Duke Update April 20, 2025
This week GHS recognizes National School Volunteer week. Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers!
On Wednesday, April 23rd we recognize Administrative Professionals Day. Administrative Professionals day is a day to recognize and appreciate the valuable contributions of administrative assistants, secretaries, and other office professionals who play a crucial role in keeping the school running smoothly.
Congratulations to the Students of the Month:
9th Grade: Xavier Clemmons & Leinadsha Escalera-Cuevas
10th Grade: Katherine Gibson & Sarah Bullins
11th Grade: Hannah Symonds & Jenaye Oberlin
12th Grade: Madison Roady & Jackzel Quinones Pena
Congratulations to the Teachers of the Month: Ms. Szulgit, Ms. Weigartz, & Ms. D'Auria
Congratulations to the Staff Member of the Month: Ms. Johnson
Yearbooks: The 2024-2025 yearbook is sold out and will be distributed mid May.
The last All Pro Dad Breakfast for the 24-25 SY will take place on Wednesday, April 30th at 8:00 am in the GHS cafeteria. Sign ups are available on the GHS website and Canvas. Forms were handed out to students on Friday and can be returned to the GHS Main Office. Extra forms can be picked up from the Main Office. Forms and sign up are due by 3:00 pm, Friday, April 25th.
Jostens representatives will return to GHS to distribute additional cap and gown units on Friday, May 2nd, during all lunch blocks. They will also have additional units for purchase if you have not purchased one yet. Cap and gown units cost $65, and can be paid for using cash or money order only.
Congratulations to the GHS Drone Team of Paige Willis, Lauren Garnett, Kinsley Garner, William Baker, Sam Petty, Dawson Coates, and Christian Gregory for competing at the 2025 National JROTC All-Service Aerial Drone Championship in Mississippi. The team did a great job in their first ever national competition and reached the semifinals. And special congratulations to Captain Merkle for being named the National Coach of the Year out of over 100 teams. Great job!
The GHS Envirothon team participated in the area competition April 15th at Dorey Park. They placed 2nd in forestry, 2nd in soils, 3rd in special topic and 2nd overall. They will move on to the state competition in May. Congratulations to team members Auggie Baker, Leland Webb-Dyson, Lexi Spangler, Kara Willoughby, and Mia Cann
Congratulations to the following students for being accepted to the Summer Residential Governor’s School for the Performing Arts: Rylee Amaral and Joshua Littlefield for Vocal Music and Catherine King and Haley Thomas for Instrumental Music.
Congratulations to GHS sophomore Kat Gibson! During the 2025-26 school year, she will spend her 11th grade year in a completely different high school studying abroad in Germany. Kat was recently chosen for the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) program, which is the most selective foreign exchange program in the world! She is one of only 50 students from the southeastern United States selected for this international honor and prestigious scholarship. Additionally, Kat was selected for the Virginia Governor's World Language Academy for German and will spend 3 weeks in a full immersion program this summer where she will continue to learn and improve her German language skills. We are so proud of you, Kat!If you are interested in learning more about these opportunities for yourself, please see the German teacher Ms. Ballew in the foreign language hall room 141 or sign up for German next year!
It's time to get your tickets for the GHS spring musical, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown! Performances will be the first weekend of May at Peasley Middle School. Do NOT miss your chance to see this extraordinary cast bring those beloved Peanuts characters to life on stage! Please purchase your tickets for the musical online using the GoFans link (https://gofan.co/app/school/VA12891?activity=Performing%20Arts). Due to limited seating, ticket purchases at the door are not recommended. Join our talented cast and crew for a fun andfamily-friendly evening of theatre and let's share the happiness together!
Interested in exploring the world of STEM? Join GHS's STEM Club for hands-on experiences, great discussions, and a chance to meet like-minded individuals. You'll make new bonds—covalent, ionic, and social! We’ll have snacks, info, and STEM-themed activities to enjoy. Interest meetings will be held on April 23 and May 7 from 2:50-4:00 in room 111. See you there!
The Nurse Aide and EMT students are hosting a Basketball Tournament Fundraiser on 4/24. Freshman vs. Sophomore, Junior vs. Senior, Winner vs Winner. Winner gets a trophy and bragging rights. Each grade level will have a coach. Sign ups are during lunch, the cost to play is $10 and is on a first come first serve basis. Tickets to attend the tournament are on sale for $5.
Seniors: The GHS Senior Class presents, “ Masquerade Ball” on Saturday, April 26ᵗʰ from 7:00 pm until 10:00 pm at the Kiln Creek Golf and Country Club. Tickets are $63 – Individual and $89 – Couples. Tickets may be purchased online through School Cash Online. All sales are final. Any questions please contact Ms. Suzanne Nester or Ms. Kristi Parker.
This month GHS recognizes Autism Awareness Month, Month of the Military Child, and Occupational Therapy Month. Autism Awareness month is to foster understanding, acceptance, and inclusion for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Month of the Military Child is a time to honor and celebrate the resilience, strength, and sacrifices of children in military and veteran families. Occupational Therapy Month is a time to recognize and honor the vital contributions of occupational therapists and their impact on improving people's lives by helping them participate in meaningful daily activities.
Food Delivery: Please remember that students may not receive food orders from DoorDash or other delivery services before, during, or after school. Additionally, food and drinks brought to school by parents and guardians will be kept in the Main Office for students to retrieve during their lunch period. Thank you for your cooperation.
Doors on bus loop side of the building: Beginning Friday, February 28, the exterior doors near the Theater classroom will be closed while construction takes place in the hallway near the door. In the mornings and at dismissal, the doors between the Library and the Auditorium will be open for students. The Atrium doors will still be open as well.
The Care Closet has formal dresses and some suits for students in need for the upcoming dances. Teachers, please email Ms. Hartley and/or Ms. Guy to ensure that one of us is in the classroom.
Congratulations to the GHS Teachers of the Year, Ms. Coleman and Ms. Sharp! We are grateful for all you do for your students!
Gloucester High School is accepting students for Behind The Wheel. The cost of the lessons are $89.00. Contact Coach Hooker for more details.
Visitors must park in a visitor spot in our main entrance lot. Visitors must utilize the main entrance and show valid identification to enter the building. Please do not park in the main loop for any reason.
Medication Policy Reminder: This is a reminder that GCPS policy does not allow students to carry prescription or over-the-counter medications at school unless a student has an Asthma Action Plan, Diabetes Management Plan, or Emergency Action Plan on file with the clinic. All other medications must be kept in the clinic and require a completed Medication Consent Form. Students who bring medications to school are in violation of the Student Code of Conduct and subject to disciplinary action. Please visit the GCPS School Safety and Health Services webpage or contact the GHS clinic with any questions.
Parking Passes: Any student who does not have a parking pass but wants one should go to the Main Office to be put on a waiting list. We will be opening some spots up as soon as they are painted in the lot.
Cell Phone Policy: Gloucester County Public Schools has adopted “cell phone-free education. ”Effective Monday, August 26, 2024, the use of cell phones, electronic communication devices, headphones, earbuds, smart watches, and or any other Bluetooth enabling device will be strictly prohibited. The Executive Order applies to students while in the school building during instructional times and at all times while on the school bus.
Dress Code: Parents and guardians, we appreciate your support in following the GCPS dress code, which is found on page 6 of the Code of Conduct . Please note that hats and hoods should not be worn indoors, and tops must cover the midriff and navel.
Parent drop-off and pick-up: Please use our main entrance loop to drop off and pick up before and after school. Please pay attention to our staff as they direct you around the loop.
Student Parking Lot: Only GHS students who have a valid parking pass should enter and park in the student parking lot. Teacher and Construction areas are marked and should not be used by students or visitors. Students entering the building from the parking lot/bus loop side should enter through the doors by the Theater room (formerly Chorus). Student driver late arrivals should also enter through the doors by the Theater room and check in with the Attendance Office before going to class.
Bus loop: No students, parents, or visitors should enter the bus loop from 7:00AM-8:00AM and 2:00 PM-3:00 PM for any reason.
Security Screening: This is a reminder that all students must pass through the security scanners in the morning. Students with first block classes in the portables or old C-Hall who get dropped off in the parent loop must go through the Masin Entrance and exit the building through the doors by the School Counseling Office. All visitors must come through the Main Entrance and check in at the Main Office.
Counseling
Seniors: Application materials for several scholarships are due to the Counseling Office in the upcoming weeks as follows:
Adam Stephen Neely Scholarship due May 2ⁿᵈ
Gloucester Field Hockey Club Scholarship due May 5ᵗʰ
Please stop in the Counseling Office and check out the scholarship table just inside the door. There are paper copies of the above scholarship applications as well as some additional local scholarship opportunities which have recently been added.
Please check your Naviance account regularly and contact the Counseling Office if you have any questions.
SENIORS who need mid-year transcripts sent to colleges MUST request them through their Naviance account.
Athletics
Football conditioning will resume Monday 4/14 – after school in the weight room. Conditioning will be Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays. Info sheets are in the main office or on the GHS website.
The GHS Athletics schedule can be found on the school website: https://ghs.gc.k12.va.us/o/ghs/page/athletics
Parents and Fans attending athletic events - Sportsmanship is always a top priority. Please show support and respect for the fans, opposing teams and game officials at all times while attending home or away events. This includes never engaging negatively with fans or players from the opposite team. Any misconduct can lead to dismissal from the game, and from attending future games.