Cardinal Connections

This was another busy week at Gainesville High School. Between athletics, end of year celebrations, and completions for our clubs, our Cardinals are busy! This is a long and information-full Cardinal Connections. Stick with us for a lot of important details.

GHS Robotics had an incredible showing at the VEX Robotics World Championship in St. Louis last week! Team 13150E battled through 12 qualifying matches across four intense days, finishing with an impressive 9-3 record and securing 7th place in a division of 87 teams from around the world. Their division turned out to be the second toughest of the ten-division competition, and they earned the title of highest ranked high school team from Virginia. Congratulations to our Robotics team!

We would also like to congratulate the 2025-2026 Radiance Award winners that were celebrated on April 28. This event celebrates our students that represent our core values of lead, learn, care, and create by each department, as well as a senior that represents all four values. Thank you to our outstanding students and their families for attending!

Congratulations to our Esports team! Our Esports Rocket League Team had an outstanding run, reaching the semifinal round of the VHSL championship competition. The team demonstrated great skill and sportsmanship, and we hope to be back in coming seasons.

Once a month, students and staffulty (staff and faculty) nominate 1 member of our staffulty for outstanding care and work in our school community. Congratulations to our May Staffulty member of the Month... Mr. Wall! Mr. Wall was nominated for his kindness, helpfulness, patience, and welcoming attitude towards all students and members of our community. Thank you, Mr. Wall, to you and your team for keeping us safe and for creating such a welcoming environment at Gainesville!

Principal’s Advisory Council

Our Principal’s Advisory Council (P.A.C.) will hold its next meeting on May 4, 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.

Yearbook

The end of year is quickly approaching and what better way to celebrate the year than with the 2026 Yearbook. Preorder your yearbook today to reserve your book before we sell out! Books can be purchased at https://yearbookforever.com/school-store/IhO61rD0f9nbrK794LKJYNO7 Books will be distributed in May in the Red Commons. Quantity is limited!

Spring SOL Schedule and Information

The spring SOL testing window is approaching. Please review the schedule below for testing dates and important details.

If you have questions about whether your student will be taking an SOL test, please contact the classroom teacher or your student’s school counselor.

Additionally, please remember that all smart phones, smart watches, AI-enabled glasses, and any other unapproved electronic devices must remain turned off and stored in student backpacks each day. This is especially important during the testing window to ensure a secure and distraction-free environment for all students.

Thank you for your support in helping our students have a successful testing experience.

Monday, May 4 (RED Day)

· 3rd Block SOL: 7:30–10:30

· 1st Block: 10:36–12:36

· 7th Block: 12:42–2:10

Tuesday, May 5 (GREY Day)

· 4th Block SOL: 7:30–10:30

· 2nd Block: 10:36–12:36

· 6th Block: 12:42–2:10

Wednesday, May 6 (RED Day)

· 1st Block SOL: 7:30–10:30

· 5th Block: 10:36–12:36

· 7th Block: 12:42–2:10

Thursday, May 7 (GREY Day)

· 2nd Block SOL: 7:30–10:30

· 4th Block: 10:36–12:36

· 6th Block: 12:42–2:10

Friday, May 8 (RED Day)

· 7th Block SOL: 7:30–10:30

· 3rd Block: 10:36–12:36

· 5th Block: 12:42–2:10

Attendance

With only about 5 weeks until graduation and 7 until the school year ends, we ask our students to recommit to making it to school each day and on time. There is a lot of learning left in our school year, so let’s finish strong. We also ask our families to support our students in this effort by holding them accountable. Thank you!

Temporary Position at GHS

We currently have a temporary employment position open at GHS. This position supports our teachers in the copy center. If you are interested, please reach out to Ms. Maneval at manevaa@pwcs.edu.

Food Delivery Reminders

Students should not have food delivered by delivery companies during school hours. If, due to a club or sports event, a student needs food delivered after school, they should request the food be delivered after 2:30. Any time before that there is traffic and the main office is too busy. Thank you for your help with this matter.

AP Exam season is just around the corner, and we’re excited to support our students as they prepare to showcase all they’ve learned!

A few quick reminders to help AP exam days go smoothly: all students should bring their fully charged, school‑issued iPads and chargers to the exam. Please note that styluses and unapproved electronic devices are not permitted, must be powered off, and stored during the exams. All students should report to the auditorium for their AP Exams.

Students taking morning exams should report to the auditorium as soon as they arrive at school (doors open at approximately 7:05 a.m.). Students scheduled for afternoon exams should report at 12:10 p.m. after eating A, B, or C lunch. Students testing in the morning with extended time will not finish until after the cafeteria closes and should bring their own lunch. Afternoon exams will likely conclude between 3:30–4:00 p.m., so families should plan for independent transportation home.

More detailed information has and will continue to be shared directly with students and families. Students, please be on the lookout for emails from Mrs. Terenchin, Mrs. Weddel, and Mr. Dulin as we get closer to the start of AP exams.

Questions may be directed to your student’s AP teacher or to Mrs. Terenchin, AP Coordinator at terencce@pwcs.edu.

2026 AP Exam Schedule:

Monday, May 4, 2026

· Morning- AP Biology

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

· Morning- AP Chemistry & AP Human Geography

· Afternoon- AP U.S. Government & Politics

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

· Morning- AP English Literature & Composition

· Afternoon- AP Physics 1

Thursday, May 7, 2026

· Morning- Physics 2 & AP World History: Modern

· Afternoon- AP African American Studies & AP Statistics

Friday, May 8, 2026

· Morning- AP U.S. History

· Afternoon- AP Macroeconomics

Monday, May 11, 2026

· Morning- AP Calculus AB & AP Calculus BC

· Afternoon- AP Seminar

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

· Morning- AP French Language & AP Precalculus

· Afternoon- AP Psychology

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

· Morning- AP English Language & Composition

· Afternoon- AP Physics C: Mechanics

Thursday, May 14, 2026

· Morning- AP Spanish Language & Culture

· Afternoon- AP Computer Science Principles & AP Physics C: Electricity and Mechanics

Friday, May 15, 2026

· Morning- AP Environmental Science

· Afternoon- AP Computer Science A

Final Exam Exemptions

Full details on final exam exemptions will be sent in a separate communication soon, but here are the highlights. Students can be exempted from their final in two ways: they must have an A in the course going into the final or pass the SOL or IDM associated with the course. Please note that dual enrollment courses do not offer final exam exemptions. Parents can check student grades in ParentVUE under Gradebook and check the year grade. If you are not sure, feel free to contact your student’s teachers.

Summer School

If your student does not pass a class or their SOL this school year, we strongly encourage them to attend PWCS Summer School. This is an excellent way to earn previously failed credit and enables students to stay on track for graduation. Their SOL remediation program is also an excellent way for students to get concentrated support for graduation testing requirements. Parents enroll their students through ParentVUE. If you need help, please contact your student’s school counselor.

Moving This Summer?

If you are moving this summer out of GVHS’ boundaries, please complete the withdrawal packed in ParentVUE. This will enable us to send records to your student’s new school in a timely manner. Information on how to withdraw can be found on the PWCS Student Withdrawal Information page.

Senior Class Graduation Practice

Seniors, graduation is quickly approaching. Please make sure that you are working diligently in your classes to ensure you remain on track with all graduation requirements. Additionally, there are two mandatory graduation practices. You must attend both practices on time in order to walk with your peers on graduation day. The practices are Tuesday, 05/26 and Thursday, 05/28 at 8 AM.

Cap & Gown Distribution - Final Visit

Jostens will be on site on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, during the lunch block to distribute Cap and Gown orders placed by May 1, 2026.

Please bring your Student ID to pick up your order during your lunch period at the front of the Red Commons.

Cap and Gown Orders

Order your Cap and Gown Today! DEADLINE MAY 8. 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.

Senior After Grad Party - Friday, May 29th 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM

Gainesville High School PTSO presents the 3rd Annual Senior After Grad Party

Casino games, inflatables, money booth, large floor games, mirror photo booth, live DJ, caricature artists, and much more! Plus, all your favorite foods!

Tickets are $50.00. They can be purchased on the PTSO website.

Awesome Raffle prizes such as laptops, Smart I's, Apple iPods, JBL Headphones/Speakers, Beats headphones, and much more!

Senior Obligations

Seniors who have uniforms, owe lunch money, need to turn in library books, or have other GHS gear, please be sure to turn these in as soon as possible. Senior obligations need to be settled prior to or on the day of graduation practice. We appreciate your help in collecting all necessary supplies and money!

Important Dates:

· Monday, May 4-Friday, May 8- SOL Testing Week 2

· Monday, May 4-Friday, May 8- AP Testing Week 1

· Monday, May 11-Friday, May 15- AP Testing Week 2

· Tuesday, May 26- Graduation Practice

· Thursday, May 27- Graduation Practice

Monday, May 04, 2026

Lacrosse: Boys JV Game 5:30pm vs Battlefield at Battlefield High School, Lacrosse: Girls JV Game 5:30pm vs Battlefield at Gainesville, Lacrosse: Boys Varsity Game 7:00pm vs Battlefield at Battlefield High School, Lacrosse: Girls Varsity Game 7:00pm vs Battlefield at Gainesville

Tuesday, May 05, 2026

Tennis: Girls Varsity Match 4:30pm vs Patriot at Patriot High School, Soccer: Girls JV Game 5:30pm vs Osbourn Park at Osbourn Park High School, Soccer: Boys JV Game 5:30pm vs Osbourn Park at Gainesville, Baseball: Varsity Game 6:00pm vs Osbourn Park at Gainesville, Baseball Field Softball: JV Game 6:00pm vs Gar-Field at Gar-Field High School, Softball: Varsity Game 6:00pm vs Osbourn Park at Gainesville, Baseball: JV Game 6:00pm vs Osbourn Park at Osbourn Park High School, Soccer: Boys Varsity Game 7:00pm vs Osbourn Park at Gainesville, Soccer: Girls Varsity Game 7:00pm vs Osbourn Park at Osbourn Park High School

Wednesday, May 06, 2026

Outdoor Track: Varsity Meet 2:00pm Independence, Battlefield, Gainesville High School, Osbourn High School, Patriot vs. Independence at Independence High School, Tennis: Boys Varsity Match 4:00pm vs Patriot at Gainesville, Lacrosse: Boys JV Game 5:30pm vs Mountain View at Mountain View High School, Softball: Varsity Game 6:00pm vs Mountain View at Mountain View High School, Softball: JV Game 6:00pm vs Mountain View at Gainesville, Softball Field Lacrosse: Boys Varsity Game 7:00pm vs Mountain View at Mountain View High School

Thursday, May 07, 2026

Lacrosse: Girls Varsity District Tournament TBD TBA vs. TBD TBA, Lacrosse: Boys Varsity District Tournament TBD TBA vs. TBD TBA, Tennis: Girls Varsity Match 4:30pm vs Battlefield at Gainesville, Tennis: Boys Varsity Match 4:30pm vs Battlefield at Battlefield High School, Baseball: JV Game 6:30pm vs McLean at Gainesville

Friday, May 08, 2026

Soccer: Boys JV Game 5:30pm vs North Staffor at Gainesville, Soccer: Boys Varsity Game 7:00pm vs North Staffor at Gainesville

Saturday, May 09, 2026

Outdoor Track: Varsity Invitational 9:30am vs Multiple at Osbourn Park High School - Victor Cahoon Invitational

Address: 13150 University Boulevard, Gainesville VA 20155
Phone: (571) 248-3200

Website: https://gainesvillehs.pwcs.edu/index
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