Cardinal Connections

After multiple snow days and quiet, empty hallways, it was nice to welcome back our students to GHS last week, even if on a shortened school day schedule. It’s been a strange start to the second half of the school year but we encourage all of our students to be present every single day and work hard.

Now that we’ve moved into February, we are excited to celebrate Black History Month! Black History Month is a celebration of the rich history, culture, and achievements of Black Americans. Throughout February, our school community will honor the leaders, innovators, and changemakers whose contributions continue to inspire and strengthen our shared community. This month invites us to learn, reflect, and celebrate the stories and voices that shape our world.

Finally, with all of the two-hour delays due to inclement weather, we have had to modify our daily class schedule, and some classes have lost instructional time. In order to ensure all classes, have the same amount of instructional time, we will modify the daily schedule this week. Please visit the Gainesville High School website to view the weekly schedule. Students will have daily reminders via the morning announcements as well.

GHS Wins Gold in AP School Honor Roll – Again!

We’d like to congratulate all our Advanced Placement students and teachers for helping achieve Gainesville High School’s AP School Honor Roll Gold award for the second consecutive year! The Advanced Placement (AP®) School Honor Roll and Access Awards programs have recognized several high schools in PWCS for their efforts to promote AP course enrollment and provide equitable access to advanced coursework for students. To qualify for the AP® School Honor Roll, schools must meet specific standards related to college culture, college credit, and college optimization. Way to go Cardinals! You can visit the PWCS News link to view the full announcement.

All District Band

Congratulations to the GHS students who were selected to participate in All-District Band last week. We’re proud of our students who represent themselves and our school at these events.

Also, a big thank you goes to Mr. Bryke and his supporting cast of volunteers who hosted All District Band on Friday and Saturday. This is huge undertaking, with over 600 musicians involved in rehearsals and concerts over two days. The whole event was well run and am excellent showcase for performing arts.

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.

Cap and Gown Distribution Round One

Jostens will be on site on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, during the lunch block to distribute Cap and Gown orders placed between August 2025 and January 2026.

Please bring your Student ID to pick up your order during your lunch period at the front of the Red Commons.

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.

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.

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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