Duke Update November 2, 2025
This week GHS recognizes National School Psychology Week, is a time to celebrate the invaluable contributions of school psychologists and highlight the critical role they play in supporting students’ mental health, well-being, and academic success.
Tuesday, November 4th is Election Day. It is a teacher workday and there will be no school for students.
Congratulations to our Varsity Field Hockey team on their Region 4A Championship! We are hosting the State Class 4 Quarterfinals at GHS on Tuesday 11/4 @ 6:00pm – Please join us to cheer on our Dukes – Tickets sales are ONLINE ONLY – gofan.co – link will be posted on the GHS website.
Congratulations to Boys Volleyball on their Region 4A quarterfinal win, they will play in the semi-finals on Thursday 11/6 @ Jamestown High School – 6:00pm – tickets online only
Congratulations to our Competition Cheer team on their State qualifying performance at the Region Tournament – the Dukes compete at States on 11/8 @ VCU Siegel Center – tickets online only
Congratulations to the Gloucester Marching Dukes on earning 2nd place in class 5A and 3rd place overall out of 22 bands this past weekend at the Kecoughtan warrior classic."
Congratulations to the ESports Mario Kart team for a flawless victory on Thursday. Special shout out to Stephan Arnold for dodging his first blue shell.
Congratulations to the Varsity ESport Smash Bros team for securing a tough win against Landstown High School after going into overtime.
Congratulations to the 2024-2025 Yearbook and Yearbook staff for earning First Class at the VHSL Publication Awards.
Shop with a Cop Tickets on Sale! On Monday, November 3rd, Lt. Petro and Deputy Skay will be selling Shop with a Cop tickets for $5 each. The potential grand prize is $5,000 if all tickets are sold! We will accept checks made payable to "Shop with a Cop."
Drawing Date: Friday, December 12th
Last Day to Purchase: Wednesday, December 10th
This wonderful program supports children who might not otherwise have a Christmas. Fun fact: Lt. Petro has sold the winning ticket twice before—to lucky teachers! May the odds be forever in your favor!
Students, please remember to return your Blue Federal Survey Cards to the Main Office. If you’ve misplaced your card, a replacement is available for pickup in the Main Office.
HOSA is selling breast cancer awareness bracelets for $5 see a HOSA member or Mrs. Nester in room 236 if you would like one.
The German Club is selling Chocolate Advent Calendars to count down the days to Christmas. You can order from students, at lunches this Friday and next Monday or check canvas for a way to order online. All orders must be submitted by November 4.
Order link: https://forms.gle/qY6L1EVqJMpte9rz5
There is a yearlong study abroad scholarship available and most of you are probably eligible! The best part, other than the incredible opportunity to spend 10 months abroad in Germany, it's completely FREE of charge. If you're interested in learning more, and would like to apply, please check out this link: https://usagermanyscholarship.org/apply/?state=Virginia Or contact Mrs. Ballew in room 141 or at christina.ballew@gc.k12.va.us
The application deadline is November 3, so act fast!
To be considered for the 2026-27 CBYX scholarship for high school, you must be:
-A U.S. citizen
-Aged 15 to 18 ½ on August 1 of the program departure year
-A current high school student at the time of application, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
-Interest in learning the German language (no German language study/knowledge is required to apply)
-Comply with U.S. Department of State eligibility policy for American Outbound Youth Programs (more info on that at the link above)
**Not eligible for the high school scholarship? Please consider the post-secondary programs - more info on that here: https://usagermanyscholarship.org/cbyx-programs/#post-secondary?state=Virginia
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
Counseling
There will be a substance use and prevention group that will be starting in November on Wednesdays. If you are interested in participating, please sign up in the counseling office, on Canvas or email Mrs. Peters with your student I.D. # and choice of 2nd or 4th block. The deadline to sign up is October 31 so please don’t miss out on this opportunity!
Athletics
Please be advised, for safety reasons, students attending GHS home Varsity football games are strongly encouraged to sit in the stands unless going to the restroom or concession stand. Standing along the fence line or walking around the stadium edges is also discouraged. Announcements will be made and Security, SROs, and administrators will be reinforcing this message.
Daily Reminders:
Parents/Guardians, early dismissal pick-up does end promptly at 2:20 PM. If you need to pick your student up early, please arrive PRIOR to 2:20 PM.
The GHS Main Office is collecting donations for Toys for Tots! Please bring in new, unwrapped toys and place them in the donation box located in the Main Office. Your generosity will help bring joy to children in need this holiday season. The deadline to donate is Friday, November 28th.
All items on the Care Closet food list are still 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. Please contact shartley@gc.k12.va.us with any questions.
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.
That concludes our Duke Update. Let’s Go Dukes!!