August 2, 2024

Cardinal Students and Families,

I write this week enthusiastic for the 2024 - 25 school year and hope that all GHS students have enjoyed a restful summer with your families and are (almost) ready to get back to school.

Yet, before we welcome over 2,500 students to campus, there is a great deal of information I need to share.  And while I promise that the remainder of our Cardinal Connections publications will not be as lengthy, this opening edition is filled with what I hope will be sufficient information for students and families to feel up to speed before buses run on Monday, August 19.

Additionally, the administrative staff and I will be recording a webinar of useful information I encourage you to review at your leisure. We plan to share that link next week. Granted, it echoes much of the content I’ll outline in these pages. But please have a look and perhaps digest it in smaller bites.

As achievement data from last spring continues to arrive, I am pleased to report that our graduation rate improved to over 98%. AP performance remained strong, with 67% of students earning scores of 3 or higher across 2000 AP examinations and surpassing the world average in 14 academic areas. Also, 288 Gainesville students earned AP Scholars recognition for their performance across AP exams. Over 260 members of the class of 2024 completed at least one of our Pathways to Global Citizenship; 104 of those earned Distinction honors at graduation. Similarly, SOL achievement was again positive, with significant growth in students’ scores in Math – all evidence of the time, dedication, and focus students and teachers demonstrated last year.

I’ve shared with many of you that the role I have as principal at Gainesville High School will be the highlight of my professional career. I’m proud of what we accomplished last year in ensuring access to learning opportunities for all students, and working to create a welcoming, supportive, and connected climate for our students, families, faculty and staff. Ultimately, the optimism and enjoyment that I derive from my role is because of the teachers, staff and students with whom I work in this community. I appreciate your support and partnership in providing a quality high school experience for every GHS student, and I hope you’re as excited as I am to get 2024 – 25 started.

So, this is year four for Gainesville High School and a special one for the class of 2025, our first graduating class to have been in the building for all four years. I’m proud of this class and look forward to seeing the positive things they will accomplish in the coming months.

Below, I’ll share some key reminders and updates regarding an array of topics necessary for everyone to enjoy a smooth opening to the school year. Should you have questions in the coming weeks, please reach out to your student’s counselor or administrator for assistance.

I look forward to another outstanding year together at Gainesville High School and hope to see many of our families during Back to School Night on August 28.

Neil Beech, Principal


Information and Reminders

Back to School packet

Having up-to-date emergency contact information is vital. All families should complete the annual Back to School Packet when it opens on August 6. Until this update is complete, families will be unable to access important information in ParentVUE, including student schedules, important acknowledgements and approvals, and bus information. To complete this important task, please:

  1. Log in to the ParentVUE app or the ParentVUE website using your ParentVUE username and password.
  2. Once logged in, click the Online Records button at the top of the screen.

For clear instructions, check out the annual Back to School packet instruction. If you need assistance or do not have an active ParentVUE account, please call GHS at 571-248-3200 or submit a help request via the ParentVUE assistance page.

Laptops

All students will be provided with a PWCS laptop and charger during Advisory on the first day of school.  During distribution, students will sign for receipt of these items and be informed that these laptops are the only device that can be used during digital classroom assessments.

Student schedules and StudentVUE

Student schedules will be released in StudentVUE and ParentVUE on August 14. On the first day of school, students will report to their advisory class (listed as 8th block in schedule), and they will log in to StudentVUE to confirm their schedules. Advisory class assignments will be posted around the school and staff will be in the halls with advisory assignments to assist uncertain students. All students should access their StudentVUE accounts prior to the first day of school. If necessary, they can reset their passwords via the PWCS Password Self Service page.

Supply list

For opening day, I only ask that students arrive with the traditional school supplies of a pen, pencil, paper and possibly a highlighter. As noted earlier, all GHS students will have access to a PWCS laptop with cloud storage. HPE uniforms are not required, and PE teachers will share information regarding locker room access and PE attire during their first week together. Subjects like art, computer science, or music might require additional supplies. Those recommendations will be included on each department’s Canvas page. However, for the time being, please hold off on purchasing these items until students meet with their teachers to review each list.

Meals

As you get ready for the first day of school, families who qualify for free- or reduced-price lunches should apply on the PWCS Nutrition page. Similar to previous years, your My School Bucks account can be activated and updated for ease of purchasing lunch.

Medication drop off and clinic information

GHS Clinic staff will accept medication drop off starting Monday, August 12. If your child requires medication during the school day, please complete the required authorization for medication administration form. Full information on student health services can be found on the PWCS Student Health and Wellness page. Ms. Smith, GHS school nurse, is available for questions at [email protected] or 572-248-3200.

Immunizations 

The Commonwealth of Virginia requires certain immunizations for students to attend public schools. Our administrative staff have contacted families with incomplete or missing immunization records throughout the summer.  Student immunizations records must be compliant by Friday, August 16 for students to attend class on Monday, August 19. Please check Parent Vue->Health->Immunizations or contact one of our alpha secretaries for more information.

Get involved 

Parents interested in getting involved or staying in touch with faculty, staff, or events this year are encouraged to consider the array of options available. From the Principal’s Advisory Council (PAC) to PTO events or our booster organizations, a growing student body (and faculty) require more assistance organizing and hosting events, raising funds, or just communicating throughout the community. Interested parents should use the link here to let us know which roles might work best for you. Thanks! 

Our first PAC meeting is scheduled for September 16, at 6:30 p.m. in room 1146 (enter via Door 3). All are welcome as we establish membership for the school year. The agenda for this meeting will be to review our current Continuous Improvement Plan and budget.

Evolv Update

In a change from last year, Evolv safety screening systems will also be used at home football and basketball games. Families are encouraged to arrive early for these events and avoid lines. Please refrain from bringing items into the stadium that may be flagged and adhere to the “no bag” requirements that are in place across PWCS. Keys, wallets, and cell phones are permitted, but large metal objects will not pass through the system without being flagged.

Morning Arrival

For parents or guardians who drop off or pick up students on campus, the Kiss & Ride traffic pattern will flow down into the football stadium parking lot, loop around to the softball field, and then return to the building for drop offs at Doors 30 and 33 (near the auditorium and Grey Commons). I ask that all drivers – parents and students – remain patient with our security staff as they direct traffic, especially in the first few days of the year. Please see the graphic at the end of this document for more information.  

Transportation 

As part of the transportation improvements announced earlier this year, many PWCS students may have new bus stops – including specialty program transfer students whose routes/times may have been adjusted. Transportation information will be available in ParentVUE and StudentVUE on August. 12. Please be sure to review your busing information that day, so everyone will be prepared to catch the correct bus on August 19.

High school students may be expected to walk slightly farther to their pickup location, or families may be required to drive slightly farther to specialty program or express bus locations (generally no farther than 3 miles). Although this will be less convenient for some riders, it is intended to improve the Division’s bus service in general and represents a necessary change to support this goal. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as the Division implements these changes as part of an improvement effort. 

Sports and Athletic Events 

Fall athletic seasons are getting under way, and I hope that everyone in the GHS community will find time to cheer on one of our sports teams in the coming months. The Athletics link from the school’s home page will take you to our comprehensive sports and activities calendar.

Ticket Link for All Athletic Events: Please visit Hometown Ticketing

Other Upcoming Events

Some additional dates to keep on the calendar include: 

August 15 – New Student Orientation (7:45 am – 11:30 am) 

Express bus stops will be provided – please watch for email and GHS web posts for details 

This event is for students. An optional parent session with Mr. Beech will run from 9:00 am – 9:45 am in the auditorium. Please enter door 33 at 9:00 after dropping off students. 

Updated Kiss & Ride Map 

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