The Pulse Post Jan 12th - Jan 16th

Welcome Back Pulse Families,

I hope you and your loved enjoyed a restful and joyful winter break!

I am pleased to report that we have had a wonderful start to the semester, welcoming our students and staff back and helping everyone ease into their routines. Please review these important reminders below:

📋Student Routines & Attendance

During the first 2 weeks, we are sharing reminders with our students about the importance of attendance, punctuality, responsible use of electronic devices, and appropriate and safe attire for school. We need your help in making sure students are present and on time each day, which plays a critical role in your student’s academic progress, overall achievement, and preparation for college & careers.

🚨 Safety Reminders

Student safety remains a top priority. We ask families to these expectations with students:

• Do not open exterior doors for anyone who has not been properly screened (Including peers).

• Please check backpacks regularly to ensure students are not bringing items prohibited on school campuses.

• Students may face disciplinary consequences for allowing unauthorized entry.

📝 Georgia School Climate Survey

We invite you to complete the Georgia School Climate Survey, administered by the Georgia Department of Education . Your feedback helps inform school and district decisions that directly impact students. Please complete the survey here: https://survey.gadoe.org/FM?sid=B0106EB0

📘 High School Final Exam Exemption Pilot

Our school has been selected to participate in a High School Final Exam Exemption Pilot. Please click HERE to access the district message to parents. Notice that attendance is part of the criteria to qualify! More information coming soon. Email your student administrator if you have any questions.

🎓Senior Families

Do not miss the January edition of the Senior Newsletter- Scroll down to the Counseling Corner.

Thank you for your continued support and for being an active partner in your child’s education. Together, we make McClure Health Science High School a place where students feel safe, supported, and inspired to succeed.

Yours in Service,

Dr. Hernandez
Principal

McClure Health Science High School

We are excited to share that Alexa Garcia’s photograph was selected as one of 50 finalists out of more than 800 entries to be exhibited at the Georgia Art Education Association All-State Art Symposium! Alexa will participate in a one-day event filled with art workshops and creative experiences on February 27 at Piedmont University.

In addition, the following student photographers had their work selected for exhibition at the Annual Shutter Sense and Non-Sense Exhibition, held at the Sugar Hill Art Gallery (January 14–February 11). An awards ceremony for 1st–5th place winners will take place on February 11 from 6:00–8:00 pm.

🏆 Student Recognitions

• Leyla Rogers — Honorable Mention, Animals

• Naomi Hailmariam — Honorable Mention, Animals

• Naomi Hailmariam — Honorable Mention, Color

• Alexa Garcia — Honorable Mention, Color

• Alexa Garcia — 3rd Place, Digital Black & White

• Shaionna Shannon — 4th Place, Digital Black & White

• Sara Buitrago-Gonzalez — Honorable Mention, Digital Black & White

• Rachel Edmond — Honorable Mention, Portraiture with Available Light

• Rachel Edmond — 1st Place, Elements & Principles of Design

• Yaretzi Cardona — 2nd Place, Elements & Principles of Design

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👏 Congratulations to all of our talented student artists for this outstanding achievement!

🔗 View all of the artwork here:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1gorIz10IrVVuRdSwq9uFZge6KI9s-y8pf6BQ-irAS0I/edit?usp=sharing

Go Pulse! 💙

We are proud to celebrate our teacher leaders who have successfully completed Cohort 17 of the GCPS Assessment Leadership Team training! This accomplishment reflects their strong commitment to assessment literacy, including work in universal design, Webb’s Depth of Knowledge, AKS deconstruction, data analysis, and creating high-quality, data-informed assessments to support Tier 1 instruction.

These leaders are already sharing their expertise within our school community and will continue to support the district through assessment writing, review, and data analysis to strengthen student learning outcomes.

🎉 Please join us in congratulating them on this achievement!

Thank you for representing our school and helping shape high-quality teaching and learning across GCPS!

We’re so proud to share that one of our seniors has been awarded the Golden Door Scholarship! 🎉

Golden Door Scholars supports DACAmented and undocumented students by providing financial aid, mentorship, and resources to pursue higher education and shape their futures. This prestigious award recognizes not only academic excellence, but also resilience, leadership, and determination.

This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the hard work and perseverance of our students.

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All students in the ESOL program will take the ACCESS test on Wednesday, January 14, and Thursday, January 15, 2026. This is an important, all-day assessment, and attendance on both days is required.

Please ensure your student is present, arrives on time, and is prepared for school on both testing days.

Thank you for your partnership in supporting your student’s success.

Please click on the link to view the January edition of our Senior Newsletter:

Senior Newsletter - January Edition

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.

Supporting Your Student’s Learning — Together

McClure Health Science High School invites all families to join us for a virtual Title I Family Engagement meeting focused on sharing simple, practical strategies families can use to support student learning at home.

📅 Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026

⏰ Time: 12:00 PM (Noon)

💻 Location: Virtual Meeting - 👉 Join Here: Click here to join

📚 What Will Be Covered

✔ Easy tools and tips to support learning at home
✔ How reading and learning look across different content areas
✔ Academic supports and resources available to students
✔ Time for questions and family feedback

We look forward to partnering with you as we continue to Awaken the Wonder of learning at McClure Health Science High School!

💌 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