Duke Update 4-19-26
This week, GHS recognizes National School Volunteer Week, as well as Administrative Professionals Day on Wednesday, April 22nd.
National School Volunteer Week honors the many volunteers who generously give their time to support our school community, including classroom helpers, mentors, and parents. Your involvement makes a meaningful difference in the success of our students and staff.
Administrative Professionals Day celebrates our secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and support staff for their vital role in keeping our school running smoothly each day. Their dedication ensures our offices remain organized, efficient, and welcoming to all.
Congratulations to our hippology and horse judging teams on a successful weekend! The hippology team placed 4th overall, 5th in exam, 4th in judging, 4th in stations and 7th in team problem. Emma placed 5th overall, 6th in judging, and 6th in stations. Charlotte placed 8th in stations. The horse judging team placed 7th overall and 2nd in halter. Emma placed 7th overall and 2nd in performance. Austin placed 3rd in performance.
Congratulations to our Envirothon team! They placed second in special topics, soils, and oral presentation. They placed third in forestry and tied for first place in aquatics. Their overall placing was second earning them a spot at the state Envirothon contest next month! Team members are Delisha Minor, Emersyn Cahilly, Kara Willoughby, Lexi Spangler, Mia Cann, River Lux, and Taylor Lewis.
Congratulations to the Mario Kart ESports team for winning their playoff matches on Monday and Wednesday. For the first time in GHS history, the ESports team will advance to in-person state championships at ODU on Saturday, April 25th. Way to go Lane Briggs, Jason Hancock, Luis Seda, Paul Trotman, Erik Waters, and Logan Williams for setting a new school record.
Virtual Learning Day: Tuesday, April 21st is a synchronous learning day for high school students due to the election. Students can find the schedule located on Canvas.
Explorers, next Monday April 20th, will be our monthly meeting in room 139- See Ms. Falkenberg for details. If you are coming on the D.C. trip with us in May, this will be a great opportunity to discuss what our agenda will be for the day and meet new friends!! Hope to see you all there. Light refreshments and snacks will be served!
Hello GHS Families, GHS will offer after-school attendance recovery sessions April 27 through April 30. This is highly recommended for students who have missed more than 14 days of school. Sign-up begins April 20 at 9:00 am on the GHS website. Students must register for each day they plan to attend using their GCPS student email.
If you have questions, please contact your student's counselor or administrator.
Students, check the Lost and Found daily if you have misplaced any items.
Counseling
Seniors – Application materials for the Adam Stephen Neely Scholarship are due to the Counseling Office by May 1st at 3:00pm. Paper copies of this application are available in the Counseling Office on the scholarship table just inside the door. Please check your Naviance account regularly and contact the Counseling Office if you have any questions.
Attention Juniors and Seniors: An admissions representative from Richard Bland College will be conducting an information session here at the high school for interested GHS Juniors and Seniors on Tuesday, April 28th. To participate, please sign up through your Naviance account. E-hall passes will be sent to those who have signed up. Please see the Counseling Office if you have any questions.
The Peer Tutoring Club will be staying after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This club provides peer tutoring and homework help for students who may need extra assistance or a quiet place to complete their assignments. Please encourage any students who may benefit from additional academic support to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Watkins or Ms. Hammack in the Counseling Office.
Seniors
Seniors, prom guest forms are available in the Main Office. These forms are required for guests who do not attend Gloucester High School or for guests who have already graduated. Please make sure your guest is approved before purchasing prom tickets. Tickets are on sale now through SchoolCash Online.
Seniors, you will receive your graduation tickets at the mandatory graduation rehearsal on Friday, June 5th. Please stop by the Main Office during class changes or your lunch period to add your name to the extra ticket list. Additional tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Daily Reminders:
The 2025-2026 Yearbook is officially sold out. No further copies can be pre-ordered at this time. Please see Ms. Schoenthal with any questions.
Dress Code: As the weather gets warmer, we want to remind you of the GCPS dress code policy. 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. Students addressed for dress code will have the opportunity to change, go to the CARE closet, or wait in a designated area for clothing drop-off.
Attention Parents/Guardians of Students with Early Dismissals: Due to new building safety procedures, students with an early dismissal must exit through either the Main Entrance doors or Door 2E (the old Main Entrance).
Please note:
Students may only use Door 2E during class change times.
They will have 5 minutes to exit before the alarm sounds.
If they are unable to exit through Door 2E within the 5-minute window, they must use the Main Entrance doors.
Reminder: Students arriving late to school should continue to report to the Main Entrance doors for required security check-in procedures. This policy is being implemented to help ensure the safety and security of all students and staff. Thank you for your attention and understanding.
The GHS cafeteria will offer Second Chance Breakfast for students who have a late-in or may have missed breakfast earlier in the morning. The cafeteria doors will open from 9:10 a.m. until 9:20 a.m.
📣 Attendance Notes Now Accepted Online! GHS now accepts digital attendance notes. If your student is absent or tardy, visit the GHS website, click the “Digital Attendance Notes” button in the top right corner, complete the form, and submit. Notes are received instantly and can be submitted 24/7 for your convenience.
If you need to pick your student up early, please arrive PRIOR to 2:20 PM.
Parking passes for the 2nd semester have been reduced to $25.00 and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking pass application forms may be picked up in the Main Office or found on the GHS website. Please bring your completed application along with a screenshot or printed copy of your receipt to the Main Office.
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.
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. 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.
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. Students, Follow the Duke Way! Don’t give in to social media trends that encourage behaviors that violate the code of conduct.
That concludes our Duke Update. Let’s Go Dukes!!