Cardinal Connections

This week students at Gainesville High School exemplified their care for our community. Our student leaders in SALC completed Operation Holiday. Here is an update from one of our SALC students:

“This year Gainesville’s leadership class, SALC, hosted their annual Operation: Holiday Help drive in partnership with three of our elementary schools: Piney Branch, Haymarket, and Glenkirk Elementary to provide 30 students with gifts for the holiday season. These students were sponsored by staff members, teams, classes, and clubs at GHS. Each student received a want, a need, a wear, and a read; in total, SALC was able to deliver over 120 gifts to families in need! This experience was impactful for all participating students, especially aligning with our goals as a school to engagement our community partners and foster excitement and positive relationships between the pyramid schools.”

Also, on Wednesday December 10, our students in Unified PE played in a basketball game against students from Unity Reed. Many Cardinals came to cheer on and encourage our students in the Unified program, and it was a fun and exciting game to watch. Let’s go Cards!

SAT Prep with Khan Academy

This morning during Advisory, all of our students were shown how to log into the Khan Academy platform on their iPads and navigate to the SAT prep section of the application. Each of our students has access to this free resource and we encourage them continue to explore SAT prep modules. Anecdotally, and based on research conducted by the College Board, has shown that students who spend 6+ hours in SAT preparation with the Khan Academy can improve their SAT score significantly, by over 100 points in some cases.

Students can also use content tutorials for the classes they are taking. These practice modules can be a great source of review and feedback for students outside of the classroom.

iPad Stylus Use

When we deployed iPads to our students at the start of the school year, we distributed a simple stylus with each device. The stylus is used in many classrooms to annotate digital text, draw, or take notes in various applications and has proven to be very useful. What we have recently found is that students who have purchased their own digital stylus are having a better user experience.

We plan to purchase loaner styluses for each of our classrooms early in the new year. However, if you wish to purchase a stylus for your child to keep with them during the school day, this link takes you to an example of one that many of our students have had success with.

PTSO Co-Treasurer Opportunity for 2025-2026

Are you interested in helping manage finances and supporting our school’s PTSO? We are seeking a dedicated volunteer to serve as Co-Treasurer for the 2025-2026 school year. The selected candidate will work alongside the current treasurer to learn the ropes, with the goal to fully transition into the treasurer role for the 2026-2027 school year. Key responsibilities include assist with managing purchases and payments, use Quicken to track financial records, process transactions through Square, prepare financial reporting and maintain the checkbook.

If you have an eye for detail and a passion for supporting our school, we encourage you to apply! Previous experience with financial software and bookkeeping is helpful but not required. Contact us today to learn more about joining our team as the PTSO Co-Treasurer at: gainesvillehighptso@gmail.com

Weather-Related School Closures

For accurate and up-to-date information on school closures or delays due to inclement weather, please visit the official PWCS Closings page: pwcs.edu/about_us/closings. This page provides details on how decisions are made, communication methods, and any current announcements.

Show Your Cardinal Pride!

Shop the GVHS Booster Spirit Wear online store for the perfect holiday gifts! Browse a wide selection of apparel and accessories at cabcspirit.itemorder.com. Order now to make this season festive and spirited! Plus, visit our Spirit Store in person on Friday, December 19 for shopping and to pick up your online purchases. Don’t miss out—spread the Cardinal cheer today!

Junior Family Webinar

Counseling is hosting a Junior Family Webinar on December 17, 6pm; registration is required. Topics that will be covered include prep for college admissions, trade schools, the College and Career Ready Virginia program, and financial aid. If you cannot attend the night of December 17, don’t worry! We will record and post the event for you to watch at your convenience.

Specialty Program Information Night

What’s your Pathway? On Thursday, January 15, we will host our second Pathways to Global Citizenship Program Information Night starting at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Families interested in applying for transfer to GHS for the 2026 – 27 school year are invited to come learn more about this innovative and inclusive specialty program. Current students and families are welcome to attend as well. We’ll outline the various pathways available to GHS students and introduce the Extended Learning Experience option for juniors and seniors. For more information, interested students should reach out to Mrs. Terenchin at terencce@pwcs.edu or (571) 248- 3265.

FAFSA and VASA Financial Aid

Seniors if you have not done so yet, the FAFSA and VASA applications are open. They should be completed as soon as possible. The VASA application is needed only if you do not meet the eligibility criteria for the FAFSA (click here to check). There are also scheduled help sessions at the Manassas City Library on the dates listed below.

· Saturday, January 24, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

· Saturday, February 14, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Virginia Student Survey – February 3

In partnership with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Virginia Department of Education, GVHS will conduct the Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions on February 3 in advisory for students in grades 9–12, teachers, and staff. The anonymous survey measures student support, engagement, discipline, and safety to help create a positive school environment, and covers topics such as school climate, relationships, rules, and teacher support, with some questions addressing sensitive issues like bullying, mental health, and suicide (resources: Mental Health and Student Services). Participation is voluntary; if you do not want your child to participate, please notify Ms. Wiersberg (wiersbta@pwcs.edu), survey coordinator, by January 15. You can preview the survey at tinyurl.com/VaSchoolSurvey, and results will be available at the end of the school year at the same link.

Therapy Dogs

Therapy dogs will be visiting GHS on December 16. The therapy dogs will be stationed outside of the Red Commons during lunch from 10:30-12:30. Should you have any concerns about your child interacting with the therapy dogs, please contact the School Social Worker, Sassan Jahanian, by email at jahanis@pwcs.edu or by phone at (571) 248-3372 so that a specific plan can be made to prevent therapy dog interaction with your child.

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 for $57.50, the price will increase on February 1. 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.

Winter Spirit Week

SALC is excited to announce the days for the 2025 Winter Spirit Week:

Monday 12/15: Sweater Weather--Wear your coziest, favorite sweater!

Tuesday 12/16: Meme Day--Dress as your favorite internet skit/meme

Wednesday 12/17: Holiday Character or Hat Day--Dress as your favorite holiday character or wear a festive hat! Hats/costumes should not be distracting to the learning environment.

Thursday 12/18: Dress to Impress--wear formal attire/get dressed up for school

Friday 12/19: Polar Express Day--Wear your coziest PJs and bring a cup of Hot Chocolate to stay warm!

After school, be sure to follow SALC on Instagram (@SALCGHS) for more updates and to share your spirit week pictures!

Girls Basketball

Dec. 16th

Varsity: 6:00pm @ Unity Reed HS

Dec. 17th

JV, Varsity: 6:00pm, 7:30pm @ Bishop O'Connell HS

Dec. 19th

JV, Varsity: 5:30pm, 7:00pm @ Chantilly HS

Boys Basketball

Dec. 15th

Fresh, JV, Varsity: 5:00pm, 6:15pm, 7:00pm @ Osbourn Park HS

Dec. 16th

Fresh, JV, Varsity: 5:00pm, 6:15pm, 7:00pm vs. Unity Reed HS

Dec. 19th

Varsity Invitational Tournament @ Martinsburg HS vs. Kings Christian Academy

Dec. 20th

Varsity Invitational Tournament @ Martinsburg HS vs. North County

Indoor Track & Field

Dec. 17th

2:00pm vs. Battlefield, Osbourn, Osbourn Park, Patriot

Dec. 20th

Invitational 9:00am @ Roanoke College

Boys Wrestling

Dec. 17th

Varsity Duals, 6:00pm vs. Independence

Girls Wrestling

Dec. 17th

Varsity Jamboree, 6:00pm @ Hylton HS

Gymnastics

Dec. 18th

Varsity Meet, 6:00pm, @ Lightridge HS

Swim & Dive

Dec. 20th

Cardinal Classic Invitational, 7:50am @ PWCS Aquatics Center

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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