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!
💥💥 Bulldog Recognitions 💥💥
Class of 2025 College Acceptances - Attention seniors! We would love to acknowledge your college acceptances as you have gotten in. Please fill out this form. You must be logged in to your GLND email to access to submit. Please let us know so we can recognize YOU for your accomplishments! Be sure to contact your counselor with any questions. HERE is a map of where our seniors have been accepted so far.
Get to Know Some of our Amazing Bulldogs - Throughout the remainder of the school year, we will be highlighting our “teacher-recognized” students each week.
Jayda Hart is a sophomore at GHS and her favorite class is art - they just finished portraits! She does athletic training with Ms. Black, who happens to have nominated her for her outstanding responsibility in the class. Jayda wants to travel someday and eventually be a traveling nurse. Keep up the hard work, Jayda!
Scholarship Winner - Congratulations to Kyranna Stratiou for winning the ECMC $1000 College Scholarship drawing at the end of our ECMC College Nights presentation this week. If you missed this valuable presentation, please watch the recording. You may also access the presentation slides. Please contact your child’s school counselor if you have any questions!
State Band Assessments - A huge congratulations goes out to the GHS and GMS bands for hosting a VERY successful assessment last week. We had over 1300 students, 220 visitors, and judges. It was the MOST successful assessment we have hosted out of our 17 years of hosting. The GHS band received straight superior ratings as well as countless compliments from judges, guest directors, and adjudicators. Our band boosters worked extremely hard to make it a huge success! We hosted groups from Chesterfield, Price Edward, Prince George, Hopewell, Nottoway, and a few other school divisions. I could not be more proud of our wonderful band program for hosting this very large state event! Kudos to Mr. Sykes (jsykes@glnd.k12.va.us), Mr. Gittelman (jgittelman@glnd.k12.va.us), and our wonderful band booster parents for a wonderful few days at GHS! Your work is noticed and appreciated!
Student-Athletes of the Month - We are excited to announce our February student-athletes who excel at balancing academics and athletics while displaying leadership and hard work. February’s winners are swimmers Annika Rogerson and Bill Belcher. Annika placed in the top 16 in two events at the state swim meet and also swam on two relay teams. Bill brought home a state title as well as 3 other medals at the state meet. These individuals are great representatives of our school and exemplify what it means to be a student-athlete. Congratulations Annika and Bill - thank YOU for representing our Bulldog Family!
THIS WEEK at GHS
Spring MAP Assessments - Spring MAPS testing will begin the week of March 17th in Math and English classes. MAP testing is a chance for students and teachers to see student growth over the school year. We strongly encourage our students to get plenty of rest before taking these critical assessments. Please reach out to your child’s Math or English teacher if you have any questions.
“It’s Real: Teens and Mental Health” Program for 9th-Grade Students - Our Mental Health team along with a volunteer from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will be introducing a program in our 9th-grade Health & PE classes called “It’s Real: Teens and Mental Health” during the week of March 17th, 2025. Through the program, students learn: what mental health is and how it's both similar to and different from physical health, how to notice signs of someone needing help, tips and strategies for having a caring conversation with someone they might be worried about, methods of self-care for mind, body, soul, and surroundings, examples of trustworthy resources, and how reaching out to trusted adults can help teens manage their mental health. If you would like to opt your 9th grader out of this program, have any questions or concerns about your child’s participation, or would like to review an outline of the program, please contact Renee Ferrell, Director of School Counseling at rferrell@glnd.k12.va.us.
Black History Month Events NEW DATE - In addition to the instructional activities taking place in students’ academic classes, the faculty has planned several events to celebrate Black History Month. Due to recent school closures, these events have been moved to March. On Wednesday, March 19th, during Bulldog block, we will hold a school-wide Kahoot trivia challenge that will highlight contributors to African American history and American history that stems from both African American and Afro-Latin heritage. We will cap off the week with a Black History Month celebration on Friday, March 21st with step team performances, games, a DJ, and a guest speaker. We are extremely excited to celebrate Black History Month at GHS! Hats off to students Kierjaea Carter and Kiershara Carter, Mrs. Amanda Tolson (atolson@glnd.k12.va.us), and Mr. Bryant Winbush (bwinbush@glnd.k12.va.us) for their hard work organizing these events!
SAT Prep- The Goochland Education Foundation and Huntington Learning Center are partnering to offer SAT Practice Test Prep for Goochland High School students. The next practice test will be on Saturday, March 22nd at 9:30 AM at the Goochland County Central High Cultural and Educational Complex on Dogtown Road. The feedback session will be held on Thursday, March 27th at 7:00 PM held in Room C143 at Goochland High School. Please go to the FLYER for more information and registration links. The Goochland Education Foundation will support any student who cannot pay the $25 registration. The registration deadline is 4:00 PM on Thursday, March 20th.
March 21st - Friday, March 21st will now be a normal school day due to the snow closures. This will be a Day 1. Please plan accordingly!
All-Night Graduation - Spring Bingo will be held on Saturday, March 22nd in the GHS cafeteria at 6:00 pm. Presale bingo cards will be available for purchase at River Road Cottage for $20. Bingo cards can be purchased at the door for $25. Please come out and support our last bingo of the year!
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. Fowler (jfowler@glnd.k12.va.us) if you have any questions or need more information.
THIS MONTH at GHS
World Down Syndrome Day - The GHS Special Education Department will be leading a weeklong celebration this week that will be led by a virtual Kahoot challenge during Bulldog Block on Monday, March 24th. We ask everyone to wear blue and/or yellow on this day!
Skills USA Heavy Equipment Competition - On Monday, March 24th, ten of the second-year students in our heavy equipment operator program will compete in the state Skills USA competition sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education. The competition will be held at our Career and Workforce Development Center. It will consist of a variety of skills, equipment pre-checks, and safety challenges designed by professionals from companies that utilize heavy equipment in their operations. The judges for the competitions will be members of various construction companies from the Central Virginia Region. For the past two years, the state champion for this event has come from our program. We wish our students well as they participate in this exciting and real-world competition!
Sophomore ACA Kick-Off - Sophomore ACA students and parents, please mark your calendars now for Monday, March 24th at 6:00 PM! You are cordially invited to join the Reynolds Career Coach and the ACA Site Director that evening for our virtual ACA Summer Preparation Kick-off (Google Meet HERE). We'll cover topics such as the required summer course outline, payment timelines, communication channels, access to college resources, and strategies for planning, surviving, and thriving beyond the summer. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Beth Fowler (bfowler@glnd.k12.va.us). We can't wait to see you all there!
End of Marking Period 3 - Report cards will be distributed to students on Thursday, March 27th.
Seniors vs. Faculty Basketball Game - The Seniors vs. Faculty Basketball game will be on Thursday, March 27th. Tickets are $2 and will be on sale Monday - Thursday during lunches. Please see Coach Gordon in room I-202 for any questions.
EnerGize and EnGage Day at GHS - Energize & Engage Day will take place on Friday, March 28th! This is a day where students sign up for courses they are interested in - from pickleball to car maintenance to rocket launching. Students will sign up for sessions via the registration link found in Canvas on the following schedule:
· Seniors: Monday, March 17th beginning at 4:00 pm
· Juniors: Tuesday, March 18th beginning at 4:00 pm
· Sophomores: Wednesday, March 19th beginning at 4:00 pm
· Freshmen: Thursday, March 20th beginning at 4:00 pm
Click here to see all of the course options and descriptions! Students will choose 4 courses to attend on the 28th. Any student who hasn't registered by 4:00 pm on Friday, March 21st will have their sessions chosen for them. As a reminder, this is a regularly scheduled school day- just with a twist! Don't miss out!
Spring Break - GCPS will be closed from March 31st - April 4th. Please enjoy this time with your family!
Spring Sense of Belonging Survey - Linked here, please find a preview copy of the 6-12th grade GCPS Sense of Belonging and Inclusion Survey that will be administered at GHS through English classes on April 7th & 8th. The purpose of the survey is to provide input on how GHS is doing towards meeting our annual school climate goals so that we can create an even better learning environment for all of our students. Any parent wishing to opt their child out of taking this survey may do so by emailing our Survey Coordinator, Ms. Richards (crichards@glnd.k12.va.us).
Mock Interviews- GHS will host our seventh annual Mock Interviews Event on Wednesday, April 9th. Business leaders from around the Richmond-Metro area have volunteered to spend their morning with us to interview our students and provide them with feedback. Our seniors and junior CTE completers will be participating in this event. Students should dress in business casual attire for their interview and have their résumé with them either in a digital format or printed. We look forward to offering this fantastic opportunity for our students to prepare them to be career-ready!
GHS Prom - Goochland High School's prom will be held on Saturday, May 10th at the Adams International School! Our theme is Once Upon a Time… dust off your glass slippers! Any students (or parents!) who wish to be a part of the Prom Planning Committee should contact Mrs. Boehm (mboehm@glnd.k12.va.us).
REMINDERS
Economics and Personal Finance: W!se Financial Literacy Certification Test Tutoring This Week - Students enrolled in Economics and Personal Finance are invited to take advantage of two tutoring options. These dedicated blocks of time will help provide additional support for the W!se Financial Literacy Certification Test, which will be administered during the last week of April and the first week of May. During school, specifically Bulldog Block on Tuesday and Thursday, Mr. Hover is available for remediation and preparation for the W!se test. Please, send him a Bulldog Block pass or email him at ahover@glnd.k12.va.us. After-school tutoring is also available, from 3:45 - 5:15 pm in room E161. During after-school tutoring sessions, snacks will be provided but transportation is not. If you have any questions please email Mrs. EYP (eyearoutpatton@glnd.k12.va.us).
Electronic Distribution of Flyers - Throughout the 24.25 school year, please visit this website for upcoming events or activities throughout the Goochland community.
GCPS Summer School - Goochland offers credit accrual virtual summer courses in Health/PE 9, Health/PE 10 (this class does not include the Driver’s Education instruction), Economics and Personal Finance, English 12, and Government. All courses will be delivered using Apex, a self-paced learning platform.
Dates: June 10th, 2025 - August 1st, 2025, virtual
Tuition: Current GCPS Students $280/course, in-county residents $280/course, out-of-county $499/course
For more information, dates of the summer classes, and details about the information session on April 17th, please go to our Summer Programming website. Enrollment for GCPS students opens on April 18th, 2025, and closes on June 9th, 2025. Enrollment for all other students opens on June 2nd, 2025, and closes on June 9th, 2025.
PTSA Updates - All GHS parents and students are welcome to attend GHS PTSA meetings which take place at GHS on the second Tuesday of each month at 4:15 pm.
Recruiting for PTSA leadership - We will have some Board openings for SY 25-26. The outgoing Board members will be available to train and support you. It is not a time-intensive role. The GHS PTSA’s main programs are recruiting for membership in the Fall, Teacher Appreciation Week, and two fun events for students. This year we distributed popcorn during lunch in the fall, and we plan to have music, games, and Italian Ice during lunch in the spring. Please email us at goochlandhsptsa@gmail.com if you are interested!
Scheduling for the 2025-2026 School Year - School Counselors are meeting with EACH student for their Academic and Career Planning meeting to review their course requests for the 2025-2026 school year and discuss their future goals. If you would like to be a part of your child’s Academic and Career Planning meeting, please use the link to your child’s school counselor.
Summer School Driver’s Ed (Classroom Component - does not include Behind the Wheel)- This 30-hour course is taught in person by a certified GCPS teacher and will satisfy the classroom component required for a student to obtain a driver's license for a fee once a student completes Behind the Wheel at a certified driving school. For more information and dates of the summer classes, please go to our Summer Programming website. Registration will begin on April 18th, 2025.
Dates: June 9th, 2025 - June 13th, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Goochland High School Room
Tuition: $100
Virtual VA Summer School Classes - Goochland County Public Schools will be utilizing Virtual Virginia this summer to provide credit accrual course options for high school students that are not offered through the summer credit accrual program at GCPS.
Who: Virtual Virginia summer school is for acceleration only, not recovery of failed classes. Students should be motivated and task-driven. Students should plan to spend approximately 4-5 hours per day on a course. Students may take a maximum of 2 courses (8-10 hours per day for two courses).
Session Info: Cohort 1 Options (June 3rd, 2025- July 11th, 2025) or Cohort 2 Options (June 17th, 2025 - July 25th, 2025)
Registration: Now - June 4th, 2025 (click here to register)
Tuition: $375 per person, per course
Senior Class of 2025
All-Night Graduation - The Class of ‘25 Baccalaureate will be held on Sunday, May 18th at 3:00 pm in the GHS auditorium. Seniors are encouraged to attend an inspirational afternoon with music, speakers, and light refreshments afterward. Please wear what you will wear to graduation under the gowns and don’t forget your caps. Seniors can earn tickets for attending that can go towards Senior Sunset raffle prizes.
The annual “Senior Walk” in the Goochland Day Parade will be on Saturday, May 17th. It is a nice tradition where the seniors walk in the parade for that proud moment of graduating. Seniors will also earn tickets to the Senior Sunset event. The sign-up will be sent out soon with times and instructions.
The tradition of our “Senior Walks” through our elementary schools will be on Friday, May 23rd. The school and time are as follows: RES at 9:00 am, GES at 10:00 am, and BES at 11:00 am. A sign-up, along with additional details will be coming soon! Those who attend will earn tickets for the Senior Sunset event.
Be sure to mark your calendars now for the “Senior Sunset” on Friday, May 30th from 7:00 - 10:00 pm in the GHS softball field. We will do different activities, games, food, pictures, and raffle prizes! Please make plans to attend!
Please follow ANG on Facebook, “Goochland All Night Graduation 2025.” If you have any questions or want to join ANG, please email them at GoochlandANG@gmail.com.
Scholarships - A lot of new scholarships have been added to the GHS Class of 2025 Scholarships sheet. Please contact Ms. McMullin (mmcmullin@glnd.k12.va.us) if you have any questions!
Financial Aid - Students and parents can schedule a meeting with our GRASP Advisor, Ms.Lindsay Bradley, to get help with the FAFSA, discuss financial aid award letters, and get additional scholarship information. Please use this link to schedule an appointment or email her at goochland@grasp4va.org.
Senior Cap and Gown Pick-up - Jostens will be here to deliver caps and gowns, as well as other senior products ordered earlier in the year, on Wednesday, April 16th, and Thursday, April 17th, during all lunches. Please ensure you pick up all items from Jostens on these days. If you have not yet ordered your cap and gown, please email our Jostens rep, Sarah Dunn (sarah.dunn@jostens.com), ASAP to ensure that your order arrives in time for graduation!
Senior Class Meeting - Ms. Reahard, Ms. McMullin, ANG, and the administration will be holding a senior class meeting on Thursday, March 27th at 10:30 am in the auditorium. We will be reviewing graduation details, senior project updates, and the end-of-year ANG events.
Senior Projects - Your final 10 hours of service (for a total of 20) and final presentation are due between Tuesday, April 15th, and Thursday, April 17th. Ms. McMullin will be stopping by Government classes during the week of March 17th to review project expectations. Remember that you must complete a Senior Project to participate in graduation. If you need help, please contact Ms. McMullin (mmcmullin@glnd.k12.va.us)!
Reynold's Graduation Ceremony (including ACA students) - The ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 13th at 2:00 pm at the Stuart C. Siegel Center (1200 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23284). Be sure to mark your calendars now and tell all your friends and family! Seating will not be limited for this event, so there is room for them all!
Class of ‘25 Graduation Details - Please mark your calendars for our GHS class of 2025 graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 31st at 7:30 pm at the GHS Stadium. The rain date will be Sunday, June 1st at 7:30 pm. We will have follow-up details in the coming months regarding the senior students' last day of school, senior exam week, etc.