Duke Update October 18, 2026
Hello GHS Dukes,
Welcome to Homecoming Week! Please see the website and social media for events.
Congratulations to the Marching Dukes who earned 2nd place in class 5A at the ODU Monarch Marching Invitational yesterday evening.
Congratulations to Senior Jack Gibson on earning first chair drum set player for the All-Virginia Jazz Ensemble.
Congratulations to the JV Cheer Team! The girls competed at King George High School, hit zero, and brought home 1st place!
Congratulations to the Esports Smash Bros team for their victory on Wednesday. Marcos Puente Rosario, Phoenix Grubb, and Paul Trotman are currently 7-0 with a near-perfect score for the season so far.
Impact Aid Survey Forms were sent home with students last Thursday, October 15. Please complete, sign, and return the form to your student’s second-block teacher by Thursday, October 22. These forms are required for all students. Thank you for your cooperation and support!
If you use the parent drop-off and pick-up loops, please limit student drivers to no more than twice per week. When students drive, they must exit the vehicle and switch places with the parent or guardian, which slows down the process for everyone during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us keep traffic moving safely and efficiently!
There will be a Spanish club meeting Monday, October 19th from 2:45-3:20 in room 140, Mrs. Lasseigne's room.
Attention, music makers! The Tri M Music Honor Society will hold auditions on Monday, October 19th, in the Choir Room after school. A sign-up sheet is outside the room. Please contact Mr. Martinez with any questions.
International Thespian Society will meet on Tuesday, 10/20 at 2:50PM. See Mrs. Hunter in 305 (Blackbox) for questions.
The theatre and dance department will present "After Dark: An Evening of Intrigue and Suspense" on Tuesday, October 27 at 7:30PM in the GHS auditorium. See performances about zombies, thefts, and overheard conversations be the first to see our One Act Competition perform at home before going to district competition. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
Makeup Picture Day for grades 9–11 will be held on Monday, October 26, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the GHS Auditorium. All underclassmen students are encouraged to have their picture taken for the yearbook.
Gloucester High School offers "Behind the Wheel' services to students who need it to get their driver's license. See Coach Nichols or Coach Wymer for more information and an application to get you on the driving list.
Care Closet: The Care Closet is currently accepting donations for non-perishable food items. Any donation, big or small, is greatly appreciated and welcome. Thank you so much for your support!
Attention GHS Students and Families, please join us here at GHS on October 28th from 5pm-7pm for the College, Career and Resource Fair sponsored by the NAACP Gloucester Branch, the W.E.B. DuBois Honor Society and GHS. Over 40 colleges, technical schools, military and more will be in attendance. Hope to see you there!
Are you a talented poet or writer? Would you like to perform your work during the Woodville School's African American History program in February.? Jaki Shelton Green, the first African American Poet Laureate of North Carolina, will be reading and she'd like to hear young authors in Gloucester read their works. If you're interested, contact Mrs. Dianne Carter in Room 134 or send her an email. We want to hear from YOU!
Enrollment is NOW open for the Summer 2028 trip to Greece & Italy! A $95 deposit is all it takes to secure your spot, plus you'll receive the $200 early enrollment discount when you enroll, but only for a limited time! The early enrollment window closes on 9/25. Any students interested in this once in a lifetime opportunity should check with Ms. Ballew in room 141, or you can click here to learn more - https://www.eftours.com/3084695KS
Athletics
SWIM TEAM is holding preseason conditioning MONDAY , TUESDAY & THURSDAYS at the Riverside Wellness & Fitness Center. Students interested in swimming and their parents should join the Stack Team app and add Gloucester Dukes Swimming for schedules, transportation information, and important team updates.
Counseling
Attention Juniors and Seniors: Admissions representatives from several colleges and universities are conducting information sessions here at the high school for interested GHS Juniors and Seniors. Please check your SchoolLinks account as several new visits have recently been added. This week, the University of Mary Washington and Hampden Sydney College will be here. To participate, please sign up through your SchoolLinks account or stop in the Counseling Office. E-hall passes will be sent to those who have signed up. Please see the Counseling Office if you have any questions.
Next week, Tuesday October 20th will be the RCC Pathways in Action field trip to Rappahannock Community College. Climb aboard the shipbuilding mobile experience - a high-tech, interactive exhibit that brings shipyard careers to life. Then explore some of RCC's Career and Technical Education programs through live demos and hands-on activities. Learn about nursing, EMT/EMS, Diesel Technology, CDL, Welding, and more during this event. Spots are limited! Please pick up a permission form in the counseling office if you are interested. Forms must be returned by Monday, October 19th."
There will be 3 substance use prevention groups meeting in Rm 133 that will be starting in November on Wednesdays on the 4th, 11th & 18th. If you would like to participate, please sign up in the counseling office, on Canvas or email Mrs. Peters directly with your student I.D. # and choice of 2nd or 4th block. The deadline to sign up is Friday, October 30th so please don’t miss out on this opportunity!
Seniors
It’s time for the annual float build, and we need your help to bring our design to life! NO experience needed—if you can tape, paint, or hold a conversation, we need you!
Whether you are a master builder, an artist, or just want to hang out and earn some community service hours there is a job for you. We need people to help with painting, pom-ping, construction, and overall decorating.
• Dates: October 19th, 20th and 21st
• Time: 3pm- 8pm– Stay for 30 minutes or the whole time!
• Location: Bill Hudgins
• Perks: Memories, great music, being part of something amazing. Please wear clothes, you don't mind getting a little dirty.
Hope to see you there!
Daily Reminders:
🏆 GHS Athletics Registration Reminder: All students planning to play a sport at Gloucester High School for the 2026–2027 school year must complete the Arbiter registration to be eligible to participate in conditioning, tryouts, practice, or competition. Important: All student physicals must be uploaded online through the Arbiter App. We are not accepting physical copies of student physicals. The Arbiter registration link, tutorial, and information sheet can be found on the GHS Athletics website.
If you have any questions, please contact the GHS Athletics Department.
This is a reminder to all families that have not completed the Returning Student Annual Update Forms. Parents/Guardians can complete required forms through the PowerSchool Parent Portal or via the Snapcode link sent by email. Please contact the Main Office or Counseling Office with any questions.
Parent Drop/Off and Pick up Route: Parents/Guardians, in effort to alleviate back up on Short Lane; the pickup/drop off route this year will be routed through the lot on the right (Driver’s ed range). Please see our social media for more details and even a video! Staff will be on hand to direct you.
Parking passes are now available for eligible Juniors and Seniors - See the Facebook Announcement or GHS website for more information
Student Parking- The numbers will be painted soon in the newly paved student lot, weather permitting. Student parking is on a first-come, first-served basis until the spots are numbered.
Dress Code: This is a reminder that 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.
The activity bus departs Monday-Thursday at 6:00 pm. Please see the routes: https://aptg.co/ZNdhNY
The 2026-2027 Yearbook is available for pre-order at yearbookordercenter.com using code 4758. Senior Ads can also be purchased at this time.
Let’s Go Dukes!