Cardinal Connections

We're starting to get back into a routine after the disruptions the weather caused, which also means a return of athletics and activities across the school.

As we approach the business end of the winter season, I want to thank each of our student athletes and our coaching staff for their hard work and dedication while representing Gainesville High School. I’m proud of our student athlete’ performances, and the sportsmanship that they have shown throughout the winter season.

I’ll remind our families of the availability of Khan Academy, free to all PWCS students. Although this tool does not replace a quality teacher in our classrooms, it can help students review or get a little help with difficult concepts at home. It can be a good SAT prep platform that has proven to be of use to many students. Our junior class will sit for the SAT during the school day on April 15. A couple of hours a week of review, for about six weeks prior to this test date, could be a user-friendly approach for many of our students.

Finally, thanks for helping to reinforce the importance of students staying focused and motivated for the next 8 weeks of school. We have a long block of teaching and learning leading up to spring break, and students can really set themselves up for a strong end of the school year by maximizing this time prior to the break.

Division wide Culture and Climate Survey Reminder

PWCS is conducting a Family Engagement Survey to gather your valuable feedback on how connected you feel to our school and other schools your children attend. You should have received the survey in your texts and emails from PWCS. The survey will close on February 28.

If you haven't completed it yet, here is the link to the survey.

Family Engagement Survey

Remember to fill out one survey for each school your children attend.

Your feedback will help us make informed decisions to improve both our school and the entire school division in areas like engagement, environment, academic standards, and more. Thank you for helping us make our schools better for everyone!

Morning Attendance Reminder

The weather has disrupted some of the normal routines that we rely on each day. In recent days, a few students have arrived late to school and to their classes, causing a disruption to the learning environment and slowing the progress that other students can make. The purpose of this message is to see improvement among this small group of students with regards to good, on time attendance.

Thank you to our parents and guardians for all you do each morning to get students to school; your efforts truly make a difference! We know that weather and traffic can make mornings challenging. As we continue working to strengthen our learning environment, we appreciate your support in helping students arrive on time, especially for first- and second-period classes. Prompt arrivals help ensure a smooth start to the day and minimize disruptions to instruction. Thank you for partnering with us to set our students up for success each morning!

All District Honor Choir

Congratulations to the GHS students who were selected to participate in the 2026 District IX Honor Choir event last weekend. We’re very proud of our students who represent themselves and our school at these events. Congratulations also to Isabella Lacson, who was selected to move on to the All-Virginia Honor Choir and will perform in Richmond in April with other state-level singers under the direction of world-renowned guest conductor Mr. Sydney Guillaume.

iPad Stylus Use

When we deployed iPads to our students at the start of the school year, we distributed a simple stylus with each device. The stylus is used in many classrooms to annotate digital text, draw, or take notes in various applications and has proven to be very useful. What we have learned that students who have purchased their own digital stylus are having a better user experience.

We plan to purchase a handful of loaner styluses for each of our classrooms over time. However, if you wish to purchase a stylus for your child to keep with them during the school day, this link takes you to an example of one that many of our students have had success with.

HBCU College and Career Fair

The Prince William County (Va.) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, will be hosting an in-person HBCU College and Career Fair on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 9:30am-12:30pm at the PWCS, Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center.

This event is free and open to the community. Students and parents-guardians in grades

9-12 are encouraged to attend. Students will have the opportunity to engage with over 30 HBCU representatives to discuss academic programs, application requirements, student life, and other aspects of collegiate preparation. In addition, students will be able to browse college related resource tables.

Registration is now open, and the link, along with additional details, can be found on the attached flyer. Registration is required and requested to be completed in advance.

Academic Advising

Academic advising for the 2026-2027 school year starts on February 9 with rising 12th graders. It will take school counselors until the end of March to see all GHS students for their one-on-one conferences. Students have access to the Academic Advising Canvas in the GHS Counseling 2025-2026 Canvas page. Families can also review resources on the GVHS website; this includes a video presentation by Ms. Terenchin, GVHS Specialty Coordinator, and Ms. Pomfret, GVHS Director of School Counseling regarding the process.

Mid-Year Transcripts for the Class of 2026

Mid-year transcripts with semester 1 grades will be sent to requested colleges in mid-February. If students have requested an initial transcript, mid-years will be automatically sent. Colleges are aware that PWCS sends mid-years in mid-February.

Testing for Juniors – Spring 2026

Important testing occurs in junior year with implications for graduation and college admissions. We encourage our families to make note of these testing events, ensure their students prepare, and are present on their assigned testing dates.

• The week of March 9 – Writing SOL through English 11

• Exact date will be shared by English 11/AP Language teachers
• This assessment is a graduation requirement

• April 15 – Junior SAT School Day

• All juniors will be registered for the SAT, to be taken during school hours
• Juniors can and should prepare for the SAT via Khan Academy. All juniors have access to this via their PWCS Portal Log In.
• This assessment can be used towards college admissions

• The weeks of May 4 and May 11 – Reading SOL through English 11

• Exact date will be shared by English 11/AP Language teachers
• This assessment is a graduation requirement

• The week of May 4 and May 11 – Other required SOLs, not passed in previous school years

• The full spring SOL calendar will be shared soon, but they are the weeks of May 4 and 11
• If students do not pass other required SOLs for graduation during the spring testing window, there is remediation provided through summer school.

If you have specific questions about required testing for graduation, please contact your student’s school counselor. Testing history is also available in Parent and Student VUE under Test History.

Missed the Jostens Cap & Gown Pick Up?

Orders placed August 2025-January 2026 may be picked up during your lunch block only Monday - Friday in the Satellite Office 2010. Bring your Student ID or Driver's License to claim your order.

Cap and Gown Orders

Order your Cap and Gown Today! Students will be required to purchase a cap, gown, and tassel unit. Everything can be ordered online. Scroll all the way down the webpage to find the Individual Cap and Gown units. A cap and gown unit includes Cap, Gown, Stole, and Tassel. Jostens Information for Cap and Gown ordering Link to order: Jostens.com

If you have any questions, please contact GVHS Jostens Representative, Dan Pasquarelli dan.pasquarelli@jostens.com or you may call 1-800-JOSTENS (567-8367) Monday through Friday from 9:00am-6:00pm.

Jostens will be at Gainesville High School March 19, 2026, to hand out the next round of Cap & Gowns so place your order today!

Principal’s Advisory Council

Our Principal’s Advisory Council (P.A.C.) will hold its next meeting on March 2, at 6:00 pm in room 1146. Students and parents or guardians are welcome to attend. The P.A.C. has a role in providing feedback regarding our school budget development, as well as our school Continuous Improvement Plan. We hope to see you there as we build membership.

Winter Sports Post Season

Congratulations to our Gymnastics team on their 3rd place finish at the Cedar Run District Tournament. They will be competing at the 6B Region Championship on 2/12 at Colonial Forge HS.

Congratulations to our Boys and Girl's Swim teams on the 2nd place finish at the Cedar Run District Tournament. Both will be advancing to the 6B Regional Championship on 2/13 at the Jeff Rouse Swim Center.

Congratulations to Cash Crosby, Owen Sankey, and Connor Burrell on advancing to the Class 6 State Wrestling Tournament on 2/21 at the VA Beach Sportsplex.

Address: 13150 University Boulevard, Gainesville VA 20155
Phone: (571) 248-3200

Website: https://gainesvillehs.pwcs.edu/index
Facebook: facebook.com/GainesvilleHS
Follow us on X: @GainesvilleHS

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