The Pulse Post May 18th-May 22nd

Hello Pulse Families,

I hope you and your loved ones are doing well!

As we close out another incredible school year at McClure Health Science High School, I want to take a moment to sincerely thank you for your continued partnership, support, and trust throughout this year. Together, we have celebrated achievements, overcome challenges, created meaningful memories, and continued building a school community centered on excellence, care, and opportunity for each and every student! We are especially proud of our seniors who will soon achieve their graduation milestone!

This final edition of the Pulse Post includes important end-of-year reminders, graduation information, celebrations, and summer information as we finish the year strong together.

✨ End- Of- Year Reminders:

📝 Testing, Expectations, and School Hours:

Students should continue to attend school daily, follow the dress code, arrive on time, and be prepared for their final exams.

📆 Final Exam Schedule:

Monday, May 18

• 2nd Period Final: 7:00–9:07 AM

• 3rd Period Final: 9:12–11:20 AM

Tuesday, May 19

• 4th Period Final: 7:00–9:07 AM

• 5th Period Final: 9:12–11:20 AM

Wednesday, May 20

• 6th Period Final: 7:00–9:07 AM

• 7th Period Final: 9:12–11:20 AM

📝 Final Exam Exemption (Grades 9–11)

MHSHS is participating in the district's Final Exam Exemption (FEE) Pilot. Students with 7 or fewer absences in a class (excused or unexcused), no academic cheating major infractions, and a 90% or above course average may be eligible to exempt final exams.

• Exempted students should keep their permission form signed by a parent with them during final exams and show it when checking in late or checking out early. They will turn it in in the front office the day of their last final exam.

• Check in is through the back entrance (Steve Reynolds Blvd.) starting at 8:15 AM.

• Check out is the front entrance (Club Dr.) beginning at 9:15 AM.

• Students exempting finals and remaining at school will stay in the Commons.

• Students exempting both exams on the same day may remain home.

• Attendance and grades will be excused for exempted exams.

🎓 Graduation Week:

We are excited to celebrate the Class of 2026! Families are encouraged to continue reviewing the Senior Newsletter for important graduation reminders, timelines, and updates. We are incredibly proud of our seniors and look forward to celebrating this milestone with them next week. Senior Newsletter:👉 https://app.smore.com/n/dgja5

📚 Senior Device, Book & Fine Reminders

Senior parents, please be sure your student turns in all devices and books before Graduation Practice on Tuesday. Students should report to the front office area to return devices/books and clear any fines. Students who still have devices in their possession may arrive beginning at 11:15 AM on Tuesday to complete this process. Please note that graduation tickets will be held until all devices/books are returned and fines are paid.

✨ Highlights:

🏆 AP Honor Roll – MHSHS was recognized at this week's GCPS Board of Education Meeting as a College Board AP Honor Roll School. This recognition is especially meaningful, as only one school received Platinum status, and MHSHS is one of just two schools at the Gold level. This achievement reflects the high expectations, support, and deep expertise of our AP teachers and our students' potential to perform at the highest academic levels.

🥇Gallup Platinum Recognition – MHSHS was recognized as the only high school at the Platinum Level with 99% participation on the 2025 Gallup Q12 Employee Engagement Survey! This is significant as GCPS is now the only k-12 system in the nation with a two-time Exceptional Workplace Award. This achievement reflects the strong culture, teamwork, and commitment our staff continues to build together.

☀️ Summer Ahead

• This is our last edition of the Pulse Post. The 2026-2027 Back-To-School edition of the Pulse Post will go out on Friday, July 10, 2026.
• If you need to submit address verification documentation this summer, please follow the directions and updates we are sending via Parent Square.
• Mark your calendar for the 2026-2027 Open House: Friday, July 31st, 8:00-11:00 AM
• As summer approaches, we encourage all students to continue reading, exploring interests, spending time with loved ones, and preparing for another successful year ahead. We hope summer brings rest, joy, and meaningful moments for every family.

It has been an honor serving your students, and we are grateful for the support and encouragement you continue to show our school community.

We wish all of our families a safe, restful, and wonderful summer! 💙

Yours in service,
Dr. Hernandez
Principal

The administrative team and School Local Council Chairperson, Ms. Vonetta Bramwell, had the opportunity to personally welcome Dr. Alexandra Estrella this week during the District V Area Board Meeting, hosted by our Board Chair and Representative, Dr. Tarece Johnson Morgan.

Congratulations to the Meadowcreek Soccer Team on an incredible State Championship victory! What a match — you had all of us on the edge of our seats as the game pushed into overtime and was ultimately secured in thrilling penalty kicks to bring home the gold! 🥇

A special shoutout to Tony Bautista Padilla and Carlos Chavez for proudly representing MHSHS in this unforgettable win. Your hard work, resilience, and heart on the field made the Pulse proud!

Congratulations again to the entire Meadowcreek community on an amazing accomplishment! ⚽️🔥

This past week, Head Custodian, Mrs. Ana Ana Valle represented MHSHS at the 38th Annual Head Custodian Award Ceremony hosted by GCPS where Ms. Valle and our custodial team received the Exemplary Performance Award once again! We are grateful for the dedication and care Ms. Valle and her team bring to our campus each day as she helps keep the Pulse welcoming, safe, and shining for all students and staff.

MHSHS is incredibly proud to celebrate our HoPe Chapter for earning the Transformation Award this year! Out of 91 high schools across 6 states, our chapter was recognized for its outstanding growth, leadership, service, and impact within the community.

From community outreach initiatives to creating meaningful opportunities for connection and support, our students and sponsors continue to represent the very best of the Pulse. Congratulations to our HoPe students and sponsors on this incredible accomplishment — we are #PULSEPROUD! 💙💛

Congratulations to Ariadna Green (Gastou) and Christine Raderstorf, who were recognized at the district level for successfully completing the 2025–2026 Teach Gwinnett Program! Their commitment to professional growth, leadership, and excellence continues to positively impact our students and school community. We are proud to celebrate this accomplishment and grateful for all they bring to the Pulse 💙

We were proud to welcome leaders from Emory and Gwinnett County Public Schools to campus this week! The visit was a great success, and our guests were incredibly impressed with our students, programs, and the learning environment we’ve built together. This partnership holds exciting potential to expand real-world learning opportunities for our students — thank you to everyone who helped make it such a meaningful experience!

Our MHSHS seniors and juniors experienced an unforgettable evening at Prom, filled with elegance, joy, and celebration! Students showed up in style and enjoyed a night of dancing, laughter, and lasting memories with friends.

From the music to the moments shared, Prom was a beautiful reflection of the spirit, unity, and pride of our Pulse community. We are so proud of our students for making the night truly special.

Our seniors had an incredible time at Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, enjoying a day full of excitement, laughter, and friendly competition! From high-speed go-kart racing to games and attractions, it was the perfect opportunity for the Class of 2026 to celebrate together and create lasting memories.

These moments of connection and celebration are what make senior year so special, and we are thrilled our students were able to enjoy such a fun and well-deserved experience.

This week, our MHSHS seniors gathered for a special Senior Breakfast to celebrate their journey and the exciting road ahead. Students enjoyed time together, received their senior letters, and reflected on all they have accomplished.

A special thank you to our guest speaker, Suleima Salgado, whose powerful message inspired our seniors as they prepare for their next chapter. Her words of wisdom were a meaningful reminder of the impact, resilience, and potential within each of our students.

We are incredibly proud of the Class of 2026 and all they represent. The future is bright, and they are ready to lead it.

Honors Night was a beautiful celebration of the incredible achievements of our students. We are proud to recognize this year’s outstanding honorees:

• Northeast GA MC Scholarship ($1,000): Emily Philaphet
• STAR Student: Tayyab Rajgoli
• STAR Teacher: Teresa Brooks
• Valedictorian: Yasmin Munoz
• Salutatorian: Atri Roy
• ML Student of the Year: Esmeralda Deleg
• Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year (Cluster): Zorah Lee
• Principal’s Award: Aryan Pathak
• McClure Award: Yara Moreno Sanchez
• Kindness Award ($1,500, presented by Karis Church): Emily Philaphet & Mayrin Pineda-Mojica
• MHSHS & GCPS 2026 CTAE Student of the Year: Jasmine Osorio-Antonio:

Our seniors wrapped up the week with an unforgettable Senior Field Day filled with energy, laughter, and friendly competition! From games and team challenges to time spent enjoying one another, it was a perfect way to celebrate the Class of 2026.

The day was full of school spirit and meaningful moments as students came together to make lasting memories before graduation. We love seeing our seniors enjoy these well-earned experiences and celebrate their journey as a class.

This past week, our Meadowcreek Cluster had the opportunity to hear from our new superintendent, Dr. Alexandra Estrella. The session included meaningful discussions, a Q&A, and valuable insights into her vision for leadership and the future of our schools.

It was an inspiring experience for our leaders to engage in conversation, reflect on our shared goals, and continue strengthening the work we do in support of our students and community.

We are excited for what’s ahead and grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow together.

On Friday we proudly celebrate our incredible School Nutrition team here at MHSHS! Every day, they go above and beyond to ensure our students are nourished, cared for, and ready to learn.

From early mornings to busy lunch periods, their dedication, kindness, and hard work do not go unnoticed. They play a vital role in creating a positive and welcoming environment for our students each and every day.

Please join us in thanking our amazing Lunch Heroes for all that they do—we are so grateful for you!

We are proud to celebrate outstanding members of our Pulse community recognized at the district’s 2025–2026 Gifted Student of the Year Celebration in Gwinnett County Public Schools!

Congratulations to Angelic Grace Maleche, honored as a distinguished senior student, and Laura Berry, who was awarded New Gifted Contact of the Year for GCPS.

Their achievements highlight the dedication, excellence, and impact they bring to our school community each day. We are incredibly proud of both for representing the Pulse so well! 💙👏

Our Pulse community is celebrating excellence in both academics and athletics!

Congratulations to Zorah Lee, recipient of the 2025–2026 Outstanding Senior Athlete Award for the Meadowcreek Cluster. Zorah is a true multi-sport standout, excelling in Volleyball, Flag Football, Girls Wrestling, and Girls Golf—a remarkable accomplishment that reflects her dedication, versatility, and commitment.

We also extend our appreciation to the staff at Meadowcreek High School for their role in supporting her growth as a student-athlete.

Zorah represents the very best of the Pulse—we are incredibly proud! 💙👏

This week, our Pulse community celebrated the incredible creativity of our students at the Spring Art Show, the final showcase of the 2025–2026 school year.

Held in the Health Science Observatory, the exhibit features an impressive collection of student work from Visual Arts Composition II, Drawing and Painting I/II, and Advanced Placement Art. The display highlights the talent, dedication, and artistic growth of our students across all levels.

The artwork will remain on display through May 8, and we encourage our community to stop by and experience the creativity and hard work of our student artists.

A special thank you to our amazing art teachers—Mrs. Davis, Ms. Guzman, and Mrs. Zamora—for making this event possible and for continuously inspiring our students.

We are so proud of the passion and talent on display—truly a reflection of the Pulse! 🎨👏

This week, our Pulse community enjoyed an incredible evening of music at the Spring Band & Orchestra Concert, which brought out a huge and supportive crowd.

Our talented student musicians delivered outstanding performances that showcased their hard work, dedication, and growth throughout the year. A special moment of the evening was honoring our senior musicians, celebrating their contributions and the lasting impact they’ve made on our music program.

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing directors—Mrs. Groves (Band) and Mr. Robert Barnes (Orchestra)—for their leadership, passion, and commitment to excellence. Their guidance continues to inspire our students and elevate our program.

We are so proud of all of our performers for representing the Pulse with excellence! 👏

This week, our Pulse community was treated to a beautiful evening at the Spring Chorus Concert, filled with powerful vocals and heartfelt performances.

Our students took the stage with confidence and passion, showcasing their growth and musical talent. The energy in the room and the strong support from the audience made it a truly special night. We also took time to honor our senior chorus members, recognizing their dedication and the impact they’ve made on the program.

A special thank you to Ms. Schroeder for her incredible leadership and commitment to our students. Her passion for music and dedication to excellence continue to shine through in every performance.

We are so proud of our chorus for an unforgettable night! 🎶👏

This week, our Pulse community came together in a powerful show of unity and support during a student-led Cancer Awareness Race held in honor of Ms. Howard—a cherished teacher, mentor, and fighter who continues to show incredible strength in her battle against leukemia.

Students participated not only to run, but to stand in solidarity with those we’ve lost, those still fighting, and those who have overcome. The event was filled with moments of reflection, encouragement, and hope, reminding us of the strength found within our school community.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our teachers and administrators for their continued support, as well as to every student who participated or came out to cheer others on.

Together, we are stronger. 💛

This week, our Pulse community came together for the HoPe vs. Boyz2Men Soccer Event, and it was truly a perfect day of connection and community.

Students enjoyed an afternoon filled with friendly competition, laughter, and time together under the beautiful spring weather. From the action on the field to groups gathering and enjoying each other’s company, the event was a great reminder of the power of community and belonging.

Thank you to everyone who participated, supported, and helped make this event such a meaningful experience for our students. 💛

Congratulations to Ms. Eckholm on being selected for the 2026–2027 Teachers as Leaders (TAL) Cohort in Gwinnett County Public Schools!

This prestigious opportunity recognizes some of the most dynamic and promising teacher-leaders across the district. Participants engage in a year-long leadership experience that includes collaborative learning sessions, a fall retreat, study groups, and a capstone conference.

We are incredibly proud of Ms. Eckholm for representing the excellence of McClure and continuing to grow as a leader within our school and beyond. 👏

We are proud to share that McClure Health Science High School has officially been designated as a Heart Safe School by Children's Healthcare of Atlanta through Project S.A.V.E.!

This recognition reflects our school’s strong commitment to student and staff safety, as we have successfully implemented all requirements outlined in the Heart Safe Checklist.

Thank you to everyone who plays a role in keeping our school community safe—this is something we can all take pride in!

Dear Community Partners,

We are in the home stretch of our ambitious project to add art galleries throughout our building to:

• Showcase outstanding student artwork in a professional, gallery-quality setting
• Provide rotating exhibitions that give every student an opportunity to be recognized
• Serve as an inspiring environment where creativity is valued and celebrated
• Create a lasting legacy for current and future McClure students

The Impact on Our Students

When students see their work professionally framed and displayed, it validates their efforts and ignites their passion. They begin to understand that their creativity matters, that their voice has value, and that our community believes in their potential. This is the kind of confidence-building experience that stays with young people throughout their lives.

How Your Business Can Make a Difference

We're inviting you on our last push to reach our goal of 50 frames to become Art Angels by contributing to this transformative project. Your donation will help us build our galleries by adding professional frames and creating an environment where art thrives alongside science and innovation.

Become an Art Angel

Contributions of any size are deeply appreciated and will be recognized as part of our Art Angels supporter community. Your investment in our students today will create a ripple effect that benefits our entire school and community for years to come.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to partner with McClure Health and Science High School. Your support means the world to our students, our staff, and our entire school family. If you'd like to discuss the Art Angels program further or explore additional partnership opportunities, I would be delighted to connect with you.

With sincere gratitude and excitement for this project,

Linn Zamora

Art Teacher

McClure Health and Science High School

Linn.Zamora@gcpsk12.org

We’re excited to launch our Senior Pulse Picnic, a special opportunity for seniors to enjoy lunch at the picnic tables on the intramural field beginning after Spring Break!

This experience is reserved for seniors who are passing all classes, offering a well-earned chance to relax, recharge, and enjoy time with peers in an outdoor setting.

Dates: April 15, 16, 22, 23, 28, 30 and May 6, 7

We’re looking forward to celebrating our seniors with this opportunity as they finish the year strong—keep the Pulse going!

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Gemini now offers free, full-length SAT practice tests in partnership with The Princeton Review, providing students with instant feedback and customized study plans. Students can explore this feature on the AI page of the Student 1:1 Support site, which is bookmarked directly on their Chromebooks.

ParentSquare is our primary communication tool for school and district updates. Families can customize how and when they receive messages (email, text, or app notifications) to stay informed in the way that works best for them.

🔗 Learn how to customize your ParentSquare notifications here:
https://www.gcpsk12.org/students/handbook-information-for-students-and-families/parentsquare/customizing-your-parentsquare-experience

Please click on the link to view the Senior Newsletter:

👉 https://app.smore.com/n/dgja5

Ms. Anderson

candice.anderson@gcpsk12.org

Senior Counselor

For everyone’s safety, we encourage families to arrive earlier during carpool. Earlier arrival helps reduce congestion and keeps our students safe.

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

Families, please remember that students must be picked up within 15–30 minutes after an event concludes. Late pickups may result in students losing the privilege to participate in future after-school activities.

To keep dismissal safe and efficient during after-school events (such as Pink Out, Hispanic Heritage Festival, International Night, Black History Month Cookout, etc.) , please review our pick-up plan and traffic flow map before you arrive.

To help ensure smooth dismissal, please review our After-School Pick-Up Map and Plan below:
📍 View Pick-Up Plan / Map

Thank you for helping us keep all students safe and ensure that events run smoothly and on time!

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.

Everyday, Chick-fil-A sells 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:

• @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

📖 Family Engagement Tips

Check out these tips on how to engage with your student at home: 2025 eTips

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

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