FAFSA money to pay for certifications at the CSM Center for Trades and Energy and Blades School for Hair and Design?

We understand that completing these forms can be burdensome in so many different ways, but the benefits our students receive truly can not be matched. Please consider clicking here to complete the application. We will have laptops available to complete forms during open house. If you have any questions or need additional support, please contact the school.

• Great Mills High School leads the county in damaged student laptops. I like to win, but this is not a category I would like to win. Please encourage students to take care of their devices.

• Student Resource Accountability: Students are responsible for the care and upkeep of all of their SMCPS assigned resources: print and technology. This document outlines all of the policies and procedures in addition to pricing for lost or damaged devices. Please share with your school community far and wide. The student accountability document is also linked in this SMORE, which can be linked to your school newsletters or other communication.

Due to safety concerns and the demands on the main office, we do not accept food deliveries of any kind. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Lockers for rent, free of cost, in the Cafeteria during Open House. Anytime during the school year stop into any Assistant Principal Secretaries office before or after school, or between classes.

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.

You finally made it!! Make your senior portrait appointments now! Portraits will be taken on the dates listed below. There is no cost for a basic yearbook sitting.

Appointments are available on the evening of September 13th and during the school day on October 12. These are the last 2 dates, so please sign up.

Register for Senior pictures here.

In recent weeks, phishing attempts have been targeted at SMCPS student accounts using methods outside of SMCPS managed services.

Phishing is a method where malicious individuals attempt to trick you into providing them with information about you and your online account information. These methods can take many forms, so staying vigilant for anything that seems out of the ordinary when online is important.

Additionally, please note that SMCPS IT support will never contact you on Discord, Steam, or any other application that is not managed by SMCPS and will never ask you for your account password. If you are contacted on any outside application stating to be SMCPS IT, please DO NOT respond, block/report the individual and inform your site administration so that it can be escalated. Contact your building-level tech, the Department of Information Technology Services (ITS), or your Media Specialist, Ms. Cole.

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.

Sept 19th- University of Maryland-Baltimore County @ 10am

Sept 25th- Salisbury University @ 1pm

Sept 28th- University of Maryland-College Park @ 1pm

Oct 5th - Randolph College @ 10am & Bridgewater College @ 10:30 am

Oct 17th - Washington College @ 10am & Merrimack College @ 11 am

Oct 18th York College of Pennsylvania @ 10am

Oct 19th- Stevenson University @ 10:30am

Oct 30th- The University of Alabama @ 1pm

Nov 6th - University of Maryland Eastern Shore @ 10am

2024 Yearbooks are on sale for the cheapest price of the year!! Follow the link below to purchase yours today!

Need to register for the SAT? We have fee waivers available for qualifying students in the counseling office. Follow this link to log in and sign up.

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.

We qualified to continue FREE BREAKFAST for all students!!! Stop by a kiosk in the mornings and get your day started right!

Back to School season is here! Whether you're in need of supplies and local resources or have the ability to donate extra - check out this list of events happening in the community.

• SMCHD's Back-to-School Vaccine Clinics at School-Based Health Centers
• Spring Ridge Middle School-Based Health Clinic
• September 9 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
• St. Mary’s County Government's Chromebook Distribution Events
• Leonardtown Library
• September 23 (10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

1. "You are the creator of your own destiny, so make it worth living."
2. "The only way to achieve greatness is to take the first step towards your goal."
3. "Believe in yourself, and watch the world believe in you."
4. "Success is not a destination, it's a journey. Embrace the process and enjoy the ride."
5. "The only limit to your potential is the one you set for yourself."
6. "The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do."
7. "Small steps lead to big achievements. Keep moving forward."
8. "Don't wait for opportunities to come to you, create them."
9. "Chase your dreams relentlessly, because they are yours for the taking."
10. "Success is not about being perfect, it's about being persistent. Keep going."

Beginning this year all school volunteers must apply annually for approval. The application process will begin on August 1 and end on May 1 of each school year. There is no application fee for school volunteers. Click to apply.

Driving to school is a privilege. All parking permits should be submitted and paid for at the school bank. Student parking passes are $60 for the school year. Parking without a parking permit or parking in the wrong spot will result in a $30 fine. Each student is assigned to a particular parking space for the year, so it will always be available. Passes are sold first come first serve so don't wait because spots are limited. Anyone with a learner's permit and/or those who apply after spaces are gone will be put on a waitlist. Students who park in the Swimming Pool or Medstar Health parking lots are at risk of being towed at their expense.

Parking permits could be temporarily suspended or revoked for the following reasons:

• Poor academic standing
• Absences or tardies in the morning or during the school day
• Behavioral incidents

Driving to school is an honor that we take seriously and you should too.

If you have been approved you may purchase parking passes in the main office or the school bank.

It's that time of year again, link your Harris Teeter card to Great Mills High School!

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. J. Scott Smith, announces enhanced security measures for after-school events. Beginning this year:

• There will be No Bags allowed in sporting events. 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.

Tuesday, September 5th

• Boys Soccer vs Huntingtown - Varsity-4:30
• Girls Soccer vs Huntingtown - Varsity-6:00

Wednesday, September 6th

• Girls Soccer JV Playdate @ 4:30 with McDonough & Chopticon

Friday, September 8th

• Girls Soccer JV Playdate @ 4:30 with Leonardtown & Chopticon
• Varsity Football at Leonardtown High 6:00

See full schedules on the SMAC Website.

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.

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?

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

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

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