Grand Blanc High School

11/1 - GBHS Chorale performance at Central Michigan University Invitational

11/5 - Election Day No School

11/21 - 23 - GBHS Fall Play "You Can't Take it with You" at 7pm

11/27 - No School

11/28 & 29 - Thanksgiving Recess

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

12/4 - GBHS Bands Winter Concert

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

12/23 - 1/3 - Winter Break

1/6 - School Resumes

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

1/20 - MLK Day No School

1/21 - Records Day No School

Hello GBHS Community!

As we welcome November, we enter a new marking period that offers a fresh start and new opportunities for our students. With the change in weather reminding us that winter is on the horizon, it’s a great time to reflect on our goals and stay committed to academic success.

This month, let’s encourage our students to embrace the challenges that come with a new marking period. It’s a perfect opportunity for them to assess their progress, set new goals, and remain focused on their education. We believe that with dedication and perseverance, every student can achieve their best.

As the temperatures drop, let’s also remind our students to take care of their well-being. Staying warm and healthy is crucial for maintaining their energy and focus in the classroom.

Thank you for your continued support in fostering an environment of growth and success for our students. Go Bobcats!

Michael Fray

Principal - Grand Blanc High School

GBHS Website

X: @MFrayGBHS

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.

Grand Blanc High School Theater Presents

You Can't Take it With You

November 21 - 23, 2024

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS NOW

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.

• Students should be IN SCHOOL and ON TIME to take their club photo November 14th, 2024.
• Photos will be taken in the morning. Talk to your club about what you are all wearing.
• Clubs will be announced over the PA and instructed to come to the East Campus Cafeteria

• Create a special space in the Echo Yearbook — celebrate your students' unique interests, passions, and achievements. We promise, your scholar will flip through the yearbook just to revisit your heartfelt ad over and over again.

https://www.jostens.com/yearbooks/students-and-parents/yearbook-ads

The Echo staff would like to thank all of the 2024 yearbook sponsors. Because the Echo is completely self-funded, each year, the staff must raise more than $100,000 to print the yearbook. While book sales make up the majority of the printing budget, sponsorships allow the staff to purchase equipment and supplies from camera equipment to toner cartridges for our printers, as well as providing scholarships for editors to attend workshops. Soon, members of the yearbook staff will begin seeking sponsorships for the 2025 Echo. We hope we can count on your support once again.

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!

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.

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 300+ 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.

• 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

Students don’t forget to order your class rings, now available at Jostens.com. design your one-of-a-kind class ring and tell your story. Students generally order a class ring during their sophomore year and wear it proudly for the remainder of their high school years. However, rings can be ordered for any student 9-12 grade. Follow the link below to watch a short video and then browse the many styles of class rings available through Jostens.

Link to Order Your Class Ring

Link to Jostens Class Ring Video

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.

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.

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

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!

Food Allergy Awareness

The holiday season from now through the new year poses increases risks for kids trying to manage food allergies. We would like to increase awareness about food allergies by reminding students and parents of the following:

• Food allergies are very serious. It is not a joking matter.
• Reactions can be life threatening
• Preventing exposure is crucial
• Don’t share food, forks, knives, spoons, or straws with friends
• Wash hands before and after eating. Some people with food allergies can get sick even if they are touched by something that has a tiny bit of food on it
• If a friend with allergies is sick, tell an adult right away. This will make sure that your friend gets help and gets the medicine they need to feel better

Sickness

Sharing current guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on when to keep students home from school.

Many illnesses do not require exclusion. However, children may be excluded if the illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in school activities or if there is risk of spread of harmful disease to others. These criteria also apply to when staff should be excluded. Criteria include:

• Severely ill – lethargic, difficulty breathing, or rapidly spreading rash
• Fever 101F or greater AND behavior change or other signs of illness

• Staff can use their best judgement if the child does not have a fever of 101F or greater, but still appears significantly ill with symptoms such as glassy eyes and lethargy
• The child should not return until there is no fever for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications

• Diarrhea – 2 or more loose watery stools

• The child should have no loose stools for 24 hours prior to returning to school unless health care provider determines it’s not infectious.

• Vomiting – vomited 2 or more times

• The child should have no vomiting episodes for 24 hours prior to returning unless health care provider has determined the vomiting is not due to an infectious condition.

• Abdominal pain – abdominal pain that continues for more than 2 hours or intermittent pain associated with fever or other symptoms
• Rash – rash AND a fever or change in behavior
• Respiratory symptoms - Worsening or not improving, and not explained by another cause (e.g., allergies)
• Skin Sore – weeping sores on an exposed area that cannot be covered with a waterproof dressing

Schools are required to report a summary of numbers for illnesses to the health department, so please report your illness to your school office.

GBHS has an online program to sign up for lockers. They are NOT automatically assigned to everyone.

1. One locker per student (Either East or West campus). Once you sign up you can’t change, so please choose wisely.

2. If you have another program that assigns you certain lockers,(ie. Band, CSS, Woods) do not sign up for one with this program.

3. The program will be open to students starting August 16, 2023.

4. Save this web address on your device as it will be the way to get your combination should you forget it.

5. Locker sign-up is optional. Students may opt not to sign up for a locker and simply carry their books/supplies throughout the day.

6. Username and password are both student's six digit ID.

College & Career Resource for the Class of 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028

All students are required to join their grade-specific Google Classroom. Students - Please verify that you are in your grade-specific classroom. This will be used to communicate resources and assignments for your EDPs, resumes, Junior interviews, and other important information.

Class of 2025 Google Classroom

Class of 2026 Google Classroom

Class of 2027 Google Classroom

Class of 2028 Google Classroom

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.

November - 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

Parents - Please be aware that 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.