Check out this week's updates, information, and upcoming events at Goochland High School. The Bulldog Bulletin is your weekly look into the great things happening at GHS. Go Bulldogs!
Absence Procedures
Attendance in school significantly impacts a student’s academic success, and families play a crucial role in making sure students make it to school on time each day. The Virginia Department of Education asks schools to report chronic absenteeism each year, which is included in their School Quality Profile. As in previous years, we ask that parents call the school or email attendance (bulldogs@glnd.k12.va.us) before 10:00 am to report their child’s absence. Students who are absent must bring a note on the first day they return to school stating the reason(s) for their absence(s). Notes are held as legal records of student absences. Please assist us by following these policies throughout the school year so that we can continue to provide our students with a safe learning environment and ensure they receive the exceptional instruction our teachers provide.
Advance College Academy (ACA) Applications
Advance College Academy (ACA) is a dual enrollment program between Goochland High School and Reynolds Community College that allows students to earn a transferable associate of science degree in social science while completing a high school advanced studies diploma. ACA applications are open for current 9th and 10th-grade students until Friday, September 29, 2023. Previously admitted students need not reapply.
To be eligible for ACA admission, a student must complete Algebra II no later than 10th grade, a third year of language by the end of junior year, and be capable of maintaining a 3.0 high school GPA.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your school counselor or Dr. Beth Fowler (bfowler@glnd.k12.va.us), GCPS Coordinator of Advanced Programs and Equity.
Printed applications are available in school counseling, and a PDF is attached to this message.
All Night Graduation
Attention 12th-grade parents - Do you know what All Night Graduation is and how it can benefit your senior student? Please attend the next meeting on Tuesday, September 12th at 6:30 pm at Bella Sicilia Italian Restaurant.
Please follow ANG on Facebook HERE! If you have any questions or would like to join ANG, please email them at GoochlandANG@gmail.com.
Athletics and Activities
Please visit www.GoochlandBulldogs.com for up-to-date schedule information. Many of these events can be streamed live at www.NFHSNetwork.com. Feel free to contact Mr. Joe Fowler (jfowler@glnd.k12.va.us) if you have any questions or need more information.
Attendance Awareness Month
GHS wants to inform families that September is Attendance Awareness Month. During September, we take time to highlight the importance of school attendance and its impact on student's future successes. When attendance is improved, so are academic achievements and graduation rates. Join us in talking with your students this month about the importance of regular school attendance and reflecting on your expectations for their attendance. Thank you in advance for your support!
Backpacks for Love
Backpacks of Love, Inc. is a local charity that was formed to provide food for school children over the weekend. Children who are in need of such food will receive a small bag of food and snacks on the last day of the school week. The food exchange will be handled in a discreet manner where the student will pick up a bag of food from the front office on their way home. If you would like your child(ren) to participate in this program, please contact Kim Ford (kford@glnd.k12.va.us) or your child’s school counselor for a permission form.
Early Dismissal Procedures
Students wishing to leave school early without their parents present must bring a WRITTEN excuse signed by their parents by 10:00 am the day of the early dismissal. In the case of an emergency, parents may call in and ask for administrative approval for an early dismissal over the phone. Please assist us by following these policies throughout the school year so that we can continue to provide our students with a safe learning environment and ensure they receive the exceptional instruction our teachers provide.
GCPS Closed: Labor Day
As a reminder, Goochland County Public Schools will be closed on Monday, September 4th, for the Labor Day Holiday. We hope you enjoy your three-day weekend.
GCPS Fall Intersessions
October 16-20, 2023 Goochland County Public Schools will be offering a week-long intersession opportunity where students will engage in multi-day learning experiences that combine research, creativity, and FUN. The intersessions will fuse student interest and teacher passion through unique learning opportunities. Registration coming in mid-September! Please take a look at this frequently asked questions document for more information.
Girl’s Basketball
Girls Basketball open gyms will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45-5:15 pm in the GHS gym. All athletes need a completed VHSL physical to participate. Please see Coach Kempf (wkempf@glnd.k12.va.us) in room I207 with questions.
Lockdown Drill
We will be holding our first Lockdown Drill of the 2023-2024 school year the week of September 4th - 8th.
Marking Period 1 Interim Grades
Please be mindful that the interim for Marking Period 1 is Wednesday, September 13th. Please take a moment to view your child’s assignments and grades in PowerSchool, and contact their teachers if you have any questions or concerns. They are here to help!
Senior Information from School Counseling
Last week, school counselors went to government classes and presented information about plans for after high school. If you missed Senior Parent Night, please view the video. School Counselors will begin meeting with seniors to discuss their individual plans next week. If you would like to attend this meeting with your child, please ask them to include your information when they sign up for their meeting with their school counselor or contact your child’s school counselor.
Senior Pictures (Make-ups)
Seniors, if you missed the senior photo session over the summer, or need to retake your formal drape/tux photo, senior photo make-ups will be held at GHS on Monday, October 16th (the first day of Fall Break/intercessions). You should receive an email with scheduling information from Lifetouch approximately four weeks prior to the event. Feel free to email Mrs. Mistler (kmistler@glnd.k12.va.us) with questions.
Senior Projects
Seniors received information on the Goochland High School senior project this past week through their government classes. Students will receive a packet of information about senior project expectations, assignments, and due dates, all of which are available in the Senior Project section of the GHS Class of 2024 Canvas group. Proposals must be submitted no later than September 14th, 2023. Please note the following: Students must complete 24 hours of community service-oriented work by mid-May. Students will not be permitted to walk at the GHS graduation ceremony if they do not complete their senior project. Lastly, Education for Employment and Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School students complete a separate senior project through those experiences. Please contact Kevin Cutro at (kcutro@glnd.k12.va.us) with any questions.
Staff Recognitions
Please take a moment to nominate one of our GHS staff members for a September BARKS award. All nominated teachers will be notified of their nominations. Two specific staff members will be selected and celebrated at our faculty meeting on Friday, September 15th. This has been a tradition at GHS but will be new this year as we are allowing students and families to make nominations. We look forward to reviewing the responses!
Student Holiday/Teacher Workday
Please mark your calendars for Friday, September 15th, as it is a student holiday. Teachers will participate in professional development that day. We look forward to providing our staff with opportunities to improve their craft.
Student Parking
Students who have turned in their parking application, GHS contract, and have made payment on OSP can pick up their parking sticker from the front office before school and during their lunches from Ms. Simmons. Please make sure you have all three items turned in or you will not receive your parking stickers. The sticker needs to be placed inside the lower right corner of the windshield. Parking tickets will begin being distributed on Tuesday, September 5th for any student parking without a sticker.
Tardy Sweeps
We will once again implement random tardy clean sweeps to ensure that our students report to class on time and maximize our instructional time.
After the tardy bell rings, we will announce that we will begin a tardy clean sweep over the PA.
All teachers will close and lock their doors once they hear the announcement.
Teachers will not allow students to enter the classroom and direct them to the cafeteria.
Teachers will not allow students to exit their classrooms during the clean sweep to enable our administrators to process the students caught in the clean sweep.
Once administrators have swept through the hallways and bathrooms, they will assign lunch detention to any students caught in the clean sweep without a valid GHS SmartPass.
After administrators complete the disciplinary process, students caught in the sweep will return to their classrooms with a pass from the administration.
Once students have a tardy clean sweep pass, teachers will allow them into their classrooms.
Once the tardy clean sweep is over, administrators will make another announcement to inform everyone that the sweep has concluded.
Tardy clean sweeps may be implemented at any time during the school day, including the morning tardy bell at 9:05 am. Should your child have an excused tardy due to an appointment, etc., please send your child into the building with a note to turn in to the main office.
Parents, please discuss the importance of arriving at school and class on time with your child. We look forward to continued partnerships with our students, parents, and community members to uphold the standards of excellence at Goochland High School.
Wrestling Interest Meeting
There will be a high school wrestling interest meeting on Thursday, September 7th in Studio A during Bulldog block. This is for new and returning wrestlers. If you have any questions, please see Coach Wampler (jwampler@glnd.k12.va.us) in room B124.
Yearbook
Please consider purchasing your 2023-2024 yearbook for $60 HERE! This fantastic deal expires on Monday, January 1st. After this date, prices will increase to $70. Make sure to order your yearbook through the Balfour website or scan any QR code on the yearbook signs in the school. Please contact Mrs. Mistler (kmistler@glnd.k12.va.us) if you have any questions. We will have a spring release this year, so yearbooks will be in your hands before we leave for the summer!