Duke Update April 12, 2026
Reports cards will be issued via Document Delivery on Wednesday, April 15th.
"Purple Up Day" will be on Wednesday, April 15th. Purple Up Day is a day to show support and appreciation for military connected students.
Month of the Military Child – Recognizes military-connected students and honors their resilience, sacrifices, and contributions as part of military families. On Thursday, April 23rd Joint Base Langley-Eustis will host its 3rd Annual "Take Your Kid to Work Day." Students who attend this event will be counted as present, provided they submit written documentation from a parent or guardian confirming participation. A parent/guardian must provide a note no later than Friday, April 17, 2026 to the GHS attendance office.
Congratulations to all 3 ESports teams for qualifying for state playoffs. Captains Stephan Arnold, Jason Hancock, and Phoenix Grubb all led their teams through an outstanding season to advance this far.
The 2025-2026 Yearbook is officially sold out. No further copies can be pre-ordered at this time. Please see Ms. Schoenthal with any questions.
Juniors, The Ring Dance will be held Saturday, April 18th, Tickets are $20 and available through SchoolCash. Important: If you purchased a ring through Jostens, you will receive free entry to the dance. Guest tickets may still be purchased online. For additional details, please visit the Junior Class page. 🎟️💃🕺
Join Gloucester's Mu Alpha Theta Chapter! We are a math honor society dedicated to inspiring a keen interest in mathematics, developing a strong scholarship in the subject, and promoting the enjoyment of mathematics-and applications are now open! You must have completed Algebra I and Geometry, as well as having a 3.0 math GPA or higher. Join to make new friends, improve your math skills, compete and challenge yourself, look great on college applications, and be exposed to scholarships allocated for Mu Alpha Theta members. The deadline for applications is Friday, April 10th.
Virtual Learning Day: Tuesday, April 21st is now a synchronous learning day for middle and high school students due to the election. Students can find the schedule located on Canvas.
Counseling
Seniors: Application materials for several scholarships are due to the Counseling Office in the upcoming weeks as follows. Don’t miss out on these opportunities:
Gloucester Field Hockey Club Scholarship due April 15th
Abingdon Ruritan Club Scholarship due April 17th
Adam Stephen Neely Scholarship due May 1st
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.
The Peer Tutoring Club will be staying after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This club provides peer tutoring and homework help for students who may need extra assistance or a quiet place to complete their assignments. Please encourage any students who may benefit from additional academic support to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Watkins or Ms. Hammack in the Counseling Office.
Seniors
Seniors, prom guest forms are available in the Main Office. These forms are required for guests who do not attend Gloucester High School or for guests who have already graduated. Please make sure your guest is approved before purchasing prom tickets. Tickets will go on sale through SchoolCash Online beginning Wednesday, April 1st.
Jostens: If you missed Jostens on Thursday, they will return for a second delivery on Friday, April 17th. If you still need to purchase a cap and gown unit, you may order through the Jostens website, or pay in person when they return with cash, money order, or cashier’s check payable to Jostens — no personal checks accepted. Cap and gown units are $75. 🎓📣✨
Daily Reminders:
Dress Code: As the weather gets warmer, we want to remind you of the GCPS dress code policy. Students must be covered from shoulders to mid-thigh. Shorts/skirts above mid-thigh, exposed mid-driffs, and exposed shoulders are not allowed. Please see page 10 of the GCPS student code of conduct for details. Students addressed for dress code will have the opportunity to change, go to the CARE closet, or wait in a designated area for clothing drop-off.
Attention Parents/Guardians of Students with Early Dismissals: Due to new building safety procedures, students with an early dismissal must exit through either the Main Entrance doors or Door 2E (the old Main Entrance).
Please note:
Students may only use Door 2E during class change times.
They will have 5 minutes to exit before the alarm sounds.
If they are unable to exit through Door 2E within the 5-minute window, they must use the Main Entrance doors.
Reminder: Students arriving late to school should continue to report to the Main Entrance doors for required security check-in procedures. This policy is being implemented to help ensure the safety and security of all students and staff. Thank you for your attention and understanding.
The GHS cafeteria will offer Second Chance Breakfast for students who have a late-in or may have missed breakfast earlier in the morning. The cafeteria doors will open from 9:10 a.m. until 9:20 a.m.
📣 Attendance Notes Now Accepted Online! Parents and Guardians — GHS now accepts digital attendance notes. If your student is absent or tardy, visit the GHS website, click the “Digital Attendance Notes” button in the top right corner, complete the form, and submit.
Notes are received instantly and can be submitted 24/7 for your convenience.
If you need to pick your student up early, please arrive PRIOR to 2:20 PM.
Parking passes for the 2nd semester have been reduced to $25.00 and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking pass application forms may be picked up in the Main Office or found on the GHS website. Please bring your completed application along with a screenshot or printed copy of your receipt to the Main Office.
The Care Closet will only be accepting new, high school appropriate clothing for the remainder of the school year. The Care Closet can not accept perishable food items or food items in glass containers. Thank you for your generosity.
Lost and Found: Students, check the Lost and Found daily if you have misplaced any items.
Bus Notes Reminder: All students who need to submit a bus note must turn it in to the Main Office in the morning to allow time for review and approval. Submitting notes later in the day may result in delays or the note not being approved.
The Activity Bus departs GHS at 5:30 p.m. for the remainder of the school year. The bus runs Monday through Thursday only. Please see the link for scheduled Activity bus stops: https://5il.co/3sjxt
Parents/guardians must be at their student’s designated stop when they arrive. If a student will not have a ride from their stop, a completed permission form must be turned in. Copies of the form are available in the Main Office, and completed forms should be given directly to the Activity Bus driver.
Safety: 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. Students, Follow the Duke Way! Don’t give in to social media trends that encourage behaviors that violate the code of conduct.
That concludes our Duke Update. Let’s Go Dukes!!