Duke Update September 14, 2025
Picture days for 9th-11th grade will take place during school on Monday 9/15 and Tuesday 9/16. The last opportunity for Senior portrait retakes will also take place on Monday 9/15. Please contact Ms. Schoenthal for additional information.
On Tuesday, September 16th, GHS will recognize National IT Professionals Day. This day honors the individuals who work tirelessly to maintain, secure, and manage our digital infrastructure and systems. Thank you to our outstanding IT professionals—they are a vital part of the GHS team!
On Thursday, September 18th, we will also celebrate GCPS Coordinators Appreciation Day. Coordinators play a key role in the success of GCPS by serving as a bridge between our schools and the community. We appreciate their dedication and commitment!
Jostens will be at GHS on Friday, September 19th for the Junior and Senior Class assemblies.
Junior Class Assembly: 8:00 am – 9:00 am in the Auditorium
Senior Class Assembly: 9:20 am – 10:30 am in the Auditorium
On Tuesday, September 23rd, Jostens representatives will be in the Commons area, in front of the Auditorium, to take orders from juniors and seniors.
Athletics
Congratulations to the Cross Country team for competing their first district meet and two invitationals so far this season. We've had two athletes break school records: Brayl'n Johnson in the 3k and Hugh Davis in the 2 mile both with very impressive times. Freshmen Greyson Clements and William Rousseau are chasing down 20 minutes in the 5k. Juniors Rachel Blittle and Peyton Price are our top girl finishers so far this season. Our senior leader, Erik Waters has done a great job as well with keeping our drive going this season and really bringing the team together.
Congratulations to the ESports Smash Bros. teams and Mario Kart Team for opening up the fall season with flawless 3-0 victories. Special shout out to Paul Trotman for continuing his 100% win rate with Banjo Kazooie (Ka-zoo-ee) and helping coach the Mario Kart team to victory.
Please be advised, for safety reasons, students attending GHS home Varsity football games must sit in the stands unless going to the restroom or concession stand. There is no standing along the fence line or walking around the stadium edges.
Gloucester High School pre-season baseball practice will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning on Tuesday, September 30th at the GHS baseball field. Players need to have an up to date VHSL physical on file to participate and need to bring footwear and clothing to be inside or out. Please contact Coach Kibler, Coach Hooker, or Coach Morande if you have any questions.
Softball workouts will begin this Tuesday September 16 on the softball field. It will run from 3:00-4:30. You must have a physical.
The WEB Du Bois ("Dew -Boys") Honor Society will meet Thursday, September 18th, in Mrs. Carter's Room 134 from 2:45-3:45PM. All members are expected to attend. We will discuss plans for the coming year, field trips, preparing for the Career and College Fair, and the election of this year's officers. See you there! 🙂
The theatre department will host auditions for the VHSL One Act Competition play "Fire Exit," Tuesday, Sept 16, and Thursday September 18 at 3PM in the Black Box theatre. Actors do not need to attend both days and must sign up in advance. See Mrs. Hunter for more information.
Key Club will hold a meeting on Tuesday, September 16th immediately after school in room 322 for those interested in learning more about Key Club's upcoming activities and planned service projects. We look forward to seeing you!
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes will hold its first meeting on Monday the 15th at Petsworth Baptist Church at 7:15 p.m. The meeting will last approximately one hour. Please join us as we fellowship with one another.
A representative from the Boys & Girls Club of the Virginia Peninsula will be at GHS on Monday, September 15th, during all three lunch blocks to share information about programs available for teens.
Student Drivers Tardy after 7:45am: Starting Monday, September 29th, any student drivers arriving after 7:45 a.m. must enter through the new main entrance doors. Please note, the old main entrance doors will now close at 7:45 a.m. instead of 8:00 a.m.
Yearbooks are now available for pre-order on yearbookordercenter.com using code 4758.
Parking passes are now sold out. If you have already purchased a pass but have not yet selected your spot, please bring your completed parking pass application along with a screenshot or printed copy of your receipt to the Main Office.
Free/Reduced Meal applications are available online and paper applications are available in the GHS Main Office.
Demographics Form: All returning GCPS students received an email from PowerSchool with a link to update demographic and emergency contact information. Please be sure to log in and verify that all information is correct, and make any changes that are necessary. If you need any help with PowerSchool, or have any other questions, please call the GHS Main Office at (804)-693-2526.
🎉 New Crochet Club Starting Soon! 🧶
Love to crochet or want to learn how? Join the brand-new Crochet Club starting September 22! We’ll meet after school in Room 138. All skill levels are welcome—just bring your creativity and a willingness to learn! The meeting will take place September 22, after school from 2:45 until 3:45. Be on the lookout for more information, and contact Mrs. Fernandez with any questions. Come stitch, relax, and create with us! 🧵💫
Thanks to everyone who came to the 1st interest meeting about Japan & South Korea. This will be a trip of a lifetime!! Open enrollment for the trip is available for those who’d like to sign up early for discounts. New QR codes to sign up will be available via Canvas & around the school; or see Ms. Falkenberg in Room 139 for a detailed brochure and more info on this incredible trip. The deadline to sign up for Japan/South Korea has been extended to Friday, September 19th for the early bird discounts; don't forget about open enrollment for the Costa Rica trip Summer 2026. So excited for those of you who have already signed up! These trips are going to be amazing!!!
Don’t forget about Costa Rica & Panama this summer 2026; See you soon future travelers!!
RSVP: Costa Rica-Panamá https://www.eftours.com/tour-website/2814681HK
RSVP: Japan – South Korea https://www.eftours.com/tour-website/2937646BX
In addition to Japan & Costa Rica, GHS is excited to offer a European travel opportunity to Germany, Italy and Switzerland over Spring Break 2027! We already have 23 signed up for this incredible opportunity to see some of Europe's greatest gems. There are ONLY 20 more spaces available and we're hoping one of those can be reserved for YOU!
If you're interested in learning more, RSVP to the informational meeting here: https://bit.ly/3UH4qxm
You can also reach out to the group leader directly, our German teacher, Mrs. Ballew in room 141 or via email: christina.ballew@gc.k12.va.us
The meeting will be on Thursday September 18 at 6:30pm in Mrs. Ballew's room 141. If you can't make the meeting in person, there will be a virtual option available! Just click the link above to get on the list!
Counseling
Parents and guardians of current seniors. The school counseling department will begin scheduling for your student the week of September 15th. We would love for you to participate alongside your student. Please check out the GHS School Counseling Hub in Canvas for a sign up genius link for your student’s school counselor. Alternatively, you can send an e-mail to your child’s counselor as well to set up a time that works best for you.
Attention Juniors and Seniors: Admissions representatives from several colleges and universities are conducting information sessions here at the high school this fall. These visits are beginning this week! The University of Virginia will be here September 17th and Mary Baldwin University will be here September 25th. To participate, please sign up through your Naviance account. E-hall passes will be sent to those who have signed up. Please see the Counseling Office if you have any questions.
GHS Counseling will have a Managing Stress group that will start up September 17th. If your student is interested in participating, please have them sign up in counseling or send an email to the SEL counselor, Vanessa Morris.
That concludes our Duke Update. Let’s Go Dukes!!