Duke Update January 19, 2026
School Closed: Monday, January 19th, all Gloucester County Public Schools are closed in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
Tuesday, January 20th and Wednesday, January 21st are teacher workdays. Students will return to school on Thursday, January 22nd, which will mark the beginning of the 2nd Semester and 3rd quarter. It will be a B-day. Please visit the GCPS website to view the updated 25-26 school calendar.
Congratulations to the following students on auditioning and making the All-District Band:
Natalie Johnson, Flute 7th Chair Symphonic Band
Samantha Ramaglino, Clarinet 5th Chair Symphonic Band and an All-VA Audition
Haley Thomas, Clarinet 7th Chair Symphonic Band and an All-VA Audition
Alexis Chattin, Clarinet 6th Chair Concert Band
Sophia Levitov, Clarinet 14th Chair Concert Band
Ashlee VanVranken, Trumpet 6th Chair Concert Band
Aden Depaz, French Horn 1st Chair Concert Band
Zachary Conklin, French Horn 5th Chair Concert Band
Marcos Rosario, Trombone 1st Chair Concert Band
Catherine King, Percussion 2nd Chair Concert Band
Jack Gibson, Percussion 3rd Chair Concert Band
Honorable Mention:
Emma Smith, Oboe 1st Alternate
Congratulations to ALL Nurse Aide students this semester who passed both the Written and Skills Board of Nursing exam. They ALL have their CNA credentials and this is the FIRST TIME EVER we have had a 100% pass rate on BOTH skills and written exams on the FIRST attempt!!!!!! This is HUGE!
The following students have obtained their CNA license:
Passion Ball
Rachel Blittle
Elizabeth Congrove (MHS)
Sophia Connaughton
Reese Damron
Madelyn Daniels
Alexis Dishman
Landon French
Hannah Horsley
Rylie Jeffrey
Milleny Sofia Rivera
Alice Smith
Alyssa Smith
Chloe Sylvester
Kendall Thomas
Alaina Washington
Cassie Wilson
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.
Counseling
Attention Juniors and Seniors: An admissions representative from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) will be visiting GHS on January 23rd. Please check your Naviance account to sign up. E-hall passes will be sent to those who have signed up. Please see the Counseling Office if you have any questions.
Athletics
GHS football off season lifting and conditioning program meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:15-4:45 in the weight room. Anyone interested in playing this fall and not currently participating in another GHS sport please plan to attend.
Daily Reminders:
Senior and Junior parents/guardians: Please visit the GHS website under the Senior Corner for the Jostens Holiday Flyer. It includes a variety of discounts for cap and gown units, junior rings, and much more — please hurry while these discounts are available!
If you need to pick your student up early, please arrive PRIOR to 2:20 PM.
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.
Yearbooks are available for pre-order on yearbookordercenter.com using code 4758.
Additional parking passes are on sale via School Cash Online for Juniors and Seniors. Passes will be on a first come first served basis. If you have already purchased a pass but have not yet selected your spot, please bring your completed parking pass application along with a screenshot or printed copy of your receipt to the Main Office.
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. Thanks for your support!
That concludes our Duke Update. Let’s Go Dukes!!