The Pulse Post Sep 29th- Oct 3rd

Happy Friday Pulse Families,

As we close out September and look ahead, I want to share a few important updates with you:

Evolv Weapons Detection System:

This is a reminder that beginning Monday, September 29, 2025, our school will start using the Evolv weapons detection system during morning arrival. As shared in our earlier message, this system is part of our district’s multi-layered approach to school safety and is designed to provide a fast, non-invasive, and effective screening process. In addition, our school will be staffed with a School Safety Officer (SSO). SSOs are security personnel whose primary responsibility is to operate the Evolv system throughout the school day, following morning arrival.

Entry Points:

• Front entrance: Bus riders and all visitors (including student check-in/check-out).

• Back entrance: Car riders.

• Families will now use the Club Drive entrance during the school day. Updated check-in/out procedures and maps are posted on this week’s Pulse Post.

Personal Items: Phones, keys, and wallets may remain in bookbags, pockets, or purses.

Alerts: If a scanner triggers an alert, staff will conduct a brief secondary screening.

Arrival Tips:

• Classes begin promptly at 7:00 AM.

• Students are encouraged to use school transportation for timely arrival. Pick-up times are available on ParentVue and StudentVue. Review the Pulse Post below for directions.

• Car riders may enter as early as 6:20 AM. Early drop-off is recommended for smoother entry.

E-SPLOST:

Gwinnett voters will decide whether to renew E-SPLOST for another five years on November 4, 2025. E-SPLOST stands for Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. This one-cent sales tax ensures that one-cent of every dollar spent on retail purchases in Gwinnett County funds school renovations, modifications, expansions and improvements. Everyone who shops in Gwinnett County, including visitors, contributes to maintaining our schools. An E-SPLOST must be approved by a majority of county voters. You can get more information about E-SPLOST here.

Thank you for your partnership and support as we work together to keep McClure Health Science HS safe, student-centered, and thriving.

Yours in Service,
Dr. Hernandez

We are excited to announce that Ms. Sally Taylor has joined the administrative team as our new 10th Grade Assistant Principal.

Ms. Taylor has been a founding member of McClure Health Science High School since our opening in 2019. Over the years, she has provided strong leadership across several departments and committees, always putting students, staff, and school community first.

We are thrilled to see her step into this new role and continue to make a lasting impact at McClure Health Science High School. Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Ms. Taylor to the administrative team💙

This week, MHSHS hosted the Exit Strategy Financial Reality Fair with CSE President, Deirdra Cox, Representative Marvin Lim, and amazing community partners. Students and families practiced real-world financial decisions — from housing and transportation to credit, insurance, and groceries — gaining skills to build economic confidence.

A special thank you to Mr. Frew and Ms. Sanford for participating with your students and ensuring they could experience this impactful event firsthand💙

We are grateful to our partners, sponsors, and volunteers for making this day a success and empowering our students with tools for their future!

Congratulations to Jasmine Osorio-Antonio (Class of 2026), who has been selected as MHSHS CTAE Student of the Year!
Chosen by Mr. Wood, Computer Science teacher, Jasmine stands out for her dedication, creativity, and leadership in the classroom. Her achievements highlight the impact of Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) in preparing students for success in both college and career pathways.

We are proud to celebrate her accomplishments and the example she sets for her peers💙

We are proud to announce that two of our scholars have been recognized as National Merit Scholarship Program honorees!

This prestigious recognition is awarded to students who score among the highest in the nation on the PSAT, demonstrating outstanding academic achievement and potential for future success.

👏 Congratulations to Yasmin Muñoz (National Merit Letter of Commendation) and Tayyab Rajogli (National Merit Scholar Semifinalist) for this remarkable accomplishment. Your dedication, hard work, and academic excellence make our McClure Health Science HS community proud!

💙

We are proud to recognize Mayrin Pineda-Mojica for representing McClure Health Science High School at the District V Superintendent Search Community Input Meeting hosted by Board Member Dr. Tarece Johnson-Morgan.

Mayrin opened the event with poise and confidence, setting the tone for an evening where families, staff, and community members shared their voices in shaping the future of GCPS. Her leadership and presence remind us of the power of student voice in guiding our district forward.

👏 Thank you, Mayrin, for making MHSHS proud and for modeling what it means to lead with purpose!

Our Gwinnett Student Leadership Team (GSLT) hosted a fantastic informational meeting in the Theatre this week, sponsored by Mr. Robins and Ms. Klimp.

The students and sponsors did an excellent job, showcasing their leadership and public speaking skills. Their peers were quick to compliment their confidence and professionalism, and we were thrilled to see over 100 people in attendance!

👏 A big thank you to our GSLT sponsors and student leaders for representing MHSHS with such excellence.

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, the perfect time to unlock all the resources your local public library has to offer. Did you know every GCPS student already has access to the Gwinnett County Public Library system—late fine-free and ready to use? Their school ID doubles as a library card, giving them access to books, audiobooks, movies, Learning Labs, and digital resources like Tutor.com for homework help.

Parents and guardians can sign up for their own library card too. Visit the Gwinnett County Public Library website to apply online and explore everything the library has to offer.

If you or your student have questions about resources through the public library, feel free to reach out to Laura Sly at laura.sly@gcpsk12.org.

🎀 Title I Pink Out Spirit Days 🎀

• October 1 – Barbie & Ken Day
• Dress up in Barbie-inspired or Ken-inspired outfits!

🎀 Title I Pink Out Spirit Days 🎀

• October 2 – Ribbon Day
• Wear a pink ribbon or bow!

🎀 Title I Pink Out Spirit Days 🎀

• October 3 – On Friday’s We Wear Pink!
• Pink Out! Dress up in your best pink outfits!

Your Voice Matters! Take the GCPS School Calendar Survey Before October 8!

Gwinnett County Public Schools is reviewing school calendar features for the 2026–27 and 2027–28 school years. Families, staff, students in grades 6–12, and community members are invited to share feedback.

Every calendar sample being reviewed meets state and district requirements, including:

• 180 school days and 190 staff workdays (per state law)
• Required holidays (per GCPS Policy GBRI)
• 2 early release days per semester for ES/MS; 3 for HS (final exams)
• One week each for Thanksgiving and Spring Break
• Semester 1 ending before Winter Break, and Semester 2 ending before Memorial Day

Take a few minutes to complete the survey and help shape the future school calendar for our students and staff. The survey will close on October 8.

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Tuesday, October 14 – PSAT Student Readiness Check

• All 10th and 11th grade students are scheduled to take the PSAT on 10/22.

• To prepare, 10th and 11th grade students will complete the readiness check and pre-administration during Advisement.

• Teachers provide student tickets and distribute them in Advisement.

• These student tickets provide students the opportunity to utilize practice assessments on their own time leading up to the PSAT on 10/22.

• Monday, October 14 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM | Commons

  All seniors and their parents are invited to attend our FAFSA Night Workshop. Families will receive guidance on completing the FAFSA and have the opportunity to begin the application during the session.

  This is an important step in securing college financial aid — we encourage all senior families to attend! 🎓💻

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Mark your calendars! Our Hispanic Heritage Festival will take place on Thursday, October 17th, from 2:30–4:30 PM on the Intramural Field. 🎉 This event will be a celebration of culture, community, and connection, featuring music, food, and fun for students and families.

We’d love to partner with local Latin restaurants or businesses to make this celebration even more special. If you know of a restaurant or business interested in joining us, please email Lena.Alonso@gcpsk12.org with their contact information.

Let’s come together to celebrate the richness and diversity of our Hispanic community! 💃🎶

Mark your calendars! The HoPe Club is hosting a Car Wash Fundraiser on Saturday, October 18th, 2025 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the McClure Health Science HS Front Entrance

Tickets are just $5 each and can be purchased in advance through GoFan. Each ticket covers one standard vehicle wash.

Come out, get your car sparkling clean, and support our HoPe student leadership projects. Your participation helps our students continue to lead and serve our community.

💙💛 Thank you for supporting McClure students—see you at the car wash!

• October 22 – PSAT Day 📝
  Students will be participating in the Preliminary SAT (PSAT).

The upcoming Soccer Cup Tournament is sponsored by the HoPe Club and Boys to Men Club—but it’s open to ALL students who want to play!

📅 Date: Wednesday, October 24th, 2025

🕑 Time: 2:00–4:00 PM

📍 Location: McClure Health Science High School Intramural Field

If you’re interested in joining a team, please fill out this form: 👉 Soccer Tournament Sign-Up Form Come show your skills, support your friends, and enjoy an afternoon of fun competition!

On 10/31, students and staff can dress up for Page to Stage Day!

Participation is optional.

Let’s celebrate with spirit, creativity, and fun! 🎃✨

• Annual AKS Public Review

Help shape a library that reflects the voices, interests, and needs of our entire school community! We’re inviting parents and community members to join the MHSHS Media Committee—a collaborative team of administrators, teachers, students, and families working together to guide our library’s collection and programming.

We’ll kick things off with an optional in-person meeting in September, then stay connected throughout the year via email. If you’d like to have a voice in the future of our Media Center, we’d love to hear from you!

Please email Laura Sly at laura.sly@gcpsk12.org for more information.

Join us for “Unlocking the Future: The Power of Literacy for Your Child's Success,” on October 15th, a virtual event full of tips to help your child grow as a reader and writer. Learn strategies to help your child with reading and writing, and explore how technology and AI can support their learning.

This engaging event is designed for families of students from K-12

• Elementary Session-

• Inspiring Young Minds: Literacy Strategies for Pre-K to 1st Grade Learners

• Building Strong Foundations: Literacy Techniques for 2nd and 3rd Graders

• Empowering Upper Elementary: Literacy Skills for 4th and 5th Graders

  
  

• Middle/High School Session-

• Artificial Intelligence and Literacy for Tomorrow's Leaders

• Fueling Passion: Keeping Middle and High School Students Engaged in Reading

Interpretation will be provided in Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, and French.

Click here to RSVP

or

Direct Registration Link: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/5b0266a9-74b9-46a3-b4b7-fabde234c566@7de65cf9-3f2e-4e67-a469-965b0d085fbb

• Session 1- Inspiring Young Minds: Literacy Strategies for Pre-K to 1st Grade Learners: 6:10 - 6:20

• Session 2- Building Strong Foundations: Literacy Techniques for 2nd and 3rd Graders: 6:25-6:45

• Session 3- Empowering Upper Elementary: Literacy Skills for 4th and 5th Graders

• Session 4- MS/HS Unlocking the Future: Artificial Intelligence and Literacy for Tomorrow's Leaders: 7:15- 7:35

Click here to RSVP

• When: Saturday, October 25 (2025)

• What: 5K benefiting the GCPS Book Mobile

• Perks: Runners 18 and under get a free book

• School Challenge: The school with the most participants wins a Book Mobile visit

• Register: bookmobile5k.com (QR code available on the flyer)

The MHSHS School Counseling Department is seeking new members for its 25-26 School Counseling Advisory Council. The purpose of the council is to provide feedback on the school counseling program goals, review school counseling program results, make recommendations for the school counseling program, and serves as an advocating tool for the school counseling program itself.

Input from all stakeholders (parents, students, teachers, administrators, and community members) is crucial to the development and success of our school counseling program. There are only TWO meetings yearly - one per semester. Please consider joining us for the 25-26 school year!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc89TwLosN1akKsAnpKNSlqN4cxVqzX8IkytDvdrNnIhU8HlQ/viewform?usp=dialog

If your student arrives late to school, they will need to scan their Student ID barcode in order to receive a tardy pass. Students can access their barcode easily in StudentVUE:

1. Log into StudentVUE.
2. Click the ID icon in the bottom left corner.
3. Swipe up to display the Student ID barcode.

Please encourage your student to practice accessing their barcode ahead of time so check-in can be quick and smooth!

Link HERE

Click here

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Children need healthy meals to learn. Gwinnett County Public Schools offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast costs $1.75; lunch costs $2.50 for elementary and $2.75 at middle and high schools. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced-price meals. The reduced price is $.30 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch. The following information includes an application for free or reduced-price meal benefits and a set of detailed instructions. Below are some common questions and answers to help you with the application process.

• All children in households receiving benefits from Georgia SNAP or TANF are eligible for free
• Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free
• Children participating in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free
• Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible for free
• Children may receive free or reduced-price meals if your household’s income is within the limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Chart. Your children may qualify for free or reduced-price meals if your household income falls at or below the limits on this chart.

1. Free or reduced meal prices for a healthy, nutritious student meal.

2. Additional funding for technology and internet access.

3. Discounts on fees associated with the college application process.

4. Discounted fees for SAT, ACT, and AP exams along with other scholarship opportunities.

5. Increased funding to support education.

Starting next week, Chick-fil-A will be selling lunch during all lunch periods, Monday–Friday.

Menu items include:

• Chick-n-Strip™ Slider – $3.50

• Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap® (Half) – $4.50

Payments accepted: Cash or Card.

💌 Pulse Posts – Sent every Friday via ParentSquare with updates, reminders & celebrations

📱 Follow Us on Instagram:

• @mhshs.9thgrade
• 9th Grade Highlights
• @mcclurehealthsciencehigh
• School-wide News & Events

📆 Check the School Calendar:

• 🔗Linked Here

Stay informed about important dates, breaks, and events

🗣️ Talk to Your Student:
Ask about what they're learning and how they're adjusting

The Back-to-School Guide is a digital resource with district information about the new school year. Previously called the “Virtual Back-to-School Backpack,” the Back-To-School Guide will be available after July 11, 2025, by clicking HERE

MHSHS Website | Student & Family Handbook | GCPS Portal | GCPS 25-26 School Calendar |

GCPS News |

McClure Health Science High School

3921 Club Drive, Duluth, GA

770-806-7900

MHSHS Website