Cardinal Connections
August 21st, 2025
November 14, 2025
Message from GHS Administration
We are now halfway through November and the third week of the second quarter. Report cards were released last week so please be sure to check ParentVue for your students Report Card. This last week also signaled the start of the winter sports season with a week of tryouts. We wish all of our winter athletes luck as they prepare for a successful season!
Information for all Students and Parents
Communication & Teacher of the Year Surveys
We are requesting your assistance with completing two surveys to help us collect feedback on communication between the school and our families as well as to request nominations for the PWCS Teacher of the Year. Please see the additional information below as well as the link to the two surveys.
We’re committed to keeping our families informed and connected. Please take a few minutes to complete our Parent Communication Feedback Survey to let us know how we’re doing and how we can improve. Your input helps us ensure that the information we share is timely, relevant, and helpful.
Nominations for the PWCS Teacher of the Year are now open. These awards are an opportunity to recognize the hard work and commitment of our staff. To nominate a teacher and/or support employee who goes above and beyond and excels in their profession, please complete the Gainesville High School - Teacher of the Year Nomination Form.
Specialty Program Information Night
What’s your Pathway? On Thursday, November 20, we will host our first 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 visit with their counselor or reach out to Mrs. Terenchin at terencce@pwcs.edu or (571) 248- 3265.
Principal’s Advisory Council
Our Principal’s Advisory Council (P.A.C.) will hold its next meeting on November 17, 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 and hold elections.
Gainesville High School Is Watching
Students from two GHS sponsored clubs YOVASO ( Youth of Virginia Speak Out about Teen Driver Safety) and the Criminal Justice Clubs have conducted two seat belt usage surveys at the school during morning drop off. The first survey of 100+ vehicles was conducted during the National Teen Driver Safety Week on October 23 . Students observed vehicles pulling into the school drop off area to assess seat belt usage. That day 67.7% percent of the vehicle’s occupants had seat belts on in the vehicles. After publicizing with a BUCKLE UP awareness campaign in the school, a second survey was conducted on November 7, 2025. On this day, 88.8% percent of vehicle occupants with same number of vehicles this go around, were wearing seatbelts. A great improvement! BUCKLE UP, GHS is watching……because we care!
GHS Counseling Information
PSAT Score Reports
PSAT Score reports were shared by the College Board via text and email to students around November 6. GHS is currently printing paper score reports for all students; this is the same information that students will find on their College Board accounts. Paper score reports will be delivered to advisory classes on November 25. Please be patient with staff as we diligently work through sorting close to 1700 paper score reports.
Therapy Dogs
Therapy dogs will be visiting GHS on November 18. 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.
Student Vision Profile
PWCS will be creating new Student Vision Profiles for all students, grades 9-12. To help inform the SVP, we strongly encourage GHS students to complete their grade level Naviance task. The tasks are as follows: 9th grade – Achieveworks Skills Assessment, 10th grade – Achieveworks Personality Assessment, 11th and 12th – both aforementioned assessments. Students that complete theses assessments by November 19 will have them included on their SVP. Full information on the SVP can be found on the PWCS website.
Hearing and Vision Clinic
Student Health and Wellness will be conducting a hearing and vision clinic through HPE II classes on November 19 and 20. Students not in HPE II will be sent a separate pass.
Class of 2026
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.
Upcoming Events
GHS Theatre presents Alice by Heart
Nov. 14 at 7 pm
Nov. 15 at 2 pm and 7 pm
Girls JV/V Scrimmage vs. West Potomac, 5:30/7:00
Nov. 22nd
Boys Freshmen/JV/V Scrimmage vs. West Potomac, 10:00/11:15/12:30
Nov. 23rd
Gainesville High School
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