May Newsletter

I can't believe we are in our last month of school! I want to express my gratitude to all of our parents, students, and staff who have worked tirelessly to make this year a success!

An email was sent to all parents/guardians of senior students regarding important dates and reminders. If you did not receive the email, you can find the information attached below. It is also on the GHS website.

From April 20–24, Geneseo High School celebrated Respect Week, a series of activities focused on kindness, inclusion, and community. Organized by Megan Miller and Megan VerStraete with support from the Unified PE class, the week was inspired by the Special Olympics’ initiative promoting respect in schools.

Here is a link to an article about it!

Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week! We have outstanding teachers here at GHS. If you’re looking for a simple way to show appreciation, a quick email or note to a teacher can go a long way. Hearing that they’ve made a difference—big or small—means more than you might think. Thank you for partnering with us to support and celebrate our staff!

All returning students should take their padlock home on the last day of attendance for the school year and bring it back in August.

All non-returning students should return their padlock to the Athletic Office before leaving for the year.

Seniors will return their padlock on May 15 during Senior Check Out in the Main Gym.

Schedule previews for the 2026-2027 school year will open May 4th at 9:00 AM, and close May 8th at 3:00 PM. Course change forms will be accepted until 3:00 PM on May 8th. Please check your email and Skyward for details.

Please visit the counseling website for more information on our Course Change Policy. This site contains important information on what will not be approved for course change requests.

AP testing will take place May 4 - May 15 this year. Please make sure all students know their College Board Username and Password for testing day.

This is a reminder that parent/guardians can enter absences online through Skyward Family Access ahead of time. Directions are attached. Online absences can only be entered for full day absences or if a student is arriving late due to an illness or appointment. Online absences cannot be entered for a student leaving during the school day. A note given to the Front Office in the morning is still the preferred way for a student that is leaving during the school day for an appointment, out of town, etc.

Leaving School During the Day

1. In the case of illness:

If a student is not feeling well, they need to go see the school nurse. The school nurse will contact a parent/guardian and will get approval from the parent/guardian before the student leaves school. Failure to check out with the school nurse could result in disciplinary action.

2. In the case of professional appointments:

Students having a medical/dental or other professional appointment must present a signed note from a parent/guardian to the GHS Front Office before school on the day of the appointment. The note needs to state the date, reason for leaving, and the time they need to be dismissed from class. When the note is given to the GHS Front Office, the student will receive a permit to show their teacher so they can be excused from class at the stated time.

In the case of last-minute appointments, the parent may notify the school by phone about the appointment. The student then must pick up a permit from the GHS Front Office to be excused from class.

Appointment Confirmation Slips

When a student receives their permit to leave for an appointment they will also be given a blue appointment confirmation slip that needs to be signed by the doctor, dentist, or professional involved. The signed blue confirmation slip must be given to the GHS Front Office when the student returns from the appointment in order for the absence to be recorded as excused.

When a student has a medical appointment before school starts for the day, a confirmation slip from the professional office must be presented to the GHS Front Office upon check-in for the absence to be recorded as excused.

If a signed confirmation slip is not returned the absence will be recorded as unexcused.

A confirmation slip is needed if a student has an extra-curricular activity, practice, game, etc. in order for the student to participate.

Attendance and Extra-Curricular Participation

On days when school is in session, students involved in extra-curricular activities must be checked in at the Front Office by 10:30 a.m. (with Early Bird - Period 6 schedule) and 11:30 a.m. (with a Period 1-7 schedule), unless prior arrangements have been made for medical appointments, funerals, etc.

Friday, May 1

Sophomore Study Hall Release Begins (for those Sophomores that qualify)

Senior Open Campus Lunch (for those Seniors that qualify)

Tuesday, May 5

Seniors - Senior Meeting in the Theatre during WIN 10:38 a.m. - 11:02 a.m.

Report directly to the Theatre, do not go to your WIN class first.

Wednesday, May 6

Seniors - Local Scholarship Awards Ceremony, Concert Hall 7:00 p.m.

(Students being awarded scholarships this night have been notified)

Friday, May 8

Junior Open Campus Lunch (for those Juniors that qualify)

Saturday, May 9

Prom for Juniors and Seniors

7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. at Rolling Meadows Event Center, Eldridge IA

Wednesday, May 13

Seniors - Senior Check Out forms passed out during WIN

Friday, May 15

Seniors Last Day

Seniors - Senior Check Out in the Main Gym beginning at 1:20 p.m.

Monday, May 18

Seniors - All Senior obligations are due by 3:00 p.m.

Friday, May 22

Seniors - Mandatory Graduation Practice, Main Gym 10:00 a.m.

11:30 a.m. Dismissal - Last Day of School for 9th, 10th, and 11th Grade Students

Sunday, May 24

Seniors - Graduation, Stadium 3:00 p.m.

Parade begins at 1:00 p.m.