Yellow Jacket Family News

We are entering the third week of school! This means that we are coming up on the middle mark of 1st quarter, progress report grades go in on September 30th and will be available online on October 8, 2024. Please ensure that you are checking ParentVUE and that you are contacting your children's teacher and grade level administrator for any concerns.

This past week, we opened a third door for entry and processing. I am pleased to report that we now have a normal flow of entry while also maintaining our safety protocols with fidelity and ease.

This change in student arrival delayed the new late policy procedure. Starting on
Monday, September 9th, any student arriving after 8:00 am will require a parent to sign them into the building or they will be placed in ISS for the 1st period hall sweep.

Next week, students are out on Monday, September 16th, and our Back to School Night is on Tuesday, September 17th. On this night, parents and guardians will have the opportunity to meet their child's teachers, learn about clubs/organizations at Gwynn Park, and attend our first quarter parent meetings for each grade levels.

We look forward to having a Year of Ownership, by committing to the 3Rs in our instructional practices: Relationship, Relevance, and Rigor! In this commitment, Gwynn Park’s teachers seek alignment with the district’s Strategic Plan: Transformation 2026: Leading Through Change!

This year, our assistant principals are Dr. Colby White, 9th grade; Ms. Rashieda Addison, 10th grade; Mr. Eric Harrison, 11th grade; and Ms. Yolanda Clark, 12th grade.

IDs have been distributed to upper classmen.

Students will still ONLY enter and exit in the main hallway in front of the office. All other doors are alarmed.

ATTENTION PARENTS:

• NEW TRAFFIC PATTERN: Car riders will be picked up in the parking lot near the football field and gym. Parents will drive into the lot, pick up their children from the first side walk and continue around to exit. Another option is to pick up in the student parking lot in the rear of the school. This change is to avoid bus congestion from dismissal.
• The latest for early dismissals is 1:45 pm. Thank you for this adjustment.

Let us make this a year of Ownership! We cannot do this work without you!

If you have any concerns, please reach me by email at naima.hopkinsvinson@pgcps.org. Follow me on Twitter @GPHS_PrinHopVin, and join the band app .

Your Purposeful Principal,

Naima Hopkins-Vinson

12th Grade Assistant Principal

Yolanda Clark, yolanda.leonardclark@pgcps.org

11th Grade Assistant Principal

Eric Harrison, eric.harrison@pgcps.org

10th Grade Assistant Principal

Rashieda Addison, rashieda.addison@pgcps.org

9th Grade Assistant Principal

Colby White, cwhite@pgcps.org

While mobile phones continue to be useful tools in education, they have also become a harmful distraction for many teenage learners during the school day. We are asking all parents to help by exploring ways of implementing parental controls on student mobile devices during school hours. We also ask that you have regular conversations with your children about responsible usage of mobile devices and social media. We will be having ongoing conversations with the community about this throughout the year to promote a safe and healthy learning environment for all.

Please note that TEACHERS ARE PERMITTED TO HAVE NO CELL PHONE POLICIES IN THEIR CLASSROOMS, and students must adhere to these classroom rules.

Parental control guides for iPhones, Android, and other devices

PTSA is Fully Accredited and Accepting Dues NOW!

Attention Parents, Teachers and Students! Great NEWS, PTSA is now fully able to accept payment for dues of $25. For fully voting rights in this week's elections, please submit payment via Cash app $PTSAGwynnParkHS. If anyone has questions, they can send it to ptsagwynnparkhs@gmail.com or contact the PTSA president, Dr. Small at (301) 602-2520.www.ptsagphs.org

Parking Enforcement

All parked cars need a parking pass. Student parking passes can be purchased from Security for $25. A copy of a valid license, registration and insurance is required. Towing will be enforced for the remainder of the school year. All visitors to the school can receive a parking pass from the main office.

Where do I Go?

Here is a link to a help document of where to go for what at Gwynn Park. See the Freshman Orientation Presentation with all of the BAND APPs and detailed information about GPHS staff.

Students, Parents, and Guardians,

1. Student lunches should be sent with them when they arrive for school or lunch can be purchased in the cafeteria via MySchoolBucks.
2. Please refrain from bringing fast food to the school for your students and their friends throughout the school day and during their lunch period, as it is a distraction in classes.
3. Food deliveries ordered by students, parents, family members or friends will NOT be accepted from DoorDash, Uber Eats, GrubHub or any other food delivery service or vendor.

• September 16, 2024: No School for Students
  

• September 17, 2024: Back to School Night

• October 7, 2024: Parent Teacher Conference Day

• October 26, 2024: Homecoming Game, Parade and Dance

• November 1, 2024: 3-hour Early Dismissal; Grading Day- Professional Development

• November 5, 2024: Election Day

Days that School is OUT this YEAR:

November 5th-Election Day

November 27, 28, and 29th-Thanksgiving Holiday

December 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31st; January 1, 2, 3 Winter/Christmas Holiday

January 20th-Winter/MLK Holiday

February 17th-Presidents Day

March 31st-Eid al Fitr

April 14, 15, 16, 17, 18th and 21st-Spring Break

May 26th-Memorial Day

June 19th-Juneteenth

Website: https://www.pgcps.org/gwynnparkhs
Location: 13800 Brandywine Road, Brandywine, MD, USA
Phone: 301-372-0140
Twitter: @GPHS_PrinHopVin