Greyhound Connect (September 22nd)

Hello Greyhounds,

We have an incredible stretch of events right around the corner, including Homecoming next week! Get ready for a full slate of spirit days from Monday through Friday, the big Homecoming game on Friday night against Westerville Central, and the dance on Saturday. Seniors can also look forward to Senior Sunrise this Friday morning, September 25th. I cannot wait to see our school community show up with energy and school spirit over the next couple of weeks.

If you plan on attending the dance, please note that no tickets will be sold on Saturday. All ticket sales close strictly at 11:59 PM on Friday night. Because main office staff will not be available for online support after 3:30 PM on Friday, we strongly encourage you to purchase your tickets early to avoid any last-minute issues. Additionally, students bringing outside guests must submit their guest forms early because ticket purchases for guests will only open once the form is approved. Scroll down for further details on all things Homecoming!

Go Dawgs!

Tara Thompson, Principal

HOMECOMING DANCE

• Saturday, October 3, 7-10 PM, Convention Center (Short North Ballrooms)
• Theme: Sunsets in Malibu
• Guest Forms (required for any non-GCHS student) are due THIS Friday, September 25 by 3:30 and are available in the main offices. Guests must go through the approval process before the ticket will be released for purchase.
• Tickets are $20, and will be on sale the week of homecoming Sept 28-Oct 2 online until 11:59 PM. (The link will be posted in students' Cohort Google Classrooms on Mon, Sept 28)
• No tickets will be sold Saturday, or at the door

Homecoming Football Game

• Friday, October 2
• Ceremony will take place during PREGAME @ 6:30 PM

More details including a map, parking directions, spirit week etc, will be available as we get closer to the event

A-D Jessica Wilson (614) 801-3316
E-Le Kaitlin O'Hara (614) 801-3312

Li-R Rachel Rendle (614) 801-3313

S-Z Valerie Williams (614) 801-3315

*All SWCSD employees can be reached via email at firstname.lastname@swcsd.us

Our Columbus State CCP Advisor, Kayla Patterson, will be at GCHS this Thursday, September 24 from 9am-2pm.

If you are interested in meeting with Kayla to discuss your future CCP courses or plans, get individual help navigating Workday, ask questions about the registration process for online or on campus classes, etc., email your GCHS School Counselor ASAP to schedule an appointment. Spots are limited.

Please complete this form to register for the PSAT. The cost is $18.00 and will be applied directly to your fees. The test will be on Thursday, October 22nd at 8:00am in the Rec Center at GCHS. Priority will be given to junior students. However, sophomores are also able to sign-up. Deadline to register for the PSAT is Friday, October 9, 2026 or until we sell out.

The GCHS Care Team wants to be sure we are connecting all students and families with the services and resources they need. This is a voluntary form and all information collected is confidential. Student Support Liaison, Katie Eisel, (kle0827@swcsd.us) will be the point of contact.

As we move through the school year, we want to take a moment to highlight the important connection between regular school attendance and student success.

We know that life happens. Illness, family emergencies, and other circumstances can sometimes make an absence unavoidable. However, when students are able to attend school consistently, they are better positioned to keep up academically, stay connected to their teachers and peers, and make the most of their high school experience.

Why Attendance Matters

📚 Learning Happens Every Day
Each school day builds on the one before it. When students miss class, they can miss instruction, assignments, discussions, and important opportunities to practice new skills. Even occasional absences can make it more difficult to stay caught up.

🤝 Connection Matters
School is about more than academics. Being present each day helps students maintain relationships with teachers, classmates, coaches, and other members of the school community. These connections play an important role in student engagement and success.

🎯 Attendance Supports Long-Term Success
Students who attend school regularly are more likely to remain engaged in their learning, earn credits, and stay on track for graduation. Consistent attendance is one of the simplest ways families can help support their student’s success.

How Families Can Help

Establishing consistent routines can make a big difference, especially during the high school years.

• Set a consistent bedtime. Yes… this is still important for high school students! Getting enough sleep can make mornings--and school days--much more successful.

• Establish a morning routine. A predictable routine can help reduce stress and make getting to school on time easier.

• Plan ahead. Encourage your student to prepare clothes, backpacks, lunches, and other necessities the night before.

• Monitor attendance. Keep an eye on your student’s attendance and address patterns of absences or tardies early.

• Communicate with us. If your student is experiencing challenges that are making regular attendance difficult, please reach out. We want to work with you to identify barriers and find ways to support your student.

Let's Work Together

Every day matters. Every class matters. Every connection matters- Our goal is not simply for students to be in the building--we want them to be present, engaged, and ready to learn. When families and schools work together to prioritize attendance, we give students the strongest opportunity to succeed.

Thank you for your continued partnership and for everything you do to support your student’s success. If you have questions or if there are barriers affecting your student’s ability to attend school regularly, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to help.

24 HOUR ATTENDANCE LINE- (614) 801-8859 or attendance can be entered on Infinite Campus

All Ohio public schools are required to enforce updated expectations for student electronic device use. In alignment with state law and SWCS Board of Education policy, GCHS is fully enforcing these expectations during the 26/27 school year to support focused, respectful, and safe learning environments. This policy includes cell phones, AirPods, wireless headphones, Meta glasses, and smartwatches (when used for purposes other than telling time).

What families should know:

• If students need to contact home during the school day, they should do so through the school office. Families who need to contact their child may call 614-801-3300.

• The policy is in effect daily from 8:00–3:20 and applies to students on lockout while still in the building.

• To support our electronics policy, the following enforcement steps will be implemented:

  • First offense: The device will be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the school day.

  • Second offense: The device will be confiscated, and a guardian must come to the school to pick it up. The office is open from 7:30–4:00 for guardian pick-up.

  • Third offense: A personalized electronics plan will be created with the student and their guardian to address ongoing concerns and ensure future success in maintaining a focused learning environment. Guardian pick-up of the device is also required. The office is open from 7:30–4:00 for guardian pick-up.

Starting this week, college representatives will be visiting GCHS. These visits will occur in the commons during lunch periods. Admissions representatives will be present to address any questions you may have about their institutions. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with an admissions representatives and discover more about your "E"!Upcoming College Admissions Representative Visits

Tuesday, September 22nd:

• Wittenberg University - 9:55am - 11:40am ( 3rd & 4th Pd)

Thursday, September 24th:

• Capital University - 11:45am - 1:30pm

9/21- Boy's Golf @ Heritage Country Club & Apple Valley Golf Course

9/22 - Girl's Tennis vs. St. Francis DeSales

9/22- Girl's Volleyball vs. Pickerington North

9/22- Boy's Soccer vs. Pickerington North

9/22- Girl's Soccer @ Pickerington North

9/24- Girl's Volleyball @ Gahanna Lincoln

9/24- Girl's Tennis @ Hilliard Davidson

9/25 - Football @ New Albany

9/26- Cross Country @ London Country Club

9/26- Girl's Golf @ Marysville

9/26- Boy's Golf @ Kinsale Country Club

Important Reminder:

If your child is a student-athlete, they are required to pass the equivalent of five courses each nine weeks. Physical Education does not count as one of the five required courses. We recommend that student-athletes take six academic classes to help ensure they meet OHSAA eligibility requirements. Additionally, students must maintain a minimum 1.8 GPA to remain eligible. Parents and students are responsible for monitoring and meeting all athletic eligibility requirements.

10/7/26- Career Goals

11/4/26- TBD

12/2/26- Ohio Graduation Requirements

1/27/27- Scheduling Focused

2/17/27- Scheduling Focused

3/3/27- Resumes

4/28/27- Exit Survey

5/14/27- Senior Sendoff

Extended Homeroom provides students with 25 minutes once a month to focus on college and career readiness as well as other important action items throughout the year. A key tool in this process is SchooLinks, an award-winning, research-based online program that engages students in exploring their strengths, interests, and future opportunities. Through personalized, discovery-based learning, SchooLinks helps students plan for life after graduation while building the knowledge and 21st-century skills needed for long-term success.

If a student is absent on a day of Extended Homeroom, they are able to view and complete the activity in their Cohort Google Classroom.

2026

10/3- Homecoming Dance

10/7- Extended Homeroom Schedule

10/15- End of 1st Nine Weeks

10/15/2026 - School Portraits - absentee / retake day

10/16- No School (Professional Day)

10/22- PSAT Testing- 11th Grade given priority- 10th grade also able to sign up HERE.

10/23- Fall Pep Rally

11/3- No School (Election Day)

11/4- Extended Homeroom Schedule

11/19-11/22- Fall Play

11/25-11/27- No School (Thanksgiving Break)

12/2- Extended Homeroom Schedule

12/16-12/18- 1st Semester Exams

12/21-1/1- No School (Winter Break)

2027

1/8- End of 2nd Nine Weeks

1/18- No School (MLK Day)

1/19- No School (Professional Day)

1/27- Extended Homeroom Schedule

2/15- No School (Presidents Day)

2/17- Extended Homeroom Schedule

3/3- Extended Homeroom Schedule

3/12- End of 3rd Nine Weeks

3/22-3/26- No School (Spring Break)

3/29- No School (Professional Day)

4/28- Extended Homeroom Schedule

5/4- No School (Election Day)

5/14- Senior Sendoff

5/14- Prom

5/26-5/28- 2nd Semester Exams

5/28- End of 4th Nine Weeks & Last Day of School for Students

5/30- Graduation for the Class of 2027

Principal: Tara Thompson

Assistant Principal: Brittany Kimbleton

Assistant Principal: Brady Stewart

Assistant Principal & Athletic Director: Scott Todd

Main Office: (614) 801-3300

Fax: (614) 871-6563

Website

Location: 4665 Hoover Road Grove City, Ohio 43123