Duke Update October 5, 2025
This week at GHS we recognize World Teacher Day, today, Sunday, October 5, which provides an opportunity for students, families, and the community to express gratitude to teachers for their dedication and contributions to education.
Monday, October 6 is Instructional Coach Appreciation Day, honoring the essential role of instructional coaches whose mentorship, support of best practices, and commitment to professional development strengthen teaching and learning across our school community. We extend our appreciation to all teachers and instructional coaches for the meaningful impact they make each day.
Congratulations to our 2025-2026 Duke of the Year Grayson Shield!
Athletics
Swim will have an interest meeting on Tuesday, October 7th @ 3:00 pm in the cafeteria if you are interested in joining please stop by the meeting.
Gloucester High School pre-season baseball practice will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning on Tuesday, September 30th at the GHS baseball field. Please see the Duke update email for details. 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.
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.
Congratulations to Fenton Scott for qualifying to play in the Class 4 State Golf Tournament.
Clubs and Activities
Attention Beta Club members: Our first general meeting is this Monday, October 6th in the auditorium at 2:50. Attendance is mandatory. See Canvas for more details.
All items on the Care Closet food list are needed for weekly food bags. The items can be found on the GHS website under the "Find It Fast" page. Any donations will be greatly appreciated.
The Student Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 7th in room 123 after school. An additional message will be sent via the Canvas page. Please let Mrs. Rowe know if you are unable to attend.
Friday, October 10th, Renaissance Leadership is hosting an Outdoor Movie Night! Bring chairs or blankets to a free showing of Hocus Pocus - GHS Students only! We will have drinks, popcorn and concessions for sale. Come out for a great night under the stars!
Jostens will return to GHS on Tuesday, October 14th to hand out senior items and take senior and junior orders. Representatives will be available in the commons area during all 3 lunch blocks from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm.
College and Career Fair: The Gloucester Chapter of the NAACP will host a College and Career Fair on Thursday, October 9th from 5:00 pm until 7:30 pm in the gym. Representatives from over forty universities, colleges, and professional training schools will be on hand to discuss career options with students and their families. All GHS juniors and seniors are encouraged to attend.
GHS Conference Night! ✨📅Mark your calendars! Conference Night will be held on Tuesday, October 15th from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Parents and guardians are encouraged to schedule a conference time directly with teachers via phone or email. Walk-ins are also welcome as teacher schedules allow.
Costa Rica Trip Summer 2026- Future travelers, now is the time to sign up and go to Costa Rica/Panama with us in summer 2026. It is not too late if you are still interested. Make it your fun summer trip with friends and join the Explorers club to fundraise money to possibly go! See Ms. Falkenberg for more details or email her at: hilary.falkenberg@gc.k12.va.us
Click below to enroll:
https://www.eftours.com/2814681HK
Explorers Club – Explorers, if you missed our Oct. meeting last week or couldn’t make it – we have started our 1st official fundraiser. Come by Ms. Falkenberg’s room in room 139 to pick up your chocolate & snacking order form to start fundraising – our next meeting will not be until November
General Announcements
GHS families: GHS strives to keep all students and staff safe in accordance with division guidelines. All GCPS students go through security and weapons detectors each morning. Please continue to encourage students to be careful not to bring prohibited items to school such as vapes and lighters. Thanks for your support!
Student Drivers Tardy after 7:45am: 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 Additional parking passes are on sale via School Cash Online for Juniors and Seniors. Passes will be on a first come first served basis. 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: Parents and students, please check and verify contact information for you and your emergency contacts in PowerSchool. 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.
Seniors
Seniors, please access the senior canvas course page to vote for senior superlatives for the yearbook. Submissions are due by October 11th.
The NJROTC Cadets have once again partnered with Tidal Wave Car wash, we are selling tickets for the ultimate $30 wash for only $10.00 Please ask anyone of our Seniors if you would like to purchase tickets or stop by the NJROTC spaces. As always, we greatly appreciate the continued support for our cadets and our program.
Counseling
Attention Juniors and Seniors: Admissions representatives from several colleges and universities will be conducting information sessions here at the high school for interested GHS Juniors and Seniors. This week, the University of Mary Washington, Randolph Macon College, and Hampden-Sydney College will be visiting. 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.
Parents and guardians of current seniors. The school counseling department has begun scheduling for your student. 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.
That concludes our Duke Update. Let’s Go Dukes!!