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A Note from Dr. Whipple
June 3, 2024
Can't believe it is June already! It was great to celebrate many of our students this past week at Academic Awards night. Our students accomplish so many great things over the course of their high school careers, both in and out of the classroom. Thank you families for all you do in raising great kids!
We have a lot of events coming up these last two weeks of classes before exams begin. The end of every school year is a time to celebrate, reflect and create memories that last a lifetime. We appreciate the hard work and dedication that our students have put in throughout the year!
Please make sure to check out info regarding the following:
- Final Exam Schedule
- Senior Events!
- Senior Night Fireworks on 6/6
- Decision Day & Senior Luncheon on 6/7
- PROUD Team - Parent Volunteers
- Haunted Hayride - Gananda Rotary Needs Volunteers
- Wayne County MASH Camps
- 2024 PSAT Registration for 10th Graders due 8/1
- Excelsior Application Open for Seniors
Pride Month
June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month! Since it was first recognized on a federal level in 1999, Pride Month has served as a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ pioneers who fought for equality through art, culture, civic action, community service, and more. Check out the following resources below to learn more about the history behind Pride Month.
Final Exam Schedule
Please be aware that Regents and final exams count 20% of a student's overall course grade.
Senior Events
We have lots of fun activities coming up to celebrate our seniors! See below for an outline of the dates and times for them. On this Friday, we are encouraging Seniors to wear something to represent their postsecondary plans whether it is college, career, or military. After the luncheon and dessert from Gananda Dollars for Scholars, Seniors may dismiss at 1pm.
Please also be advised that students that participate in "Senior skip days" or Senior pranks that are destructive or disruptive may result in not being able to attend these events. We want to keep the focus on having fun as a class and being safe!
PROUD Team - Parent Representation
As we wrap up the 2023-2024 school year and prepare for an exciting 2024-2025, we are seeking enthusiastic parent/guardian representatives to join our High School Proud Team. Your participation will involve attending one meeting each quarter, where you will provide valuable feedback and suggestions for our campaigns and agenda.
We believe that your insights and perspectives are crucial to enhancing our initiatives and creating a positive environment for our students. Please email Mrs. Zebulske at rzebulske@gananda.org if you are interested in participating!
Haunted Hayride - Gananda Rotary - Needs Volunteers!
Gananda Rotary is in jeopardy of losing their main leadership team for the Haunted Hayride. They are looking at other adults who might step up to keep the event going. It is very important for two reasons that they continue:
1 - It is their major fundraiser for scholarship, awards, and Rotary projects throughout the community
2 - It is their MAIN contact with the high school students, for their community service hours and for their scholarship awards.
They are working on some solutions, and hopefully some new leaders to replace their regulars.. … they would also ask if you know of anyone at the school who might be interested in joining the team for the Haunted Hayride. It is a commitment of time of about four hours during the week up until the event and about 6 hours on each of the weekends of the actually Hayride (Fridays and Saturdays in October).
For more information contact Patti Holdraker at pholdraker@gmail.com
Wayne County MASH Camps July 2024
Panther Paw Submission Form for our Seniors!
Seniors! As we progress into the academic year, don't forget to please complete a Panther Paw Submission Form when you have been accepted into a college/trade school/military branch/apprenticeship program. We will hang a Panther Paw on the #GanandaGoals wall as you enter the building to celebrate your accomplishment! PANTHER PAW Submission Form
Once you've made your decision, then fill out this new little form on the Counseling website so we know about what you've committed to. We want to celebrate you!!!
2024 PSAT Registration due 8/1
All 10th graders will have the opportunity to take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. The test takes approximately 3 hours and will be held during normal school hours, from 7:30-11:30 AM.
The PSAT is an assessment administered to 11th grade students that helps prepare them for the SAT, college, and future careers. Students who take the PSAT, score higher on the SAT on average, than those who do not take the test. The PSAT includes reading, mathematics, writing and language components that focus on college and career readiness.
Students should bring their Chromebooks as the PSAT/NMSQT is now digital. The test is easier to take, shorter, allows more time per question, and comes with a built-in calculator.
The cost of the test is $18.00 per student. Checks should be made out to Gananda Central School- no cash can be accepted. All checks are due to the HS Counseling Office by August 1st- No Exceptions. If you’d like your student to participate, please follow this link to register:
Fee waivers are available to students enrolled in, or eligible to participate in, the National School Lunch Program. Please email Mrs. Kelleher (Students A-K) and Calisha Bertram (Students L-Z) if you think you qualify.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Kelleher at kkelleher@gananda.org.
#GanandaPROUD
Congratulations to Joscelyn Erhardt for scoring a level 6 - 95 at the NYSSMA Solo Festival at Wayne High School. This is the HIGHEST Gananda saxophone score ever! Outstanding job Joscelyn!
Congratulations to Conlan Simpson for winning Best Featured Actor in a Musical at the 28th Annual Wayne County Performing Arts Awards, aka the "Elenbes." Oliver LaBarge also took home the award for Best Original Poster for a Musical. We are very PROUD of Conlan and Ollie's work in Xanadu this past Spring!
Congrats to Kat, Ollie, Jordyn, Tori and Elisabeth for being selected as our May Students of the Month!
Seniors enjoying a beautiful day of baseball at the Red Wings game. Thank you Mrs. Chevier and Mrs. Zebulske for organizing these events and making memories!
Students in Mr. Seither's Phys Ed class capping off their kayaking unit by going to the Erie Canal to test their skills. Thank you Mr. Seither for planning and organizing this great experience!
Congrats to Addie, Meah, Maria, Andrew, Colleen and Noah for earning the Distinguished Scholar Award. This award goes to Seniors who have achieved an overall GPA of 95 or above for EVERY marking period of their HS career. Also, congrats to Andrew and Meah for earning Valedictorian and Salutatorian honors as well. Amazing job!
Prom Photos 2024
Here is a link to our prom photos for 2024: Prom Photos 2024
Transcript Requests - Important Info!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Seniors will send their official FLCC transcripts to the institution they attend in the Fall. Please wait until after July 4th to order transcripts. This ensures spring grades are verified. Official transcript requests are placed online. There is a $5 per address fee that is payable online via credit or debit card. This system will send a notification when the transcript is processed and received, and includes online tracking. Refer students to this link for instructions.
Most Gemini students will not know their MyFLCC login or password, so they can select Option 2 and set up an account directly through the Parchment Exchange website. Students should check the box “Send when grades are posted” to ensure all spring grades are reflected on the transcript.
Students will also need to send a transcrupt from College Board for AP courses. Please visit https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/sending-scores to request an official transcript be sent to the college you are attending prior to Freshman Orientation.
Excelsior Application is Now Open!
Any seniors interested in applying for the Excelsior Scholarship, please use the link below to start your application.
https://www.hesc.ny.gov/find-aid/nys-grants-scholarships/excelsior-scholarship-program/#programs-deadline-application
More Scholarship Opportunities!
Health Career Observer - May
Check Out the Counseling & Work Based Learning News
Gananda Rotary Citizen of the Month Nomination
Gananda Rotary is interested in continuing to participate in our student of the month program by honoring a student who has demonstrated service in school or the community. If you would like to nominate a student, you may do so by completing this form.
Tutoring Services by National Honor Society
National Honor Society students are now offering tutoring help for any high school students looking for help in science and/or writing. We will be offering tutoring both during advisement and after school on certain days.
All tutoring will be held in room 131. Students can use this Google form to sign up. It is not necessary to sign up, but it will help to ensure we have the right students and enough students available to help.
Reporting Absences & Extended Student Absences Work Request
Absences need to be reported to the school health office by the parent/guardian of the student. This may be done so online by completing this form.
If your student will miss an extended period of time during the school year, please make sure they complete this Extended Student Absences Work Request form. This form should be completed a minimum of 2 weeks in advance if it is a planned absence. Students who have an excused absence will have one day for each day absent to make up work. Students who have an unexcused absence will have no additional time to complete work. Please note that family vacations are considered unexcused absences.
HELP WANTED!
Substitute Teachers - We are always looking for people to help cover teachers when they are out. This can be a great opportunity for someone trying to break into the field of education. If you or someone you know might be interested please apply here.
Dollars for Scholars is looking for volunteers to help support this great scholarship program available to our students. If you are interested in helping them out, please contact them at gdfscholars@gananda.org.
Important Upcoming Dates
6/3
- 7, Dollars for Scholars Awards
6/4
- 8, Algebra Regents
6/5
- 7, HS Instrumental & Vocal Concert
6/6
6/7
- 11:30-1, Decision Day & Senior Luncheon
- Seniors may dismiss at 1pm
6/11
- 7, Athletic Awards Ceremony
6/13
- Moving Up Day
6/18
- Senior Sunset
6/14-6/25
- Finals and Regents
6/26
- Graduation Rehearsal
- Darien Lake Trip for Seniors
6/29
- 10, Graduation
Respectfully,
Dr. Christopher J. Whipple
Principal
(315) 986-3521 ext. 3154
Ms. Mairi Greibus
Assistant Principal
(315) 986-3521 ext. 3154