Duke Update November 9, 2025
This week we would like to recognize all Veterans. Thank you for your service and dedication to our country. On Thursday, November 13th, GHS Recognizes World Kindness Day! This global day is dedicated to promoting and encouraging acts of kindness. Let’s come together to spread compassion, positivity, and goodwill throughout our school and community.
Report Cards will be issued via Document Delivery on Wednesday, November 12th.
Congratulations to Field Hockey on their state semifinal win – they are advancing to the State Finals on Saturday 11/15 @ Independence High School 10:00am - tickets online only, link will be on the GHS website
Congratulations to our Competition Cheer team on their performance Saturday at States. Even though they didn’t place in finals; it was their highest score performance in the past few years.
Congratulations to the Mario Kart ESports team for their 2-0 victory on Thursday, which qualified the team for state playoffs. The team is currently ranked 9th in the state.
Congratulations to boys volleyball on making it to the Region Tournament finals on Tuesday 11/11 @ Grafton 6:00pm. We will be hosting the state quarterfinals here on Saturday 11/15 - time and opponent to be determined
Congratulations to The Theater Dept on their performance of Fire Exit last Sat at One Act plays. London Volpe received an outstanding actor award.
Congratulations to ACDA Southern Region Honor Choir- London Volpe
Congratulations to - Sarah Jenkins, London Volpe, Logan Eltzroth, Josiah Minor, and Abdiel Santiago-Ramos for being selected to the Virginia Chorale Young Singers Project
Picture retakes/make-ups will take place on Thursday, November 13th for grades 9-11
Activity Bus: Starting Monday, November 10th the Activity bus will depart GHS at 5:30 pm for the remainder of the school year.
Shop with a Cop Tickets on Sale! 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."
Last Day to Purchase: Wednesday, December 10th
Drawing Date: Friday, December 12th
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!
Parents/Guardians: Reminder that 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.
HOSA is selling breast cancer awareness bracelets for $5 see a HOSA member or Mrs. Nester in room 236 if you would like one.
Counseling
Attention Juniors and Seniors: Admission representatives from several colleges and universities are conducting information sessions here at the high school for interested GHS Juniors and Seniors. This week, Old Dominion University, Radford University, and Virginia Commonwealth University will be visiting. Please check your Naviance account to sign up. E-hall passes will be sent to those who have signed up. Please see the Counseling Office if you have any questions.
Athletics
Winter sports tryouts start Monday November 10th - athletes must have a valid sports physical and meet academic eligibility requirements.
Swimming - Monday & Tuesday - 5:00am - 6:00am at the Wellness center
Wrestling - Monday through Friday - 3:00pm - 5:00pm - GHS wrestling room
Girls Basketball - Monday & Tuesday - 3:00 pm - 5:30pm - GHS main gym
Boys Basketball - Monday through Wednesday - 5:30pm - 7:30pm - GHS main gym
Track & Field - Monday through Friday - 3:00pm - 5:30pm - GHS Track
Cheerleading info coming soon.
Baseball conditioning will be postponed until after the dead period. We will resume the week of November 24th.
The WEB Du Bois Honor Society will meet on Monday, November 11th, from 3:00 - 3:45 in Mrs. Carter's room 134. All members are asked to attend.
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
Daily Reminders:
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.
Safety: 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. Safety and evacuation drills will continue to be held throughout the year.
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!!