Greyhound Connect (October 5th)

Hello Greyhounds,

Homecoming week was fantastic! From the school spirit throughout the week to a packed, energetic dance floor on Saturday night, our students represented Grove City High School wonderfully.

Next week, we transition to preparing for life beyond high school with What’s Your “E” Week, focusing on Enrollment, Employment, and Enlistment. To prepare our students to become active, productive citizens in their community, we’re hosting a variety of events throughout the week, including college application support, resume help, career chats, a career fair, and military recruitment visits. Encourage your student to get involved and explore their pathway.

Go Dawgs!

Tara Thompson, Principal

Monday, October 12- COLLEGE GEAR

Wear your COLLEGE gear to school to support the SWCS College Fair happening that evening at Central Crossing! If you want to encourage students to attend (with classroom incentives), we can provide you with a list of attendees.

Thursday, October 15- Military Day from 9:50 AM to 1:30 PM

Our goal is to connect our students with representatives across all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces so they can gain a comprehensive understanding of post-secondary opportunities, career paths, and educational benefits available to them. Join us in the courtyard for this event!

On November 3, 2026, South Western City Schools will present a No-New-Millage Bond Issue on the ballot—our first since 2018. Focused on high school facility improvements for grades 9–12, this measure will not raise the district tax rate, which has remained constant since 2009.

Approval of this initiative allows SWCS to execute Segment 3 of its long-range facilities plan while securing approximately

• $113 million in matching state funds. Key outcomes include:
• New High Schools: Constructing brand-new facilities for Grove City High School and Westland High School.
• Expanded Career Tech: Addressing waitlists at the South Western Career Academy.
• Targeted Upgrades: Investing in facility and athletic enhancements for Central Crossing High School and Franklin Heights High School.

Coffee & Conversation Informational Sessions

SWCS leadership invites community members, parents, and staff to learn more about the proposed projects. Special thanks to our community partners and local businesses for hosting these events.

• Location: Southwest Public Library - Grove City Library, 3959 Broadway, Grove City, OH 43123
• Wednesday, October 7, 2026 (4:00–5:00 p.m.)
• Location: Southwest Public Library - Westland Area Library, 4740 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43228
• Friday, October 16, 2026 (10:00–11:00 a.m.)
  • Location: Prairie Township Community Center, 5955 W Broad St, Galloway, OH 43119
• Wednesday, October 21, 2026 (6:00–7:00 p.m.)
  • Location: The SWCS Welcome Center (formerly Brook Park Middle School), 2803 Southwest Blvd, Grove City, OH 43123

Stay Informed and Read more

A-D Jessica Wilson (614) 801-3316
E-Le Kaitlin O'Hara (614) 801-3312

Li-R Rachel Rendle (614) 801-3313

S-Z Valerie Williams (614) 801-3315

*All SWCSD employees can be reached via email at firstname.lastname@swcsd.us

Please complete this form to register for the PSAT. The cost is $18.00 and will be applied directly to your fees. The test will be on Thursday, October 22nd at 8:00am in the Rec Center at GCHS. Priority will be given to junior students. However, sophomores are also able to sign-up. Deadline to register for the PSAT is THIS Friday, October 9, 2026 or until we sell out.

The GCHS Care Team wants to be sure we are connecting all students and families with the services and resources they need. This is a voluntary form and all information collected is confidential. Student Support Liaison, Katie Eisel, (kle0827@swcsd.us) will be the point of contact.

10/5 - Girls Varsity Golf -Sectionals @ The Links At Echo Springs

10/6 - Boys Varsity Golf - Sectionals @ Apple Valley Golf Course

10/6- Girl's Soccer @ Central Crossing

10/6- Boy's Soccer vs. Central Crossing

10/6- Girl's Volleyball @ Westerville Central

10/8- Girl's Soccer vs. Worthington Kilbourne

10/8- Boy's Soccer @ Marysville

10/8- Girl's Volleyball @ Pickerington North

10/9- Football vs. Pickerington North

Important Reminder:

If your child is a student-athlete, they are required to pass the equivalent of five courses each nine weeks. Physical Education does not count as one of the five required courses. We recommend that student-athletes take six academic classes to help ensure they meet OHSAA eligibility requirements. Additionally, students must maintain a minimum 1.8 GPA to remain eligible. Parents and students are responsible for monitoring and meeting all athletic eligibility requirements.

10/7/26- Career Goals

11/4/26- TBD

12/2/26- Ohio Graduation Requirements

1/27/27- Scheduling Focused

2/17/27- Scheduling Focused

3/3/27- Resumes

4/28/27- Exit Survey

5/14/27- Senior Sendoff

Extended Homeroom provides students with 25 minutes once a month to focus on college and career readiness as well as other important action items throughout the year. A key tool in this process is SchooLinks, an award-winning, research-based online program that engages students in exploring their strengths, interests, and future opportunities. Through personalized, discovery-based learning, SchooLinks helps students plan for life after graduation while building the knowledge and 21st-century skills needed for long-term success.

If a student is absent on a day of Extended Homeroom, they are able to view and complete the activity in their Cohort Google Classroom.

2026

10/7- Extended Homeroom Schedule

10/15- End of 1st Nine Weeks

10/15 - School Portraits - absentee / retake day

10/15- Parent-Teacher Conferences

10/16- No School (Professional Day)

10/22- PSAT Testing- 11th Grade given priority- 10th grade also able to sign up HERE.

10/23- Fall Pep Rally

11/3- No School (Election Day)

11/4- Extended Homeroom Schedule

11/19-11/22- Fall Play

11/25-11/27- No School (Thanksgiving Break)

12/2- Extended Homeroom Schedule

12/16-12/18- 1st Semester Exams

12/21-1/1- No School (Winter Break)

2027

1/8- End of 2nd Nine Weeks

1/18- No School (MLK Day)

1/19- No School (Professional Day)

1/27- Extended Homeroom Schedule

2/15- No School (Presidents Day)

2/17- Extended Homeroom Schedule

3/3- Extended Homeroom Schedule

3/12- End of 3rd Nine Weeks

3/22-3/26- No School (Spring Break)

3/29- No School (Professional Day)

4/28- Extended Homeroom Schedule

5/4- No School (Election Day)

5/14- Senior Sendoff

5/14- Prom

5/26-5/28- 2nd Semester Exams

5/28- End of 4th Nine Weeks & Last Day of School for Students

5/30- Graduation for the Class of 2027

Principal: Tara Thompson

Assistant Principal: Brittany Kimbleton

Assistant Principal: Brady Stewart

Assistant Principal & Athletic Director: Scott Todd

Main Office: (614) 801-3300

Fax: (614) 871-6563

Website

Location: 4665 Hoover Road Grove City, Ohio 43123

24 HOUR ATTENDANCE LINE- (614) 801-8859 or attendance can be entered on Infinite Campus

Beginning this school year, South Western City Schools is updating its student transportation procedures regarding bus passes and alternate drop-off locations to improve student safety and ensure accurate transportation for every child.

Students will continue to be assigned one morning pick-up location and one afternoon drop-off location within their school attendance boundaries. For families with established split-custody arrangements, Transportation can continue to accommodate consistent weekly schedules, such as specific weekdays, when they are communicated in advance.

However, students will no longer be permitted to ride home on a different bus with friends or relatives for social visits or other informal arrangements. Daily transportation changes create challenges for school offices and bus drivers, particularly substitute drivers, and increase the risk of students being transported to the wrong location. These updated procedures help ensure every student arrives safely at their authorized destination each day.

All Ohio public schools are required to enforce updated expectations for student electronic device use. In alignment with state law and SWCS Board of Education policy, GCHS is fully enforcing these expectations during the 26/27 school year to support focused, respectful, and safe learning environments. This policy includes cell phones, AirPods, wireless headphones, Meta glasses, and smartwatches (when used for purposes other than telling time).

What families should know:

• If students need to contact home during the school day, they should do so through the school office. Families who need to contact their child may call 614-801-3300.

• The policy is in effect daily from 8:00–3:20 and applies to students on lockout while still in the building.

• To support our electronics policy, the following enforcement steps will be implemented:

  • First offense: The device will be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the school day.

  • Second offense: The device will be confiscated, and a guardian must come to the school to pick it up. The office is open from 7:30–4:00 for guardian pick-up.

  • Third offense: A personalized electronics plan will be created with the student and their guardian to address ongoing concerns and ensure future success in maintaining a focused learning environment. Guardian pick-up of the device is also required. The office is open from 7:30–4:00 for guardian pick-up.